Censuses and vital records are the backbones of genealogical research. Finding ancestors on every census and discovering their vital records can help a researcher begin to identify an ancestor and the familial relationships for that ancestor. Land and probate records are also valuable sources. But what happens when a search of these records doesn't yield many results? Additional (and often less-used) records can then be examined with the goal of finding clues that will lead to more information about the ancestor. I recently finished a project where I relied heavily on city directories to help find new avenues of research. ...
What types of cemetery records are available to shed light on your ancestor's life? Have you considered searching for more than the headstone? A cemetery record can contain important genealogical information such as birth and death details, family relationships, and more. If we're going to discover all we can about our ancestors, we need to be aware of the variety of cemetery records and what can be found in them. In Back to the Basics: Cemetery Records Part 1 you learned about the various types of U.S. cemeteries, and how to find the cemetery where your ancestor might be buried....
Even if you don't like to travel, your DNA has been places! There are myriad places where our countless ancestors lived over the course of time. Many of these ancestors passed their DNA on to us. We each have a multitude of DNA segments that can be traced back to specific ancestors or ancestral couples. An exciting aspect of DNA research is that it can help us learn where our ancestors came from, and where they settled. As you use DNA information in conjunction with sound genealogical research, you will learn about the travels of your DNA segments and the...
How can you find tax records for your ancestors? That's what I want to share today in the third post in our back to basics with tax records series. The other parts are here: Back to the Basics with Tax Records: Part 1 - what tax records contain and how they can help you prove identity and relationships Back to the Basics with Tax Records: Part 2 - what types of tax records exist So you are convinced by the first two articles that you want to find some tax records for you ancestors? Okay, here's a process to get started!...
What kind of tax records exist? That's what I want to share today in the second post in our back to basics with tax records series. The first post, by Diana, gave you a taste of what tax records may contain and how you can use them in your research to determine identity and relationships. Hopefully now you're convinced of their usefulness. Tax records might be especially helpful when you're facing a tough problem like a burned county or when you are performing reasonably exhaustive research. Let's discuss what types of tax records exist. Part 3 (coming out next week)...
Have you used church records in your genealogy yet? If not, you might be interested to know how helpful a church record can be in researching your family. Because birth and death certificates were not required by most states in the U.S. until after 1900, church records can be a substitute for vital records. They can also help establish an ancestor's status in the community, reveal associates, and point to previous or subsequent residences. In this two-part series, we’ll examine the value of church records, what kind of records were created, and how to find them for your ancestor. Because...
Have you wondered what is behind the scenes at an archive? Any idea what work goes into preserving the records that we use for our genealogy research? I recently presented a class on using probate records at the Family History Workshop sponsored by the Utah Division of Archives and Records Service and was treated to a tour of the archived records. My guide opened an innocuous door and when I entered the archive I was shocked to see the boxes extending five stories high! Glen Fairclough, the Utah Public Notice Website Administrator, has worked at the Utah Archives for over...
Would you like some help with your research? How about getting a notification when someone in your family tree has a possible new genealogical record? If you don't have your family information on FamilySearch, you might be missing out on free research assistance. I received an email over the weekend that a relative had a new record hint on the FamilySearch FamilyTree. Intrigued, I clicked on the link and discovered a hint for Wilford Royston in a recently indexed database, "Oklahoma, School Records, 1895-1936." I hadn't explored this newly indexed set of records, so I viewed the record image and...
What value is there in transcribing and viewing an entire probate case file? If it is lengthy, you might be tempted to skip this task, but you'd be making a big mistake. To solve brick wall genealogy problems, we need to examine every possible clue. I've been working on a fascinating project for our Research Like a Pro study group and it all hinges on probate. In Part 1 of this series I discussed what might be found in a probate case file and how to locate probate records for your ancestor. Part 2 of the series delved into the...
Would you like to try a research tool that has the ability to clarify your findings and make connections? Creating a table might be just the key to wrapping your brain around a difficult research problem. I use tables in every research project. Evidence analysis, census enumerations, and other records take shape when put into a table. Organizing the data by individual, date, and place can make all of the difference in understanding the information. I've been researching George W. Dillard, born 1781 in Virginia and died 1854 in Alabama. He is the prime suspect for the father of...
