Visiting the land where ancestors lived out their lives provides much-needed context when researching and writing about their lives. My paternal lines all lived in Texas in the mid-1800s and moved north to Indian Territory by 1900. After twenty-three years of studying their lives through the records, histories, and photographs, I visited some of the places where they lived. Walking in the cemetery, visiting the historical museum, and driving through the countryside drew me closer...
In today’s episode of Research Like a Pro, we explore the life of Nancy Briscoe Fraser during the Civil War. We focus on the often overlooked experiences of women in this era, specifically examining Nancy’s life in the Ozarks. We discuss her marriage to a Confederate soldier amidst the conflict and her life after the war. This conversation emphasizes the resilience of women like Nancy during the Civil War and highlights the importance of uncovering...
When we think of the American Civil War and the havoc it wrought upon the southern states and the nation as a whole, how often do we consider the women left behind? The soldier who fought may have military records stating specifics, but we seldom have any account of the soldier’s mother, sisters, or wife. In that case, we need to research the soldier and then dig into the historical accounts that can shed light...
Have you hit the proverbial brick wall in your family history research? Are you at a loss for taking the next step? What you might need is to invest in a local family history book written about your ancestor’s town, county, or general area. I wrote about the importance of understanding localities in my post “Location, Location, Location: Putting Your Ancestors in their Place.” Today’s post is about learning even more about that place where...
