Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about the story of Eliza Ann Isenhour (1850-1898) and the family lore that claims she was a full-blooded Cherokee. The conversation starts with the 1884 incident that left Eliza a widow with four young children and another on the way after her husband, William Henderson Shults, died following an accident. Faced with the challenges of widowhood, Eliza remarries Jacob Meek, and they eventually move to Indian Territory,...
Do you have a family story that has been passed down? Family lore can be accurate, completely wrong, or have a kernel of truth. In the case of my second great-grandmother, Eliza Ann Isenhour, her purported Cherokee heritage turned out to have a kernel of truth. Family Lore Family stories told of the tragic accident in 1884 that made Eliza Ann a widow with four young children and another on the way. Her husband, William...
Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about the second part of Diana’s research on John D. Isenhour, her 4th great grandfather. Her objective was to learn more about his migration from North Carolina to Cape Girardeau, Missouri. In this episode, we discuss Diana’s research plan, Airtable research log, and findings. Read her plan and report linked below. Transcript Nicole (1s): This is Research Like a Pro episode 151 John Isenhour Case Study Part...
Today’s episode of Research Like a Pro is about Diana’s recent project for the study group. She researched to discover more about her 4th great grandfather, John D. Isenhour, and his migration from North Carolina to Cape Girardeau, Missouri. In this episode, we discuss her objective, timeline, analysis of known information, and locality guide. Her objective was as follows: Discover why and when John D. Isenhour’s family moved to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, in the early...
Can we tell the story of our great-grandmothers when few records naming them exist? What sources can we use to weave a narrative that will draw us closer to them as well as honor their contributions? My great, great-grandmother, Eliza Ann Isenhour died in Indian Territory at the age of 48. According to family stories, she was full-blooded Cherokee. I wanted to know more about this woman whose DNA I carry. Researching her story revealed...
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...
In my research project to discover the actions of my relative during the Civil War, I learned the importance of starting with the right objective. There are three kinds of research objectives that most genealogy research projects fall into: – Identify an individual – Prove a family relationship – Discover ancestor...
Have you ever completed a genealogy research project from the beginning to end? From objective to report? I just completed one and I want to share what I learned. I did the project for our Research Like a Pro study group. I wasn’t planning to join the group at first – I thought I would just help in the background with whatever Diana needed. She developed the idea for the study group and was finishing...
Have you ever found a marriage listing of an ancestor in an online index or in a book of marriage abstracts and been so excited you didn’t question it? Just added the information to your database, researched the couple and their children and went merrily on your way? I did this a few years ago, but unfortunately I connected the wrong marriage record to my ancestor. Essentially I married her to the wrong man. How...
Updated 18 January 2024 Have you ever read a family history with an interesting fact, like “Great Grandma was a full-blooded Cherokee”? You’re excited to read more and see some proof, but there is nothing: no source citations or documentation of any kind. You’re left in the dark, wondering how much to believe in that history. Eliza Ann Isenhauer My great-grandmother, Eliza Ann Isenhour, supposedly had Cherokee heritage. Unfortunately, the family history stating this fact...
