The reality is that there is no trick or instant solution to genealogical research problems. However, generally speaking the following approaches are helpful: citing your sources; learning as much as you can about all the records in the area; learning the history of the area; having contemporary maps; obtaining as many records as possible; using compiled sources (published genealogy books, online trees, etc. ) as stepping stones to original records; realizing assumptions may not be true; continuing to learn about genealogical research in general; proofing and double checking your work. Not one trick and not a guarantee, but these general suggestions will go a long way.
Probate records for tenant farmers may not provide any direct statements as to where the deceased lived–just that they had property within the county limits. Make certain to read the entire file completely, paying particular attention to anything that may list an address or location. Receipts often have a date and a place written on them. Doctors, estate appraisers, and other small businessmen who may have interacted with your ancestor likely lived close. Appraisers often live in near proximity to the deceased–giving them a better idea of what the deceased owned and what it was worth. Receipts for publication of probate notices may be to newspapers in the county seat or the nearest town with a newspaper. Receipts for payment of court expenses will be “placed” at the […]
James Orrey had four “natural children” when he died in Bedford County, Virginia, in the 1790s. The reference indicated that James and the mother of the children, Mary Parker, were not married at the time the children were born. These children would not automatically be James’ heirs during the period in question–unless he publicly acknowledged them. Fortunately, he did acknowledge his four children and provided for them specifically in his will. The Legal Genealogist has more about natural children in this blog post.
Reading the German language records was difficult and I almost didn’t bother obtaining copies of the baptismal entries for the siblings of John George Trautvetter who was born in 1798. It is a good thing I did for there was a clue in one of the relationships listed along with the name of the sponsors. And there in the entry for one of John George’s brother was the indication that their father’s brother was the sponsor. A helpful hint in this case where knowing as many relationships as possible is necessary because every family had a George and a Michael and every son’s first name was Johann. Don’t neglect those ancestral siblings.
Not all genealogy experts are created equally and sometimes giving genealogical advice is more of a guess as not all families are the same, some people lived outside the lines, some of what you think you know may be incorrect, your explanation may not be as clear as you think it is, the expert might not really be listening to what you are saying, etc. Sometimes the expert will accurately tell you something that you do not want to hear or will suggest a valid approach that seems initially to be “too much work.” There may be something about your ancestor that you really don’t want to know or don’t want to admit and it may be that the time period and location in which your ancestor lived […]
There’s still time to join me in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, at the genealogically renowned Allen County Public Library. In addition to the vast collection of books the Allen County Public Library (ACPL) has, the library is a FamilySearch affiliate. That means that some of the digital images on FamilySearch I cannot access at home I will be able to access while at the library in Ft. Wayne. One advantage of going to a library a distance from home is that it makes it easier to immerse oneself in research, concentrate a little better, interact with other genealogists face-to-face, and access materials that are not in digital format. Fortunately there’s a time to organize the material I brought home from the Family History Library in Salt Lake before I head to Ft. Wayne–especially […]
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