We’re excited that Casefile Clues is back up and running. Writing is a great way to improve your research (speaking just for me) and reading about records, analysis, interpretation, and methodology is great for readers. Subscribe by 30 July and we’ll send free 11 issues. Subscriptions normally start with the next issue, but we’ll send the first 12 issues of volume 4 with our compliments for subscriptions that are ordered by 30 July. Casefile Clues strives to be readable, clearly written, practical, and down-to-earth. Find out more on our website.  
An 1881 affidavit in a War of 1812 pension case mentioned three children of the veteran and his wife. The youngest of those three was the one making out the affidavit and she referenced the dates of birth for her two older siblings. That was necessary to backtrack into a time frame for her parents’ marriage. Information on the younger children was not necessary to establish that marriage date–so they aren’t mentioned. The genealogist needs those names. The pension official did not. Always keep in mind the original purpose of any document and analyze it in that context. Not your own. The document may have been complete and accurate given the situation in which it was created. A lot of us don’t do more work than we need […]
Get the Genealogy Tip of the Day Book
Get the More Genealogy Tip of the Day Book
Archives