Not having an 1890 census as a source is a hindrance for those of us with American ancestors during that time period. While there is a fragment of the census available (and a very small fragment at that), the fact remains that most will never see their relative in the 1890 census. That can create a research gap which creates challenges. Sometimes writers, advertisers, and the fee-based websites will mention a substitute of sorts. It’s more accurate to refer to anything else (that “substitute”) as a 1890 era source that should be utilized. City directories, tax lists, voter lists, newspapers are all touted as substitutes. The reality is they are sources that should be utilized anyway, even during those time periods when the census is available. They aren’t […]
Relationships are not always about biology. It’s important in genealogical research to be aware of the biological relationships between two individuals as those relationships are the ones that may leave genetic evidence behind. That genetic evidence is strongest the closer the relationship is. The further the connection, the lower the chance that an autosomal DNA test finds genetic evidence of the connection. Biological relationships are not the only ones that matter in genealogical research. There are relationships established through marriage. There are relationships established through a shared heritage, growing up in geographic proximity, being members of a shared religious tradition, etc. Anyone who has that relationship to your ancestor or relative may interact with him in ways that leave additional records behind and may help you to learn […]
If we have not experienced some of the things our family members in the past did, it is difficult to say how it might have really impacted them. It’s hard to say how you would react to something that has never happened to you. One can empathize, but sometimes it’s hard to understand when you’ve not really experienced it yourself. The last two of my grandmother’s three children did not survive birth. I’m not certain how I would have reacted had I been in that same situation and the “babies” (as they were called) were not discussed or asked about. I have other family members (distant and not-so-distant) who had similar experiences, including a great-great-grandma whose son was murdered in Kansas City in 1921. I’m certain that impacted […]
A first cousin of my great-grandfather and his wife had only one daughter. She was a child that they adopted when she was fairly young. Years after she died, a son of that daughter contacted me and asked me if I wanted pictures he had of my great-great-grandfather’s brother and other family members. I said yes after making certain he really did not want to keep them. He was concerned that no one in his family would want the pictures when he died and, since they weren’t biologically related to the family, he was also afraid that would increase the chance someone just threw them out when he passed away. There are several lessons here: think about what may happen to your pictures and other ephemera when you […]
I began my research in the 1980s when photocopiers in some locations did not create long-term reproductions of records. They would fade and turn brown and eventually be unreadable. My local librarian always reminded me to type up these photocopies and not rely on them long term. Photocopying was a way to get more information and get a copy with it “right” without having to manually copy the information in the library or courthouse. Those old photocopies were a form of evaporating notes and that’s how we had to view them. Digital reproduction of records has come a long way. But some things have not changed. It is still important to transcribe copies of documents. It is still important to view those photocopies or digital images of records […]
If you are unable to find a deed of sale for your relative, consider that the property could have been sold for failure to pay taxes. Those deeds are typically indexed under “Sheriff” and not the name of the owner as the owner technically does not own the property at that point and is not the actual grantor on the deed. If there was a Sheriff’s sale, consider looking for court records involving the non-tax-paying ancestor as well.
I joked that Riley, the dog shown in the picture, took a DNA test and was related to a cat. His indignation could only be assuaged by bacon. There’s a warning in the little story about Riley. DNA tests can always result in surprises. Paper trees can be wrong. Relatives can have marriages or relationships about which we know nothing. People lie. Some think that they took their secrets with them to their grave only to have their family later make the discovery through a DNA test. Eating bacon won’t solve your DNA problem, but your DNA test results may cause you to understand how Riley feels even if you are not related to a cat.
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