Whenever a document is located, you should quickly ask:
Why was this document recorded where it was? Why is it in the location where it is?
Many times the question is quickly answered and the answer is obvious. James died where he lived and the death certificate was recorded in that county. But if you find an obituary for an ancestor in a newspaper that you do not expect it to be in, try and determine the reason. If you find your ancestor enumerated in one census in a location that’s unexpected, try and determine why she was there (first make certain it’s really the same person).
Usually the “why” is easy. It’s those few times when it is not that could lead to more genealogical discoveries.
Genealogy Tip of the Day book is here and it’s not written to help you research your “famous ancestors.” It’s written to help with all of them. Learn more about it and get your own copy.
One response
I have ggg grandparents buried in Burkburnette, Wichita Co, TX, they lived in Cooke Co, TX and died in Cooke Co. There is also a son of my gg grandparents that died at the age of 19 in same place and buried same cemetery. A brother of the young son years later also died while visiting relatives there years later. I have gone thru the whole town census and do not recognize a single surname. Not knowing is driving me bonkers, LOL. A whole group of relatives I do not know.