The United States Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System is a database of more than 2,000,000 place names within the United States. It is one place to search for a location when online interfaces to modern maps fail. There is more about this database on their site. There is a link to the search page there as well. If you have a place name you cannot find on the USGS n and you have an idea of where it might be, try searching digital images of old newspapers for the place name. It may be mentioned in old newspaper articles even though it’s not an “official” place.
We are excited to offer new and updated sessions of these two popular presentations. Introduction to US Probate Records 17 September 2020 at noon central This session will provide attendees with an overview the US probate process and how records created fit into that entire process and the basic terminology required to understand and interpret the records correctly. Included will be a discussion of ways to interpret and understand the records, determining what additional records should be searched, and ways to access probate records—including search approaches and use of indexes. Handout included. Live attendance on 17 Sept at 12 noon central time–$8.50 Pre-order a download of presentation–$8.00 Introduction to Local US Court Records 17 September at 1:30 pm central This session will provide an overview of local courts […]
An excellent suggestion when the genealogist is stuck is to check the associates of your ancestor for clues as to where the actual ancestor was from. The theory is that often these associates are relatives, extended family by marriage, or former neighbors of your ancestor. Many times it works. But sometimes it does not. Because there are people who simply settle near where they have no relatives and where they know no one. My great-great-grandparents shortly before 1880 moved to a county where they had no relatives (their families of origin are fairly well-documented). When the mother died, the two children were farmed out to strangers to raise them. Many times people “ended up where they knew someone” and the extended family/kin network approach can help to determine […]
Recent Comments