This presentation discusses what do to when you’ve located that elusive document. The bulk of the presentation will include ways to get the “most” of the document, making certain to interpret it in the historical, legal and other contexts. Also included will be a discussion of the problem-solving process, organizing research plans, and organizing what’s confusing. The presentation will wrap up with a discussion of how to create further research plans based upon what has been located. This is over. The recording and handout can be ordered for immediate download.
Just a few reminders: Cite sources as you find them. Don’t fuss about format–no one’s genealogy was ruined because of a comma. Interview relatives you have not interviewed. Digitize home sources that have not been digitized. Work on identifying old photographs. Try and learn about a new genealogical source or method. Not all sources are available online. Get the Genealogy Tip of the Day book.
There may easily be more than one copy of your relative’s birth record. There could be the original birth certificate. There may be a register or summary record that includes a transcription of what was on the original certificate. There could be local and state copies of the birth certificate. Because birth registration is governed by state statute and has changed over time, what is true in one state at one point in time is not necessarily true elsewhere or at a different time. New England states usually keep these records at the town level. Local registration of records generally begins before state registration. Determine what registration was taking place where your ancestor lived at the time of their birth. “Where to Write for Vital Records” has links […]
A distant relative indicated that a naturalizing ancestor was the apprentice of his father-in-law in the 1850s. I was unaware of the apprentice relationship and asked her how she knew. She said that the father-in-law had been a witness on the naturalizing ancestor’s naturalization. The father-in-law was vouching for his age, character, etc. when he naturalized. My correspondent indicated that the witnessing meant there was an apprentice relationship between the two. I gently asked where she had learned this. I never heard back. The witness on a naturalization is testifying to what’s stated on the document: generally that the person needed to be naturalized, was of legal age (sound mind, etc.), and of good character. The witness needed to be a citizen themselves of legal age. That’s it. […]
Recent Comments