I assumed before I flipped the picture over that the child pictured was one belonging to the couple. It was not. The girl in the photograph, Ethel Price, was the niece of John and Anna Burmeister. Never assume that a child in a photograph is the child of the couple. The relationship might not be exactly what you expect. Assumptions often get us in trouble in our genealogical research.
If your ancestor was committed to a state hospital or institution, determine what court was responsible for such determinations. The records of the state hospital or institutions may be closed for public viewing or even not extant. The local court records of committal may be a matter of public record–or they may not. The specific court that may have institutionalized your ancestor can vary from one state to another and from one time period to another. Reach out to those with experience in the area, local historical or genealogical societies, local libraries, etc. to see if they know which court heard this type of case during the time period in which you have an interest. It may also be possible that a guardian or conservator may have been […]
Genealogists often use occupation as a way to distinguish one person from another. Keep in mind that some individuals may have had more than one occupation during their lifetime. Some people may easily have had multiple occupations at the same time. Your farmer ancestor may have also been the preacher at a local church. Your relative who was a teaching during the school year may have worked construction during their summer vacation. Your ancestor who worked for the railroad for twenty years may have later done factory work or had some other type of non-railroad job.
Researchers in probate records may encounter this term. It sounds fancier than it actually is. Someone who is an “administrator de bonis non” of an estate is someone who was appointed to replace an estate administrator who was no longer able to complete their role as administrator. Court records may indicate the reason the previous administrator was unable to complete their office as administrator or they may simply relieve him of his duties and appoint the replacement.
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