When you find that relative in a city directory, after you’ve saved their information and made certain you understand any abbreviations in the entry, check out the front matter. City directories often contain a variety of non-residential information in the front section of the book. Much of the information is geared towards helping individuals navigate city government, churches, libraries, and the like. But one never knows what will appear in the front section of a directory. This Colorado Springs directory from the very early 20th century contained a list of fire boxes. It also indicated all the various mail trains that ran to and from the city, when different courts were in session, and more. Always worth a look at the front matter.
We’ve changed the date for “More AI for Genealogy” to 19 November. Details on our announcement page. Still time to join us.
Tracking down those aunts and uncles who had no descendants is advised because it helps give the researcher a complete picture of the entire family and it helps all members of the family to be remembered. Those are excellent reasons. But there’s another reason. Some record on that relative with no children of their own could provide information on those relatives you can’t find out more about. This 1980 death certificate for my aunt listed a sister-in-law as the informant–complete with residential address in 1980. Had I been unable to track her down, the reference would have been extremely helpful. Any record on that relative with no descendants could tell you more about your relative’s life. It could also provide information on other family members as well. The […]
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