When writing an identification on a photograph or “what you remember about the ‘old days,'” avoid using pronouns (he, she, them) and relationship words (Grandma, Uncle, Aunt, etc.). Someone years later will not know which Grandma Neill to whom you are referring and sprinkling “he” and “she” too frequently in your writing may confuse. Use specific names to avoid making someone years later wonder to whom you were referring.
When entering information into your genealogical database, always cite exactly what you used–not where that reference got the information. We cite what we saw–not what someone else say. If an index says that Thomas Smith married Joan Brown in 1820 in Bourbon County, Kentucky, then we cite that index for that marriage. It does not matter that the index claims that the county records were used–if we did not see them, then we do not indicate that we did. If all I used was the index–then I cite is the index. That way someone later (particularly ME) knows that I only used the index–and not the original. The original may indicate the actual date is in 1828 or in 1830. I should later try and locate the […]
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Clerks love to abbreviate, but don’t create more confusion when transcribing. Put in brackets what you “add” to complete the transcription or to make it more clear. Sometimes it clarifies things to “add,” but it should be obvious to the reader of your transcription what was in the original document and what came from your understanding of any abbreviations. Check out GenealogyBank‘s offer for our fans, followers, and subscribers.
The value on a marriage bond usually only becomes a problem if there ends up being a legal reason the bride or the groom cannot marry. It is not a fee to marry. The bondsmen are acknowledging that there’s no legal impediment to the marriage and, if there is, they are liable for the amount of the bond. Usually one bondsmen is vouching for the groom (often the groom himself, but not always) and one is vouching for the bride. In the US marriage bonds are usually local county records. Check out GenealogyBank‘s offer for our fans, followers, and subscribers.
Your relative answered a question for the census, death certificate, etc. Before you think they were simply dreaming up an answer, consider the other possibilities: did they understand the question? did they speak the language? were they even really listening? were they hard of hearing? were they lying? had someone else lied to them? There are many reasons why a piece of information may be wrong. Be open to other possibilities besides your first conclusion. Check out GenealogyBank‘s offer for our fans, followers, and subscribers.
In land deeds, the grantor is usually the person that has title in the real property and is transferring it to the grantee. A deed can have more than one grantor and more than one grantee. The grantor on a deed can be a judge if legal action is involved (perhaps a partition case or a divorce) or the sheriff if a tax sale is involved. Just make certain you are looking in the correct index. Check out GenealogyBank‘s offer for our fans, followers, and subscribers.
GedMatch.com Webinar 2 This presentation will focus on an overview of the Tier 1 search options of GedMatch. Tier 1 is the “fee-based” part of GedMatch–it costs $10 a month and helps support the free portions of the site. GedMatch allows you to “see more” of your DNA and analyze it in ways that simply are not possible on AncestryDNA and some of the other sites. We will look at the: One-to-many matches Matching segment search Relationship Tree Projection Lazarus Triangulation Our focus will be on interpreting the results and using them for continuing your genealogical research. A basic understanding of DNA is required. You do not need to be a “Tier 1” member of GedMatch to participate. Our approach is practical, easy-to-understand, and engaging. The grid shows […]
Don’t get so hurried in your data entry that you neglect to think about the location that “populates” the box when you type a few letters in. It may be the same name in a different state or country. Take just a second to double check and confirm. Or you may move your ancestor’s place of death from Quebec to South Carolina.
I will be taking two separate research trips in 2018. We always have a great time and welcome new participants. Our approach is relaxed–we don’t schedule activities non-stop. We want you to be in the library, not out sight-seeing. Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. Allen County Public Library in Ft. Wayne, Indiana.
Last names that are compound words can be split into two names by some record clerks, enumerators, or transcribers. Troutvetter became Trout Vetter–with Trout being the “maiden” name and “Vetter” being the surname. Check out GenealogyBank‘s offer for our fans, followers, and subscribers.
Draft registrations are just that: registrations. There is a difference between registering for the draft, being drafted, and volunteering. Usually all men between a certain age were required to register when there was a draft registration. Some men were drafted. Some men volunteered. If your male relative fit in the range of years of birth to register, you should check for a registration–even if he did not serve. You can search World War Draft Registrations for US residents: World War I--at FamilySearch (read the “learn more” section if you’ve never worked with these before). World War II–old men’s registration for the draft–at FamilySearch (read the “learn more” section if you’ve never worked with these before). This is incomplete–you’ll have to browse. World War II–“young men’s” registration (these registrations cover the years 1940 […]
Some genealogists when they have an unknown name want to put something in that blank. That’s why in some databases you will see things such as: Nmi–No Middle Initial Nmn–No Middle Name Lnu–Last Name Unknown Unk–Unknown Blank–Blank [be careful as Blank can be an actual surname] My personal preference is to not use such terms. If you feel the need to put something in the spot, use actual blanks or dashes.
How much information in your genealogy files is there because you “thought” it instead of finding a record or source to provide evidence of it? You may think that your relatives were married in a certain town, but the marriage record only says the name of the county. You may think great-great-grandpa was born in Jackson Township, Coshocton County, Ohio, but all the records you have only say the name of the county. You may think that your grandparents attended the same church as your great-grandparents, but it’s possible they did not. Researchers want to think. It’s essential. Just remember that before putting down locations, events, etc. we need more than just what we think to be true. Review materials you compiled early in your research? Is there […]
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