The General Land Office Bureau of Land Records website has digital images of federal land patents granted in the United States. The index generally includes the names of patentees and warrantees for these initial transfers of land from the federal government to private ownership. Users unfamiliar with these records are encouraged to read the pages in the reference center of the website.
When you upload a picture to a social media or other site, does that site create their own name for the file? Is that long name you created which contained information about the picture now a random string of numbers and characters? That’s why it’s even more important to include some identification or citation information on the image itself. The image in the illustration had a long name I had created for it that included the name of the person involved, the county where the estate inventory was located, and a packet number. When I went to Facebook to download the file to another device, I was reminded that Facebook created their own name for the file as shown in the illustration from the “file save” menu.
In response to some questions, we’re posting this newsletter clarification. There are two fee-based newsletters: Casefile Clues—This is my how-to newsletter discussing and analyzing sources, research process, problem-solving, etc. I’ve published over 156 issues of this newsletter which is sent as a PDF file to subscribers. A complete list of back issues is on our website as well as samples. Old issues are archived. Casefile Clues is now distributed approximately once a week. Subscriptions are for 52 issues. Weekly Blog Update–This was created for those who did not want to subscribe to the daily blog updates individually on each blog (which are free). This has been published since the summer of 2015, but they are not archived. This contains a summary of blog posts in the last week, along with […]
There’s a difference between being a descendant and being an heir. Descendants of someone are their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc. Heirs are typically those legally entitled to inherit real or personal property from someone. If a person has never had children, then their heirs could be their siblings or children of their siblings. Their heirs could be their first cousins if the deceased person had no siblings. If Riley had two children that survived him, Alberta and Barbara, and a child Charles who had died before Riley, then Albert, Barbara, and Charles’ children would be Riley’s heirs. Alberta and Barbara’s children would not be Riley’s heirs because their parents were still living. Alberta and Barbara’s children would still be Riley’s descendants.
Our subscription rate for 52 issues of my how-to newsletter Casefile Clues will go up on 23 September to $23. Since we’ve gotten back on distribution, we’ve had to reevaluate our pricing structure. Learn more about Casefile Clues on our blog. We’re still a great bargain for clear, organized, practical and down-to-earth research advice. Process your subscription here.
I maintain the following genealogy blogs: Rootdig.com—Michael’s thoughts, research problems, suggestions, and whatever else crosses his desk. Daily posts are free. Casefile Clues Blog–this is the blog with updates on my how-to newsletter, articles and people I’m working on, a few genealogy methodology comments, etc. The blog is free to subscribe to. The PDF newsletter is by subscription only. Genealogy Tip of the Day—one genealogy research tip every day–short and to the point. Daily posts are free. Genealogy Search Tip—websites I’ve discovered and the occasional online research tip–short and to the point. Daily posts are free. Genealogy Transcriber—can you read the handwriting? Daily posts are free. The fee-based newsletters are Casefile Clues and the weekly blog update.
FamilySearch has a digital version of the 1850 United States Mortality Census (United States Census (Mortality Schedule), 1850)-for those who died in the 12 calendar months preceding the date of the census (June 1849-May 1850).
The suit to partition the estate of a Bernard Dirks in Adams County, Illinois, was not initiated until 1924–after his wife died. A “quick reading” of the papers located a list of heirs as of 1924. Bernard died in 1913. A careful re-reading of the court papers found a reference to grandson who survived Bernard, but who died without descendants of his own when Bernard’s wife, Heipke, died in 1924. This grandson had no descendants of his own and did not have to be listed in the 1924 final list of heirs. But buried in the court filings was a list of Bernard’s heirs as of 1913–there was the grandson, along with a notation that he died before his grandmother in 1924 leaving no descendants of his own.
This Albemarle County, Virginia, deed appears to have had a “correction” written in the deed book after the deed was transcribed and before the microfilming was done. It would be less consequential if it were not the name of the grantor. The “correction” appears to have been written in a different hand by a different writing utensil. My transcription of this document should indicate that: “…Between [illegible word with the word “Peter” written over it in an apparently different handwriting] Rucker (Son…”
These cards (as United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918) are free to search on FamilySearch.
This site has over 38 million newspaper images. Many are from New York State, but there are others from across the United States. It’s not just about postcards and the site is free.
In some of my families, first names are repeated. And repeated. When writing about these individuals, clarification is necessary–to keep the reader and the writer from getting confused. Pick a style and stick with it. A few options are: James Rampley (born 1803) James Rampley (son of Thomas) James Rampley (born 1803, son of Thomas) In some families the third option might be the best as there could even be repetition of father-son relationships. The key is to be clear. Sometimes when writing the person to whom you are referring is obvious. Sometimes it is not. Clarify, clarify, clarify.
For those who were unaware, FamilySearch has a database, United States Census of Union Veterans and Widows of the Civil War, 1890, that may help those whose Union veteran (or widow) who lived until 1890. The census is not entirely extant and only includes states alphabetically from Kentucky through Wyoming.
If you know your ancestor owned real property at their death and you can’t find a probate, check for a partition suit among the heirs. Those suits should list all the heirs and may clearly delineate the relative portions of the estate they received. Even if the portions they get are not listed, the relative amounts of money they get may help you determine relationships. In the United States, these would local county court records. This partition suit from 1924 is being analyzed in an upcoming issue of Casefile Clues.
When dealing with geographic and political regions where your ancestors lived, do you have an idea of the relative size of the parishes, townlands, hundreds, townships, counties, etc. in which you are working? If you don’t, it could be easy to assume places are closer than they really are or not as close as they actually are. Without a sense of distance, your senses may be off.
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