In looking at any locally created index to records, keep in mind that the names starting with “Mc” or “Mac” sometimes have a separate section in the index. Most computer generated indexes do not separate these names out, but handwritten indexes occasionally do.
If you are looking at a pre-1850 US census or tax list where the names are in rough alphabetical order, chances are that list was recopied from something else. People do not live in alphabetical order.
Asking relatives questions is one way to elicit family stories and traditions of which you were never aware. But often copies of family pictures or other family memorabilia is an even better way to stir memories. I recently shared to my personal Facebook page a copy of letter our aunt wrote when applying for a job in the 1960s. Two of my cousins responded with details of which I was unaware–based on the letter. The aunt’s address and other details in the letter brough back memories that pictures apparently did not.
The date on the 1962 check my grandfather Ufkes wrote was either October 26th or 16th. It’s clear that he either wrote a “2” first and then a “1,” or wrote a “1” first and then a “2” to replace it. Based on the “paid” perforation on the check (indicating a paid date of 10-18-1962), the check would have been written on 16 October and not on 26 October. Granddad likely realized his mistake after he had written the date on the check. Of all the dates on the check, the “paid” one is the one that is mostly likely to be correct. Banks can always make a mistake, but it seems unlikely that the paid date would be incorrect. When analyzing a record that has inconsistent information, […]
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.
We’ve mentioned quit claim deeds before, but it’s worth a quick reminder. A quit claim deed is one where the grantor is giving up whatever claim they have to a piece of property. Their claim may not be valid at all. Their claim may not have been validated or adjudicated to be valid by any judge or court. A grantor on a quit claim deed is literally saying that they are quitting (or giving up) their claim. Quit claim deeds can be drawn up quickly, but they are quit claim deeds not “quick claim” deeds. The majority of quit claim deeds are drawn up to: settle an inheritance, settle up a divorce, straighten out a property line between owners of adjacent properties, or renounce an incomplete land claim.
A reference to “John Smith, late of Bedford County, Pennsylvania,” probably means that Smith used to reside in Bedford County but no longer does. It does not necessarily mean that Smith was deceased. “John Smith, formerly of Bedford County, Pennsylvania,” means that Smith used to live in Bedford County, but that he no longer does. Occasionally “late” and “formerly” may refer to a name used by an individual, such as “Karen Smith, formerly Jones.” “Deceased” usually means dead. “Late” does not have to mean dead. Sometimes contextual clues will make that obvious and other times they will not.
Different areas can easily have different sources, especially if the “new area” is in a different state, an area with a different population density, an area with a different ethnic background. Never assume what’s available in one area will be available in another. Thinking you know is different from actually knowing.
Is it possible that your ancestor is listed in a newspaper with an incomplete reference to their name? Adults may be listed as “Mr. Neill,” “Miss Trautvetter,” or “Mrs. Ufkes.” Children sometimes may only be listed with their first name and if they are referenced without their parents, the reference may be difficult to find.
Recently I was searching the 1855 New York State census for relatives from Clinton County, New York, by querying an index. No amount of clever searching, Soundex options, and wildcards were effective. It was when I went to read the census manually that I realized the problem. Clinton County’s 1855 New York State Census enumeration is not on Ancestry.com (where I initially searched). Reading the description of the 1855 New York State Census indicated Clinton was one of the counties whose enumeration is not extant. No amount of database querying is going to find those Clinton County relatives in that census. Make certain the database is complete or at the least includes your probable areas of ancestral residence before searching.
Legal records that state a person’s age may indicate their age as of a certain date or state what the person’s age will be on their next birthday. Read the document carefully to make certain you interpret the age and when it was effective correctly. Otherwise you may inadvertently create a birth year discrepancy where none actually existed.
Generally speaking, genealogists who write and lecture extensively about genealogy research and methodology put sources in one of three categories: Original-the first time the document was recorded. Derivative-when the document was reproduced, whether by hand or some sort of “image reproduction” Authored Narrative-usually a written compilation of original and derivative records along with analysis, interpretation and summary This classification scheme is not perfect. No scheme is perfect. This classification scheme does not comment on the accuracy of the record. That’s the job of the researcher as some original sources are virtually worthless and some derivative sources are excellent. For more about record classification and analysis, consult Evidence Explained.
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