Did the widow give up her right to administrate her husband’s estate? That could help you approximate when she died, get a copy of her signature, and get her name. Some records may simply list her as “widow.” The relinquishment should give her name. Genealogy Tip of the Day book is here. Learn more about it.
When using land records, always note the consideration listed on the document in addition to the real property being transferred. The “consideration” was what was given in exchange for real property. Token amounts may suggest a relationship between the parties. Small consideration amounts compared to other deeds for similar properties may also suggest a connection between the parties involved.
Research tips that suggest a procedure, an approach, or a process are just that: suggestions. One tip will not solve every problem in every location. What works in one place at one time period may not be appropriate in another place at another time. If one idea does not work, try something else. Or ask yourself why the tip might not apply to your specific situation. That may get you thinking of something that does apply to your situation. Or let another researcher know what you tried and that it didn’t work–they may have another suggestion. Or work on an entirely different family for a while. Sometimes a short break works wonders. Check out GenealogyBank’s latest offer for our readers!
List of disbursements from an estate may help to clarify relationships and may mention heirs not listed elsewhere. If it took some time to settle the estate, the death of original heirs may cause additional family members to be listed. Even if relationships are not given, the amounts can suggest relationships. Check out GenealogyBank’s latest offer for our readers!
FamilyTreeDNA Beginnings Already Held Content: This presentation will discuss the basics of the “Family Finder” on the FamilyTreeDNA website. You can upload autosomal test results from other companies for use and comparison with other matches at FamilyTreeDNA. This presentation will discuss: working with matches filters this site gives users and ways to use those filters chromosome browsing downloading results–all results and filtered results what to include in your optional GEDCOM file upload and reasons to upload it Order immediate download. If you pre-registered or pre-ordered and need the download, contact me using the email address in your receipt. This link will not process pre-orders.
A Google search for the location where someone died (and their residence at death) may locate significant information. Do not limit yourself to maps in an attempt to find “what’s there today.” There may be other text-based search results that are helpful as well. Those of us with rural ancestors won’t usually have an address to put into Google–most of my own ancestors’ death records are only as specific as the township of death. Check out GenealogyBank’s latest offer for our readers!
Many indexes do not include every name, indexes can contain errors, and some records are completely unindexed. No matter the situation, there are times when the researcher needs to undertake a manual, page-by-page search. The questions to ask are: How are the original records organized? Is it by: date of the event or document–sometimes this is known, sometimes it is not date the item was recorded–often not known–but it is after the event took place the person’s residence, burial spot, or other geographic location–sometimes known, but not always military unit or some other assigned number–can be difficult to know, is there some other record that provides this information? something else–variability here To find the person in the desired record, it may be necessary to look at other records (organized […]
One letter makes a difference. This is one that spell check will not catch. Old-fashioned proofreading is what it takes. There is a difference between “interment” and “internment.” interment–the burial of a corpse internment–the state of being confined as a prisoner In a recent blog post, I slipped and used the wrong one. By the time I realized it, the post had permeated the internet. That little “n” matters. Check out GenealogyBank’s latest offer for our readers!
There are several quick tips from this 1863 marriage from Adams County, Illinois: don’t crop so close that you omit key details–the month and year don’t show in my image (they are at the very top of the page) don’t assume that there wasn’t a marriage after a “long-term” spouse died–I almost overlooked this reference to Antje for that reason Google that minister–a Google search for “tjaden minister adams county” directed to me where he probably was a pastor (and that was just a start in finding where he was affiliated in 1863) Antje moved around. In 1880 she was in Denver, Colorado, and she eventually died in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Modern United States certificates often have code numbers that are specific to the cause of death. In some cases they may provide additional information or be more specific than the listed cause. This 1938 death certificate’s code of 200b pretty much means the person dropped dead. The International List of Causes of Death has been revised several times and can be seen online. Make certain you are using the correct year as the codes have been modified over time.
We’ve just released this recording–break your brick walls in 2018 Order download below or email me if you registered/pre-ordered and have not received download. Content: This presentation is geared at advanced beginning and intermediate level researchers. Our focus will be on getting past those impasses in your research. We will look at some common research pitfalls, terminology that can be confusing, ways to organize your research process, the importance of looking at “everything” and more. This presentation is not geared towards one location or time period, but is more focused on methodologies that can be applied to a variety of research situations. Questions can be submitted by live attendees before the presentation and will be incorporated as much as possible and practical. Order now for immediate download.
United States military records from World War I to the present are at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri. The Official Military Personnel Files (OMPF) can be requested for veterans who saw active military service.The OMPF becomes archival 62 years after the veteran’s discharge and are open to the public. Non-archival files are available to the veteran, and if deceased, certain relatives of the veteran. Learn more about accessing these records on the National Personnel Records Center website.
Broadly speaking, genealogists can 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. Thinking about what type of source you have in your possession helps you to think about how accurate it could be and the limitations that it might have. For more about record classification and analysis, consult Evidence Explained.
Sometimes after we have researched for a while, we realize that there’s something we should have done differently. Often these “do over” things, ranging from citing sources to organization, are things that we probably would not have done when we started anyway because we would not have seen the value in them or did not dream that we would become as obsessed with research as we are. Instead of doing all your research over–because it’s not going to happen–pick one thing you’d like to do over. And…when you’ve got a brick wall or stuck point on another family, spend some time on that “do over” activity. Maybe just a few minutes or a half an hour. That way it won’t feel so onerous. You will get something done and […]
Webinar: Brick Wall Tips and Tricks for 2018 Date/Time 9 January 2018 at 8 PM Central US Time Content: This presentation is geared at advanced beginning and intermediate level researchers. Our focus will be on getting past those impasses in your research. We will look at some common research pitfalls, terminology that can be confusing, ways to organize your research process, the importance of looking at “everything” and more. This presentation is not geared towards one location or time period, but is more focused on methodologies that can be applied to a variety of research situations. Questions can be submitted by live attendees before the presentation and will be incorporated as much as possible and practical. There will be discussion afterwards for those in the live session. Options: […]
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