Our goals here at Genealogy Tip of the Day are simple for the most part. They are generally to get readers thinking about: the research process what they find analyzing what they find their assumptions about research and their ancestors terminology and language used in records the history, culture, and environment in which their ancestors lived And we try to be short—that’s sometimes the difficult part. Tips are not meant to be verbose or lengthy discussions. The intent is to make people aware or to remind them of a topic, concept, term, etc. Longer discussions are posted on my Rootdig blog. We also appreciate those who purchase a webinar, one of the recommended how-to books on my virtual shelf, or a GenealogyBank subscription through our affiliate link. Those things help support […]
Transcriptions are not necessarily unreliable, but one needs to be aware if one is using the original record or a transcription of it. These town records from Marlborough, New Hampshire are actually transcriptions of the original records. The “first page” of the book indicates that it is a copy and the handwriting is too consistent throughout the volume to have been done contemporaneously. Transcriptions can always contain errors–after all, transcriptionists are human. It may not be possible to get the original and it’s not always necessary. But it’s always worth knowing what you are using.
Your ancestor’s name may not appear in the city directory or directories may not be available. Classified ads in the newspaper may tell you where the person lived or had a business establishment. They may also help you confirm addresses for people who moved around quite a bit–sometimes one step ahead of the rent collector.
DNA testing will not solve all your genealogy problems. It is only one tool. It can confirm that a relationship exists between two people, but it needs to be used together with other genealogical sources to establish the precise nature of the relationship. DNA testing won’t tell many of the biographical details about your relative that will be in other records. One can’t simply send their DNA to one of the sites and expect to have a completed pedigree chart returned to them. It’s more complicated than that. I’ve finally taken the plunge and ordered a DNA test–which will be discussed in more detail on my Rootdig blog. I’m hoping to get some clues, but not a completed pedigree chart.
There are several ways one can approach “problem-solving” and it’s been mentioned as a tip of the day before. One way is not necessarily any more correct than another. The important thing is to think about your research as you do it. I’m a fan of the problem-solving process attributed to George Polya, which I’ve slightly modified. There are essentially four steps in the problem-solving process: Understand the problem–this involves learning the history of the area, learning the applicable laws of the time, all the records available (and their issues), knowing key terms in any documents already located, assumptions you have made, your ancestor’s background, etc. Understanding takes time. Plan–pick a record to access or an approach to use to answer your question Execute-search the record or apply […]
I originally wondered why the oldest son was not the administrator of this 1823 estate. One reason was the son was only twenty when his father died and not old enough to legally administrate the estate. He would have needed to be twenty-one.
County histories may mention people who never lived there. This Marlborough, NH history mentions a native of Ontario never set foot in New Hampshire. She married into a family who spent time in New Hampshire–but the family member she married left as a young man and never returned. The clue to your puzzle may have been published several states away.
It seems obvious, but a will only lists those children to whom property is being given in the will. A testator (the person signing the will) may have had other children to whom property had already been given. These children may not be named in the will. Sometimes they are named if only to state that they have already received their inheritance and are not intentionally being left out. Do not assume every child is named in the will. Do not assume there have to be other children either.
After waiting for years, I decided to take a DNA test in hopes of learning more about my Irish heritage. You can read more on my Rootdig blog.
Appraisers of an estate can be relatives of the deceased, but they cannot (usually) be heirs or beneficiaries of the estate. If one of the appraisers of an estate has the same last name as the deceased, then they are not an heir or a beneficiary. It usually is a violation of state statute, not to mention good practice, to appoint someone with a direct interest in an estate as an appraiser of that estate.
I had to sign my daughter up for one online class in order to complete her degree in May of 2017. I was asked the year she graduated high school. I was not 100% certain and realized (or hoped) that being a year off wouldn’t be a problem. What is the chance your relative guessed on a date because they thought it would not be a problem…and, after all, who is ever going to see this in one hundred years?
This hour-long presentation (aimed at advanced beginner and intermediate researchers) focuses on research approaches to get you past “brick walls”. We will look at reasons why we have “brick walls” and how we may be making our own “brick walls.” Focus will be on problem-solving, getting past assumptions, realizing what we know versus what we think we know, and completely analyzing and understanding what we already have. Order here for immediate download. Recorded presentation and handout included.
If you’ve got an ancestor on which you are stuck, have you completely and exhaustively researched all their children? It’s possible that in some record on one of those children is a clue to the parent who is giving you difficulty. Don’t just research the child from whom you descend–research them all. Don’t just focus on online sources either.
In the United States, until the passage of the 1922 Cable Act, a woman lost her United States citizenship upon marriage to an unnaturalized alien. That’s why this native of New York State is listed as an alien in the 1920 census–with no date of arrival in the United States. “Any woman who is now or may hereafter be married . . .” by Marian L. Smith on the National Archives website provides more detailed information. Check out the books on Michael’s genealogy shelf.
When I began my genealogical research, photocopies faded within a few years. They were not meant to be even reasonably permanent and the concept of archival photocopies was laughable. The librarian warned me that I would need to transcribe by typing any copies I had made on their photocopier. Copiers of those types are not found any longer, but do you have materials that might fade with time? Are there records or family papers that should be reproduced before the ink seemingly evaporates from the page?
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