Obituaries in modern United States newspapers are rarely fact-checked. Typically they are used by the newspaper as submitted, with the exception of formatting and other minor editing concerns. Biographical facts, dates, survivors are not usually fact-checked by the newspaper at all. The only ones that are are death notices for local notables or individuals who are known nationally. Chances are that Grandma’s obituary from 1980 was pretty much printed as submitted to the newspaper.
A notice to appear in a court case can provide a clues as to the residence of the individual being required to appear. The summons will generally be issued to the sheriff of the county in which the person resides. The difficulty is that one has to determine in which court cases a person may be summoned. That requires looking in indexes to court records for ancestral siblings, friends, and associates.
Some original church records contain no page numbers. When capturing information for a later citation include: type of event, years covered in record book, item number (if given), image number from microfilm (if given), etc. Enough information to get you back to that entry. Don’t just copy the item of interest and stop there. For more about evidence citation, consult Evidence Explained. .
County record offices may not just have deeds for transfers of real estate. There may be separate volumes involving transactions of chattel property. These deeds may be actual deeds of transfer or they may in effect be mortgages where the chattel property (livestock, grain, etc.) is used as security for the loan. If you think your ancestor was “well off” enough to own real estate, be certain to determine if the location has a separate series of deeds for chattel property. These are usually local records at the county or town level. ————————- Genealogy Tip of the Day is sponsored by GenealogyBank––check out their latest offer for our readers–an annual rate of less than $5 a month.
In response to several questions, here’s some clarifications/updates on our offers and on getting the free Genealogy Tip of the Day in your email. Our Freebie offer page is here–this offer does not expire. Our Brick Walls from A to Z webinar blowout offer (all 4 additional ones for $15) has been extended through 8 January as there was an issue with the discount coupon. We still have room on our trips: Salt Lake–May 2016 and Ft. Wayne, Indiana–August 2016. You can manage your subscription to Genealogy Tip of the Day by clicking on the subscribe link on the top of any page. I can be emailed at mjnrootdig@gmail.com if you have subscription issues. And thanks!
Don’t just take pictures of individual tombstones. Include pictures showing the relative pictures of stones. It is faster than describing positions and location information may matter later–after you have left the cemetery. ————————- Genealogy Tip of the Day is sponsored by GenealogyBank––check out their latest offer for our readers–an annual rate of less than $5 a month.
Late doesn’t necessarily mean “dead.” This Civil War widow is referred to as being the “late widow” of the veteran. In this case, the reference to her as being “late” is most likely because some time after the veteran died she married again. This meant that her marital status had changed and she was no longer a widow. Usually if people are referred to as being the “late” something it means they are no longer that something. They don’t have to be dead.
While it is possible for someone to be missed in the census, it is also possible for them to be counted twice. This can happen if the person is moving around the time of the census, has a job that requires them to live away from home for part of the week, or other reasons. My grandmother is enumerated twice in the 1930 US census–once with her parents and once in the household where she was working as a hired girl. Her brother and his wife are enumerated twice as well–once in the town where they were from and had gotten married, and another time in a town thirty miles away where he had gone looking for work.
In records that are partially indexed, always look for names of all family members. This 18th century guardianship for the children of Ephraim Puffer in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, is only indexed under the name of the oldest child.
Pension affidavits often indicate how old the affiant was and how long they had known the person about whom they were testifying. That can sometimes be a big clue in tracking migrations. Think about what year they were supposed to have “met.” Could it have been when one of them was born? Were both of them children? Where would they have been living when they met? All good questions to ask.
I still have room on my two 2016 trips. There’s more details on our blog posts and questions can be sent to me at mjnrootdig@gmail.com. Family History Library in Salt Lake–May 2016 Allen County Public Library in Ft. Wayne, Indiana–August 2016
The response to the giveaway to my first brick wall from A to Z presentation has been overwhelming. In response, we’re offering a special on the four remaining presentations in this series. Visit our “Brick Wall” webinar page for additional details–our offer ends at 11:59 pm on 8 January 2016.
Sometimes what is really needed is a fast sketch of something–a chart or relationships, a list of ideas, etc. It’s not always necessary to always bring out the technology in order to problem-solve or brainstorm. In fact for some of us, using technology can create additional problems or be a distraction. Sometimes penciland paper will serve the purpose.
Always make certain you have read or seen the front and back of every page in a packet of court papers, pension papers, etc. Sometimes notations or comments on the back can be significant clues. Don’t ignore them.
We’ve got the following events taking place or starting in the next week or so–consider joining us while we still have space: US Land Records class-starts 3 January US Probate Records class-starts 10 January Planning a Trip to the Family History Library–one session webinar on 5 January Genealogical Proof-one session webinar on 5 January If you’ve already registered and haven’t received links to get into the sessions–please email me at mjnrootdig@gmail.com.
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