Before I put an estimated date in my genealogical database, I ask myself: how sure am I of this estimate? Am I using the birth of the first child to estimate the year of birth of the parents? If so, then: How do I know which child was their first child Did they have children with other people before this relationship? Is is possible that there is a significant difference in the age of father and mother? I always ask myself a second time: how sure am I of this approximate date? Estimating dates should be done with care and with a solid reason (it “feels” right applies to clothes, not to genealogical conclusions). That reason should be in your notes for the event, clearly stated along with […]
To reduce confusion, here is a summary of my blogs/newsletters: Rootdig.com—Michael’s thoughts, research problems, suggestions, and whatever else crosses his desk. You can get a daily update in your email by subscribing using the link on the blog page. Genealogy Tip of the Day—one genealogy research tip every day–short and to the point. You can also join our Facebook group or follow us on our fan page. You can get the tip daily in your email by subscribing on using the link on any Genealogy Tip of the Day page. Genealogy Search Tip—websites I’ve discovered and the occasional online research tip–short and to the point. You can get these tips daily in your email by subscribing using the link on the blog page. Genealogy Transcriber—one piece of handwriting every day–with the […]
In current genealogy terminology, “proof” is when we take the information we have on a certain problem, organize it, and write it up so that others can see our conclusion. Information that we use to make our point is usually referred to as “evidence.” Is it the end of the world if you use the terms “incorrectly?” No. The bigger problem is simply relying on compiled sources and not thinking about using original material at all. If you are looking in original materials, tracking where things are obtained, thinking about what the documents say, and summarizing what you find, you are on the right path. Readers interested in more about genealogy terminology, citation, and proof, can learn more in Evidence Explained. —————————- Genealogy Tip of the Day is […]
If you are using a word in your research (a person’s name or location name) and have no idea how that word is said, you may be at a hindrance in using certain finding aids and in understanding records completely. Ask someone with that last name how they say it. Ask someone from that location how they say where they are from. You may be surprised at what you hear. —————————- Genealogy Tip of the Day is proudly sponsored by GenealogyBank. In February, they are offering an annual subscription for a monthly rate equivalent to less than $5 a month!
I reviewed this 1850 census enumeration to determine if the children’s names had been interpreted correctly. In reading other family’s entries on the page to get a feel for the enumerator’s handwriting, I discovered a neighbor with the same unusual first name this couple later gave one of their own children. I might never have noticed it if I hadn’t gone back to re-read the name of on of these children. And that was for reasons that had nothing to do with the child who had the unusual name. —————————- Genealogy Tip of the Day is proudly sponsored by GenealogyBank. In February, they are offering an annual subscription for a monthly rate equivalent to less than $5 a month!
Did your relative receive a bounty for enlisting in the Civil War? The promise of a bounty encouraged some men to enlist. Elvy Lake of the 49th Missouri died during the War and “Amt. recd of U. S. for Bounty Services” became part of his estate. —————————- Genealogy Tip of the Day is proudly sponsored by GenealogyBank. In February, they are offering an annual subscription for a monthly rate equivalent to less than $5 a month!
The United States government does not breathe without a piece of paper and the issuance of the tombstone for a veteran was no exception. If you’ve found a military stone for your ancestor, there may be a record of the issuance of that stone. There are two databases on FamilySearch created from National Archives microfilm that may be helpful: United States Records of Headstones of Deceased Union Veterans, 1879-1903 (not just Civil War veterans as some claim) United States Headstone Applications for U.S. Military Veterans, 1925-1949 The later set is more detailed.
Always consider how a place name may be said and heard. Every document on William Lake, his siblings, and his parents, indicated that they lived in Mercer County, Kentucky. Except this one page from his compiled military service record. It indicated he was born in Marshall County, Kentucky. After saying “Mercer” over and over, I realized that to someone unfamiliar with Kentucky geography it could be interpreted as “Marshall.” Sometimes inconsistencies are not as inconsistent as one thinks. Before you give too much credence to a “new” location, make certain it is really new.
A big thanks to those who have supported Genealogy Tip of the Day since our inception several years ago. I appreciate those who take the time to comment, either here, our Facebook Fan Page, or our Facebook group. Our intent is always to share research ideas in short, quick, to-the-point posts, saving the longer items for my other blogs. A person learns when doing genealogical research that there is a great deal they do not know even after they’ve researched for some time. A few things I’ve learned include: there are exceptions to just about every rule it’s important to admit our assumptions, deal with them, and get beyond them writing greatly improves your genealogical research you help people more by showing them how instead of telling them “your way […]
If your Civil War veteran relative was receiving a Union pension in January of 1898, he should have been sent this questionnaire asking about his marital status, previous wives, and children. There may be dates of death or marriage on that sheet that are not available elsewhere, especially in locations that don’t keep vital records. The illustration is from a Missouri veteran’s file and gives the name and death date for the veteran’s previous wife. Another sheet was needed to give the names and dates of birth for all his children. Civil War pensions for Union veterans are at the National Archives in Washington, DC. These cards are contained within the veteran’s pension file. They are not a separate set of records. In some cases this may be […]
I still have room on my research trips coming up later this year. If you’ve been thinking of making a trip to the Family History Library in Salt Lake or the Allen County Public Library in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, consider joining us: Family History Library 2016 Trip–May 2016 Allen County Public Library 2016 Trip–August 2016
While reading Staking Her Claim: Women Homesteading the West, by Marcia Meredith Hensley, I came across a reference to a woman referring to a single neighbor man as a “grass widow” in a letter written by Julia Erickson in Winnett, Montana, in 1911 (page 111). Doing a little research, I discovered that men could be referred to as “grass widowers” just in the same way as women could be referred to as “grass widows.” The reason was the same: the spouse was “gone.” Of course, gone can mean quite a few things from temporarily away, to separated, to divorced. But use of the adjective “grass” was not limited to women. It could apply to men as well.
No matter how hard you try, sometimes it is difficult to get good picture of a tombstone. Do not rely only on your photograph if the stone appears difficult to read at the cemetery. Make a transcription there at the cemetery while you are on site. Draw a sketch of the stone if necessary and write the transcription on your sketch of the stone. Take a picture of that hand made drawing and transcription to have with your actual stone photograph. You may be happy you did when you get home. Or you may find out how many swear words one picture causes you to make when you can’t see the transcription in the photograph.
Unsubscribing/Subscribing There is a link to managing your email subscription on the top of every blog page. If you are unable to unsubscribe using the links, please send a message to mjnrootdig@gmail.com letting me know which list you need to be removed from. Thanks. My Blogs: I maintain the following genealogy blogs: Rootdig.com—Michael’s thoughts, research problems, suggestions, and whatever else crosses his desk Genealogy Tip of the Day—one genealogy research tip every day–short and to the point Genealogy Search Tip—websites I’ve discovered and the occasional online research tip–short and to the point Genealogy Transcriber—one piece of handwriting every day–with the answer the next
Be careful drawing conclusions from an ancestor “making their mark.” It means that they made their mark. Sometimes the person signing a document: was told to make his mark even if he could write chose to make his mark even though he could write was physically unable to sign his name and making his mark was all he could do even though in years past he could write his name made a mark because that was all he knew how to do even though he was in fine health Be wary of drawing conclusions on your ancestor literacy based upon the presence or absence of one signature.
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