Sometimes one has to realize when it’s time to refocus and move in a different research direction. I’m about there on the second husband of an ancestor whose first husband (my ancestor) died in late 1855 in Warsaw, Illinois. She and the second husband were married by May of 1856 and they were parted by the end of that month when he left for parts unknown. All I know is George’s name and that he was old enough to serve as a guardian/administrator of an estate in May of 1856. That’s it. And the one signature I have of him looks to be in German script. And his name is written as Fendler once in the record instead of Fennan. It still may be time to really think […]
The reverse side of many legal documents typically contains the title of the document and details about its being filed and recorded. There may be other clues as well. This document indicates the letters of administration were revoked. If all the papers in this file had not been extant, this reference may have been the only clue the administrator of this estate was removed from his position.
Publication notices are pretty pro forma in United States settlements in the mid-19th century and later. This one served to remind me that I had not looked for an obituary of Samuel Neill in this paper where his estate notice was published. The papers were not available to me years ago when I initially researched Samuel and I never thought about them later. A local paper may have a better obituary for him than the ones I have. Always be on the lookout for clues and reminders–even in legal notices.
Even within one document, handwriting can vary–even from one word to the next Always be open to the possibility that writers may make the same letter in more than one way.
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In reviewing information on one of my “brick wall” ancestors, I realized that I had not researched the origins of the second or third husbands of that ancestor. While it’s possible that information on these two men does not contain information on my direct line ancestor, it’s also possible that something on one of these men does contain some clue. I won’t know until I look.
Never query a database or search a set of records using information that came “from memory.” It is the best way to waste research time and potentially trace an incorrect lineage. Review your known material before searching that recently discovered database or record.
There is no doubt that the Family History Library in Salt Lake City has a wealth of material–much of it on microfilm and more becoming available online daily. However there are locations where the Library was unable to do much filming. Even in locations where records have been filmed, other records were left unfilmed. Never assume the library has everything for a location. Always check the actual record keeping agencies in the location for additional information.
I just released new webinars on the following topics: Determining if your ancestor received a military benefit Probate Records on FamilySearch Using Passenger Lists on FamilySearch Learn more about these presentations here. View the list of other webinars available. Download is immediate.
The biography of an ancestor lists his ten known children. Based upon extant records, it appears the first three are listed in order of birth. Using their known years of birth I concluded all ten children were listed in order of age and have used that as the “birth order” for the children in the ancestor’s family. In my research notes, I have explained why I chose the birth order for the children that I did. Years later, I may wonder why I listed them in that particular order and if I don’t notate my reason I probably won’t remember.
Thomas Chaney is one of my brick wall ancestors. I’ve really only researched two of his children and 15% or so of his grandchildren. There could easily be clues to him in records on all those children and grandchildren that I have not researched. Don’t just focus on your direct line of descent.
Before making that Ebay purchase of a genealogical item, make certain: if in print, you know what the publisher is charging for the book if buying an old map, whether the for sale item is a reproduction or the real thing if buying an old book, whether you are getting an actual copy of the book, a reprint, or a digital version Read before you bid when you are trying to find your own genealogy items on Ebay.
One should always look analytically at any information obtained from any source and consider when the source was created, who provided the information, how reliable they may have been, etc. That includes sources such as: Grandma vital records court records tombstones county histories compiled genealogies and anything else that may “contain information.” It’s great to be glad that you located a document or source, but don’t let that joy of finding something to cause you to fail to analyze it and contemplate its accuracy. Failing to think about a source because we are excited is a good way to build brick walls.
A recent conversation on my blog, reminded me of the importance of knowing exactly what a record says—and what it does not say. The marriage license of John Trautvetter and Francis Haase indicated they were married in Hancock County, Illinois, in 1868 by the local Lutheran minister. All the record really tells me is that the couple was married in the county in a religious ceremony. The marriage could have took place at the parsonage, at his parents’ home, at her parents’ home, or elsewhere. The returned license does not indicate. Both sets of parents and the church which the minister was affiliated were in the same township–so that’s probably where they got married. But the returned license does not say that.
It is the first of the month, so here are some reminders: back up your files identify people in pictures write down what you remember of your own life and any stories that deceased family members have told you
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