If a child is “born” before a couple married, consider several possibilities: the date of marriage is incorrect the date of birth for the child is incorrect the wife/husband had a child out of wedlock the “child” was adopted etc. Your first conclusion about the scenario may be correct. Or it may not be. Research the family as completely as possible, then see if a conclusion can be reached.
If your ancestor was divorced, do you know if there were any restrictions on when they could marry again? In some locations in some time periods, a divorced person may have had to wait a certain amount of time before they could marry again.
Thanks to those who purchased webinars during my closeout sale. To let people complete missed downloads, etc. the hosting service is still up and if you missed the chance to order you can still do so. Please note: if you ordered presentations and had download issues, please let me know at mjnrootdig@gmail.com so that this can be corrected before the end of the month if you’d still like to order, we can take orders through the end of the month. Just make certain you download the file as soon as the download link comes through. You don’t have to view immediately.
A small “u” can easily be written in such a way that is is read as one of the following: ee, a, o, n, ie, ei, ll, or w. And of course…there are even more possible renderings.
Due to a schedule conflict, these have been moved back one week from the original schedule. If you have registered and this is a problem, please email me at mjnrootdig@gmail.com. Revised Schedule and Four New Topics! Sign up for all 4 for $25! Those who cannot attend will receive complimentary downloads of the sessions after they have been completed. 4 September 2015-Friday–5 PM Central Time. Original, Derivative, Primary, Secondary, Direct and Indirect, Evidence and Proof and More!: Troubles with Terms This session will look at just what is typically meant by these genealogical terms. Anyone’s research can benefit from an understanding of “proof” terminology, even if publishing in a journal is the furthest thing from your mind. Knowing the differences of these terms and when to use each one […]
Our genealogy webinar closeout continues through 22 August (today). Download is immediate and presentations can be viewed when or as often as you want. Don’t wait!
In your desire to preserve and record the past of your family, do not forget to include materials on yourself. Newspaper clippings, photographs, awards, certificates, diplomas, and other items that relate to YOU are important as well. At some point in the future, you will be on of those names on a chart just like the relatives you are trying to track down today. Future genealogists in your family will be glad that you did not forget to preserve items on the living as well as the dead. [Thanks to Facebook fan Bella C. for suggesting today’s tip!]
When information is inconsistent or you are trying to sort out individuals, consider making a chart or table to summarize the information that is conflicting or does not make sense. Sometimes just the process of thinking about how to organize what you have and then organizing it will help you to notice things that you did not notice before.
Here is a summary of freebies we have: 2 free copies of Casefile Clues–simply enter in your email address and “submit” order. There is no credit card or other personal information required. Copy 1 Copy 2 My Brick Walls A to Z Webinar (and handout)–click here to process order. Coupon code is “brickwall” no credit card or personal information except email address is required. Just hit “check out with PayPal.” The item is free, you won’t be prompted for a credit card. You can subscribe to Genealogy Search Tip (free) by entering in your email address in the box on the right hand side of the blog page at http://searchtip.genealogytipoftheday.com. Feel free to share with your friends, blog readers, etc. etc. Thanks!
Besides the “news” part of a newspaper, your ancestor could appear in the classified ads section. This ad from a Rock Island, Illinois, newspaper in 1905 mentions a bay mare owned by August Mortier. The ad provides evidence that he was alive on the 4th of July night and was living at 2609 4th Avenue in Rock Island on that date as well.
Our genealogy webinar closeout continues through 22 August. Don’t wait!
The problem with programs and websites that pre-fill in data is that it’s easy for the user to not really pay attention to what is going on. I’m working on sorting out individuals with the name of Anson Butler who lived in several counties in New York and Michigan. This includes Genesee County, New York and Genesee County, Michigan. If I’m not careful on data entry, I could easily get the locations incorrect. Take a second or a third look when entering in places, particularly if they have the same or very similar names. I’m just glad they also didn’t spend time in Geneseo, Illinois.
Always browse the end of a record series. The 1865 New York State census included some additional information at the end of the enumeration for a town or village. This information included (in some cases): couples married during the year deaths during the year men who had been in the military church information agriculture statistics effects of the Civil War on prices, etc.
Our genealogy webinar closeout continues through 22 August. Don’t wait!
A search of the yearbooks on Ancestry.com located a reference to an individual named “Newport Ufkes” in a University of Iowa yearbook in 1950. The name Ufkes is highly unusual and I was 99% certain the reference to my uncle who attended the University of Iowa Law School. Turns out the men in a picture were listed by last name only. My uncle stood next a man with the last name of Newport. Seeing “Ufkes, Newport” the automatic indexing assumed it was a person whose name was Newport Ufkes. Another reason to not always include first names in searches.
Recent Comments