Genealogy Research
Explore genealogy research articles and how-to tutorials designed to help you trace your ancestors and grow your family tree.
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Eight Things You Can Find in Vertical Files
The vertical files found in archives and local libraries can be a source of genealogical information not found anywhere else. These are not “official” records generated by a government body, but these files hold a variety treasures for the genealogist. Eight Things That Can Be Found In Vertical Files Church Histories – I found a church history for Matrimony Creek Baptist Church in Rockingham County, NC. Included were early church rolls. [Yes, the person I was looking for was on there!] Maps – I have found hand drawn maps of a neighborhoods. These maps showed where individuals lived in relationship to each other. Other Genealogist’s Notes – These can be…
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Sparking Genealogy Conversations…
I often hear from friends new to genealogy comments such as “I just don’t know where to begin.” They express feeling overwhelmed by the so much information on the internet. I tell them: Genealogy starts with conversations. Conversations with your parents/grandparents around a dinner table. Conversations with distant cousins at a family reunion or other family gathering. Conversations with relatives through social media. Sometimes those conversations need a little help getting going. Have you ever asked a relative for information about the family history only to hear, “Oh, that was so long ago I don’t remember.”? Or “What do you want to know about all those people for? They’re long…
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Genealogy by Tattoo
Have you ever used a tattoo to determine a death date in your genealogy research? No? I didn’t think so. I actually had the opportunity to use the information from a tattoo to determine a death date range on the mother of a research subject. Let me explain…. I was researching a gentleman who was sentenced in jail at the Deer Island House of Correction in Boston, MA in March 1940. Upon entrance all his articles of clothing and possessions were cataloged. His tattoos and other marks of distinction were cataloged as well. From the listing above, this gentleman had two tattoos. One was an eagle with the word Liberty.…
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5 Tips For Finding & Contacting “New Cousins”
When I started researching my family history a number of years ago, I expected my research to involve mostly, well…dead people. I quickly discovered the value of oral history and interviewing my living relatives. Every time I talked with a cousin or aunt I heard new names of more distant relatives. Sometimes I would just hear references to so and so’s son/daughter who might know something about the family history. This refrain kept running through my mind, “I need to talk to the them, too.” But how do I find them? Will they think I am a nutcase if I contact them? Will they hang up on me? Should I…