PAERIE-L Archives

From: <>
Subject: Mini Genealogy Workshop
Date: Fri, 13 Nov 1998 18:17:47 -0500

I received this from a friend who subscribes to the ALABAMA-L rootsweb and
thought it might help some of those new to genealogy.

Having a hard time trying to find that maiden name of your gg-grandmother?
Here are some helpful hints!

Research and study case studies of PROVEN ANCESTORS, they often married
their first cousins.

When possible, always go to the Original records/documents.

Follow her males, did they stay in that county or go to another state?

Who did her brothers and sisters marry?

Look at those neighbors very closely. Males seldom married females that
lived over 5 miles from their homes. More often it was the next house that
they chose their wife from.

DEEDS

Always look at several pages before and after listings of deeds. Pay
special attention to all those recorded the same day.

Note other surnames that keep repeating often in deeds, plus "et al" which
means "and others."

Note males that are selling their interest in property. This just may be
the father-in-law who has recently died.

Note names and witnesses on wills and deeds, usually one is from the family
of the female to protect her dower. This is not written in stone but very
often true.

Always trace your females until dead and buried. Follow son-in-laws, sons,
grandsons, and nephews.

Trace down all lines of a marriage. Often the husband would marry as a
second marriage, a sister of his wife, if she had died shortly after the
marriage.

MORE RESEARCH IDEAS

State Archives, which often have duplicate copies of lost county-level tax
rolls.

Check all surrounding counties, your ancestors may have traveled to the
nearest courthouse.

Census...All of the various schedules of the federal returns must be used.
Above all, study the entire neighborhood for naming and migration patterns.

Specialized biographical files composed by museums.

Journals of the state house and senate.

Superior court and federal district and supreme court files.

Church Records. Don't overlook ALL denominations in that area.

Newspapers. Use of newspapers of surrounding counties, even across the
state lines if another state is adjustant. You may check for church
newspapers as their obits are often better than those in regular
newspapers.

TRACK COLLATERAL LINES. Sisters are often pursued because of their name
changes. Follow them through their husbands.

When all else fails, backtrack neighbors and associates who have similar
naming/migration patterns and let them lead you to your ancestors.

Hope this helps someone whose search has been buried in the brick wall <G>

Barb

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