Category: Beginning Genealogy

When embarking on the journey of tracing one’s family history, it is common to start by gathering information from family members and personal recollections. However, relying solely on what is already known can lead to incomplete or inaccurate information. As Albert Einstein once said, ‘The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.’ It is essential to approach family history research with an open mind and be prepared to challenge assumptions and previous knowledge. By questioning what we think we know and seeking to learn more, we can gain a deeper understanding of our family’s past and uncover hidden truths that may have otherwise remained undiscovered.

The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.

Albert Einstein

There are several reasons why the information passed down through generations may not be entirely reliable. First, memories fade over time, and details can be lost or distorted. Stories may also be embellished or altered to fit the teller’s agenda or perception of events. Second, cultural norms and societal expectations can impact what is shared and what is kept hidden. Some events may be considered shameful or taboo, leading to secrets being kept within the family. Third, historical documents and records may be incomplete, lost, or destroyed, making it challenging to verify information.

To ensure the accuracy of family history research, it is essential to verify information through multiple sources. This can include official records, such as birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, and census data. DNA testing can also provide valuable insights into family connections and ethnicity. Additionally, conducting interviews with living relatives and comparing their accounts can help identify inconsistencies and discrepancies in the information gathered.

Ultimately, the pursuit of family history is a journey of discovery that requires patience, attention to detail, and a willingness to challenge preconceived notions. By approaching the research process with an open mind and verifying information through multiple sources, one can gain a deeper understanding of their family’s past and preserve their legacy for future generations.

Additional Material on Challenging Assumptions

• Be Careful of Assumptions in Genealogy
  Post by Rick Allen in his Backstory Bloodhound Blog
• Danger! Watch Your Assumptions!
  Gena Philibert-Ortega guest writes for the website LegacyFamilyTree.
• GenFriends: Lisa Lisson -Genealogy Assumptions
  In this episode of GenFriends Lisa Lisson from “Are You My Cousin” drops by to discuss Assumptions in Genealogy. Cheri and the panel Melissa Barker, Dan Earl, Laura Hedgecock, Shelley Murphy, and Mary Kircher Roddy have a fun discussion with Lisa about what happens when we make assumptions while climbing our family tree.
• More Genealogical Assumptions that Will get you in trouble
  Craig Scott shares some examples of assumptions in genealogical research that could cause errors in your family tree.

Funeral records are an excellent source of genealogical information, providing insight into the life and death of our ancestors. They often include valuable details such as the date and place of death, age, cause of death, and the name and address of the funeral home or mortuary. Funeral records also often include information on the deceased’s parents, spouse, children, and other relatives, providing an excellent resource for tracing family history. This article explores the use of funeral records in genealogy, including their benefits, how to locate them, and how to interpret the information they provide.

Benefits of Funeral Records in Genealogy

Funeral records are an excellent resource for genealogists for several reasons. Firstly, they provide a wealth of information on the deceased, including their name, age, and date of death. This information is essential for creating accurate family trees and for verifying information obtained from other sources. Funeral records also often include information on the deceased’s cause of death, which can be valuable for understanding the health and living conditions of our ancestors.

Funeral records also frequently provide information on the deceased’s family, including the names of their parents, spouse, children, and other relatives. This information can be particularly useful for tracing family relationships and for identifying previously unknown relatives. Funeral records can also provide valuable information on the deceased’s occupation, religion, and other aspects of their life, which can help genealogists to build a more complete picture of their ancestors.

Locating Funeral Records

Funeral records can be found in a variety of places, including funeral homes, mortuaries, and archives. Many funeral homes and mortuaries keep records dating back several decades or even centuries, and some may be willing to share them with genealogists upon request. Archival collections, such as those held by historical societies, may also contain funeral records, particularly for prominent or influential individuals in the community.

Obituaries and death notices in newspapers can also provide valuable information that can be used to locate funeral records. These sources often provide the name of the funeral home or mortuary handling the deceased’s arrangements, which can be used to track down their records. Online databases and genealogy websites may also contain funeral records, although these sources should be used with caution and verified against other sources to ensure their accuracy.

Interpreting Funeral Records

Interpreting funeral records can be a complex process that requires careful attention to detail and a thorough understanding of the historical context in which they were created. Genealogists must pay particular attention to the accuracy of the information provided, as funeral records can sometimes contain errors or inconsistencies. For example, the age of the deceased may be incorrect, or the names of family members may be misspelled or listed in the wrong order.

It is also important to be aware of any cultural or religious traditions that may have influenced the information contained in funeral records. For example, some religious traditions may not include the deceased’s cause of death, while others may provide extensive information on their spiritual beliefs and practices. Genealogists should also be aware of any language or terminology that may be specific to a particular time period or geographic location, as this can affect the interpretation of the information.

Conclusion

Funeral records are an invaluable source of genealogical information that can provide insight into the lives and deaths of our ancestors. They offer a wealth of details on the deceased and their family, including their names, ages, dates of death, causes of death, and other key information. While funeral records can be found in a variety of places, genealogists must be careful when interpreting the information they contain, paying close attention to accuracy and cultural context. By using funeral records in their research, genealogists can gain a deeper understanding of their ancestors and build a more complete picture of their family history.

Passenger lists can provide valuable information about your ancestors, including their name, age, occupation, nationality, and place of origin, as well as details about their voyage.

Here are some tips for finding passenger lists for your genealogical research:

1. Start with online databases: There are a variety of online databases that can help you find passenger lists, use this list. These databases allow you to search for passenger lists based on a variety of criteria, including the name of the passenger, the name of the ship, and the date of arrival.
2. Check archives and libraries: Many archives and libraries hold historical records, including passenger lists. Some of these records may be available online, but others may require an in-person visit. If you’re not sure where to start, try searching for archives and libraries in the area where your ancestor arrived.
3. Look for alternate sources: In some cases, passenger lists may have been lost or destroyed. In these instances, you may be able to find information about your ancestors’ arrival in other sources, such as naturalization records or census records.
4. Use multiple sources: It’s important to use multiple sources when conducting genealogical research, as this can help you verify the accuracy of the information you find. For example, if you find your ancestor’s name on a passenger list, try cross-referencing that information with other sources, such as census records or birth certificates. You need to connect the individual(s) in the passenger list with your ancestor. Name alone usually isn’t enough.
5. Keep detailed records: As you conduct your research, be sure to keep detailed records of the sources you consult and the information you find. This can help you keep track of your progress and avoid duplicating your efforts.

By following these tips, you can increase your chances of finding passenger lists for your genealogical research and uncovering valuable information about your ancestors. Happy sailing!

Deeds are legal documents that provide crucial information about land ownership and transactions, dating back to the earliest days of American settlement. They are a valuable resource for genealogists, historians, and real estate professionals seeking to uncover information about specific parcels of land or to track changes in land use over time.

Beyond providing information on ownership and transactions, deeds can reveal a wealth of historical insights. For example, they can provide details on how land values changed over time, which groups of people were able to own land, and how social and familial relationships influenced land ownership. They may also include descriptions of the land and any structures or improvements on it, such as houses, barns, or fences.

To trace the history of a piece of real estate using deeds, researchers can work backwards or forwards from one deed to the next. Each deed documents the transfer of land ownership from one individual or entity to another, creating a chain of title that can reveal important historical details. However, because counties and towns have changed over time, deeds for a single parcel of land may be located in multiple locations, requiring a thorough and methodical search to locate all relevant documents.

In addition to deeds, other historical records such as probate records and court decrees can also provide information about property transfers. These records are often located in the same place as deeds and can provide additional context for understanding the history of a particular piece of land.

Today, many registries of deeds have made their holdings available online, providing researchers with greater access to historical documents and reducing wear and tear on the original records. However, it’s important to note that not all records have been digitized, and in some cases, the only way to access a particular document may be to visit the physical location where it is held.

How do I Search for Land Deeds?

To conduct a thorough search of land deeds, follow these steps:

1. Identify the names of the buyer (grantee) and/or seller (grantor) of the land you are researching.
2. Determine where and how deeds are recorded and stored for the time and place of interest. You may be able to access this information online, but you may also need to visit a physical location to review the records.
3. Check online resources for any available information.
4. At the registry of deeds, search the grantee and grantor indexes for the names of the parties involved in the transaction.
5. Review the body of the deed for important information such as the names of the grantor and grantee, type of covenant (warranty, quit claim, mortgage), and a detailed description of the property conveyed. Look for any additional information such as the intent of the deed, volume where the deed is recorded, price of the transaction, and chain of title.
6. Look for a tax stamp, which can indicate the value of the transaction and can help estimate the selling price.
7. Check for any releases of spousal rights, which can provide insight into genealogical relationships between family members.
8. Review the acknowledgment to verify that the release was given voluntarily.
9. Note the date and time of recording to establish chronology.
10. Keep detailed notes or use a Deed Research form to document all the information you find, even if it doesn’t seem important at the time.
11. Make copies of any relevant documents if necessary. Note that archives may charge for making copies.
12. Consult other sources such as tax maps, aerial photos, insurance maps, town atlases, historical wall maps, letters, wills, and court records to verify or fill in any missing information.