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Censuses provide the framework for much of the family history research that we do. Because of this, it is useful to consult the instructions that were given to census enumerators. They are online at the University of Minnesota’s website. The confusing and shifting definitions and “racial” categories are a reminder that race is a fiction […]
I have been having some tremendous breakthroughs in this year. With every new name, a piece of me and and my history slides into place. Into memory. Searching for Matilda’s Roots My search for my great-grandmother Matilda’s roots is a wonderful example of the value of cluster research. For many years, I knew nothing about […]
When researching African-Americans, the criticality of the 1870 census cannot be understated. That year is called the “Brick Wall” for good reason. Considered personal property, enslaved people were not enumerated by name before 1870 (free blacks were). Most African-Americans were enslaved prior to the Civil War. Since most former slaves remained near where they had […]
I am in a state of genealogic shock. I’ve found another family line of free blacks that no one knew about in our family. My ancestor Martha Simpson was the wife of Levi Prather. I’ve been working hard to unravel the complicated slave relationships in the Prather family of Montgomery County, Maryland. So, I hadn’t yet […]
Records lie to us. The very records we depend upon to reconstruct our families, lie all the time. Inaccurate information is everywhere. A Few Examples In this 1900 census, my third great-grandmother Hannah Harber reported that she was widowed: But her former husband Joseph was alive and well. Sadly, he left her for another woman. […]
My great-grandfather John Smith was born in Georgia and migrated to Jacksonville, Florida sometime around 1900. His roots in Georgia continue to be one of my greatest brick walls. (Update, 2018: DNA uncovered his roots!) I had a huge breakthrough on John’s wife’s family yesterday. This is an excellent case study in evaluating evidence. Georgia […]
This beautiful picture is of my great-grandmother Effie Fendricks. I have posted before about my long odyssey researching her roots. I had a breakthrough in August 2009 when I found a duplicate death certificate. In this research, I encountered the common roadblocks of migration across state lines and name changes. On top of that, their […]
I read an article recently that every genealogist should read. It is in a special issue of the National Genealogical Society Quarterly from September 2001 (Volume 89, No.3). This issue was completely devoted to discussion of the Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings relationship. If you are a member of NGS you can download this article […]
It is amazing what can be discovered when you scrutinize your previous research. Sometimes it’s that new records are available that weren’t before. Other times it’s that your skills are better. I am quite happy to be my own biggest guinea pig and continue to prove this mantra be true. The Census In this case, […]
My ggrandmother Georgia Harris’ line has always been a challenge to research. But it reminded me of the fact that when we are searching parents, that parents often move with their children. Awhile ago, I made some headway in tracing her roots. She was not from Jacksonville (Duval County) Florida, as oral history said. She was […]
