Etal. Deeds

Finding too many deeds for too little time when researching your ancestor at the county courthouse? When time is limited, the "etal" deeds should be high on your priority list. "Etal" means "and others," meaning that at least one person besides your ancestor is listed on the deed. These deeds have a better than average chance of involving a spouse or an inheritance.

And if you only get time to look at the "etal" deeds, make a note to that effect in your research log. That way you will know what you have (and have not) done.

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It Is Not Just Me

Years ago, I had several people in a beginning genealogy class tell me that my ancestors were unique--not everyone had ancestors who left the kinds of records mine did and that my ancestors must have been different.

I don't think so. Part of it is just in how hard you look. None of my ancestors were particularly wealthy. A few lived hand to mouth and several barely hung on during the Depression. Yes, most were farmers, but not all were landowners and those that were owned typical farms for their era (agricultural census records are a great way to make these comparisons).

My in-laws left records too and they were not all farmers. Even the city dwellers who didn't own their homes left records.

The key is learning about all the records that might be available and being diligent. Leave no stone unturned---you might be surprised at what is out there.

Most importantly, ask for help or suggestions. Genealogists are a friendly bunch and you are bound to get advice and ideas---keep asking.

Evoking Memories Through Music

If great-aunt Myrtle is having difficulty remembering things from her past, consider downloading or getting copies of music that was popular during the time period you are trying to get her to remember. Music may be the impetus to get her memories flowing.

Are employment records the answer?

Do you have ancestors for whom employment records might answer some questions, or at least provide you with some information you were not already aware of?

Rural ancestors rarely have these records but those with urban ancestors might want to see if records of their ancestor's former employers have been archived or stored somewhere.

Personally I haven't used employment records too much, but am working on a set of records for an upcoming issue of Casefile Clues.

Never Stop Learning

The day you decide your genealogical skills do not need tweaking is the day you probably should take up a new hobby. All of us involved in genealogy should be learning something every day. Becoming a better genealogist is a daily process of growth.

County Recorder's Miscellaneous Record Books

County Recorder's offices typically have a series of miscellaneous record books where they will record copies of things that do not fall into the typical record categories. I have seen copies in these books of:

• out of state divorce decrees
• out of area death certificates
• medical licenses
• legal agreements not related to property or real estate

One never knows what one will encounter in these records. Give them a try!

Turn off the Communication

I've mentioned this before on "Tip of the Day" but think that every so often it needs to be repeated.

There are times when the best research and analysis is done when you can really concentrate.

• turn off the email
• turn off any online "alerts"
• turn off instant messaging
• put the cell phone away

There are times when multitasking does not really allow you to think about something and really understand it. Read that record or series of documents closely. Transcribe them--and do it without numerous distractions.

You may be surprised at the results.

Discount on Casefile Clues for Facebook Fans

Some of you know that Casefile Clues sponsors "Genealogy Tip of the Day."

We are having a sale at Casefile Clues--get in on the discount.

From now until noon central on 4 March 2010:

Get an annual subscription and or back issues at these discounted rates:

A year for $15 (52 issues--normally $17)
Back issues 1-30 for $13.50 (individually $16.50)
Questions can be sent to me at mjnrootdig@gmail.com

1855 Bounty Land Application Instructions

We don't normally point to webpages here on Tip of the Day, but among the thousands of neat things on www.archive.org is the following:

Instructions and forms to be observed by persons applying to the Pension Office for bounty land under the act of March 3, 1855 : entitled "an act in addition to certain acts granting bounty land to certain officers and soldiers who have been engaged in the military service of the United States."

Click here to give it a read.

Every Record was Created by Humans

Remember that every record was created by a human. Consequently any one piece could be incorrect. Could that be what's causing your brick wall?

Casefile Clues--my weekly how-to newsletter

Genealogy Tip of the Day Readers are encouraged to consider subscribing to my weekly genealogy how-to newsletter, Casefile Clues.

Casefile Clues is not your typical genealogy newsletter. We do not rehash or rephrase generic information that is available in numerous how-to books and websites. Casefile Clues is applied genealogy at its best. Our focus is on record and document analysis, "where to go next," "where did I go wrong," how to use records, etc. All case studies are drawn from my own research in a variety of locations.

Readers like Casefile Clues because it is not just fluff and we really get down and explain what the thought process was behind the research. And we cite our citations. And sometimes we discuss how we tried things that did not work and where I think I should go next.

Will we discuss your ancestor? No (unless you are a relative of mine). But hopefully we'll give you ideas to jump start your own research. That's our goal.

More information is available on our website at http://www.casefileclues.com/.

Casefile Clues is delivered weekly as a PDF file and comes directly to your email. No ads either!

A minor naturalization

A minor naturalization is a naturalization in which the person naturalized immigrated while they were a minor. It does not mean they were a minor when they naturalized. Minors cannot naturalize themselves. A minor whose father naturalizes usually becomes a citizen.

Every name on the document

Look at every name on that record on your ancestor. Why are those other names on the document? Officials and the like might not be huge clues, but they could be. And the other names might be worth investigating.

Reminder about Pronunciations

A student asked me if I knew where "Mr. Lowrey" was. At least it sounded it like he was asking for Mr. Lowrey.

It turns out his instructor's first name was Larry. And the last name was not Lowrey.

Could your ancestor (or the census taker) have confused first and last names or at the very least completely altered a name because of the way the speaker said it?

Check Around Before Buying a Copy of Any Record

It always pays to check around before buying a copy of any record. Generally speaking, try sources in the following order:

• Family History Library
• State or Regional Archives
• Local, County, or State Record Office directly--start by looking here http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w.htm
• Post a query to the appropriate message board at boards.ancestry.com or lists.rootsweb.com and inquire about records access and prices
• Never pay for immediate, overnight, or any speedy service.
• Considering hiring a local professional if you need a large number and can't get them via mail.

This is mean to be general guidance only, but avoid paying exorbitant fees for "extra" services if at all possible. This is why if you are unfamiliar, post to various mailing lists and message boards and wait for an answer.

Write it Down Now!

"Great-grandma Neill wouldn't let Nellie date the Humke boy because they were related. "

I know someone told me that. I am not dreaming it. I had already known the "Humke boy was related," but the dating (or potential dating) was news to me. I remembered the tidbit while doing something completely unrelated. The problem is that I cannot for the life of me remember who told me. I will write it down now and have to use myself as the source, even though I have no first hand knowledge of it myself.

It is even more frustrating because I was told this little nugget years after I had started genealogy and knew the importance of writing things down as soon as possible.

Underlined on a Deed?

Is a word underlined on that deed you copied at the courthouse? Remember underlining was often the clerk's way of indicating that the underlined item looked odd and incorrect, but that's what the document actually said. The clerk's job was to transcribe, not to fix.

Get A Second Opinion

Interpreting documents is never easy. If you have a complicated document or record, consider having more than one person interpret it. Different people can easily interpret the same thing in slightly different ways and those differences can make all the difference.

And make certain you know something of the background of who gives you advice. Not everyone's skill levels are the same and a response from an anonymous poster on an email list or a message board may not be all that reliable.

Updates and Loose Ends

We (I) am in the process of updating all the missing entries from "Genealogy Tip of the Day."

Those interested can follow us or subscribe using the links on the right hand side of the page. We have a Facebook Fans page too, which I will link to later today.

Thanks!

The Ins and Outs

Remember that for every ancestor who owned a piece of property, there should be an "in" when the property was obtained, or went into his possession and an "out" when the property left his possession.

Make certain you have each one.

And don't assume your city dwelling ancestors never owned any property. Even records on a small plot may be helpful.

Look at Every Level

We often get focused on records at one level of jurisdiction.



Keep in mind that there might be town or city records, county records, state records, and federal records of your ancestor.



Any could give you the break you need. Never assume that state or federal records are not going to help you on your ancestor. Military records and pensions are often state or federal records and these can be especially informative. Military veterans or their spouses often applied for benefits as they aged and the restrictions were loosened up.

Take a Free Trial--Some Advice

Many genealogy pay-for sites offer free trials. Here are a few pieces of advice:

• Get the free trial when you will actually have time to use it
• Keep track of the credit card used to "hold" the free trial
• They will bill you if you do not contact them and have them cancel
• Mark your calendar for 2 days before it expires. That is the day you decide.
• If the expire date falls on a Sunday or Saturday, always plan to call on at least the Friday before that date, preferably on Thursday.

Of course, if you aren't going to cancel, then it is not a problem.

A source for every statement of fact

Sometimes it is easy to criticize those who insist on a "source for every fact." However, having started to do this on a few of my lines, I have learned one thing. It has forced me to correct many things I have either transcribed or remembered incorrectly.

It may be heresy to say this, but the world won't end if your citations are not perfect. However, they should lead you or someone else back to the original.

Going back and getting the actual information right may even cause you to break down those brick walls that were accidentally created by the researcher themself. Of course, this never happens to me---just other people!

Did the Reason Die With Them?

Some things leave behind absolutely no record and those who know either never tell or it never gets written down.

It is possible that some secrets or stories will never be uncovered.

However, that does not mean we stop trying to find the answers and that we don't analyze records as completely as possible.

Just know that there are limitations to ever search and some people will never be found.

Just don't stop looking and keep learning about new sources.

Check that Date!

For some reason, I thought today was my great-grandmother Ufkes' birthday. I am not certain where I got it in my head that her birthday was 17 February, but I did.

Unless you are certain--CHECK!

I was partially correct--Trientje Maria Janssen was born on the 17th, but it was 17 April, not February.

Are there Gaps?

Genealogy tip of the Day readers know that sometimes there are gaps in the tips (I'm working to fix them).

However, the gaps make an excellent point. When viewing records that are filed chronologically pay attention to filing dates, dates of record, etc. Are there gaps? If so, it could indicate missing or misfiled records?

Do not JUST look for NAMES and only names. Context is everything---in more ways than one.

Flip it Over

If you have a newspaper clipping that is undated and unsourced, flip it over. Anything can be a potential clue as to location or date, even classified ads.

One obit I found in a set of clippings had a date, but no name of the newspaper. Flipping it over I found the classified ads. The phone numbers and street names told me it was from a nearby town of 40,000 and not one of the small towns near where the relative actually died.

Start Small

Is compiling the "whole genealogy" too overwhelming for you? Instead start with just one ancestor and compile everything you know about him or her. Work chronologically, documenting every fact.

Expand to the children of the ancestor. Once that's compiled, consider submitting it for publication in a local genealogical society publication or journal. That way it gets preserved.

Then go from there.

A Warantee (Land Records)

A warrantee is someone to whom a warrant for land has been issued. The warrant could have been issued for military service, some other service, or outright purchase. Just because someone got a warrant does not mean they actually were the person who settled the land. That person was the patentee.

A grantor

On a land record, a grantor is the person who sells the property.

A Grantee

On a land record, a grantee is the person who purchases, acquires, or is otherwise receiving the property.

Definition Mortgagee

On an old mortgage, the mortgagee is the person who is loaning the money. It might not always be a bank, it might be a family member, neighbor, etc. And could always be a clue as to a potential associate of your ancestor.

Legal Definition

When using a term in an old record--ask yourself if you are using the term and understanding the term in the legal context in which it was used and at the time in which it was used.

Not everything is written from a 21st century perspective.

Did Cousin Ken Get the Whole Thing?

Are you using Civil War pension papers that cousin Ken got fifteen or twenty years ago? Did he get the complete set or just the "genealogically relevant" ones? The complete set may contain information not shown in the "relevant" pages.

And if you've never heard of the "complete" set and didn't know it existed, it's time to do a little searching.