One of the most important of sound genealogical research is the ability to use the information we find correctly the first time. We have all had instances where we get a document or fact that at the time does not seem to have significance, but we realize later that it was what we needed to resolve the pieces of the puzzle.
Special attention should be spent to the details. Take for example one of the most common documents that we use in genealogical research the marriage certificate. At first glance we may be just looking for the names of the people getting married, the date and location. Many other interesting facts though can be learned from this document. Why did people get married in a different location? Were they married in a church or by a justice of the peace? Who were the witnesses. Were the parents listed.
A common occurrence in marriage certificates was being married in a different location. Many people traveled to the next town or to a completely different state. In the case of my own family I have ancestors that were married in another state and came right back to where they lived. Another married in a different city that had not connection to either party getting married. Understand the circumstances that caused these events.
Another interesting clue is where did they get married. Were they married in a church? What was the denomination of that church? Once you identify the church you will be able to evaluate there records as they relate to your family. Traditionally the marriage occurs in the brides home church.
Witnesses like on any document are often overlooked by genealogist. There is normally a strong connection to the people that are listed on a document. Check out their backgrounds. This will often shed light on unknown family relationships.
Finally use the marriage document to find the parents of the bride and groom. All though it does not state this on every document more times than not it does. This is one thing in my professional research that I am amazed that people don't check.
Please send in any further questions or problems you might have. They will be answered in this blog.
Friday, July 9, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Genealogy update
Well since I last posted here I have had lot's of changes happen in my genealogical life. I have started talking to various groups about genealogy across Ohio and Michigan. This has brought me in contact with many of my fellow researchers.
Recently I graduated from Boston University with a certificate in genealogy. This was a very difficult process, but helped me to improve my skills of research. The course was done online and was a very exciting process to go through.
Since May of 2009 I have been participating on Ancestry as a genealogical Expert. This has taken up a great deal of my time. This has also helped in developing my skills and has caused me to take my professional career to a all new level.
Genealogy has changed in many ways over the past year. I look forward to getting your feedback.
Recently I graduated from Boston University with a certificate in genealogy. This was a very difficult process, but helped me to improve my skills of research. The course was done online and was a very exciting process to go through.
Since May of 2009 I have been participating on Ancestry as a genealogical Expert. This has taken up a great deal of my time. This has also helped in developing my skills and has caused me to take my professional career to a all new level.
Genealogy has changed in many ways over the past year. I look forward to getting your feedback.
Monday, June 21, 2010
New Posting
I will begin to write again on a weekly basis. Please let me know if you have any ideas.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Columbiana County, Ohio Old Court Records Occupying New Home
Columbiana County court files gathering dust for more than 200 years now have a place to call home where genealogists with a penchant for the past can dig to their heart's content. Known as the Columbiana County Archives & Research Center, the location at 129 S. Market St., Lisbon, Ohio has been four years in the making, but the information stored there dates back to at least 1805.
The Columbiana County Archives & Research Center incorporated in April 2005 as a non-profit corporation whose aim was to preserve and collect old genealogical records pertinent to Columbiana County, both public and private, and make them available to people researching their family histories. They've been promised numerous files held by the Clerk of Courts for Common Pleas Court and already have a lot of those files in the research center.
The files include civil cases, such as lawsuits, and domestic relation cases up to 1903 so far, criminal cases up to 1897, old court of appeals cases, naturalization records from the early 1800s to 1920 and miscellaneous files.
You can read more in an article by Mary Ann Greier in the Morning Journal web site at http://www.morningjournalnews.com/page/content.detail/id/511553.html?nav=5006.
Courtesy Eastmans Online
Monday, June 1, 2009
Lake Co.- Death Records
Death records are important to confirm facts about our ancestors and their relationships. Records in Lake county are at the courthouse in Painsville.
The County Clerk records include those deaths in the county from 1867 to present. All certified records can be obtained at these two locations. Be sure to have the date narrowed down to the day or at least the year. Please be patient with the these folks as it takes time to retrieve the records.
Remember the information in a death records is only as good as the person giving the information. Be sure to confirm the information with other source records. Many times maiden names of mothers, spelling and place of birth have errors. Be certain to confirm this information.
I will be discussing the wills in Lake County. Have a great day.
The County Clerk records include those deaths in the county from 1867 to present. All certified records can be obtained at these two locations. Be sure to have the date narrowed down to the day or at least the year. Please be patient with the these folks as it takes time to retrieve the records.
Remember the information in a death records is only as good as the person giving the information. Be sure to confirm the information with other source records. Many times maiden names of mothers, spelling and place of birth have errors. Be certain to confirm this information.
I will be discussing the wills in Lake County. Have a great day.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Warren Trumbell County OH- Library
When research your ancestors in Trumbell County a place to start is the main library in Warren. The following resources are available.
Census Records
Census records are available on microfilm for 1820-1880 and 1900-1930. All corresponding indexes (with the exception of 1910 and 1930) are in book form or on microfilm for the entire state of Ohio.
Map Collection
Atlas and Directory of Trumbull County, Ohio: Including a Directory of Freeholders and Official Register of the County. 1899.
Newspapers
Death Certificates
Death certificates issued by the state of Ohio from December 21, 1908 through 1953 are available on microfilm along with indexes covering these years. Researchers can search the film and print, email, or save images to personal flash drives.
As noted prior though the library will be closed until June 1. Make a plan prior to your visit and call ahead to check on availability of the facility.
I will be back on Monday with more information. Please email me if you have questions. Spread the word.
Census Records
Census records are available on microfilm for 1820-1880 and 1900-1930. All corresponding indexes (with the exception of 1910 and 1930) are in book form or on microfilm for the entire state of Ohio.
Map Collection
Atlas and Directory of Trumbull County, Ohio: Including a Directory of Freeholders and Official Register of the County. 1899.
Atlas of Mahoning County, Ohio, and Part of Trumbull County, Ohio, compiled by William J. Gutknecht, et al, 1915. [Includes railroads] Combination Atlas Map of Trumbull County, Ohio, L. H. Everts, 1874. Map of Trumbull County. 1856. Sanborn Fire Insurance maps for the City of Warren [books and film] and for the cities of Girard, Newton Falls and Niles [microfilm only] Trumbull County ODNR Abandoned Underground Mine Locations for Trumbull and Mahoning Counties. Trumbull County, Ohio Cadastral or Land Ownership Maps 1830 – 1840 – 1850, published by the Trumbull County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society. Trumbull County, Ohio: Plat Book, Index of Owners, City Street Maps, circa 1922. |
Buckeye American (KKK) - 1923
Buckeye Banner - 1849
Cortland Gazette (Cortland) - 1876-1883
Democratic News (Warren) - 1938-1941
Girard News (Girard) - 1927-1969
Girard Weekly Journal (Girard) - 1910-1911
Hubbard Eagle (Hubbard) - 1966-1984
Hubbard Enterprise (Hubbard) - 1894-1896; 1913-1917
Hubbard News (Hubbard) - 1927-1974
Kinsman Journal (Kinsman) - 1977-1982
Liberty Herald - 1843-1846
Mahoning Dispatch (Canfield) - 1877-1968
Mahoning Index (Canfield) - 1846-1851
Mahoning Valley Review - 1889-1892
Newton Fall Herald (Newton Falls) - 1930-1933; 1946-1979
Niles Daily News (Niles) - 1908-1917; 1919-1923
Niles Daily Times (Niles) - 1924-1935; 1959-1961
Niles Evening Register - (Niles) 1923-1924
Niles Standard (Niles) - 1932-1945
Republican Argus - 1836
Republican Sentinel (Canfield) - 1857-1859
Taxpayers Guardian (Warren) - October 1888- April 1889
Tribune Chronicle - 1891- Present (Main Floor)
Tri-County News (Newton Falls) - 1899-1918 (scattered)
Trumbull County Whig (Warren) - 1848-1851
Trumbull County Independent - 1876
Trumbull Democrat (Warren) - 1839-1862 (scattered)
Trumbull Era - 1880 (partial year)
Trump of Fame (Warren) - 1812-1816
Warren Constitution (Warren) - 1862-1878; 1883-1884
Warren Daily Chronicle (Warren) - 1883-1924 (scattered)
Warren Daily Tribune - 1885
Warren Daily Tribune - 1891-1924 (Tech Center - Main Floor)
Warren Independent (Warren) - 1983-1986
Warren Liberty Herald (Warren) - 1843-1846
Warren Newsletter & Trumbull County Republican (Warren) - 1830-1839 (scattered)
Warren Record - 1876-1881
Warren Weekly Tribune - 1876-1917
Warren Reserve Chronicle - 1816-1921
Western Reserve Democrat - 1883-1941
Western Reserve Democrat - 1978-1983
Warren Reserve Transcript & Whig - 1851-1854
City Directories
City directories for Warren & vicinity start in 1889 and continue to the present.Death Certificates
Death certificates issued by the state of Ohio from December 21, 1908 through 1953 are available on microfilm along with indexes covering these years. Researchers can search the film and print, email, or save images to personal flash drives.
As noted prior though the library will be closed until June 1. Make a plan prior to your visit and call ahead to check on availability of the facility.
I will be back on Monday with more information. Please email me if you have questions. Spread the word.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Lake County- Marriage Records
The county of Lake started recording marriage records in 1840. This is a very early period of time as compared to many other counties. The records are located at the courthouse in Painsville.
During my own research I have traced my ancestors through this county and I was amazed that they had marriage records as such a early date. All of the records are indexed and many of them have also been published. Be sure to pay special attention on marriage records to who the trustees that are listed. They often provide valuable clues to family relationships that are often overlooked when to doing your genealogy. Be sure to make copies of this document, because some of the names don't always stick out as clues immediately. In my family a person listed on a marriage record as a witness later was traced to be the maiden name of the mother once I traced the family back into Virginia.
Tomorrow I will be going over the death records of the county. Thank you again for your support and please send any questions or ideas you might have.
During my own research I have traced my ancestors through this county and I was amazed that they had marriage records as such a early date. All of the records are indexed and many of them have also been published. Be sure to pay special attention on marriage records to who the trustees that are listed. They often provide valuable clues to family relationships that are often overlooked when to doing your genealogy. Be sure to make copies of this document, because some of the names don't always stick out as clues immediately. In my family a person listed on a marriage record as a witness later was traced to be the maiden name of the mother once I traced the family back into Virginia.
Tomorrow I will be going over the death records of the county. Thank you again for your support and please send any questions or ideas you might have.
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