November 28, 2007

Finding Answers in British Isles Census Records

The census is one of the most used record groups in family history research. With it, you can locate your ancestors in time and place. This “snapshot” of history is like opening a window into their lives, showing where they lived, with whom they associated, and what they were doing with their lives.

Finding Answers in British Census Records is your best tool for understanding Britain’s censuses. Echo King leads you step by step through these valuable records, explaining everything from their history and the process of their creation to how you can get the most out of them. If you are new to family history or if you are a seasoned veteran, Finding Answers in British Census Records has something for you.










Genealogical Inspiration

Let's sound off. I'd like to know how you learned to conduct family history research. Did you take a class, read a book, or follow an online tutorial?

As you know there are many opportunities to become a more experienced researcher. Here's what made a difference in my life:

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Under My Nose

Sometimes those disappearing ancestors did not disappear the way we thought they did. Rather they are right there in front of us waiting to be found. This week we look at such a situation. Our search reminds us of several research techniques that any family historian needs to have in their repertoire when the ancestor seems to vanish without a trace.

Sarah Wickiser Calvert's only known record of existence was an 1862 Delaware County, Ohio, deed where she sold property apparently inherited from her parents. After that, I had concluded she simply evaporated. The question was where she departed as she apparently could not be found in other records. Based upon census enumerations and more detailed information on her known siblings, it was estimated Sarah was born between 1802 and 1810, probably in Pennsylvania. Any other details of her life were unknown, including the name of her husband or her date of marriage (other than the fact that she was married by 1862).

When a relative is "lost," one place to start looking is near other relatives, former neighbors, and associates, particularly ones who have moved. It is often helpful to have a "family map" handy to assist in keeping the various names straight.

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Take a Break from Census Research and Read About It

There must be dozens of websites offering British Isles census data in amounts large and small. You can also find a proliferation of text about censuses online. For me it is a treat to get away from the computer, relax in a comfortable chair, and read about records and research.

This is what I suggest you do. Earlier this year Ancestry published Finding Answers in British Isles Census Records, by Echo King. It is an easy read and an informative one.

The book follows a...

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November 23, 2007

Geographic Reference Library

Geographic Reference Library infobase enables users to locate nearly any town, city, county, or other populated place in the United States as well as many schools, churches, courthouses, cemeteries, or major geographic features across the United States. This infobase includes two of the most significant U.S. gazetteers currently available in electronic form, the 1854 New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States and the new American Genealogical Gazetteer. This combination now makes it possible to find both old and new place names practically instantaneously. With more than one million entries in this infobase, many forgotten or hard to find places will be found again.

Search Free:
http://www.genealogylookups.com/database3018.htm

November 19, 2007

Wallet-Friendly Traditions for the Holiday Season

As I wrote last week's column, I was still in that, "I'm not ready for the holidays" mode. But this morning I went out and bought my annual turkey (which I got on sale for a really sweet price!) and with the thought of next week's turkey and dressing (my favorite meal), I'm starting to get a little more in the mood. This morning I broke tradition and even let my daughter listen to the holiday music station on the way to school. Typically this is something that is not done until after Mommy has started her Christmas shopping. My rationale is that if I don't hear holiday music then I'm not behind with shopping--kind of an ostrich approach, but it works for me.

I've noticed as the years go by, I'm finding myself adding new traditions. Most of them are not quite as uh . . . "eccentric" as the whole holiday music thing, and a lot of them have to do with family--past and present. So in this week's column, I thought I'd share some ideas that you might like to turn into traditions for your family. And since many of us may be stressing about the cost of gas, heating, and holiday shopping, I'm focusing on cost-efficient traditions.

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Rediscover Your Heritage

Over generations, the customs of our ancestor can sometimes be lost. Rediscover your heritage by investigating some of the customs of your ancestors.

  • What holidays did they celebrate and how?
  • What was their diet like?
  • Did decorations have symbolic meaning?
  • What kind of clothes did they wear?
By learning more about these customs and everyday life, you'll forge a stronger bond with your ancestors.

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