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All Blog Posts (3,110)

The theory of estates in land for genealogists

You might as well face it, the amount of information contained in land records is huge, but it is locked up in arcane and often obsolete legal terminology. Understanding the language unlocks the information in these old records. The modern concept of land ownership or estates have their origins in the 13th Century in England and the methods of land ownership in the United States are derived almost entirely from very early English precedents. The word "estate" itself, dates from feudal times and… Continue

Added by James Tanner on September 13, 2009 at 10:15pm — No Comments

The Clutter in the Attic

After quite a hiatus from doing much genealogy research, it's now time to take out all the clutter I've accumulated. As in clutter, I suppose you can say my research has co-mingled. Not a good thing when your trying to organize your family roots. I have tried to do research on several different family branches, at one time they each had their own place and I kept them that way. Through the years I have been a little haphazard with the record keeping. I have everything, but it's certainly not… Continue

Added by Cindy M on September 13, 2009 at 5:44pm — No Comments

Collecting names vs. family history

From time to time, I encounter individuals who have huge family files comprising tens of thousands of names. These people, who I will call name collectors, seem intent on compiling the largest collection of names possible. Usually, they have absolutely no idea who any of the people actually are, but they take pride in the huge number of individuals. Name collectors are neither genealogists nor family historians. With today's technology and a few GEDCOM files anyone can have a huge collection of… Continue

Added by James Tanner on September 13, 2009 at 2:53pm — 6 Comments

Bubonic Plague In The United States of America

My mother was born in 1915, and she and her 11 siblings all survived to adulthood to raise families of their own. She and her siblings were born during the period the Bubonic Plague was ravaging the United States, but perhaps because they lived on a farm in Millen, Jenkins County, Georgia, they survived since their exposure was probably minimal.

My daughter's grandfather was not so fortunate. He lived in Elloree, Orangeburg, South Carolina and died of the plague in April, 1918. He… Continue

Added by Spivey on September 13, 2009 at 2:48pm — 2 Comments

Family Tree Connection - Update (13/Sep/2009)

Family Tree Connection has added the following genealogy items to its database:

Boston Seaman's Friend Society 1836 Report - Eighth Annual Report of the Board of Directors of the Boston Seaman's Friend Society, Presented May 25, 1836.

Boston Seaman's Friend Society 1833 Report - Fifth Annual Report of the Board of…

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Added by Illya Daddezio on September 13, 2009 at 2:17pm — No Comments

Pauline P. Johnson and Isaac Newton Griffith

When she was eighteen, Pauline P. Johnson went against her family’s long-standing Quaker traditions and married another lapsed Quaker, Isaac Newton Griffith. Pauline was descended from the Johnsons of Scotland and the Moormans from Isle of Wight, England, who had come to Virginia as early as 1619.

Thomas Moorman returned to England after serving a year in the service of the Virginia Company of London and was granted property. Although Thomas never returned from England, his son,… Continue

Added by William S Dean on September 13, 2009 at 9:30am — No Comments

Trading Card or Do I Need a Life?

Sheri Fenley's blog (The Educated Genealogist) and Randy Seaver's blog (Genea-Musings) both introduced me to a Trading card challenge. Let it not be said that I am slow when it comes to having fun!

Added by William Bruce Hillman on September 13, 2009 at 7:29am — 1 Comment

New Records on FamilySearch Record Search Pilot tied to Wiki FamilySearch

In a recent post citing FamilySearch on 11 September 2009, Dick Eastman listed a number of updated collections in FamilySearch's Record Search Pilot. But the most interesting thing about the new files is not in the article. The new files listed are:
Read more...

Added by James Tanner on September 12, 2009 at 5:04pm — No Comments

The Objects and Memory Project

From The Objects and Memory Project web site:

"The documentary film and educational initiative Objects and Memory is about how we respond to history while it is happening and how we tell our stories through the otherwise ordinary things in our homes and museums that are associated with people, places, and events.

The film was the PBS national prime time special in commemoration of the seventh anniversary… Continue

Added by Stefani Twyford on September 12, 2009 at 4:30pm — No Comments

Latest Messages

CHELTENHAM PRINTERS

My family include the Hailing(s) or Hayling(s), lots of whom were from Cheltenham. My gg uncle was Thomas HAILING who lived with his large family at Bromland (or Broomland) House, Oxford Passage, Cheltenham. He was apprenticed to Thomas WILLEY a well known local figure and chartist who lived there before him. Thomas WILLEY was born in Bristol c.1795 and died in 1861. The HAILING name was also spelt HAYLING and several of the male Haylings were… Continue

Added by Cheltenham4u on September 12, 2009 at 1:23pm — No Comments

Added by The Genealogy Box on September 12, 2009 at 12:47pm — 1 Comment

Latest Messages

MORRIS FAMILY

I am trying to trace my family tree with limited information. My grandfather's name was Alfred or Alfie Morris and his wife was Ethel. I know this was Ethel's second marriage and that she had at least two children before she met my grandfather. They lived and died in Pates Ave. They had four children together Derek, David, Janet, and Esme. Any information about Alfie or Ethel would be appreciated.…

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Added by Cheltenham4u on September 12, 2009 at 11:42am — No Comments

Latest Messages

REGANS

Hi, I am trying to find more info on my grandfather's wood yard that he had before the First World War, it was situated in Milsom St. He used to take wood around by horse and cart. My mum used to work there chopping wood into small bundles for kindling. The family name was Regan's.
REPLY

Added by Cheltenham4u on September 12, 2009 at 11:30am — No Comments

Latest Messages

GEORGE ELLIS B. 1814/16

I am just starting the search for my ancestors, who seem to have derived from Cheltenham. I have got as far as George Ellis, who married an Ann - poss Humphriss in 1841. He was a painter and glazier, which I discovered on this site. I am now looking for his father and above, which is proving difficult as earlier than records online - can anyone help?…

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Added by Cheltenham4u on September 12, 2009 at 11:30am — No Comments

Maxwell Schwartz

I have a wish to find the div of Max and Ann Gold, need help in Philly..MY helper has cancer...I tried 1939, 40 and 41 with no luck..They say Ann was crazy and they say Max was a bigamist, where is the truth?Max's nephrew is Morth Schwartz, Philly erea..if anyone know him. Son of Harry sis Florence, ma Reba Help- needed..Gayle

Added by Gayle Schlissel Riley on September 11, 2009 at 11:30pm — 1 Comment

October is Family History Month

In 2003 the United States Senate officially recognized October as National Family History Month, a time "to encourage family history research, education, and the sharing of knowledge."

President George W. Bush, in signing a Proclamation in support of Family History Month in 2003, said, "Lessons in family lineage are often lessons in courage, endurance, and love. While tracing our roots can be challenging, the rewards can be great - affirming our pride in our history and keeping us… Continue

Added by Stefani Twyford on September 11, 2009 at 2:10pm — No Comments

This has definitely been our year to brag

Two weeks ago we took yet another award, this one an ISES Crystal Icon Award for Best Videography. ISES is the International Society for Special Events and the Icon awards are recognized for top achievement within the special events industry.

It's such an honor to win all these awards and we really appreciate the opportunity to have our work judged by our peers. It's satisfying and gives us acknowledgment that indeed we are producing some great stuff over here. But truly, our biggest… Continue

Added by Stefani Twyford on September 11, 2009 at 2:10pm — No Comments

Don't overlook land records

One of my remote great-grandfathers moved from Rhode Island to New York. All of the published family histories had the story but the move had never been documented or, at least, the source had never been recorded. In reading through early Rhode Island town records, I discovered the real estate tax rolls for the town where they lived. In the tax rolls, I found the family listed year after year, and then they disappeared. This event gave me source for the timing of their movement to New York,… Continue

Added by James Tanner on September 11, 2009 at 9:04am — No Comments

Puriatan Leader and Gov of Mass, John Winthorp 1588-1649

Last night while research one of my branche's discovered someone of importance in my tree. Now, he is not a close realitive, but still. Below is a story that I found about him on Ancestory.com

The Puritan leader and governor of Massachusetts, John Winthrop, was born in Edwardston, Suffolk, on the 12th of January (old style) 1588, the son of Adam Winthrop of Groton Manor, and Anne (Browne) Winthrop. In December 1602 he matriculated at Trinity College, Cambridge, but he did… Continue

Added by Robin R. Cordell-Inge on September 11, 2009 at 5:38am — No Comments

Restoring old photographs uncovered during genealogy research

While carrying out genealogy research you will obviously encounter a number of old photographs, some of which will have been preserved and looked after extremely well, others may not have let the years treat them so well.

So how do you go about restoring these images? Well, there are a number of software packages out there to have a go yourself, the best in my opinion being Adobe Photoshop however there are a number of other titles, some of which are freeware and require no payment… Continue

Added by Nick Roach on September 11, 2009 at 3:30am — 1 Comment