documents

  • Were Our Ancestors Truthful?

    Jun 19

    We have all come across an official document and from other sources, find a totally different bit of information on an ancestor that does not match. It makes you wonder if an ancestor lied at that time period for some reason. Now many of the differences you might find on a record or document can be explained as the official writing the...

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  • Citizen Archivist

    May 9

    Many of you now have a very different lifestyle, 'stay at home'. Some now have their regular work office, not miles away but rather in their own home and maybe permanently. There are our high school and college students taking online classes but still at home. So the 'Citizen Archivist' of the National Archives can be a wonderful way to giv...

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  • Not in My Family !

    Feb 27

    You read or learn of some other family's usual ancestor or family occurrence and you think, no way that happened with anyone on your family tree. Better think again. A very classic example, that no couple before they were engaged or during their engagement period had extramarital sex resulting in pregnancy before a wedding. Yes, that hap...

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  • Archive Grid – Universities

    Dec 9

    One area of research often overlooked when doing family history is what is held by the many universities and colleges across the nation. Many times it is documents, records, books and other information donated to a school from families. It may not even have been a school the ancestor attend or lived nearby. Materials can be donated to any unive...

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  • Start with Vital Records

    Dec 1

    In genealogy, vital records are referred to as primary and secondary sources. These written documents help provide proof of an event in a person s life. There are birth certificates, birth registrations, baptismal records, marriage licenses, wedding certificates, divorce records, death registrations, church records, funeral home records, cemeter...

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  • FamilySearch.org Photos

    Mar 25

    Another often overlooked resource for photos of family members is the FamilySearch.org Memories. Someone could have posted a vintage photo for their family tree and there just might be a tie-in to your family. Once you are signed in to FamilySearch.org, you can do a search on your ancestor’s name or surname by clicking on “Find” in the toolb...

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  • Never Use a Baggie

    Feb 3

    You are organizing your family documents, diaries, photos, journals and other records. You think they should be in a sealed plastic bag to protect from moisture and dirt. Well, think again. More damage can actually be caused by sealing family heirlooms in a cheap plastic bag. As it turns out paper items, photographs, film, and tape are all made f...

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  • Hugs and Kisses

    Nov 9

    You surely have come across ancestor's letters and cards which had at least one or two 'X's' and 'Os' on them We all recognize those marks / symbols as 'hugs and kisses'. Yet, how did that practice or custom begin? The "X" on letters stands for 'kisses', which dates back to the Middle Ages (about 500 AD to 1500 AD) in Europe. Back then the practic...

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  • What to Do If You Uncover a Deep Family Secret

    Oct 5

    As you go in depth on your family tree, there will be all types of names and things that your ancestor had and did. Some of their accomplishments can make your heart 'glad' at what they did, but you just might also find some deep dark individual or family secret, something concealed from most family members. If that happens, check your information...

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  • Translating Documents

    Aug 7

    You look high and low for every bit of documentation about your ancestor you can locate. Those found journals, vital records, documents help prove and clarify the bits and pieces about the life of an ancestor. So when a new document is located you want to understand everything written on it … only problem can be is if it was written in a langua...

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