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Thursday, May 27, 2010

10. The United States Census and the Family Group



     The US Census is a very helpful tool for identifying ancestral family groups. One of the best ways to find resources to document our ancestor is by searching each family member, especially, spouse, children, parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

 
     The US Census was taken every ten years between 1790 and 1950. The 1890 US Census was largely destroyed by fire in 1921. They are released every 72 years after they were taken.



 
     One of the best techniques to employ would be to search out the life of each person every ten years during census years. This way you may extract enough information to reach the most likely conclusion, and you can then compare your findings with other historical documents you may find. You will find a census checklist and other helpful extraction forms at the bottom of this post.

 
     Since we are covering various type of records now, we will share the most useful techniques for searching the census effectively, discuss how to use the census to find more records, and identify what we can learn from each census taken. We will also cover state census records and how you can access them.

 
     Most African-Americans were not enumerated until the 1870 US Census, however, many free or emancipated African-Americans do appear on the censuses prior to 1870. You should always start searching your family line in 1930 and move back in time. When you reach the 1870 US Census, and you do not see your family any further back, you will need to identify any possible slave owners. We will discuss this on the 1870 US Census. You will need to research the slave owner and the family forward, and then back in time, so you will need earlier census extraction forms below.
     You will discover that each different census provides different types of information. The 1900 US Census gives the month and year the individual was born. Sometimes the information on the census is not correct. For example, If the family was not home when the census taker visited, the neighbors may have provided the information that you see.


     The best way to make sure you do not miss a family group for any of the census years is to use census extraction forms to document your findings.  I also recommend using the Census Checklist at Family Tree Magazine, where you can download many types of useful forms in .pdf format for no charge. 
     I have had great success in locating extended family and documenting ancestors by researching every member of the family group on direct and collateral lines.  As you can see from the example 1900 US Census extraction above, I record every piece of information documented.  It is also a good practice to take notice of the families living in the surrounding area, so I always check who is listed ten houses on either side.
      

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

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9. Resources are Tied to Geography, Part 2

     Please be sure you have read the previous post which provides resources and information that will help you discover further documentation on your ancestor.  I am posting Part 2 to "Records are Tied to Geography" because I want to provide an example of a record that I would not have seen with my own eyes had I not taken a closer look at special collections held in repositories in the state and counties where Beverly Vance (1832-1899), my great great grandfather lived.  In a few subsequent posts to this post, I will reveal specific type records that I have discovered, but the one we will uncover here is perhaps the most unique.

     This process, which I call "looking under every rock and in every crevice,"  has really paid dividends when it comes to finding historical documentation.  I did not know much about Beverly until I discovered him on the 1880 Census.  I tell the story about that in a recent talk radio recording that you may listen to on the top right of this page.  The desire I had from the start of this journey to search out my family history and leave a record for my posterity prompted our family to relocate to the area where the records of their lives could be researched.  One of the first places that I visited was The South Carolinina Library on the campus of University of South Carolina in historic downtown Columbia.  I had discovered a book entitled "One More Day's Journey: The Story of a Family and a People," by Allen B. Ballard.  In his book Ballard references a testimony given by my great great grandfather in 1876 in Columbia South, Carolina.

     The South Carolinina has the book containing that testimony, "South Carolina in 1876," a collection of testimonies given by Republicans and Democrats outlining an investigation into the interference of voting privileges of African-Americans and others who supported the Republican Party.  After I submitted my request  for the book to be brought to the table where I sat, my heart pounded and that moment of anticipation caused me to realize that for the first time I would be able to see and hold in my hands a record created during the lifetime of my ancestor. The fact that the words he spoke in 1876 were preserved for me to be be able to read forged an everlasting reverence for the place were I sat waiting.

     As the librarian placed the volume in my hands and slowly walked away, I turned to the page referenced and my eyes fell upon his name.  That was a very emotional moment for me.  As I read through the testimony more of the story of Beverly's life unfolded before me. I have provided the testimony below.  Now it is even available on Google Books and I have discovered other testimonies.  Beverly was a man of great integrity.  He served his family and took a strong stand in his community as a servant of that community. He is one of my role models. If he could speak today, he would explain that actions speak louder than words. I too believe that the way I live my life is the best indication of what I believe, and that speaks volumes in and of itself.  I can only admire Beverly for paving the way for me, without ever seeing some of the blessings we take for granted today.  He spent most of his life as a slave, voted in 1868 and in 1876, and according to his own testimony,  was articulate.  I still have many unanswered questions, but I know staying focused on uncovering the records in the places he lived will continue to prove successful.  I hope my sharing this has inspired you to delve a little deeper and to have a greater desire to learn more about the ancestor of your choice.

The following is the testimony of Beverly Vance before the Senate in Columbia, SC. from the volume "South Carolina in 1876," title page and pgs 417-423, found in The South Caroliniana Library at USC in Columbia, SC.  This testimony illustrates some of what this ancestor, who had great integrity, went through during Reconstruction.   

(December 22, 1876, lived in Cokesbury, Abbeville, South Carolina, 44 years old)
                                                                           
                                                                               Page 417

 
                                                                   Pages 418-419
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8. Resources are Tied to Geography, Part 1

    South Caroliniana Library, University of South Carolina Campus: Repository for manuscripts and published materials documenting the state's social, political, literary, and cultural heritage.

     It can be quite intriguing to research an ancestor's life and be able to share actual documentation about events you learned about in oral history interviews.  It is even more exciting to be able to share proof of noteworthy events forgotten by posterity.  Our ancestors lived real lives just like we do.  They are only different because they lived in a different time and sometimes a different place.  Historical documentation helps to validate the fact that they were really living, moving, and breathing individuals who followed similar hopes and dreams.  Documentation gives credence to the stories that survive. 
      At this point in our quest, you should be able to identify the geographical area where your ancestor lived.  Records were generated at each level of government.  It is important to document each known locality that corresponds to each event in your ancestor's life.  For example, George Anderson Tucker lived in Buffalo, Union, South Carolina, United States, and he died in Columbia, Richland, South Carolina, United States.  At each level of government, records were kept that could give clues about his life.
     Recording places and events will help you identify government agencies, libraries, and archives.  Many resources are being made available online.  Knowing the county or parish where your ancestor lived will open the door to resources online and offline.  If your ancestor lived in more than one place, use the timeline you created to keep track of where to look for his or her vital records.
     It is important to research the history of the geographical area, particularly paying close attention to the boundary changes which occurred.  Nothing is more frustrating than to search for documentation in one place only to find out that it was redistricted, and even though your ancestor never moved, he lived in more than one county during his lifetime because of boundary changes.  You will need to search for his/her life event in the place within the proper boundary on the date the event was recorded.  Be sure to study the local history of the area because many available resources can be found in this way. 
     Most people that I assist hit a "brick wall" in their research because after they search the obvious places, such as the census, they are discouraged.  They fail to do two key things:

1.  Research records generated in the actual locality where their ancestor lived.

2.   After they discover one piece of documentation, they jump back too quickly to the next generation without realizing that they should search for every piece of evidence that would exist for every member of the ancestor's family group.

Moving back too quickly and not being thorough will limit what you will discover and will hinder your research.  On numerous occasions the information gleaned from researching a collateral line has helped to reveal a direct-line ancestor.
     One of the biggest challenges to learning about the ancestral home has been the amount of time it has required to locate resources and undertake the study of a particular area.  Until recently, this has also been quite costly.  Such was the case until FamilySearch introduced the FamilySearch Research Wiki.  This community-based encyclopedia is a wonderful place to start locating records that exist by geographical area.  After many years of research, I am still amazed by the many types of historical documents that exist.  As the community of professionals and enthusiasts contribute to the FamilySearch Research Wiki, it will grow to revolutionize the way we conduct family history research.
    

     We have provided a few screen shots so that you can see how to perform a simple search for resources on the Wiki.  The first screen shot shows the homepage of the Wiki.  You can register on the top right of the page, and you can learn more about using the site by clicking on "Tour" under the search bar. 






Let's perform a search for Pennsylvania in the search field.  The first result will take you to the main page of resources for Pennsylvania



 


Notice the left sidebar with topics you can explore.  There is a history of the origins of Pennsylvania at the top and links to genealogical resources on the center of the page. Near the bottom portion of the page you will find a list of county links.  Let's choose Philadelphia County, PA





A whole page of resources that you can explore exist here.  You will just need to be sure that you select a resource that corresponds to the lifespan of your ancestor. Once you narrow down the location by county, parish, or province, etc., be sure to locate the link entitled "Family History Library Catalog" because this link will take you directly to resources in the Family History Library for that particular area. 






Feel free to locate the closest Family History Center where you can order and view microfilm you find in the catalog. You may discover that some libraries and archives are also authorized to order microfilm.  


Looks easy enough, right?  Just remember that this site is dependent on its users to grow.  If you find a resource that is not on the Wiki, why not contribute it?  If you need help getting started, ask on FamilySearch Forums in the FamilySearch Research Wiki discussion section.
     
Happy Hunting!

Thursday, May 13, 2010

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7. Vital Records to Document Your Ancestor

Once you have interviewed the oldest living relatives in your family to find out more about your ancestor and gathered the records you have on hand such as obituaries, you will need to identify which historical documents exist which were generated during your ancestor's lifetime.

Birth, marriage, and death records are the first resources to try to locate. It is important to know when these records began to be kept in the area where your ancestor was born, married, and died.

http://studio.heritagemakers.com/albums/170763/ea278968-a9bc-44b9-bba1-7426d93f0fc1.jpgThe death is usually the most recent event in the life of an ancestor.  Start researching the most recent events and step backwards in time.  Once you can identify an actual or approximate death date and where your ancestor might have died, refer to this vital records chart to be sure the event you are trying to document would have occurred during the same time records for the event was being keep:  Vital Records Chart at Family Tree Magazine.

My great grandfather (left), George Anderson Tucker, lived in Buffalo, Union, South Carolina.   According to oral history, his family lived there when he died.  I did have a death date (1932)  provided to me by his daughter, Catherine. I knew he was alive when my grandmother, Otis, eloped (1927).  Death  records began to be kept in South Carolina in 1915, so I knew there was a strong possibility that I should find one.   I searched to no avail for a death certificate in Union County.  I decided to check Richland County for the record since his daughter lived there and it was highly likely he would have gone to Columbia seeking medical treatment.

I was successful in locating the death certificate. George died in Columbia.  The address listed is the home of his daughter, my grandmother, Otis.  Her husband, Emory Wallace Vance,  was the informant.  The names of his parents and the funeral home is also given.  This is a good illustration of how much information a death certificate can provide if the informant knew enough about the individual. This death certificate is a treasure; it includes the names of five of my direct line ancestors.

Many death records are being made available online.  The FamilySearch beta program, Record Search, could have been used if I were searching for it today. Indexes or images of  South Carolina Death Records from 1915-1943 and 1944-1955 can be accessed free of charge.  Many other collections are available there as well.  Visit Record Search first for access to vital records.





Blogged with the Flock Browser

Sunday, May 9, 2010

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6. Start a Family History Database



You now have sufficient information to begin using a family history database so that you can stay organized and not become overrun with paper. Personal Ancestral File 5.2 or PAF 5.2 for short is the best free database available. You can find 100% quality support in learning to use it. DOWNLOAD HERE.

You will be able to enter the names of your family, both living and deceased. You will 



be able to add your findings and document sources. With this program, you can print Pedigree Charts and Family Group Sheets with photographs. PAF will create books and slide shows. The greatest benefit to using this program will be that it will help you determine what information you have and what is missing without sifting through piles of paper.

It is a relatively easy program to learn and you can share you file with family members easily.

If you feel so inclined, you may visit the following site and take free tutorials on the features you are most interested in learning to use:
CLICK HERE.

From the menu on the left on the site above,
PAF Tutorial, you can view demos. You may want to first watch a demo on how to download and install the program. Then you may want to see demos on how to create a new file and how to add individuals.
Each demo is interactive.

I have found some family historians who shy away from using computer software to organize their findings. This is a grave mistake. PAF and other databases like it help to create the visuals which are needed to help direct you in your search. Without this form of organization, you will soon be too overwhelmed with your findings to sort out important details and leads, and it will be just as difficult for any on else who tries to help you. Family history research is a science, and we should treat it as such. Could you imagine a microbiologist refusing to use a microscope? Silly right? Well, so is the family historian who tries to keep all the facts in his head or in folders, refusing to computerize!

I do not want to sound harsh here. I have been there myself. After all the boxes and filing papers only to find several duplicate copies of the same information that I was just thrilled to rediscover each time, I became more disciplined. I found myself having greater focus and more success in less time. So do not be afraid to learn something new. Take the time now. We will wait while you begin. Each time you discover something new, stop then to record it.

We are on the road to discovering an arsenal of information. Each piece of the puzzle will bring into full view a little more about a person who is anxious to be discovered by you!

Saturday, May 8, 2010

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5. Gather Records And Photos On Hand

In our first post, we discussed how we could find valuable information by interviewing the oldest living relatives. As we meet with these relatives to find out information about our ancestors, we should also determine if they have in their possession any photographs, obituaries, birth, or death certificates.


In this process, we will go through various types of records that might exist and how they can be used in to aid research. At this point, you can pretend you are on a scavenger hunt for documents. Remember your 
digital camera, especially so you do not have to return photos or documents. This format is easy to store and preserve. You want to be careful in handling old photos and the like. Also, be sure to get help in identifying any names or faces you do not recognize.


Here is a really great list of records which you might come across:
Family and Home Information Sources Checklist


This is just one of several resources available at "Ancestors," a companion website to the PBS
television series.

The oral history interview is the greatest source for researching your family history, and this checklist of secondary sources are the next best thing. Remember to be sure to show courtesy to the family member granting you the interview and sharing information. Be sure to take plenty photographs of the interviewee and his or her home. You just might be surprised where the clues they give you will lead. Successful interviews have become success stories for me. I have transcribed and published interviews and included photos and documents provided.

I have several cherished recorded interviews with loved ones who have passed on. I have found great comfort in the fact I was able to extract and preserve their memories before they were lost to us in this life.
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4. Create A Timeline For Your Ancestor's Life

Time lines are really great visuals that help to show the events that have been documented in your ancestor's life.  They also reveal the time period in your ancestor's life when you are missing documentation.  When you identify these holes in your research, you can work to locate resources that cover that time period if they exist.

You can easily see if you have been able to document a birth, marriage or death record, and then you can reference the time line to be sure to check for other records.  For example, I have been very successful with helping others to link to the generation back by using the Family Group Sheet to identify the siblings of an ancestor.  After the each sibling has been accounted for, you can search for possible death certificates for each one.  Death certificates often reveal the names of parents names and birth places if known.  I have multiple death certificates on siblings naming the same parents, providing the place of birth for the parent, and giving the surname of the mother.  This is a vital principle if there is no other conceivable way of establishing parentage.

The above is a FamilySearch Timeline.  You may also create one using the Biographical Outline at FamilyTree Magazine:  Click here.  Be sure to keep your time line up to date as you discover more resources.

Monday, May 3, 2010

3. The Family Group Sheet is your Secret Weapon!

George E. Tucker (1910-1980)
One of the least understood tools is The Family Group Sheet. You should generate two Family Group Sheets for the person whom you are researching. We will attempt to explain here why this is your secret weapon in breaking down "brick walls." The term "brick wall" is used to refer to what it feels like you have to pass through to uncover resources on you ancestor.

If you would like to print out a Family Group Sheet to refer to, CLICK HERE.  This form has two sides.  Be sure to download both sides. Fill out one Family Group Sheet with your ancestor as a parent. Fill out another Family Group Sheet with you ancestor as a child. You should make your best attempt to fill out both sheets completely with spouses, siblings, parents, children, events (birth, marriage, death, burial), and places.   





                                                                                                       
The number one mistake of many whom I have assisted is that they do not trace spouses, siblings, parents, and children. They run out of resources and get stuck in their research for many years. When they gain the courage to begin anew, I always request to have them produce a Family Tree and Family Group Sheet. We will proceed to identify resources which may document the lives of the entire family. If you take the time to complete this step in the process, you will be happy in the long run.


This is one of the least understood principles: You will have greater success if you will become familiar with the family as a whole. They lived together, interacted with one another, and appear together in public documents that were generated in their lifetime. 


Many times when records are indexed such as land records and wills, you will not find your ancestor's named indexed. The record may be indexed under the name of another relative. When you look at the actual document, you ancestor is named along with other members of the family group. At times, you will need to search different documents indexed under other family member's names. You may end up searching for the previous generation using a sibling or cousin of your ancestor because your ancestor my not have sufficient resources. 


The Family Group Sheet is also most beneficial because it helps you to narrow your search down to the specific time period and place(s) your ancestor lived. This becomes vital information when you discover that even though your ancestor never moved, county boundaries changed and you are having to search holdings in more than one district.


This all may sound confusing. Do not worry. We are building this bridge one step at a time. You can go your own pace here. Just get those Family Group Sheets filled out, and we will take it from there.





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