Using local newspapers in your genealogy research can provide important glimpses into the lives of your ancestors. Here's how we used a small-town newspaper to uncover details about a client's ancestor not found anywhere else. Turn-of-the-century small-town newspapers are treasure troves of genealogical information. Offering so much more than just cold, hard facts, these small-town papers reported on the social lives of their citizens, retold the drama at city council meetings, or … [Read more...]
Maps and Family History: Early United States Maps We Love
Linking maps with family history research can help us better understand the lives of our ancestors. Here are our top resources for finding early U.S. maps! As genealogists, we love maps. They're such a helpful way to show a client where an ancestor was living, especially if the ancestor lived near the border of another town or county, which can affect what records need to be searched. Here are some great resources for early United States maps: We love http://mapofus.org. When you click on … [Read more...]
State Land Grants or Patents for Genealogy
Using state land grants or patents to obtain vital genealogy documents is one way to help tear down your family history brick walls. We've recently been helping a client discover more about an ancestor who lived in North Carolina in the mid- to late-1700s. Southern U.S. research that's this early requires a careful look at existing documents, especially since often there aren't nearly as many documents available as there are for the mid- to late-1800s. We were happy to find that this … [Read more...]
Lithuanian Family History Discoveries
Using onsite researchers, Legacy Tree Genealogists were able to help a client discover Lithuanian family history records. Perhaps hiring a genealogist will help you break through your genealogy brick walls. As a Project Manager with Legacy Tree Genealogists, I often find myself just as anxious as the client is to get a report back from a researcher and find out what was discovered. I really care about each and every project, and love that we have such amazing researchers who do such great … [Read more...]
Researching Irish Ancestry
Researching Irish ancestry can be a challenge. If you find yourself with a genealogical "brick wall", checking these available records may help! Finding an Irish immigrant’s area of origin can be challenging, but there are several Irish, U.S., and Canadian records that may give you this information. This article will discuss civil registration, immigration, church, vital, and cemetery records and how these records can assist you in finding your ancestor’s place of origin. Researching Irish … [Read more...]
Tracking Your Irish Ancestor Across the Ocean
Researching your immigrant genealogy can be daunting, especially when you're tracking your Irish ancestor across the ocean. Here's some advice! Finding an Irish immigrant’s area of origin can be challenging, but there are several Irish, U.S., and Canadian records that may give you this information. This article will discuss civil registration, immigration, church, vital, and cemetery records and how these records can assist you in finding your ancestor’s place of origin. Civil … [Read more...]
Deeds and Other Land Records
If you're stuck in your genealogy journey, access to deeds and other land records may help break through your genealogy "brick wall"! Deeds, and land records in general, can provide helpful pieces to the puzzle you are trying to solve about your United States ancestor. They are especially helpful in areas or time periods where few records of other types are available, like the southern United States before 1850. Most counties and some towns in the United States kept deed books, … [Read more...]