This guide will discuss what kinds of information you can expect to find in pre-1850 US Federal Censuses and how to use those documents in your own research. US Federal Censuses are critical to genealogical research in the United States. The later censuses—those after 1850 and especially those after 1880—offered more genealogical information than earlier ones and are frequently used by hobbyists and professional genealogists alike. Censuses before 1850 are more difficult to use because they … [Read more...]
100 Years Without the 1890 Census: Tips for Researching Through Record Loss
The loss of the 1890 census created genealogy brick walls for many family history researchers. We share tips to help you find answers to extend your family history, despite record loss. What Happened to the 1890 Census? 100 years ago, the 1890 U.S. Federal Census began its slow journey to almost complete destruction. On 10 January 1921 a fire was reported in the late afternoon at the Commerce Building in Washington D.C. where the population schedules of the 1890 census were stored in the … [Read more...]
Honoring and Proving Formerly Enslaved Ancestors Through Lineage Society Membership
Being the descendent of enslaved ancestors, there awaits a unique opportunity to join a specifically interesting lineage society. Here is an insight into what you would need to prove your family history, and where you would be able to provide these valuable records. African Americans with an invested interest in their heritage and deep roots within the United States of America are all too familiar with the legacy and impact of America’s slave era. Reflecting upon that time can be a source of … [Read more...]
Pathways to Membership in The Jamestowne Society
Many are under the impression that to become a member of the Jamestowne Society, one must have an ancestor who was a first settler of the Jamestowne colony. Although that is one route to join, the Jamestowne Society provides six pathways to membership! Learn more about them. The Jamestowne Society, founded in 1936 and incorporated in 1958, is a lineage society based in Richmond, Virginia with the mission to discover and record the names of early Virginia settlers and their descendants. They … [Read more...]
Social Security and Your Immigrant Ancestors
If your immigrant ancestor had a Social Security number, does that mean they were a United States citizen? Find out! Q: My immigrant ancestor had a Social Security number. That proves he became a citizen of the United States, doesn’t it? A: In the 21st century, we tend to view our Social Security numbers as evidence that we are U.S. citizens and assume that only other citizens can file an application for a Social Security number. In fact, many government and other entities use the card the … [Read more...]
German Immigrants in American Church Records
If your family tree has German immigrants, include American church records in your genealogy research efforts. Do you have German ancestors who lived in the Midwest? Were they Protestants? If you answered yes to those questions, then you need to know about the German Immigrants in American Church Records (GIACR) series. Compiled by Dr. Roger P. Minert of Brigham Young University, the first volume of the series was published in 2005 and has since expanded to include 18 volumes, the most … [Read more...]
Legacy Tree Onsite: The National Archives of the United States
Legacy Tree Genealogists works with researchers all over the world to access records for our clients. We asked one of our genealogists based in Washington, D.C. to tell us about her experience with the U.S. National Archives there. The largest repository of original and historic records in the United States is the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), located at 700 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W., Washington DC. A few examples of the many original records available at the National … [Read more...]
U.S. Passport Applications: A Genealogy Gold Mine
When researching your ancestors, U.S. passport applications can be a goldmine for genealogical information! We have a wide variety of documents to search for information about our ancestors: birth, marriage, and death certificates come to mind, as well as baptismal records, census forms, obituaries, and naturalization documents. But another source is one that we don’t often consider: passport applications. If you have any ancestors or relatives who may have left the country at any point – even … [Read more...]