I can remember when I first started this process how overwhelmed I felt with trying to figure out where I could locate documents to prove my family line. I was handed a big stack of paper copies of things in no particular order, none of which had any sources listed. I pretty much had to start over and find out where all that info came from.
But I didn't know. I didn't know that I didn't know it. Sooo I was clueless. That is why there are so many of us out here blogging, YouTubing, and Podcasting to help you out. We've been in your shoes. Some things we didn't know when we started are listed below. I hope that helps someone new. 1. Grandma's documents are technically a source. But, they aren't a source unless you know where she got them. See if you can recreate the process of finding that document she has given you. Then properly credit that source so no one has to go through finding it a third (or eighteenth) time. 2. Gravestones aren't always "set in stone". Just because it says their date of birth or date of death doesn't mean it's the correct date. In the 1800s and well into the mid century of the 1900s people were not always married to a single person. Their kids were not there when they were born or married. The informant didn't always know where the deceased was born. If you are lucky, the dates perfectly align for all your documentation. My guess is that won't be the case. Take the date that is closest to the source, meaning - the person who it belongs to. For instance, I know I was born on January 5th, 1972. My spouse wasn't there when I was born. My kids may get confused on what year I was born, and in fact, they may not even realize I was born in a different state than when they were born. Who was there? My parents. So the closest document for accuracy should be my birth certificate or any document (like my drivers license) that comes directly from my mouth. Get it? 3. Census records are subjective. With the exception of the 1940 census, you just have no idea who it is that is giving the information to the census taker. Could be the husband/head of house - who has had no use for birthday information before because his wife handles that. He may remember them in general, but pressed for the info, maybe gets his kids months all mixed up. Could be no one was home that day, and so the census enumerator asked the neighbor who lived in that house so they wouldn't have to come back the next day. Also, there were just some people in certain years who would purposefully give out wrong information. Consipiracy theorists or something else? We don't know. Just do the best you can and compare the information to find what makes the most sense. 4. Everyone has a story. 95% of the country were told they had an Indian princess as a great grandmother. It's simply not true for the majority of them. (Yes, I know it's true you were told that.) Unless your DNA shows a percentage, and unless you can find a documentation trail, you have just got to let it go. Try proving it or disproving it. But don't perpetuate the legend. 5. Your name was not changed at Ellis Island. In fact, what if they didn't even come in through Ellis Island? Two big things in that first line - and I'm here to tell you because I want you to be open to the possibility that things just didn't matter back then. Spelling could be because it was "heard through the ears of someone who didn't speak the same language. Or heard through the ears of someone who had a totally different language and accent of their own. Imagine someone from the Deep South with a heavy southern accent trying to communicate with someone from somewhere like Scottland or Ireland who also had heavy dialect accents. Oh lord. I can't even. Try communicating with someone who doesn't speak the same language? I bet you'd be frustrated and start doing charades. Same back then. There were also hundreds of ports and people came through them for various reasons. When you get time, look up ports of entry in to the country. You'll find a whole new world to explore.
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AuthorMichele is an obsessed mother of 4 residing in North Alabama. Hobbies include long walks in the woods, on the beach and in strange cemeteries and libraries. Genealogy friends need only apply. Categories
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