For a genealogist, vital records, such as marriage documents, hold great significant for research and for adding details about a relative’s life. An application for a marriage license can provide information about the couple, including ages or birth dates, occupation, and the couple’s parents, which can extend the family line back an additional generation. Until the 19th century, Pennsylvania kept no official records of marriages. Continue reading
General
The Tastes of Summer
As schools are starting up, and the summer season is winding down, my thoughts turn to memories of past summers when I was growing up. These include roaming through the woods with friends, swimming at a neighbor’s pool, playing with visiting cousins in the backyard of my aunts’ house, and an occasional sleep over in a friend’s tree house. My family celebrated the summer holidays of Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day with cook outs. We also shared good times on non-holidays. In addition to the company, the food we had made these times special. Continue reading
IRS Tax Assessment Lists–1862
The 2022 tax deadline has arrived! In past April posts, I included various Pennsylvania county property tax records. These records showed taxes on property, including land, buildings, and some livestock. Sometimes an occupation or a militia tax was conducted. This year instead of property tax records, I am highlighting the federal IRS Tax Assessment Lists, particularly 1862. Continue reading
Newspapers: Obituaries
Day of the Dead is observed annually on November 2, especially by those of Mexican heritage. This celebration remembers and honors family who have passed on. A few years ago, the animated movie Coco focused on this holiday and told the story of Miguel, a 12-year-old boy, who crossed into the land of the dead, met some of his ancestors, and discovered their stories. Continue reading
Family Reunions: Past and Present
September is Brown family reunion time. A couple of weeks ago my family gathered for our annual gathering in Indiana County PA. Despite the cool rainy start of the day, almost 40 descendants of Charles and Lucy Brown were in attendance. This marked the 24th consecutive year, excluding 2020 when it was cancelled due to Covid. Continue reading
Newspapers: Family Visits
Summer is a great time to take a break and vacation, even if it is for a quick weekend getaway to relax or visit family. Today, many people share pictures and posts of their travels on Facebook. But in the first half of the 20th century and before, the newspaper was the social media of the time informing readers of the adventures of their neighbors. Whether it was spending a week, a few days or just an evening enjoying dinner or celebrating an occasion, one might find a small blurb in a local newspaper recounting the event. Continue reading
Vital Records: WV Register of Deaths
Vital records for deaths are an important part of genealogical research, but before the 20th century finding these can be difficult, especially in a state like Pennsylvania. Combing a cemetery might provide some information, but like death notices of the time, the information is often minimal, and may not be entirely accurate. Fortunately, some states, including West Virginia, started recording deaths at the county level in the mid 19th century. Continue reading
Release of 1950 Census
The census is a wonderful tool for family research. Although it is conducted every 10 years, it takes a lifetime to view yourself in these documents. The government analyzes and shares general statistics about the population shortly after the data is collected, but the actual forms are not released to the general public for 72 years. Last month on April 1st the forms for the 1950 census were released into the public domain. Anyone who turned 72 before April 1 of this year should be able to find themselves in those census records. Continue reading
RootsTech 2022: New Tools For Brick Walls
The annual RootsTech conference, one of the world’s largest on family history, convened the first weekend in March. Over 1500 sessions were held covering 185 topics ranging from family research tips, available resources, DNA tests and research techniques, how to preserve family stories and heirlooms, and some quick promotional videos for specific websites and products. Although the event is over, the opportunity to watch recorded sessions and participate continues throughout the year; sessions from last year are available as well. All you need is a free familysearch.org account to begin viewing. Continue reading
New Year’s Resolutions
Each New Year, many people make resolutions of habits they wish to change or goals they hope to accomplish. Among my resolutions, I always include some genealogy tasks I’d like to complete. In the past organizing my information has often been on my list; last year, I finally organized and filed many of my paper files, so finding documents should be easier. With the start of 2022, I have begun compiling my list of objectives for the new year. Here are a few of the genealogy items I would like to accomplish during this coming year. Continue reading
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