Spring is in the air and lazy days of summer are in the immediate future. My thoughts wander as I view fresh flowers sprouting and buds appearing on the trees. In genealogy lessons, instructions are to create a research plan, stay focused and be diligent. While I agree, when spring fever arrives I find it …
Thoughts of a Family Bible usually portray an image of a large heavy leather-covered book. They were sold in stores, available from mail order catalogs and offered by door-to-door salesmen. Even non-religious families may have owned a family Bible. The major selling factor was the “Records” or “Register” section, usually located in the center or …
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Growing up in a small town in the 1950’s, the generation gap meant that old folks didn’t understand teenagers. When I became seriously involved in genealogy research, I realized that some researchers also misunderstand the ‘Genealogy Generation Gap’. I asked a genealogical society group this question. “How many years are in a generation?” Answers ranged from 20, …
The Pedigree or Ancestral Chart is a summary of your family at a glance. It contains basic information about each maternal and paternal generation of your family. Whether you are just beginning your family history or reviewing your research, your pedigree chart is the guide to your family tree. For beginners, it is helpful to …
It’s a new year and you have a new hobby—genealogy. The first question a new researcher asks is, “Where do I begin?” Answers may range from Internet subscription sites, purchasing computer software or employing a professional researcher. Those are all good answers, but genealogy begins at home. You may be surprised by how many documents …
In Colonial America mourning was simple; no special clothing and no elaborate meals or wakes. When a person died, the family buried them simply and with little ceremony. During the early 1800s, when a death occurred, a carpenter was asked to build a coffin. The deceased was dressed in a shroud and laid out at …