Rhode Island’s diminutive size belies its genealogical importance. Founded in 1636 by Roger Williams, Rhode Island throughout the colonial period served as a haven for religious and political dissenters. In fact, its royal charter of 1647 insured religious freedom and a democratic form of government for its freemen. Ironically, because the colonists’ livelihood was heavily[…]Read more
Category: Genealogy Tips
30,000 Newspaper Abstracts for Early New York State Vital Records
Not until 1847 did New York state require local jurisdictions to record the birth, marriage, or death events of its inhabitants. This glaring omission in the official genealogical record makes consulting unofficial sources–such as church records, family Bibles, and, in particular, newspaper archives–of great importance in New York state research. Genealogist Fred Q. Bowman was[…]Read more
Clan Callaghan During the Nine Years War
The Nine Years War, also known as Tyrone’s Rebellion, lasted from 1593-1603. In that conflict, which ensued throughout the country of Ireland but mostly in Ulster, Irish lords Hugh O’Neill and Hugh Roe O’Donnell of Tyrconnell led an alliance that was ultimately unsuccessful in stopping the Tudor monarchy’s efforts to consolidate its power throughout the[…]Read more
Assessing Genealogical Sources—Part 1
By Thomas W. Jones, Ph.D., CG, CGL, FASG From time to time we have excerpted portions of the extraordinary book, Professional Genealogy: Preparation, Practice & Standards. Edited by Elizabeth Shown Mills, one of America’s most respected genealogy authorities, and written by eighteen leading experts on the substance of genealogical research, Progen PPS is a priceless[…]Read more
Roots for Kids. 3rd Edition Introduces Youngsters to Genealogy Databases
In the thirteen years since Genealogical.com published the 2nd edition of Susan Provost Beller’s classic book, Roots for Kids. A Genealogy Guide for Young People, the genealogical landscape has changed considerably. While the author emphasizes that kids should still begin their research by “exploring our own families, gathering documents and stories from them, she emphasizes[…]Read more
Citing Indexes & Finding Aids
The following article describing the factors involved in citing indexes and finding aids in one’s genealogical research has been excerpted from Elizabeth Mills’ groundbreaking book, Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace, Third Edition Revised, with the author’s permission. “In the framework of history research, an index is usually a tool, rather than[…]Read more
American Settlements and Migration
Prior to his death in June 2018, Lloyd de Witt Bockstruck wrote the last of his eight books bearing either the Genealogical Publishing Company or Clearfield Company imprint, American Settlements and Migrations. As the subtitle, A Primer for Genealogists and Family Historians, implies, this diminutive work (108 densely packed pages) provides a synopsis of the[…]Read more
Tracing Barbados Ancestors
When the first English explorers landed there in 1625, they found it to be uninhabited, having been abandoned by its Native American settlers a century earlier. England settled Barbados in 1627 and, owing to the success of the sugar industry there, would continue to rule it until 1966. By the 1650s, sugar had made the[…]Read more
Tips About Revolutionary War Service from The Researcher’s Guide to American Genealogy Fourth Edition, by Val D. Greenwood
After near 50 years and four editions, why is Val Greenwood’s Researcher’s Guide to American Genealogy is still the most respected genealogy textbook? It is clear, to the point, and authoritative, to be sure, but “Greenwood” is also extremely resourceful. The following illustration from one of its two chapters on Military Records is a good[…]Read more
A Lighter Side of History — A Timeline of Pastimes of our Ancestors
By Denise R. Larson Though it can be said that our ancestors did not have the economic advantages that most of us enjoy today, that doesn’t mean their lives were completely humdrum and colorless. They had their fun, too. A chapter in the second edition of Judy Jacobson’s History for Genealogists: Using Chronological Time Lines[…]Read more
Assessing Genealogical Sources—Part 2
By Thomas W. Jones, Ph.D., CG, CGL, FASG From time to time we have excerpted portions of the extraordinary book, Professional Genealogy: Preparation, Practice & Standards. Edited by Elizabeth Shown Mills, one of America’s most respected genealogy authorities, and written by eighteen leading experts on the substance of genealogical research, Progen PPS is a priceless[…]Read more
Clan Callaghans in the High and Late Middle Ages
Prior to the 16th Century, the records awaiting determined genealogists and historians are scanty to say the least. Joseph O Callaghan, professor emeritus of medieval history at Fordham University, was certainly better prepared to confront that challenge that most when he tacked his family history. Now available in a revised edition, Clan Callaghan: The O[…]Read more