# Professional Genealogists > RecordClick.com > Contact: info@recordclick.com ### Posts #### 10 Tips for Family Tree Research in Australia Family tree research in Australia is a rewarding and exciting experience. Finding out who your ancestors were, what they did for a living or even where they lived can provide an immaculate sense of connection with your Australian history. While having British ancestors is common, finding them through family tree research in Australia can be somewhat difficult. But this should not be cause for alarm. Our professionals have got you covered. Ready to start digging? The reality is that the roots of your family tree are within reach. Here are our top 10 tips for researching your Australian family history: We Conduct Interviews & Dig Deeper By using a video camera and tape recorder, our genealogists talk to your oldest relatives and find out all that they can about your family origin. Through this interaction, they will let us know what they remember about the key moments in their lives, most especially their childhood. This will also enable us to find out if your family emigrated either to or from Australia. This way, we will easily establish your origin in ways that only we know how. We Collect Family Records We gather copies of important records such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, and death certificates. This makes it easy to confirm the accuracy of family stories that may suggest you hail from Australia. We do not stop until we establish all the facts that are related to your family history. We Connect with Other Genealogists There are many local historical societies that have professionals who spend time digitizing registers, transcribing and going through census records. Our genealogists connect with other researchers in efforts to find accurate information about your family history. Before coming up with an elaborate family tree research in Australia, we consult all the resources that may be in the hands of these societies. This will allow us to narrow down our search and have an easier time in tracing your ancestors. We Learn the Lingo A majority of records comprises of abbreviations and specialist terminology that can be difficult for anyone who is not a professional genealogist to understand. We are highly capable of reading and deciphering such language. The further we go back in tracing your Australian family history, the more arcane and obscure the language becomes. We familiarize ourselves with common record-keeping terms that could unlock important details regarding your ancestors. It does not matter how many years you need us to go back, we speak all languages. We use all the Right Resources In order to confirm or dispel any arising doubts about your family origin, it is important to use all the right resources. We do not leave anything to chance. When it comes to family tree research in Australia, we will go through all the vital data that may relate to your ancestry. It does not matter if we have to dig through a physical library collection or go online in search of information, we will certainly find out more about your parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts as well as other family members. Needless to say, we do not miss out on any important details. We Reach Out to All Official Genealogy Agencies It is important to double check all records that are available in city agencies, court houses, and local libraries. You can often find marriage, birth and death records, as well as old wills and property records. If need be, our genealogists will also search for relevant information in national archives. Our goal is to search globally and refine locally. We Use Maps and Passenger Lists In the past, your Australian ancestors kept a map with them at all times. They had to get through the borders, historic counties and thousands of parishes. At times, they would end up in various places, even without moving houses. On the other hand, finding the years of entry on passenger lists is really helpful in finding out more about the family members who came before you and where they came from or migrated to. We do not Make Assumptions We do not make any assumptions regarding your ancestors. For instance, if the majority of people got married after the age of 20, we cannot assume that your ancestors also did so during this period. Maybe they did not get married. They might have gotten a child prior to their marriage. One thing is certain, our genealogists use their expertise to ensure that they only present accurate information. We cover all possible scenarios in our searches. We use this Information to Create Your Family Tree Your family tree will bring you one step closer to the answers that you seek. It is a bold step in realizing how your family came to be. By gathering the information above, it is easy to establish your relations and find the missing links from your past that come full circle in your present life. We Stay Focused The best genealogists remain focused and are determined to accomplish your research work diligently. With a clear idea of what you are looking for and the value of a family connection, we will lead you to the answers that you seek. Nothing can ever sway us from helping you realize your heritage. We understand that family history is fun and absorbing. Family Tree Research in Australia Always Available Talking to your elderly relatives about your Australian family history may not be enough. Sometimes, it is best to let a professional answer all the questions that you may have. Many people wonder where they came from. Your family tree research in Australia is the best place to start. Genealogy has always provided a fascinating way of understanding who we are. With these tips, we easily uncover all of your forgotten ancestors and even go through all the unusual quirks of history. Do not settle for anything less than extensive information - we are here to ensure that is exactly what you get! #### 11 Mexico Genealogy Resources For Your Mexican Ancestry If you are trying to find your Mexican ancestors, you should understand the critical steps that will not disappoint the long and sometimes tiresome process. The best way to understand your family tree and ancestors' history is through in-depth research into informative records about them. Luckily, Mexico has archived helpful information for centuries that provides links to trace your family. You can search available Mexican records to see whether you can find information about your ancestors' name, place of birth, or death. The best way to find this crucial information is to converse with your relatives and analyze documents and clues you already have. But before we even highlight the resources you need, here are steps that you must follow for your process to be meaningful and fruitful. Learn more about your Mexican ancestors with our Mexican Genealogy Service Plan and Get Organized Note that the first few days of your research process are likely to bear fruit as it involves gathering simple facts about relatives. However, it is important to identify and choose an online genealogist database that you think has information about Mexican families. Some of the available sites have created millions of family trees that can help you in your research. The subscribers create these family trees, so it would be a good idea to look for a database with most family trees and, of course, subscribers. Search Genealogy Records at your Home. Genealogy research involves a systematic process to collect data that solves mysteries and uncover your family histories. Therefore, you should know that you probably possess the most valuable information to help untie the knot. Start by focusing your hunt at your home and list available personal correspondence, documents, or photos that have links with your Mexican ancestors. If you think that your relatives might have some clues, involve them and let them identify available information that they may have. Consult About Family History Your older relatives could have important family histories that can save you much trouble throughout the process. Elders could also have a clearer understanding of some of the documents you may have and help you identify some people that appear in your recently discovered photos. Carry a digital recorder with you or note down important details to add up the genealogy research. Remember to ask important questions about your family, such as your parents' full names or grandparents and location in Mexico. Find an Online Solution. With all the information you have gathered, you now know where to start your online genealogy research. Notable genealogy sites such as FamilySearch and FamilySearch wiki regularly add new options, services, and resources that you can use to trace your family tree. These online platforms have digitized their genealogy records that span for more than a century. Besides, each site has a family history library where you find catalogs to access the genealogy records through common free access to immigration records, ship pictures, publications, among other online materials. Enhance Your Association Advanced technology should be your right hand if you really mean to research your family history. This means socializing on your entire online platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. These platforms offer crucial links that connect you with people you likely share ancestry with. Use these platforms to look for public libraries, local organizations, genealogy-related services, tour guides, and archives in your ancestor's home town. Note that even though the people you meet on these platforms may not be related to you, they can offer you substantial help. Don't delete their email address before you advance your research. Appreciate your findings In your quest to research your family history, you should not expect to find significant details. Having this notion is important as you will not be disappointed by the insignificant information you may find about your Mexican ancestors. The best way to handle such a situation is to use the information you find to create an inspiring perception of your ancestry. Let the results of your family history show your version of circumstances, experiences, and life changes that shape who you are today. Undergo DNA Testing Testing your DNA with high-quality kits could provide family history answers that you would not have discovered just by following a paper trail. Platforms such as the FamilySearch wiki could provide leads depending on your DNA test results. Although this process is not primarily considered a genealogy research service, you are likely to discover your ancestors' history and vital records. Note that the records may be dated thousands of years back, helping you learn about your branch on the family tree and ancestral root. Therefore, you should conduct your DNA search on web sites with tested people that offer free storage, online tutorials and support. Be ready for surprises here as DNA could reveal maternity and paternity secrets hidden by your immediate family members or ancestors. Don't Give Up As long as you are ready to accept whatever you discover, explore the many places where your ancestors originated for informed field research. Note that the process is extensive, and the farther you search, the more ancestors you will discover. It is up to you to decide your limit, and even if you decide to limit your search to great grandparents, you will always have many ancestors to chase and other places to visit. Most importantly, ensure you follow the right path to achieve the ultimate pleasure and satisfaction that comes with finding your roots. Crucial Resources to Determine Your Mexican Genealogy While DNA is shown to help in your Mexican genealogy research, there are other crucial resources that you may need to identify your ancestor. It is important to understand what these resources are and how they can help you. Below are these records and the crucial information they provide. Mexico Census Lists The Mexican census records have been a critical reference for many people working to trace their family history and ancestry. For instance, records of the 1930 census have played a significant role in Mexican genealogy as it accounted for more than 90% of the population then. You can use the count and other census records depending on your family tree and the research bracket. The census information could help you find the names, age, birthplace, address, head of household and marital status of your relatives and ancestors in Mexico. Mexico Marriage Records. The Mexican authorities keep marriage records of people who formalized their companionship and issued certificates to confirm the marriage. At times the government also cooperated with the church to produce records of banns that showed the intention to conduct a church wedding. Some of these documents may be stored among other parish records making it easier to find them if you trace your ancestor's church and parish. Other marriage records include a license, civil marriage certificate, wedding invitation, and church register record of marriage. Notably, the marriage records in Mexico have the name index of the concerned parties and the images of their marriage records arranged by state, volume and date. Birth Records and Death Records Like the birth records, the death record is also a crucial genealogy resource issued by the department of public health, and the information may vary. These records could help your Mexican research as they contain the birth date, full names, death information, and signature of a medical officer. The death records indicate the cemetery's name where the deceased is to be buried. Mexico Military Records If your ancestors served in the military, they likely received payment or pension from the government. This means that you can find their pension application file in the archives. Note that the widow was also entitled to apply for the pension leaving crucial details such as children and birth dates, which you can use to trace your family history. The military records also involve the official military Personnel File that detail the activities of individual service members. Immigration and Emigration Records These records are commonly labeled as ship passenger records and provide crucial information in genealogy research about peoples' profession, nationality, name and addresses of their relatives and place of the last residence. In case your ancestors immigrated, you may find their information on records at the archives. If they emigrated to other countries such as the United States you can as well search crucial leads on the country's passenger lists. Photographs Most of the photographs are preserved in the photo archive to help future relatives and genealogists find their ancestors. The pictures come with labels that help identify ancestors by their surnames. Accessing the archives would help you acquire critical information as your ancestors could be captured among these genealogy photographs. Mexico Directories and Members' Lists City directories are records of the city's population that could help you locate your ancestors within a locality, state, or city. In most cases, the directory could be an index of a larger area's census such as the Mexico city. It includes the ancestor's address, making it easy for you to locate the nearest facility, such as your ancestor's church and occupation. Court Records Courthouses have been preferable data sources for genealogists due to their rich information regarding adoption, naturalization, court proceedings, name changes, tax rolls, homestead files, and orphan records. Deeds are also processed in Mexican courts to indicate a transfer of lands and help trace an ancestor's change of residence and property ownership. Probate records such as a will may show the process used to settle a person's estate after their demise. Records associated with settling the estate might show the death date and other critical information regarding your ancestor. Dictionaries You may need to use dictionaries when searching for your Mexican ancestry to understand different abbreviations, initialism, and acronyms used in some of the ancient records you encounter in your genealogy research. Besides, having an online dictionary will help you find the common names in Mexico's different languages, such as Spanish. Use Mexican Maps You will find ancient and modern maps preserved in the archives to show you the general mapping of your search area. Besides, you can find maps online such as Google maps with additional applications and high precision to aid in your genealogy research across Mexico. With a map, you can easily tell the transformation in your search area and locate ancient settlements. Mexico History Understanding Mexican history is one step of understanding the place where your ancestors lived. The museums are responsible for record collections and have information that provides a timeline link to photos and stories made through exhibits. By learning Mexican history, you understand the events, disasters that your ancestors endured. The digitization of history has made it easier to compile information about your ancestors' life and death as the databases and record sets are searchable by surname. Final Thought Consulting a genealogist is one of the best ways to trace your Mexican family and ancestors. The experts understand the field pretty well and save you time and energy. However, having the right resources and understanding the entire process is the most crucial thing in tracing your family tree. The Mexican genealogy resources highlighted are important as they simplify their ancestry-search. #### 11 Qualities of the Best Family History Researchers in UK We've created an article for you to identify the best family history researchers in the UK. Studying family history brings much more than just historical knowledge. The stories behind names and various dates explain more than just how each one of us came to be. Family history gives us the kind of understanding that softens our hearts. There is nothing better than softening our hearts by learning more about our ancestors. With the help of the best family history researchers in UK, these stories from the past become alive and real-with insights that will be passed on to you. Although there are many researchers with different levels of qualifications, not everyone can be able to find the family answers that you seek unless they possess the qualities of the best family researchers in UK. Whether you live in or out of the United Kingdom, the innate qualities of a good researcher will enable the professional to succeed in all manner of challenging research tasks. Family History Researchers in UK Best Qualities Here are 11 notable qualities of the highly qualified family history researchers: Inquisitiveness Family researchers take on the role of detectives. In order to find information from your past in the right way, they have to curiously ask all the right questions. This will steer the professional in the right direction and also help in acquiring all the answers that you need. If the researcher is working from a distance, they have to be capable of moving around and seeking various answers that may shed light on your past. Patience Productive family history research is not about browsing through a handful of websites, visiting a few libraries and walking away with all the answers that you need. On the contrary, genealogy is an unending lifetime pursuit which may not give you the answers that you need instantly. The best family researchers take time to investigate, get materials from various libraries and/or archives and is in no rush to provide unsatisfying answers. Politeness When seeking for information on your family history from information repositories such as libraries and archives, the best researchers are not rude and do not waylay the busy staff with long-winded accounts of the ancestry that they are seeking, Instead, they are courteous and brief. They also patiently wait to be attended to. Needless to say, you will catch more honey with flies than with vinegar. Politeness is always rewarded. Attention to Detail The best family history researchers in UK understand that sometimes, a clue that may not seem obvious is exactly what you need to understand the puzzle surrounding your family true. Therefore, researchers should have a keen eye for detail and not learn to disregard any piece of information that is available for them. For instance, carefully referring to props in a picture will enable a researcher to tell the period in which the picture was taken. This is a very important trait that one must be very attuned to pick up on. Organized Good organization skills separate successful researchers from those who may fail in challenging research tasks. In order to come up with logical information, save it in a reliable location as well as use charts and reports to stay organized. This will make it easy for the researcher to know which additional information to look for. It will easily eliminate confusion and ensure that the researcher stays on track. Otherwise, the research information may overlap each other. Every successful research project requires proper organization. Knowledgeable Needless to say, family history researchers know how to find out and discover limited information and easily find information in various repository sources, home sources and online sources of information. As such, they will be able to handle the project with the required level of knowledge. Understands Research Standards By adhering to all the family history research principles, the best researchers will easily know how to cite sources, analyze various processes, critically evaluate evidence as well as come up with solid sound conclusions. This will bring forth amazing research results. Without understanding the set research standards, the researcher may not be able to come up with reliable conclusions for your ancestry research. Problem-Solving Ability In family history research, answers may not be very easy to find. They do not necessarily stare you in the face. When a researcher uncovers conflicting information or discovers a record trail that has petered out, the professional has to think critically, challenge their assumptions and get creative. This is the only way to ensure that the researcher arrives at solid findings. Life-Long Learning Family history research requires continuous learning by the researchers in order for them to thrive in their careers. Any professional with an interest in learning will be equally knowledgeable and be capable of handling even the most difficult aspects of family history research. By reading books, periodicals, visiting websites and participating in seminars and conferences, any researcher will be able to polish their skills and enable them to present forth the best work. Computer Skills In this computerized era, it is essential for every family history researcher to have the best computer skills so that they can easily work with various research software, effectively search databases, use technology and search the internet. Such skills are of utmost importance especially if the researcher is working from a distance. Passion for Family History Family history researchers need to love the challenge for the "hunt" and they also need to convey that passion to everybody around them including family members, colleagues, clients, and readers. Passionate professionals are always known to stand out from the crowd. Record Click comprises of family history researchers who possess these qualities and more. As they conduct your research project, they will make you part of the process by giving you all the answers that you need whether in person or via the written word. Remember, our families all have a past and you can trust us to identify your generation. We are good at filling in blanks, you can be certain that researchers will not leave any stone unturned. Our researchers have the ability to undertake the most challenging research tasks. Using an integration of these 11 qualities above, they go beyond the individual ancestor being studied #### 22 Best Family Tree Makers Modern genealogists have their work cut by almost half all thanks to technology. The era of drawn trees is so outdated and tech is where everything is at. Different companies out there are offering genealogy software to help genealogists organize information about ancestors, create ancestry books and reports, and share their findings online. With the good number of family tree makers available in the market today, as a beginner, you need one that has an simple to use software and one that walks you through the ins and outs of genealogical research. For a family historian, the significance of maintaining a clear, accurate, and organized tree design can't be underestimated. However, finding a free family tree maker with all these features can be a daunting task. 1. Ancestry: Online Family Tree With Ancestry.com, discovering your family’s past is easy. You enter all the facts you know about yourself and your family as a starting point. Next, you fill in more details that you can remember and they offer you hints that help you know more about your roots. They have a database of over 12 billion historical records so you are sure to find something interesting regarding your roots and ancestors to help you build your tree. This includes amazing family tree charts where you can even add family photos. 2. Legacy family tree Legacy family tree is a top rated genealogy software that handles adoption, divorce, and other complicated sections of the normal family tree. They use color coding to make the complex family tree easier to read. The program also syncs with Ancestry.com above and FamilySearch to connect the user with other genealogists. It offers family tree templates showcasing your family story using a family tree diagram with an easy to read family tree design. 3. Family Tree Builder It is one of the best known and widely used family tree makers and has been around for decades. It provides the user with a complete set of structures that one would expect from such a program and does them nicely. With Family Tree builder, you can use the FamilySync feature which lets you synchronize up to three family trees. You can add photos to make a family tree easier to read and more interactive. 4. Family Tree by Family Search Family Search is the keeper of the largest collection of genealogy records in the world. Here, everyone works together collaboratively on a giant and shared tree where everyone is free to edit the entries and only a few specific items van be made private. The program has different family tree templates and an individual design for each family tree template. 5. Roots Magic This is a windows only compatible program with the ability to handle very complex family trees. It includes such as printable reports and the ability to open more than one database at a time. To build your family tree, you can add photos and people going back as far as three or four generations. This makes your family history research accurate and fast. 6. Family Tree Heritage With Family Tree heritage, you get to connect with FamilySearch, Ancestry, and RootsWeb which gives you access to billions of records. You can also add other sites which is a unique feature other software don’t have. Your free family tree template can have any design you choose for easier data visualization and you can even input photos to make it interactive. 7. My Heritage: Family Tree My Heritage came up with a free online family tree builder which also provides you with free online family tree search structures for free. They also have billions of international records to help you discover your roots. Maybe you have a family tree design you would love to work on offline. You can download it and send it to your email address for easier access. 8. Findmypast: Family Tree This online family tree builder helps you easily build a family tree and access it from anywhere. It offers you accurate ancestor search results and also preserves your family history digitally. Their search filters help you narrow down ancestor search results thanks to the genealogy society partners. Getting your family data from their site is simple and you can even add designs or make changes based on your family history findings easily. 9. Family Tree Now This offers you an exceptional online family tree building experience, it has one of the largest genealogical records collection and with this, you are bound to find some long lost ancestors. Their search is free as well as filling in your family tree and viewing all these details. 10. Crestleaf Family Tree & Timeline Crestleaf is a family tree collaboration program for families to organize and record their family history. They have a database of 90 million family records in the US making them a leading provider of free genealogical records online. The program has tools that can help you arrange a family reunion or share an idea with family teams online. 11. Ages Online: Internet Family Tree Builder Made by genealogists for genealogists, this online tool offers secure protection of any genealogists’ research data. It also helps them come up with a better and organized family tree with access to free family records online. It is a nice one if you want to make a family tree with different designs. 12. Famberry If you are looking for a software that makes it fun to find your roots, Famberry has you covered. It is an online family tree builder doubling as a private family social network. It is an amazing way to share your experiences with family members. You can make a family tree or free family tree templates and designs then share with other people. 13. FacesTree It provides a pictorial representation of any family. It is an important tool for family historians allowing you to arrange data and also generate reports making the hard to connect family information easier. You can add several individuals to your family tree template before you get to the final designs or you can still add an org chart to help you arrange your family data. 14. DrAlex Familiabuilder This online family tree maker allows to import videos, pictures, GEDCOM files to help create a secure and appealing family tree website. You can even download your tree template and design then work on it offline. 15. Ancestral Forest When searching for family information trying to build a family tree using a family tree maker, the ability to build, share, organize, and store your information and findings is very important. This is one of the best features of Ancestral forest. 16. Family Mingle With Family Mingle, you get to find and organize your family history and make the platform a meeting place once you have enough data. This way, you are able to stay in touch with other family members via features such as event scheduling, and idea message boards. 17. Family Echo If you are looking for an easy to use family tree maker with the ability to import and export GEDOM files, Family Echo should be on your list. 18. Family Pursuit The ability to coordinate family research with other family members is an important part of a family tree maker and Family Pursuit helps you do that with ease. 19. LetMeTree This is a free online family tree maker that is easy to use and has GEDCOM import and export features making it easier to integrate with other programs. 20. Famlu If you are a family historian who thinks collaborating with other family members via polls, forums, chat and such structures is easier, Famlu has you covered. 21. The Family Link It is never fun or satisfying to search for your family roots alone. That is why you need a genealogy program that can help you share information with other family members and help you reconnect with relatives which is a great feature with The Family Link. 22. OurStory.com This is a modern online family tree maker that saves your photos, stories, and videos on a collaborative and shareable timeline. If you are looking for an ancestor, children, or a long lost relative, all the above family tree makers will help you reconnect with them. With a family tree creator you can connect with genealogists and share with them your findings for better research tactics. #### 3 Free Genealogy Services Resources The temperature at the house of this RecordClick genealogist reached 90 degrees yesterday and I’ve spent more time than I’d like washing dead insects off my windshield. It’s Summer and I’m not up to walking around cemeteries. My more worthwhile activities: reading a good book – Only a Few Bones by another genealogy services professional, John Phillip Colletta – or revisiting old favorite (genealogy research) web sites. Three of my favorite genealogy websites don’t have a great deal of original information on them. They have no scanned documents or family trees. What they do have is something just as valuable – links and “how to” info. These genealogy services sites have all changed since I first found them. This means that they are cared for and that should also be of value to many people who either are professional genealogy researchers or those seeking genealogy services and information. For the genealogist, one never knows what will be uncovered in the search. The sites are: Cyndi’s List Online Searchable Death Indexes and Records Historical Newspapers Online Here is my professional genealogy researcher review of each site: Cyndi’s List Cyndi’s List has been around for approximately 20 years. It was one of my first “go to” places for genealogy research. In the beginning, the web was really a web for me. I’d begin a family history project by looking for one thing and then the second bit of information would catch my eye and I’d be off in another direction. Before I knew it, I was lost and didn’t know how to get back to the beginning. Cyndi’s List has helped keep me organized and find my way home. Cyndi Howells’ list began small as a service to her local genealogy group. It grew and grew and grew as more people interested in genealogy and family history research discovered its’ value. Currently,  the site has over 300,000 links in 210 categories from “Acadian” to “Writing Your Family’s History”. From time to time, Cyndi Howels has enlisted help, but the website is a labor of love for this dedicated genealogy research provider as she continues to pass forward her vast knowledge about family history research and more. Online Searchable Death Indexes and Records Similar to a detective in a murder mystery, a determined genealogist has the goal of finding the body. Most of us who provide genealogy research services may think of FindAGrave first, and it is a great resource when person and place are known. I, however, find “Online Searchable Death Indexes and Records” more comprehensive. This understated web site needs a second and third look to be truly appreciated by the genealogy researcher. The genealogy services expert shouldn’t expect to find a list of names.  And there are no flashy ads or graphics. Instead, site creator Joe Beine shows the researcher what each U.S. state has in the way of death records and how one may access this important genealogy research information. The site is over 10 years old and what started out as just a list of states has expanded to include the major American cities of Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, New York City and St. Louis. For those providing genealogy research services, please note that not all cities and states began requiring death information/certificates at the same time. Another note for those who are providing genealogy services and doing genealogy research: Some cities saw a need for death certificates before the state in which they are located did. Historical Newspapers Online Without newspapers, anyone doing genealogy research or providing genealogy services, would be lost. When this professional genealogist discovered Historical Newspapers Online, I did a happy dance. I get frustrated with how a number of pay sites list their newspaper offerings--with teasers and large gaps.  The staff of Van Pelt Library, University of Pennsylvania began The Historical Newspapers Online web a number of years ago.  I liked it because it had good information and was easy to navigate. As is the way with so many things, what began small grew into something larger than the original founders ever imagined. The sight is now operated by Viewshare, a service provided by the Library of Congress. Over 3,000 newspapers are listed – including Chronicling America. Information provided on this website includes the state, city/county, date range and a description of the newspaper. Listings include college, foreign language and Google Newspaper Archive listings. For the frugal genealogist, all three web sites are free. When you hire a genealogist from RecordClick, you will get genealogy services that are complete, detailed and professional. View some service examples here. #### 7 Ways Ancestry.com Will Help With Your Genealogy Research There are many reasons why people embark on genealogy research. However, the most common reason is that of learning more about their family’s roots. While it can be daunting to embark on this research project all by yourself, the good news is that you do not have to! There are many genealogy services such as ancestry.com that can enable you to embark on your family history research. Here is a breakdown of the best ways that ancestry.com will help with your genealogy research: Affordable Cost – Ancestry.com Cost Ancestry is a genealogy website with many free databases. With a registered guest account, you can be able to access hundreds of free databases and successfully carry out your family history research for a 14-day trial period. Apart from this, users of the platform are free to upgrade their accounts to full membership better ancestry.com cost. Once the trial period is complete, it is possible to enjoy a full membership account for only $19.99/month or $99.99 for six months. Members who want to access international records pay an ancestry.com cost of $34.99/month or $149.99/month. This makes the platform one that is highly convenient and affordable, especially when compared to others that are already in existence. Ancestry.com DNA Kit Cost The best way to uncover your ethnic mix is by carrying out a DNA test. Needless to say, Ancestry DNA kits will enable you to find fascinating details about your family history. It is the best way to learn fascinating insights about those who are related to you. Through this reliable method, it is easy to discover in-depth details about all the relatives who share your DNA at an affordable ancestry cost, depending on the kind of test that you need. The platform gives its users the opportunity to cut down on expensive costs that may come with conducting DNA tests, with the lowest cost being $79. You can never really go wrong with this service. Once you've completed you Ancestry DNA test one of professional genealogist can help interprete the DNA results found. Most likely the DNA result will come back with some exciting news, and you'll need help identifying these new roots. Family Tree Building As Ancestry is a genealogy site that has been around for very many years, it has managed to offer extensive family search tools and features that are user-friendly and easy to navigate. It does not matter if you want to add multimedia and photos to your family tree or videos or you want extremely detailed information about the family members on your family tree-you can count on Ancestry for this. It is also possible to edit the tree as well as automatically sync changes to all your devices. The builder also has tidbits of information that will guide you in building the best family tree. Finding records for each leaf can be challenging as Ancestry is connected to a number incredibly large databases but not the entire record system. Which would be difficult and the entire genealogy industry would not exist. Turn to Record Click when you're faced with no proof for a relationship; while help you find the missing records. Easy Record Database Search If you are looking for accurate information about members who make up your family tree then Ancestry does this reasonably well. It can provide all manner of historical records and allows you to preview them, depending on your membership subscription. Therefore, you will not experience any difficulty when it comes to record database search. This platform facilitates one of the easiest database searches. In fact, it does not require any level of expertise to maneuver through the search fields. Fast Global Searches Ancestry has a wealth of useful genealogy data that is useful for research. The site provides detailed information about your ancestors. By filling the required name on the homepage, these place your ancestor may have lived and their estimated birth date, you can simply narrow your global searches. The advanced option also offers relevant information about your ancestors and provides links to page options. It also simplifies the process of prioritizing or restricting your search collection. For instance, it is possible to search for records that are only in English or Jewish. Breaks Down All Brick Walls There is nothing better than automatic hints that will help in breaking down any brick walls during a genealogy search. Hints enable you to make searches. The platform understands that hints may not serve as a long-term search strategy and ensures that you easily access every possible record that may be related to your search. This is an excellent way to learn more about research methods and progress in finding all the answers that you need. Features a Variety of Search Categories and Collections The combination of search categories and collections guarantees you solid search results at all times. By searching through specific records and individual databases, you can easily focus on the most relevant records and find the exact information that you are looking for. Ancestry comprises of search tabs that allows you to select broad categories such as birth or marriage. There are many important categories to that will facilitate your search results. And ensure that you get all the answers that you seek. Save time and make Ancestry more convenient to use by following these three tips: Use Free Indexes Ancestry has a number of free indexes, some of which include record images. By searching through the card catalog and world archives project, you can be able to find information without using a paid subscription. Do Not Lose Access to Your Records Do not let your membership or subscription lapse, otherwise, you will not have access to all the records on the platform. However, you can alternatively make copies of all the records you access beforehand and save them on your computer for future reference. Attach Long Records as PDFs It takes a long time to access large files but to speed things up, attach select pages from lengthy records or combine them into a single PDF file. Ancestry.com offers a solid option for genealogy services. It is one of the best online options in family history research to start your genealogy journey. It has been established for a long period of time and incorporates a variety of tools and features that will facilitate your family search. While it is easy to get dispirited when you do not find immediate answers about your relations, Ancestry relishes the challenge and overcomes any insurmountable obstacle that may stand in the way of reliable information. With the affordable ancestry.com cost, family history research has been made easier and more accessible than ever before. When ancestory.com cannot get you past your brick wall or you need someone to validate your tree, then our professional certified genealogists are here to help. Over half our customers are customers from Ancestry.com as they offer a great starting point but eventually you'll need someone to validate you tree for you. That is were Record Click can assist you with your journey. #### 7 Ways on How to Find a Professional Genealogist Researching your family tree can be challenging as well as time-consuming. In addition to this, when you do not know what you are looking for, it can also be time-consuming. Worry not! If the process gets overwhelming, the best thing to do is seek the services of a professional genealogist. You can be certain that the expert has the knowledge to seek the information that you need. Looking for comprehensive information about your origin or ancestors? Here are 7 ways on how to find a professional genealogist: Find a Genealogist (100+ Available) A Professional Genealogical Society Many reputable genealogists join societies such as the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG). There are also local state genealogical societies that allow the professional to network with others as well as showcase their expertise. Information seekers believe that genealogists on a professional society are more qualified to handle family history research. They also use it as a baseline to determine what the professional will deliver. On the societies, you will always find it easy to choose the genealogist with the highest level of qualification. This is certainly the most reputable way on how to find a professional genealogist. Genealogy Interest Groups These groups are often headed by seasoned genealogists. Once you subscribe to such groups, you will not only have the opportunity to interact with top-notch professionals but you will also be able to participate in interesting genealogy talks, ask relevant questions and equally receive advice. Therefore, you can contact the best genealogist among the group and inquire about your challenging research project. This will give you the confidence to know that your project is being handled by the best. However, it is important to know that the services of a highly qualified professional are more costly than those of budget genealogists. Library, Archives or Resource Center Researcher Lists Information resource centers like libraries and archives often provide a great list of researchers, including the best genealogist experts. While this is a good way for the professional to advertise their research services, it also gives you an opportunity to seek more information about them. You can also ask for recommendations from the information professionals in case you cannot decide on the best professional. If you do not find the relevant information on physical catalogs, always go an extra mile to use the online catalogs in efforts to find the right genealogist for your task. For specific searching tips, always ask for assistance from the staff at an information repository. How to Find a Professional Genealogist Blogs A majority of professional genealogists keep their business going using their blogs. By looking for famous genealogy blogs, you will easily find qualified professionals. They are not shy about sharing their knowledge and letting you know that they have the relevant skills to handle any research project. Using blogs is the best way on how to find a professional genealogist. Apart from general genealogy information, blogs also comprise of research results, latest projects and genealogy findings. Through the research articles here, you will find it easy to determine the professional’s capability to handle your project. Remember, genealogists are professionals who are well-connected, therefore, you may be able to interact with many professionals through a single blog. Professional Websites This is a reliable way to find a professional genealogist. Just like any other professionals, genealogists also advertise their services through websites. Their extensive research services can be defined here. Websites also give the professional the opportunity to highlight their expertise. For instance, if you are looking for Native American History genealogist, you do not want to hire a professional who specializes in Black History or Human Genetics. Thus, a website will make it easy for you to know whether the genealogist will meet your needs. As such, you will broaden your search. A genealogy website makes it easy to find the professional who is most suitable for you. Social Networks Searches With the advancement of the internet, it is only expected for savvy genealogists to make their way to the best social network sites. Different social platforms have proven an amazing marketing tool for many experts in the field. On platforms such as Facebook, you can search for Genealogy and find a page that lists highly qualified genealogists near you, as well as their contact information. There are also sites such as WikiTree and WeRelate that will keep you updated on different aspects of genealogy. The biggest benefit of conducting social network searches in the fact that they do not consume time or resources. They are the cheapest way on how to find a professional genealogist. Colleague Referrals Referrals or word of mouth have always been a good way on how to find a professional genealogist. If you seek the services of a professional who has already worked with a friend or colleague then you have a better chance of knowing what to expect as far as their services are concerned. Online referrals have also been a proven way to find a variety of professional genealogists depending on the level of qualification that you seek. For example, joining an online email group will give you an opportunity to discuss the best researcher, their price points and how they previously performed based on those who have worked with them before. The group members will also make recommendations and advise you on the hiring process. As such, you will end up with the best professional for the job. The Bottom Line Granted, there are thousands of professional genealogists out there but finding the best one for you requires a bit of research. By using the aforementioned ways, you can always contact the expert that will confidently handle your family history research. Whether you are looking online or physically searching through a resource center, remember that a reputable professional always has positive references. Preferably, they should have worked with numerous other clients and produced satisfactory results. Needless to say, experience is always a solid starting point who it comes to finding a genealogist. #### A Close Look at Laila Amaria Ali's Genealogy, Family & Ancestry This genealogy researcher is celebrating the December birthday of Laila Ali. As you can easily see from the internet and media world, Laila Amaria Ali was born on December 30, 1977. A genealogist may already know that she has done her time in the ring, been through the wringer, and grabbed at the brass ring. Is it in her DNA as the daughter of the legendary pugilist Muhammad Ali? Sure, she has inherited athleticism, tenacity, and charisma. There is also the part that doesn’t always show up on her website or TV interviews. That’s her inheritance of a family history that, as a genealogy researcher can see, goes back to the founders of America. Here is the revolutionary link posted online by genealogy researcher William Addams Reitwiesner: “The National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) publishes a Patriot Index, a list of persons whose honorable service in the cause of independence during the American Revolution renders their female descendants eligible for membership in the NSDAR. Several ancestors of Muhammad Ali appear in the Patriot Index, including: William Duncan (number 228) William Menefee (number 230) Charles Morehead (number 112) Mrs. Kerrenhappuch Norman Turner (number 227) John Vardeman (number 462) While Mr. Ali is not eligible for membership in the NSDAR (by not being female), he is eligible for membership in the equivalent organization for men, the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. “ The boxer and his daughter have inherited a legacy that goes back to the American Revolution. With this heritage, the genealogy researcher will know that the daughter of Muhammad Ali (b. Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr.) is eligible for membership in the NSDAR (also known as the DAR). Whether she is interested in becoming a part of the organization whose tenants are built on Judeo-Christian principles would be an issue for her to decide. This genealogy researcher is not clear on her current religious holdings. However, based on her father’s conversion to the Muslim religion decades ago, it may be that she, too, is a follower of the Muslim religion. As an African-American with slaves in her family history, she may be hesitant to be part of an organization that is made up of descendants of slaveholders. However, “genetic genealogy” through DNA testing has helped an increasing number of African Americans prove what they’ve known for centuries: DNA links to white ancestors. It is a challenging legacy that many African Americans are coming to terms with. The complicated, painful legacies of the descendants of slaves who regularly bore children of rape by white men or masters has not been easy to accept. Today, many are slowly coming to acknowledge these tragic histories. The genealogy researcher will find that over the past decade, programs such as the RecordClick genetic genealogy option through DNA testing are giving the public a palpable way to access proof of this combined ancestry. And so, more and more people have been able to do their family history research in a deeper way. As the genealogy researcher knows, uncovering difficult information in one’s ancestry takes time to process, assimilate and accept. With this influx of genealogy research in the African American community,  the NSDAR has been moving into a new period in its history. For membership in the NSDAR, one must express interest in becoming a member of the 177,000 women strong group who has been honoring their revolutionary ancestors and promotes historic preservation, education and patriotism in their communities for over 125 years. The local NSDAR Chapter may invite the prospect to a meeting, but Chapters do not actively recruit or ask. According to the NSDAR website, members “are vibrant, active women who are passionate about community service, preserving history, educating children, as well as honoring and supporting those who serve our nation.” Near Ali’s Woodland, California home, these are the chapters whose meetings she may be invited to visit: Don Jose De Ortega Chatsworth Temescal Fernanda Maria Malibu Santa Monica Rancho Simi Conejo Valley This genealogy researcher wonders if Laila Ali would be interested. It is most certainly an important part of her family heritage and one that, while painful, formally combines the world of America’s African-American families with America’s founders. A RecordClick genealogy researcher will help you locate your ancestors, whether they go back to Africa, the American Revolution or to any country in the world. Our professional genealogists document the legacy of families for you. #### A Declaration Of Heirship: Everything You Need To Know A declaration of heirship offers a way to transfer the ownership of the deceased person’s property to their heirs without going through probate court. When the decedent leaves a valid will, each heir knows what portion of the estate they’ll inherit. However, an intestate situation makes it challenging to determine who is the rightful heir and what portion they deserve. In this case, an affidavit plays a critical role in establishing who the real heirs are and the proper estate distribution methodology. But how does it all happen, and what is needed of an heir? Read on to find out. Key Takeaways A declaration is a written statement created under oath to provide facts that apply as evidence in court. Filing an affidavit of heirship is more time and cost-effective than filing a probate case. Get in touch with us now and learn more about how we can assist you with an heirship affidavit. What is a Declaration of Heirship? A declaration states the heirs A declaration of heirship, also known as heirship affidavit, is a legal document that states the heirs of a person who died without a will. It’s a written statement created under oath to provide facts that apply as evidence in court. The affiant details crucial information about the decedent and their heirs. An heir is any person related by blood to the deceased, such as immediate family members, spouse, and child. This affidavit is commonly used to decide the rightful heirs of an estate. When is the Declaration of Heirship Necessary? You'll only need a document to guide estate distribution when the decedent dies intestate. As an heir, you may need to open a case in probate court to have the estate left behind passed to you. However, filing an affidavit of heirship is more time and cost-effective than filing a probate case. Below are the situations through which you can use it to transfer an estate to your name. When the deceased left no will. When you identify as a lawful beneficiary. You want the estate transferred to your possession without the probate court process. All beneficiaries have agreed on estate distribution. It's worth noting that heirship affidavit may only help in some probate situations, as every jurisdiction has a varying set of rules. Sections of an Heirship Affidavit Probate cases Every affidavit has crucial sections you must fill to make it valid and acceptable to a probate clerk. Besides, the information you enter in each section helps the registrar understand the context. The Affiant This is the first part of every affidavit, requiring detailed information on the person making the declaration. You must enter your full name, address, and other relevant information. Declaration of Relation The second component comprises your relation with the deceased. Be sure to write this section in the first person and prove that you knew the decedent, detailing their full name and death. Also, clearly indicate how you are related to them. The Bereaved This part of the affidavit indicates the marital history and status of the bereaved. The information in this section indicates whether the decedent has a spouse, children, etc. Providing a clear history of the decedent helps the probate registrar understand how many people are claiming the estate. Therefore, you should include a comprehensive list of all known surviving heirs in the bereaved or departed section of your affidavit. Signatures The final part of the declaration of heirship and indemnity is written in the first person, assuring that the information provided in the document is accurate. Below that is a space where the affiant must sign and indicate the date. Legal Requirements for a Declaration of Heirship Inheritance rights Having filled all the sections discussed above may not be enough for the declaration to be considered legal; you need to meet additional thresholds for it to pass. Notarization For the affidavit to qualify for probate court, it has to go through a notary republic and have at least two signatures of disinterested parties who clearly understand the deceased's family and history. The individuals must put their signature under a declaration that confirms that all the information stated by the affiant is accurate. It would be best if you also had a notary seal and signature. Filing an Heirship Affidavit and Indemnity You must file the affidavit in the jurisdiction where the estate is located to transfer the property title. Usually, the affidavit becomes valid after a few years, and you may have problems transferring or selling the property before the affidavit matures. Can a Declaration of Heirship Be Contested? Contesting a declaration Even after you've met all the conditions for your declaration to pass the probate test, it can still be contested. Unlike a conclusive judicial determination, the affidavit can be contested, especially when the information provided is insufficient. For example, suppose you omit one heir in your affidavit. In that case, they can present evidence to prove heirship and overrule your declaration. Omitted heirs are the most likely to contest and indemnity based on perjury. So, if you file an affidavit but leave out a child from the deceased's second marriage, the omitted heir could provide birth certificates and other evidence to partially or entirely overrule your declaration. READ MORE: Record Click’s Heir Research Services, Costs, And Expectations. Record Click has a team of experts to guide you through filing a declaration of heirship and other estate settlement services. We also provide the searches in affidavit form, ready for presentation in court. Get in touch with us now and learn more about how we can assist you with an affidavit.   #### A Family History Researcher Explores Larry David's Genealogy Part 2 As comedian Larry David begins his run in his new play in New York City, will he be aware of the possibility that one of his great aunts may have been married into the Ochs family. And that the Ochs family name happens to be one of the ancestral names in the genealogy of The New York Times owners? In the 1900 census, Larry David’s great grandfather Julius David was living with his wife Henrietta David. Nearby, the man most likely her brother, Jacob Bernstein age 33, was living with presumably his other sister’s family. That sister, Minetta, was married to David Ochs, who was born in Germany in November 1856, became an American Citizen in 1860 and is listed as having come to America forty years before the 1900 census, which would have been in 1860. The Ochs family name is familiar to this family history researcher. Growing up in New York City, you know who owns your local newspaper. The owners of The New York Times had the name Ochs in their names. That’s is because they are descended from Adolph S. Ochs who became involved with the paper in 1896. So, when the family history researcher begins to look at that family, one will find the family of Adolph Simon Ochs listed in A Memoir of Julius Ochs, An Autobiography by Julius Ochs. Adolph and his siblings were: Louis (b.1856, d. 1859) Adolph Simon Ochs (b. March 12, 1858, Cincinnati, Ohio; d. April 8, 1935, Chattanooga, Tennessee) Nannie Bertha (b.1860, d.1947) George Washington (b.1862,d.1931) (who subsequently changed his name to Ochs-Oakes, and his children’s names to Oakes) Milton Barlow (b.1864,d.1955), Ada (b.1866,d.1956) Mattie (b.1868,d.1963) They were the children of Julius Ochs (b. 1826, Furth, Germany, m. 1855, d.?) and Bertha (b.? Landau, d. 1908). Julius was one of many children of Lazarus Ochsenhorn (b. 1780, d. 1840) who is said to have been a Torah scholar and diamond dealer.  Julius is said to have been bright and college educated in Cologne. Upon his father Lazarus’s death in 1840, when Julius would have been 14, his older brother is said to have made Julius stop his education and become an apprentice to a bookbinder. Not liking this, Julius left to go to America in 1845 where he had siblings in Louisville, Kentucky. In some brief online research, there is a family tree of the siblings of Julius. Though this family history researcher would prefer to document this further and better, let’s just sketch it out with the online find. The listing includes the siblings as: Caroline Sellinger b 1811 Maier Ochs 1812 Loeb Ochs 1815 Jechie Ochs 1817 Nannie Franck 1818 Caroline Sarah Bissenger 1821 Julian Ochs 1826 Jette Ochs 1828 Obviously, the family history researcher will see that the last name was shortened to Ochs. In the New York Times biography of Adolph S. Ochs, it says that Julius shortened it upon coming to America. The family history researcher would have to document this in the comparison of ship documents before and after the trek here. The family history researcher might look back at Adolph Ochs trip in 1930 to Carlsbad Czekoslavkia when he visited his family’s gravestones in the ancient cemetery in Furth. He contributed funds to restore the cemetery which was subsequently damaged in WWII. The International Jewish Cemetery Project reports that “during an allied bombing raid in 1944 the north-easterly section of the cemetery received a direct hit and was largely destroyed. In 1949, the cemetery was restored as far as it was possible to do so. This family history researcher thinks there may be clues to the link between Larry David’s great grandmother’s brother-in-law and the Ochs family there. So, with all of those siblings, presuming this can be documented through German genealogy records, the family history researcher may be able to may the case that one of these siblings is  the relative of David Ochs who was married to the sister of Larry David’s great grandfather Julius David. Doesn’t the family history researcher always come up with such interesting finds?! When you hire a genealogist from RecordClick, you’ll get deep thinking about your family history and meticulous research to verify all the family lines and finds. #### A Family History Researcher Gets the Real Story of Downton Abbey's Castle This family history researcher wants to take a genealogy vacation. Nope, I don’t want to do my own genealogy search in an exotic location.  I need a break from my family tree!  I want to revel in someone else’s genealogical search.  I know exactly where I want to go to enjoy someone else’s family history research: England. Why would I want to search in Great Britain when none of my Russian or Polish or American family members hail from there? Here's the truth: I want to go so I can pretend that my family had a big castle and that I am a Rothschild descendant. Doesn't every family history researcher dream of finding a castle or two in his or her family history? Now, can you guess where I want to go? Let’s begin with the castle.  The location where the BBC has been filming Julian Fellowe’s captivating Downton Abbey series (2010- ) is called Highclere Castle and is located in Highclere Park, Newbury.  The home of the fictitious Grantham Family in Downton, Highclere in real life is owned by the 8th Lord and Countess of Carnarvon and has been in the Carnarvon family since 1679. Before that, Highclere was the home of the Bishops of Winchester from the 8th century. Downton Abbey creator Fellowes is reported to be friendly with the owners of the castle and to have based some of the show’s action and characters on Carnarvon family history. Since the beginning of the BBC series, Highclere Castle has become a popular travel destination. It seems everyone wants to be a Downton Abbey family history researcher.  The fictitious Grantham family is so captivating.  There are now sold-out tours of the castle.  In June, there will be private tours given personally by the Lord and Countess of Carnovan.  In August, there is a program to commemorate of the centenary of the First World War. With the Memorial Day holiday coming up at the beginning of the summer season in the USA, American family history researchers interested in veterans and military information may have a new way to finish their summer season—at Downton Abbey, oops, I mean Highclere Castle. So, for this family history researcher, it is easy.  Decision made. I’m booking my flight of fancy and going--virtually. But before I become royal or a genealogist for hire in Britain, I absolutely must look for the family history research part of my virtual genealogy vacation: the personal search for a Rothschild. Letting someone else be the family history researcher, my first glimpse linking the Carnarvon family of Highclere Castle to the British banking family, the Rothschilds, was in an article in the Forward newspaper. Ready for this family history researcher’s trip back in time?  All set for takeoff? Here we go: The Lady of Highclere Castle was said to be related to one of England's most notable families. In June 1895, George Edward Stanhope Molyneux Herbert, 5th Earl of Carnarvon married 19-year old Almina Victoria Maria Alexandra Wombwell. She was the daughter of Marie Boyer Wombwell.  Marie Boyer was the daughter of a French financier from perhaps an old aristocratic family who had married Frederick Charles Wombwell, a “rakish” British military officer. Almina was known as the illegitimate daughter of the never-married Alfred de Rothschild, with whom her mother had a longstanding relationship. Upon her marriage, Almina became Lady Carnarvon, the 5th Countess of Carnarvon. For Almina, whose name is said to have been an amalgam of Alfred Charles’ first name and her mother’s nickname, Mina, being illegitimate was not an advantage in the upper levels of British society. Marrying someone with a title was helpful to establish her social status. Alfred Charles Rothschild is reported to have set up the introduction to the Lord and to have championed the marriage. Almina and Lord Carnarvon had two children: Henry Herbert, 6th Earl of Carnarvon (1898-1987), who married Anne Catherine Tredick Wendell and had issue. Lady Evelyn Leonora Almina Herbert (1901-1980), who married Sir Brograve Campbell Beauchamp, 2nd Bt. and had issue. I can’t help but be a family history researcher, so I’ve located a mini-lineage of Almina’s alleged biological father, Alfred Charles de Rothschild (1842-1918). In the 1600s, his family’s surname originally was Bauer before an ancestor adopted Rothschild, derived from the “red shield” which then marked the door of the family’s business in the German city of Frankfurt am Main. For our Alfred Charles, the addition of a “de” denotes his status as a British Baron. Alfred Charles de Rothschild is: Great Great Grandchild of Amschel Moses Rothschild (b. 1710?-1754?) Great grandchild of Mayer Amschel Rothschild (1743-1812) Grandchild of Mayer Amschel’s fourth son, Nathan Mayer Rothschild (1777-1836) who settled in England to establish the family business there. Fourth child, second son of Lionel Nathan Rothschild (1808-1879) who himself was Nathan Mayer Rothschild’s second born of seven children and the oldest of three sons. On Rothschild family tree and lineage charts, Alfred Charles is depicted with no descendants.  Interesting, right? When looking at the Rothschild family and their family tree, one notices both a recurring trait of high mathematic ability as well as the preponderance of the names Nathan, Nathaniel, Charlotte, Mayer, Moses, Amschel among others. The Rothschild family maintains a naming tradition that honors relatives from prior generations. (There is even a current young Nathaniel Rothschild who is a successful financier today.) Now, back to Almina: Almina’s biological father was neither proven nor publicly announced during her lifetime.  However, Almina’s mother had a close and long relationship with Alfred Charles Rothschild who financially supported both Marie and her daughter, Almina.  Rothschild was publicly called Almina's “godfather”.  His reluctance to marry Marie Boyer Wombwell may have been because he was Jewish, maintained his affiliation with Jewish Institutions in Britain and was not socially able to have an acknowledged and formal relationship out of his faith--Marie was a Catholic. As Almina’s “godfather”,  Alfred provided Almina with a £500,000 dowry (valued at $50 million today) and left her an inheritance. Upon marriage, Almina made her dowry funds available to her new husband, who had a title but little money.  She used these funds to maintain his family’s estate, our now-beloved Downton Abbey--Highclere Castle. After marrying Lord Carnarvon, Almina became a successful social hostess and financed the upgrading of the castle.  In Downton Abbey, the characters are shown making upgrades to their home, adding modern amenities such as electricity, telephones and automobiles.  This accurately reflects the history of Highclere Castle. Almina also financially supported her husband’s interests, which included Egyptian archeological expeditions as well as his many experiments such as the making and testing of flying machines on the castle property. It was Rothschild money, Almina’s inheritance from Alfred Charles, which financed Lord Carnarvon’s famous excavation of the tomb of King Tutankhamun in 1923. After the excavation of King Tut, Lord Carnarvon died suddenly at age 56.  Some say he was cursed by the opening of Tut’s tomb. Others say it was from poisoning from a mosquito bite. Either way, Almina nursed him on his deathbed and his demise left her a young widow. Almina's talent for nursing was developed both as she cared for her sick husband as well as when she converted the castle into a hospital during World War I, much like scenes in Downton Abbey. She and her heirs maintained ownership of the castle and other properties. She married again and lived a long scandal-filled life.  She died in 1969 at age 93. Well, enough about Almina.  We’ve found our castle.  We’ve found our Rothschild.  And we didn’t even have to get on a plane.  We’re happy with our instant genealogical search vacation.  That’s what genealogical researchers do.  We vacation in other people’s family history research--and absolutely love it! RecordClick genealogists for hire will look for your family’s castle, or house. We’ll search and locate your relatives all over the world. #### A Family History Researcher Honors Clara Barton for Her Memorial to Civil War Soldiers   This family history researcher knows that Clara Barton is a Memorial Day hero. Her work with the government in the 1800s showed that however slow government agencies may be sometimes, they can be a good source of documentation for us genealogists. Clara Barton was a smart and powerful force in the honoring of our Civil War dead. Barton first demonstrated her intelligence as a young child. Born in Massachusetts, she was extremely shy and struggled to become more outgoing during her lifetime. She went on to become one of the most recognized and admired individuals in America of the 19th Century. She was a teacher, a clerk, a nurse, an organizer with dedication and compassion that is still recognized today. In addition to being a nurse in the Civil War, where she was on call to fill the needs of wounded soldiers, she also took on the challenge of caring for the families of the soldiers. Thousands of Family Letters The Civil War dead were frequently buried with little ceremony or documentation. Family members struggled to hear news of their sons, husbands, fathers and brothers and often received only silence. Family members wrote thousands of letters to the federal government seeking information on the fate of their loved ones. These letters found their way to the United States War Department and remained unanswered. When Barton discovered that these letters existed, she immediately set out to remedy the situation. She sent a request to President Abraham Lincoln seeking permission to respond officially to the family inquiries. After permission was granted, her next step was to seek funding from the Senate: The Search for the Missing Men “The Search for the Missing Men” began. Barton found an office which she called the Missing Soldiers Office, organized a staff and began searching. She conducted interviews with surviving soldiers when she could. But it was difficult as the war was winding down and men were heading home. She circulated flyers and wrote letters. She spent the summer of 1865 locating, identifying and properly burying 13,000 individuals who died at the Andersonville Prison Camp in Georgia. By 1868, she felt she had done all she could do and the Missing Soldiers Office closed. In 1869, Barton sent a report to Congress that listed what she had done. She estimated that the Missing Soldier’s Office had a)  identified about 5,000 deceased soldiers and b) informed their families. In the report, Barton explained her methodology: “The fresh memory of each surviving veteran and of every citizen who had watched the last hours of a dying soldier, were the records I sought to consult. But as army after army, and one regiment after another, returned to their homes and were disbanded, it became impossible any longer to hold communication with them except by an extended complex system of correspondence…” The correspondence that she reported on had included making lists and more lists of known missing men, getting these lists displayed in post offices and printed in local newspapers. Barton’s report notes that most activity took place in 1866. Letters and More Letters There were letters, more letters and yet more letters. Clara Barton detailed her activities in her report to Congress: After the Missing Soldier’s Office closed, Barton moved on to other endeavors. Because of address changes in the 1870s, the exact whereabouts of the office were not known for some time. In 2015, a federal employee preparing a house for demolition found a cache of old artifacts and documents that provided more information about Barton and her efforts. This was a boon for the family history researcher—for information from then and now. This Memorial Day, remember those who served their country so valiantly and  say a prayer for the souls—like Clara Barton—who worked so diligently to make sure that our valiant servicemen would not be forgotten. When you hire a genealogist at RecordClick, you will find an experienced mix of genealogy researcher services that will find records for your family. Did you have an ancestor who served in the Civil War? Did your family write letters into the government? #### A Family History Researcher Honors Memorial Day: Remembering Enos Jenkins Memorial Day now marks the beginning of summer. Some of us family history researchers decorate the graves of deceased family members and friends before the barbecue begins. The services we genealogists for hire go to reflect on the efforts of those who have served their country. The history of the Memorial Day holiday, however, has its roots in the Civil War. At that time, the veterans and their families needed to remember those who had fought and died in the conflict. For family history researchers, there are as many stories as there are tombstones. With this thought in mind, this RecordClick genealogist is going to tell a little of the story of one Enos Jenkins, the next to youngest brother of my gg-grandmother Margaret Jenkins Teachman. In my genealogy search, I have found that the Jenkins family lived in Orange County, New York. Enos, born 11 September 1843, was one of fourteen children. With limited resources, life for the family in my genealogical search was simple. The simple life of my family tree members became more difficult when Enos’ father, James, died in September of 1849. Mother Sophia kept the family together for a time. By 1860, Enos was 17, in the employ of Edward King of Orange County, and the issues leading up to the Civil War were becoming vocal. The situation grew tense with the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860 and erupted into war with the bombardment of Ft. Sumter, South Carolina in April of 1861. In July 1862, the authority was received to form the 124th Infantry Regiment from Orange County, New York. Enos Jenkins enlisted on 9 August 1862 and was assigned to Company A. At 5’5” tall with fair complexion, Enos, this member of my genealogy search, stated that he was a farmer. The regiment left the state in early September with nearly 1,000 soldiers. This family history researchers found that the 124th Infantry fought in many of the major battles of the Civil War including Manassas Gap, Fredricksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, The Wilderness, Spottsylvania Courthouse, Coal Harbor, Petersburg and Deep Bottom. The first combat that I, the family history researcher, located came at Chancellorsville. To remind the men of their hometown area, Orange County, they were given orange ribbons to wear. These ribbons later helped to identify the wounded and the dead. The orange ribbon became a symbol for which was the basis for the unit ‘s name  “Orange Blossoms”. In my genealogical search, I found Enos’ military record which showed that he spent much of his time as a guard or an orderly. Beginning in August of 1863, he was assigned to duty as a guard at brigade headquarters. In April of 1864, this family history researcher found, he became an orderly at brigade headquarters, serving there until late in the year. This family history researcher found that on 12 December 1864, Enos and another soldier, Zephaniah Allen, went missing: “At Petersburg winter quarters were established (for the Orange Blossoms) and before they were settled, orders came to make a raid on the Welden railroad. Before finishing this piece of destruction they (the 124th) had torn up 30 miles of track, twisted the red hot rails around trees and burned the houses as they proceeded. On their return they were horrified to find 25 of their men lying along the road dead, stripped of their clothing. They discovered that Mosby’s Guerillas had passed through that section and committed the crime… While waiting Enos Jenkins started out to purchase molasses for the soldiers (who) had a little meal and with a short ration of molasses they could eat it… After finding the molasses they (Jenkins and Allen) ran into a nest of the enemy… Both men were captured and led into the woods nearby and stripped…” (From Enos’ obituary in the Paterson Evening News.) Taken by the enemy on Weldon’s Raid, Enos, the military star of my ancestor search, tried to escape but received a sword wound behind an ear. From there: “The men were taken to Lee’s division. Then they were marched to Petersburg and from that point they were taken to Lee’s headquarters where they were registered and imprisoned in an old tobacco factory. They were then hustled aboard a cattle train and brought to Richmond, Virginia. From Richmond, they were taken to Libby Prison where they remained one week. Jenkins’ final place of imprisonment was the Pemberton prison where he stayed for two months. He was finally paroled and soon returned to the Union camp in Maryland.” (From Enos’ obituary in Paterson Morning Call.) According to my genealogy research, both prisons were located in Richmond, Virginia in what were once tobacco factories. During the war, Libby Prison housed officers and was a processing center for Union prisoners. When Enos arrived late in 1864, it functioned as temporary housing for a few Union soldiers. Pemberton Prison was also known as General Hospital No. 15, Crew’s Hospital and Crew and Pemberton Hospital. Crew and Pemberton Hospital was destroyed by fire during the evacuation of Richmond. Our family history researcher's ancestor is shown at a 1926 reunion of Civil War veterans from his fighting group By March 1865, the genealogy search shows that Enos was released to the 124th.  He received a furlough and traveled to Paterson for a visit my genealogy search in New Jersey shows. When he returned to the fighting, the Orange Blossoms were at Appomattox Courthouse. He was there when General Robert E. Lee surrendered in early April 1865. With the rank of private, Enos mustered out in early June 1865. Of the almost 1,000 men who enlisted to serve in the Orange Blossoms, 12 officers and 232 enlisted men were lost by wounds or death. At the end of the war, my genealogy search shows, fewer than 140 of the original men remained in the ranks. From my genealogical search in New Jersey, I found that upon returning to civilian life, my ancestor search records show that Enos settled in Paterson, New Jersey, and married Lydia Tice. He became a butcher and, then later, ran a charcoal business my genealogy research in New Jersey shows. He belonged to three G.A.R. posts in Paterson, New Jersey and then my genealogy search in New Jersey shows that he was the last surviving Paterson G.A.R. veteran when he died in 1941. At RecordClick, our professional genealogists and family history researchers will find your ancestors who have served and those who have died for our country. The staff of RecordClick wishes you a safe and meaningful Memorial Day as you recall those who have given their last full measure of devotion to this place we call home. #### A Family History Researcher Marches to Military Records and Finds More About George Clooney's Family Family history researchers and reporters ask: Who? When? Where? What? How? If not, these are the five questions a family history researcher should be asking when doing genealogical research. These questions help place people in your ancestor search in a time and in a particular place. These inquiries make a big difference in verifying whether a family story is true, or not. This RecordClick genealogist has been making those inquiries for more years than I can remember. I’m borrowing George Clooney’s family again – this time his Great-Great-Grandfather Joseph H. Koch. Born in Germany in 1825, Joseph H. Koch came to the United States at a young age and settled in Clermont County, Ohio on the north side of the Ohio River. As this family history researcher was looking for information, a notation on FindAGrave mentioned that he was an eyewitness to the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln.  That tidbit of information will catch the attention of a genealogical researcher in a hurry. How could this Joseph have witnessed that pivotal historical event? Was he present at Ford’s Theater in Washington, D.C. that tragic evening? According to U.S. Census records, Joseph Koch (pronounced Cook), spent most of his life in Clermont County, Ohio working as a cooper (a maker of barrels) with the exception of about five years when he and his first wife, Christine, lived in Kentucky. In 1860, the family resided in Louisville with the three youngest children, Sophia, William and Francis, born in Kentucky. By the time the next child, a son John, was born, the Kochs had moved back to Ohio. Considering the hostilities that were developing, it may have been a sensible move. A family history researcher will find that a huge amount of information has been compiled and is available about the Civil War and the soldiers who fought for both the north and the south.  The first step in the genealogical search is to find out what unit the soldier was with. The National Park Service has an online database – Soldiers and Sailors Data Base - listing over six million individuals who served, the state they were from, and their unit. Once the family history researcher is on the site, to get to the data base, type in “Soldiers and Sailors” by the magnifying glass in the upper right hand corner of the page. Joseph H. Koch is one of two Joseph Kochs to serve in the Union Army from Ohio. George Clooney's great-great-grandfather was a Union soldier Next, if the individual is still alive, a family history researcher can look in the 1890 Veteran’s Schedule of the U.S. Census. While most of the 1890 U.S. Census was destroyed by a fire, the Veteran’s Schedule, however, was not. The family history researcher may find it on the FamilySearch web site. Joseph Koch, living in Clermont County, Ohio, had been a sergeant in “G” Company of the 50th Ohio Infantry. He enlisted on 13 August 1862 and was discharged on 4 March 1865. His military records are available to the family history researcher for a fee online from the National Archives. Some documents may be online at Fold3. While these sources provide information to the family history researcher on the who, what and when of your ancestor search, the where is still missing. Could Joseph Koch have been in Washington, D.C. on 15 April 1865? Available to the family history researcher is a complete record of the Civil War, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, written by Frederick Henry Dyer over a 40 year period. Published in 1908, the three volume work listing every unit and its activities in the Civil War can be found on Google Books. A nice synopsis of the Ohio 50th compiled by Larry Stevens is online on the Ohio Civil War web site. The Ohio 50th was involved with the Campaign of the Carolinas from March 1 – April 26, 1865 with an advance on Goldsboro, North Carolina beginning on March 6. After being discharged on March 4, Joseph probably wanted very much to go home. Times and transportation being what they were, he very well could have been in Washington, D.C. when Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. Researching the history of a family can get complicated and confusing for everyone including the family history researcher. The ancestor search is more than just believing the story that has come down through several generations. The real genealogical research is finding the facts that prove or disprove the lore. Sometimes… sometimes… there is truth in the lore. But, it may not be quite what we think it is. If you have a story that needs fact checking, have come up against a wall or have a family code that is tough to crack, talk to a family history researcher at RecordClick. We have the knowledge and resources that make your genealogical history accurate and interesting. #### A Family History Researcher Views George Clooney's Genealogy: Finds More Than Just A Timeline What happens to genealogy and family history research when the story has been written (I think)? The first response of this RecordClick genealogist is that it all depends on the point of view. It seems there is usually some new nugget to be found. I apologize, George Clooney, for using your family in this ancestor search, but you do have an interesting one. It is easy for a family history researcher to find information because there are a number of pedigree charts online and his aunt, Rosemary Clooney, has had a good deal written about her, including the book Late Life Jazz: The Life and Career of Rosemary Clooney.[1] Much of the online knowledge comes from personal memories and census records. Both are credible sources and should be the basis for genealogy research. But there is more. Genealogical researchers should take a look at the old home town. In this case it is Maysville, Mason County, Kentucky. Although this family history researcher has never been there, the descriptions make it sound like a great place to be from. Located on the south side of the Ohio River in Mason County, Kentucky, the first settlers arrived in 1784 and it was established as a town in 1787. It became the county seat in 1849.[2] It has all the scenic amenities of a river town with bluffs, forests and, when it came later, a railroad. The small city had about 6,000 residents in the 1930s. Maysville's recent population has held steady at about 10,000. George Clooney’s great grandfather, Andrew Clooney, was born in Kentucky in 1874[3] to Irish immigrants Nicholas and Bridget Byron Clooney.[4] In the 1880 U.S. Census, Nicholas and Bridget are listed as living in Mason County, Kentucky. Nicholas was a laborer. With seven children - Andy was number 6 - the family couldn’t have had many extras, including education.[5] He only attended school through the fourth grade.[6] A lot can happen in 20 years. By 1900, Andrew Clooney had married Crescent/Crescence. The couple had a newborn daughter, Olivette, and were living in Maysville at 214 West Second Street. Andrew earned a living repairing watches.[7] In addition to his family and the jewelry store, Andrew B. Clooney, had another interest – local politics. In 1905, he had a hand in getting the first streets paved in Maysville. “In 1905 the main thoroughfare, Second Street, was little better than Maysville’s country dirt road… There were some public spirited men on the City Council that year and they set about to see if something couldn’t be done to improve the looks of the city. Accordingly Messrs. A. Clooney, J.W. Eitel and Robert Ficklin were appointed a committee to interview the businessmen of Second Street…” It was a big job and the local businessmen had their doubts, but the City Council persevered and construction began in 1906.[8] For the family history researcher, a look at old city records could reveal a lot because, in addition to serving a couple of terms as mayor, Andrew was also on the City Council for a number of years. As with many businessmen of that era, Andrew and his family lived close to the store at 217 West Second Street. It continued to be his livelihood because small town politics, then and now, includes a lot of volunteer time. By 1930, the jewelry store was located at 116 Market Street and the family, which consisted of Andrew, Crescence, Andrew J., Olivette, Frances and Rose Marie, lived over the business.[9] Because Maysville was on the Ohio River, flooding was a recurring issue. In the early 1930s, Andrew became involved with the organization of the Ohio Valley Flood Control association, serving as its first president. “At the meeting here Friday night , Mayor Anderson (sic) Clooney, Maysville, Ky., told of his visit to President Roosevelt…”[10] The group went on to discuss methods for keeping water out of the towns along the Ohio River. While Andrew Clooney’s role in solving Ohio River flooding may have been minimal, in 1937 President Franklin D. Roosevelt did send a Flood-Control Plan for the Ohio and Lower Mississippi Rivers to Congress.[11] More research would be needed to verify Andrew’s story of visiting President Roosevelt, but for a genealogist it would make an interesting addition to a family history. The expert genealogists at RecordClick find that special story for you. We develop research strategies, organize and create your special family history.   [1] “Late Life Jazz: The Life and Career of Rosemary Clooney”, by Ken Crossland and Malcolm Macfarlane, Oxford University Press, 2013. [2] HeritageQuest; “History of Maysville and Mason County” by G. Glenn Clift; Lexington, KY; Transylvania Printing Co., 1936, p. 2. [3] 1900 U.S. Federal Census; State of Kentucky; Mason County; Maysville, Ward 2; First Magisterial District; ED 90; Sheet 21 B; Line 93. [4] Kentucky Death Index. FamilySearch: “Kentucky Death Records, 1911-1955”. The last name has been transcribed as “Clonney”. Andrew’s wife’s name has been transcribed as Cresunce Kack Clonney. Parents listed are Nicholas Clooney and Bridget Bryan.  Ancestry.com: “Kentucky Death Index, 1911-2000.” The listed death date is 31 Oct. 1947, vol. 51, certificate 25028. No parents are noted. FamilySearch: “Kentucky Marriages, 1785-1979” lists a marriage between Nicholas Clooney and Bridget Byron. [5] 1880 U.S. Federal Census; State of Kentucky; Mason County; Precinct 1; ED 112; p. 12 D; Dwelling 74; Family 78; Lines 17-25. [6] 1940 Federal Census; State of Kentucky; Mason County; Maysville; Ward 3; ED 81-3; Sheet 3B; Line 61. [7] 1900 U.S. Federal Census; State of Kentucky; Mason County; Maysville; Ward 2; First Magisterial District; ED 90; Sheet 4B; Family 500; Lines 93-95. The census was enumerated 2 June. The couple married 1 May 1899 in Newport, Campbell County, KY (Family Search, “Kentucky Marriages, 1785-1979”). Olivette was born February 1900. [8] HeritageQuest: “History of Maysville and Mason County” by G. Glenn Clift; Lexington, KY; Transylvania Printing Co., 1936, p. 256-257. [9] 1930 U.S. Federal Census; State of Kentucky; Mason County; Maysville; 3rd Ward; First Magistrate District; ED 81-3; Sheet 1 B; Dwelling 16; Family 24; Lines 78-83. [10] GenealogyBank: “The Portsmouth Times”, Portsmouth, OH; Monday, May 15, 1933; P. 7. [11] The American Presidency Project; Franklin D. Roosevelt letter to William M. Whittingham, Chairman, Committee on Flood Control, House of Representatives. The estimated cost of the Ohio River Basin portion of the plan was $440,000,000. #### A Genealogical Back to School with Actor Craig T. Nelson This RecordClick genealogist thought it might be fun to take a back to school genealogical look at the family of Craig T. Nelson, star of television’s sitcom Coach from 1989-1997, more recently, the Parenthood sitcom. He also was the voice of Mr. Incredible in the 2004 film The Incredibles. From a genealogical perspective, one can see that education played an important role in Craig Theodore Nelson’s life and the lives of his ancestors. This genealogical researcher recommends using school records and documents as a part of every family history search. Beginning our genealogical search, we see that Nelson, born in 1944, graduated from Lewis and Clark High School in Spokane, Washington in 1962. According to high school yearbooks, he was involved in Toastmaster’s and golf. A group such as Toastmaster’s can definitely help hone speaking skills which clearly have been helpful in his acting career. His family was fairly typical – with his father, Armand, working as a field manager in the oil fields in the 1940 U.S. Census. The two other household members were his mother, Vera, and sister, Dayle: Nelson, Armand G. Head     39           SD      Field mgr., oil fields         2 yrs. College Nelson, Vera M.      Wife       32           WA                                                  4 yrs. High school Nelson, Dayle J.                       6        b. WA Following the family back, a genealogical researcher will find that Armand and Vera moved several times before settling in Spokane. The couple married in Helena, Montana on April 4, 1928. In the 1930 U.S. Census, they were living in Pondera County, Montana between Great Falls and the Canadian border: Nelson, Armand G. 29           SD    SD   MN       Production Foreman, Oil Producing Nelson, Vera M.       23           WA  CA   IA          Typist, Oil Producing Ten years earlier, in the 1920 U.S. Census, Armand is found residing with his parents Julius and Daisy in Spokane: Nelson, Julius T. Head     45           WI  Nor  Nor       Clerk Railway Nelson, Daisy M. Wife      43           MN NY   IL           Nurse Nelson, Armand G. Son    18           SD   WI   MN       Apprentice Electrical Nelson, Leslie T. Son         14           SD   WI   MN Genealogical researcher will need to be aware of why a family may to choose to relocate and the places family members may go. The Nelson family demonstrates a common migration pattern for families across the Northern Plains of America. The ancestry researcher will find that many Norwegians and other Scandinavians settled in Wisconsin and Minnesota when they first immigrated to the United States. As time passed, they moved to the Dakotas, Montana and Idaho before finding a home in Washington State where there was industry that featured better paying jobs not found in agricultural areas. Going back another ten years, in the 1910 U.S. Census, Julius and Daisy are living in Genessee, Idaho near Moscow in Latah County. Julius is working as a bank cashier, a better job than most, indicating that he may have had additional education. The children, born in about 1901 and 1906 in South Dakota, provide a hint of when the family moved: Nelson, Julius T. Head     36           M1-10       WI     Bank Cashier Nelson, Daisy M. Wife      33           M1-10       MN Nelson, Armand T. Son      9              S              SD Nelson, Leslie T. Son          4              S              SD The State of South Dakota took several state censuses. In 1905, Julius and Daisy Nelson were living in Deuel County on the Minnesota-South Dakota border. Julius had been a resident of South Dakota for 25 years and Daisy for 7 years. Julius was employed as a land agent. South Dakota became a state in 1887 and many settlers were still seeking their fortune there. Land agents were an important part of the process. To look at one more census, in 1900, Julius T. Nelson, born January 1874, was a single man and lodger living in Gary, Deuel County, South Dakota. He was employed as a school teacher and his census taker enumerated him on June 4. Daisy M. Kee, born in December 1876, was a single female and boarder living in Gary, Deuel County, South Dakota. She was employed as a school teacher and her census taker enumerated her on June 3. According to Minnesota marriage records, Julius T. Nelson and Daisy M. Kee were married on August 8, 1900 in Waseca, Waseca County, Minnesota. For the genealogical researcher, looking at school records provides part of your family history. When you hire a genealogist from RecordClick, you will learn the role education played in your ancestor’s lives. #### A Genealogist and Daniel Boone Land in Many Places For this RecordClick genealogist, genealogy and history are full of surprises. Daniel Boone is one of those surprises. His family is well documented.  His parents were Quakers, contemporaries of William Penn, for whom Pennsylvania is named, which is where the Boone family first settled. This genealogy researcher doesn’t usually think of colonial families as far travelers. Yet, there may be an exception to every assumption. Daniel Boone was born in Pennsylvania in 1734 and died in Missouri Territory in 1820. Along the way, he stopped in North Carolina, Virginia and Kentucky. The genealogy and story of Daniel Boone is a part of American history. His life events and travels have been transformed into movies and television programs. He left a plethora of descendants… and many know who they are. But how did he wind up in Missouri? I’ve traversed the state from east to west on Interstate 70 a number of times and, being a map person, this genealogist likes to look for intriguing places to stop. On the state highway map, in St. Charles County between I70 and State Highway 94, there is a notation, “Daniel Boone Home”. How did the explorer and frontiersman come to spend his final years in Missouri? What might a genealogist learn from this? It’s all about the land… and being of service to one’s country… and Congress. Daniel Boone didn’t have an affinity for people. He preferred forests, creeks, rivers and plains. When a place tended to get too populated for his taste or the living situation became too difficult, he and his family moved on. In 1750, it was to North Carolina. Due to the French and Indian War, Daniel and his bride, Rebecca, moved to Culpepper County, Virginia.  In 1762, they moved back to North Carolina. In 1775, the family relocated to what is now Kentucky. There was another move back to Mt. Pleasant, Virginia (now West Virginia) in 1788 and then in 1795 the family was on the road back to Kentucky. Finally, there was one more opportunity for Daniel Boone. The genealogist needs to be aware of the variety of documentation resources available because of the research opportunities they provide. In the late 1700s, there was a great swath of land west of the Mississippi River that was owned by France. At that time, France and Spain were allies, so some Spanish troops were assigned to the area. A Spanish official and friend of Daniel Boone, Zenon Trudeau, wanted Boone to do some exploring in the late 1790s (See Library of Congress map above).  Part of the payment was a parcel of land in what is now Missouri. That’s when Daniel and Rebecca Boone relocated for the last time. Of course, in 1803, the United States purchased the land which we know as the Louisiana Purchase.  An Act of Congress on March 2, 1805 required actual settlement and cultivation of the land for ownership. Boone couldn’t prove ownership or cultivation, so a dispute arose. It’s the kind of thing a genealogist thrives on. Daniel Boone, who preferred a more solitary life, took the matter to Congress. According to Testimony taken on February 13, 1806 by the Committee on Public Lands, the petition of Daniel Boone stated: “That the petitioner was invited by Zenon Trudeau, Lieutenant Gov. of Upper Louisiana, under the Spanish Government, to remove from Kentucky; and, as an inducement to his removal, promised the petitioner a grant of land in that country. Petitioner did remove to Louisiana; and, on the 24th day of January, 1798, he received from Zenon Trudeau a concession for one thousand arpents (a unit of land measure) of land, situated in the district of Femme Osage; had the same surveyed on the 9th of January, 1800.” Some documents were presented by Boone: Concession from Don Zenon Trudeau, Lt. Gov., dated 24 Jan. 1798. Certificate of Survey dated 9 Jan. 1800. A 1798 dated letter from Don Zenon inviting him to remove with his family to Louisiana. Boone declared to the Board that, on his arrival, he took residence with his lady, at his son Daniel M. Boone’s and about two years prior to the testimony, the couple moved to the home of younger son, Nathan Boone, which was their current residence. Our genealogist has found that here is the house where Daniel Boone and his family resided for a time. The elder Daniel Boone placed himself at the mercy of Congress:  “…Your petitioner has nothing to demand from the justice of his country, but he respectfully suggests that it might be deemed an act of grateful benevolence, if his country… would so far gratify his last wish, as to grant him some reasonable portion of land within the territory of Louisiana…” It took a couple of tries. But, Daniel Boone did receive his property.  In 1820, he died in Nathan’s house in what is now St. Charles County. After Daniel Boone’s death, son Nathan purchased property from the government in Greene County (near Springfield, MO) beginning in the 1840s. There is a Missouri State Historical Park in Greene County named for him. Daniel Morgan also moved on purchasing land in Jackson County (near Kansas City). It was there that he ended his years. Land records are often much more than just a deed giving a property description, a date, and some names. Land records can often include information about a family or they can lead to other courthouse records. When you hire a genealogist from RecordClick, you’ll get the experience of true professionals who know about records and how to use them in family history searches. #### A Genealogist and DNA – A Great Pairing for Research This genealogist has the latest news item:  President Warren G. Harding had an illegitimate child fathered while he was President of the United States. DNA was used to verify the relationship! This Record Click genealogist is not surprised by either the illegitimate child or the DNA verification. There have been illegitimate children born for longer than history has been recorded. (And I am still surprised by the number offspring fathered by the Kings of England…) DNA is a tool that should be in every genealogist’s tool box. As in the case of our President Harding, there is more to DNA than meets the eye. DNA is broken down into three main types: Y chromosome DNA Mitochondrial DNA Autosomal DNA. Y chromosome DNA is most specific and is found only in men and is inherited along the male line passed down from father to son. Mitochondrial DNA is found in both men and women and is inherited from the female line. Autosomal DNA covers both male and female lines. The genealogist may find that DNA research is a big help in locating relatives. It’s all conceptually nifty, but is complicated. A genealogist sometimes needs to look outside the genealogy researcher box to learn how things work. In the case of DNA, the National Institutes of Health website has an online Genetics Home Reference which does a good job of explaining what it is and how it performs. For a genealogist, analyzing DNA may help determine possible family relationships and members. The thing to remember is that DNA analysis is most accurate on closer, more recent, kinships. It may help identify a parent, sibling, first or second cousin with a great deal of accuracy. In the case of President Harding, the DNA of grandchildren were compared. It was something of a slam dunk and flashy and not that difficult to confirm. As the genealogist looks for DNA relationships that are further back in the family lines, the results become less specific and more general. On the other hand, the scientists are working with very small bits of material. They study and compare markers. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) a marker is: A DNA sequence with a known physical location on a chromosome. DNA segments close to each other on a chromosome tend to be inherited together. Many a genealogist will revel in this type of data. For other family history researchers, this will boggle the mind. When the ability to determine genealogical relationships with DNA begins to fade, the genealogist will still have the geography of genealogy. By comparing numerous individuals, a genealogist may see a migration pattern evolve that details where they lived and to where they migrated. The next questions that may arise are: How valuable is DNA? Is it worth the money? The answer to both: It all depends. It seems that some descendants of President Harding welcomed these recent DNA results. Others, did not because in addition to verifying the illegitimate child, these results disproved an assumption about the President’s inability to conceive children. This brings up a fact that the genealogist will need to deal with: sometimes there are differences between what we think and what is indicated by research and documentation. The NIH and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History have online articles that may help the genealogist to understand more about DNA in family history research: The NIH article is entitled, Genetic Ancestry Testing, and can be found at: ghr.nlm.nih.gov/handbook/testing/ancestrytesting. The Smithsonian discussion is, Genome Unlocking Life’s Code,org/explore/our-genomic-journey. If the decision is made to have a DNA test, there are a number of companies that conduct the various types of tests. A genealogist may want to consider how the information is handled and how readily available the results are. DNA testing should not be used in place of good, old-fashioned genealogical research and footwork. The two can, however, do complement each other nicely. RecordClick has many genealogists for hire with expertise in DNA testing. We help you decide which test fits your needs, assist in interpreting the results and help you achieve your genealogy research goals. #### A Genealogist and the Present for Dick Van Dyke's Family Tree Sometimes this professional genealogist wonders where time goes. I was a teenager when Dick Van Dyke starred in the movie Mary Poppins. We all loved that he danced in a style all his own.  And I looked forward to watching The Dick Van Dyke Show on television knowing that most weeks he would fall over the ottoman. Now, on December 13, Dick Van Dyke will turn 90 years old. While he is still active, this genealogist thinks he might not be taking as many spills as he used to. With that in mind, my family tree focus will be on his ancestry this week. Of course, his lineage is well documented with numerous online family trees. Because this genealogist prefers to do a thorough search and really likes discovering something new, when I went back to his records, I happened to find—AHA!—an unknown great-great-grandfather. This makes Dick Van Dyke a nice example for every genealogist and a good family history lesson. Born Richard Wayne Van Dyke, he was the son of father Loren Wayne Van Dyke, who was recorded as “Lora” in a couple of censuses. Mr. Loren’s Wayne Van Dyke’s mother was Jennie Ware Van Dyke (Dick’s grandmother) and Jennie Ware’s father is listed as Winfield Scott Ware (Dick’s great-grandfather) in many online family trees. Winfield’s parents are listed as unknown. While Dick calls Danville, Vermillion County, Illinois home, he has a number of family members from Greenup, Cumberland County, Illinois. Both counties are located in east central Illinois some 60 miles apart. Jennie was born in Cumberland County in October of 1883. Keep in mind that seemingly simple surnames, such as Ware, may be misspelled as frequently as the surnames which are long or hard to pronounce.  This genealogist has found Jennie the 1900 Census: State, IL; County, Cumberland; Township, Greenup; ED 51; Sheet 5A; Dwelling, 90; Family, 90: Wear, Scot, head, b. Jul 1857, IL OH OH Alice, wife, b. Feb 1861,      IL   IL   IL Jennie, Dau, b. Oct. 1883,   IL   IL   IL Jennie is also listed as the only surviving child of Scot and Alice. Scot was born in Illinois, his parents were born in Ohio. Scot is found in the 1880 U.S. Census: State, IL; County, Cumberland; Township, Greenup; ED 63; P. 30-31; Dwelling, 285; Family, 285; Lines 46-50 and 1-2: Wiers, Solomon, 57, Married, Farmer, OH Blank Blank Eliza, 47, Wife, Married, OH Blank Blank Anna M., 26, Dau., Div., IL   OH   OH Amanda, 23, Dau., S., IL   OH   OH Scott, 22, Son, S., IL   OH   OH Wiers, Laurce, 21, Dau., S., IL OH   OH Soleman, 20, Son, S., IL   OH   OH To be on the safe side, this genealogist went back one more census to 1870: State, IL; County, Cumberland; Township, Greenup; P. 11; Dwelling, 68; Family, 68; Lines 3-12: Ware, Solomon, 50, OH Eliza J., 45, OH Charles C., 28, IN Mary E., 23, IN Ann M., 19, IL Manda, 17, IL Scott, 14, IL Laura, 12, IL Solomon, 10, IL Clinton, 6, IL The family history researcher or anyone creating a family tree should note that not all of the ages match from census to census. It wasn’t until the 1930 Census that the decision was made to enumerate the population every ten years. The date of the enumeration can make a difference in the age listed. The knowledge of the individual providing the information may also affect what is recorded. But how can the Winfield Scott who is on Dick Van Dyke’s family trees become the Scott that is listed in the census? Sometimes, children are named after an individual admired by the family. When the genealogist looks into the naming of children in a family, one can glean insight into that family’s likes, hopes, and preferences. Winfield Scott (1786-1866), in his time, was a U.S. Army general for many, many years. He commanded troops in the War of 1812, the Indian Wars, and the Mexican-American War and, briefly, in the Civil War. He even ran for president as a Whig. Winfield Scott was admired. A genealogist like many of us remembers Dick Van Dyke for his dynamic role in Mary Poppins. Once the genealogist has some information, one takes the next step in the research process, which is to get additional material to support the facts. In researching the Van Dyke family, this professional genealogist looked at FindAGrave which has a listing for Greenup Cemetery. There are 2,800-plus burials including 33 Wares and 20 Van Dykes. Amongst the Wares, there is one Scott W. Ware, 1858-1928. So, the parents of Winfield Scott Ware are Solomon and Eliza J. Ware. Both were born in Ohio and moved soon after their marriage. The first stop they made, sometime around 1840, was to seek their fortune in Indiana. In about 1850, they moved their growing family to Illinois hoping to find land suitable for farming. There is more to this story as every genealogist finds that there usually is. When you work with a genealogist at RecordClick, you will get more to your story. Our family history researchers will search vital, land and court records to make your story special. #### A Genealogist Corrects On line Info in Larry David's Native American Family History The responsible genealogist will always check records to make sure of the facts. Why? Nowadays, the family history researcher can’t rely on online reports because they often have subtle mistakes. Take our recent focus on Larry David, the comedian, writer and now actor who will be appearing on Broadway beginning this month. His play deals with family issues and we correct some of the family info right here. Some online reports have his paternal grandmother’s father listed as Gabriel Levy. But from the close inspection of the exact records, this genealogist has found that is a mistake. Carrie H. Levy David’s father was George. Not Gabriel. And once this genealogist got going on the records, we found out a lot about Larry David’s paternal grandmother and her family. In fact, some of the same trends that we saw throughout Larry David’s other family tree branches, happen to occur in his Native American Levy side of the family. There are also new pieces of information such as his Levy relatives being in the USA early, in the 1860s and 1870s and that they were lawyers. Such smarties! This genealogist will begin at a time and place of sooner than later. To begin: In the New York State Census of 1925, Fred G. David and his wife Carrie H. were living in the Bronx (Block 20-21, Election District 91, Assembly District 8). All were U.S. Citizens. Here is the listing: Fred G.               age 42   salesman/Linings (note this as it is hard to read) Carrie H.           age 32 Gabrielle           age 10 Mortimer          age   9 Their house number was 6128. A genealogist will need to look in the Bronx’s Block and lot books to find the exact address. Or if we look at Fred’s World War II draft registration card from April 1942, we can find lots of answers, too. On draft card with the Serial No. 1370 we find they are still at 6128 and we locate the street name, too. Here are the details: Age at time of registration: 58 years Birthdate: June 5, 1883 Birthplace: New York. Height: 5’10” Weight: 188 lbs. Features: Brown eyes, Brown hair and light complexion. Employer: Brand & Oppenheimer, 229-4th Avenue Address: 6128 Liebig Avenue, Bronx, NY. (As it turns out, they were living near a relative of this genealogist, a cousin of my paternal grandfather I believe, who the census a few lines up says was living at 6140: Meyer Littman, age 35, who’d come over 25 years before from Russia. But we transgress…as a family history researcher sometimes does.) Back to the Davids of the Bronx. Eleven years before that, there is a marriage record for Fred G. David and Carrie H. from January 25, 1914 (certificate #2969) which confirms their marriage in New York.  The from the 1915 New York Census, it appears they had a child right away. But do notice the age difference that is listed on the New York census as having 8 years in the 1915 census and later, on the 1925 census as ten years between them. In the 1915 New York Census, they are living at 629--138 Street in Manhattan.  On the record is: Fred age 32 Carrie age 24 Gabriel (sic) age 1 Gabriel is listed as a Female, so we know that it is their daughter who is later correctly identified in census records as Gabrielle.  But, in the Jewish tradition, new babies are often named for those who have recently died, so hold this thought… Let’s just digress a tiny bit once more and look at Fred G. David’s 1918 draft registration for WWI, Serial No. 3628. Here we see he is: Age at time of registration: 35 years Birthdate: June 5, 1883 Citizen: Native Born Height: Tall Build: Slender Features: Brown eyes, Black hair and light complexion. Present Occupation: Salesman Employer: Sylvester and Levy Employer Address: 23 Waverly Place Nearest relative: Wife Wife’s Address: 450 W. 152 Street This genealogist is curious, so we look into Fairchild’s Daily News Record and Women’s Wear National Directory from 1920, the industry report lists his employer as: SYLVESTER and LEVY INCORPORATED 21 WAVERLY PLACE New York City NEW YORK New York City specializing in clothier’s silk and cotton linings. So in 1918, he is working at the same place he continues to work at into the 1925 census time period. The genealogist needs to remember the names on this company, one of which is the same as Fred G. David’s wife’s maiden name—Levy. Which relative of hers was he working for?  More to be revealed by looking at New York City business records and incorporation documents. Back to the family of Larry David.  This genealogist next looked at the 1910 census and finds Carrie H levy living with her family in Manhattan at #121, the street of which would have to be referenced to the Ward/District listed on the Census. In the 1910 census listing, the genealogy researcher will find: George Levy       age 50      born USA  father German  mother German  Real Estate Broker-Indp Mary Levy           age 45      born USA  father German  mother German Pauline Levy      age 11        born NY Florence Levy    age 20       born NY Carrie H              age 18       born NY 1892 The 1915 New York Census confirms all the people and their residence at 121 East 123rd Street at Lexington Avenue. Going back to the 1900 census, a genealogist sees that the family is still at #121, we find a handwritten added note on the document that lists the street as East 123d Street at Lexington Avenue. The members are noted as: George              age 39   1861                  married 1884 16 years    Broker Mary                 age 36 Pauline             age 15   Feb 1885 Florence           age12    November 1887 Carrie                age 11  June 1888 (there is mistake on the brief synopsis that says 10) Josephine Harkeller                  age 20 is a servant living with the family. She came from Russia and has been in the USA for 2 months. The genealogist finds confirmation from these records that the father of Carrie H. Levy David was George David, not Gabriel David. To verify this further, this genealogist looked even further back and found in the Census from 1870, the Levy family is living at 334 in the 12 East District, 20 Ward. The family history researcher has found verification of Carrie Levy’s father and a brother Gabriel here: P Levy age 40                   male               Germany        Lawyer Berthe age 21                   female 1849  Germany Jacob age 2                      male H Levy 6 months            male unclear age 13                 female Gabriel age 10                 male George age 9                    male The online recap card indicates that Berthe is from Bavaria, but the actual census says Germany. That is another correction to be made. Once again, note the age difference. P Levy is 40 and his wife is 21… When this genealogist happened to take a peek at the 1860 Federal census, there was the reason for the big age difference. Philip Levy had a first wife Mena, who was the mother of Gabriel and Sarah, the two older children. In the 1860 census the genealogist finds: Philip Levy age 31   1829  from Prussia /real estate val.$ 5000/personal estate val.$500 Mena Levy age 28              from Prussia Sarah Levy age 3 Gabriel Levy age 1 By the time of the 1870 census, this genealogist has found that Mena is no longer in the picture and Phillip has a new younger wife Berthe. Most likely Mena has died but the genealogist will have to find the death records to make sure of this. From the 1870 census where George is 9 and Gabriel is 10, it looks like Philip found his new wife shortly after the death of first wife because his sons are so close in age. For a man who lost his wife in those days, it was essential to have someone take care of his two young children.  Berthe/Bertha, young, fertile and a Landsman from Europe, seems to have stepped right in. In the Federal Census of 1880, the blended family may be living at 104th Street or 4th Street it isn’t clear to this genealogist from the handwritten records on the census documents. They continue to be: Philip Levy age 51   from Prussia       Lawyer Bertha age 30 Gabriel age 23 (Mistake?) Sarah age 22 (Mistake?) Jacob age 12 Henry age 10 George age 18 Let’s look at wife Berthe/Bertha Levy who is Larry David’s paternal great great grandmother. She is Larry’s father Mortimer’s mother, Carrie H. Levy David’s father George’s mother. Whew—got that? Berthe/Bertha Levy, the matriarch of this Levy family headed by a lawyer in the 1905 New York State census is living with Jacob (the son who was 2 in the 1870 census) and his family. The page happens to have been copied with an accidental blank page in front of it so the details are not fully visible. When the genealogist looks at the 1910 census, Berthe/Bertha Levy is still living with Jacob and his family. She is age 61. Jacob is age 41 and a lawyer. In the 1920 Federal census, Berthe is found still living with Jacob. Jacob Levy age 52                                                         Lawyer-general practice Pauline age 48   wife       (born in Connecticut) Louis age 28       son        mother born in CT           Clerical/City Clerk Estelle age 25     daughter Berthe age 72     widow  immigration yr 1870 From these records, this genealogist has found out a few things and has these questions: Carrie’s grandfather Philip has likely died sometime between 1870 and 1905 because Berthe is living with her younger son Jacob by then. George’s youngest brother Jacob marries a Pauline from Connecticut who was born in 1875. She is not to be confused with George’s daughter named Pauline born in 1888 who is a sister of Carrie H. Levy David. Carrie’s father George was a Real Estate Broker This genealogist would next research what buildings he was involved with and if he owned any. The January 2015 article in New York Magazine mentions that Larry David was living in a building owned by his father after graduating from college. Did his father Mortimer inherit any real estate from his mother Carrie via her father George, the Real Estate broker? Did George’s older step-brother Gabriel die near the time of Carrie’s first child (Mortimer’s older sister) Gabrielle’s birth in 1915? Even with all of these questions, we see the trends we established in earlier blogs. Large age differences between spouses, children close in age, and lots of relatives living together. Larry David’s family lived the traditional immigrant American experience. But, not all immigrants were in real estate or lawyers. Seems Larry David has a history of successful business in his blood. His TV experience and, hopefully, his new play, will continue that tradition even further. When you want thorough exploration of your family history, hire a genealogist from RecordClick. We are thorough, creative and we find and confirm the correct facts for you. #### A Genealogist Discovers Life is in the (Ledger) Details This RecordClick genealogist is starting to get out and about searching… searching. Spring is in the air.  Heavy winter coats are going away and this past week I saw one. “They are out there,” I keep telling other family historians. “They are really out there – yes they are.” The look I get is often something between “What are you talking about?” and “Yeah, right.” This home of this genealogist is in a rural county in eastern Nebraska. There are lots of them out there, though. I just know it. What is “it”? “It” is a ledger. Often, it is an elusive ledger. The ledger was originally purchased and created because someone felt a need to record or keep track of something. What was recorded can delight any genealogist.  A family member with a sense of duty could have purchased a ledger to note births. Or one to record marriages. And maybe the deaths in a household. A business owner may have tracked purchases, who ran a bill and when those bills were paid. A ruling board in a village or town, long gone, probably had one to keep track of assets and expenditures. The list is limited only by the imagination of a genealogist or anyone else. For the genealogist, a ledger may provide surprising details. The ledger that this genealogist saw, recently, was purchased for the princely sum of 50 cents in about 1910. It doesn’t look like anything exceptional on the outside. The cover is worn but still in decent shape. BUT on the inside, for a genealogist looking for a specific piece of ancestry information, this ledger is the source of a wonderful amount of information about a small town cemetery. It even includes the scraps of paper with handwritten notes. This particular cemetery was the site of burials for over 40 years when, in 1910, a group of individuals decided that records needed to be kept concerning the cemetery. The grass and trees needed to be tended. Tombstones needed to be looked over. Plots had to be sold. A board was formed. Minutes of activities were recorded. A budget was set. There were names – lots of names in the ledger. Some of the names pertained to the deceased. Other names were of those who took care of the deceased. I only skimmed the ledger.  And right away, one of my family names stood out. The individual had been born in the area, grew up there, left for a couple of years, returned and settled there. He was farming when he died at age 43, in 1920. I have various records and newspaper clippings for him. But there he was, listed in the ledger as a board member for the small town cemetery. For a genealogist, this can be way cool and may even warrant a happy dance. The information added a dimension to this individual that this genealogist hadn’t known before. He was a respected member of the community or he wouldn’t have been a part of the cemetery board.  By wanting to see that the place where they were buried was neatly maintained, this genealogist learned that he had cared about those who had gone before. For my family history research, I intend to take a closer look at the ledger. Is this ledger unique? No. There are lots of them out there. Sometimes the individuals in charge of them know what they are. Sometimes they are just an old book with names and writing in them. Are they online? No. Will they ever be online? Maybe. Maybe not. Sadly, many are gone. On the bright side, many are still around. A good genealogist needs to be able to put on some walking shoes and go looking for them. To the owners of an old ledger: If you don’t know what to do with it, contact a local historical society, genealogical society or local library. These books provide unique historical information about an area. They help us learn about the people who created that history. The repositories that specialize in historical documents can keep them safe. Finally, these ledgers are what a genealogist and other historical researchers call a primary source. They contain original information created at the time of the event. For the family history researcher, they are the ultimate find. In a cemetery ledger, if there is no tombstone, there may be a record of a burial. In a business ledger, it may prove that an ancestor was in a certain place at a certain time, what was purchased and if bills were paid. For ancestry researchers, these wonderful elusive ledgers are often found in the area where ancestors lived. A genealogist from RecordClick will locate where your ancestors lived and recover the hard-to-find information. Our genealogists for hire will find illusive ancestors and documents such as adoption, custodial and other court records for you and your family. #### A Genealogist Finds a WWI Memorial and Remembers Our Veterans   This RecordClick genealogist is issuing an event reminder that every family history researcher should know about:  On the Eleventh hour of the Eleventh day of the Eleventh month of 1918, the Great War - The War to End All Wars - World War I was over. World War I touched almost every family in some way. On the home front, women gathered to make bandages and other supplies for the boys who went off to fight in Europe. Families purchased bonds. Everyone tried to do his or her part to support the war effort. World War I was a war that was pivotal in many ways. Every genealogist should keep this in mind because it adds color to the family history research. First, the genealogist may note that while horses and the cavalry still played a role in war during this time, so did airplanes which were the newest form of transportation. Also in this war, fighting took on another dimension as mustard gas was introduced. Add to this mix the global influenza epidemic and World War I became even that much more tragic on many levels. Our RecordClick genealogist looked into the names on this important monument to our Veterans. After World War I was over, citizens in many towns and cities felt the need to remember those who had gone off to the Great War and died. Across the country, they began erecting monuments that listed the sons who gave their lives. For the genealogist, these memorials provide important documentation. On a recent trip to New England, this genealogist noticed right away an important World War I memorial where I was visiting. There, on the green in Concord, Massachusetts, was a substantially-sized rock that provided the backing for a metal plaque on which was stated: “In Memory of these Concord Men who gave their lives in the World War.” This genealogist also noted the list of these brave men: Capt. Howard B. Jackson, Med. Corps 1st Lt. James J. Mansfield, 26th Div. 1st Lt. James D. Beane, 22nd Aero Squadron 1st Lt. Percy A. Rideout, 1st Gas Regt. 1st Lt. Charles S. Spencer, Med. Corps 2nd Lt. Orville P. Johnson 26th Div. 2nd Lt. Whipple H. Parker, 79th Div. Ensign Henry J. Lund, U.S.N. Sergt. James J. Lane, Q.M.C. Sergt. J. Alvord Rose, Gas. Defence Service Corp. Gordon M. Channell, Light Inf. C.E.F. Corp. Philip H. Toomey, 79th Div. Farrier Edward F. Donovan, V.C. Cook Sylvester F. Gaudet, 37th Inf. Pvt. 1st Cl. Angelo Leberace, 26th Div. Pvt. 1st Cl. Gordon K. McKenzie, U.S. Amb. Service Fireman 1st Cl. Adolph C. Nelson, U.S.N. Pvt. Henry J. Bergeron, 26th Div. Pvt. Frank Bernier Pvt. Hiram G. Garfield, Depot Brig. Pvt. Clemente Napolitano, Italian Army Pvt. Herbert J. Nealy, Depot Brig. Pvt. Carl Nolan, Co. I, 6th Mass. N.G. Pvt. William N. White, Aviation Corps. Pvt. Frank E. Wight, 12th Div. As an experienced genealogist, I know that the family history researcher must always be asking questions.  Here are the ones that came to me: Who were these men? What ties did some have to places beyond Concord, Massachusetts? Where can information be found about World War I veterans? As to where the information can be found, most newspapers printed casualty lists on a regular basis. If a soldier died and was buried overseas, the American Battle Monuments Commission is an excellent source for finding cemeteries and burials. The local library, historical or genealogical society may also have data for the genealogist on those who served from the area. There are a number of web sites which include draft information. As for these brave Concord, Massachusetts men, here is a partial list: Capt. Howard Bigelow Jackson, of Melrose, died Oct. 13, 1918 at Fort Oglethorpe, GA, of pneumonia following an attack of influenza. (Boston Herald, Oct. 14, 1918) James D. Beane, died Oct. 30, 1918 and is buried at Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, Romagne, France. He received the Distinguished Service Cross and the French Croix de Guerre. (ABMC) Percy A. Rideout, died Oct. 9, 1918 and is buried at Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, Romagne, France. He received the Distinguished Service Cross. (ABMC) James J. Lane, entered the service from South Carolina. He died June 18, 1919 and is buried at Oise-Aisne American Cemetery, Fere-en-Tardenois, France. (ABMC) John A. Rose, entered the service from Massachusetts and was in the Chemical Warfare Service. He died Oct. 10, 1918 and is buried at Brookwood American Cemetery, Brookwood, England. (ABMC) Orville P. Johnson, of Albany, NY, died July 18, 1918. He was killed by a shell while looking for machine gun sites. A few hours later his orders arrived to return to America as an instructor. He attended Harvard. (Boston Herald, Aug. 25, 1918) Whipple Parker, of Springfield, MA, d. Oct. 20, 1918 of wounds and pneumonia. His wife, Louise, died Nov. 6, 1918 of double pneumonia and influenza. (Springfield, MA, Republican, Nov. 26, 1918) Henry J. Lund, d. Oct. 14, 1917 on the U.S.S. Nebraska. He was accidentally shot with an automatic pistol. (Boston Herald, Dec. 2, 1917) Philip H. Toomey, of Concord, d. Dec. 1918 of disease. (Boston Herald, Dec. 17, 1918) Pvt. Henry J. Bergeron, was wounded April 13, 1918 and died the following day. He was the first Concord soldier to die in action in France. (Boston Herald, April 23, 1918) Angelo Leberace, d. July 18, 1918. He was a PFC in the U.S. Army, 104th Inf. Reg., 26th Div. He is buried at Aisne-Marne American Cemetery, Belleau, France. (ABMC) Each soldier who served in World War I has a story. Sometimes the information is easy to find. Often, a little extra digging by the genealogy researcher is needed. An expert genealogist from RecordClick will find that special record to give your family history that personal touch. We have ancestry researchers in Europe who are able to delve into overseas sources. #### A Genealogist Finds Comedian Red Skelton and His Family For this RecordClick genealogist, the idea of a good time is to search for family. Yes, I know I’m a little odd. When the real name of famed comedian Red Skelton was mentioned to me recently, my genealogy researcher thoughts got going and I thought, “Why not?” Growing up in the days of the big three television networks, as this genealogist did, entertainer Red Skelton was a family favorite. On his television show each week, we saw that sparkle in his eye, the broad smile with dimples and heard his infectious laugh. Everyone looked forward to it all. He and his humor were full of silliness and that made it all more special. So, of course, this genealogist has to ask: Who was Red Skelton? Where did he come from? Who was his family? This is also a good time to explain a bit about primary and secondary sources in genealogy research and how they can make a difference when the genealogist begins to look into someone's family history. A primary source is usually a document created to record an activity or event in an individual’s life. A primary source is created by a person who knew the individual. A genealogy researcher will find that primary genealogical sources may include vital and church records, a diary, government records, business records, military records and the list can go on. Primary sources for the genealogy researcher are what the good genealogist should always look for. Secondary sources for the genealogist do not have the same immediacy and often are missing the “time element”. Secondary genealogical sources may be a family story or an article in a book or magazine. Although helpful, a secondary ancestral research source such as an encyclopedia article definitely cannot be considered a primary resource. Finding the family of Red Skelton proves a challenge for the genealogist. So, family history maven, genealogist and ancestral expert, are you ready?  Let’s go! Let’s go exploring and search for the siblings of Red Skelton. From biographical information that Richard Bernard Skelton, himself, has provided, he was born July 18, 1913 in Vincennes, Indiana. His parents were Joseph E. Skelton and Ida Mae Fields. He was the youngest of four sons and was born two months after his father died. His father was a clown in the circus. Red Skelton left home at an early age to help support his family. The genealogist must consider this information to be a secondary resource. According to primary sources such as the actual California death record, Richard Red Skelton, died on September  17, 1997. He was born July 18, 1913 in Indiana and his mother’s maiden name was Fields. As for his father, Joseph Skelton, this genealogist has found that there is a grave in the Vincennes, Indiana  City Cemetery for Joseph E. Skelton, b. September 14,  1880; d. May  22,1913. This primary source information concurs with the known information we have from the secondary sources with which we began. The genealogist, when researching family history, needs always to delve into the U.S. Census which is considered a primary resource. Using the Census documents is always smart for the genealogy researcher because you will find information that has usually been provided by a family member to the census taker. The year 1910 was the last time that a U.S. Census was taken while Red’s father Joseph Skelton was alive. In the 1910 Census, the genealogist will see that in Vincennes, Indiana, there is one couple that fits with what is known: Ehart, Joe        Head     31 M1-7 yrs.        IL   IN  IN         Merchant, Retail Grocery Ida                    Wife      23 M1-7 yrs.        NE IN  NE Ishmael            Son          5                          IL   IL   NE Chris                 Son          3                          IL   IL   NE The information fits except for the fact that Ehart is not Skelton and Joe is not a circus clown – although he could have been earlier in his life. However, the family listed before Joe and Ida is Ehart. Many a genealogist knows that Census takers made clerical errors. In this case, there are also two possible sons. This genealogist has not been able to locate the family in the 1920 U.S. Census. However, in the 1926 Vincennes, Indiana, City Directory the family history research can see that on page 264, there is a Skelton family listed: Skelton, Chris       Lab         r1021 N. 9th Ida M. Mrs                            h1021 N. 9th Ishmael J.                              r 1021 N. 9th Paul F.                    Lab         r 1021 N. 9th City directories are often considered primary resources by the genealogist because these directories are created every year or two using information that was current at that time. The short-term disappointment for this RecordClick genealogist is that Richard “Red” is not listed with the family right here. But, according to his story, he left home at an early age and, by 1926 he would have been age 13 and, most likely, already gone from home. Now, on to 1930. By this time, Richard “Red” Skelton was starting to make a career for himself in show business. However, he was moving around a lot so, for this family history researcher, finding him in a census has proved to be difficult. In the 1930 U.S. Census, Ida and Paul are still in Vincennes living at 1023 N. 9th St. It should be noted that the information in every census is a little different. In 1930, the age of when they were first married was noted. For Ida, the age at marriage in the 1910 and 1930 censuses is very similar. For Paul, this genealogist does not find it to be so clear. What is going on with Paul is up for speculation. He did marry in Wayne, Indiana in 1932 and his parents are listed as Joseph Skelton and Ida May Fields. The household in the 1930 Census consisted of: Fields, Susan Head                     72           Married  25         IN   IN   IN            Washerwoman Skelton, Ida   Roomer                44           Married  16         IN   IN   IN            Laborer, shoe factory Paul                Roomer                10           Single                   IN   IN   IN            None A quick check by this genealogist of the 1900 U.S. Census finds a Fields family living at 1222 Perry St. in Vincennes, Indiana, with Susana Fields, born August 1857, listed as age 42 and head of the household and Ida Fields, born October 1884, listed as age 15 and as the oldest child. Every now and again a genealogist needs to take a side trip to other records to verify that this is, indeed, the desired family. So this genealogist has gone back to 1930. By 1930, Ishmael had married and relocated to Mansfield, Richland Co., Ohio. The family is listed as: Shelton/Skelton, D. Ishmael Head     24           M  23     IN    IN    IN          Machinist Garage Irene                                        Wife-H  18           M  17     OR  OH  OR According to his Ohio death certificate, Denny I. Skelton died in June 1943 in Richland County. His parents are listed as Joseph Skelton and Ida M. Fields. In May 1948, according to The Daily Register of Harrisburg, IL, a fire took a dry cleaning business once owned by “Chris Skelton, brother of Red Skelton, of movie fame”. In the 1940 U.S. Census, Chris Skelton, 32, and his wife, Marian, 30, were living in Lawrence, Illinois. In 1930, a city directory lists the couple as living in Detroit, Michigan. He was working for a dry cleaner. So, just who were the Skelton brothers? From primary and secondary sources, this genealogist has put together a list: Ishmael, b. about 1905 Chris, b. about 1907 Paul, b. about 1910 Richard “Red”, b. 1913 As you see from this brief look into the life of the family of Red Skelton, the professional genealogist works in a careful and diligent process using primary and secondary sources. A good genealogist knows and finds the best records. When you hire a genealogist from RecordClick, you work with expert family history researchers who know how to find and use the records that make up your family’s history. #### A Genealogist Gets Details and Gruesome Clues in the Lizzie Borden, Bridget Sullivan Case   This RecordClick genealogist thinks that it is time for a macabre story with a genealogy twist. Halloween is almost here! A person needs to have lived on a remote island to have missed the rhyme about Lizzie Borden helping Andrew and Abby Borden, her father and step-mother, meet gruesome untimely deaths with an axe in Fall River, Massachusetts in August 1892. A genealogist will find numerous books, articles, and videos with this story. The Bordens were well off financially. Andrew Borden made part of his fortune manufacturing furniture and caskets. Although comfortable, he and his second wife, Abby, were not considered among the elite of Fall River society. Andrew’s children, Lizzie and her older sister, Emma, were concerned that Abby was trying to get more than her fair share of Andrew’s fortune. Local reports noted the demise of the Bordens. The day came when Abby and Andrew, in that order, met their demise in their own home. The only other people on the premises during the entire crime were Lizzie and a servant, Bridget Sullivan.  After the crime occurred, there was an inquest and a trial--great fodder for any genealogist. Questions this genealogist has: Who was Bridget Sullivan? What part did she play? What became of her? To glean more of the story, this genealogist visited some websites that included Lizzie Borden: Warps and Wefts, The Herald News which featured a relevant article, and The Lizzie Borden Society Forum. Lizzie Borden is said to have killed her parents. Our RecordClick genealogist turns up so interesting info. The Lizzie Borden: Warps and Wefts web site includes an image of an application for the marriage of John M. Sullivan, 37, born June 19, 1868, in Ireland, and Bridget Sullivan, 35, born February 3, 1871, in Ireland. Both lived in Anaconda, Deer Lodge County, Montana. The marriage license application is dated 1905. The Herald News article related that Bridget had some relatives in Montana and that family lore states that she went back to Ireland after the murder trial was over and that “…where Bridget was, what she did, and how she might have afforded to travel back to Ireland are all unknown.” The Lizzie Borden Society takes the story even further. Bridget had a friend named Minnie Green. The two had come to the U.S. together. Minnie headed for mining camps in Montana because the prospects seemed better while Bridget stayed close to the ocean. After the murders, Bridget informed Minnie that she wanted to go back to Ireland and purchase a small farm. It turned out not to be what she wanted. She came back to the United States and then joined Minnie in Montana. She met and married John Sullivan, had some children and died in Montana. A check of the 1910 U.S. Census for Anaconda, Deer Lodge County, Montana finds two John and Bridget Sullivans. A genealogist needs to note this and look for information distinguishing the two families. Here, the ancestry researcher will find: Sullivan, John M.Head     41           M1-5 years                                         Imm. 1889 Bridget                   Wife      40           M1-5 years         No children         Imm. 1890 Sullivan, John      Head     55           M1-26 years                                       Imm. 1873 Bridget                  Wife      58           M1-26 years       3 children            Imm. 1873 The three children are: Mary, 24 (b. 1886); Kate, 23 (b. 1887); and Nora, 20 (b. 1890). When the genealogist looks closer, this information indicates that the John and Bridget Sullivan without children are probably connected to Lizzie Borden. There is no indication that the Bridget Sullivan working for the Borden’s was married with children. Later censuses show that John M. and Bridget Sullivan did not have any children. The 1920U.S. Census lists John M., age 52, and Bridget, age 48, Sullivan living at  701 Alder in Anaconda. Minnie Green is living on West Copper Street in Butte, Silver Bow County, Montana. Minnie is 36, single, the ward of four children. The genealogist will see that she came in 1904 from Ireland. Both mining towns, Anaconda and Butte, are about 25 miles apart. Could Bridget have gone to Ireland after Fall River and returned with Minnie?  A true genealogy verification should be made. However, for our genealogist friends reading this, a short news item in the October  19, 1902, edition of the Anaconda (MT) Standard may provide a clue:                 She Gets a Small Fortune                 Miss Bridget Sullivan employed at the home of John H. Curtis, 334 South Washington Street, received word yesterday that she had fallen heir to a small estate at Castletown, Ireland. The estate was left her by her grandfather and is valued at about $1,000. Bridget Sullivan appears to have put the events in Fall River, Massachusetts, and the Borden family behind her as best she could. It seems that a genealogist is never done researching. There is always a bit more to a story or yet another clue to be found by the industrious family history researcher. And, of course, all information found by the genealogist needs to be sorted and the data needs to be clarified. When you hire a professional genealogist from RecordClick, you will get experts who specialize in finding and understanding documents. The ancestry researchers at RecordClick will glean data whether is it for dual citizenship or finding lost family members in the United States or Europe. #### A Genealogist Hunts: Finds Ernest Hemingway in Unusual Places A good genealogist needs to be on the lookout for reminders about useful resources. We always like new ideas. One way to be inspired is through Blogs. The genealogist often finds this is an easy resource. However, this RecordClick genealogist is selective about informational blogs… especially the genealogical blogs. I have a couple of reasons why. One is that sometimes a family has provided information on several major web sites and sometimes this info is inaccurate. Reason number two is that many genealogical research techniques get recycled over and over and over. You see, this genealogist has limited time. Many a genealogist will discuss the importance of delving into more than names and dates. But, as I look and read, much of what I see are names and dates. I’m the kind of genealogist who likes to learn something new. I like to find a fresh perspective. One of my favorite postings is written by the staff of (surprise!) the U.S. National Archives. It arrives via Facebook. This recent posting on July 21 is a good example. That date would have been Ernest Hemingway’s 116th birthday. He led a life most us can only dream about. He witnessed three wars – the Spanish Civil War, World War I and World War II. He lived in Paris and Cuba. He hunted in Africa and fished in the Caribbean. Little about the family is mentioned. So what could be of interest to a genealogist? The National Archives Facebook article had a wonderful picture of a kitten peeking out from one of Hemingway’s boots. Then it explained where Hemingway’s papers wound up (along with the kitty pictures). The place wasn’t on my top five places of where I would look for the papers of a Nobel Laureate.  History helps tell the tale and the lessons should be of interest to a family historian or genealogist. It seems that Ernest Hemingway lived in Cuba in the late 1940s and 1950s. He eventually moved back to the United States, but many of his belongings were left in his Cuban home. Because of the politics of the day – Fidel Castro coming into power and that nation becoming Communist – retrieving them was not feasible. After Hemingway died in 1961, his wife, Mary, very much wanted to have the belongings returned to the United States. How could this be accomplished? It took an extraordinary act. While many of our ancestors were not the same caliber of individual as Ernest Hemingway, they, too, did extraordinary things. Note should be taken. Mary Hemingway went to the President of the United States, John Kennedy. Although there was a travel ban, he saw to it that arrangements were made for her to go to Cuba to retrieve the writer’s effects. Research lesson for the genealogist:  There are very few absolutes. And there is a paper trail. In 1972, Mary Hemingway deeded the collection to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library. Lesson for the genealogist: Kind acts are often rewarded. Another lesson for the genealogist is that papers and effects can wind up in unusual places. These places might be somewhere the genealogist could never think of immediately. History may play a role in the placement of family artifacts. If I were to surmise where the papers of Ernest Hemingway could be found, my first guesses might be where he died (Idaho), where he attended school and grew up (Chicago), where his early writing evolved in style and depth (Paris), or a favorite residence (Key West). When researching Hemingway, these places should not be overlooked. However, his papers wound up at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Massachusetts – in a place accessible to all, but not necessarily where a genealogist would ever think to look first. The last lesson for the genealogist: Be generous and leave documents where they can be found. With that said, the search to find information isn’t always easy. Hire a genealogist at RecordClick and we will find documents in places around the world where you wouldn't think of looking. We work hard at making your family history complete because it is special. #### A Genealogist in the Wilderness Looks at Fur Trading in the Northern Plains When a genealogist searches for information, one might feel lost in the wilderness. Yet, such genealogy research has led this RecordClick genealogist in directions never imagined. This professional genealogist has been travelling across the northern plains since I was child and I finally stopped at another unusual outpost for the genealogist – the Museum of the Fur Trade-- located three miles east of Chadron, Nebraska on U.S. Highway 20. Founded in the late 1940s, this museum specializes in the era of Plains history that spans from the mid-1700s to mid-1800s. The museum is well known locally. But this genealogist never realized, until now, the scope of its holdings. History and genealogy intersect out here on the Great Plains where trading goods for furs provided products for the U.S., Canadian and European markets. The genealogist will find that the early trappers and traders often were French, Dutch, English or Scottish. These traders and their companies constructed forts and trading posts throughout the Great Plains in their quest to obtain animal hides including beaver pelts from the Native Americans which were made into hats, coats and blankets to be sold throughout the U.S. and around the world. When one thinks of such Great Plains exploration, the historic 1803 Lewis and Clark Expedition might come to mind. Yet, Lewis and Clark were not the first to venture out here. Many other fur trading companies, including the American Fur Company, Hudson’s Bay Company and the North West Company, were formed in the 1700s to trade with the Native Americans. A roster of men who were trading on the Great Plains. John Jacob Astor made a fortune with the American Fur Company. Trappers Jim Bridger, Kit Carson, Manuel Lisa, William Sublette as well as Hugh Glass (of recent movie character fame) earned places in American folklore. The astute genealogist will see and know that this was a business—and a business means records. For the genealogist, this industry is far from a vast wilderness. The Museum of the Fur Trade has exhibits which provide insight into the history of this American industry. Often on display are samples of the goods that were traded, the clothing of different Native American tribes, and the artifacts used by the early residents of the Northern Plains. A genealogist and the visitor are even able to peek into a realistic replica of the trading post established in 1837 by trader James Bordeaux for the American Fur Trade Company. The lucky genealogist may catch an exhibit that includes costumes from  the film The Revenant donated by the makers of the 2016 Oscar-winning film starring Leonard DiCaprio as Trapper Hugh Glass The Museum of the Fur Trade staff served as historical consultants for this period film. For genealogy research, the genealogist and the seeker need to wander off the track and go where the genealogy trappings a best. When searching for genealogy information, a professional genealogist from RecordClick will help you tell your family history and get the details of your ancestry. #### A Genealogist Looks at Abraham Lincoln's Ancestry and Family Tree Sometimes it is good for the genealogist – even this RecordClick genealogist – to get away from the computer keyboard and do some exploring. A couple of weeks ago, I attended the conference of the Federation of Genealogical Societies in Springfield, Illinois. Now this is the Land of Lincoln and I’m sure the local residents have grown weary about the subject of Lincoln. Yet, the places I visited did an excellent job of presenting his life and times. These places remind us that when we visit the places of our ancestor’s lives, we gain an understanding of who they were and what influenced them. The genealogist will find that history books do teach a good deal about Abraham Lincoln--the man. For this genealogist, it was that visit to New Salem, Illinois and a recreated village that comprises an historical park near Springfield that provided for me the insight into this young, poorly educated individual who found a place where he could experiment, fail, discuss, laugh, learn and grow into the adult who changed the course of this nation. So, intrepid genealogist, let’s look at the place. New Salem, Illinois is built on the dream that the Sangamon River could be navigated. It was never a big place and flourished for a bit more than a decade. New Salem’s first highways were rivers.  If a boat could get there, this place provided the potential to support a population. There were approximately one dozen residences – cabins and houses. Then came the businesses that were necessary for the need of the community. There, the genealogist will see depicted, that a cooper constructed barrels, a blacksmith shoed horses, a general store and grist mill supplied cloth, sugar and flour. The school and church shared a building. There was a postmaster - Abraham Lincoln served in this capacity, for a time. When the genealogist looks deeper, one sees the many activities--including a debate society--that had been available. There were also many people who, with their life experience, provided the informal education to Abraham Lincoln and provided him with connections which helped him later in life. By the 1840s, the village of New Salem, Illinois was gone. Why? In part, the limited access from the Sangamon River pushed the residents, including Lincoln, to new places. This hamlet which was less than a half-mile long and it faded away… almost. After Lincoln’s death, people craved to know more about whom he was and what influenced him. So, somehow, New Salem, Illinois never completely vanished. In the early 1900s, William Randolph Hearst lectured in the vicinity. Hearst made a trip to what remained of New Salem and then purchased a sixty-two acre tract. He conveyed this property to the local Chautauqua Association in a trust. Following this, the New Salem property, with additional financing and research, became the accurately restored village that is now an Illinois State Park. The genealogist will find that this state park covers just about everything: who lived in the village, when they came, where they lived, what they did, and when they left. And it also covers: Abraham Lincoln. You, too, can recreate the places of your ancestors—or at least find and learn about them. #### A Genealogist Looks at Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Whose Assassination Began WWI Genealogists love history, mystery and centennials, don’t you? So, a genealogist doing research in Austria-Hungary may note that it is one hundred years since Archduke Franz Ferdinand Crown Prince of Austria-Hungary and his wife Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg were murdered in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914. This is the event that set off the chain of events that began World War I. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife set off the chain of events that began WW1 A hundred years usually means lots to the family history researcher. Lots of new lines on the family tree chart. Lots of genealogical research to be done. To recall this historic event, we genealogy researchers will look briefly at the Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s family history. Royal lineage like this is exciting for the professional genealogist because most of us wish we, too, had royal family members. And we say we’ll look briefly at it because the lineage charts for this family go on and on for centuries back. In many families where one “marries up” or “marries down”, there are uneven and bumpy roads both on the family tree chart and in reality. Genealogists will find that Archduke Franz Ferdinand is no different. He has history, mystery and more. First, his title of Archduke is mysterious. It is below king and above duke. It’s tricky for the genealogist to figure out the whys of this title but let’s just say there was some wrangling with status and inheritance issues throughout this European area that his family ruled.  When a genealogist looks through the history here, he’ll see many emperors, kinds, dukes, princes…and, of course, a bunch of archdukes. The male family members who ruled the Habsburg territory in Austria were the ones who initially bore this title. The inheritance issues in the territories prevented archdukes from having the same status as those descending from the Austrian crown lines, ensuring that some properties remained in the possession of the rulers who were vested in the Austrian crown. Some quick parental facts for the genealogy researcher: Franz Ferdinand's parents were Archduke Karl Ludwig of Austria and his second (of four) wife Princess Maria Annunciata of Bourbon-Two Sicilies. Now about Franz Ferdinand’s sibilings. He was the eldest of four children: Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria (born Franz Ferdinand Karl Ludwig Joseph) (1863–1914). Married morganatically to Sophie Chotek; had issue. Archduke Otto Franz of Austria (1865–1906). Married Maria Josepha of Saxony; had issue including Karl I of Austria. Archduke Ferdinand Karl of Austria (1868–1915). Married morganatically to Bertha Czuber; no issue. Archduchess Margarete Sophie of Austria (1870–1902). Married Albrecht, Duke of Württemberg; had issue. This is always interesting information for the genealogist who may want to add some timeline color and for the genealogical researcher searching  in Austria-Hungary. Here are some events in the life of Archduke of Austria-Este, Franz Ferdinand who descends from the House of Habsburg-Lorraine: Franz Ferdinand first cousin Duke Francis V of Modena died and named Franz Ferdinand as heir on the condition he adds the name “Este” to his own.  This cousin leaves him great wealth. Franz Ferdinand’s first cousin Crown Prince Rudolf commits suicide making way for Franz Ferdinand’s father to ascend and become first in line to the throne. Franz Ferdinand’s father renounces the throne so that his son, our Franz Ferdinand, could be first in line to the throne. Franz Ferdinand is groomed for the throne with military training and more. Franz Ferdinand’s father dies of typhoid fever in 1869. The next mystery to come in the genealogy of Franz Ferdinand is when he meets Countess Sophie Maria Josephine Albina Chotek von Chotkova und Wognin  at a Prague ball in 1894. Though she has some royal relatives, she did not meet the lineage qualifications to marry him. Some quick genealogy researcher facts here: Sophie and Franz Ferdinand had a common ancestor between them, King Rudolph I of Germany. Sophie was related to Albert IV Count of Habsburg and was descended from Elisabeth of Habsburg who was sister of King Rudolph I. Franz Ferdinand was a direct descendent of King Rudolph I. But the Emperor of the region just didn’t think that Sophie was classy enough for Franz Ferdinand and so he fought the marriage. Genealogist mystery: how did the Emperor lose this mini battle? The family tree, of course: powerful relatives lobbied for our Franz Ferdinand's true love. Franz Ferdinand finally receives permission in 1899 from the Emperor Franz Joseph to marry Sophie. BUT the marriage comes with big restrictions.  It is called a “morganatic” marriage, with means there are social restrictions and limited succession rights. Yet, Franz Ferdinand does get his way and marries Sophie in 1900. That’s the history part for the genealogy researcher. However… with this morganatic marriage, a genealogist will find that Sophie didn’t get social or succession rights for herself or her children.  So when they went out in public, Sophie often wasn't allowed to walk side by side with him and, many times, couldn’t even sit with him at formal affairs. Love conquered almost all. Seems they were devoted to one another and loved their children. It is said that Franz Ferdinand after being shot that history-making day in Sarajevo, blurted out to Sophie a request to take care of the children. He was unaware that she, too, had been mortally injured. Love did not conquer all, in this case. But it is a royal challenge for the genealogist and interesting for family history researchers. Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s heirs (note Sophie isn’t listed as having heirs as part of the morganatic marriage restrictions) were: Princess Sophie of Hohenberg (1901–1990), married Count Friedrich von Nostitz-Rieneck (1891–1973) Maximilian, Duke of Hohenberg (1902–1962), married Countess Elisabeth von Waldburg zu Wolfegg und Waldsee (1904–1993 Prince Ernst of Hohenberg (1904–1954), married Marie-Therese Wood (1910–1985) Stillborn son (1908), buried in Artstetten Castle, near Franz Ferdinand. To conclude, for any genealogists looking to go to the European crypt of Franz Ferdinand and Sophie, they are interred in their Artstetten Castle in Austria. Did anyone in your family “marry up”?  Or have to fight for the love of  his or her life?  Contact the professional genealogists at RecordClick and begin to find all the marriages in your family tree. Hire a genealogist at RecordClick and you will be sure to have a clear view of your ancestry with all its mystery and history. #### A Genealogist Looks at Larry David's Family When the family history researcher looks at the relatives of comedian Larry David (b. July 2, 1947), one notices a few things: they had a big spousal age difference, had children within a year of each other and lived in close proximity to other family members. As David’s new Broadway play Fish in the Dark, begins previews, it will be interesting to see if any of the trends in his family tree turn up in the play. In the New York Magazine article from January 26 issue, David’s ex-wife, Laurie, discusses the Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn apartment where Larry and his older brother, Ken, grew up. She notes that there was an aunt next door, a grandmother upstairs, and a cousin who moved in. That was in the 1950s. Many years before that, the relatives were also living in close proximity to one another. Larry Gene David is the son of Rose and Mortimer J. David (b. December 31, 1915, New York, d. June 23, 2009, Boca Raton, Florida) Morty, as he is referred to in interviews, had a sister Gabrielle David Phimister (b November 18, 1914, New York, m. Albert Phimister, d. November 12, 2006, Newburgh, NY). The family history researcher might notice that these siblings were like Irish twins…though not Irish, but born very close to each other. When the family history researcher digs a little deeper, one sees from the 1920 census that Morty’s father was Frederick Gebhard David (b June 5,1883 NY, d. November 11, 1966 NY). In the 1920 census, Frederick Gebhard David was age 35 and his wife, Carrie H. David (most likely b. June 1, 1893, NY, d. July 19, 1864, Yonkers, NY ) was age 26, the family history researcher will see. Hmmmmm. the genealogist will surmise that this is a big age difference for those days. If we keep looking backwards, the family history researcher can find that Larry David’s grandfather Frederick Gebhard David comes from a family with the same things: great spousal age difference, children born very close in age, and, maybe, late marriages. Larry’s grandfather Frederick Gebhard David’s father Julius David was born in Germany and his mother Henrietta Bernstein David was born in Alabama. In the census of 1900, great grandfather Julius had four children and if the family history researcher isn’t careful, one might think some were twins. But if the family history researcher is doing his or her job correctly, he or she will see that this is another instance of that Irish twin thing--children born very close in time. Let’s look closer. In the census of 1900, the family history researcher will find that the Davids were in Brooklyn’s Ward 30. The household consisted of: Julius David 42                            commercial transportation Henrietta David 43 Jerome J. David 17                      office boy, manuf Frederick David 16                      office boy Berthold David 16                        office boy Herbert David 6                           at school There is Julius David (b. around 1858, Germany). There is his wife Henrietta David (b. September 1856, Alabama, m. 1881). The family history researcher will note that the census says Henrietta had been born in Alabama. If the genealogist notices, Henrietta is slightly older than her husband. Larry David’s great grandfather Julius was born in Germany and in 1900 had been in America for 40 years, according to this census. This means he would have come to America in 1860. A look at his naturalization papers and his ship records will reveal correct dates as well as the place of origin including the town he is from in Germany. Larry David’s great grandmother was born in Alabama, but the census reveals that both his great grandmother and his great grandfather had parents who had been born in Germany. This will be an interesting search for the family history researcher because the records of Jews in Alabama are likely vivid and will reveal more information. A family history researcher doing additional work may likely find good records on the German ancestry because the German genealogy records are often quite complete. Looking at the siblings, Frederick and Berthold are listed as the same age. But when the family history researcher looks closer, the birthdates on the census records reveal the following birthdates that show that the siblings were not exactly twins: Jerome J. David June 1882 Frederick David June 1883 Berthold David May 1884 Herbert David July 1893 In the 1900 census, the family history researcher will also notice that on the lines surrounding the David family, there are others who hailed from Alabama. This is a clue for the genealogist that extended family members may have been living nearby. So let’s take another closer look. In the 1900 census, on the line above Julius David is Jacob Bernstein (b. 1867) who is listed as age 33. He is working in hat manufacturing and was from Alabama.  His parents were from Germany. When the family history researcher looks on the lines above, you can see Larry David’s great grandfather’s uncle is living with another person from Alabama, who might just be another sister. We can put together that Henrietta David is one sister and the other sister may be Minetta Ochs (b. Sept 1870, d. March 17, 1931 Queens) Minetta is age 29 and was married in 1890 to David Ochs (b. November 1856) who the family researcher can see at the time of this census is age 43. Now there is another big spousal age difference. This is who is living in the residence: David Ochs age 43                       Germany Minetta Ochs age 29                   Alabama Bertrum age 9                              December 1890 Bertha age 8                                 April 1892 Hortense age 9 mos                    Sept 1899 Jacob Bernstein age 33              April 1867, Alabama So in 1900, the aunts, uncles and cousins were living nearby in close proximity to Henrietta David, Larry David’s great grandmother. A great uncle was 33 and does not appear to be married yet. But there is even another surprise! When the family history researcher looks at the 1930 census, David Ochs is a clerk for the city of New York, Minetta Ochs is a housewife and Hortense, the baby of the family is now age 29, living at home and is a sales lady in a store. Well, well, well, the family history researcher has become even more curious. Age 29 and living at home…we search for Hortense and see that she was married to a David Pfaelzer on November 23, 1919. In the 1930 census, David Pfaelzer is listed as Divorced. On November 1, 1933, Hortense marries Morris Cohen )B. 1895, d. Feb 7, 1956). He is age 45 and she is age 40. The children listed in the 1940 census are Stanley age 24 Miriam age 18 This family history researcher thinks it looks like Hortense had a child at age 16 with her first husband, got divorced and then either had more or blended the family. That’s because this genealogist found that Mimi, Fred and Stanley are listed as their children in Morris Cohen’s obituary of 1956. Think we’ve gone far afield?  Nope. That is what happens when a family history researcher gets going. We find trends in families, similarities in generations and oddities among relatives. In the family of Larry David, it looks like he has drawn on generational issues when he writes and performs. This family history researcher has found proof! When you hire a genealogist from RecordClick, you’ll get the best from the family history researcher.  You’ll find relatives and trends and the many branches of your family tree. #### A Genealogist Looks at Religions of the American Presidents and Their Wives--Part 2 In February, this RecordClick genealogist tied together two seemingly unrelated holidays --Valentine’s Day on February 14 and Presidents Day on February 16--with a bit of trivia. Three U.S. Presidents have married while in office: John Tyler, 1841-1845, married for the second time, Julia Gardiner in 1844. Grover Cleveland, 1885-1889 and 1893-1897, Frances Folsom in 1886. Woodrow Wilson, 1913-1921, married for the second time, Edith Bolling Galt in 1915. By following the religious beliefs of the Presidents of the United States and their wives, a genealogist can get a glimpse of how this country is evolving. In the early days, Anglican/Episcopal was a major denomination. During the 1800s, Presbyterian and Methodist became more popular. What, this genealogist asks, has happened? The genealogist needs to look at various aspects – such as religion – of each generation when doing genealogy research. The family history researcher will often note that the location and availability of a church and denomination may play a role in the history of a family. The Episcopal Church has its roots in the Anglican Church and Church of England. The Presbyterians trace their beginnings back to Scotsman John Knox.  For the Methodist Church, John Wesley and, to a degree, his brother Charles charted the course. This genealogist began my list of the religions of the Presidents and the First Ladies last week. Now, to conclude: Andrew Johnson: 1865-1869; b. 1808; d. 1875; No specific religious affiliations although he received Masonic honors at his funeral.; Elizabeth McCardle: 1810; d. 1876; Methodist. Ulysses S. Grant: 1869-1877; b. 1822; d. 1885; Presbyterian/Methodist; Julia Dent: 1826; d. 1902; Methodist. Rutherford B. Hayes: 1877-1881; b. 1822; d. 1893; Methodist; Lucy Ware Webb: 1831; d. 1889; Her funeral was held at a Methodist Episcopal Church. James Garfield: 1881-1881; b. 1831; d. 1881; Disciples of Christ; Lucretia Rudolph: 1859; d. 1918; She had an Episcopalian funeral. Chester A. Arthur: 1881-1885; b. 1829; d. 1886; Episcopalian; Ellen Lewis Herndon: 1837; d. 1880; She died before her husband took office. Her funeral was at Church of the Heavenly Rest Episcopal Church in New York City. Grover Cleveland: 1885-1889 and 1893-1897; b. 1837; d. 1908; Presbyterian; Frances Folsom: 1864; d. 1947; married, 1886; Presbyterian. Benjamin Harrison: 1889-1893; b. 1833; d. 1901; Presbyterian; Caroline Lavinia Scott: 1832; d. 1892; Presbyterian. President Harrison married a second time in 1896 at Christ Church in Indianapolis, Indiana, Mary Scott Lord Dimmick; b. 1858; d. 1948. William McKinley: 1897-1901; b. 1843; d. 1901; Methodist; Ida Saxton: 1847; d. 1907; Methodist. Theodore Roosevelt: 1901-1909; b. 1858; d. 1919; Dutch Reformed / Episcopalian; Alice Hathaway Lee: 1861; d. 1884; m1. 1880; Presbyterian; Edith Kermit Carow: b. 1861; d. 1948; m2. 1886. The couple was married at St. George’s Church in London. William Howard Taft: 1909-1913; b. 1857; d. 1930; Unitarian; Helen Herron: 1861; d. 1943; Episcopal. Woodrow Wilson: 1913-1921; b. 1856; d. 1924; Presbyterian; Ellen Louise Axon: 1860; d. 1914; m1. 1885; Presbyterian; Edith Bolling Galt: b. 1872; d. 1961; m2. 1915; Episcopal. Warren G. Harding: 1921-1923; b. 1865; d. 1923; Baptist; Florence Kling DeWolfe: 1860; d. 1924; Methodist Episcopal and Baptist. Calvin Coolidge: 1923-1929; b. 1872; d. 1933; Congregational; Grace Anna Goodhue: 1879; d. 1957; Congregational. Herbert Hoover: 1929-1933; b. 1874; d. 1964; Quaker; Lou Henry: 1875; d. 1944. Her funeral was from St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in New York City. As a sidelight, even though a Quaker, Herbert Hoover’s favorite hymn, “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”, was played at his funeral. Franklin Delano Roosevelt: 1933-1945; b. 1882; d. 1945; Episcopalian; Eleanor Roosevelt: 1884; d. 1962; Episcopal. Harry S. Truman: 1945-1953; b. 1884; d. 1972; Baptist; Bess Wallace: 1885; d. 1982; Episcopal. Dwight D. Eisenhower: 1953-1961; b. 1890; d. 1969; In his youth he had ties to Mennonites, later Presbyterian; Mamie Geneva Doud: 1896; d. 1979; Presbyterian. John F. Kennedy: 1961-1963; b. 1917; d. 1963; Catholic; Jacqueline Lee Bouvier: 1929; d. 1994; Catholic. Lyndon B. Johnson: 1963-1969; b. 1908; d. 1973; Disciples of Christ; Claudia Alta Taylor: 1912; d. 2007; Baptized Methodist, later attended Episcopal and Disciple of Christ services. Richard M. Nixon: 1969-1974; b. 1913; d. 1994; Quaker; Thelma Catherine “Pat” Ryan: 1912; d. 1993; No affiliation. Her father was Catholic and her mother Christian Scientist. Evangelist Billy Graham, a friend of the Nixon’s, spoke at both funerals. Gerald R. Ford: 1974-1977; b. 1913; d. 2006; Episcopalian; Elizabeth “Betty” Bloomer Warren: 1918; d. 2011; Episcopalian. Jimmy Carter: 1977-1981; b. 1924; Baptist; Rosalynn Smith: 1928; Raised Methodist, became Baptist. Ronald Regan: 1981-1989; b. 1911; d. 2004; Presbyterian; Nancy Davis: 1921; Presbyterian. George H.W. Bush: 1989-1993; b. 1924; Episcopalian; Barbara Pierce: 1925; Episcopalian. Bill Clinton: 1993-2001; b. 1946; Baptist/Methodist; Hillary Rodham: 1947; Methodist. George W. Bush: 2001-2009; b. 1946; Episcopalian/Methodist; Laura Welch: 1946; Methodist. Barack Obama: 2009-; b. 1961; Protestant; Michelle LaVaughn Robinson: 1964; Protestant. A genealogist knows that families are like puzzles with many different pieces and parts. Religion is one of those parts in the work mix of the family history researcher. When you hire a professional genealogist from RecordClick, you get a clear picture of your family. Our family history researchers access many records that are not available online and we use a data bases that capture more genealogical information than can be found by just anyone. #### A Genealogist Looks at the Burnett Family Genealogy: Sources & Tales of Carol Burnett In recent blogs, this RecordClick genealogy researcher has attempted to explain these two questions: What is a source? Why are primary sources are important? Yet, what better way to answer these questions than to cite an example? Our RecordClick genealogy researcher has located the 1930 Census with Carol Burnett in it. In doing so, this genealogy researcher is going to break one of my own rules. I am not listing precise sources to protect the guilty. I am, however, going to borrow comedienne Carol Burnett’s family for just a bit. This genealogy researcher is not going to pass judgement on what has been posted online, but I am going to interject a few questions. My premise is going to be from information on Carol Burnett’s birth certificate and the 1940 U.S. Census. Common knowledge is that CarolBurnett was born in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas. According to the image of her birth certificate found on FamilySearch (Texas Birth Certificates 1903-1935), she was born April 26, 1933. Her father is listed as Joseph Thomas Burnett age 26 of 3301 West Congress St.  He was an insurance salesman, born in Belton, TX. Her mother is listed at Ina Louise Melton, age 22, of the same address, born in Bellville, Arkansas. Carol is found in the 1940 U.S. Census in San Antonio, Bexar County, TX; ED 259-55; Sheet 7-B; Household 163 located at 3301 W. Houston; Lines 52-54: 52           Jones, Dora        Head     82           b. Arkansas         Lived in the same house 5 yrs. Previous 53           White, Mae        Dau        54           b. Arkansas         Lived in Santa Monica, CA 5 yrs. Previous 54           Burnett, Carroll Ggrandd  7          b. Texas               Lived in Santa Monica, CA 5 yrs. Previous The information found by this genealogy researcher included in an online family tree for Carol Burnett: Sources: 1940 U.S. Census An internet web site family tree Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997 S. Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Vol. 2 In information relating to Carol’s mother, Ina, her parents are listed as William Rufus Creighton (1878-1951) and Mabel Eudora “Mae” Jones (1885-1967). A timeline was given for Ina: 1911 – Born in Arkansas 1920 – Living in San Antonio, listed as a granddaughter in a household 1924 – Married Joseph Burnett, San Antonio, Texas 1933 – Birth of daughter 1951 – Death of father in Drew, Arkansas 1954 – Death of husband in Los Angeles 1958 – Her death in Los Angeles Now, genealogists, first of all, the only primary source document listed is the 1940 Census. Carol Burnett’s birth certificate, also a primary source document, is online at FamilySearch. Indexes should be considered secondary resources. An internet web site family tree is a tool – not a source. In the time line, genealogy researcher, what is the first indication that there may be some issues? Wouldn’t the astute genealogist question Ina’s 1924 marriage, especially if she were born in 1911? No marriage record for Joseph and Ina is listed as a source of information. A quick 1930 census search found no listings for a Joe or Joseph Burnett married to Ina in Texas. The next question has to do with the 1920 entry. The 1920 U.S. Census is not listed as a source. I found an 8-year-old Ina listed as a granddaughter in a household in San Antonio that fits with the information provided online. The family is listed in San Antonio; ED45; Sheet x-21B; dwelling 316; family 338;  lines 63-68: 63                 Janes,FerdinandHead     65           Married                Ark         TN          TN 64                 Flora                      Wife      63           Married                Ark         SC           SC 65                 Mary E.                 Dau        30           Widow                  Ark         Ark         Ark 66                 Lester L.                Son        24           Single                    Ark         Ark         Ark 67                 CreigtonMary E. Jr.Gdau  13           Single                    Ark         PA          Ark 68                 Ina L.                     Gdau     8              Single                    Ark         PA          Ark Sometimes, enumerators are gracious to the genealogy researcher. In this case, a genealogist may surmise that Mary E. Jr. is the daughter of Mary E. and that Ina L. is her sister. Mary E. is listed as a widow, which doesn’t fit with the timeline listing the death of Ina’s father in Los Angeles in 1951. The fact that the married name of Mary E., 30, widow, isn’t listed should also raise a genealogical eyebrow or two. In the 1920 census, Ina’s grandmother is Flora. In 1940, her grandmother is listed as Dora. Who is and what happened to Ina’s older sister, Mary? There could be some clues there. Finally, genealogy researcher, let’s go back to Carol Burnett’s birth certificate. Now, let’s ask: who was Ina Melton? I did find an Ina Melton in the 1930 census that somewhat fits the description of Carol’s mother. She was 19, married to Ollie Melton with a son Roy and was living in Rains County, Texas. Rains County is not far from Arkansas, but up the road apiece from San Antonio. Could there be a connection? What happened to the Ollie Melton family? How did Carol Burnett’s parents meet? Carol Burnett has said she had a mixed-up family. At this point, I have to agree with her. The genealogy researcher will note that more questions need to be asked. More primary source records need to be found by astute genealogists. When you hire a genealogist from RecordClick, you’ll find that we are good at asking the right questions. The RecordClick genealogist will get the best family history information for your ancestry search. We regularly work with complicated families and help you understand the simple, complex and unique situations of your family tree. #### A Genealogist Looks At  Maureen O’Hara and Her Luck o’ the Irish ‘Tis that time o’ year when this genealogist and everyone else is just a wee bit Irish. This RecordClick genealogist sometimes wishes she were a bit more than she is. Ah, well.  The Irish have a certain free spirit about them not found anywhere else. They’ll sip a pint in the neighborhood pub and raise their voices in a rousing song. The ancient land survives what the ocean serves up – from Dublin to the Cliffs of Moher and Cork in the south to Londonderry in the north. This is the land that actress Maureen O’Hara grew up in. This is the place that gave her the aspirations that took her around the world. Most any genealogist is often get set in our ways: Names and dates. Check the census. Birth, death and marriage records. Baptisms and burials. But sometimes, yes, sometimes, there is a special day that changes a life forever. For genealogy researchers, it may be worth taking a little bit of extra time to find out about that day. It can be a wedding or the birth of a child. Perhaps it is a graduation. Sometimes, it is the death of a friend or loved one. Or, it could be a day something special happened. Possibly, for Maureen O’Hara, a special day could have been Monday, June 19, 1939. A great deal has been written about Maureen O’Hara. During the course of her acting career, she has rarely shied away from publicity. That could be the Irish audacity in her. For the genealogist, she was born near Dublin in 1920, the daughter of Charles and Marguerita FitzSimons. The second of six children, she took up acting at an early age, first in Dublin and then in London. While in London, Maureen FitzSimons was noticed by legendary actor Charles Laughton. He opened some doors for her, suggested the name change to Maureen O’Hara, and her career took flight. That year was 1939. Maureen O’Hara is credited with two films that year. The first was an Alfred Hitchcock movie Jamaica Inn, released in October. The second was The Hunchback of Notre Dame, with Laughton. It was released in late December. This was a busy time for studio actors with a good number, including O’Hara, doing two or three films a year.  In the following years, O’Hara acted in a number of motion pictures including How Green Was My Valley and with a variety of leading men including James Stewart and Tyron Power. Then, in 1952, The Quiet Man, set in Ireland, coupled O’Hara and John Wayne. It was a special match with O’Hara and her auburn hair going toe to toe with Wayne. Watching it is a good way to spend a couple of hours on St. Patrick’s Day. Looking far afield, the genealogist can find some interesting luck (and documents!) “But what about 1939?” asks a genealogy researcher. When this genealogist checks  passenger lists, I find that it shows that on June 19 the Cunard Line’s Queen Mary arrived from Southampton at Pier 90, West 50th Street at 8 a.m. The Queen Mary was built in 1936 and was known for her speed plying the waters between England, Cherbourg, France, and New York City. She was new and she was special. On that day in June, this genealogist notes that two of her passengers were: FitzSimons, Marguerita, 41, a housewife from Dublin, Ireland. FitzSimons, Maureen, 18, an actress from Dublin, Ireland. The Brooklyn Eagle ship’s reporter, Frank Reil, listed well known passengers onboard ships for June 19: Venezuela’s only female aviator, Mary Caleano, arrived on the Santa Rosa. Other notable passengers included dancer Evelyn Gresham, Ambassador Bullitt, golfer Dick Chapman and French author Jean Pierre Le Mee. There was no mention of an up-and-coming young actress from Ireland by the name of Maureen FitzSimmons. This genealogist has found the weather for that time. The sky was cloudy with showers. Temperatures were warming with spring turning into summer. New York City was a bustling place as the mother and daughter stepped off that ship to start a lifetime adventure. Every family has stories to tell. There are triumphs and tragedies, family traditions and mysteries. When you hire a genealogist at RecordClick, we help you write your family’s story. Our genealogy researchers do the research and make sure the facts are documented and accurate. RecordClick has researchers in England who will access records from the British Isles – including Ireland—for you and your family. #### A Genealogist Looks Beyond the Usual This RecordClick genealogist delights in finding nuggets or even treasure troves of information in odd places. As a comedian once said, “You never know…” So, this genealogist has to say that the Quarterly Journal of Economics was never on my top ten list. I didn’t even know there was such a publication. And I definitely didn’t expect to find a biography in it. But there it was-- in the January 1887 (Vol. 1 No. 2) issue. My last genealogy research blog was about unions. In that blog, I included a bit of the history of unions in the United States and I included some suggestions for the genealogist for using union records in ancestry research. In my research for that blog, I found that one of the first unions was the Noble and Holy Order of the Knights of Labor and that its founding fathers were Uriah S. Stephens. He served from 1869 to 1879 as the first Grand Master Workman of the organization. In that Quarterly Journal of Economics from January 1887 (Vol. 1 No. 2. pages 139-140), the article by author, Carroll D. Wright was about the union and then covered the background of Uriah S. Stephens. The logo from a professional journal that a genealogist used for the ancestry search. An excerpt includes: Stephens was born August 3, 1821 in Cape May County, New Jersey. His grandfather on his father’s side having fallen in one of the battles of the Revolution. The maternal side, also among the earliest settlers of the county, were Quakers… His parents, who were Baptists, intended him for the ministry… but in the great panic and depression which swept over this country from 1836 to 1840, the family suffered reverses, and young Stephens was indentured as an apprentice, to learn a trade and acquire knowledge of the mercantile business… In 1845, he removed to Philadelphia where he resided most of the time during his life…” This genealogist checked the basic genealogical information by taking a look at the related census records. In the 1880 U.S. census, Uriah is listed as living at 2347 east side of Coral Street. The family: Uriah S. 59          Shoe cutter        NJ           NJ           NJ Mary A. 58          Wife                     NJ           NJ           NJ Mary E. 31           Daughter             PA          NJ           NJ George W. 28     Son                        PA          NJ           NJ Ellie E. 19            Daughter             PA          NJ           NJ Carrie P. 16         Daughter             PA          NJ           NJ Uriah’s occupation isn’t listed in the 1870 census. In both 1850 and 1860, he was listed as a tailor and he is listed as a tailor on his death certificate. The neighborhood the Stephens family lived in had many craftsmen – a blacksmith, wheelwright, piano maker, lamp maker, cabinetmaker and silversmith. Unions and economics have a lot to do with each other and all of these are occupations that most likely were receptive to the union movement. For a genealogist, these historical details are always a welcome surprise. One other item of note: the article, although considered a secondary source, was from an 1887 issue of the publication and was written close to the time when Uriah Stephens was living. There may be inaccuracies, but this genealogist respects this source as a well-researched, scholarly work. There are many professional journals. Even though most deal with topics that aren’t regular sources for the genealogist, these journals must be considered as potential good sources for ancestry information. This genealogist located the Quarterly Journal of Economics article on a website called JSTOR, which is identified as a “digital library of academic journals, books and primary resources and includes archival collections containing back issues of more than 1,500 scholarly journals across 50 disciplines.” Journals. Professional records. All of these are off-the-beaten-track sources. The creative genealogist will always find new ways to stay open to learning something new. The genealogist takes the time and is open to new places--whether or not it appears at first to be related to the genealogy search. When you hire a genealogist at RecordClick, we help you learn more about your ancestors from all types of sources and we always find wonderful and unique elements of your family’s history. #### A Genealogist Looks for A Real Character and Finds Maurice Barrymore: Their Family Tree The genealogist knows that every family seems to have one. When you do the genealogy research, you find that some families are littered with them. They cause the genealogy researcher frustration and fun. Who is this THEY? They are the “characters” in the Barrymore family tree. Sometimes it may be a direct line – a grandparent. More often, though, it is an uncle or cousin who left home on some type of adventure. As time passes the genealogist will find that the facts may get a bit hazy, and then the family history story is that the uncle went west in search of gold or took off on a whaling ship sailing whatever sea there was to be sailed. They looked and lived a life outside the box. This leads me to a group of people who are generally known for being outside the box – actors. If a genealogist has an actor ancestor, it means names can be changed, unusual lifestyles, and stories may be embellished. Most every genealogist will recognize one of the oldest acting families in the United States: The Barrymores. They date back five generations – give or take. In the first half of the twentieth century, siblings Lionel, Ethel and John were an acting dynasty. Their parents were Maurice Barrymore and Georgiana Drew: Maurice Barrymore, b. 21 Sep. 1848 in India; d. 26 Mar. 1905 in NY; buried in Philadelphia; m. 31  Dec. 1876 in Philadelphia Georgina Emma Drew, b. 21 May 1856 in Philadelphia; d. 12 July 1893 in California; buried in Philadelphia. Their children: Lionel Barrymore, b. 28 Apr. 1878 in Philadelphia; d. 15 Nov. 1954 in California. Ethel Barrymore, b. 15 Aug. 1879 in Philadelphia; d. 18 June 1959 in California. John Barrymore, b. 15 Feb. 1882 in Philadelphia; d. 29 May 1942 in California. Georgina was from an acting family and first appeared on stage when she was small. Less is known about Maurice, but when he came to the United States from England he was a thespian. It is the search for Maurice that is interesting to this genealogist. The genealogy research has an added twist for a family history researcher when there are name changes and spelling variations. Maurice Barrymore began life neither as Maurice nor Barrymore. He was Herbert Arthur Blythe – with or without the “e”. In the 1880 U.S. Census, the genealogy researcher will find that the family was living at 15 East 16th Street in Manhattan, New York City: Barrimore, Morris 28           Actor                    India     England               England Georgia                    23           At Home              Penn     England                England Lyonel                        2                                          Penn     India                      Penn Ethel                       6/12                                        Penn     India                      Penn Georgia had roots in the Philadelphia area. She was married there. Her children were born there. She and Maurice are buried there. Although it is not known exactly how the couple met, according to Philadelphia marriage records, Maurice Herbert Blyth, 27, of New York and Georgina (also known as Georgiana and Georgie) Emma Drew, 21, of Philadelphia were married in her mother’s house at 119 No. 9th Ave on December 31, 1876. One of the hazards for the genealogy researcher is that one may easily get sidetracked. As impressive as the Barrymore family is, Georgiana’s family is notable as well. Her mother, Louisa Lane Drew made her acting debut with Junius Brutus Booth and was the manager of the Arch Street Theater in Philadelphia for over 30 years. This historic stage family has interesting naming and property stories. In the 1870 U.S. Census, the Drew family’s real estate was valued at $20,000 and their personal estate was estimated at $10,000. The Drew family in the 1870 U.S. Census: Drew, Louisa 50            Manager Arch. St. Theater            England Louisa              18           At home                                              New York John W.           16           At home                                              Pennsylvania Georgianna     14           At home                                              Pennsylvania Although Maurice Barrymore seemed to be making a good living in the theater, he looks to this genealogy researcher like he married well. Maurice was probably bitten by the acting bug in England. The earliest newspaper record found for him by this professional genealogist, checking both Barrymore and Blyth(e), was in the spring of 1875 in Boston. It looks like he did some traveling that year. In July of 1875, a San Francisco newspaper listed M.H. Barrymore and John Drew as passengers on a train bound for California. That fall, Maurice was added to the acting company at The Fifth Avenue Theatre in New York City. Amongst the other troupe members was Edwin Booth. Actors and performers are noted for having to pay their dues in the profession – working from minor parts to leading roles. Maurice seems to have had higher billing upon his arrival. There is more the genealogy researcher may want to find out. How did Maurice get interested in the theater? When exactly did he change his name? Why did he select Barrymore? When the genealogy researcher searches for immigration records, things may take a different tact. Often we genealogists assume our ancestors found accommodations in steerage. This genealogy researcher found that Maurice could afford better. Then, this genealogist has more questions: Who were his parents and siblings? What happened to them? Did he ever make any trips to visit them? When you have questions about your family history and your ancestors, contact a professional genealogist at RecordClick. Our genealogists for hire will help you find the answers. RecordClick genealogy researchers have access to resources worldwide. We will get answers for you and get all the information back in the genealogy box. #### A Genealogist May Find Roots in the Routes of the Railroad This RecordClick genealogist appreciates the role that the railroads have played in settlement of our great nation. As a family history researcher, I treasure where trains took our ancestors both geographically and financially. Since everyone likes a fast trip back in time and the actual records of train routes may be out there for everyone to find, let’s look at a bit of railroad history. As far as this genealogist can see, water was the fastest way to get around for our ancestors during the colonial days. The drawback was--location. The rivers were not necessarily the most direct route. The construction of canals provided better inland access but they were slow and still were limited in access for patrons. Conceived in Europe, trains became an almost instant success upon their arrival in the United States in the 1820s. In one hour, a train could cover the distance that a horse took an entire day to go. Here is a bit of a timeline: 1826 – The first steam locomotive was tested in the United States. 1827 – The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was founded. 1830 – The South Carolina Canal and Railroad Co. was the first railroad to haul a revenue train with the goal of creating income. 1840 – The states east of the Mississippi have over 2,800 miles of track. 1850 – Over 9,000 miles of track had been laid east of the Mississippi. There were, however, some drawbacks. Track width was not standardized and there were many unsafe practices in the construction and operation of the railroads. 1861 – The Civil War demonstrated that railroads were a good way to move men and material. 1862 – Construction of the continental railroad began. 1869 – Construction of the continental railroad was completed. Like a spine running across the center of the United States from east to west, it encouraged more railroad building. 1880s – Track width became standardized. 1890s – The United States had over 163,000 miles of track. 1916 – The amount of railroad track topped out at 254,037 miles. The construction and operation of railroads provided employment, travel opportunities and benefitted the shipment of goods. Genealogist, do note that these benefits all had the possibility of creating additional records for the family researcher. Our RecordClick genealogist has found a train station that has meaning for her genealogical work. In total, there were hundreds of large and small railroad companies at one time or another. There were companies such as the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, the Pennsylvania Railroad and the Union Pacific that were major players in the industry. There were small firms as well – Dansville & Mount Morris, Genesee & Wyoming, Oregon Short Line, Eric Lackawanna and the Erie and Kalamazoo Railroad. The first thing the genealogist should do is to find old maps and histories of the areas where the ancestors lived. Railroads helped numerous towns leave a mark on an area. Through the 1930s, maps frequently showed and named railroads and railroad right-of-ways. Local newspapers regularly carried railroad information – schedules, when trains were late and advertisements. Some newspapers would print names or pictures of people arriving or leaving the station. The papers also carried stories of railroad accidents – and there were many. Find out what railroads the families used. Then find out a little of the history of the railroad. Who owned it? Where were the headquarters? How big was the depot in the town? How long did it serve the town? What happened to the railroad? Was it purchased by another line or did it just cease operation? The genealogical researcher should next think out of the genealogy box. Try a new info route! There are a lot of railroad enthusiasts around posting pictures of abandoned railroad right-of-ways, bridges, railroad engines and cars. Don’t forget the numerous railroad historical societies and museums. There may even be information at the local museum. Use a search engine to see what might be found. Three online places (among the many) that might be helpful: Abandoned Railroads In addition to pictures, it has a good list of railroads and track that have been abandoned. Library of Congress,  The Library of Congress has a large online map collection including a large number of railroad maps from the Civil War. Railroad information can be found in the historical newspaper collection. Internet Archives,  A number of railroad histories are available online. If you prefer to be on time with information and stick to a very efficient schedule, hire a professional genealogist from RecordClick. Our family history researchers will find new information for you and track your ancestors’ routes well. #### A Genealogist Mixes It Up With Presidents, Their Spouses and Religions This professional genealogist knows that President’s Day is coming up. It’s an interesting holiday that was created by an act of Congress in 1971 in a move to have some extended holiday weekends. An article, Why Presidents’ Day is Slightly Strange in the Washington Post sums up the situation: There is no universal agreement on the name of the holiday. There is no universal agreement on which presidents are being honored. There is no agreement on the use of an apostrophe in “presidents”. So, in honor of this holiday, this RecordClick genealogist thought it might be interesting to take a look at past presidents – and their wives. For a family history researcher, a president is much like every member of a family tree: No two individuals are the same. A couple is made up of more than one individual. Anyone who takes the wife for granted is missing an important part of a relationship. For a bit of a twist, I’m adding the religions of each spouse. As every genealogist knows, the role of religion in the family dynamic can be revealing. For many people, religion is a journey that includes: Spirituality, a search of one’s beliefs of self and place in the world. Service to others. Socialization, worshiping and sharing with like-minded individuals. The genealogy researcher will see that a religious journey may include some twists and turns that influence and change a person’s life. Not so very long ago, former President Jimmy Carter broke with the Southern Baptists, the religious denomination in which he grew up. This change had a major impact on his life. The religious journey for his wife former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, however, was a bit different than his was. A genealogist has to keep in mind that, no matter what the beliefs or laws of an historical era were, many wives in the First Couple were unique individuals who were not an extension of their husband. When it comes to these First Couples’ religious beliefs, sometimes the both the President and his wife were raised in the same denomination. When the two people were of different religions, sometimes the President had stronger spiritual leanings. In other situations, the Presidential family went with the First Lady’s beliefs. Throw into the mix that religious denominations have changed over the years and what we think and believe now may or may not be what we thought or believed in the past. The genealogist may find Information on the Presidents on a number of websites. For the genealogist, the National First Ladies Library in Canton, Ohio, and its website is an excellent source of background material on our Presidents’ wives. Information for the genealogist here includes: President, term in office, birth year, death year, religious affiliation; President’s wife, birth year, death year, religious affiliation. Here are some quick finds by this genealogist: George Washington: 1789-1797; b. 1732; d. 1799; Episcopalian, which is closely related to the Church of England/Anglican; Martha Dandrige Custis: b. 1732; d. 1802; Church of England. John Adams: 1797-1801; b. 1735; d. 1826; Unitarian/Congregationalist; Abigail Smith: b. 1744; d. 1818; Congregational. Her father was a Congregational minister. Thomas Jefferson: 1801-1809; b. 1743; d. 1826; Although raised Anglican, as an adult, he had no specific religious affiliation; Martha Wayles Skelton: b. 1748; d. 1782; Church of England. Martha died before her husband Thomas took office. James Madison: 1809-1817; b. 1751; d. 1836; Deism/Episcopalian; Dorothy “Dolley” Payne Todd: b. 1768; d. 1849. She was born into a Quaker family, but as an adult became Episcopalian. James Monroe: 1817-1825; b. 1758; d. 1831; Episcopalian/Deism; Elizabeth “Eliza” Kortright: b. 1768; d. 1830. She was born into a Dutch family – Dutch Reformed. She was married in an Episcopalian service. John Quincy Adams: 1825-1829; b. 1767; d. 1848; Unitarian; Louisa Catherine Johnson: b. 1775; d. 1852. Among other things, her father was a merchant and the family spent time in Europe. When in France, she attended Catholic services; England, Anglican. She was baptized Episcopalian. Andrew Jackson: 1829-1837; b. 1767; d. 1845; Presbyterian; Rachel Donelson Robards: b. 1767; d. 1828; Presbyterian. Rachel died before her husband Andrew took office. Martin VanBuren: 1837-1841; b. 1782; d. 1862; Dutch Reformed; Hannah Hoes: b. 1788; d. 1819; Dutch Reformed, later Presbyterian. Hannah died before her husband Martin became president, so, technically, she was never first lady. William Henry Harrison: 1841-1841; b. 1773; d. 1841; Episcopalian; Anna Symmes: b. 1775; d. 1864; Presbyterian. John Tyler: 1841-1845; b. 1790; d. 1862; Episcopalian; Letitia Christian: m. 1813; b. 1790; d. 1842; Episcopalian; Julia Gardiner: m. 1844; b. 1820; d. 1889; Catholic. James K. Polk: 1845-1849; b. 1795; d. 1849; Methodist/Presbyterian; Sarah Childress: b. 1803; d. 1891; Presbyterian. Zachary Taylor: 1849-1850; b. 1784; d. 1850; Episcopalian; Margaret Smith: b. 1788; d. 1852; Episcopalian. Millard Fillmore: 1850-1853; b. 1800; d. 1874; Unitarian; Abigail Powers: m. 1826; b. 1798; d. 1853. Abigail was the daughter of Baptist minister, Rev. Lemuel Powers. Married by an Episcopalian minister, she later joined the Unitarian Church; Caroline Carmichael McIntosh: m. 1859; b. 1813; d. 1881. Franklin Pierce: 1853-1857; b. 1804; d. 1869; Episcopalian; Jane Appleton Pierce: b. 1806; d. 1863; Congregational. Jane’s father was a Congregational minister. Abraham Lincoln: 1861-1865; b. 1809; d. 1865; No affiliation; Mary Todd: b. 1818; d. 1882; Presbyterian with spiritualism leanings. And this genealogist could go on...but I’ll take a break…and prepare for the upcoming Presidents Weekend... A genealogist may need to look a bit further when delving into the religious background of a family. Some denominations keep good baptism, confirmation, marriage, burial and membership records. Other faiths have different priorities and beliefs. When you hire a genealogist at RecordClick, you will get a professional genealogy researcher who will help you find amazing details. Our genealogical researchers are knowledgeable about religions, records and so much more. If you need more than a prayer to help you, contact us. #### A Genealogist Mourning For Lost Archived Military Records Burned In 1973 St Louis Fire Mention the lost military records of July 1973 to a genealogist, he/she will most likely gasp for air and start shaking their head in dismay. Sometimes records in archives are destroyed by fire. Our RecordClick professional genealogist uncovers some additional ways to find ancestry details that may help in the case of 1973's losses of military records. Stop mourning! Start looking at Morning Reports! When this professional genealogist goes to a national genealogy conference, sometimes it’s tough to get up and at ‘em. This experienced ancestry researcher has attended, over the years, presentations by most of the professional genealogy services "A-Listers". The subjects these professional genealogists and expert ancestry researchers cover are the usual: German research, Irish research, military research, documentation, DNA, the law. So, at a recent genealogy conference in Springfield, Illinois, this professional genealogist had a nice change of pace when I attended a National Archives presentation. This genealogy session included a discussion about The Morning Report. The speaker was Bryan McGraw, Director of the National Archives at St. Louis. When he mentioned the fire of July 1973, there was an audible gasp. Yet, in the professional genealogy services world, there’s always a gasp when the fire at the St. Louis Branch of the National Archives is discussed. Knowing that so many military records have been lost forever. That fire burned over 75 percent of the military records from after 1911 that had been housed on the top floor of that collection. For the genealogy world and especially for those genealogists who might be seeking World War I and World War II records, the fire of July 1973 was a true disaster. These lost military records are a devastation to the entire community. Yet, in a hopeful note, McGraw reminded us genealogists not to forget "The Morning Report". Yes, the lost military records were important but not all hope is gone. The St. Louis Branch of the National Archives houses military records and so much more. While any genealogist might first think of the vast archived Military Personnel files; for those individuals with a discharge date between 1911 and 1954*, the St. Louis facility’s holdings also include: Archived Civilian Personnel Records for federal civil servants whose employment ended before 1952. Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) enrollee records. Archived Other Records. The industrious genealogist should not dismiss the category of "Other Records". When you are on an assignment as a genealogist doing or checking genealogy research, make sure you investigate everything—including general categories in archives. When you come across general categories, there may be lots to find. Take the category "Auxiliary and Organizational Records". Here, the genealogist will find that the holdings include: Morning Reports Unit Rosters Officer Pay Cards (Army) Muster Rolls (Navy) S. Army Surgeon General’s Office Records Veteran’s Administration Index Cards This is good stuff for a genealogist. Yet, what exactly is a Morning Report and who was responsible for the Morning Report? The Morning Report was just that. It was a report done every morning to document the comings and goings of a Military unit’s personnel. It was usually done by a guy who had learned how to type. If someone new came into an outfit, documents were completed. If someone transferred out, documents were done. If someone changed units, became sick, was injured or died, even more documentation was completed. Now do you see why this is good stuff for a genealogist? Morning reports are filled with information for the genealogist. Looking for lost military records go from impossible to possible. And, the Morning Reports are not as quick and easy to use as one might think. That is because when they are compiled, these reports focus not on the individual but on the Military unit. The National Archives McGraw emphasized that family history researchers are always welcome to look at the Morning Reports in the St. Louis archives where there are thousands and thousands of cubic feet of documents. McGraw noted that if a genealogist is looking to use these Morning Reports at the St. Louis facility, the research process may be sped up with a bit of pre-planning. He encourages the genealogist to contact his staff ahead of time if the name and unit are known for a soldier. That way, documents may be ready upon arrival of the genealogist. The genealogist may begin the search online. If time or knowledge is a concern for you in your family history search, hire a genealogist from RecordClick.  You will get a professional genealogist who knows and d understands the many different types of records and the organization of the National Archives. *--Earlier military personnel records –before 1911--are housed at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. #### A Genealogist Needs to Know: Paperless Courthouses Are Coming This RecordClick genealogist used to love walking into a courthouse, pulling an old leather-bound book off a shelf, carefully going through indexes to search for long deceased family members and then paging through other old books hoping to find additional documentation. The task wasn’t always neat.  More than once I wound up with old leather dust on my clothes. Those days are fading. Courthouses are not archives. They shouldn’t be. A courthouse is a place to do the business of government. The records, kept for future reference, are a bonus for the genealogist and the family history researcher.  Because many courthouses have started to run out of shelf space, digitization, in this computer age, makes sense. My husband and I accomplished something last year that many people only dream of.  We paid off our mortgage. The only notification we got was a letter from the lender saying the business agreement was complete. It also noted that if we wanted a deed we should check in at the courthouse. The family history side of me was a little sad because there is something tangible in a sheet of paper. On the other hand, it’s one less sheet of paper in a file in my house. This genealogist won’t find the deed in a book at my courthouse, either. If I want a copy of a deed--old or new--the clerk points out a computer and says that most anything I might want is--there. Yes, it is. One side of me says this makes the research of a genealogist a lot simpler than trying to put an old book on a copy machine. The nostalgic side of me appears for a few seconds and notes that computers are easier, neater, and often,  faster. Most of the digitized records that this genealogy researcher has found at courthouses in Nebraska, Kansas and South Dakota are the deeds and court records. I’m sure what is digitized varies from state to state and, possibly, from locale to locale. They also may not be online and may have access only available at the local courthouse. And, from one genealogist to another, please don’t forget to bring a flash drive. I know that the “Cloud” is out there, wherever “there” may be, and used by many people with smart phones and notepads, but sometimes flash drives are just easier for a genealogy researcher. I can remember the first flash drive this genealogist got was 1G for about $30 and that was probably about ten years ago. I thought it was a bargain. How times have changed. The last flash drive I got was 16G and cost approximately $5. Most of the courthouse computers have USB ports, so downloading a document to a flash drive is easy. And, of course, it uses less paper. I’m a big fan of flash drives. They hold so much information. When I first used them, I was worried that my 1G and 2G flash drives might run out of room. Now, if there are three or four files where I would like to put a picture or document, I am able to do so with plenty of room to spare. I may download an item onto my computer, transfer it to a flash drive and then I’m good to go. When you hire a genealogist from our professionals at RecordClick, you will work with someone who knows latest changes in accessing information and how/where your family history is available. #### A Genealogist Salutes George M. Cohan for July Fourth This RecordClick genealogist does like the Fourth of July. When it comes to the good old red, white and blue, though, it’s hard to beat George M. Cohan. He was one of the most prolific Broadway performers with the more recent musical “George M.” and movie “Yankee Doodle Dandy” raising him to bigger-than-life status. A family history researcher will ask: Where did his flamboyance gene come from? This genealogy researcher has found that story about being born on the Fourth of July is almost true. George M. Cohan was born on the Third of July in Providence, Rhode Island, according to this professional genealogist. Then comes an interesting twist. It is one that makes genealogists sigh: George M. Cohan’s birth wasn’t registered in Rhode Island. The genealogy researcher can look at “Births Registered in the City of Boston – 1878” on FamilySearch and there George is: “No. 5155; Jul 3; George Michael Cohan; Father, Jeremiah; Mother, Nellie F.; Place of Birth: Providence, Rhode Island; Residence of Parents, Boston; Occupation of Father, Variety Show; Father, Place of Birth: Boston; Mother, Place of Birth: Providence, Rhode Island.” The family did travel a lot, but the census taker caught up with them in Boston for the 1880 U.S. Federal Census on page 15, ED 726, Dwelling 65, Family 146: Name Age Relation Occupation Place of Birth Father’s Place of Birth Mother’s Place of Birth Cohan, Jeremiah 34 Comedian Mass. Ireland Ireland Ellen 25 Wife Keep House Rhode Is. Ireland Ireland Josephine 3 Daughter Rhode Is. Rhode Is. George 1 Son Rhode Is. Rhode Is.   George's mother is another example of what keeps family history researchers on their toes. On the birth certificate, she is listed as “Nellie”. On the 1880 Census, she is listed as “Ellen”. AND on the 1900 Census she is “Helen”. In each instance, family members and information need to be compared by the genealogy researcher to be sure the individual is one and the same. The next step for us genealogy researchers is to look for the marriage of Jeremiah (Jerry) and Ellen, which was probably between 1872 and 1877. Keep in mind, genealogists, that this is a family on the move. A check of Rhode Island marriage indexes found Ellen Costigan marrying Jeremiah Cohan on 12 September 1874. I prefer the index on FamilySearch because it includes the first names of the parents. Jeremiah’s parents are Michael and Jane. Ellen’s are James and Mary. Jerry and Ellen were, of course, on the road at the time of their 25th wedding anniversary. From the New Haven (CT) Register, September 6, 1899, p. 9: “…On September 12th, 1874, Jerry Cohan and Helen Costigan were married at St. Joseph’s Cathedral, St. Louis, by Rev. Father Bivina….” So, although the couple got their marriage license in Rhode Island, they married in St. Louis. The article mentions that Ellen lived a very sheltered life until she met Jerry. I found Ellen’s family in the 1860 U.S., State of Rhode Island, County of Providence, 1st Ward of Providence City, Family 778: Name Age Occupation Place of Birth James Costigan 30 Laborer Ireland Mary Costigan 25 Ireland John Costigan 6 Rhode Island Ellen Costigan 4 Rhode Island Dennis Costigan 3 Rhode Island Daniel Costigan 6/12 Rhode Island Genealogical researchers should look for families in both federal and state censuses because these documents may be enlightening. They show changes in the family dynamics. The Cohan’s documents are certainly enlightening for the family history researcher. I found Jeremiah and his family in the 1850 U.S. Census and the 1855 Massachusetts State Census. In the censuses the family lived in Boston. First, the 1850 U.S. Census, p. 142, Dwelling 343, Family 1256: Name Age Occupation Place of Birth Michael Cohann 39 Tailor Ireland Jane 30 Ireland Hannah 9 Massachusetts Mary 7 Massachusetts Timothy 4 Massachusetts Jeremiah 2 Massachusetts In the 1855 Massachusetts State Census, the Cohans were family number 547: Name Age Occupation Place of Birth Michael Cohane 45 Tailor Ireland Jane 36 Ireland Hanna 15 Massachusetts Mary Ann 12 Massachusetts Timothy 10 Massachusetts Jeremiah 8 Massachusetts Michael 1 Massachusetts William Scott 80 Laborer Ireland The rest of the genealogical research story is that shortly after the 1855 Census, the family moved to Springfield, Massachusetts. In St. Benedict’s Cemetery in Springfield is a tombstone inscribed: Michael Cohan                 1811-1859 Jane Scott, his wife        1817-1897 John, their son                 1859-1860 William Scott                    1774-1858 A check of passenger lists indicates that Michael Cohan probably came to the United States in 1841. Jane arrived in 1835. William Scott is most likely her father. Additional research should be done by the genealogical researcher to verify the information. Genealogists love a good time and George M. Cohan provides July Fourth fun As for Jeremiah, growing up he must have been interesting for his mother, Jane. Jeremiah became “Jerry” and in 1869 his name starts showing up in entertainment ads.  For example, "Mr. Jerry Cohan, Exponent of Emerald Wit, Vocalist and Comedian."  In that ad, his listing came after The Leon Brothers, Cowbellogians, Mr. Sidney Franks “Great English Comic Vocalist” and Mr. Wm. Ashcroft, “the popular Ethiopian comedian, song and dance artist and musician.” The ads with Jerry’s name became more frequent and listings changed as the extended Cohan family became involved. Like father, like son and the energy of Jerry and George Cohan lit up stages across the United States for many years. If you need a burst of enthusiasm and energy added to your family history research, contact the professional genealogists at RecordClick. We have a multitude of ideas for research strategies, understanding DNA testing and DNA results, locating living relatives or creating and publishing that special family tree. #### A Genealogist, a Rolling Pin and a Pie… It Doesn’t Get Much Better November and December are family times for this genealogist. November is here with the Thanksgiving feast and December has Christmas and all its trimmings. It’s a time for giving, sharing, remembering and traditions. What a perfect setting for the family history researcher! This RecordClick genealogist has some wonderful memories and they are all about a rolling pin. My paternal grandmother was a baker. She was known for her dinner rolls--No rolling pin needed here.--and her noodles. The noodles were her own special recipe. This genealogist remembers that they were rolled out and cut by hand.  Then, there were the pies. She made wonderful apple pies with lard in the crust and cinnamon and sugar mixed in generously with the apples. The crusts were neatly trimmed and crimped keeping in all of the pie’s juice. More of those pies than I can count wound up in a church food booth at the Nebraska State Fair. I have fond memories of watching my Grandma Nellie working the dough and then, letting it rest. Her rolling pin was wooden and constructed so that the handles could be held firmly while the roller moved. When the genealogist thinks back on her own history, this heirloom holds lots of meaning and memories. The dough always seemed to come out perfectly. But then, Grandma Nellie had probably been making pies for the better part of fifty years. She wasn’t wealthy when it came to money but her pies were worth their weight in gold--and love. When she died, I only wanted one thing:  her rolling pin. And I got it. My mother preferred cherry pies. When we kids were old enough, the family would take a trip to the cherry orchards in Nebraska City and get a bushel of un-pitted cherries every spring. When we got home from our trip, we kids had the job of pitting those cherries.  It was messy and tedious.  But, we all new that fresh cherry pie was so much better. My mom would make up the pies. She preferred Crisco in the crust. And then, she would freeze them so they could be savored at any time of the year. Mom’s rolling pin was also wooden – one piece with handles. It was nothing like the rolling pins so many chefs use now. As for me, your lucky genealogist, I like to eat the pies but have never mastered the crust. I didn’t really have to for a long time because of my mom and Grandma Nellie. Although I might make a pie, it’s a store crust for me. But, we kids know-- they’re not the same. Now, there’s a new generation. I have a daughter-in-law, Nichole, who loves to bake pies. She’ll bake them for her own family, making the dough for the crust and rolling it out, just so, with her rolling pin. Her crusts aren’t as neat as my Grandma Nellie’s, but they taste just as good. This time of year, my daughter- in-law will bake them for anyone willing to pay the price. They’re worth their weight in gold--and love. So far this season, she’s up to fifteen. The genealogist savors family names, dates and places as well as family traditions and stories. When you hire a professional genealogist at RecordClick, you will get amazing insight and help with your family history. #### A Genealogy Dilemma: Public vs. Private You're between a rock and a hard place - private information vs. public information. It's a genealogical research dilemma - that's what it is. A family genealogy researcher, proud of the accomplishment and sincerely looking for long-lost cousins, once posted a genealogy tree on a public website. One of the first responses the family historian received concerned a date that the correspondent felt was incorrect. And the battle was waged. Has it happened to me? Yup, only I try very hard to avoid the battle part by assuming the positive - maybe the correspondent knows something I don't. There are a number of genealogy websites on which family search genealogy can be posted. And websites work very hard to make it easy to post pedigree charts, genealogy trees, and family histories and stories. Those family genealogy researchers who are posting the information need to keep in mind that what they may consider to be private - such as names, dates, and activities - can become very public with the click of a button. When that information becomes public, it is open to scrutiny and all that might entail. The uproar has calmed, but it hasn't been that long ago - just a couple of years - when Facebook members posted intimate details about their lives, and they became upset when their activity came back to haunt them. So where exactly is the line between public and private information? The definitive answer is: It depends. I know that's not a lot of help to you. However, in this age of computers, surveys, demographics, targeting audiences, hacking, tracking buying habits, and putting any manner of information online – I have no idea what may be considered "private" data about anyone (especially me) out there in the etherworld of the Internet, a very public place. Once on the Internet, whatever information you post is pretty much available for public scrutiny. One of the largest uproars in the genealogical research community is over the online databases of the Social Security Death Index (SSDI). Did you know that there is a contingency that would like to have the SSDI removed from the Internet? The Social Security System was created as a partial safety net during the Depression, and the SSDI has become a major research resource for family historians. Meant as an enhancement to an individual's retirement fund, Social Security helps retired recipients to support themselves and their families after they exit the workforce. In the beginning, adults received their Social Security card with a designated number unique to them. When I was in elementary school, I can remember my parents taking my brothers and me to the bank to get our Social Security cards. Now, even infants receive them. Information available through SSDI online includes: name, birth date, social security number, last place of residence, and death date. The controversy lies not so much in the names and dates, but in the publishing of the Social Security number. Remember public scrutiny? The fact this information is released so quickly presents a dilemma. First, it is the release of private information. We are told to be very, very careful to whom we give our Social Security number. However, an individual on the SSDI got there for one reason and one reason only - because they are deceased, and that gives credence to the other side of the dilemma. What's the benefit of making the private information public? The original intent was to help prevent fraud. If a client is suspect, a bank or business can easily check the Social Security number assigned to them to see if it has been taken from a person no longer with us. States restrict access to vital records (private), but regulations vary from entity to entity. After a period of time, a number of states publish indexes or the records themselves online or on microfilm (public). Most court records are open to the public. Exceptions may include adoptions and institutionalization of an individual for mental reasons. However, residents of orphanages, hospitals, mental institutions, and jails are listed in a state or U.S. census (public). It may take a round-about search, but sometimes what may be considered private to one entity may be considered available in a public forum. So, as far as I'm concerned, little is truly private. Based on that, I try to act accordingly. "Knowledge is power," according to English author, scientist, statesman, and philosopher Francis Bacon (1561-1626). The more we know about ourselves and our world, the better off we are. Gaining that knowledge is a challenge family search historians and genealogists strive for with a passion. However, with knowledge comes responsibility. What had been private information may become public. Someone may disagree with our facts. Situations our ancestors had to deal with may make us a bit uncomfortable if made public. Stories of our ancestors that we grew up with may be proved or disproved or enhanced with research. That's the way it is, whether we like it or not. At RecordClick, we understand the differences between public and private resources. What you may expect from our experienced genealogists is that we will work with you on your family genealogy confidentially. We know where to look to help you find what you're looking for. We can help you trace your ancestry with research strategies or work on projects – large or small – along with you. #### A Genealogy Education is in School Yearbooks Want a genealogy education as summer is starting to wind down and school is about to begin? For this RecordClick genealogy researcher, school means the next class of a great genealogy tool –Yearbooks. This ancestry researcher is always surprised at the variety of Yearbooks that have been digitized. Yet, many are not easy to find. A Yearbook’s details—the records of instructors, professors, students and student life--can be an added jewel in a family’s genealogy. They show student creativity as well as written memories of youth, making them a valuable research tool in getting the added layers in the genealogy search Even as Yale began publishing Yearbooks in the early 1800s and other schools followed suit, technology limited the content. As printing presses improved – and with the advent of the linotype in the 1880s – annual class memory books became cheaper and easier to produce.  The number of institutions with Yearbooks increased in the late 1800s. Although some yearbooks have serious names such as “Carver” for George Washington Carver at Tuskegee Institute, the genealogy researcher will more often find that Yearbooks have humorous names. The early Johns Hopkins University Yearbook was named “The Hullabaloo” in the late 1890s, years before the 1960s television show. The University of Nebraska Yearbook was “The Sombrero” and the State Normal and Industrial School in Ellendale, North Dakota was “The Snitcher”. Most Yearbooks include pictures and lists. The genealogist will often find: Students and their area of interest. Names of professors and where they were educated. Sports Teams Clubs Notable campus buildings Pictures of classrooms, labs, dorm rooms These lists provide the genealogist with insight into the type of student an ancestor was and how classmates viewed her or him. Even when a student did not graduate, the student is often listed and/or pictured as long as he or she attended the school. Often, Yearbook content is on the lighter side.  However, there are always exceptions. During World War I, “The Snitcher” listed students who were in the service. The list of online annuals is long and most institutions--from Ivy League powerhouses like Harvard and Yale to small community colleges and high schools—have them. That’s the easy note for the genealogy researcher. Where and how the genealogy researcher can find Yearbooks for a school is a different matter. A number of institutions have their Yearbooks digitized. If this is the case, it may be one of the better sources for the genealogist. There are some major online websites, like InternetArchives, as Classmates.com or E-Yearbook.com, that have some Yearbooks. However, often some volumes are missing. A nice aspect about Yearbooks for a genealogy researcher is that some schools – especially the small rural ones – may have included identified photographs of younger classes in the volume. A genealogist should also remember that in many places, a high school education did not become a standard until after 1900. So, many high schools did not start publishing Yearbooks until after 1900. When you hire a genealogist from RecordClick, you get an experienced genealogy researcher who will find the schools where your ancestors were educated. You, too, will get a first class education--in your family history. #### A Genealogy Quickstep Has Us Dancing with the Stars Derek and Julianne Hough Genealogy can spot talent in multiple generations.  Details uncovered by a family history researcher may turn an ancestral  hunch and Quickstep it into a reality. This RecordClick genealogy researcher thinks that three generations of dancers in the Hough family tree have something to do with the amazing talents of Derek Hough and his sister Julianne Hough. How else might the super-talented siblings dance their way to a total of seven Mirror Ball Trophies, the highest prize on TV’s mega-hit Dancing With the Stars (DWTS)? Derek and Julianne, sometimes called the blond Osmonds, have not only Salsa-ed, but Jitterbugged and Jived to success beyond the ballroom, too. Like the Osmonds, they have genealogy that shows performing talent across this generation and through multiple family lines. The Houghs are now performing a sibling dance show called MOVE Live on Tour across the country and are continuing to act, choreograph and sing. Triple threats?  You bet! Triple threat genealogy? You bet, again! The two amazing dancers, the Hough siblings, have a lineage of dancers and athletes. CREDIT: c 2014 Move Live on Tour Originally from the big time genealogy place, Salt Lake City, Utah, both Derek and Julianne attribute their success to their upbringing. Here’s some quick genealogy facts.  Their Mom, Mariann Heaton, born on February 23, 1957, met their Dad, Bruce Robert Hough, born April 6, 1954, in college. WINK: Mariann and Bruce were part of a ballroom dance team. Dad has a B.S. degree from the Marriott School of Management at Brigham Young University in Utah and before that got an Associate's Degree in journalism at Ricks College (called Brigham Young University since 2001) in Idaho which led to a stint in radio broadcasting. According to the Idaho city directories, he resided in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho and commuted between Utah and Idaho. According to records found by this genealogy researcher, the couple eventually divorced and each parent is now remarried. (Mom is Mariann Nelson, now, according to her website.) More recently, Dad Bruce was elected twice as the chairman of the Utah Republican Party and still plays a role on the National Republican Committee. He is also an entrepreneurial businessman and, since 1994, has been President of the Nutraceutical Corporation, the international health products and nutritional supplement company. A quick search of Idaho’s Coeur d'Alene newspapers reveals that the siblings’ grandfather, Robert (Bob) V. Hough, retired from a 40-year career in radio broadcasting in Coeur d'Alene.  Robert V. Hough was born on February 16, 1927 in North Hollywood, California. He did a three-year stint in the U.S. Army Infantry at the end of World War II and went to the southwest Pacific Islands which led him to recount many memories of the beautiful sights. After his time in military service, or as Granddad Bob called it in a local newspaper interview “a trip to the south Pacific on Uncle Sam”, Bob returned to the U.S. He married Colleen Wood on August 12, 1950 in Kootenai County, Idaho.  By 1952, Bob was residing in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho and his occupation was listed as announcer, according to a search by this professional genealogist of the 1952 city directory. City Directories are valuable tools in the genealogy researcher toolbox.  They often place your ancestor in a particular location and list occupations. Newspapers are another beneficial resource. They give first hand reports and add vivid color to the vital statistics. For example, newspaper reports turned up information about Grandfather Bob’s baseball glove. WINK: From that article, we now know that he may be where the siblings get some of their hereditary athletic prowess. Additional great genealogy information: Grandpa played for a Triple A Dodger farm team in the 1940s. More recently, the newspaper account noted, Julianne arranged for Grandpa to throw the first pitch at Dodger Stadium and for him to announce the starting lineup at the game. Back to the Hough siblings. Derek, born May 17, 1985 in Salt Lake City, Utah, is now a dancer, actor, singer, and an Emmy Award winning choreographer. Julianne Alexandra was born July 20, 1988 in Orem, Utah and raised in Salt Lake City. Julianne is now a dancer, actress, and singer. They both joined DWTS in its fourth season. Raised in a Mormon family, each had a wide variety of interests at an early age including music, karate and dance. It was their talent for ballroom dance that piqued their parents’—and others’-- attention. Their dancing next took them to London, England where as young children, at ages 10 and 13, they were sent to perfect their dance art and to compete. (It was also reported to be the year their parents were divorcing.) In the U.K., they lived and trained with the internationally known dance coaches, Shirley and Corky Ballas, whose son, Mark, is also a professional dancer on DWTS. After five years abroad, Julianne returned to the United States to live with her divorced mother in Las Vegas, Nevada. Derek remained in London for an additional five years. School records are excellent sources for the genealogy researcher. The information often includes the attendance record, names of parents, birth dates or age of child. School records show that both of our Hough siblings attended Italia Conti Academy of Performing Arts School in London. Derek graduated from the school. Julianne, records show, graduated from Alta High School in Sandy, Utah. While in London, Derek and Julianne both began to act professionally. Julianne was first with a stage appearance in 2001 at age 13 in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Derek starred as the male lead in the stage version of Footloose in London’s West End. He also was in Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang at the London Palladium at age 18. Their octogenarian grandparents, Bob and Colleen Wood Hough, are still going strong. They visited the set of DWTS during a recent season. Grandma Colleen twirled on the dance floor with the show’s judges, Len Goodwin and Bruno Tonioli. According to press reports, the elder Houghs held their own and looked as though they “could teach the professionals a step or two”. A bit of genealogical research with some Cha Cha and a sprinkling of marriage records, city directories, newspaper articles and a few digital dance steps along the way has revealed the Hough's origins. The genealogy research has also shown some of the sources of the talent: their family tree. Time now to do your genealogy and link generations and talents in your family!? Let RecordClick’s professional genealogists help you Waltz through your family tree. Photo Credits: C 2014 Move Live on Tour #### A Genealogy Researcher and the Declaration of Independence The Fourth of July. To celebrate, this RecordClick genealogy researcher thinks it might be interesting to delve into the family history of one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. My genealogy starting point is one of the least illustrious Presidents of the United States, William Henry Harrison. He could be considered the nephew of one president, the grandfather of another and the son of a signer of the Declaration of Independence. His genealogy begins like this. William Henry Harrison was born in Virginia to the prominent Harrison family on February 9, 1773. He received the typical education for an elite Virginia family. Instead of remaining in the state, however, he became a part of the military achieving the rank of General and playing an important role in the Indian wars of the early 1800s that took place in Ohio and other areas of what was then the Northwest Territory. He went on to be elected President of the United States in 1840. The genealogy researcher will see that he is noted for two things: He was the first president to die in office and His term was the shortest. He took the oath of office in March of 1841 and died in April of that same year. For a genealogy researcher, there is an informational web site for the Harrison family. This is the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site. Harrison family members include: Benjamin Harrison IV, killed by lightning in Virginia, m. Anne Carter. A son and daughter are: Benjamin Harrison V, b. 1726 in VA; d. 1791; m. 1748, Elizabeth Bassett, b. 1730; d. 1792. Elizabeth was a niece of Martha Washington. Their offspring includes a son, William Henry Harrison and a daughter, Elizabeth. A daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Harrison, Elizabeth “Betty” Harrison, d. 1783; m. 1746, Peyton Randolph, b. 1721; d. 1775. William Henry Harrison, son of Benjamin and Elizabeth Harrison, b. 1773 in VA; d. 1841 in Washington, D.C.; m. Anna Tuthills Symmes, b. 1775 in NJ; d. 1864 in OH. Their children include a son, John Scott Harrison, b. 1804 in IN; d. 1878 in OH. John Scott Harrison, b. 1804 in IN; d. 1878 in OH; m2. Elizabeth Irwin, b. 1810; d. 1850. Their children include a son, Benjamin Harrison, b. 1833; d. 1901; m. Caroline Lavinia Scott, b. 1832; d. 1892. For the genealogy researcher, the ancestors of William Henry Harrison were early settlers in Virginia. A number of family members played a role in governing the colony. When the issue of breaking away from England arose and the idea of forming a new nation began to take shape, the Harrisons were there. In addition to being related to Martha Washington, they knew Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry. The father, Benjamin V, was a delegate to the Continental Congress and his uncle, Peyton Randolph, was elected the first president of that august body. Peyton Randolph had health problems. Upon Peyton’s death in 1775, the Continental Congress discussed his successor. Being from Virginia and being a brother-in-law of Peyton Randolph, Benjamin Harrison V, was a strong contender for the position: “Benjamin Harrison, the father of William Henry, was a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1774-5-6. It was between him and John Hancock, that the amicable contention took place respecting the Presidency of the Congress. Peyton Randolph, and Benjamin Harrison, were brothers-in-law, and upon the decease of the former, who was the first President of Congress, it was the wish of the Southern members that Mr. Harrison should be selected to fill the chair vacated by the death of his relative. He was fully informed of the various sectional prejudices existing at that momentous crisis, and exerted all his influence in favor of his friendly rival, John Hancock. He reasoned with his colleagues upon the importance of conciliating the Northern feeling, and succeeded in obtaining for the Massachusetts member a unanimous vote… When the sacred Declaration of Independence was passed, he joined the fathers of the Union, and signed the famous document.” From The Life and Times of William Henry Harrison, by S.J. Burr (1840) Almost 125 years later, the Harrison family was still playing an influential role. Caroline Lavinia Scott Harrison, wife of President Benjamin Harrison, came from an intellectual family. Her college professor father made sure the children had access to books and educational experiences. By the late 1800s, women were becoming more involved with activities outside the home. When the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) was formed, Caroline was asked, in 1890, to serve as its first President General. It was an honor that she, while she was First Lady, accepted. She guided the organization through its early years. One never knows where an ancestor search will take us. The journey may lead to special times in America’s history, such as the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the beginning of the DAR. When you hire a genealogist from RecordClick, you will get revolutionary information about your family tree. #### A Genealogy Researcher Creates a Church History and a New Resource A Genealogy Researcher always is looking for new resources. Ancestry research is truly a continual search because there are always new data bases, histories and ledgers that are being written and located. This RecordClick genealogist relishes the hunt. This year, however, the shoe has been on the other foot. The church in which I was raised is celebrating a fiftieth anniversary and does not have a written history. Somehow, my name came up and I was asked to be on the Anniversary Committee. My brother and daughter are also on this committee. We are all known for being history buffs. Do you think this may have played a role in our having been selected? Well, this genealogy researcher was tasked with writing a history. Some committee members had the idea that it shouldn’t be too long. After all, their thinking went, someone did write a one-page history, complete with a picture, a number of years ago.  And, their thinking continued, the church’s youth put together a little booklet of memories for the fortieth anniversary.  Mind you, neither of these “histories” included the wonderful lists of member families that long-timers– and most every genealogy researcher –looks for with anticipation. We genealogists know for sure that there is just something special about seeing names in print. Of course, the genealogy researcher side of me kicked in while writing this church history. While it hasn't become a huge volume, the size of it did increase substantially--beyond some several generic pages. I, being an experienced genealogy researcher, have been keeping a good number of family history questions in mind as I have been compiling this history: How did we get here? Why was this location selected for the church? Who were we? Who were the people that made the organization of the church possible? What has happened? What are some of the major events in the church family and what role did they play in the development of the church? And, most important for the genealogy researcher, what records are available and where are these documents? The congregation is Methodist, so the search has taken me to a number of places. This genealogy researcher found the answers to “How did we get here?” and “Why was this location selected” at the conference archives. These archives are at the Wesleyan University library in Lincoln, Nebraska. This professional genealogist next found that the “Who were we?” and “Who were the people” inquiries moved the information hunt from archives to our church facility. Yes, the archives had some information on the original founding of our church and a few items were available at our local church building, but for the original deeds, this genealogy researcher went to the local courthouse. Glad I did because these deeds provided information found nowhere else! Our current pastor has spent a good deal of time putting records into spread sheets on the computer. He has a membership list, baptisms, marriages and funerals. There are also files and files of financial records. The spread sheets are a great help, just as a genealogy researcher would expect. However, Methodist pastors are not known for meticulous record keeping. Some are very good, others not so. One thing this professional genealogist decided early on in this process was that there wasn’t going to be room for all the information I would find. The book is just a history, after all. Some of the vital information found and not found by this genealogy researcher in these records includes: MEMBER INFORMATION FOUND: Charter members and current members OMMITTED: Dates Name of spouse if married in the church Date received How the information was received (by transfer of membership or profession of faith) From where the member transferred Minister If the member was removed from the roll, how he or she was removed If one transferred a membership, to where it was transferred Date removed BAPTISMS FOUND: Name of individual baptized Date of birth Date of baptism Officiating clergy Parents. OMMITTED: Address and place of baptism MARRIAGES FOUND: Groom; Bride Date of marriage Officiating minister Place of ceremony OMITTED: Addresses FUNERALS FOUND: Name of individual Date of death Cemetery Location of cemetery Officiating minister OMMITTED: Nothing The documents also include a variety of mostly candid pictures as well as information about various church activities and individuals of the congregation. This genealogy research, cum historian, has a goal of identifying as many people in the pictures as I am able. That means meeting in person with some of the members who can remember what people looked like 25 or 30 years ago. In the short run, that should help people who attend the anniversary celebration. In the long run, at some future point in time, another genealogy researcher may find a picture, perhaps, of an ancestor in a family tree. Of course, there is way more information to be found than will be available in this anniversary history book. I am sure the same is true of many church histories. Yet, this book may help in a search by some future genealogy researcher who in his or her journey back in time might go beyond this anniversary history, too. The genealogy researcher of the future should also contact the church administration that is serving at the time and should always remember to look at those church financial records. The genealogist never knows which ancestor may be mentioned. After this fiftieth anniversary volume is completed, this genealogist plans to be sure that copies are donated to the Methodist Archives in Lincoln and to the county museum. A history like this should be available for researchers of all types—including the genealogy researcher. The experienced team of RecordClick genealogists are here to help you. When you hire a RecordClick genealogy researcher, you will get the information that makes your family history unique. #### A Genealogy Researcher Discovers Disasters, Part 2: Doris Day and Her Heartaches Unless you are a genealogy researcher, you often never know. In this case, you’d never know from her pert smile and perfect coif that one of America’s most popular actresses—Doris Day--has had such challenges in her life. A professional genealogist would know once he or she began doing the research, though. That’s because disasters provide visible markers in lives. This fact is best appreciated by the genealogy researcher because disasters and difficult life events are often well documented. They are recorded in police records, official government documents, fire reports, military reports, crash reports, medical documents, and newspaper reports, television videotaping and family stories. All-American girl Doris Day, born Doris Mary Ann von Kappelhoff, turned 90 this year, as a genealogy researcher will find on her birth certificate (and her website). She has had a life on screen and TV that didn’t quite match the goings-on in her real life. The genealogist will see that while her public life was documented in 600 audio recordings, 39 films and multiple award-winning television shows, her personal life was documented by accident reports, financial loss, legal cases, and medical reports. She is a child of German immigrants, whose ancestors were from all over Germany. Her personal genealogy has been traced way back to the 1600s in Germany. Those genealogy researchers looking at German ancestry or German genealogy will know that documenting this ancestry can be done well with the wealth of German documentation. Our Doris was born in Cincinnati. Her father, Wilhelm von Kappelhoff, was musical. He was a church organist, choir master and music teacher. Her mother, Alma Sophia Welz, divorced him when Doris and her older brother Paul were young. According to her biographical reports and her own book, Doris’s mom had seen to it that Doris had dance lessons early on. She was talented and recognized with local awards. But then a first disaster struck and it changed her life: DISTASTER 1: ACCIDENT Thirteen-year-old Doris was one of four persons injured Oct. 13, 1937, when a car collided with a Pennsylvania Railroad locomotive on the High Street crossing at Fifth Street. There were no warning lights or gates at the crossing then. Doris’s legs were crushed. The genealogy researcher can find documentation for this accident in newspaper reports from the time as well as reports detailing the many decades of problems at that train crossing. A genealogist will find that there is an entire report just on the history of that train crossing and the many accidents that happened there. Often, an accident isn’t the first. The family history researcher and genealogist can look for public records of hearings on the location, transportation group or federal incident reports. This accident was fortuitous for Doris. Because her legs were damaged, she had to work hard to rehabilitate them. She listened to the radio while recovering and sang along. Doris’s mother made sure her daughter’s musical education didn’t stop. Instead of dancing lessons, she switched her daughter to singing lessons. A genealogy researcher can search for the listing for her singing teacher, Grace Raine, in the Cincinnati business directories for that time. Turned out, Doris had a good voice and singing lessons were good for her. With her good voice, she achieved local fame and, ultimately, a movie contract. Yet, as the genealogy researcher will find, singing did lead to another disaster. She was married young to a fellow musician in the band for which she was singing at that time.  This led to the second disaster that changed her life. DISTASTER 2: SPOUSAL ABUSE Doris’s first husband, trombonist Al Jorden, was physically abusive, according to written accounts. Though she had a child with him in 1942, she divorced him. When there is spousal abuse in the family history, the genealogy researcher may likely information on this in local police reports and, if the marriage was terminated, in the divorce documents on file. Sometimes, medical reports will provide the genealogy researcher with documentation, too. And then, sometimes, this type of quiet disaster is not reported. A genealogy researcher may have to do first hand interviews with family relatives. Often, spousal abuse is hushed up and secret. The genealogy researcher may have to dig and search with first hand accounts. DISTASTER 3: FINANCIALLY CHEATED Doris went on to have two more marriages. Her third husband, Marty Melcher, was her agent. After his death, she discovered that he and his business partner had squandered her earnings through business schemes and deals.  She was left financially ruined and in debt. She sued the business partner and, after many years, won a large award. She received only a fraction after all the legal bills were paid. The genealogy researcher can find documentation of this type of financial disaster in bank records, legal records, court records, newspaper accounts and other financial recordings. DISASTER 4: DEATH OF A CHILD Doris’s only son, Terry Melcher, born Terrence Paul Jorden, died in 2012 at age 62 of melanoma. The death of a child is said to be one of the worst things to happen to someone. The genealogy researcher would likely find information on a child’s death in the death certificate, obituary, funeral home records, medical records, to begin. First hand interviews with surviving spouses and children could complete the picture.  (Just a note from this genealogy researcher: Newspaper accounts and medical records show that Doris’s son was involved in a motorcycle accident years before his death. In the accident, his legs were crushed. Isn’t it odd that he, like his mother many years before, would suffer from and accident that crushed his legs?) Her compassion perhaps from her own life's disasters has led Doris Day to do amazing animal advocacy work AMAZING GRACE The amazing part about Doris Day’s life is that she has devoted these later years to helping animals avert disaster. Her care and funding of animal advocacy work has helped other beings in this universe not have such pain and heartbreak.  She has started the Doris Day Animal League, The Doris Day Animal Foundation and the Doris Day Animal horse Rescue. Perhaps her kindness and devotion to these causes comes from her own life of surviving disasters and living through hardship. On screen, you’d never know. Happy birthday, Doris (Mary Ann von Kappelhoff) Day. May you live to 120 with ease, good health and continued grace! Want to know more about your family’s history, RecordClick’s professional genealogists will get the documents you need to tell the story. A RecordClick genealogy researcher can find information on almost any part of your family history. #### A Genealogy Researcher Finds Relative Late Bloomers This genealogy researcher remembers Grandmother saying that her siblings were late bloomers. Grandma was referring to the fact that, in the 1920s, her brothers had each gotten married after age 25. In those days, that was late. My generation has achieved new levels of late blooming if we’re just talking about marriage! More recently, nobody in this branch of the family tree has gotten married until after 30. Technically, a late bloomer may be someone who reaches puberty a little later than normal. But in Grandma’s day, the genealogy researcher can see that late blooming was about getting married later than the norm. Did Grandma’s brother’s mature late? Well, they were very tall at a young age so it wasn’t about physical blooming. This genealogy researcher thinks that they may have missed a few things related to social blooming--and then they caught up. In America, in recent generations, some late bloomers work and build careers first before marrying later. For the genealogy researcher, take a look from the online Free Dictionary at the literal definitions both from the garden and the garden of life: a plant that blooms later than similar plants or that blooms late in the season.  a person who finally develops a useful or superior skill or talents later than expected or desired. As author Malcolm Gladwell wrote in his October 2008 New Yorker magazine piece on Late Bloomers, "On the road to great achievement, the late bloomer will resemble a failure." The generation born in the 1950s and 60s may look like late bloomers because they are bearing first children in their late 30s, 40s and even 50s. With today’s awareness of personality traits and conditions, the genealogy researcher has more to look at when it comes to discovering late bloomers in the family. How does the genealogist identify a family’s late bloomers?  First, look at the trends in the family with marriages and births. If more than a few family members married late, the genealogy researcher should pay attention to this ancestral find. Next, begin primary interviews with relatives to ascertain what the “family lore” is about these family tree members. Interviewing relatives directly may help the genealogist find more answers. Late bloomers of the early 1900s could have been described as “slow” or “a few beats off". Some of that generation’s late bloomers may also have been sexually non-traditional or unable to come out of the closet with homosexual identification during that time period. Some may have had qualities that today are defined by the medical conditions such as Asperger’s Syndrome or being on the Autism Spectrum. The genealogy researcher will find that late blooming relatives with artistic talents or ADHD issues may come into their own a later than others, too. Creative artists such as Cezanne, Mark Twain, Alfred Hitchcock didn’t produce their recognized best works until years after their 50th birthdays. When searching through the generations of your family, the genealogy researcher has the opportunity to make creative connections as you discover late blooming relatives. Want to find more on the trends in your family? When you hire a genealogist from RecordClick, you will get a full view of your family tree. Contact us so our professional genealogist can document your ancestral history for you. #### A Genealogy Researcher Gives Her Regards To The Internet Broadway Database Doesn’t every genealogy researcher dream of finding a star in the family? Andy Hardy, aka Mickey Rooney, wanted to take the show on the road and make it to Broadway. This genealogy researcher can’t remember exactly what happened to Andy Hardy, but I know that Mickey Rooney made it to The Great White Way. So did his parents, Joe Yule and Nell Carter. So have thousands of other actors, composers, producers, directors, technicians and crew members. How does this genealogy researcher  know that?  The Internet Broadway Database.  It’s a great resource for the genealogy researcher with family members who had dreams of stardom. According to their website, the IBDB archive is the official database for Broadway theatre information. IBDB provides records of productions from the beginnings of New York theater until today. And the New York theater goes back a long, long way. The first resident theatre was established in 1750 when actor-managers Walter Murray and Thomas Kean put on The Beggar’s Opera. It ran from December 3, 1750 to May 13, 1751. With time out for the Revolutionary War, plays, musicals and variety shows have been presented on Broadway ever since. The plays of William Shakespeare have always been popular Broadway productions. According to the IBDB, Hamlet has been presented over 60 times. The first listed Hamlet production was with actor Lewis Hallam in 1761. The most recent production was is listed with actor Jude Law in 2009. The Internet Broadway Database has information on each production including cast and crew information. The genealogy researcher has found that the IBDB may also list additional credits and family members. What a treat for a genealogist! As for Mickey Rooney, he appeared in only two Broadway productions: Sugar Babies in 1979 and The Will Rogers Follies in 1991. Mickey’s parents each made it to Broadway only once. His father, Joe Yule, was a performer in Finian’s Rainbow in 1947 and his mother, Nell Carter, portrayed Mrs. Vincent Crummies in When Crummies Played in 1928. This genealogist knows that the Theater District in New York City has evolved over the years. In the early days, it was located in lower Manhattan. As time passed and the population increased, show places migrated uptown to the West Side of Manhattan in the 40s and 50s. What we know as The Great White Way came into being in the late 1800s. Tony Pastor opened the first vaudeville theatre in 1881. That same year, the play The Red Mill opened with electric signs lit with white light bulbs outside – hence the nickname, The Great White Way. Broadway has attracted all sorts of people, from entrepreneurs to performers to folks happy to make the productions happen from backstage. This genealogy researcher has found that genealogy and the Broadway theater cross paths often. For instance, take Producer, Director, and Theater Owner Florenz Ziegfeld, Jr. His producing career began in 1896 with A Parlor Match and ended in 1932 with a revival of Showboat. In 1913, he married actress Billie Burke (born Mary William Ethelbert Appleton Burke). The two were involved in five Broadway productions together. Billie Burke’s Broadway career stretched from The Amazons in 1894 to Mrs. January and Mr. X in 1944. She also produced the Ziegfeld Follies of 1934 and 1936. She is probably best known as Glinda the Good Witch in the classic movie The Wizard of Oz. Countless young people have made the journey to New York City with dreams of showing off their talent. They come looking for their big break. Some have made it, others don’t get the chance, and a few find a little bit of the sparkle. For the genealogy researcher, the Internet Broadway Database may fill in a missing piece of the “what happened to them” puzzle. In the IBDB, the genealogy reseacher will find listed the stars as well as those who have something to do with just one or two productions. This internet archive is truly a Broadway treasure. Want help finding that ancestor who moved to New York City with the goal of making it big on Broadway? Or finding any other relative in your family? Our professional genealogists will locate your ancestors and show you the bright lights in your family history. #### A Genealogy Researcher in Oz: Lions and Tigers and Bears...and Witches…Oh, my! This genealogy researcher isn’t scared of family secrets, mysterious relatives and wicked witches. Nope. So while the ghosts and goblins are preparing for their spooking night, Halloween, this RecordClick genealogist has her mind on that vile and scary Wicked Witch of the West from the 1939 classic movie, The Wizard of Oz. Every genealogy researcher doesn’t have to look at a census of Oz or the local Oz death records to know that the Wicked Witch of the West was there, played by actress Margaret Hamilton. While best known for playing that shrill and terrifying witch, Margaret Hamilton had a career that spanned six decades and included roles in Broadway theater as well as in movies and television. Different from that of her green-faced Wicked Witch, Hamilton’s story is a much more pleasant one to tell. Born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1902, Margaret Hamilton was the youngest of four children born to Jennie (Adams) and Walter Hamilton. The genealogist will see that the history of the Hamilton family in Ohio goes back to the early days of the state. A family history researcher will find that Walter J. Hamilton was a successful attorney in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County. Located by this professional genealogist, the 1910 U.S. Census lists Margaret’s parents as: Hamilton, Walter J., 45, married once for 17 years,           Ohio      Ohio      Ohio      Lawyer Jennie M., wife, 45, married once for 17 years,                   Ohio      Eng.       Eng.       Mother of 4 living children Margaret’s father, Walter, had a father who was a lawyer as well. According to death records, Walter’s parents were Edwin T. Hamilton and Mary E. Jones. Death records for Margaret’s mother, Jennie, indicate that her name was either Jennie Mary or Mary Jennie. Her parents were Edgar Adams and Mary J. Adams (Elliott), according to records located by this genealogy researcher. Burial records play a role in this story—and not because of any “witching”. Genealogists should always be aware that at the location of someone's grave, a genealogy researcher may find extra information on the person's ancestors. Many of the members of the Hamilton family and their extended genealogy are buried in Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland. It is a large cemetery with over 100,000 burials. A genealogy researcher will find that some of the family burials listed on FindAGrave are: Walter J. Hamilton; b. Apr. 14, 1865; d. Aug. 22, 1936 (father of Margaret) Jennie Mary Adams Hamilton; b. Aug. 28, 1865; d. Jul. 1, 1926 (mother of Margaret) Judge Edwin Timothy Hamilton; b. Jul. 30, 1830; d. Apr. 2, 1905 (grandfather of Margaret) Mary E. Jones Hamilton; b. Feb. 10, 1839; d. Jun. 23, 1929 (grandmother of Margaret) Edgar Adams; b. 1836; d. Feb. 1, 1889 (grandfather of Margaret) Mary J. Adams; b. 1838; d. Jan. 7, 1916 (grandmother of Margaret) George Elliott, Sr.; b. Unk.; d. Jan. 28, 1872 (great grandfather of Margaret) Mary Elliott; b. Unk.; d. May 17, 1881 (great grandmother of Margaret) The family history researcher should note that information on sources such as FindAGrave always needs to be verified with, for example, vital records. Oz's Wicked Witch of the West died a very different death than the actress who played her. For a quick verification, this genealogist looked at the 1880 U.S. Census and it lists: Edgar Adams, 44; wife Mary, 42; son Charles, 20; daughter Mary J. (Jennie), 16; son Edgar E., 9 and mother-in-law Mary Elliott, 84. This genealogy researcher has determined that George Elliott, Sr. was probably the husband of Mary because they are both buried in Lake View Cemetery plot, Lot 107-B. The FindAGrave volunteers wisely have included plot information which is a terrific help for the family history researcher. The Hamiltons were part of Cleveland’s upper class. They arrived in the area before Ohio achieved statehood and played a role in land development there. Margaret Hamilton’s paternal grandfather, Judge Edwin T. Hamilton, served for twenty years as a judge in the Court of Common Pleas in Cuyahoga County. Her great grandfather, Justus Hamilton arrived in 1801, two years before Ohio became a state. According to the 1880 U.S. Census, Margaret’s maternal grandfather, Edgar Adams, was the proprietor of a picture store. The genealogist can find that related family weddings tended to be elaborate and written up in the Cleveland Plain Dealer. So, the family history researcher will ask: who are the siblings of Margaret Hamilton and what became of them? That’s a good question for this genealogist to answer. The children of Walter and Jennie Hamilton left Cleveland. They are: Dorothy A. Hamilton, b. March 1894, married three times – the first to Charles F. Brush, Jr. in 1917. She became a birth control advocate and worked for women’s rights. She died in New York in June of 1968. Gladys Hamilton, b. September 1895, married John G. Mohler in 1922 in Cleveland. The couple settled in Columbus, Ohio. She died in 1977 and is buried in Green Lawn Cemetery in Columbus. Edwin T. Hamilton, b. June 1898, joined the Royal Air Force during World War I. Like his father, he became an attorney and a real estate developer. He married Amelia Gill in 1923 in Cleveland. Edwin’s interests turned in a different direction. Walter Hamilton’s 1935 obituary states that Edwin lived in New York and was a writer of books on aviation. This genealogist has not yet located the death information for him. Margaret Hamilton, b. Dec. 1902, turned to acting. She married Paul Meserve in 1931, had a son and divorced. She died in May 1985 in Connecticut. All four of the children of Walter and Jennie Hamilton had access to almost everything money could buy in Cleveland. The history of Cleveland was also a part of their lives. But each, in their own time and way, found their fortunes outside of their home town and created their own legacy. Margaret, our infamous Wicked Witch, became immortal. The family history researchers at RecordClick will help you with your genealogy challenges and your ancestry research. Our professional genealogists go beyond the usual internet resources. We will seek out the family’s documents thoroughly and find answers to genealogical mysteries. #### A Genealogy Researcher Learns About Sources Many a family history researcher wants genealogy guidelines to be black or white. That’s theory. More than once this RecordClick genealogist has listened to lectures on how research should be done – usually, that lecture is about the theory. Theory and reality. Sometimes they are the same thing. Sometimes they are not. The reality is that there are gray areas. When the genealogy researcher comes to primary, secondary sources and tools, there are often gray areas. Primary resources are preferred by a genealogy researcher because they are the documents created at, or closest to, the time of the actual event. For the genealogy researcher, a newspaper may be either a primary or secondary resource. Secondary sources are, for example, indexes that refer the genealogist to a primary source, or articles or items written about an individual or created after a person’s death. An encyclopedia is considered by genealogists to be a secondary source. A tool is a guide that gets the genealogy researcher to a primary or secondary source. Let’s take the journey of a genealogy researcher and see how these three types of sources work for the ancestry search.  This process and various sources are found in the death records of the movie actor Tom Mix. Tom Mix was born in Pennsylvania in 1880, yet he was considered a real cowboy. His movie career spanned over 20 years in the early days of motion pictures. He made more than 250 movies; most of them were silent films. The genealogy researcher will see that a primary source of information is his death certificate. This document may be found on the Arizona Department of Health Services web site. Tom Mix died in an automobile accident in October 1940. This source reveals important data about the silent film star. Secondary sources abound. These may be used by the genealogy researcher as sources, but the one must keep in mind that there may be better, more reliable sources for documentation. When this professional genealogist was in school, teachers often cautioned against using an encyclopedia as a source. These encyclopedic volumes provided general background information, but usually did not have enough specific details to make a report unique. Indexes are another way for the genealogy researcher to find information.  These sources are more general and give the genealogy researcher the opportunity to view a number of options before honing in on a specific person or place. This BLM – GLO index shows the number of Daniel Boones (By the way, THE Daniel Boone explorer and frontiersman, died in Missouri in 1820.) who had original land patents in Missouri: Image Accession Names Date Doc # State Meridian Twp - Rng Aliquots Sec. # County MO0100__.129 BOONE, DANIEL 1/14/1836 4669 MO 5th PM 041N - 010W NE¼NW¼ 26 Maries MO0690__.388 BOONE, DANIEL 10/1/1840 8667 MO 5th PM 040N - 010W W½NE¼, Lot/Trct 1 5 Maries MO1350__.381 BOONE, DANIEL 5/1/1843 16600 MO 5th PM 048N - 033W SW¼NW¼ 20 Jackson 048N - 033W SE¼NW¼ 20 Jackson MO5650__.436 BOONE, DANIEL 11/1/1859 25508 MO 5th PM 029N - 025W NE¼SE¼ 7 Lawrence MO0170__.404 BOONE, DANIEL M 12/5/1833 1828 MO 5th PM 048N - 033W W½SE¼ 4 Jackson MO0180__.032 BOONE, DANIEL M 12/5/1833 1956 MO 5th PM 048N - 033W NE¼ 4 Jackson MW-0120-235 GOOKINS, WILLIAM, BOONE, SARAH, BOONE, DANIEL W 12/1/1858 39482 MO 5th PM 066N - 032W S½SE¼ 18 Worth CV-0103-460 WHEELER, CHESTER, BOONE, DANIEL Finally, there are tools to be used by the genealogy researcher that may be helpful for the family historian but are not to be considered primary or secondary sources. Two favorites of this genealogy researcher are the Online Searchable Death Indexes and Records, deathindexes.com. This site is created and maintained by Joe Beine. While it is in no way a primary or secondary source of information, it is an excellent tool that leads one to online death records. Cyndi’s List, cyndislist.com, developed and hosted by Cyndi Howells. This site links the genealogy researcher with hundreds of web sites and is another fine tool. There are many web sites including that are excellent tools for the genealogy researcher. Most are not, however, primary or secondary sources. They are tools that will provide information, ideas, and direction. They will lead to the primary and secondary resources for the genealogy researcher. It is the use of primary resources that ensures the most accurate documentation and lets others know where the information is located. A recent trend at a few websites is to add more information and suggest possible family members to the user without adequately citing where the original data was found. The genealogy researcher must be cautious about accepting this type of reference without documentation. A web site is a tool and data on the web site needs always to have a primary or secondary source to back it up. When you hire a genealogist at RecordClick, you get a family history researcher who will pursue various primary sources and will provide you with accurate records about your family and its history. You are special and we take pride in the ancestry research we do for you. #### A Genealogy Researcher Looks at Donald Trump and His Mom Every genealogist likely knows the Trump family name.  During this current political season, Donald Trump is creating quite the commotion and controversy around it. This RecordClick genealogy researcher realizes that a good deal of information is known about the father’s side of the family of "The Donald". His father, Fred Trump, was in real estate development in the Borough of Queens, New York and areas outside of the Borough of Manhattan. Even without being as flamboyant as his son, he made the family’s original fortune. Donald’s mother, Mary Anne MacLeod Trump, a native of Scotland, kept a lower profile. This genealogy researcher has found that Mary Anne MacLeod was born in 1912 in Stornoway, Scotland, which has a current population of approximately 6,000. Stornoway is located on the Isle of Lewis in the Hebrides, off the coast of the mainland. Its history includes a visit by the Vikings. Mary first came to the United States in the early 1930s with her occupation listed as a domestic. Although she was married to Fred Trump for over 60 years, it appears she may have had a short previous relationship. After their marriage in 1936, Fred and Mary Trump settled into his home at 175-24 Devonshire Road in Queens. In 1940, the household consisted of: Fred Trump Head     34           4 yrs. HS/Building Construction earning $5,000+/yr. Mary A. Wife              27           8 yrs school Mary A. Dau                3 Fred Son                       1 The house, owned by the family, was valued at $12,500. Houses of neighbors were valued at $18,000 and $16,000. The family didn’t feel the need to live in the most expensive house on the block. However, they did have an Irish maid. Mary is listed as being a naturalized citizen. In 1930, the Trumps were living in the house at 175-24 Devonshire Road as well. It was valued at $23,000. By looking at what happened to the value of the house during the depression, a genealogy researcher is able to get an idea of the impact and effect of that national financial crisis. In 1930, the members of the household were: Fred C. Trump Head          25           Single                    Proprietor-builder Elizabeth Mother                50           Widowed John Brother                        21           Single Between 1935 and 1940, Elizabeth moved to 104-25 195 St. and rented an apartment for $45 a month. Mary Anne McLeod Timeline 10 May 1912, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Scotland (obituary) 1930 arrived in NY on the S.S. Transylvania. Listed as a domestic from Stornoway Port, Scotland. (Passenger Lists) May 19, 1933, married in Manhattan, James Drysdale, 28, of Dunfermline, Scotland. The bride’s residence is listed as Stornoway, Scotland. Groom’s parents: Robert Drysdale and Mary Wilson. Bride’s parents: Donald Macleod and Mary Graham. (New York City Marriage Records) 1934, arrived in NY on the S.S. Cameronia. Listed as a domestic from Lewis, Scotland. (Passenger Lists) 1936, married Fred Trump. (Obituary) March 10, 1942, issued a naturalization certificate by the U.S. District Court at Brooklyn, NY. Died August 7, 2000. Buried in Queens. Genealogy researchers need to keep an eye out for unusual pieces of information. While no legal marriage documentation was found for Mary MacLeod and Fred Trump, two New York City Marriages were found for Mary MacLeod: May 19, 1933; Mary MacLeod, Manhattan, born Scotland, and James Drysdale, Manhattan. December 28, 1935; Mary Regina MacLeod, Manhattan, born Toronto, and Allan Young, Manhattan. A genealogy researcher will find that in the first instance, Mary MacLeod the birth information agrees with what is known about Mary MacLeod Trump.  In the second instance, it does not. More research is needed to determine what exactly happened. For the genealogy researcher to be sure of the correct Mary MacLeod Trump in the naturalization record, the key piece of information is the address. The genealogist will note that it is the same as it was in the 1940 Census: 175-24 Devonshire Road. And in regard to passenger lists, Mary and Fred Trump didn’t take many extravagant vacations to foreign places. In 1953, the family took a trip to the Bahamas and, in 1957, Mary went to Scotland, flying tourist class. This ancestry researcher will note that Donald Trump may be a highly visible, flashy entrepreneur, but he didn’t get that quality from his mother. It takes research to find out who our ancestors were. You’ll always want to have the most experienced genealogists from the U.S. to Europe. That’s who we have at RecordClick. Our genealogists for hire will help you find more about your family and ancestral history than you can imagine. #### A Genealogy Researcher Looks at Missing Names in the Families of Stars Idina Menzel and Sophia Loren When a brief search by the family history researcher turns up a missing link, as with singer and Broadway actress Idina Menzel, what does the genealogy researcher do? In Idina Menzel’s case, a RecordClick genealogy researcher found her parents easily. Then, our genealogist quickly located three out of four grandparents in public records. But the story with that forth grandparent isn’t so clear. There is no marriage record immediately found for Idina Menzel’s maternal grandparents. Is this a case of illegitimacy? Missing records? A family secret? What does the genealogy researcher do? Is it a missing family member? An illegitimacy? The genealogist will find the answer. The genealogy researcher often becomes the family detective and has to search deeper into the census records, the local property records, the birth records and more. OR the genealogy researcher could do a direct in-person interview to see if the missing link is an open secret or has an easy explanation well known in the family circle. For a genealogist, there is definitely more research to be done on the family of Idina Menzel. It will be interesting to find that missing link! The bet of RecordClick’s professional genealogists is that with the singer’s current high profile stature, it won’t be long for these questions to be answered publicly. Questions answered publicly about actress Sophia Loren’s missing father happened long ago. With Sophia Loren, born Sofia Villani Scicolone, celebrating her 80th birthday this year, the public spotlight on her humble beginnings is nothing new. A genealogy researcher will be able to find tons of material on Sophia Loren. The family history researcher will find quickly that her sister was married to Mussolini’s son. And the genealogist will immediately turn up the details of long-beloved Sophia’s difficult, improverished childhood. For the genealogy researcher, Sophia Loren is an easy ancestry search even without a formal father. Why? Because her father was known. In published interviews, she has said she met him, Riccardo Scicolone, only six times him her life. She also said that he caused extreme pain to her mother, her sister and herself. For the genealogy researcher, this ancestry search is an easy one because of the subject’s high profile. Published interviews, open discussion, and clear records are the stuff a genealogy researcher craves. Published reports tell how her father, Riccardo Scicolone had seduced her mother after meeting on the street in Rome. He was a married engineer and her mother, Romilda Villani was a piano teacher and an aspiring actress, who, it has been reported, was often mistaken for Greta Garbo. Villani became pregnant immediately. Scicolone refused to divorce his wife. The child, Sofia, was born in a charity ward for unwed mothers in Rome. Villani moved back to her home town, Pozzuoli, outside of Naples. She then had a second child with Scicolone but he refused to allow the mother to use his name for this second child. This had financial consequences for the mother as well as social consequences for the offspring. Many years later, Sophia Loren paid to end her sister’s shame and legally acquired the father’s last name for her. It was that important to them. In a high profile situation like this, the movie star has been open about her early life without a legitimate father. In that era, the 1930s, illegitimacy was socially unaccepted, especially in a country such as Italy where many are Catholic. Church records, census records, legal records will all be helpful for the genealogy researcher who is looking for information on an absent or unknown father in the early part of the 1900s. At that time, in some countries, there were court records when families sued for child support citing loss of virtue. There were also medical record notes from interrogations of unmarried women in labor. When there was criminal activity such as a rape, local newspapers may have reported a crime 9-10 months before a child’s birth. A genealogist may also look at local photos to find similarities, unusual first names in the family that may reflect the father’s name, and the financial records of a family member who bore a child out of wedlock. Sometimes, a father would secretly set up the mother in a new home with income. When it comes to illegitimacy, the genealogy researcher has to be creative and diligent. It can be a complicated search when the person is not a high profile star. But it can be done. And it can be freeing for the family that has had questions and secrets for generations. A genealogy researcher at RecordClick will handle the deepest research to find the most hidden family information. This is what we do and we know how to do it. If you are wondering about your family history and want answers, contact us. #### A Genealogy Researcher Looks At Thanksgiving, the Pilgrims, Native Americans--Beyond the Mayflower As this RecordClick genealogy researcher ambles around the internet, the speed at which  information is posted on various websites makes me smile. There are now estimates of over 20 million individuals who can claim roots leading back to the courageous 102 passengers on the Mayflower. How timely a recent episode of Finding Your Roots on Public Television was. Genealogy researchers were able to trace the family history of Academy Award-winning actress Sally Field back to William Bradford, the Mayflower passenger and Pilgrim leader. So, with that many people descended from these courageous people--who came here seeking their fortunes and a safe place to worship--it isn't a surprise to this genealogist that even Sally Field has ties to the Mayflower. But – and I often include the “but” – there is more. I am a genealogist and  I have to ask questions. First, who met and helped these Pilgrims? The Mayflower landed in November of 1620 which, as anyone from America’s East Coast knows, is not a promising time to start settlement. What about later years? The Mayflower was just the one of many ships bringing more people in a procession lasting 300 years. What was the impact of settlement on these people? What were their lives like? This is the stuff a genealogy researcher revels in. With Thanksgiving approaching, this professional genealogist thought it might be interesting to investigate those early years. The Native Americans who met the Mayflower were the Wampanoag people. They were residents of the area for many thousands of years. In the early 1600s, incursions from neighboring Native Americans and disease caused their population to drop from about 8,000 to approximately 2,000. The Wampanoag people lived on the eastern shore of what is now Massachusetts and on the islands of Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard. While the Pilgrims were early settlers in southeastern Massachusetts, genealogy researchers should remember they were not the first English people to arrive here. Colonists from England began arriving in what is now Virginia since before 1610. English fishermen had been in the Cape Cod area several years before the Mayflower’s arrival and had developed a relationship with the Native Americans.  One such Native American was Samoset, a Wampanoag who established relationships early on with the Pilgrims. Samoset had learned enough English to Native Americans are very much a part of the history of the Pilgrims who settled this country. Here, Samoset meets with the Pilgrim leaders. greet the newcomers in their own language. He knew another Native American named Squanto who became a liaison with the new settlers. The Native Americans helped the Pilgrims survive the first winter and taught them how to live in this new land. A celebration of Thanksgiving was held in in the fall of 1621 with a number of Wampanoag people joining the Pilgrims. The genealogy researcher will find that historical records detail a three day feast. In early November of 1621, a second ship, the Fortune, landed with about 35 new settlers and few provisions. Were the passengers of the Fortune have been present at the Pilgrim’s Thanksgiving? This genealogy researcher located two written accounts by Edward Winslow and William Bradford that survive and have no specific mention of the date of the feast or of new arrivals. What this genealogy researcher has found is that the Fortune’s crew wanted to load goods back onto the ship and get back to England. On its return trip, the Fortune unfortunately landed in France. The French took the goods and sent the Fortune back to England. The passengers on the Fortune: John Adams                                                       Robert Hicks Nicholas Austin                                                 William Hilton William and Elizabeth Bassett                     Benedict Morgan William Beale                                                     Thomas Morton Jonathan Brewster                                          William Palmer and son, William Clement Briggs                                                  William Pitt Edward Bumpass                                             Thomas Prence John Cannon                                                      Moses Stacie William Connor                                                 James Steward Robert Cushman and son, Thomas           William Tench Stephen Deane                                                John Winslow Philip Delano                                                      William Wright Thomas Flavel and son Mr. Ford, wife Martha and children Martha and John Two more ships, the Anne and the Little James landed in 1623 with 85 passengers, according to research by this genealogist. New arrivals developed relationships with earlier settlers. Slowly, temporary housing became permanent. There were births, deaths and marriages. New towns were established. Governing individuals created laws and regulations. Houses of Worship and Schools were started. The genealogy researcher will find that records, diaries, and letters of these settlers were written, many of which still survive. For those genealogists interested in Pilgrim family history research, the General Society of Mayflower Descendants, founded in the late 1800s, focuses on the Mayflower only and not later arrivals. What, the genealogy researcher will ask, happened to the records of everyone else--the Native Americans and the passengers on the later ships? Passengers on later ships played important roles in the community and left descendants. The Wampanoags still have a presence in Massachusetts. For example, in 1987, the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head became a federally acknowledged tribe. We genealogists can be thankful for the many volumes and archives that help us understand who all of the Pilgrims and Native American ancestors were and what their world was like. Americans can detail the genealogy of their Thanksgiving meals. A number of websites provide information about the Pilgrims: American Ancestors, New England Genealogical Society: www.americanancestors.org. Caleb Johnson’s MayFlower History: http://mayflowerhistory.com. General Society of Mayflower Descendants: www.themayflowersociety.org. Wampanoag History: www.tolatsga.org/wampa.html. A brief history of the First Church in Plymouth, from 1606 to 1901; by John Cuckson; G.H. Ellis Co., Boston, 1902; HeritageQuest. Handbook of Old Burial Hill, Plymouth, Massachusetts; by Frank H. Perkins; A.S. Burbank, Pilgrim Bookstore, Plymouth, Mass. 1896; Google Books. Epitaphs from Burial Hill, Plymouth, Massachusetts, from 1657 to 1892: with biographical and historical notes; By Bradford Kingman; New England Illustrated Historical Pub. Co., 1892; HeritageQuest. Searching for Pilgrim ancestors can be an ambitious undertaking. The success comes in finding out that your ancestors played an important part in the history of the United States. Many records are available at the New England Historic Genealogical Society (NEHGS), founded in 1845, which is the oldest and largest genealogical society in the United States. Our genealogists have experience working with colonial documents.  When you hire a genealogist from our staff, we make the experience of locating your family’s historical records that much easier for you. We will write your family history, create special documents and expand your family tree. RecordClick family history researchers are only a mouse click away. #### A Genealogy Researcher Looks in the Shadow of Louis Armstrong's Fame and Finds His Family History Every genealogy researcher has one some place--the shadow family member who appears briefly and then disappears. The online exhibit Hidden From History – Unknown New Orleanians on the Louisiana Division/City Archives web site piqued the imagination of this RecordClick genealogist. And the wonderful jazz musician Louis Armstrong came to my mind. With a career that spanned several decades, Louis Armstrong has had a tremendous amount written about him. In the sleuthing of this professional genealogist, of course, the question of those who were in the shadows of his life came to my mind: Who were the members of his family? Louis Armstrong died in July of 1971 in New York and is buried in Flushing Cemetery, Queens County, New York. His wife, Lucille, died in 1983. He wrote an autobiography, Satchmo: My Life in New Orleans, published in 1954. That’s a good amount of information for a genealogist to begin the search. New Orleans was filled with sensory experiences in 1910. There was food, music and the grand Mississippi River, with its boats and cargo. Louis Armstrong, born in 1901, took it all in. Until Louis made his mark in music, he and his family were the “Unknown New Orleanians”. For the family history researcher, that is a challenge. Biographical information says that his parents were William Armstrong and Mary (Maryann according to Louis) Albert. The couple had two children – Louis in 1901 and Beatrice (also known as Mama Lucy) in 1903. In his autobiography, Louis lists his family members as: father, William Armstrong; step-mother Gertrude; their children Willie, Henry and Gertrude; his grandmother Josephine Armstrong; and a number of cousins. His father worked in a turpentine factory. Grandmother Josephine Armstrong did laundry. According to Armstrong’s biography, his mother brought home a number of “step-fathers”. A good genealogy researcher will look for information that verifies facts. Working with collateral lines is a big help. Louis’ sister, Beatrice, died in 1987. Her obituary in the New Orleans Times-Picayune (13 Jan 1987) lists her as the daughter of Mr. Willie and Mrs. Mary Ann Armstrong and the sibling of Willie, Henry, Selina and Louis Armstrong. From a records standpoint, this genealogy researcher finds that there is no indication that William and Mary Ann Armstrong ever were legally married. Famous as he was, his family was quietly behind the scenes and our RecordClick genealogist finds them Although family members seem to come and go, mother Mary Ann and son Louis can be followed in the census. Ward 3 and Perdido Street in New Orleans was a large part of their world. In 1920, they were boarding at 1408 Perdido Street. Mary Armstrong was 37 and Louis, 19. Mary lists her occupation as a cook for a private family while Louis was a musician in the theater. When he registered for the WWI draft, he lived at 1233 Perdido St. The 1910 Census is interesting. Mother and son are living in Ward 3 at 1303 Perdido Street. The household: Lee, Thomas; head; 24; laborer, schooner. Albert, Mary; companion; 25; laundress, at home. Armstrong, Louis; son; 8. This professional genealogist hasn’t been able to locate census records with which I am satisfied that match Louis’ father and sister. His mother, however, was born in about 1885 in Louisiana. A check of the 1900 Census in New Orleans Ward 5, 2nd precinct finds: Marshall, Rosa; head; b. Jan. 1845; widow; 55; b. Louisiana; Washerwoman Albert, Mary; granddaughter; b. Jan. 1885; 15; single; b. Louisiana; Servant Albert, Samuel; grandson; b. Feb. 1893; 7; single; b. Louisiana; At school Albert, Sarah; granddaughter; b. Dec. 1893; 6; single; b. Louisiana There is only one Mary Albert that this professional genealogist has found who fits the description of Louis Armstrong’s mother. More work by the genealogy researcher is needed, but Rosa Marshall could very well be the great grandmother of Louis Armstrong. The Armstrong and Albert families of 1900 most likely have links to slavery. For these families, manual labor occupations were the norm and there is little formal education recorded. While the family struggled to get along in whatever ways they could during his lifetime and before, Louis used his musical talent to move up the economic and social ladders. His intellect also broadened his horizons. He was able to provide insight into the New Orleans of the early 1900s and leave the world on a brighter note. Our professional genealogists at RecordClick will find your hidden family member. We work with many resources including archives from everywhere. A RecordClick genealogy researcher will develop your research strategy, find the historic documents and explain it all. #### A Good Genealogy Researcher Must Find The Rest of the Story This RecordClick genealogist has a good many memories bubble up to the surface from time to time. Memory is an interesting thing. When I was little, one of my grandmothers listened regularly to radio broadcaster Paul Harvey on his national radio show, The Rest of the Story. With a special tone and cadence, Harvey’s voice was easily identifiable and followed me into my adult life. The Rest of the Story was often about ordinary people and there was a special twist to make each tale unique. For the professional genealogy researcher and the regular family historian, one should pay attention to the clues that indicate there is more to the story. In the last half of the 1800s, a good many homesteaders and/or immigrants found their way to the state of Nebraska. The surge began in earnest in 1870 after the completion of the transcontinental railroad. Two of these settlers were Jacob H. Culver and his bride, Ada. In the 1870 U.S. Census, Jacob, 25, and Ida (sic), 17, were living on a farm in Township “O” near Milford in Seward County. The genealogist (even one who is a professional genealogy researcher) will often be satisfied with just what is found in the census information: In 1880, Jacob and Ada’s family had grown to include three sons. Jacob has no occupation. In 1900, Jacob is listed as a Captain in the 32nd Regiment in the Philippines. Three of his sons are also in the military. In 1910, Jacob is farming near Milford. The military listing should make the genealogical researcher sit up, take notice, and wonder what was going on. The Spanish-American War began in the spring of 1898. With much enthusiasm, men enlisted. As recorded in the April 22, 1898 edition of The Milford Nebraskan, members of Troop A, Nebraska National Guard included: H. Culver, Captain, Milford; E.E. Culver, 2nd Lieut., Milford; H. Culver, Corp., Milford; and D. Culver, Trumpeter, Milford. Not only had Jacob Culver enlisted, but three of his sons had enlisted as well. The Milford Nebraskan, like many small home town newspapers, is not available online. The news article which accompanies the list of men who signed up to serve promises that there will be regular reports of the unit’s activities. The military hostilities ended in December 1898 with the signing of the Treaty of Paris. In 1900, the family was still involved with the Nebraska National Guard. End of story. Well, not quite. This professional genealogy researcher has been perusing Post Master assignments for a U.S. GenWeb page that I am hosting. The “Appointments of U.S. Postmasters, 1832-1971” from the National Archives has been interesting to go through. Until the late 1800s, being appointed postmaster did not mean job security. Jacob H. Culver had the opportunity to serve as postmaster of Milford on a couple of different occasions: Appointed October 4, 1870. Appointed October 26, 1889. Appointed May 6, 1898. This order of appointment was rescinded May 31, 1898. The professional genealogy researcher should be asking what was going on and why was the appointment rescinded? The answer may be found in the news items in the April 22, 1898 edition of The Milford Nebraskan. There is one report about the postmaster resigning because of ill health: “Our people were much surprised yesterday to learn that Hon. T.A. Healey was appointed P.M. as J.H. Culver was supposed to own that position by appointment just as he went away; he laughs best who laughs last.” And here, this professional genealogy researcher has found "the rest of the story." Jacob Culver became Adjutant General in the Nebraska National Guard. In approximately 1910, some members of the Culver household, including Jacob, Ada and son Harry moved to southern California. Harry became a real estate developer and Culver City is named for him. Families are more than names, ages and birth locations on a census. More likely than not they got involved in their community or neighborhood. Some of the information can be found online. Some cannot. But hints abound –and the stories are there for the finding. When you hire a genealogist from RecordClick, you get a professional genealogy researcher to find your family’s special story. #### A Good Genealogy Researcher Takes Time It happened to this RecordClick genealogy researcher again last week. I got the familiar email… the one that says something like: “I’m interested in my family’s history and in joining the Daughters of the American Revolution. I see you have been working on my family line. I will pay you to ‘help’ me find my family in colonial America…” When I get these, all I can do is sigh…and roll my eyes. First of all, the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) has made it easier to meet the qualifications to join. For me, that is fine. Family lines have been documented for a good number of patriots and men who served in either the Continental Army or a militia. If a genealogy researcher is interested in becoming a member of the DAR and can connect to an established line, such documentation will save time, money and avert going over something that has already been done. But, please, keep in mind that a good many people have spent hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars developing these pedigree lines that are making it easier for those who are interested now. Back in the 1970s, two distant cousins of mine, one of whom was interested in becoming a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, spent many hours and dollars trying to find a connection to the American Revolution. The other cousin was a professional researcher in Orange County, New York where my family lived. Was a connection made with me? No.  And, their work and correspondence was donated to the New Jersey State Historical Society in Newark. This genealogy researcher has made a couple of trips from Nebraska to the East Coast area to do some research, but I have always had time constraints. Is the “interested in my family’s history” individual willing to pay for my time and expenses to do the genealogy research that I happen to be working on personally  if it would assist their research? So far, I haven’t had any takers. Perhaps that’s because a good genealogy researcher and his or her work may take way more than a few hours in a library. Documents take time to access and understand. When there are first hand sources that the genealogy researcher may locate or interview, the genealogy researcher will need time to find and access them. Last autumn, this genealogy researcher visited the David Library of the Revolutionary War. It is an excellent facility with helpful staff and volunteers. Located in Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania, the focus of its holdings is American history from 1750 to 1800. The librarian there sighed the sigh when she said she’d lost count of how many people had told her their ancestors served with George Washington. She vividly recalled how many of these people had felt that finding their information would take no time at all. Good research takes time. We genealogy researchers know this to be true. I have tracked my family back to 1790 through tax records. I told the librarian at the David Library that I wasn’t particular, but I sure wanted to break the 1790 barrier. She was rather apologetic when she told me she found something in the “Public Papers of George Clinton, First Governor of New York”. I didn’t know the volume existed and wouldn’t have expected to find anything about my family. As a genealogy researcher, I know a lot about somethings, yet, not so much about the finer points of early New York State history. The genealogy researcher takes time. Finding all the docs and details isn't something that happens with a snap of the fingers. The librarian found the family in New York State in 1777. I can’t image the number of years she has been gaining knowledge about the holdings of this library and the Revolutionary War. She has put in the time because it takes time. The George Clinton Public Papers include a good deal of personal information – including individuals who were court martialled in New York during the Revolutionary War. As for my family, the episode is a short, but a good read. All my family wanted to do was hunt, fish, get along and be left in peace. Trouble was brewing and one Leut. Tebow was supposed to report for military duty. He, however, felt his time would be better spent going to my family’s place to hunt and fish. In the process Leut. Tebow “Returned Home in about three days’ time and stayed at home a few Days and then when out again Hunting and Returned Home unwell and complained that he had a Boyl (sic)” and couldn’t march. The commanding officer felt differently. This time, I was delighted. A professional genealogy researcher from RecordClick always takes the time. The genealogists at RecordClick seek out that special bit of information that connects to the patriot or the special membership or the legends in your family or more. #### A Great Offer from Your Family History Magazine [box type="shadow"]Your Family History - Subscription Starter Pack The YFH starter pack is the perfect gift for someone starting to research their family tree - for just £35 (about $55*, plus postage and packing**) you will receive: - A 6-issue subscription (RRP: £25 - about $39) - A 13 issue binder (RRP: £10 - about $16) - A FREE copy of Nick Barratt's Guide to Your Ancestor's Lives (RRP: £20 - about $31) - A FREE copy of Pen and Sword's Family History on the Internet Bookazine (RRP: £7 - about $11) To order please visit our website (**postage is free on all UK orders, for overseas postage prices please visit our website). In the September issue of Your Family History (on sale 9 August), we provide a stress-free guide to researching your family history and a beginner's guide to tracing merchant seamen. We also show you how to trace your Huguenot ancestors, and we have a FREE booklet on how to trace your rural ancestors plus more! [/box] *British Pound Sterling conversion to U.S. dollars estimated on July 19, 2012 #### A Moveable Feast of Genealogy Research Among the Moveable Stacks of the ACPL Image courtesy of ACPL. Okay you astute genealogists out there in cyberland, tell me this: Where can you find 55,000 published family histories; another 5,000 on microfiche; all existing federal census on microfilm; more than 20 on-site databases; immigration records covering in excess of 160 ports; and military records from every war from the American Revolution to World War I – all of which are available to the genealogy researcher in one place? If you guessed the Family History Library in Salt Lake City...you would be wrong. If you guessed the National Archives in Washington, D.C., you would also be incorrect. However, if you guessed the Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center (ACPL) in Fort Wayne, Indiana – ding ding ding ding – you would be correct! Go to the head of the ancestor search class. In addition to having all of these collections and family history research resources in one place, the ACPL Genealogy Center is full of avid genealogical researchers who have come from far and wide to trace family history. Award-winning Curt B. Witcher serves as the Library’s Senior Manager for Special Collections. A 30-year veteran of the ACPL, Witcher is also the founding president of the Indiana Genealogical Society. The ACPL is staffed by librarians who are experienced  genealogists and ancestry researchers who can help visiting genealogists find the information they are seeking. Many of the staff write genealogy-related articles, which are posted on the Genealogy Center's "Our Blog" site. Recently I embarked on a genealogy research project to trace the family genealogy of an ancestor of mine, Bob, who died intestate - without a will - in order to learn if he had any heirs. So, in addition to dealing with death records, I needed to tap research information that would help me track down living ancestors, as well. The ancestors in question lived in several states, so instead of hitting the road and wasting travel time and gasoline, I went to the one place where I knew I could probably trace most of the family genealogy without leaving the building – the ACPL. I laced up my walking shoes, ditched the GPS, grabbed a map of the genealogy center, and began my search for heirs. I headed first to the microfilm cabinets to delve into the newspapers for an obituary. The library has a large collection of newspapers on microfilm. I located the obituary for Bob, but it wasn't much more than a death notice. The information I did glean from the obit was the fact that Bob had died in Allen County, so the next logical place to look was death records. The ACPL Genealogy Center has all of the vital records for the county, as well as indices for all of Indiana's counties. Unfortunately, the data in the death record was not as informative as I would have liked, so I moved on to the census records. The Genealogy Center at the ACPL has all of the federal population schedules and many state census records on microfilm rolls. Admittedly, researching the census schedules on Ancestry might be easier, but ACPL, which makes Ancestry's databases available to genealogy researchers, has an additional 10 on-site genealogical databases covering subjects ranging from geographical sources for New England and the British Isles, to topical subjects, such as military, African American heritage, and periodical sources. The 1900 Census yielded more information regarding my family search. I discovered Bob had a brother, Carlo, living with him in New York City. Also on the census schedule was a notation that Bob immigrated to the U.S., which redirected my search to the immigration records. The ACPL Genealogy Center has records for 163 ports of entry. I found Bob listed with another brother, Joe, on a passenger list of a ship that left Naples, Italy, and arrived in New York in 1897. When I checked the federal census, I found Bob married and living in Allen County, Indiana. A quick search of the Allen County marriage records yielded the appropriate document that confirmed Bob's marriage in Allen County and listed his address at the time. Searching the same federal census, I didn't find Joe listed; however, a subsequent search of death records confirmed that he had died. It also revealed the name of the informant to be Carlo. Armed with the additional names, including Bob's wife's name, I crossed the gallery to the search the city directories. The ACPL has a vast collection of more than 48,000 city directories. I followed Bob for several years. Suspecting that his wife died in 1978, I returned to the microfilm cabinets to search the large newspaper collection for an obituary. I found the obituary, but it did not list any surviving children. Carlo was listed at an address in a New Hampshire veterans' hospital. That piece of information led to my search of military records. In addition to carrying the on-site database of Fold3.com, the Library has military records from the National Archives for every war from the American Revolution to World War I. It also has a growing contributor-donated military database for Indiana service records available to genealogy researchers. Interested to know more about Carlo, I searched draft records, which revealed that he had a wife and family when he enlisted in the Army. A search of the local newspaper reported that he died and was survived by his wife and a child living in Salem, New Hampshire. Armed with this new information, I did a search of the electronic card catalogue and found that the ACPL had a current city directory for Salem, New Hampshire. The electronic card catalogue can access more than 1 million items in the genealogy center. Again, I crossed the gallery to retrieve the Salem, New Hampshire, city directory from the moveable stacks. Before I left the gallery, I consulted with the librarians about gathering additional information on the family, and they recommend using PERSI – Periodical Source Index. The librarians in the ACPL genealogy department are actually the very genealogists who created the PERSI index of all of the genealogy periodicals in the genealogy center. The massive index has been digitized and can be accessed from HeritageQuest Online, another helpful on-site database. After a search of PERSI, I found a possible article in an Ohio journal. After noting the title, volume and page number, I referred to a map of the stacks to locate the Ohio books. There it was. Bob's brother Carlo had a living son - Dave. Mission accomplished! Mystery solved. If you recall, initially, I set out to see if my ancestor Bob, who had died intestate, had any relatives. Without leaving the confines of the ACPL Genealogy Center, I searched death certificates, passenger lists, censuses, military records, newspapers, immigration and periodical collections, city directories, and more.  I learned that Bob had two brothers - Carlo and Joe - and that Carlo had a living son, Dave, in Salem, New Hampshire. After a few clicks to a couple of online phone directories, I found a current phone number for Dave. I dialed the number, and few moments later the phone was ringing. Though Dave was initially elated to receive any news of his Uncle Bob, the excitement gave way to dismay upon learning of his uncle's death. Carlo had told his son that after he left New York, he (Carlo) never saw his brother Bob again. Though the ACPL Genealogy Center offers an abundance of resources to genealogy researchers, it doesn't guarantee results. Even the best genealogy researcher can hit the proverbial brick wall in an ancestor search. If this happens, contact RecordClick, a professional genealogy service. The professional genealogists at RecordClick know how to break through your brick wall and find the information you need to trace family history. Debra K. Hutsell is Indiana born and raised. Hailing from Fort Wayne, Debra boasts more than 40 years experience in genealogy research – 20 of those years as a professional genealogist. In addition to working with clients to trace family history, she has also worked with a number of attorneys and trust departments on heir research and probate cases, and has appeared in court as an expert witness to such genealogical research. Her articles have appeared in Everton's Genealogical Helper and the Fort Wayne News-Sentinel. Debra remembers when the Allen County Public Library (ACPL) in Fort Wayne had only a half a dozen microfilm readers and closed stacks. Today ACPL is a massive world-class genealogical ancestry center, considered to be second in genealogy research only to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. #### A New Year's Resolution Yields the Perfect Christmas Gift for Ancestry Researchers Martha Smith was shopping for her husband and two daughters in 1940 when a sparkling pearl bracelet in the jeweler’s window caught her eye. In the midst of the Great Depression, her family was not suffering as was the rest of the county. Her husband, Hy, a self-educated Civil Engineer selling large, used construction equipment, managed to find steady customers. The bracelet glinted in the display and seemed to smile at her: how could she possibly pass it up? She couldn’t. Consider a genealogy gift card as they make a great Ancestry as a gift Christmas Eve had become the traditional time for opening gifts in our family, ever since Martha, my grandmother, had complained of needing to run from the kitchen to the front room to see what was being opened, then back to the kitchen to prepare breakfast - always an elaborate affair that bespoke her English heritage. So, exchanging presents was shifted to Christmas Eve to allow a more leisurely celebration. My grandfather, in the Santa Claus role of handing out the wrapped presents beneath the tree, was somewhat flummoxed when he picked up the small package with a card reading “To Marty - Love, Hy.” He handed it to my grandmother with a confused expression; clearly he was rummaging through his mind. She opened the gift, a lovely pearl bracelet, and threw her arms around Grandpa, exclaiming, “Hy! It is gorgeous! I absolutely love it!!” She kissed him and immediately began fastening it to her wrist. Ancestry Researchers. My grandfather stood there, confused, bewildered, as she extended her arm for him to admire the bracelet. He stammered, “But Marty, I didn’t . . . I don’t know. . . .” He looked to my aunt and my mother, young teenagers, for some assistance in solving the mystery. They just shrugged their shoulders. He tried again, “Marty, I am not sure where this gift came from, but my present for you is still under the tree,” and he nodded at the wrapped toaster he had hoped would please her. She smiled at him and said, “I know you didn’t get me this, but you would have if you had known how much I wanted it. So I just helped out with your shopping.” Every year, this story is told around our Christmas tree. Often, it is imitated as someone will have “pulled the Martha trick” to give themselves something truly desired. And so my grandparents are with us at every Christmas. That, of course, is a major attraction of family history: knowing our ancestors as so much more than birth, marriage, and death dates and places. The stories of their lives breathe life back into them and keep them with us. That is why we see so many suggestions from genealogists around the holidays to take the opportunity at family gatherings to talk with older relatives and pay attention to their memories, to record them for future generations in some way. The loss of family history with the passing of each generation is inevitable. But we can save some of it by writing down the stories and attaching them to our compiled genealogies, preferably in an electronic format - one of my personal preferences is to attach these to an online tree. These stories can also be included in self-published books, such as the Legacy Book offered by RecordClick. If you would like some assistance with the kinds of questions to ask your older relatives as you gather together this season, or how best to preserve your own memories of your ancestors, contact the professional genealogists at RecordClick. The family history Ancestry Researchers at RecordClick can help you find a way to give a remarkable Christmas gift to generations of your family yet unborn. Photo credit Nancy Siddons-Daniels #### A Special Christmas in 1776 From the Vantage Point of a Genealogist With Christmas cards in the mail, this RecordClick genealogist has time to sit back and ponder past Christmases that might impact a family history researcher. One that comes to mind is the December 25, 1776. Most every genealogist knows that the Declaration of Independence had been signed the previous July and the Revolutionary War was touching many households.   Some dates: 1773, December – The Boston Tea Party. 1774 – The Parliament ordered Boston Harbor closed. 1774, September – The First Continental Congress convened. 1775, February – Parliament declared Massachusetts to be in a state of rebellion. 1775, April – Battles of Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts. 1775, July – George Washington was appointed by the Continental Congress to take charge of militia units. 1776, July – The Continental Congress declared independence. 1776, Summer – Washington’s troops were fighting in the area of what is now New York City. 1776, Fall and early winter – Washington’s troops fled south through New Jersey and into Pennsylvania. 1776, December 25-26 – Washington crossed the Delaware River and the Battle of Trenton. In January of 1776, Thomas Paine wrote in his pamphlet, Common Sense: “Volumes have been written on the subject of the struggle between England and America. Men of all ranks have embarked in the controversy, from different motives, and with various designs; but all have been ineffectual, and the period of debate is closed. Arms, as the last resource, decide the contest; the appeal was the choice of the king, and the continent hath accepted the challenge.” In December 1776, George Washington was trying to figure out what to do. The fighting had not gone well. He had been trained as a Surveyor, not as a General. And, at the time, he didn’t want to be in Pennsylvania. As for his troops, they were ill paid, poorly dressed, not well fed or housed. All in all, it wasn’t a good situation. So what does this have to do with the genealogist? Knowing that something needed to change, Washington listened to some of his officers. These officers included Bostonian Henry Knox who was well read on military history. John Sullivan, a General from New Hampshire who was doing a good job. Nathanial Green of Rhode Island who was demonstrating strong organizational skills. There were other officers advising him, as well. Washington planned a three-pronged attack that included crossing the Delaware River and then marching on to engage British troops at Trenton. Boats were secured to ferry troops across the river. Many were Durham boats, similar to the type depicted in Emanuel Leutze’s famous painting. The boats were sturdy. They were regularly used to carry iron down the river. Each boat held about twenty people. The weather in December 1776 did not favor Washington. Brigadier General James Ewing, with over 500 militia, at Trenton Ferry and Lt. Col. John Cadwalader, with 1900 soldiers at Bristol, were unable to make the crossing as planned. Only George Washington and his 2400 soldiers at McConkey’s Ferry, now called Washington Crossing, carried out their part of the operation as planned. History and the genealogist will recall December 1776 and Washington's army crossing the Delaware. It began at 4 p.m. on the afternoon of December 25, 1776. With boats ferrying militia, the crossing was completed at about 3 a.m. the following morning. They endured freezing temperatures, cold water, sleet and snow. What, genealogy researcher, does this mean? Hasn’t many a genealogist specializing in Early American history or Colonial or Mayflower genealogy heard family members tell stories about George Washington? How many specialist genealogy researchers have family members who know about the crossing of the Delaware--and an ancestor who crossed with George? Likely, many a genealogist has come across the story of the family soldier who had an acquaintance with Washington. But, this genealogist knows that it is not likely that the history-making ancestor was in the same boat. Despite their setbacks on that cold day in 1776, the troops marched to Trenton, some nine miles away, engaged the British and won the battle that afternoon of December 26. While you are busy celebrating the season with friends and family, take a moment to remember all the soldiers from all the wars who were unable to be home at Christmas. They gave us one of the greatest gifts of all – their service. As much as every genealogy researcher may want to find a famous person in every ancestor search, the active genealogist has a better shot at finding the ancestor’s historical essence. How does the genealogist do this? First and foremost, the genealogist must search for the ancestor’s personal history and find what he or she accomplished in life. With those records and facts, the genealogist is most likely to locate the essence of an ancestor’s history. Call it the essence or the spirit or the gift of the life of someone in the family tree. This ill-prepared group of Washington’s was, indeed, a rag tag bunch of soldiers who defeated the better equipped British fighters at Trenton. Every genealogist and person reading this here, needs to keep in mind that not all of the soldiers were heroes. Without pay or supplies, many left and went home. One of Washington’s biggest challenges was keeping an army together. There are a myriad of resources for the genealogist seeking to research the Revolutionary War. George Washington’s papers have been published. The Library of Congress and the National Archives are good sources of information. The David Library of the American Revolution has a treasured amount of resources. A number of organizations, including the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Sons of the American Revolution, have websites. Both Pennsylvania and New Jersey have state historical parks on either side of the site.  The site called Washington Crossing Park on the New Jersey side has a free reenactment event annually on Christmas Day. This year's event begins at 1PM and is open to the public. Finding information on these historic American events will often require a genealogist to do some digging. Records for the Continental Army and state militias are located in different places. The documentation a researcher finds may not seemingly match with family lore. A genealogist from RecordClick will research your Revolutionary War ancestors. We will develop a research strategy and plan of action for finding information—and the essence of your ancestor’s life-- for you. A RecordClick genealogist will explain the documents and what they mean. #### A Time For The Family History Researcher to Remember: Researching D-Day Every family history researcher surely knows that many of the young people who became soldiers, sailors and airmen at that time are gone now. The beaches – Omaha, Utah, Gold, Sword and Juno – are quiet. Guides point out still- visible scars. Memorials explain to visitors what happened here 70 years ago on the Sixth of June in 1944. One memorial in the British Cemetery, Bayeux, France reminds us: “Their name liveth for evermore.” This RecordClick genealogist made the journey to Normandy in France several years ago to honor a father and to see the area that was his world for a year and a half. It was a world that he, like so many other veterans, didn’t talk much about… to me anyway. That’s okay.  I wouldn’t have understood. Most teenagers, especially a daughter, can’t know the tension, the noise, the destruction, the inevitability of injury and death that was a part of the Normandy invasion. Information for family history researchers about D-Day abounds on the internet. There are articles, books, documentaries, movies, photographs and recordings from the Library of Congress and National Archives for the family history researcher to use.  Those doing a genealogical search can find military, unit, individual and genealogical web sites. It is enough to overwhelm any family history researcher. One hint for the genealogist who wants to know more about what a family member in his or her ancestor search may have had to deal with:  If the unit is known, check for a unit web site. There may be pictures and stories there. My dad was a part of the 90th Infantry Division. They have their own web site: www.90thdivisionassoc.org. On this site is a wealth of information including histories of each unit. His unit, the 357th Infantry, boarded the S.S. Explorer and S.S. Bienville on June 4. On June 5, the ships were in Bristol Channel near Swansea. On June 6, they were on their way to France. They landed on June 8 at Utah Beach. Well over 100,000 soldiers participated in D-Day. It was a joint effort with soldiers coming from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Free Frenchmen. They landed and fought at Omaha, Utah, Gold, Juno and Sword beaches. They came in 5,000 ships and landing craft and 11,000 planes in less-than-ideal circumstances. There were successes and there were missteps. There were also more than 10,000 casualties, including approximately 4,000 deaths. Some of the American soldiers who died eventually found their way back home to be buried in local or national cemeteries stateside. Others remained in the land where they fell. The family history researcher can look for the relatives on the website of the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs which is excellent for locating veterans who are buried in national or state veteran’s cemeteries. One of this RecordClick genealogist’s favorite web sites, however, is that of the American Battle Monuments Commission. This Commission administers and maintains 25 permanent American burial grounds on foreign soil. In addition to providing news and activities about the various cemeteries, there is a searchable data base containing the names of over 200,000 buried or memorialized individuals. In addition to the name, rank, unit, and place where the individual entered the service, there is the death date, war or conflict and the place of burial listed, also. For the family history researcher, the web site is well organized and easy to use. It is a true tribute to those who gave their lives for their country. Very soon, in June, people will gather. Words will be spoken.  Memories will be shared. Pictures will be taken on those beaches that were so tumultuous 70 years ago. In honor of those brave soldiers: “Think not of their passing, but the glory of their spirit.” – Quote on the chapel at the American Cemetery in Normandy. If you are looking for information about a family member who served in the military or participated in D-Day, the RecordClick genealogists will help. Our family history researchers have experience working with military records and finding online information not found in the usual places. We will find that special story makes your family history come alive. #### Adoption History Research: What You Need To Know If you're curious about your adoption history, unraveling your past can provide invaluable insights into your identity and roots. However, such an exploration goes beyond curiosity and research and has practical and emotional implications. So, whether you are the adoptee or helping an adoptee realize their genealogy, you need to know where to begin, the challenges to expect, and how to overcome them. Most importantly, you will want to be sure that the resources and steps you follow will lead you to authentic and accurate findings about your biological roots. Luckily, the skilled and empathetic team of genealogists at RecordClick has addressed every question you may have about tracking your genealogy. RELATED: How to Conduct Family History Research on A Budget Reasons To Explore and Embrace Your Adoption History Legal Adoption History Discovering your roots is crucial for personal growth and identity. When you unravel your adoption history, you gain an in-depth understanding of your family's cultural, ancestral, and medical heritage. Besides connecting with your biological relatives, this journey of self-discovery can be a major step towards establishing a sense of completeness and validation. Such a transformation makes the reunions so heartwarming and the connection to the extended family so meaningful. Most importantly, the practice has become so open in recent decades, mainly due to the rise of open adoption, which maintains a link between the adoptee and the birth parents. This is contrary to practices in the past, where information about birth parents was sealed. Nonetheless, incorporating DNA testing in genealogy research can unravel even ancestry information sealed in the closed adoption setting. How To Begin Genealogy Research Involving Adopted Child Adoptive Family Tree The best way to begin your research is to gather as much information as possible about the process and possible relatives. Here are the steps that will set you on the path to discovery. Explore Documents: Start with gathering any information you may find, including the place and dates, as well as the names of parties and agencies involved. Ask questions: Engage family members in open and honest conversations. People close to you might have crucial information. Be sure to inquire respectfully and sensitively, as such topics may be emotional for some. Examine Legal Documents: Check for any court orders or decrees as they usually have clues such as involved agency, birth parents, or birth names that can aid your exploration. Seek Basic Information: If you have contacts with the involved agency, you can request non-identifying information about your birth parents. The information may offer hints about the parents' physical characteristics, age, and general background without revealing names. Join Reunion Sites: These sites allow you to create a profile and search for possible biological connections. How To Access Adoption Records Accessing the records may look easy but it can be a challenge to get any substantial information due to varying laws and legal restrictions. However, you can still find a way out: Contact the Involved Agency: Check if the agency involved allows access to adoption records or facilitates contacts between the adoptee and the birth parents. Check Relevant Laws: You may be surprised that the jurisdiction has policies granting adoptees access to any information. Sometimes, navigating the legal aspect of such intricate research may require the intervention of a professional assistant. DNA Testing and Genetic Genealogy: DNA testing through reputable companies like 23andMe or AncestryDNA can provide crucial leads to your genetic relatives. Although these are just the initial steps, they can lay the groundwork for your research journey. RELATED Is It Worth Doing The 23andMe Or Ancestry Test? What Are the Challenges Associated With Adoption Research? Adopted Child The common challenges you're likely to face include the lack of access to essential adoption records, mainly due to cases of closed adoption and legal restrictions. Here is a more detailed look at each of these cases. Closed Adoption While open adoptions allow some level of contact and information-sharing between the adoptive and birth families, the closed option keeps it confidential and sealed. As a result, the records become inaccessible as the birth parents seek to maintain anonymity and protect their privacy. In this case, accessing substantial information hinders your journey to self-discovery. Legal Restrictions Adoption laws at the state or country level can also limit or allow access to information for birth parents and adoptees. Restrictive laws protect information held in a closed adoption, such as birth records and names, hindering progress in the search for your genealogy. Although some people have succeeded in unsealing the information through the court order, the process has been tedious, complex, and time-consuming. Benefits Of DNA Testing in Adoptive Genealogy Research DNA Test for Genealogy Key benefits of DNA testing include overcoming the highlighted challenges, accessing scientific evidence, and establishing your ethnicity. Here is a breakdown of the key benefits. Authentic Genetic Data: Through DNA results, it can be easy for a genealogist to identify genetic relatives, including siblings, relatives, and birth parents. You can compare the DNA profiles with a vast database and establish relatives with whom you can create meaningful connections. Breaking the Brick Wall: When faced with restrictive laws and closed adoption cases, DNA testing can provide a breakthrough in linking you with genetic relatives. Scientific Evidence: DNA testing can provide validation for traditional genealogy research. The tangible scientific evidence can supplement your findings and offer a connection to your ancestral roots. Ethnicity and Ancestral Origin: Besides connecting people with their genetic relatives, DNA results provide insights into your ethnic origin and possibly trace the exact region from which your ancestors lived or originated. Networking: DNA testing companies such as AncestryDNA, 23andMe, and MyHeritage DNA allow you to connect with people sharing your genetic matches, fostering mutual research assistance and support. Closure and Identity: By breaking the brick through DNA testing, an adoptee develops a sense of identity and closure as the information helps fill in missing puzzles in the history research. Ethical And Emotional Considerations in Adoption History Research Ethical And Legal Considerations Adoption history research demands a delicate balance between pursuing information and respecting parties' consent and privacy. Here are essential considerations when pursuing adoption history. Informed Consent: A search angel must obtain informed consent from all the parties involved in the adoption records you seek to access. This means informing the individuals about the research process, objectives, and implications in case they're willing to engage. Respecting Privacy: Being a sensitive personal matter, parties may choose the closed adoption route to protect their privacy. Therefore, search angels should handle any information respectfully and refrain from disclosing it without consent. Legal Compliance: The legal landscape varies significantly by period and jurisdiction. Therefore, genealogist researchers should be familiar with legal frameworks in respective jurisdictions to ensure the process is smooth and adheres to set regulations. Empathy and Sensitivity: Finding in this exploration can cause an identity crisis, grief, disappointment, and reopening of old wounds hence the need to be empathetic and emotionally supportive throughout the process. RELATED: Find a Genuine Genealogist for Accurate Ancestry Discover Your Adoption History With Confidence and Certainty! As you have seen, understanding your adoption roots empowers you to embrace your multifaceted identity and bridge the gap between your biological and adoptive family. With the support of professional genealogists, you can overcome the challenges of adoption research with sensitivity and confidence. Our experienced team at RecordClick is dedicated to guiding you through this process, offering empathy and expertise every step of the way. Contact us today and let us be the trusted companion on your research journey. #### Adoption Laws - A Tale of Two States To paraphrase Charles Dickens: "It is the best of times, it is the worst of times, it is the season of Light, it is the season of Darkness, it is the spring of hope, it is the winter of despair, we have everything before us, we have nothing before us. . . . " When genealogical research meets the patchwork quilt of state adoptions laws, the path to discovering our ancestors can be facilitated by enlightened politicians or stymied by draconian legislation. Isn’t it our birthright to know who we are and where we came from? In brief, Montana says yes, Texas says no. Two years ago, I was contacted by a man wanting to identify his biological parents. He was not looking to meet them: if they were still living, they would be in their 80s or older. He simply wanted to know his family history. At first, I was dubious, never having researched Montana’s adoption laws, but ironically being involved with those from Texas at the time. My father-in-law (Robert) had passed away just two months earlier, and when my husband returned from clearing out his dad’s papers, he brought home a folder of correspondence that broke my heart. The fact that Robert had been adopted from the Texas Children’s Aid Society in 1922 was the not-so-secret family secret. We all knew; however, everyone pretended that they didn’t, because he was not willing to discuss it. But with his death, the file of letters to the adoption agency, state legislators, lawyers, and judges was left to my husband. The folder contained a single sheet of paper labeled: "What We Know." Precious little information followed: his birthday, location, a single sheet (heavily redacted) comprising his "case history," and a copy of his adoption papers, held by the county Registrar of Deeds. The only birth information in the "deed" was a birth name — Joe Wilson — nothing of his biological parents. Robert had spent the last 20 years of his life trying to find out if he had living biological relatives. He wanted to know who and where he came from. It is a universal desire. But Texas laws seal adoption records "forever;" it didn’t matter that well into his eighties, Robert certainly did not have living parents. And my husband, an avid genealogical researcher himself, had been able to pursue only his mother's side. Letters to the Edna Gladney Home (the former Texas Children’s Aid Society) were met with stony refusals. Even though Robert was now dead, at age 88, they would not release an unredacted copy of his adoption so that his children could know their genealogical history. After reading hundreds of online postings from others desperately seeking their family stories but being completely rebuffed by the Texas laws, I noted there was only one exception to the ironclad rule: the presence of a genetic disorder. Hemochromatosis! This is a potentially deadly illness in which the body accumulates iron in vital organs. But if caught early enough, a few yearly phlebotomies keep it in check. Both my husband and his older brother have this disease. A doctor’s letter led to a court order, and within a month, we received an unredacted copy of the adoption records. Our resulting genealogical research led to a living aunt, dozens of cousins, and ultimately a family tree documented back to Colonial America. It also led to an emotional family reunion, forging strong new bonds. Meanwhile, in Montana, I found not roadblocks to finding biological parents, but rather an enlightened law. For adoptions before 1967, such as the one I was researching, the adopted person is entitled to receive an original birth certificate at age 18. There are few changes covering the next 30 years, which entail a court order, but that is not difficult to obtain. The legal system recognizes the importance of medical history, whether or not a genetic disease is involved. And since 1997, barring a request from a birth parent requesting records not be automatically released to the adoptee at age 18, those records are indeed seen as a birthright and are provided upon request. If biological parents filed an objection upon the adoption, then the court order has to be issued, but again, the presumption is with the adoptee. Montana adoption records are not held by the registrar of deeds: children are not property whose lives are to be forever controlled by the wishes of their parents who have, for whatever reason, given them up for adoption. If you are trying to find biological parents or seeking other biological family and would like some professional assistance in researching the various state laws, you are wise to contact a genealogy ancestry service. RecordClick's professional genealogists can assist you in your search to find biological parents and family. Genealogical research can take us down a wide variety of paths, some more difficult to navigate than others. But finding birth parents and family, living and deceased, can be facilitated by knowledgeable genealogical researchers. May your search result in "the best of times . . . and the season of light." A professional genealogist and expert genealogy writer, Patricia ("Tricia") Dingwall Thompson's articles can be found in the New England Historic Genealogical Society magazine "American Ancestors" (Spring 2012), on Everton's Genealogical Helper website, and serialized in the "New Hampshire Genealogical Record." A number of her researched genealogies are housed in the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. Having taught high school Advanced Placement English for 38 years, Tricia now teaches genealogy classes through the Bozeman School District's Adult Education program, and serves as Registrar for the Mount Hyalite Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. (photo credit Nancy Siddons-Daniels) #### African American Genealogy: A Personal Experience I was inspired to write this blog because I have been working for several months on an African American genealogy for a friend of mine - Bryan. It has been a unique experience and full of challenges. Tracing people whose families were separated by slavery, tracking individuals by first names only, trying to identify slave owners, and dealing with a scarcity of records made this particular genealogy a daunting task. I want to share our journey, which has been a rich experience, but at times emotionally challenging for both of us, hoping it may help others trace their African American roots. Bryan started his genealogy research by gathering information from his parents, grandparents, and extended family members, and built a tree on Ancestry.com; however, upon reaching a barrier, he asked me to help and made me an editor to his tree. Working collaboratively, we found information to build the family tree, which Bryan took to his family to see if it made sense to them. Sometimes we would have to rework a connection, but by and large everything seemed to fit with what the family knew about their heritage. My friend has ancestors by the name of "Langley" in his tree, and he thought they were Cajuns, so I wondered if we might be cousins to some degree, due to my Acadian ancestry. However, we discovered by using census records that his Langleys were British Langleys, not Acadian/Cajun Langleys. Having spent so much time on this project, I felt as though I had a connection to Bryan’s family, so I was disappointed that we were not cousins after all. We tracked Bryan’s great-great-grandfather’s (James) family line back to 1713. James was a white slave owner, who was for a time recognized as the richest man and largest land owner in Georgia. However, researching James’s son Stonewall, described as a person of "color," we only found the 1900 census and a few city directories. The identity of Stonewall’s mother remains unknown. Bryan suspected that his great-grandfather Stonewall was part Amerindian (Native American) and white. Oral tradition passed down in his family indicated that Stonewall was Cherokee and was associated with the “Walkingstick” family. A photo passed down in the family seems to bear witness that Stonewall’s father James was white. Since James’s family lived in Floyd County, we were not surprised to find a Cherokee Walkingstick family living in neighboring Dalton County. However, the Dalton County Walkingstick family was relocated to Oklahoma in 1838 through the Trail of Tears, and we have not been able to tie Stonewall to this particular Walkingstick family; further research is needed to bear this out. We have a theory that Stonewall’s mother was a slave or servant in the home of James or one of James’s family members or friends. At that point, I sent e-mails to local historians and genealogists in Paulding County, Georgia. This turned out to be one of the best steps we took. With the help of one very dedicated Paulding County historian, Jason Edwards, we were able to identify where James was in 1860. Jason also located other information that greatly assisted in developing Bryan’s family history. We are hoping this fresh information will lead to more clues, such as what slaves James owned around the time Stonewall was born. Here are some suggestions to help you when you are working on African America genealogy: 1. Work collaboratively with others. 2. Gather up information from all family sources. 3. Use the Internet to your advantage in looking for information. Traditional sites like Family Search and Ancestry.com have information, but so do historical and genealogical sites for the state, county, and town where your ancestor resided. Search out your surnames; you can find websites that focus on a particular surname. Look for sites and blogs that specialize in African American genealogy – some are mentioned below. 4. Run your information by family members, and see if it makes sense to them. 5. After you have taken your family line back to about 1866, you need to identify if your ancestors were enslaved or free at the time of Emancipation. Check the 1850 and 1860 censuses, and see if they are there; if not, they were probably enslaved. If so, try to identify the slave owners and find out as much as you can about their families. Slaves and their descendants may have stayed with one slave-owning family over several generations. Typically, when a slave owner died, slaves were willed to various family members or sold. Likewise, since slavery was a business, records may exist as to who sold their slaves to whom. Therefore, records related to wills, inventories, guardianship, bills of sale, land records, and slave schedules may lead to a deeper understanding as to where your family came from and what their lives were like. Don’t ignore the family members of slave owners -- they may have inherited slaves, or as an adult, may have left home and taken some slaves with them from their own family home. 6. To break through walls, you may need to visit the towns and counties in which your ancestors lived, and search for information at libraries, archives, court houses, city halls, and local historical and genealogical societies. I was lucky to be able to work with Jason, but many county historians will not have the time to dedicate to your family like Jason has been able to do with Bryan’s family. I have found that librarians, historical and genealogical societies, and people searching the same family lines have all been very willing to help out as much as possible. 7. DNA testing may identify where in Africa a family line may have originated and may also be useful in identifying if ancestors were also white, Amerindian, or of other racial/ethnic backgrounds. If descendants of a particular ancestor have been tested, you may find some cousins as well, close or distant, who may be able to share some information with you about the family. I can't help but think of how fantastic it was when actor Blair Underwood met his distant cousin in Africa on NBC's now-cancelled reality program Who do You Think You Are?! For information and assistance in tracing your African American ancestors, visit the following sites: Freedmen’s Bureau AfriGeneas American Slave Narratives - An Online Anthology Genalinks, Christine’s Genealogy African American Cemeteries online African Ancestry DNA Testing If after using these resources you still need some help, please consider contacting Record Click so we can link you with a professional genealogist that is a specialist in African American genealogy and DNA testing. #### All You Need to Know About Heirs at Law There is usually confusion as to who should be beneficiaries when a person died intestate. Well In such a case, the intestacy laws mandate that the surviving descendants be awarded the assets. A person who has the legal right to share in the assets are referred to as an heir. Heirs at law are entitled to inherit a portion or the whole estate from someone who dies without leaving a final will and testament. Determining who heirs at law are is important because these individual hold rights such as that of being notified of the probate process, and also because they have the prerogative to challenge a will in a probate court. Attorney's therefore ensure that they have reached out to them before the distribution of the assets. Who are the heirs at law? It is important to undertake estate planning as this would help attorneys determine who your heir at law are. Most people generally include children, brothers, sisters, father, grandparents among other relatives as their next of kin. However, the portion of the decedent's estate a beneficiary gets may be subject to state laws and court decisions. Below is a breakdown of people who stand to inherit property suppose someone died without a will. Children: The deceased’s birth children are entitled to get a portion of his/her property. Supposed, you legally adopted a child before your death, they will have the right inheriting part of the estate. These treated are treated as though they were biological and are entitled to the same share as them. Moreover, children born out of wedlock also have a claim of the real estate among other assets. Parents: Your parents have the right to have a share of your property if you passed on without living a will behind. In some states they are even given the right to share your estate with your surviving spouse if there are no other relatives. Grandchildren: A decedent's grandchildren are legally acknowledged as being heirs at law. However, they are only included if there parents are deceased. Siblings: If you die without a will, your brothers and sisters have a right to a share of your property in the case you don’t have a spouse, children or grandchildren. Collateral heirs: They include next of kins such as aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, descendants and close relatives of descendants. The collateral have a right to receive inheritance from intestate succession. A deceased person's sons and daughters in law are not recognized as heir to the dead persons assets. When a child inherits a property from their parents, that property belongs solely to them and is not jointly owned with their spouses. Are spouses’ heirs at law? Spouses are typically not considered as heirs given that they are entitled to properties law and marital laws. As such, both husbands and wives right to inheriting theirs deceased spouses property is a compulsory one, if they were legally married at the time of death. As such, surviving spouses are not considered heirs at law per see. The case is different for Hindus, according to the Hindu succession act of 1956 dictates than upon a husband’s death, the wife is part of the class 1 heir. They are therefore entitled to receiving the same allocation as other class 1 inheritors suppose their husband died without a last will and testament. Rules governing how Heirs treat joint properties. There are cases whereby the heirs to an estate are awarded the joint ownership of a property like a house. So what are the rights of heirs to such regarding inherited property? After, they have been bequeathed an estate by an attorney or an executor, the heirs assume equitable rights to the estate. They incur the expenses and other benefits to the property equally. Suppose there is proposal to sell the property, all of them have to be in agreement before the sale is initiated. Differentiating between an heir and legatee Some people confuse legatees to being the same as heirs. That’s far from the truth. While heirs are people entitled an inheritance in the event of another person’s death, legatees are people who receive legacies. In other words a legatee is are people who inherit from wills, regardless of whether the property in question is physical or personal. While an heir has a legal entitlement to inherit property in the absence of a will, legatees inheritances are dictated in the terms of the will. An example of a legate scenario is when a friend, business, trust, or charitable organization benefiting under someone’s will. While organizations and trusts can be legatees, this is not true with heirs. To be an heir you have to be a descendant or a relative of the deceased party. #### An Unbroken Subject for the Genealogist: WWII Hero Louis Zamperini and His Strong Family History Heroes make good movies. This RecordClick genealogist enjoys watching the strength and perseverance of an individual with the odds stacked against him. Unbroken, the story of World War II hero Louis Zamperini, is a new film directed by Angelina Jolie that is coming out this Christmas. It tells the tale of a young man from an Italian immigrant family who joins the U.S. military, is shot down over the Pacific and survives only to become a Japanese Prisoner of War. His ability to overcome the obstacles and return safely home shows his great personal fortitude and an element of luck. For this genealogist, it is Zamperini's strong sense of family and their attributes that also played a role in his survival. Enter the genealogy researcher. Louis Zamperini was born on January 26, 1917 in Olean, Cattagaugus County, New York. He came from humble beginnings as the second son of Italian immigrant Anthony Zamperini and Louise Dossi. Anthony and Louise worked to better their lives. Here is where this genealogist will begin. Anthony was born in Verona, in the northeastern part of Italy in 1889. He was not the first member of his family to immigrate to the United States. The 1900 U.S. Census, enumerated June 30, finds Frank, John and Angelo Zamperini boarding in Elk County, Pennsylvania: Zamperini, Frank           Boarder           Mar 1877, 23      Italy       Imm. 1892           Coal miner Zamperini, John            Boarder            Feb 1883, 17       Italy       Imm. 1900           Coal miner Zamperini, Angelo        Boarder             Feb 1885, 15       Italy       Imm. 1900           Coal miner This genealogist now asks: What was going on in Italy? Could any of these individuals be related to Anthony Zamperini? The genealogist needs always to figure out few key things. First, we need to get a sense of who the family members are--in a number of generations. Then, the family history researcher should seek to understand the history of a place and research what was going on at a specific time. All of these key informational items provide a fuller picture of our ancestors and the context of their lives. Before 1860, there was no centralized government in Italy. The country was made up of a large number of city-states, including The Vatican. In 1861, this situation changed and Italy was unified. Rome became the central seat of the government. The effect of this governmental restructuring included increased poverty rates which cased an estimated 16 million people to leave the country for better lives elsewhere. This situation remained until the rise of Italian Fascism during the 1920s. It was during this time that the Zamperinis began making their way to the United States. Frank seems to be one of the first to have arrived in the new world. Additional genealogy research should be done to be validate that Frank, John and Angelo are brothers. The genealogist will want to do this verification because Frank plays an additional role in this story. This genealogist has found that by 1910, Frank has married. He is living in Indiana County, Pennsylvania and working as a coal miner. The household consisted of: Zamperini, Frank              Head     32 M1 10 yrs.      Italy       Imm. 1891           Coal miner       Nellie                              Wife      26 M1 10 yrs       PA       Bernard                          Son        8    S                       PA       Edward                           Son        7    S                       PA       Richard                           Son        5    S                       PA       Angelo                            Son        2    S                       PA       John                                Son        9/12  S                   PA       Antonio                          Bro.        21  S                       Italy                                       Coal miner Antonio is the only individual found by this genealogist who fits the description of Louis Zamperini’s father Anthony. Although Anthony’s date of immigration isn’t listed in the 1910 U.S. Census, his age and place of birth match. According to Ellis Island records, he arrived at age 14 on March 11, 1903 aboard the Finland. With him was Margh… Zamperini, a 23 year old single female. Frank welcomed his brother Antonio, now called Anthony in America, into the household to get established in this country. Between 1910 and 1915 Anthony married and moved to New York. According to the 1915 New York State Census, the family was living in Dunkirk, Chautauqua County. The household consisted of: Zamperina (sic), Anthony           Head     25           Italy Louise                                              Wife      17            U.S.  Peter                                                Son                        U.S.  Gresoli, Anthony                           Head     78           Italy  Lenia                                                Wife      70           Italy The New York State Census did not list relationships. A family historian might try to determine what role the Gresolis played in the household. By the 1920 U.S. Census the Zamperini family had moved again and added two children. The family was living in Olean, Cattaraugus County, New York and Anthony was no longer involved in the coal industry: Zamperini, Anthony       Head     30                                         Italy       Electrician, car shops Louise                                Wife      22                                          PA Pete                                    Son        4 9/12                                   NY  Louis                                 Son        2 11/12                                 NY  Silvia                                 Dau        1 11/12                                 NY Parisi, Ida                          Niece    16                                          PA          Winder Silk Mill Following collateral lines, such as the brothers of Anthony or his niece, Ida Parisi, will give the genealogy researcher more insight into the family and serve to check that the information is correct. The California Zamperini Field Although most of the Zamperinis stayed in Pennsylvania, Anthony and Louise chose to move their family to California in the early 1920s. By the 1930 U.S. Census, they were settled into a home in Torrance and, with the birth of Virginia in September 1923 in California, the family was complete. Anthony proved to be adept at making things work. In 1930, he was an electrician for the electric railway and, in 1940, he was an air brake mechanic for the railway. Some of the skills could have rubbed off on Louis. The family: Anthony Zamperini; b. June 9, 1889, Verona, Italy; d. May 5, 1975, Los Angeles Co., CA. Louise Dossi Zamperini; b. February 4, 1898, PA; d. July 23, 1993, Los Angeles Co., CA. Pete S. Zamperini; b. May 24, 1915, Dunkirk, Chautauqua Co., NY; d. May 15, 2008, San Clemente, Orange Co., CA. NOTE: Pete graduated Magna Cum Laude from USC in 1932. He enlisted in the Navy during World War II. Among his accomplishments was a 30 year high school coaching career in Wilmington, CA. Louis Zamperini; b. January 26, 1917 in Olean, New York; d. July 2, 2014 in California. Sylvia Theresa Zamperini Flammer; b. January 30, 1918 in New York; d. October 28, 2008 in Los Angeles County, CA; m.  March 26, 1939 in Los Angeles, Harvey Bristow Flammer. Virginia Mae Zamperini; b. September 19, 1923 in California; d. July 29, 2008 in Jefferson County, CO; m. Howard Gordon Flye. NOTE: The couple is buried at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver. One other item of note that this genealogist discovered as I worked with the Zamperini family is that many members lived well into their 80s and 90s. It is always helpful for a genealogist to note family traits and trends that may provide additional insight into a family’s history. Some families have heroes. Some have individuals who overcome personal hardships with important stories to tell. All families have purpose and are a part of the fabric of life. If you want to find out more about the history of your family, contact us where a professional genealogist will research your special family history. We are a mouse click away. Resources U.S. Censuses: 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940 The Statue of Liberty – Ellis Island website 1915 New York State Census World War I Draft Registration Cards California, Birth Index, 1905-1995 FindAGrave web site Daily Breeze; Torrance, CA; 25 May 2008 Daily News; Los Angeles, CA; 18 June 2010 Denver Post; Denver, CO; 3 August 2008 Social Security Death Index U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration, Nationwide Gravesite Locater #### Ancestor Search - Look Up When and How Your Ancestors Came to the US So how did my ancestors get here? It is one of the primary questions a family historian asks. Sometimes the answer is easy - often it isn't. My family is like night and day. One side of my family is German, and I have traced some ancestors back to the old country. But they started arriving in the United States about 1850. On the other side, where the last family member arrived in the 1820s, I haven’t been so fortunate in my endeavor to trace family history. Tracing ancestors back to the boat is easier if you use the elimination process. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were over 2 million immigrants a year entering the U.S. in 1850. By 1900, the number had increased to more than 10 million a year. There are many websites with information on immigration and immigrants, including ship's passenger lists. So where should genealogists begin their search? 1. Census records 2. Naturalization records 3. Ship's passenger lists There are three major time frames for researching ship lists: 1. Pre-1820 2. 1820-1890 3. 1892 to the present Census Records Genealogists often start their search for ancestors with census records. Every census asks different questions. With the increase in immigrants in the late 1800s, the federal government became interested in gathering information on them. The 1900, 1910, 1920, and 1930 censuses asked the year of immigration to the United States, and if the individual was a naturalized citizen. The censuses taken between 1880 and 1930 also asked for the parental nativity of the respondent, which can be a clue as to when the family came over. If a couple came over together, the date of arrival should be the same. If they had children when they came, the nativity will supply the information regarding who was born where and when. One set of my great-great grandparents were married and had their first child in Germany. Their second child was born in the United States. That information should agree with the year the parents came over as listed in the census. When working with the census to find ancestors, be sure to check for other adult family members – such as brothers or sisters - living close by. Experienced genealogists sometimes get a look of exasperation when someone starts telling the family story of two siblings who came over together. The story often includes the line that one was a stow-away. The stow-away part may or may not be true. The fact is, though, that often there were two or three ancestors who did come over together, or within a couple of years of each other, and settled in the same neighborhood. Naturalization Records Family genealogists need to remember that, in many cases, some ancestors may not have naturalization records. They were an extension of the husband or father – who would have a naturalization record. In early naturalization records, the emphasis was transferring allegiance from the birth country to the United States, so don’t count on finding a lot of information. Later naturalization papers have a wonderful amount of information. Naturalizations often took place in the county where the individual was living. It is also a part of court records, many of which have been moved to courthouse basements or attics. That's the bad news. The good news is that many naturalization records have been microfilmed or are being digitized and are online or going online. Ship Passenger Lists Now it is time for the family history researcher to start looking for the boat. There were five major immigration ports: Baltimore, Boston, New Orleans, New York, and Philadelphia. For a variety of reasons, well over half of the immigrants came through New York. Individuals looking to settle in the southeast may have come through Baltimore or New Orleans. Because of its location and access to river transportation, some immigrants planning to settle in the Midwest may have come through New Orleans, too. As a genealogical researcher, do not assume that your ancestor came to the United States by boat. In the mid-1800s, about 40% of the foreign passengers arriving in Canada were bound for the U.S., and border crossings with either Canada or Mexico were not recorded. A Time Line: • 1790 – Congress passed an act to establish uniform rules of naturalization. • 1819 – Congress passed an "Act Regulating Passenger Vessels." One section of the Act required masters of ships to file a manifest of all passengers who boarded at a foreign port with the district collector of customs. Prior to 1820, any passenger lists would probably be sketchy. • 1855 – New York City's Castle Garden became the Emigrant Landing Depot. • 1891 – Congress passed the "Immigration Act of 1891." The federal government took control of the immigration process. Among other things, the federal government began to maintain information about people entering the United States overland from Canada and Mexico. • 1892 – Ellis Island became the major location for processing immigrants. Before 1820, passenger records were not required by the federal government. There may be customs or baggage lists that include the name of a passenger, but those lists – if they exist - are not located at the National Archives. Where are they? They could be at a local archives, library, historical society, or government office. However, many have been published and may be found in a number of places. So you think you have a time and place to look for your ancestor. I would venture to say that there are well over a 100 websites to look for the passenger list. My first seven choices to look would be: 1. Castle Garden (1855-1890); free, donation suggested. 2. Ellis Island (1892-abt. 1920); free, donation suggested. 3. National Archives; free. 4. One-Step Webpages by Stephen P. Morse; free. 5. Cyndi’s List; free. 6. Ancestry.com; $$$. 7. FamilySearch.org; this is a work in progress. Now, does the search seem like it may be a little overwhelming? Would a little help be welcome? This is one of the things the expert, professional genealogists at RecordClick can do. We can analyze census records, assist in obtaining naturalization documents and research passenger lists to find your ancestor. We can also work with you in developing a research strategy. #### Ancestry Mexico If you are planning to research your Mexican ancestry, you'll first need to break down the research process from the beginning to the end. Note that conducting genealogy research is not for the faint-hearted as it requires endurance, dedication, consistency, perseverance, and professionalism. The urge to identify your ancestors must have been influenced by confusion and blanks in your life that deprives your life of direction. Although advanced technology has helped find crucial data online, it requires expert intervention to trace your family history to a specific locality and ethnic group in Mexico. Besides the probability that your ancestors migrated to other countries in North America, such as the United States, you will need to search documents in these places to trace your ancestral origin, relatives, and families. You will probably need services from professional genealogists who understand the process better. Still, the research process follows a common guide that is broken down below. 11 Mexico Genealogy Resources For Your Mexican Ancestry Tips on your Mexican Family History The necessary information you will need when searching for your Mexican ancestry includes your ancestors' names and the specific hometown they lived in. Having additional data about your ancestors or family members could contribute to your research and lead to a quick analysis of available records about the area. The additional information you may need includes birth records, marriage records, occupation, and religion. It could be easier for you to trace your family lines if your ancestors had unique surnames as you would use it as the lead, especially if you don't know the specific state they lived in. Common surnames would lead to confusion as you would find millions of potential matches and be tasked with determining which one is your ancestor. You can start small by examining the documents you have at home, such as photographs and official documents. You can also reach out to your close relatives and elders in the United States on any information they may have regarding your family history. The Record Collections Technique common sources for tracing your Mexican ancestry are the Catholic Church records and the civil registration records. However, you will need to have the historical events related to your search and the specific dates to achieve your research's desired results. The records in the Mexican civil registration date as early as 1860. So, if the information you are searching for dates before 1860, it is advisable to check the Catholic Church records established in the 16th century in the country. However, it is worth noting that each diocese has varying records of different dates depending on when the diocese was formed. Besides, some of the 1930 census records about Mexico City were destroyed over the centuries, making details spotty. Advanced technology has also enabled the digitization of most of these records on various sites, making it easy to acquire them online without visiting the parish or the registry office. All you need is to access one of the websites with these details and join the dots. Obtaining Church Records The Catholic Church has been dominant in Mexico, and most Mexicans were baptized, confirmed, and married through the church. Therefore, the church possesses crucial records of these events through the diocese and the local parishes across different regions. Notably, the church recorded these events included details such as names and dates that you can use to trace your family tree and ancestry. Catholic records could also place information about numerous generations in a single file where you can find information about a person's parents and grandparents. The parishes also sent their record books to the archives to ensure a backup if the originals were destroyed. Consulting a Professional Genealogist At some point in your process to trace your family tree, you may discover the logistics and technicality involved. Whether you are just starting or have already identified some leads, you might need help interpreting the language, data or accessing records from a family history library. Seeking expert help is the best solution as professional genealogists understand what is necessary and how to cut through files. Besides, the intervention will save you the stress and time that you can spend on other productive activities that you know best. The researchers also offer swift response regarding the marriage, death, or census information about your ancestor. Genealogy Resources The type of resources that you will need help finding to trace your ancestors include court records that show details about your ancestor's probate records, death records and divorces, if any. Mexico directories could also help trace your ancestor's city and property owners across all the cities and states in Mexico. Among others, these records have names of all the parties and could offer in-depth insight into your ancestry and family in Mexico. Key Take Away Genealogy research involves numerous processes that seek to join the dots of your family history. This process requires expert interventions to consult a genealogist to help in the collection, translation or interpretation of ancient information that you may encounter. Understanding the entire process is crucial to avoid disappointments and manage your expectations as you encounter discoveries. #### Ancestry Migration Patterns: How To Trace Your Roots Ancestry migration patterns help researchers unravel the wanderings of ancient tribes, providing a unique perspective into ancestors' lives and the legacy they left behind. In fact, this is the surest way to prove whether that weird ethnicity percentage you received from your cultural ethnicity calculator is something to go by. However, this kind of research is easy said than done, considering potential challenges spanning from elusive records to language barriers. Luckily, we have formulated a guide to help you understand the essence of these patterns in your genealogy and how to start from scratch and give your research a solid direction. Key Takeaways You may need to explore the patterns in your genealogy research to expand family connections, unravel cultural context, or understand history. Popular ancestry migration patterns in genealogy research include Ireland to America, westward expansion, and transcontinental migrations. Remember that you don't have to embark on this journey alone-RecordClick is here to guide you on every step. RELATED: European Genealogy Back to the Old World Why Are Ancestry Migration Patterns Important in Genealogy? Ancient Europe Uncovering the migration patterns used by your ancestors helps you understand the cultural currents flowing through your veins and the foundation upon which your family history lies. Here are the main reasons why you may need to explore the patterns in your genealogy research Expand Family Connections: Your research path leads you to distant relatives and a new dimension to your family tree. Unravel Cultural Context: You can study the traditions, practices, and beliefs of the regions your ancestors migrated to or from to understand and appreciate their cultural values. Understanding History: When you conduct genealogy research based on the patterns, you also learn about important historical events, some of which could have triggered the migration. As a result, the patterns give you a better understanding of historical perspectives that shaped your lineage. Motivation: A long migration means studying the new challenges and hardships that emerged as your ancestors sojourned the terrains. Learning about your ancestors' resilience through them is a boost to your morale and an inspiration to your family. Contemporary Significance: Learning about ancestral migration patterns helps you view your family from a societal perspective. This view gives your genealogy research a new dimension, making the findings valuable resource for your genealogy and your life. Time traveling: Learning and feeling the lives, struggles, and environments your ancestors endured connects you to a past experience. This empathetic exercise connects you with the ancestors' human experience of pursuing greener pastures. Popular Ancestry Migration Patterns in Genealogy Research   Popular routes that have defined history and helped researchers discover families include the Transatlantic pattern and the Castle Garden (also known as Castle Clinton), America's first official center for immigrants entering New York City. Let's explore more trajectories that have defined the course of human history. Ireland to America In the mid-19th century, people in Ireland faced a deadly Irish Potato Famine that forced them toward the U.S., Canada, and Australia. The large number of immigrants led to today's Irish diaspora, which has reshaped the global demographic and made Irish traditions part of the American cultural fabric. Immigration Waves From the mid-19th century to the early 20th century, the United States witnessed the Ellis Island experience, characterized by a wave of Jewish, Italian, and Irish immigrants. These groups flocked to the American shores in search of a better life. They ended up contributing to the cultural vibrancy and diversity in American society. Westward Expansion The westward move happened in the U.S. during the 19th century. It was driven by need for economic prosperity, dreams of land ownership, and the allure of uncharted territories. For example, the Oregon Trail facilitated the exodus of countless families from the east coast to the fertile lands in the West, including California and Oregon. Transcontinental Migrations Migration patterns are not confined to a specific region-they cross continents. One somber pattern was used during the slave trade and significantly contributed to the African diaspora. People were forcefully displaced from their homes and subjected to hardships across the Americas. The culmination of this legacy is evident in the dense African diaspora communities in the U.S., Latin America, and the Caribbean. Modern Patterns Globalization has triggered modern-era migration patterns as families relocate for education, work, or turning a new leaf. For example, Indian families have increasingly migrated to countries like U.S., Canada, and the U.K., resulting in a dynamic interplay of identities and cultures. These patterns prove that research should not just see them as historical records but as legacies that influence modern life. RELATED: Immigration and Castle Garden – A Gateway to America Tools You Need to Trace Ancestry Migration Patterns Genealogy Research Research on ancient patterns require a library of migration-specific resources with accurate accounts and demographics. Using these traces and accurately tracking your ancestry is a journey that involves a myriad of processes and steps. Here are the essential resources for successful genealogy research. Online Databases The internet is flocked with sites offering genealogical information, including historical newspapers, census records, and relevant documents. Our review of the best genealogy websites and databases will help you know what is helpful and where to find it. DNA Testing DNA testing provides breakthroughs in genealogy research and helps complete the puzzle. Luckily, most online DNA testing service providers have a cultural ethnicity calculator with results that might help resonate with the migration pattern. Our review of the top two DNA testing companies will help you decide the best. Genealogy Societies Genealogy societies are vocal in addressing people's concerns regarding their family heritage and how to go about the research. These genealogy communities comprise interested parties and fellow researchers ready to network and pursue a common objective. So if you think your ancestors were among the Mayflower passenger, check if you qualify for the Mayflower Genealogy Society. Libraries and Archives Libraries such as the Library of Congress and University archives keep historical documents, maps, and photographs that can contextualize your ancestors' migration patterns. In addition, you may find crucial letters and diaries that could offer first-hand accounts of the challenges and motivations your ancestors endured. How To Trace Your Family's Journey Online Genealogy Tracing the migration journey involves gathering information, consulting a professional genealogist to help interpret DNA results and expedite the process. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to trace your roots through patterns. Start With What You Have: Gather readily available data, including photographs and interviews with close relatives, to build blocks for your research. Analyze Records: Look for leads and additional data from online databases and local archives. Be sure to focus on immigration records detailing passenger lists and arrival documents. Map Paths: Use the Land and property ownership records to trace the route taken by your ancestors and identify places they settled. Leverage DNA Testing: Your DNA results can help discover genetic markers for different regions and complement your understanding of migration patterns. RELATED: The Essential Role of Genealogists in Tracing Our Roots Migration Patterns Offer a Voyage of Discoveries! Tracing your roots through ancestry migration patterns forges a deep connection characterized by unexpected twists and a profound sense of belonging to a family lineage that spans centuries and continents. Remember that you don't have to embark on this journey alone-RecordClick is here to guide you on every step. Our dedicated team of genealogists specializes in migration patterns and a research methodology tailored to your unique background. Contact us today for a free consultation and embark on a journey that will enrich your understanding of your story. #### Another Genealogical Gem: Germans From Russia Find a Home in the U.S. “Our past is in the archives and records from villages in Russia, Ukraine and the Black Sea.” ~ Motto of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia We're all traveling. Some of us are looking for new vistas, while others are searching for a new home. Sometimes the change is on a whim. For many of our ancestors, the move may have been a matter of life and death. Case in point: the Germans from Russia. About 100,000 Volga Germans immigrated to the United States by 1900, settling for the most part in the Dakotas, Kansas, and Nebraska. Genealogists are also traveling, looking for new vistas, and searching for ancestors - only we look to the past for the answers, while our immigrant ancestors looked to the future.  Genealogy researchers look to trace family history, so it is important to find repositories of information to help them in their ancestor search. Family history genealogists and professional genealogists have a wellspring of research resources on Germans from Russia through the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia (AHSGR). The AHSGR is located in Lincoln, Nebraska. The Society is headquartered in a modest building designed to remind visitors of a home in the old country.The museum covers more than two centuries of history of Germans from Russia through displays that include some out-buildings, including a church, store, and a summer kitchen. Although the building is not large or fancy, it contains many historical and genealogical treasures ready and waiting to be viewed and shared with family historians. The museum contains baskets that held the immigrants worldly goods: clothing, furniture, musical instruments, and pictures. The pictures include family portraits and a good number of confirmation class photographs. The Germans from Russia come from a variety of religious backgrounds including Lutheran, Catholic, and Mennonite. Being pacifists, the Mennonites did not believe (and still don't) in military service. The story of the Germans from Russia began in the mid-1700s with the birth of Sophia Augusta Frederica of Germany, who went on to become Catherine II (Catherine the Great) of Russia. A short time line: 1762 – Catherine II becomes ruler of Russia 1762-1763 – Catherine issues two manifestos encouraging Germans to settle in Russia. The first, issued in 1762, brought few results. The second was more explicit about what German immigrants could expect and included some special rights and privileges. Many German peasants accepted the offer. 1786 – Due to the partition of Poland just a little more than 10 years earlier, Mennonites from West Prussia began immigrating to Russia. The first influx of German immigrants settled along the Lower Volga River. The Mennonites favored the Taurida region of South Russia. 1796 – Catherine the Great died. Her heirs continued to look favorably upon the German immigrants until the 1870s. 1871 – Germany unified as a nation for the first time. There was a nationalistic movement in Russia and the manifestos issued by Catherine the Great were rescinded. The immigration of the Germans from Russia to the United States began. The lives of those Germans who remained in Russia began to deteriorate. 1928-1940 – German farms and property were taken by the Soviet government, and the Germans were forced to move to collective farms or to cities. 1941 – German populations in the Soviet Republic were banished or exiled. In 1968, a group of descendants of Germans from Russia saw a need to preserve their precious heritage, and the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia was formed. In addition to the museum, the group continues to seek out and preserve community, religious, and family records. It currently has a genealogy data base with more than 460,000 entries. Resources include: Obituary files Family group cards Cemetery lists U.S. and Canadian church records Family histories 1798 Volga Census index Various village censuses and indexes The genealogist and family historian can access the user-friendly AHSGR website. It contains organizational, historical, and genealogical information. The society has genealogical researchers who are knowledgeable about available resources, and can translate German and Russian documents, as well. If you need additional genealogical research assistance or help in organizing your family history, you may consider seeking professional genealogical services. If you decide to hire a genealogist, contact RecordClick. We have expert genealogists located throughout the United States and overseas who can find genealogy research gems and help you find the answers you are seeking. We are just a mouse click away, and the best part is that the initial consultation is free. For more great information regarding the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, read Joan's blog John Denver’s Genealogy Country Road Leads to Oklahoma – Not Colorado (January 25, 2014). #### Are Super-sized Family Trees the Work of a Genealogy Researcher or a Computer? Gone are the days when the genealogy researcher could get excited with just a few lines of a pedigree chart or could hit it big discovering five generations or more of descendants. We’re into the big genealogy numbers, now. But do they really count? By the time journalist cum genealogist, A.J. Jacobs has his “Global Family Reunion”  in New York on June 6, 2015, he will have amassed a gazillion relatives on his global family tree. With this charity event, Jacobs is showing us that his form of family history research allows him to claim to be related to everyone on Earth. Plus his tree branches sparkle with many recognizable names and celebrities. Could this type of family tree research be the end-result of the internet’s influence in genealogy research? With the internet and genetic genealogy through DNA results, people are connecting at an astounding and amazing rate.  For example, a genome researcher who calls himself a computational biologist and a “genome hacker” combined his expertise with online genealogy information. He made a family tree with 13 million “relatives” going back to the 15th century. The family tree was presented at the American Society of Human Genetics' annual meeting in Boston in 2013. Yet, is it real that a genealogy researcher can claim to be related to everyone? How does the genealogist manage a massive family tree with millions of relatives on it? This genealogy researcher thinks that some of the websites which link everyone to each other are not the carefully researched ancestral stories that traditional professional genealogists produce. Instead, could they be algorithmic compilations of relationships found in charts?  Does this now count as good practice for a genealogy researcher? We’re not sure about it. It is fun to think that one might be related to a Queen or a big movie star—and have it proven in an online list. BUT, we still aren’t so sure that this is the way to go. Yes, we are all God’s children and we share 99.9 percent of our DNA. We are all family. Yet, when documenting it, this genealogy researcher prefers the slow and simple way. I like the way a genealogist provides the diligent compilation of documents and proofs. If the internet aides in this family history research,  terrific. Let a professional genealogy researcher find who you are linked to in your ancestry. A genealogist for hire from RecordClick will do thorough and deep research using birth, marriage, death, census records and documents from extensive collections and repositories around the world. We also go beyond the internet and do in-person interviews, too. #### Are You Looking for Ladies? Then Shake Your Family Tree Lady Bird Johnson was quoted during a 1987 interview about her husband, former President Lyndon Johnson, "You have to understand, my husband loved people. And half the people in the world were women." Admittedly, Lady Bird was referring to her husband's rumored infidelities, but in the world of lineage research, the fact that half the world's population is composed of women presents a sticky wicket to genealogists. Why? Because historically there are fewer public records with information about women than there are about men. Hopefully, this article can help you track down the ladies in your family tree. Given the fact that the majority of the world has been based on a patriarchal society (and still is) -- at least for the generations that family researchers are dealing with -- women lost their identity once they married, making it harder to map their lineage in most cases. If we took a poll, I bet the majority of lineage researchers would admit that their searches would be easier if they were dealing with a matriarchal society, or at least a society where the women kept their own names -- a practice that has been increasing since the mid-1900s. Of course, if we really get down to brass tacks -- when it comes to the biological parentage of a child, pinning down who the father is can be a lot more difficult than proving who the mother is. Quite simply, it would be easier if children carried their mother's maiden name. But, if wishes were horses, beggars would ride. There are only a handful of matriarchal societies in the world today. The Mosuo people of Southeast China are one of the few. This tribe doesn't even have a word for "father" or "husband." Here in the United States, a number of Native American Indian tribes -- including the Iroquois Nation and the Navaho -- are matriarchal in their societal structure. Iroquois women have the responsibility of appointing the chiefs (or sachems), and the Navaho pass their property down through the females in a family. So, where does a genealogist begin to unlock the mystery of the women in your family history? Best place to begin is to check marriage and death records. Many marriage records include the maiden name of the female ancestor. If you locate the marriage license and it is not listed, track down the marriage application, which will more than likely have the bride's maiden name and possibly her parents' names. Check the county courthouse or the church where the couple were married. Also, check death records, including cemetery and gravestone records. Volunteers in many counties have actually catalogued gravestones in local cemeteries. For example: two researchers in Mason County, Texas, canvassed more than 100 gravesites and cemeteries in the vicinity, and published a document in 1975 titled "Mason County Graves & Cemeteries." The compilation is broken out by family and/or individual name, birth/death dates, and the cemetery where the grave marker resides. It's worth contacting a county library and asking if such a study has been done. County libraries will usually have local newspapers and publications on file; and those are worth delving into for obituaries, birth/death notices, as well as marriage notices. Another good place to check is the county clerk's office. Here, you will find a plethora of records, including land deeds and probate minutes. Because families, once connected through marriage, tended to witness one another's legal documents, you may find a familiar name that keeps popping up. This may open yet another search avenue. And don't just read the first page of a multiple-page document . . . the information you need may be on page 10, so be thorough and tenacious. Here is a list of additional resources that will help you in discovering your female ancestors: Family wills -- check the executors and beneficiaries of a family will Newspaper articles -- check the society page for engagement/marriage notices or other social events Church records Pension records -- often include information about the wife, where the couple was married, and where they were born Census records -- once women became widowed, they often moved in with their daughters Family Bibles Online resources -- there are a number of online genealogical research sites that will be useful in your search Lineage organizations -- the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) offers a number of free resources to the public through their DAR Genealogical Research System -- http://services.dar.org/public/dar_research/search/?tab_id=0. For more great resource tactics, check out A Genealogist's Guide to Discovering Your Female Ancestors: Special Strategies for Uncovering Hard-To-Find Information about Your Female Lineage, written by certified genealogist Sharon DeBartolo Carmack. So, if it is possible for us to learn from history, it's a good idea for Mothers to ensure that the female line of the family is well documented for their descendants. It will make it a lot easier for future generations to track the other half of the population. For help locating your female ancestors, speak to one of our professional genealogists today! #### Aunt Lizzie and the Insane Asylum Genealogical research is an adventure. I love the happy dance moments of a wonderful new discovery. But then there are what I call the "Oh, my" moments. Those are the ones when I learn something that nobody would ever talk about. Finding out that Aunt Lizzie had spent some time in an insane asylum was an "Oh, my" moment. Some family historians would prefer to dismiss family stories, but they are a part of the fabric of a family. Aunt Lizzie was actually a g-g-Aunt. She was born in 1857 and raised on a farm in eastern Iowa. As a young woman, she went to work for Chris, a widower with five young children. Lizzie and Chris married in 1879 and went on to have five children of their own. In the late 1800s, the family moved to a Pawnee County, Nebraska, farm. In the picture above, Lizzie is seated front row, second from left, while Chris is seated front row, second from right. Photo courtesy of Joan Shurtliff. The impression I got from various relatives was that it was a wonderful family. The children and grandchildren of Lizzie and Chris kept in touch with each other and had family reunions, even after the couple was gone. One of the first things I like to do when researching a family is to follow them in the census. There Lizzie was, along with her brother Frank, in the 1910 Census – both were patients in the Nebraska Hospital for the Insane at Lincoln. What was going on? I knew that g g-uncle Frank had a tough life. He, like other family members, moved from eastern Iowa to southeastern Nebraska in the late 1800s and farmed. He married twice, but both wives died young. So what was with the Lincoln Insane Asylum? The records for the Lincoln Insane Asylum are part of the holdings of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). As intriguing as Lizzie’s situation was, the frugal German in me didn't want to go through the time and expense of the court proceedings to get them, so I set about finding information from other sources. Three censuses were of interest to me: 1900: Chris and Lizzie are on their farm. I haven't been able to find Frank. 1910: Chris lives in Lincoln and Lizzie and Frank are in the Hospital for the Insane. 1920: Lizzie and Frank are living together in Lincoln. Whatever happened, Lizzie and Frank did get out of the Hospital for the Insane. The obituaries of both Lizzie and Chris state that the family moved to Lincoln in 1905. The family included children who attended university. Lincoln City Directories verify this (all at the same address): 1908: Chris 1909: Nothing 1910: Chris (Lizzie) 1911: Chris 1912: Chris 1913: Chris 1914: Chris (Lizzie) 1915: Chris (Lizzie) 1916: Chris (Lizzie) 1917: Frank 1918: Frank Wills and probates can be revealing. Chris' will dated April 1911 states: “My said wife is now an inmate of the asylum for the insane, and so long as she shall remain in said asylum and be unable to manage and control the said (Pawnee County) farm, it is my will that my said executors shall manage and control the same…" Chris died in early August 1916. The petition for Probate of the Will, filed August 1916, lists Lizzie's residence as University Place (now Lincoln), Nebraska. Frank died intestate (with no will) in 1920. Because he owned a farm, his estate had to be probated. Lizzie submitted a bill: "To extra care for nursing Frank during the four years that he was at my home… as he was sick much of the time and needed personal attention and I gave him personal attention." My conclusions: Chris' will indicates that he was more focused on his farm. After the move to Lincoln, Lizzie and Chris spent little time living together. I would call it a "rough patch" in their marriage. Lizzie seemed to be more interested in the care of her family. A short time later, Lizzie and Frank became residents of the Lincoln Asylum for the Insane. Located in a rural setting outside of the city, the facility had almost 600 residents. There was precedence for patients to live there and not be insane. It is possible that Lizzie moved to the asylum to take care of Frank. Chris died in August 1916. His probate states that he was a resident of Pawnee County, Nebraska, and Lizzie was living in Lincoln. According to the 1917 Lincoln City Directory, Frank was living in Lizzie’s house and, in her note that was part of Frank’s probate, she says she took care of him the last four years of his life. Frank died in 1920. Old obituaries often put the deceased in their best light. But Lizzie’s strikes an honest note: "If one were to sum her life in just a few words, it can be said that she was a self-sacrificing woman, always thinking of others and laboring for others." Genealogists are sometimes in a hurry to work their way back from point “A” to point “B” and may miss facts that could give dimension to an ancestor's story. The expert researchers at RecordClick understand various resources and can take the time to find information to give your story depth, whether it be an insane asylum, adoption, or citizenship. Sources: U.S. Census: 1900, 1910, 1920. 1988 Letter from Irma Beck Smith to Berniece Matteson Coon. Used with permission. Lincoln City Directories, 1908-1918. Chris’ obituary, The Lewiston (NE) Post, 18 Aug. 1916. Lizzie’s obituary, Pawnee Chief, 6 Feb. 1924. Chris’ Will and Probate, Pawnee Co., NE Frank’s Probate, Pawnee Co., NE “Twentieth Biennial Report of the Superintendent of the Nebraska Hospital for the Insane at Lincoln for period ending 30 Nov. 1910.” #### Australian Ancestry: Everything You Need To Know If you have Australian ancestry, you need to know the right source of genealogical information. Australian genealogical records date back to the 18th century during European migration. However, the records have now piled up, given that the country boasts over 23 million people of diverse origins and ancestry. The rich immigration history means that persons of Australian descent may have to conduct their ancestry research in two phases. The first phase would involve perusing Australian records back to the point of the ancestors' arrival. You may also need to gather enough records to find out your immigrant ancestors' country of origin. This critical data would help you proceed with your research beyond Australia. Sure, researching your Australian genealogy can be daunting; luckily, Record Click professional genealogists have access to numerous databases and resources locally and internationally. As you will find out below, genealogy experts acquire crucial information that helps them conclusively meet proof standards and complete an extensive family tree for your family and lineage. Key Takeaways In addition to tracing the necessary data resources, you must understand Australian geography and diversity. Once you identify the territory your ancestor likely lived in, you can start your expedition on birth, marriage, and death certificates. If you have Australian ancestry and are concerned about crossing the Pacific for information, we can help you narrow down the options and quickly determine your ancestors and their origin. How To Trace Australian Ancestry Australian Flag In addition to tracing the necessary data resources, you must understand Australian geography and diversity. Australia has six states: Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, and Tasmania. Each of these territories has different record-keeping regulations, so you must establish the territory your ancestors lived in to trace them correctly. Search Birth Records for Australian Ancestry Records and letters in a library Once you identify the territory your ancestor likely lived in, you can start your expedition on birth, marriage, and death certificates. These records are a significant part of genealogy research as they come with full names, venues, and dates. The state of Tasmania was the first to start keeping records dating back to 1839, with the rest following suit after a decade or so. Australian birth certificates will help you determine the ancestor's occupation, age, date, place of marriage, and other children born to the couple. Similarly, marriage certificates give the bride and groom's full names, birthplaces, ages, and details of both sets of parents. The death certificate provides the cause of death and other details of the deceased's time in Australia. It also includes the children left behind, the full names, and ages of the spouse, if any. You can access marriage and death records for Tasmania, New South Wales, Western Australia, and South Australia online. At the same time, Queensland and Victoria will charge you a fee to download uncertified copies. Electoral Records Electoral records also play a critical role in pinpointing an ancestor's address and the times they lived. The federal and state government rolls began between the 1850s and 1901. Historical electoral rolls are preserved in the state library in the respective state and possibly detail death dates. It's also worth noting that Australia was among the first countries in the world to grant voting rights to women, meaning you won't have a hassle tracking details for both genders. Church Records for Australian Ancestry Parish registers can provide crucial details when searching your Australian ancestry before civil registration. Victoria, Tasmania, and New South Wales are some of the territories with older establishment dates. However, details in church records may be scanty compared to later civil records. For example, marriage and baptismal entries may only provide names and dates, omitting the parents of the involved parties and the venue. Nonetheless, the full names and dates could be relevant in progressing your genealogy and understanding your ancestors' early life. The Parish registers are found in the state's archives and sorted through the religious denomination. Trips to Australia While you can find a large number of resources online, a trip or two to Australia may be inevitable. Note that Australia is a vast country, and visiting different territories requires enough time, proper planning, knowing what sites to visit, and the information you need. All the archives have websites showing the working hours and access conditions, so you need to check with them to avoid disappointment and time wastage. Considering the budget and the time needed, finding the information you need might be impossible, and hiring firms with local genealogists for quick research may be worthwhile. Record Click has access to Australian records, and it would help if you contact us for advice on the research and detailed analysis of your ancestry. Exploring Your Australian Genealogy Looking for clues and patterns It would be a hassle commuting to all the archives from Melbourne to Victoria looking for records regarding your grandparents who lived back in the early 19th century. Instead, a comprehensive genealogy would identify even closer relatives who would be better guidance to your lineage in Australia and to the extension of Europe. Tracking your Australian ancestor involves detailing the full names of every person connected to you. The family tree has proven most effective in expanding your family details with you as the root. Download free family tree samples and make family research a study and a fun activity in your living room. Every space in the family tree should include the person's full name, special dates like birth and death, and other relevant information. If you don't have any reference material at your disposal, try online searches for any clues. Besides, you can visit the National Archives and General Registrar's office for all records from birth to census. Hire Professional Genealogists at Record Click Record Click Genealogy A genealogist specializes in the descents of persons and knows the checkmarks of finding a specific ancestor. Record Click Professional Genealogists will expedite the process of unearthing personal information and help you understand the historical contexts. Only a professional genealogist can perfectly navigate the national library and quickly track your story. They also come in handy when you want to ensure you get everything right during the Australian citizenship application by descent. However, it's advisable to contact your state's consulate general office for directions on the application process, especially regarding descent, application fee, and duration. Of course, the first step in the citizenship application process starts by visiting the state's consulate with your genealogy information and records. Trace Your Australian Roots If you have Australian ancestry and are concerned about crossing the Pacific for information, we can help you narrow down the options and quickly determine your ancestors and their origin. Contact us and share with genealogy experts about which project fits your needs. READ MORE: 10 Tips for Family Tree Research in Australia       #### Beautiful Nebraska - Let the River Guide Your Genealogy Research The name "Nebraska" comes from an Oto Indian word meaning "flat water," which refers to the Platte River. "Platte" also means "flat river" in French. With all these references to waterways, you get a good idea of just how how the state was settled. For most folks, just following the winding waterways of the Missouri, Platte, Niobrara, and Republican Rivers will lead you to ancestral information. Nebraska was – and is – a gateway to the West. Both the Missouri and Platte Rivers were natural routes leading to points west for early explorers, even before Lewis and Clark came through the area in 1803. The Missouri River provided access for the northern plains to the northwest. In the 1840s and 1850s, the Platte River directed pioneers, who were following the Oregon Trail, to the West Coast, and the Mormons toward what is now Salt Lake City. Both the Platte (about 200 miles long) and Little Platte Rivers are tributaries of the Missouri River. The military set up Fort Atkinson (1820-1827), Fort Calhoun, and Fort Kearney along the Missouri. Traders provided pioneers with goods needed for their journey. Some settlers stayed and built towns along the Missouri; many were founded in the mid-1850s - Falls City, Brownville, Nebraska City, Plattsmouth, Bellevue, Florence, and Omaha, along the Missouri. The last of Nebraska’s 93 counties to be formed was: Holt, 1891; Morrill, 1908; and Deuel, 1909, in the central and western part of the state. When searching for Nebraska genealogy records, such as birth, death, and marriage records, the genealogist or family historian needs to start with a general area and then focus on a specific locale. One of the best places to search for Nebraska genealogy records is the Nebraska State Historical Society (NSHS) in Lincoln. Its roots go back to 1878 when a group of individuals saw a need to preserve the rich history of the young state. The NSHS has had a variety of homes including, for a time, the State Capitol Building. After World War II, a headquarters and museum building were constructed on R Street, on the south side of the University of Nebraska campus. As the state has grown, so has the amount of material entrusted to the facility. In 1985, the NSHS entered into a time of reorganizing and changed its focus to include modern technology, developing partnerships with public and private sector organizations. Simply stated, it outgrew its building. The NSHS now has three locations in downtown Lincoln. The headquarters and library are still located in the building at 1500 R Street. A couple of blocks to the south, at 15th and P, are the museum and book store. The archives is located in a facility on K Street on the west side of the downtown area. The museum is a good place to get an overview of the history of Nebraska. Its book store/gift shop has a number of titles that might be of interest to a genealogy researcher. The library is a must stop for those researching family history. Check the website for hours of operation. Upon entering the library, there is a small rotunda with a historical display. On the way to the stacks is a section of family name index cards – mostly for the Lincoln/Lancaster County area – that volunteers created by abstracting old newspapers. The library has three major research areas, including Nebraska genealogy records. The first area is sectioned off for those using materials from the archives. The second comprises shelved books from all counties. The books include local histories, published cemetery records, and volumes published by local historical groups. The third area houses microfilm. NSHS has the most complete selection of Nebraska newspapers, from small towns to Lincoln and Omaha, on microfilm. The microfilm collection also includes school census records for Lancaster County, some court records and more. A good part of the microfilm collection, including newspapers and city directories, is available for interlibrary loan. Nebraska marriage record information for all the counties, typically kept at the county level, is also available at the Nebraska State Historical Society. The archives’ holdings include photographs, courthouse records from across the state, and state governmental records. That’s the good news. The bad news is, because of the off-site location, accessing items from the archives is a two-day process, because they must be obtained through the library. The staff is very helpful, but it is still a process. Of note, the library is located on the University of Nebraska campus. There is no off-street parking and or spaces designated for NSHS patrons. The parking spaces are metered. Staff members of the library will do some basic name look-ups. Their fee schedule is listed on the NSHS website. Some discounts are available to society members and Nebraska residents. A list of researchers – including the experienced genealogists at RecordClick.com – is on the website. The RecordClick.com genealogists can trace Nebraska heritage back to the homestead era. They know the state, various resources, and are willing to work together with you to meet your needs, whether it is advice on how to progress with your research, to do look-ups for you, or to help you break through your research brick wall. #### Best Websites and Databases For Online Genealogy Online genealogy is becoming the norm, and you no longer have to visit foreign libraries and sift through dusty archives to establish your family history. In today's digital age, you can unravel these stories and mysteries in the comfort of your couch, thanks to the vast realm of online databases and sites. Imagine quickly accessing centuries-old records and connecting the dots on your laptop or tablet to trace relatives across the globe. Online genealogy helps you achieve this in addition to knowing your ancestry, ancestral secrets, and migration patterns. With the vast collection of records and documents becoming accessible online, knowing where to look is imperative. You want to know the best online platform for your target region, period, or research methodology. Luckily, this guide will navigate the online genealogy landscape and highlight the databases and websites to prioritize. Key Takeaways To become a professional genealogist online, you must understand the online platforms that provide invaluable resources for your research. Some of the best ancestry research websites include Ancestry.com and MyHeritage. Finding a database or website is only a fraction of genealogy research, as you will need to compile that information and dig deeper for specifics. RELATED: Adoption History Research: What You Need to Know 5 Best Online Genealogy Websites Family Tree To become a professional genealogist online, you must understand the online platforms that provide invaluable resources. Here, we highlight the top global genealogy websites that have gained respect and trust among family history researchers. Ancestry.com Ancestry.com has been building its brand as a companion in every step of your online genealogy. This site has an extensive collection of records spanning immigration documents, census records, birth, marriage, and death certificates. In addition to vast resources, the Ancestry.com site has an intuitive interface that makes it easy to navigate even for novice users. Most importantly, the site has a DNA feature that helps you track your genetics and ethnicity. After choosing the best subscription, you can enjoy unique features, connect with other users, and make your online family history search a riveting adventure. MyHeritage MyHeritage also has a myriad of research tools and social networking features that help you unravel your heritage and connect with relatives who've also signed up. Genealogy resources on this site include records from across the world, making it ideal for a researcher with a diverse heritage. Like Ancestry.com, MyHeritage has an advanced search option and a family tree builder to help bring your genealogy into perspective as you make discoveries. Findmypast Findmypast is the go-to platform to focus your online genealogy on British and Irish history. The site offers detailed records, including parish registers, military records, and newspapers. Findmypast has also gone the extra mile to ensure constant updates and the addition of fresh records by partnering with archives and libraries in the respective regions. FamilySearch The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints operates this nonprofit organization and website, offering genealogical records, education, and software. FamilySearch has become a haven for many genealogists and independent researchers looking for historical records for its intuitive interface and free access. The site also lets users freely contribute and access records, making it a favorite option for professional genealogists and beginners. Geni Geni is a subsidiary of MyHeritage, but it focuses more on connecting relatives than providing resources. You can start a family tree through the site and share it with other interested parties. Geni aims to facilitate research connections and create a unified family history. So, if you're looking for a website to build relationships with other users, Geni might be a favorite consideration. RELATED: How to Conduct Family History Research on A Budget Best Websites and Databases for German Ancestry Research Online Genealogy Research The websites highlighted above can help your German genealogy, but you may need to look further at databases focusing solely on German history and genealogy resources. So, if you're determined to embark on your German genealogy, here are the platforms that can come in handy. Genealogy.net Genealogy.net is a hub for German genealogy that offers access to guides, databases, and advice. The site emphasizes localized genealogy and helps researchers navigate the complexities in German genealogy, such as identifying ancestral regions. Besides the research guidance, Genealogy.net connects researchers with local societies and researchers to help you gain insights for your endeavor. Deutsche Digitale Bibliothek (German Digital Library) German Digital Library goes beyond providing traditional genealogical records. It also presents an array of cultural artifacts, including manuscripts, artworks, and historical documents, that can provide a deeper understanding of your ancestry. Although the site is framed in German language in its standard form, you can opt for English. Matricula Matricula is a nonprofit organization that has digitized Catholic Church records from the old Austro-Hungarian Empire. The site's main objective is to help researchers quickly access records for Roman Catholicism. So, among the online records, you'll find the German Grand Duchy of Luxembourg records, registers from Münster and Paderborn, and an extensive collection of Militärkirchenbücher—the "barracks parishes" of garrisoned soldiers who were often far from home. Best Websites and Databases for Irish Genealogy Online Genealogy The journey to unearth Irish genealogy is marked by reverence and enthusiasm, especially when interacting with Dublin's bustling streets and the countryside's serene landscapes. So, when embarking on your Irish genealogy journey, you need online resources that are specially curated to illuminate your path. Here are the best websites and databases for that endeavor. IrishGenealogy.ie IrishGenealogy.ie, is the official government portal for records and historical documents. Users are granted free access to census records, civil registration records, parish registers, and will indexes. This site can provide crucial information for your online genealogy, with records dating back to the 19th century. National Archives of Ireland The National Archives of Ireland also has a treasure trove of records crucial for online Irish genealogy. The online presence makes it easy for local and foreign users to access records that shed light on the lives that shaped the current generation. The archives not only offer genealogical records but also helps you understand Ireland's cultural and social revolution. RootsIreland RootsIreland is a consortium of genealogy centers in Ireland. The site has an extensive database of gravestone inscriptions, parish records, and certificates that greatly aid local genealogy. Besides, RootsIreland connects you to local researchers with special knowledge about specific locales across Ireland. RELATED: Find a Genuine Genealogist for Accurate Ancestry Seek Professional Online Genealogy for Authenticity With the increase in websites and databases offering genealogy resources and services, you need a cut-out plan to save you money and ensure you get authentic results for your family tree. Finding a database or website is only a fraction of genealogy research, as you will need to compile that information and dig deeper for specifics. Check our tips for successful genealogy to remain on track and enjoy the process. The team of professional genealogists at RecordClick is dedicated to helping you trace your family history. So, whether you're exploring your Irish or German roots or want to explore Europe to the Old World, RecordClick will provide expert guidance at a cost you can afford. Feel free to contact us for inquiries, consultations, or a plan on how to assist in your genealogy journey. Keep the conversations flowing and the discoveries unfolding. Your story is waiting to be told. #### Blessed Be the Tie that Binds Family History - Using Church Records for Genealogical Research My favorite old sweatshirt was emblazoned with the saying, “Old genealogists never die, they just lose their census.” It underscored the value all genealogical researchers place on this vital tool of the trade, but federal censuses weren't begun in the United States until 1790 (and let’s not even talk about the early enumerations from Georgia), they were taken only every 10 years, they don’t list the names of all household members until 1850, they have no familial relationships until 1880, and How could those firefighters ever have allowed the 1890 census to burn up?! For all of these reasons and many more, genealogical researchers look for census alternatives and supplements to trace family trees. One of the most important among these on your search list should be church records. Early church records pre-date the first federal census by 170 years, and they provide relationships not available in the censuses for 230 years. Other information, such as exact birth, marriage, and death dates, aren't on any census. If your ancestors stretch back to New England, the New England Historic Genealogical Society’s website American Ancestors, should be one of your first stops. This is a fee site, but if your people lived in that area, the subscription price is a true bargain for their extensive records online, including invaluable church records. Be imaginative in spelling your ancestor’s name in the search fields, including the first name. If you enter "Thomas" but the record lists "Thos," you won’t get a result. I try to avoid first names if possible, but when the number of hits on a surname exceeds 100, I've got to try all varieties of the first name I can think of. (Soundex is an option for surnames only.) New England doesn't have a corner on the market of church records. Clergymen often accompanied, or followed soon, the early explorers and settlers of this continent. And as they aided the opening of the country, they were baptizing, marrying, and burying our ancestors — and creating records of these events. Any search of a locale in the Family History Library’s online catalogue should include an in-depth look at church records. Not all of these are indexed, but they are worth the time required to read through them. I have found that many Catholic parish registers will cross-reference a baptism with a later entry of a marriage. Pure gold! Of course pay close attention to sponsors of baptisms and witnesses for marriages and funerals, as these people are often family members. If your ancestors lived in large metropolitan areas, you may feel overwhelmed by the number of churches to search. All eight of my great-grandparents were scattered across Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1900, and six of them were Catholic. But there were 38 active Catholic churches serving the Milwaukee population at that time — entirely too many rolls of microfilm to scroll through, most of which have not been indexed. But, tucked inside the front of the Milwaukee City Directory for 1900 is a wonderful map of the city at that time, with all churches identified. Then it became a simple job of using the address listed in the city directory for each family to locate the nearest Catholic church on the map. One family was not in the directory (as it did cost a small amount to be included, and these were poor folks indeed), but the 1900 census form lists street names and numbers. Thus I obtained their address as well, found the closest Catholic church, and voilá, I was rewarded with exact death dates for two of my great-grandparents and the marriage date of one of their daughters. If your ancestors didn't live in large cities, you won't have to jump through as many hoops, but sometimes it can be tough to track down old records that have not been microfilmed. If you know the religion, but you can’t find church records for that denomination online or through the Family History Library, call a church that exists today in the appropriate town or county. Explain what you are seeking, and ask if their records go back that far. If the answer is no, ask where they might be archived. (In one case, I found early Wyoming records now housed in Minnesota!) If the answer is yes, offer to pay for a search in as specific a block of time as possible. When conducting your ancestor search, remember that births, marriages, and deaths — sometimes for many generations when families weren't on the move — might all be available in one place — the local church. If you would like help in finding that church and determining what records are just waiting to be discovered, consider contacting a genealogy research service. The professional genealogists at RecordClick are experienced genealogy researchers in this field of study and can help you trace family trees using church records. Photo credit: Joan Shurtliff #### Brent Holcomb: A Consummate Southern Genealogist and Gentleman Photo courtesy of Brent Holcomb The name "Brent Holcomb" is practically synonymous with South Carolina genealogy - his passion, no doubt, stemming from the fact he was born in Clinton, South Carolina. With both parents deceased, and a brother in North Carolina, Brent Holcomb calls Columbia, South Carolina, his "home." In addition to his involvement in genealogy research and related publications, Mr. Holcomb has been the organist-choirmaster at Our Saviour Lutheran Church for the past 37 years. He was an organ major in college, and graduated with a degree in musicology from the University of North Carolina. He also plays duplicate bridge, and is a silver life master. “No story is a straight line. The geometry of a human life is too imperfect and complex, too distorted by the laughter of time and the bewildering intricacies of fate to admit the straight line into its system of laws.” ~ Pat Conroy, Beach Music RC: When did you first get involved in the field of genealogy? BH: I became interested in genealogy when I was about eight or nine years old. My father had some interest and he had a large family Bible with a family tree, which he had begun to fill out. He showed it to me, and I took up the project. It was fascinating to me to learn about ancestors and relatives. My grandfather's sister was also interested and had compiled some information from relatives, cemeteries, etc. I was always a history buff, and I am largely self-taught. However, I learned from other genealogists, especially the late Jo White Linn of Salisbury, North Carolina, when I was a graduate student at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. RC: You have written and compiled an extraordinary number of lists and publications mostly for South Carolina-related genealogy. How do you choose your projects? BH: I have tried to select projects which would be most helpful to other genealogy researchers, but at times I have concentrated on the areas where my own ancestors lived. RC: Once you compile information for a project, and the publication is printed, is the information digitized by any South Carolina libraries or historical societies? BH: Some of my information is available on Ancestry, including the first 20 volumes of my quarterly The South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research, as well as some of my books. However, I do not make it a goal to digitize my publications. I prefer the printed page. RC: How can our readers obtain your publications? BH: My publications can be ordered from me: Brent H. Holcomb, PO Box 21766, Columbia, SC 29221. There is an order form on my webpage; however, it must be printed out and mailed in. I do not accept credit cards, etc. You can also find my publications through Southern Historical Press and Heritage Books. RC: In what ways do you think digitization of records is changing the field of genealogy and the genealogist's role? BH: The digitization of records has made more information accessible quickly to genealogy researchers, but it has taken away some of the challenge of searching actual records in the original. Also, I think that [digitizing] might "lose" some records when a record is incorrectly listed or indexed. I have found records unexpectedly by searching for something else. Exploring the records, I think, teaches what might be found in other sources. RC: What are your thoughts on DNA testing for ancestry? Do you think it will substantially change genealogy and the role of genealogists in the future? If so, why? BH: I am not well versed in DNA testing, though I have participated in several groups. It has provided some important links, especially with illegitimate lines. However, one will always need actual records to prove a lineage. RC: What do you think precipitated the recent interest in family history? Is it because more records are available on the Internet, or something else? BH: I think that the interest has always been there. Many people did not realize that other people were as interested in family history as they were. Often, one family member kept hand-written records, though undocumented, on their families. Many people who were interested would consult that relative and then proceed on their own. RC: Do you think it is necessary to be a certified genealogist to be taken seriously in the industry? BH: No, I don't think that certification is necessary to be taken seriously. Publications, books and articles, can show a person's expertise and ability. RC: What was your favorite genealogy project? BH: I don't know that any project was my favorite. I was pleased to complete the four volumes of "Marriage and Death Notices from the Southern Presbyterian (1847-1908)," because these newspapers had not been available, and there is so much information buried in these notices. Still, some of the newspapers were not on film, and I had help with people who copied from libraries such as Duke University, New York Public Library, and other places. RC: Reading through your list of publications, it gives me so many ideas of information to tap, including marriages, deaths, naturalizations, wills, land grants, passenger arrivals, obits, and church records. Do you have other sources to suggest to our readers? BH: Yes, the records of the court of equity provide many answers. These records have been published for some counties, but most of them have not been published. The Court of Common Pleas records also contain many gems. RC: For readers who are doing research on South Carolina ancestors, do you have any helpful information for them to help make their family history search more productive and efficient? What are some of the genealogy research pitfalls that our readers need to avoid? BH: Some aspects of genealogy research are the same in nearly every state. South Carolina does not have regular vital records prior to the 20th Century. Deed indices vary from one county to another. Some county deed indices include ONLY land transactions. Therefore, there may be conveyances of personal property not indexed. Censuses are helpful, but prior to 1880, one cannot assume the relationships of husband, wife, and children. Sometimes a widow remarried and her children were listed under the surname of the present husband. Don't forget to use the other census schedules, especially mortality, agricultural, etc. RC: Have you ever hit a genealogy brick wall? How did you break through it? BH: Yes, I think that everyone has some brick walls. (I still have some.) Some of them will never have answers. However, persistence in the records of the area may provide answers. Telling other researchers who are interested in the same area is always good. They may run across your answer in their searches. One such find by a friend/distant cousin solved a mystery that I had worked on for nearly 40 years. It was a common pleas case pertaining to a family to which I did not know I had any connection. RC: Do you have a pipe dream project? BH: If I had the time and energy, I would like to compile ALL of the South Carolina marriages, from sources in and outside South Carolina. RC: What most would you like to be known for as a Southern genealogist? I would most like to be known for my publications. I think. Record Click appreciates Brent Holcomb's dedication and contribution to genealogical research. His publications will no doubt continue to help family genealogy researchers to add limbs and leaves to their Southern Genealogy Trees. If you should hit a knothole that keeps you from moving upward in your ancestor search, contact Record Click for comprehensive genealogy ancestry services. #### British Genealogy - Tips for Genealogists Tracing Ancestry in UK Even though it was November, the grass was a deep green when I visited England a few years back. As history buffs, my husband and I looked forward to a visit to Canterbury and the World Heritage Sites there. In close proximity were Canterbury Cathedral, St. Augustine’s Abbey, and St. Martin’s Church. As we toured the area, we came upon the four graves pictured above. The marker says: "These four graves are of Anglo-Saxon kings originally buried in the Saxon church of St. Mary. They are Edbald (d. 640), Lothaire (d. 685), Wintred (d. 725) and Mulus (d. 686)." There they were - the names and dates of individuals who knew the land almost 1500 years ago. A vital record. The antiquity of it all. When doing genealogical research for vital records in Great Britain it helps to be able to tie into one of the numerous noble families. It doesn't even have to be the current royal family. In the early days, there were numerous small kingdoms with royalty embarking on the usual plotting and intrigue. Unfortunately, royalty doesn't seem to be in my blood. There were many more people struggling to get by. Searching vital records to find your ancestors, whether you can or can't tie into a prominent household, needs to begin in the usual way with what you know. As you conduct family genealogy, try to place the ancestor in a specific place at a given time. One of the first lines of British genealogy research is vital records. Every locale is different. A key date to remember in Great Britain is 1837. That is when England and Wales instituted government registry of births, marriages, and deaths. Prior to that, records were kept at parish churches. Mid-1530s – Henry the VIII created the Church of England and was made Supreme Head of the Church. The roots of the Church of Ireland were also formed. 1560 – Scottish Reformation framed the Church of Scotland 1600s – Non-conformist religions began to take root. 1837 – England and Wales instituted government registration of births, marriages, and deaths. Compliance was not mandatory. 1845 – Northern Ireland began government registration of non-Roman Catholic marriages. 1855 – Scotland started statutory governmental registers for births, marriages, and deaths. Prior to this date, registration was by parishes of the Church of Scotland. The initial registers included a good deal of information including parent's marriage and siblings. 1856 – It was determined that there was too much information on the birth registers in Scotland, so parent's marriage and the listing of siblings were removed. 1861 – The Scotland registry reinstated the date and place of the parent's marriage. 1864 – The government registration of births, marriages, and deaths began in Northern Ireland. 1875 – England and Wales instituted penalties for non-compliance in the registering of births, marriages. and deaths. 1974 – The British counties were restructured in 1974. The registers are just that – ledgers with vital information. Even now, the "official" marriage is a civil ceremony that takes place in the civil registry office or in the presence of a civil registrar. Doctors or healthcare providers register births and deaths on a regular basis. There are more than 600 registration districts in Great Britain, and the vital records work their way up the paper pipeline to the General Register Office (GRO). Poring through this information will certainly keep a genealogical researcher busy. Before the registry system was created, the churches were the keepers of the vital records, and that's why it helps British genealogical researchers to know both the location and the religion of their ancestor. While Catholic Church and the Church of England were the predominant religions, other religions - including Jewish, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Quaker – were also present. Members of these religions are often called non-conformists. The vital records of alternative religions may be located in a number of places. The best place for a genealogist to begin the search may be The National Archives. Keep in mind that some non-conformist ministers may not have given high priority to keeping vital records. For British genealogical researchers, there are a number of websites that carry vital records and indexes from Great Britain, most notably FamilySearch.org, Findmypast.com, Findagrave.com, GENUKI.com, and Ancestry.com. Still, not all the records are online. Birth, marriage and death records for England and Wales from 1837 to the present are found at the General Register Office. A number of entities - including the Church of Scotland, the General Register Office for Scotland, the National Archives of Scotland, the Court of the Lord Lyon, and Scotland On Line - partnered to form the website ScotlandsPeople. Many church and vital records can be found there. Baptismal records before 1855 are held at the General Register Office for Scotland. The Government Records Office website has an online list of parishes and registration districts in Scotland. The General Register Office of Northern Ireland (nidirect) has a number of registration indexes including births, marriages, and deaths. The Public Record Office (PRONI) has an online guide to the churches of Northern Ireland and the records they have. Tracing ancestry in the UK will have genealogical researchers wandering through the various sources looking for vital records, and this can be challenging. If the ancestor search seems to be a bit overwhelming, you may consider using a genealogy ancestry service. RecordClick has experienced, professional genealogists in Great Britain who understand the system and know the best places to look to help you in tracing ancestry and to find more information about that illusive ancestor. Photo caption and credit: Graves of four Anglo-Saxon kings near St. Augustine's Abbey, a World Heritage Site in Canterbury, England. 2002 photo by Joan Shurtliff. #### British Genealogy and the English Legal System Pictured: Lancaster Castle; Lancashire County, England. Photo credit: Joan Shurtliff “Oyez... oyez... oyez... The court is now in session...” English courts have been interesting to me. The idea of the lead attorneys and judges wearing robes and funny white wigs is hard to imagine here in the United States. Tradition, though, is important in Great Britain. As a genealogist, British courts are even more interesting because various courts have been handling disputes for hundreds of years, and the records can provide insight for genealogists who want to trace family history. The earliest courts were called Common Law Courts and were not very efficient, but there is usually more than one way to accomplish a goal. Individuals unhappy with the court system could petition the courts for justice to be done. Consequently, a system of courts to handle the various types of cases evolved. The most common courts were: Court of the Exchequer. To remember the types of cases this court handled, think “cheque” or money. This court usually handled financial cases. Court of the Chancery. This court heard civil disputes in England and Wales. As the population grew so did the case load, as the cases were often disputes between family members. Court of Common Pleas. This court evolved from the King's Council in the late 12th Century. Most cases were common law disputes usually concerning debts or land. Church Courts. These courts took on moral crimes with decisions made by clergy or parish officers. Their height of power came in the 1500s and early 1600s. As time passed, the types of cases handled by Church Courts decreased to handling marriage licenses and clerical discipline. Most Church Court records are held by County Record Offices (CROs). Criminal Courts. This court handled more serious cases. Although the original documents are difficult to read, a number of books have been published containing case and trial reports and information. The earliest courts were created after the Norman Conquest. Called Eyres, the courts were held in the various manors with the Lord of the Manor acting as judge. By the 1300s, the role of the Lord of the Manor was replaced by Justices of the Peace. The justices heard civil pleas, crown pleas, and received inquests into suspicious or unnatural deaths from coroners. When the Eyre system ceased to function well, a new system called Assize Courts was created. Dating from the 1300s, circuits were created with judges from the courts at Westminster visiting each county on a regular basis. The earliest role of the judges was to review certain property disputes. The justices' powers gradually expanded to include criminal cases. Assize Courts were replaced by Crown Courts in 1971. Most Assize records are now at The National Archives (TNA), although many have been lost or destroyed. The Assize circuits did not include London. Criminal jurisdiction in London was handled by three commissions: of the peace of gaol (jail) delivery of Newgate of oyer and terminer. Remember, in England people used to be incarcerated for any of a number of offenses. Think Charles Dickens. There are many prison lists, and they can be found in a number of places: The census lists people in prison on census night The National Archives has prison lists generally covering the years between 1805 and 1892 County Record Offices There is one final area of the English court system that may be of interest to the genealogical researcher looking for individuals who died under unusual circumstances. The office of coroner was established in 1194, and until the 1800s most coroners were elected. In 1888, counties were divided into districts, with the coroner becoming an appointed position. Although many of the coroner's records have been lost or destroyed, those that exist are opened to the public after 75 years. The records are at TNA. To find your ancestors, don't forget to check the newspapers. Often court happenings and legal notices were published. It's important for family genealogy researchers to remember a couple of things: Many of the early court records, beginning in the late 1300s, are found at TNA, but they are not very well organized, and most are in Latin. Hence, researching them for genealogical information is difficult. When you are conducting ancestry searches, especially if you are researching British genealogy, don't limit your genealogical research to just a couple of resources. Expand your ancestry search horizons; put a British genealogy stamp in your family search genealogy passport to find your ancestors. Try new avenues. Do what professional genealogists do and tap alternative databases, court records, legal notices, newspapers, et al. Do what genealogy ancestry services do when they trace family history - get creative.  If you do hit a stumbling block, consider reaching out to a genealogical service. RecordClick is a full-service genealogy ancestry service with professional genealogists living and working in Great Britain. Joan Shurtliff is a board certified genealogist. She is a member of the South Dakota Genealogy Society (SDGS), where she received the Outstanding Member Award for 2011. She currently serves as a Quarterly Editor for the SDGS. Ms. Shurtliff has ties to several early settlers and 1870 Nebraska homesteaders. #### British Genealogy Research Is Not Always a Walk in the Park “For my part, it was Greek to me.” ~ William Shakespeare The goal of this set of blogs is to help with the, albeit very abbreviated, history of Great Britain and provide ideas and strategies for doing British genealogy research. RecordClick has expert genealogical researchers in the UK who can provide you with genealogy ancestry services that will help with your British genealogy search, especially with the strategy of ancestor search outside of the U.S. And even though our countries speak the same language - well, sort of - RecordClick ancestor search specialists can help you maneuver through the language and terminology differences between the Brits and the Yanks. When it comes to doing British genealogy research in the United Kingdom, the same basic rules apply to both the United States and the UK. Start with what you know and work to what you don’t know. Start with the present and work back in time. They do things the same way in Great Britain as we do in the United States - again, sort of. Then again, they have had more time to figure out a system that suits them best and have developed their own terminology. Two things to keep in mind when working on your ancestor search in Great Britain: The area has been inhabited for a very long time; Four countries comprise Great Britain – England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The total area is about 94,000 square miles – just a little smaller than the State of Michigan. A Brief Timeline Late 500s - Christianization began of what is now England. 597 – The First Archbishop of Canterbury took office. 7th Century – Christianity was introduced into Scotland. 9th Century – Kingdom of Scotland was created. Late 9th Century through early 1100s – The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle was written. 1066 – William the Conqueror invaded England. 1086 – The Domesday Book, a record of a property survey of England and parts of Wales, was completed. 1282 – England conquers the Principality of Wales. 1348 – Bubonic plague arrived in England from the European continent. It killed about one-third of the population. Mid-1530s – Henry the VIII created the Church of England and was made Supreme Head of the Church. The roots of the Church of Ireland were also formed. 1560 – Scottish Reformation frames the Church of Scotland. Early 1600s – Colonization of the area of Northern Ireland, also called Ulster, by people from England and Scotland began. 1700s – Welsh Methodist revival instigated. 1700s – Ulster Scots began emigrating to North American. 1707 – Scotland became a part of the Kingdom of Great Britain. 1707 – Wales became a part of the Kingdom of Great Britain. 1800s – Ulster became a center of industry. 1801 – Wales became a part of the United Kingdom. 1837 – England and Wales instituted government registration of births, marriages, and deaths. Compliance was not mandatory. 1888 – The first attempt to create a standardized system of local government in England was imposed. 1894 – An act created a second tier of local government in England. 1920 – Self-government was given to six of Ulster’s northeastern counties. 1921 – Ireland was formally partitioned into Irish Free State and Northern Ireland. There is a strong influence of both Protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland. 1972 – The Local Government Act of 1972 simplified the local government system in England. 1974 – The British counties were restructured in 1974. The settlement of North America seems simple compared to that of Great Britain. Britain had people coming in from all over, including Rome and what is now Scandinavia, plus local land disputes. Combine the complicated history with a variety of languages in various states of evolution, and British genealogy can become quite challenging. Among the earliest written documents is the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle. Written over an extended period of time by a variety of people, it is a beginning to recording events of the day. There are nine different manuscripts located in various repositories in England. The Chronicle is a history mentioning people and occurrences. The second early document of note is the Domesday Book, a property survey. Keep in mind, individuals mentioned in these tomes most likely had more importance and money than the average citizen. Local church and governmental records were the first to record activities of individuals and families. It helps to know a bit of the church history and evolution of governmental records. Before 1837, the best place to look for vital records is in church registers. The need to establish a more centralized method of keeping vital records was recognized, and so there was a change. Where we have archives, libraries, historical societies, and museums in the United States, the United Kingdom has archives, General Register Offices, the Home Office, and more. In a series of upcoming blogs about conducting British genealogy, we at RecordClick will try to explain family search genealogy sources available in Great Britain for use by genealogical researchers, which ones may be the most helpful in British genealogy research, and how to access them. The genealogical services provided by RecordClick's ancestor search specialists can assist in your British genealogy search, help you understand how the different repositories of information work, and present ideas to help you break through your British barriers. Photo Caption and Credit: St. Martin's Church, the oldest continuously used church in England. It is a World Heritage Site in Canterbury, England. 2002 photo by Joan Shurtliff #### Calendars In Genealogy: How To Avoid Confusion And Errors Calendars in genealogy differ significantly, and you need to know what calendar your ancestors used to avoid confusion and errors. The calendars to incorporate in your family history research will depend on the regions and cultures associated with your ancestors. Understanding the different calendars and using them accurately can help trace and interpret historical records and genealogy. The three types of calendars involved in genealogy research are solar, lunar, and lunisolar. The solar calendars follow the movement of the sun and the changes in season. The lunar calendars follow the moon's orbiting around the earth in different phases. The lunisolar calendars combine elements from the solar and lunar calendars. Hence, they sync events involving both the sun and the moon. This guide explores five common calendars in genealogy research comprising Gregorian, Jewish, Islamic, Hindu, and Julian calendars and how to apply them in your ancestry research. Key Takeaways Common calendars involved in genealogy research include the Gregorian, Jewish, Islamic, Hindu, and Julian calendars. The Gregorian calendar is the current international standard introduced by Pope Gregory XIII to address inaccuracies in the Julian calendar. Calculating and converting dates from one calendar to another requires the intervention of professional genealogists for accurate family history. The Jewish Calendar Jewish Calendar The Jewish/Hebrew calendar is common in genealogy records and follows the cycles of the sun and the moon (lunisolar). This calendar can have up to 13 months, made of 29 or 30 days each. The 13th month is normally added after every two or three years to keep in sync with the seasons. The months start with every new moon and are named after Babylonian sources. For example, the first month is called Tishrei, the last the Elul, and the additional month in leap years is called the Adar II. The seven days in a Jewish calendar are counted from sunset to sunset, each 24 hours consisting of 1080 parts called the halakim. This calendar was mainly used to mark religious festivals and observances such as the Passover and to mark crucial dates such as birth, marriage, and death. RELATED: Jewish Genealogy: How To Touch Base With Ancestral Struggles The Julian Calendar Julian Calendar This calendar derives its name from its creator, Julius Caesar, the Roman general and statesman. He sought to replace the Roman calendar with a new solar calendar close to what the Gregorian calendar has. The Julian calendar uses Latin sources in naming the months, with the first month as Ianuarius and the last December. The days have 24 hours of 60 minutes/hr and start and end at midnight. Also, the second month (Februarius) has an extra day every leap year. A week has a seven-day cycle adopted from the Jewish calendar, with Dies Solis being the holy day of worship and rest. However, the Julian calendar had an error that gradually placed it behind seasons and the solar year. As a result, it was replaced by the more accurate Gregorian calendar. The Gregorian Calendar Gregorian calendar This calendar tops the most common calendars in genealogy and is the current international standard calendar introduced by Pope Gregory XIII to replace the Julian calendar. This calendar has been embraced for marking popular festivals like the Christian Easter and Christmas. It has also become a civil medium to mark crucial dates and record time. The calendar has 12 months starting with January, and each month has 30 or 31 days except for February, which has 28 days and 29 for a leap year. It also has a cycle of seven days a week comprising Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. The Islamic Calendar Islamic Calendar Also known as the Muslim calendar, the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar with 12 months of 29 or 30 days each. This calendar is mainly used for religious purposes such as Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr. Most Muslim countries and regions also use this calendar to record legal and civil matters. Each year in an Islamic calendar has 12 months that start with the sighting of a new crescent moon. The months are named from Arabic sources, with the first being "Muharram" and the last "Dhu al-Hijjah." Ramadan is the ninth month and the most sacred in the Islamic year. The days of the Islamic calendar conform to the Gregorian format of 24 hours and 60 minutes an hour, but they start from sunset. Similarly, a week comprises seven days. The Hindu Calendar Hindu Calendar The Hindu calendar is a combination of several lunisolar calendars that are based on astronomical calculations and ancient Vedic texts. Despite the many variations of the Hindu calendar, they generally have 12 months of about 30 days each. However, a month is added after four or five years to align with the solar year. The months start with a new moon and are named from Sanskrit sources. For example, the first month is called the Chaitra, and the last is called the Phalguna. Each month has 29 or 30 days that are counted from sunrise to sunrise. The Hindu calendar is crucial in marking religious festivals such as the Holi and Diwali. It's also used to record social and personal events in Hindu communities. How To Overcome Challenges of Calendars in Genealogy Genealogists help break the Brick Wall The different calendars used in historical records could hamper your efforts for accurate genealogy research. However, professional genealogists know how to convert calendars and the best practices to ensure accuracy and consistency. The common challenges calendars in genealogy may include; Finding Out When a Country Incorporated a Calendar Not all countries adopted the Gregorian calendar simultaneously. While most countries incorporated it in the mid-18th century, others only did so in the early 20th century. In this case, genealogists may need to convert and adjust dates to match the modern calendar. Genealogists overcome this challenge by using symbols such as the forward slash mark (/) to show styles from different calendars. Besides, they leverage the readily available online tools that have proven helpful in calculations and conversions between calendars. Finding Out When a Month or Year Begins or Ends Years and months do not correspond between calendars, and a year in a Jewish calendar could start or end in the Middle of a Gregorian year. Usually, the Jewish year starts in September or October of the Gregorian calendar. In this case, genealogists must understand the discrepancies between the involved calendars in their research and leverage online resources and expertise to convert both dates and document the family history accurately. Converting Dates Between Calendars Another common challenge when dealing with calendars in genealogy is converting the dates provided in other calendars to the Gregorian calendar. For example, the Islamic dates may be written as 15 Shawwal 1442, the Jewish date as 15 Tammuz 5781, while the Gregorian format is October 30, 2023. Tracking the Correct Hindu Calendar Version The many regional and sectarian Hindu calendars apply different names and lengths, with some starting in March and others in November.  Therefore, conducting family history research that involves the Hindu culture will require an in-depth understanding of these calendars and the best way to convert to the Gregorian calendar popular today. Hire a Professional Genealogist The few examples of calendars in genealogy highlighted here are just the tip of the iceberg. You could encounter more calendar-related intricacies in your family heritage research. You must know how to maneuver for accurate results. Luckily, our team of professional genealogists will help you with the hard part. What's more? Record Click offers free consultation and budget-friendly genealogy services to comprehensively document your family history accurately and with minimal effort from your side. Contact us today and uncover your family history free of confusion or errors. #### Can You Legally Marry a Cousin? A Genealogy Researcher Finds Out A genealogy researcher may likely find that somewhere in the family tree, there were and/or are literally kissin’ cousins. American genealogy researchers may go “eeeek.”  Do not worry. This, actually, is a gift for the genealogist. First, it doesn’t mean they were first cousins.  In the United States, that is really not allowed in a lot of places. And it is considered weird or socially unacceptable. But it does happen now and then since there are states that allow it. In many nations, it is the preferred way to find a marriage partner.  But there, they have preferences in what type of cousin relationships are OK. So, for the genealogy researcher in the United States, this first cousin business may be taboo. It is the second , third and even more distant relations that seem to be allowed to have relations. For the genealogy researcher in Pakistan, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Yemen and in the Palestinian Territories among others places, there is a preference for cousin marriages.  There, however, they have some rules: no double cousins (descendants of married cousins) and a preference for cross cousins (parents who are siblings of opposite sex) over parallel cousins (parents who are siblings of same sex). See how this all makes it easier for the genealogist? Entire branches, the family history researcher will find, can then descend from the same ancestor.  Sort of fun.  Or as happens whenever this genealogy researcher mentions to her offspring how cute a like-aged distant cousin is and maybe one of them should go out with him/her, the offspring usually say:  Sort of creepy. For the genealogy researcher, here is a chart from the National Conference of State Legislators of where cousins may and may not marry in America: Cousin marriage legal First cousin marriage prohibited AlabamaAlaskaCaliforniaColorado Connecticut District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Maryland Massachusetts New JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth Carolina* Rhode Island South Carolina Tennessee Vermont Virginia ArkansasDelawareIdahoIowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana NebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNorth Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania South Dakota Texas Washington West Virginia Wyoming Allowed under certain circumstances ArizonaIllinoisIndianaMaine Utah Wisconsin First cousin marriage is allowed in these states under the following circumstances: Arizona- if both are 65 or older, or one is unable to reproduce. Illinois- if both are 50 or older, or one is unable to reproduce. Indiana- if both are at least 65. Maine- if couple obtains a physician's certificate of genetic counseling. Utah- if both are 65 or older, or if both are 55 or older and one is unable to reproduce. Wisconsin- if the woman is 55 or older, or one is unable to reproduce. *North Carolina- First cousin marriage is legal. Double cousin marriage is prohibited So, if you are a genealogy researcher and, as you search your ancestors, you come across cousins from another country who were married, no big deal. Marriage to cousins in other countries is widespread and allowed. Let your genealogist job be easy! The research on what everyone in America worries about—birth defects—has been shown to be lower than most people thought. The Catholic Church’s push a zillion decades ago to not have such marriages is based on biblical quotations. So, is there a reason not to? Give your genealogy researcher a break. Do like FDR and his distant cousin Eleanor or Rudy Guiliani and his first wife (who was his second cousin) did. Let the family historian save paper, or computer time. The common ancestors truly can help make it easier to complete the family tree! RecordClick genealogy researchers will find the all the marriages in your family and maybe even some that were between cousins. Our family history researchers will find it all for you. #### Canadian Ancestry Research Simplified If you have Canadian ancestry and are considering exploring your genealogy, this guide is for you. The main part of researching your Canadian heritage is gathering crucial information that'll accurately lead you to a common ancestor and where they lived. However, there is a wide array of resources to look at, and they are all kept in different places. Some are kept in the province, others in towns and counties. You also need to understand that Canada was a Great Britain and France colony, meaning that you might come across records written in a foreign language. It would also be advisable to check whether your ancestors migrated from another country and, if so, determine their original place of origin. Sure, the process may be intricate, but luckily, available resources can help you learn more about your Canadian genealogy. This guide takes you through the steps and resources guaranteeing successful Canadian genealogy research. Key Takeaways Researching your Canadian ancestry should start with the people you know, including uncles, parents, grandparents, aunts, etc. Next would be searching for information from civil and church records in your current country of residence and Canada. The process sounds easy in theory, but piling up the paperwork and dealing with all the bureaucracy can be a hassle. This is the point where you need a professional genealogist. RELATED: How To Start Your Genealogy Research From Scratch Start Your Canadian Ancestry Research Old photos are crucial when starting your genealogy research Researching your Canadian ancestry should start with the people you know, including uncles, parents, grandparents, aunts, etc. Reach out to family members, especially the older ones, and inquire about your origin, ancestors, and other relatives you might never know. In addition to family structure and full names of these ancestors, find specific dates for special events like birth and marriage. Be sure also to gather information on the ancestors' occupation, place of residence, religious affiliation, etc. With all this information recorded on family group sheets and trees, you can move to the next phase of researching your Canadian genealogy. Next would be searching for information from civil and church records in your current country of residence and Canada. For example, the National Archives and the General Registrar's office in the US keep all the birth and census records. The Canadian version of the Archives and Registrar is the Library and Archives Canada. Luckily, this Canadian recordkeeper has a designated center for all your historical and genealogy records called the Canadian Genealogy Centre, which is vital for discovering your Canadian roots. Access the Canadian Genealogy Centre for all your records, or visit the third floor of Library and Archives Canada at 395 Wellington Street, Ottawa, Ontario. It would help if you already had specific research objectives. The site's consultants will be ready to assist you with questions about your genealogy and direct you to the appropriate database. How To Access Library and Archives for Canadian Ancestry Genealogy Research Visiting the Canadian Genealogy Centre online or physically is one thing while retrieving that crucial document with your ancestors' records is another. Also, the consultants can direct you to other institutions or government departments for the appropriate records. If you're lucky to trace the records to the genealogy center, apply any of the means discussed below to retrieve them for personal use. Borrow the Material Many published or archived records are already microfilmed. However, the published records and microfilm reels may be borrowed by an established institution like a resource center, archives, and libraries in or out of Canada. You may request your learning institution or parish to borrow the record on your behalf through loan request submissions. Order Document Copies You can request photocopies if you've identified the specific document or page possibly detailing your ancestor's information. Be sure to cite the reference you need and send a receipt with the request. Hire a Genealogist for Canadian Ancestry Genealogists are bound by the law A professional genealogist comes in handy when you need more time or resources to visit the Library and Archives Canada or find specific material of interest. Genealogists operating in the US or Canada can help you quickly retract relevant records for your genealogy. It's also worth noting that while the consultants at the Canadian Genealogy Centre may answer all your questions and provide the necessary guidance, they don't complete family trees for you. Therefore, a professional genealogist can do the hard work and allow you the time to engage in other vital matters in your life as your genealogy takes shape. It would be a hassle commuting to all the archives from Ontario to Toronto, tracing your grandparents who lived back in the mid-19th century. Instead, a comprehensive genealogy would identify even closer relatives who would better guide your lineage in Canada. RELATED: How To Conduct A Successful Family Tree Research Family Tree Tracking your Canadian ancestor may involve detailing the full names of every person connected to you. The family tree has proven most effective in expanding your family details with you as the root. Download free family tree samples and make family research a study and a fun activity in your living room. Every space in the family tree should include the person's full name, special dates like birth and death, and other relevant information. The process sounds easy in theory, but piling up the paperwork and dealing with all the bureaucracy can be a hassle. This is the point where you need a professional genealogist. A genealogist specializes in the descents of persons and knows the checkmarks of finding a specific ancestor. Record Click Professional Genealogists will expedite the process of unearthing personal information and help you understand the historical contexts. Only a professional genealogist can perfectly navigate the national library and quickly track your story. They also come in handy when you want to ensure you get everything right during the Canadian citizenship application by descent. However, contacting your state's consulate general office is advisable for directions on the application process, especially regarding descent, application fee, and duration. Of course, the first step in the citizenship application process starts by visiting the state's consulate with your genealogy information and records. Discover Your Canadian Heritage If you have Canadian heritage and are concerned about crossing the border for information, we can help you narrow down the options and quickly determine your ancestors and their origin. Contact us and share with genealogy experts about which project fits your needs. READ MORE:Genealogy DNA Surprises: How To Deal With Unexpected Results       #### Caroline Joy French Morton Honored by a Genealogy Researcher on Mother's Day Mothers are a special and an integral part of any genealogy search.  A couple of weeks ago,  this RecordClick genealogy researcher wrote a piece about  J. Sterling Morton and his son, Joy.  An important part of that family was wife and mother Caroline Joy French Morton. Who was she? The answer lies in a small volume that her husband penned after her death. He presented a signed copy to the Library of Congress in December 1882, which the genealogy researcher may still access in their online collection. The genealogist will find a note at the beginning of the book, In Memorium – Caroline Joy French Morton: “Two principal motives have prompted the printing of this little book: one was to do homage to the memory of the subject of it; the other was to help and inspire others, and especially her children, to be as she was and to do as she did…” The genealogy researcher will see that Caroline Joy was born August 9, 1833 at Hallowell, Maine to Carolyn Hayden and Hiram Joy. Hiram had apprenticed as a saddle maker and was successful at the trade. The small family moved to Detroit, Michigan in 1834. In the spring of 1835, after a few weeks illness, mother Carolyn died. Realizing that Hiram was more focused on his work, Carolyn knew he was not prepared to take care of a small child. According to Morton: “He (Hiram) was of a temper and a training to find distraction in his work; but she, the little girl, not able to care for herself, nor even know the nature of her loss; according as she should fall into good hands or ill, so was she to be and so was to be her life. Of all sweet charities, the care for little friendless children is the sweetest – in hospitals and orphanages, if more cannot be done; but a home for the tender soul made its own by the love and pity of strangers is the best refuge.” A better solution than to have the child go to a hospital or orphanage was to find a caring family. Carolyn was able to find this in “near neighbors whom she loved and trusted.” A childless couple, Deacon David French and Cynthia Eldred French, were entrusted with the child. Afterward, the child bore the name of Caroline Joy French. A genealogy researcher will get good info from the grave of the parents of Carolyn Morton which notes that they were her foster parents. Often,the genealogy researcher will first think of searching for adoption documents when there is a case of a child being left without a parent or parents. The Morton book makes no note of adoption or other court action. The agreement for the care of the child was between the two couples. The genealogy researcher would not likely find official paperwork in this case. The French family took good care of Caroline. She attended schools in Canada, Albion, Michigan and Utica, New York. Her formal education ended by the time she was twenty years old. Cynthia also made sure Caroline learned the skills she would need to run a household, as many a genealogy researcher will find was the educational process for girls in those days. At the age of fourteen, Caroline became engaged to J. Sterling Morton, a young man one year older than she. The couple was married on October 30, 1854 at the residence of her ‘adoptive’ father, Mr. David French, located on the corner of Congress and Bush Streets in Detroit. The minister was the Rev. Joshua Cooke, minister of the Jefferson Avenue Presbyterian Church. The same day they were married, the young couple set out on their life’s adventure and “turned their faces westward, to make a home for themselves in Nebraska… It was an absolutely unoccupied and vacant country.” Many family history researchers picture the Oregon Trail and covered wagons when they identify ancestors who headed west. This was not necessarily the case. The Mortons took their time period’s version of planes, trains and automobiles. Morton remembered going “by rail from Chicago to Alton (Illinois) on the Mississippi River, thence to St. Louis on that river by steamer; from St. Louis up the Missouri to St. Joseph by steam boat, and from there to Council Bluffs by stage. The whole distance occupied seven full days and nights of hard, tedious riding.” The couple first settled at Bellevue, Nebraska a place with few women and fewer amenities. Their permanent home was at Arbor Lodge in Nebraska City. The couple began a family soon after their marriage. Many a wife at that time went home to her parents to birth her children. In Caroline’s case, the genealogy researcher may deduce that she did the same. Son Joy was born in Detroit in September 1855. Joy was followed by another son, Paul, born in 1857, also in Detroit. The third son, Mark was born in Omaha 1858 and the fourth son, Carl, came along in 1865 at Arbor Lodge. The genealogy researcher will discover that Caroline was active in running her household, raising her sons, and the cultural life of the community. She was well liked and respected taking care to see to the needs of others. In July 1880, Carolyn fell and injured her knee. Giving little thought to the incident, she continued her activities. The injury, however, continued to worsen and she died the following June to be mourned by her family, community and memorialized in the slim volume by her husband. The life of Caroline Joy French Morton is, in many ways, typical of many wives and mothers of the pioneering era. We can see how a family dealt with the death of a mother, marriage practices, moving west and starting a family. The genealogy researcher will also discover the rudimentary knowledge of the medical community. If your relatives have not left you slim memorial volumes for the mothers in your family tree, let the expert genealogists at RecordClick find your details. Our genealogists for hire will obtain original documentation and create your special family history. #### Celebrity Wedding $16M. Rolls Royce Phantom $246K. Video Biography. . .Priceless In life we can expect some big-ticket items: college education, wedding, purchasing a house, buying a luxury car or boat, getting that much-needed facelift. These big-ticket items cause U.S. consumers to ask themselves, "Can I afford this?" Some folks are lucky enough to have disposable income for these kinds of purchases; some can only dream; while others, even in this lousy U.S. economy, embrace the notion that some items – even though considered "luxury" – are worth every penny. . .especially if they impact our lives in a positive way. If a picture is worth a 1,000 words, wouldn't an entire video biography/documentary be worth at least several thousand dollars? Are your family memories worth as much, or more, than a sub-compact car? If the answer is "yes," then you are the perfect candidate for a video biography. Think about it this way. Education is of paramount importance, but you have a choice: state-subsidized or private university. Weddings are matters of the heart, so standing before the Justice of the Peace is just as legal and binding (not to mention cheaper) as a $16 million extravaganza. I suppose a 1,300 square-foot house is big enough for a family of four, but 6,000 square feet is even nicer, especially when you have more bathrooms than bedrooms, as well as heated Pietra Firma LuxTouch tile on the outside balcony to ensure your comfort on cool evenings. When it comes to economy and ecology, we owe it to this planet to buy sub-compact hybrid cars with great gas mileage, but oh. . .the feel of that Rolls Royce car seat with its 400 pieces of German Bavarian bull leather on your skin is just too glorious. Speaking of cars and skin – my face needs more than a nip-'n'-tuck, it requires a complete overhaul. Do I choose the cheapest plastic surgeon, or the guy who did Raquel Welch's work? I'm going with the latter. So, this brings us to the question: "Can money make us happy?" Maybe not entirely, but it can make the journey to find happiness a lot more comfortable and interesting. And once more it can finance extraordinary memories. I'm not talking about scuba diving the Great Barrier Reef or skydiving into the Haleakala Crater in Maui; I am talking about capturing a lifetime of memories and sharing them with family and friends. Video Biographies "What the heck is a video biography?" you ask. I can assure you, it's not just videography. A video biography is a personal documentary filled with interviews, photographs, narration, archival footage, home videos, and music that is produced and edited into artistic, television-quality documentaries. Think of your family scrapbook on steroids. It comes to life, it speaks, it sings, and it tells stories to you and to generations to come. It's an awesome and practical way to preserve and share memories. Gone are the black lick-'em-and-stick-'em photo corners, plastic hold-your-photos-in-place film, and the tower of archival photo boxes marked by years. What can I say? Things change. Just think about what we did before zip-lock plastic bags – we used waxed paper! With the incredibly strict air travel rules today, can you imagine having to wrap your allowed items in waxed paper to take onboard with you? Crazy, yes? Well, in a way, so is keeping your prized memorabilia stuck between sheets of paper, crammed in shoeboxes, locked in the safe deposit box, or left to self-destruct on cassette tape (audio & visual). Enter the world of professional video biographies, also known as: Celebration videos Corporate videos Family history chronicles Funeral and memorial tribute videos Genealogy videos Legacy videos Living tribute videos Personal and family history documentaries Whatever you want to call it, it's the here-and-now wave of technology that will let your memories ride to the next millennium. Some of you artistic types who are adept with multi-media gizmos and video/audio technology may tackle the project yourself, but for the other 98% of us, we will more than likely choose a professional company that offers the expertise and the equipment to render our family memorabilia into an A&E-quality documentary. There are several companies that provide video biography services – some are more comprehensive than others, a few offer higher-end technologically, some are more artistic, some cheaper while others are more expensive. A short list of companies includes DAC Productions, Family Legacy Video, Legacy Multimedia, Save Their Story, and Your Story Here. Don't let all of these choices throw you into video biography overload, because Record Click offers you all of the services of these companies, and more. Through our relationship with Reel Tributes, Record Click is your one-stop-shop for genealogy consultation, research services, genealogy DNA testing, and now . . . video biography. Contact Record Click and have them arrange your "Documentaries of a Lifetime." You will receive full, high-end service, including initial consultation, planning, production, and editing. A single producer is responsible for each project. Visit the family legacy video page to see a sample video and get more information on your documentary of a lifetime. Whatever your budget is; whatever your celebration, tribute, or memorial may be. . .a video biography is one of those "Just-Gotta-Have-It" kind of treats we allow ourselves in our lifetime and never have a moment of regret. It's not just for today, it's for generations to come. Go ahead, treat yourself and your family. #### Certified Genealogist Shares New York Genealogy Research Tips I love researching New York genealogy. I also love a puzzling challenge. Put the two together and you have family search genealogy in New York State. As confusing and challenging as it can be for outsiders, tracing ancestry in New York can be just as challenging to New York State residents. Take heart, I plan to give you some insight into conducting New York State genealogy; however, first, I'll start with a little history, migration patterns, and border disputes. History The history of New York State starts with Henry Hudson sailing his ship, the Half Moon, up the Hudson River in 1609. Later in the 1620s, the Dutch West India Company established Fort Orange (now known as Albany) and Manhattan. Throughout the 1600s, there were land disputes between the Dutch and the English, with the English winning out in the 1670s. Even though the English took the upper hand, the Dutch influence is still very apparent, even today. Just look at the area names alone - Harlem, Flatbush, Flushing, Yonkers, the Bowery, and Coney Island are all Dutch in origin. Migration In regard to migration patterns, one of my genealogy researcher philosophies is that there are movers and stayers. The stayers add stability to a community. The movers or newcomers add change to the mix. In the early days of New York, or America for that matter, moving wasn't easy. Overland trails and roads were hard on the body and spirit, and slow, tedious, and dangerous to boot. One of the first byways created in the early 1700s was the Boston Post Road from Manhattan to Boston. Following coastlines and waterways was the path of least resistance. The major New York State rivers are the Hudson, Mohawk, St. Lawrence and, to a lesser extent, the Delaware. The Hudson River allowed settlers to go inland from what is now New York City. The Mohawk River took them farther west. The St. Lawrence River provided a route from New England and Canada. The Delaware River was a connection with Pennsylvania. As people moved from region to region, so did their cultures and religions. As settlement occurred by groups of people, so began record keeping of some sort. By the late 1600s, the Huguenots were found in New York City and New Rochelle. Ulster Scots were setting up housekeeping in New York's Orange and Ulster Counties. In the early 1700s, the first Germans came to the Hudson River Valley. Borders Insofar as borders go, New York didn't always look like it does today, and that's what makes researching New York genealogy difficult at times. Before the borders were set, there was a lot of land going back and forth among the states. Early on, New York had disputed land areas with Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. These included the counties of Columbia, Dutchess, Charlotte, Cornwall, and Dukes. Until the borders of the states were settled, an early county may have wound up as part of a different state. Take for example my Teachman family line who originally owned property on the New York-New Jersey border in Orange County. The "buy" land records are in New Jersey, but the "sell" records are in New York, because during the time my family owned the property (in the 1800s), the border between the two states was moved. So, my family ended up being residents of New York rather than New Jersey, without moving an inch. When they sold the property in the late 1830s, the deeds were filed in New York. Sometimes family search genealogy can get confusing on census records, as well. Once again, I use my family as an example. My great great grandfather, who was born circa 1818, reported on one census that he was born in New Jersey, and another that he was born in New York. This is important for New York genealogists to note, because the names, boundaries, and locations of counties changed during this early period. So, if you are searching in one county and not finding what you are looking for, research that county and see if the name changed, or if it were part of another county or another state at some point. For example: Gloucester and Cumberland counties were ceded from New York to Vermont in 1777. The two counties were combined to create Cumberland County; however, in 1781, Vermont split the short-lived county into four counties: Orange, Windham, Windsor, and Washington (old). The remaining New York fragment of Charlotte County (on the western side of Lake Champlain) was renamed Washington County in 1784. Now starts the confusion (or fun). Riddle me this: What is a city and more than a city? New York City, of course. Of the original counties, Kings, New York, Richmond, and Queens are actually part of New York City. They are known more commonly as the boroughs of New York City. Kings County is the borough of Brooklyn. New York County is Manhattan. Queens County is Queens. Richmond County is Staten Island. The Bronx is the fifth borough and county of New York City. As fun, as it may be, New York genealogy and tracing ancestry, can get complicated. Sometimes it is best to contact a genealogy ancestry service. RecordClick has accredited and certified expert genealogical researchers in New York to give you advice or to help you trace family history. The initial consultation is free and just a mouse click away. This is just the first in a series of New York genealogy-related articles by Certified Genealogist Joan Shurtliff. Coming up: Working with Land Records in New York. #### Choosing Genealogical Researchers in Australia If you are reading this article then you are ready to embark on the beautiful journey of finding your Australian genealogy and you are in the need of genealogical researchers in Australia. If you are thinking of digging deep then the process may be too challenging for you to handle. You may also lack the money and expertise to personally pursue all sources of information that may be available. After all, Australia has been an independent country since 1901. Therefore, you may meet some genealogy roadblocks when looking for information. The good news is that genealogical researchers in Australia are willing to go the extra mile to trace your family tree "down under". Seeking the assistance of a professional is the best way to go. Here are a few factors that should be considered when choosing genealogical researchers from Australia: Your Requirements This is perhaps the most important consideration that you can make when choosing a professional researcher in Australia. Even if you reside out of the country and are looking for essential family information here, it is best to determine the assistance that you require and your desired outcome. Instead of working with an individual or hobbyist researcher who may lack the resources to carry out the research, go for a highly qualified genealogical firm that will confidently serve you and see you through the entire research process. Using the services of an international genealogist who is already located in Australia will also cut down on excessive travel costs. The Level of Experience The genealogical researchers in Australia should be highly qualified and capable of handling your family research diligently. It is highly important to choose trustworthy researchers. Their level of experience will enable them to tackle highly complex aspects of your research swiftly. Avoid choosing enthusiastic amateurs or researchers from small developing firms who may not be able to find the genealogical information that you need. Credentials of Genealogical Researchers in Australia Apart from the size of the genealogical research firm, you should also consider the credentials that the researchers have. They should establish reliability, experience and the effectiveness to handle your research work alongside their existing workload. The best genealogical researchers from Australia have achieved all the relevant security and quality standards through independent assessment. They should also have adequate professional indemnity insurance to cover the work that will be done. On-Site and Off-Site Resources The best genealogical researchers in Australia are known to work with onsite libraries, resources and can easily access all types of off-site records. They should be able to contact interested beneficiaries and work even without setting up a personal meeting. Even if you reside outside Australia, they should be able to guarantee that they will use the best resources for the job and complete the project in a timely and effective manner. Therefore, you should select researchers who will get the job done by referring to the best sources in the best way and in the shortest time period. Price and Affordability Although you may be willing to pay any amount of money to find out more about your living and deceased relatives, there are Australian researchers who may demand hefty charges and fail to get you the answers that you need. Choose researchers who offer a variety of payment options depending on the services that they will provide. This will ensure that you stay in control as well as determine the amount of research work that should be done. Researchers who understand that each case is different and offer different prices depending on what you need allows you to get the real worth of your money. Research Regulations Just like any other kind of profession, genealogy also has a set rule of standards that all professional researchers must adhere to. Before engaging a genealogical researcher from Australia, ensure that they work according to the laws that have been put in place by the Association of Probate Researchers (APR). This voluntary body ensures that researchers in Australia and beyond adhere to a robust code of conduct at all times. Quality Support Your chosen genealogical researchers should be able to offer a full findings report and other documents that will provide additional information about your family history. If you find out that your family left behind a fortune and you were part of an heir’s entitlement, then the researchers should offer the assistance that you require in court. The best researchers will also find ways to arrange for any necessary insurance covers that may be applicable in cases of claims or depending on the research findings. When to Hire Genealogical Researchers in Australia Since research projects are not the same, it may be difficult to decide when you should hire a professional to take on the workload. However, you may need assistance if you: Lack the means to travel to Australia and source the information by yourself Lack of the required genealogical skills Lack of knowledge of records that may offer solutions to your research problem Require specific research practices Need help the writing, editing and/or publishing of your genealogy Need further consultation on ways to solve research problems Want to locate living relatives or family members Need help writing, editing or publishing your genealogy Want memorabilia such as videos that will connect you with your living and departed family members Require help with research projects that involve adoption or parent research The location of living family members Lack of familiarity with records that pertain to a particular ethnic group Getting Started With Australian Genealogy Research There is nothing better than learning about your heritage. The services of the best Australian researchers will allow you to find out exactly who you are. If you do not know how to get started, it is always best to seek professional services. Remember that every family is highly unique and even the best researchers may not guarantee success when it comes to finding your ancestors. Hiring researchers Australia means that you are contracting them for their expertise, not the positive results that they might find. It is important to be open-minded when it comes to finding out more about your family ties. #### Christmas and the Family Genealogist - A Time to Remember The brown address book is old now. The binding is completely broken. The edges are worn. Some of the inside pages are dog-eared. Several Christmas cards from long ago holidays are tucked between those pages. There are one or two yellowed newspaper clippings telling about events gone by. A couple of bulletins from long past church Christmas programs peak out. And there are one or two cards announcing a move and a new address. Many of the names are familiar to me. Others are not. This is the address book of this RecordClick genealogist’s mother. It brings back some special memories. I can only suppose that Mom got it soon after she and Dad were married. I don’t remember a Christmas without it. Sending out Christmas cards was one of my mom’s jobs. Being a former English teacher, she had the good handwriting. Maybe in later years she typed a Christmas letter that was copied and included with the cards, but I remember letters and notes that were handwritten on just about every card. Then there were the pictures. My folks were into including a Christmas photo of us kids in the holiday greetings. There are a few of those – both of our family and from other friends – in the address book, as well. Finally, there are the addresses. Mom wrote most of them in pencil. Even when she wrote them in pencil, though, a new address did not mean erasing the old one. A line was drawn through the old information, and the new address was written on an adjacent line or elsewhere on the page. I know that many of the friends in the book are gone now. A good many of the family members of Mom’s generation have passed on. But the battered book has value. For the genealogical researcher there are many clues in the names and addresses. Of course there are family members. I can find the addresses of the cousin who was a Methodist minister and moved on a fairly regular basis. Additionally, there are friends of my parents. High school classmates, some who stayed in the community and others who moved on. Church friends, many who had children about the same age as my siblings and me. Neighbors whose lives intertwined with ours. A genealogist needs to be aware of other resources when researching their family. What can be closer than the names and addresses in the old address book? I've talked to a couple of the people in the address book about my parents when they were in high school. I keep in touch with a couple of the cousins – not second cousins, as was the case with my parents, but their children – my third cousins. I know that I am fortunate. That little brown book is a treasure and is going to remain in a safe place as long as it is mine to possess. Most families have an address book or an old diary or ledger. The clues are there to help you find out more about relatives, friends, and business associates. They, in turn, can help you find out more about your family. If you need some help or advice, the professional genealogists at RecordClick are ready to assist you. Our network of researchers may be able help you be a detective and fill in your family tree. This holiday season the staff and researchers at RecordClick wish you peace, hope and successful searching. Photos courtesy of Joan Shurtliff #### Citing Genealogical Research Sources is the Family Genealogist's New Mantra “Cite Sources” is a mantra genealogical researchers hear over and over. Evidently citing sources in a family history is a challenge because the topic can draw a crowd at a genealogy conference. There are a number of different formats for source citation. Yet, when I go into some of the socially-oriented genealogy websites, I come away a bit frustrated because I can’t figure out where the information (complete or incomplete) came from. No sources are listed. What is a genealogical source? That sounds like an easy question. It can be a diary or a family bible handed down through many generations. It can be a birth or death certificate or a marriage license. It can be a deed or a will, a newspaper clipping or a funeral card. It can be a note on a scrap of paper in a ledger. It can be just about anything or anyone adding information to the family history. Some sources are better than others, but something is better than nothing. What isn't a good source? Just names and dates or a generic referral to someone’s website won't cut it. For example: Grandfather, b. 1850, d. 1900 or Ancestry.com or Person’s Family Tree. These referrals are not adequate. Why does a family history researchers need to cite sources? So we can remember where we found the information So others know where we found the information So others can retrace our work, if necessary A genealogist is a detective ferreting out all sorts of information about a family. When I first got interested in genealogy, just getting the information was enough. As I review my file folders of individuals and their documentation, I keep finding lists that once upon a time meant something because I jotted it down. That was 30 years ago, and a lot of facts have been viewed since then, so I usually wind up giving myself a headache trying to remember where I got the data. It would have been easier if I had made notes on the paper of what, when, and where, but that is water under the bridge. Needless to say, I've changed my ways. The family history researcher needs to be able to let others know where the information was located. As a professional genealogist, I give a lot more credence to documents where sources are cited. Someone cared enough to want others to know where the information came from. Finally, a family genealogist is a historian. What is compiled may (or may not) be of interest to current family members. But what about 50 or 100 years from now? I would give my eye teeth to have an ancestor who wrote down a family history one hundred or more years ago. Many of my family members are only mildly interested in my work. The citations I leave, however, may cause a genealogy happy dance long after I am gone. They are the paper trail in lieu of the actual documents. By being able to replicate my work, a future researcher may be able to build on it by accessing information unavailable or unknown to me. Elizabeth Shown Mills has written some excellent books on evidence, documentation and citing sources. There are other style guidebooks, such as The Chicago Manual of Style that provide information on writing and documentation. It may seem a bit daunting, but the important thing is to begin the process of citing the sources of your materials. A good start is for the family historian to include at least four of the five “Ws” in a citation: Who, What, When, and Where the information was found. A citation can be complex, or it can be as simple as: Grandmother’s birth date from state/county death certificate. The family historian now knows where to start looking. To make it even easier, some websites, such as FamilySearch and Ancestry, provide the citation for the researcher. Many other sites, such as the Library of Congress, include all the information needed. The expert genealogists at RecordClick can help with many aspects of your personal genealogy - from documentation to organization, or finding resources to writing. Our goal is to help make your search easier and your family history better. Now just repeat your mantra: OM Cite the Source . . . OM Cite the Source . . . OM Cite the Source #### Coat Of Arms: How To Identify Yourself As A CEO Coat of arms usage among top-ranking CEOs like Tim Cook and Jeff Bezos, reverberates the impact that symbolism can have on your profession. Of course, a leader's effectiveness also depends on skills, strategy, and industry. But still, the application of heraldry adds to the personality aspect that's currently an advantage among C-suite executives. Certainly, every CEO needs a story that showcases their identity, heritage, and value. They also need to be compelling and succinct in elaborating who they are are, where they come from, and what they stand for. Undeniably, the coat of arms serves that purpose right given the message each component conveys. The need for C-suite executives to convey in-depth message about their identity is inevitable. For that reason, it is imperative to conduct a thorough genealogy research for rich insights about yourself. A family history research will help you create a perfect symbol and uncover unknown or motivating facts about your heritage. What Is A Coat Of Arms And What Does It Mean? Coat of arms A coat of arms is a distinctive heraldic design representing a government, organization, family, or individual. Its typical components include a crest, shield, helmet, supporters, and motto. The heraldry is widely used for identification, and its history dates back to the 12th century. Kings, princes, knights, and major power holders used them to identify themselves in public places, tournaments, and battles. As the design and heraldry passed down from generation to generation, it became a reflection of family history, legacy, and pride. As a result, bearers started to display it on documents, monuments, estates, and personal items such as clothing and jewelry. Famous leaders with identity symbols include: Napoleon Bonaparte: The French first empire's coat of arms features a golden eagle and a golden N on a blue background. Adams Family: The Adams family produced two US presidents and has arms with “You will preserve freedom, friendship, and faith" as its motto. Jefferson Family: The family of the third US president, Thomas Jefferson, also has a coat of arms. The crest is notable for its silver and blue colors to symbolize peace and loyalty. Kennedy Family: Former President Kennedy's family crest features three stars and three helmets representing nobility and courage. Donald Trump: The former US president uses a coat of arms for his Scottish golf course featuring three lions and two chevrons. How To Use Coat Of Arms To Establish A Solid Identity Stickley CEO Aminy Audi presents Bishop elect Douglas J. Lucia with the coat of arms that will grace his cathedra after he was elected as the new bishop of the Diocese of Syracuse, New York. An existing insignia can help you discover long-lost family connections and learn more about your family history. The symbols, colors, and other components convey a profound meaning to guide future generations on the intended course. For example, a motto in the insignia can express your family's beliefs and aspirations. Similarly, a lion may indicate royalty, courage, or connection to a loyal family. An existing emblem can also help you compare with other families or individuals who share symbols, lineage, identities, or surnames. Such a comparison can help identify commonalities like shared ancestors, relatives, or unknown branches of your family tree. Similarly, a notable difference in the design and components may be the closest indication that you share divergent culture, family history, and identity, with people of a similar surname. How Much Do You Know About Your Family History, Heritage, And Legacy? Old photos from your family offer a glimpse of your ancestors, their lifestyle and beliefs. Embracing your family or personal coat of arms helps you establish a deeper sense of who you are, where you come from, and where you're headed. Besides, the identity you establish can help in personal growth, healing, and reconciliation. With the coat of arms comes family history, legacy, and heritage that help discover new aspects of your culture and ancestry. You may also come across long-lost relatives, hidden stories, and unknown meanings depicted on the arms and symbols. Below are questions to help you develop thoughts that can shape your life and your identity. Have you ever researched or seen your emblem? What does it mean to you? How does it reflect your identity, values, and goals? How do you feel about your family's achievements, challenges, and symbols? How do you honor and celebrate your family's coat of arms? How can you use it to inspire yourself and others? RELATED: How Personal Narratives Make You An Effective CEO How To Use Coat Of Arms To Enhance Leadership Animal charges , heraldic ordinaries and colors are common components of a coat of arms Leaders have increasingly embraced the use of coat of arms to express their mission and command respect. Much of this thanks to findings on how a personal and professional brand creates a recognizable and memorable impression, distinguishing CEOs and their companies from competitors. 1. Enhanced Adaptability Notably, the coat of arms has drastically changed over time to reflect new technology and diverse identity in the modern world. The adaptation is also an expression of what leaders can learn from the use of symbolism. They should remain updated and flexible to changes necessitated by unseen circumstances. 2. Legacy Building As the ensign thrives for years, leaders too can use their heritage to build a lasting legacy through their decisions and actions. From positively impacting the lives of others to passing their wisdom and skills to the next generations, the ways to build a legacy are countless. Luckily, with a coat of arms, leaders have a stark reminder of their responsibility to continue their legacy and that of their ancestors. 3. Communicating Values and Style A coat of arms effectively communicates what you stand for, what you aim for, and what you expect from your team. For example, Virgin Group's founder and executive chairman Richard Branson's arms has a globe design as the crest to symbolize his global outreach and interest in environmental issues. 4. Corporate Branding with a Personal Touch Incorporating a coat of arms in the company brings a personal touch into corporate branding, a strategic way to foster a sense of authenticity and difference in the market. Chiefly, personal symbols show the company's origin, legacy, values, and mission. As a result, the target audience can better connect with the company through the compelling message and memories. Besides, personal symbols can foster trust as they show the human side of the firm and the leaders' personality—such transparency bolsters rapport and empathy among stakeholders, establishing a loyal relationship with them. For example, Harvard University adopted the shield from the family of John Harvard coat of arms to add a personal touch to its corporate branding. The shield remains the institution's logo and has helped it establish notable influence in education, research, and innovation. Incorporating the family's shield into the logo created a powerful brand for Harvard and gave it a competitive edge in the market. 5. Balancing Tradition and Innovation Coat of arms have been a traditional way to express identity but they have evolved to become an innovative way to communicate. Besides, the emblems are experiencing drastic transformation to reflect modernity while depicting innovative values of their bearers. Similarly, CEOs can modify strategies or introduce new ones to remain relevant and true to the main objectives. One way to balance tradition and innovation is to integrate the values reflected on the design in business strategies. Such a balance can help the leader to honor their legacy while building rapport with stakeholders. Also, it lets them embrace growth and change, positively impacting the company, its workforce, and society. How To Find Or Create Your Coat Of Arms The royal coat of arms, seen here on the Queen’s rowbarge Gloriana, is one of the most famous examples of heraldry in the world. The only way for a CEO, CFO, CIO, COO, or any other executive to establish their suitable coat of arms is through their identity, values, and history. Surely, studying your roots, family history, heritage, and legacy would be best to know the elements that best reflect your unique heritage and legacy. Establishing if your family or ancestors had a symbol is also imperative. The search may include a few inquiries to your relatives or searching for clues online. Additionally, finding a symbol is a profound way to connect with your heritage and learn new aspects about your ancestors. Check for any room for improvement in your discovered arms guided by your circumstances and intentions. Whatever the case, an updated symbol will help you or your family stand out and leave a unique impression. Besides, the final coat of arms you decide to use can serve as a major inspiration to your team and also help communicate your goals, heritage, values, and mission symbolically. What is The Best Coat of Arms Design For A CEO? A herald painter sketching the coat of arms The best coat of arms design should reflect your heritage and communicate your values and legacy. But to know the best values for your leadership style and career,  you need professional intervention. The first step to finding the most suitable shield is conducting in-depth family history research. Luckily, you won't have to do this yourself as we have expert genealogists to trace your ancestry, structure your family tree, and provide backup records and forensic evidence. Genealogists have exclusive access to resources, networks, and historical records that can expedite your process to find or create coat of arms. A genealogist can also help you identify the crucial components and designs to incorporate into your insignia, following the rules of heraldry. Hire a genealogist at RecordClick to help you discover your family history and create a coat of arms that reflects your unique legacy and identity. How Will A Genealogist Help With My Coat of Arms Professional expertise saves time, energy, and money In addition to providing a comprehensive report about your family and the struggles your ancestors endured, professional genealogists will help fine-tune the coat of arms to be a masterpiece of symbolism and legacy. Here's how: 1. Research And Identify Your Personal Symbols With the vast resources and access to libraries and archives, genealogists can trace your ancestors and study their lives. Besides, professional genealogists work closely with professional heralds who would make it easy to identify the use symbols in your family. 2. Choose the Best Components Once your family history research is intact, you can formulate your vision, mission, and philosophy based on your lessons. You want to use the right colors and symbols to reflect your identity and the leadership style and values you want to convey. A professional genealogist will recommend the best coat of arms shapes, animals, objects, plants, etc., to reflect your identity and values. For example, a lion may depict courage, a star, vision, and red, power. 3. Consistent and Coherence A coat of arms falls under the customs and rules of heraldry. Luckily, genealogists team up with heralds to ensure your symbols follow the customs of heraldry in matters of components and design. This includes avoiding the use of offensive, conflicting, or copyrighted elements. 4. Creativity and Originality If you discover a coat of arms in your family, a professional genealogist can help you incorporate imagination and innovation to suit your purposes and preferences. After understanding your family history, adding or changing elements will make the emblem more recognizable and distinct. 5. Communicate And Share Besides finding or creating your coat of arms, a professional genealogist will help you internalize the meaning and significance it embodies. You need to understand what your emblem stands for and how it should inspire your profession and stakeholders. Most importantly, it should stand out on social media or on a logo. RELATED: Proven Strategies For Aligning Corporate Culture With Family Ethics Use your Coat of Arms as Your Identity and Legacy Using the coat of arms is rewarding and enlightening, especially for corporate leaders. A symbol that links you to your identity, heritage, and legacy significantly differentiates your profession and leadership style. Moreover, the ancestry research that helps create the masterpiece helps you better understand your purpose and belonging. Besides symbolizing your values and legacy, it reminds you of the honor and responsibility that come with leadership. Embark on a journey to reflect on your family history and consider how it shapes your leadership. The findings may be surprising, motivating, and enriching to your personal and professional life. Record Click genealogists will help you uncover your family heritage and create the most suitable coat of arms. Having a professional handle that part will save you precious time and avoid common mistakes in DIY research and design. Contact us today, and let us help you discover the hidden treasures of your past and present.   #### Consulting A Genealogist To Understand My Heritage Heritage consulting is one of the best ways to discover your family roots. Maybe you wonder where you came from or where your ancestors came from. To go deep into searching your family roots, one needs the help of a heritage consultant. This is a process that takes a lot of time and requires research skills to be successful. It also requires a lot of travel and knowledge in the field which poses a significant challenge to anyone who wants to understand their heritage. To help you out, you require the skills of a professional genealogist. With consulting a genealogist, you get a professional in this field who understands every aspect of the family tracing process and one who is an experienced heritage consultant. Being a heritage consultant involves a lot of skills, patience, and professionalism to get all the answers needed. Who is a heritage consultant? In heritage consulting with a genealogist, one employs the skills of a consultant who is responsible for looking for lost family members or ancestors in your family tree. This professional traces lost family members or ancestors for a living and they understand every aspect of this process. Whatever reason you for hiring a professional genealogist, it is critical that you find a genealogist who is experienced and trustworthy and whose genealogy consulting services will yield results even for generations. A heritage consultant works with other professionals in heritage consulting firms to provide their services. When you start the trace for your ancestors or lost family, you start with telling the professionals all you know about your family history and what you expect from the search. The genealogists take it from there and starts with accessing your family tree to come up with as much information as possible about your ancestors from your family tree and other resources. Why you need a heritage consulting professional If you want to understand your family heritage, it is imperative that you get a heritage consultant to help you out. The skills and experience offered by a genealogist comes in handy. You also don’t have to struggle with research issues and tools that the heritage consulting professionals provide or get access to. You might also face a foreign language in your search or encounter an ancestor who doesn’t want to be found. Some ancestors exist but with very little information to go with on the search. The time for travel and research is another reason you need to consult a genealogist. Today, people have chaotic schedules and they can barely find the time to locate a lost relative. This is why they need the services of a professional heritage consultant. A heritage consulting company has a team of genealogists with years of combined research experience. They have experts capable of solving genealogical mysteries, go through record searches and help their clients find a connection to unknown parents or family members. With heritage consulting, the research provides groundwork or foundation for other things such as how to join a lineage society, identifying heirs to an estate, and how to gain citizenship to an ancestral county. Clients find genealogy research teams very important in search for their ancestors. The team has access to information and records other people don’t have. They can access elusive resources on the ground where the researcher has to know the local language, customs and resources to be successful. Most of the clients also benefit from the historical contexts knowledge the heritage consulting professionals have of the time in which your lost ancestor lived in. the clients benefit from important insights regarding past events and how these events might have affected their ancestors. If you have ever taken a DNA test, the heritage consulting professionals can maximize its usefulness. They can use both DNA and traditional genealogical research to help you identify distant relatives. Heritage Consulting Services Heritage consulting is a service provided by a team of genealogists. Researching a family tree is exciting but sometimes, it can be confusing, complex and time-consuming. With a professional genealogist by your side, you can get help solving your family tree puzzle using records of a family history library in a place like Philadelphia pa for example. Heritage consulting has a wide array business model. It is also involved in consulting services for clients in the United States and offers among other services, preservation planning, coaching workshops, training in genealogy research and development and more. Most clients searching for heritage consulting services also aim for preservation, project planning and management, and bringing their experience to heritage areas and downtowns that might be possible historical preservation sites also known as heritage destinations. Heritage consulting is a business model which helps determine heritage destinations, downtowns and other projects all over the world. Heritage consulting provides highly valued workshops, training, coaching, research and consulting services. Some of the services are in historic preservation, volunteer management, audience development, program planning, heritage tourism, organizational development and preservation planning for historic area, downtowns and others. In the United States, heritage consulting services offered by a team of professionals is the easiest way to find and locate ancestors or offer these alternate heritage consulting services. These include audience development, volunteer management, program planning and much more. The preservation of heritage sites is also part of the consulting services among other issues. Today, there are hundreds of real estate left for heirs who have no idea of the same. Only the expertise of a heritage consulting company or business can help out in most of these cases. We are talking about a wide scope for a heritage company all in a bid to look for heirs or lost family in a single state in the United States. #### Contacting Your Birth Father It is my feeling that Time ripens all things; with Time all things are revealed; Time is the father of truth. ~Francois Rabelais If you were adopted or otherwise separated from your Birth Father, you may be wondering how best to make contact again? According to Andrew Galloway, a former Intermediary of NORCAP, the way  you contact a Birth Father may well define success or failure. RecordClick is pleased that Mr. Galloway has reached out to us and to our readers to share his thoughts and recommendations on making contact with a Birth Father. RC: How is contacting a Birth Father different from contacting a Birth Mother? AG: When Mothers give birth to a child, they know it is theirs. Fathers have no such guarantee, thus you need to be as certain as possible that you are approaching the correct person. Your adoption or birth record may have stated a father; check this with your mother, as sometimes false details were given to protect the true identity. RC: Once you have the contact information, what should you do? AG: Once you receive the research result, you need to be completely certain that you have the correct person by knowing his date of birth is correct? When you have a name, address, phone number and perhaps email, you need to decide which contact you will use. You might want to use the telephone to get a quick answer. You may feel that you don't think well on your feet, so you prefer using email. You might even be tempted to drive over and knock on the door, figuring you can get your answer in a half an hour. None of the above are recommended. For best results, use an intermediary (a third person who specializes in theses reunions) who is used to dealing with this kind of approach. If you do need to make the contact yourself, consider the following. Approaches to Birth Fathers are always difficult and raise certain questions: Does he know of your existence? Does he know your name? Has he told his current wife-partner? Has he told his other children? If the answer to any of the above is NO, then he will need time to consider his position. That may well mean he has a lot of explaining to do to his family before having any contact with you. RC: What do you suggest is the best approach to making contact with a Birth Father? AG: A letter by snail mail will give him time to think and plan. How you craft your letter is important. Each topic can be a paragraph and should be salient points, not complete descriptions. It needs to be written as a concise but flowing letter. A rambling one will get him lost, and a list of statements will not give encouragement. Your letter to him should show that you are the person you claim to be. Enclosing a copy of your birth certificate (and marriage if applicable) is a good idea. You need to tell him why you want contact with him. He might just think you are after some of his money! You need to tell him about yourself, so he knows you are a person he would like to know. Include a brief description of yourself, including height, weight, hair, eyes, and also things you enjoy doing, such as sports or other activities. Let him know what schooling you have had, whether you attended a college or university, as well as other qualifications you have garnered. Describe your job or career and other interests in your life. If you are contacting a Birth Father to find more about your medical history, then explain that you or your children have a medical condition, and that knowing your medical history may help with handling the diagnosis. It is important that you assure him that if none of his family know about you, and he can’t or won't tell them about you, then you will be satisfied with a letter, a secret meeting, or a telephone call. However, you can certainly add that you would like to meet his family, if that is possible. You can ask questions about things you would like to know about him, but be sure not to make him feel guilty about what happened in the past. Keep in mind, he may have a lot of explaining to do to his present family; if he decides to do so, then he may expect you to continue building a relationship with them all. You should not approach him if you have no intention of keeping up the contact, even if you feel very little for him. You have all his details, so give all of yours to him (hiding them will make him suspicious), including your postal address. Include something like, “Because I would be grateful for your response either way, I have included my contact information.” Be prepared - the response you receive may be that he is not the person you are looking for. You will have to accept this. There are many people sharing the same names and/or dates of birth, so this may well be true, unless you can agree DNA testing. Even a mother may not be 100% certain who the father is of her child. For those of you interested in finding birth parents, consider contacting a professional genealogist at RecordClick. Our company's genealogical researchers know the best way to find biological parents. NORCAP was a national non-profit organization dedicated to supporting adults affected by adoption by providing a broad range of specialist adoption support services for people 18 years of age or older. It was also a registered Adoption Support Agency and Intermediary Agency. NORCAP ceased operations in early 2013. Photo courtesy Nancy Siddons-Daniels 2004 #### Contesting A Will: How To Win A Fair Estate Settlement Contesting a will is one way to ensure that you're fairly included and treated in estate settlement. However, the process is marred with intricacies and potential conflicts among beneficiaries and other involved parties. Therefore, when you feel like contesting a will, you must have a good reason and evidence for it and prepare for the legal and emotional battles. Nonetheless, contesting a will is necessary and protected by the law to ensure you enjoy your rights as an interested party or beneficiary of an estate. This guide addresses issues that call for a will contest and the necessary steps to ensure you win the case and receive your fair share of the estate. Key Takeaways Contesting a will is a legal action usually initiated by someone who believes they're unfairly excluded or treated. The contest must meet specific legal requirements, deadlines, and grounds to be accepted in a probate court for hearing. Record Click can help you gather evidence, connect to expert attorneys, and successfully contest will and other estate matters. Things To Know Before Contesting a Will Gather substantial evidence when contesting a will You must meet specific legal requirements before expressing discontent on the estate settlement of the will. Here is a breakdown of the right time, person, and grounds to contest a will; You Can Only Contest After the Testator Passes On If you notice wrongdoing in the will when the testator is still alive, you must wait until their demise to contest. This is because the testator might edit or rewrite their will at any time, rendering any accusations null and void. You Must File Your Contest in Time Different jurisdictions have different deadlines for contest from the date of notice of probate. For example, California offers 120 days, while Florida has 90 days. Missing the deadline could deprive you of the right to challenge the will. A Contestant Must Be an Interested Party Be sure of your grounds to contest You can only contest a will if you have a direct interest in the estate, such as being named as a beneficiary. Interested parties include an heir to the testator, a beneficiary in the will, or an estate creditor. However, not being an interested party means you may fail in the contest. So, being an acquaintance of the testator, a beneficiary in a previous will, or a beneficiary of a designated benefit or trust does not give you the legal standing to contest a will. Your Contest Must Have Valid Grounds You must display substantial evidence and proof that the will is invalid or not authentic. Common compelling grounds that you must provide include: Undue Influence: You must show that the testator was manipulated, pressured, threatened, coerced, or deceived to make changes to the will. Fraud: You must prove that someone impersonated the testator, forged their documents or signature, or tricked the testator into signing the will. Lack of Testamentary Capacity: You must prove that the testator lacked the mental ability to make the will due to health conditions, age, mental disorder, etc. Improper Execution: You must prove that the testator failed to follow all the legal formalities in drafting the will, such as failure to sign and include witnesses. Whatever your ground for contesting a will, you must supply evidence such as medical records, additional documents, witnesses, etc. Contesting Is Not Always Possible In some situations, it may be impossible to contest a will. Some of the common reasons for this include: Presence Of A No-Contest Clause: A no-contest clause in a will seeks to forfeit the inheritance of anyone who contests the will. Although the clause is meant to discourage frivolous challenges to the will, some jurisdictions may fail to enforce it when the contest has probable cause or is in good faith. The Estate Is Insolvent: The estate is considered insolvent when it is exceeded by the debts and taxes. In this case, nothing would be left to inherit, and any contest would be in vain and a waste of time and money. Step-By-Step Guide on How to Contest a Will Contesting a will is a procedure While the process to contest a will may vary with individual cases, here is a breakdown of the crucial steps you must take to ensure a smooth probate process; File A Petition: Place a caveat at the probate court expressing your wish to challenge the will and highlight your grounds and relationship with the testator. Gather Evidence: Collect and gather information to help you prove your case before the probate court. Attend Hearings: Appear before the court with your evidence and attorney to argue your case. Accept the Verdict or Appeal: If the verdict is against your wish, you may choose to accept. Alternatively, you may appeal, which could be time-consuming and costly, not to mention the minute probability of succeeding. How To Win a Will Contest How to win a Will contest Winning a will contest requires more than substantial evidence before the probate court; you must work with the right professionals and know how to navigate the probate process. Here are crucial tips and strategies that can increase your chances of winning: Choose the Right Professionals: You need heir researchers and lawyers with experience and expertise in probate litigation and estate planning. Ensure the professionals understand your objectives and have a high success rate in court matters. Focus on Key Issues: Your case should prioritize the most critical issues and avoid weak or irrelevant points that could undermine your case. For example, you can prioritize the testator's mental state when writing the will instead of their preferences or personality. Present Concrete Evidence: Your evidence must be credible and sufficient to support your will contest. You should also be prepared for the defense from the other side. Consider Alternative Options: You can mediate a compromise or negotiate a settlement with the executor or other beneficiaries. This process is cost-effective, quick, and less stressful, not to mention the surety of receiving a share of the estate. How Record Click Can Help Record Click is a professional heir research company that helps locate and verify the identity and relationship of potential beneficiaries of an estate. Our team of experts can quickly locate concrete evidence in the form of birth certificates, divorce decrees, and other relevant information to solidify your case. Grab our free consultation to express your concerns and questions, and we shall provide professional and honest advice according to your case. READ MORE: Record Click’s Heir Research Services, Costs, And Expectations. #### Cost to Hire a Genealogist Near Me - Fees for Hiring a Genealogist Find a Researcher Near Me - Local Genealogy Experts Research Areas : Research Countries : id Name first_name Research Areas last_name Research Countries email Location Country Location State Location City link Action 1 Benoit C. Benoit General Genealogy, Adoption, DNA, Immigration, Heir Connan Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Spain contact@ma-genealogie.net France Brittany Rennes https://www.apgen.org/users/benoit-connan Free Consultation 2 Stephen H. Stephen General Genealogy, Immigration, Mayflower Hersey Canada, Denmark, England, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, United States, USA sherseyva@me.com https://www.apgen.org/users/stephen-aandersen-hersey Free Consultation 3 Colleen S. Colleen General Genealogy, Adoption, DNA, Immigration, Heir Stutz Norway, Sweden, United States, USA colleen@colleenstutz.com USA Utah Salt Lake City https://www.apgen.org/users/colleen-stutz Free Consultation 4 Joyce P Joyce General Genealogy, Immigration, DAR, SAR, Mayflower Parsons United States, Canada, Ireland, Scotland, England, Australia, Hungry, USA parvally@comcast.net United States Utah Salt Lake City Free Consultation 5 Kim A. Kim General Genealogy, Native American, African American, Adoption, DAR, SAR, DNA Aldridge United States, Ireland, Scotland, England, Australia, USA kim1122a@yahoo.com United States Oregon Albany Free Consultation 6 Tone H. Tone General Genealogy, Immigration Halverson Norwegian, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden sannsagabytone@outlook.com United States Utah Roy Free Consultation 7 Quentin W. Quentin General Genealogy, Adoption, Heir, DNA Wells United States, Canada, Italy, USA qtwells7@gmail.com United States Utah Salt Lake City Free Consultation 8 Nancy C Nancy General Genealogy, Heir Crandall United States, USA nancylcrandall@gmail.com United States Delaware Dover Free Consultation 9 Edward S. Edward General Genealogy, Heir Short United States, USA edshort2141@gmail.com United States California Sacramento Free Consultation 10 Megan M Megan Genealogy Genealogy, Immigration, DAR, SAR McIntyre United States, Ireland, Scotland, USA mmcintyre222@comcast.net United States Delaware Newark Free Consultation Research Areas Research Countries Customer Testimonials Independent Testimonials at Trustpilot.com: Read More Reviews View all our reviews @ Trust Pilot When researching your family tree, we get asked frequently if I should consider a genealogist for hire near me or not. If you want to find your family roots, the perfect way to do it is by hiring a professional genealogist near you as it will save you time. To hire a professional you normally do so when you have a challenge either with your research, lack of the required skills or simply don't have the time to research. It will be beneficial for you if you reached out for a professional to assist you. As you know, genealogy is the study of families and the tracing of their lineages and history. Also called family history. A professional genealogist is a person who traces the history of people or family lineages. At some point in your research you're going to need to hire a professional. The keys to finding a pro genealogist near you are similar to those applied when looking for any other professional. To start with, you need a general information on the individual, what they do and their services, and are the located near me. How much is a genealogist, you ask? - Most genealogists charge an hourly rate from $25 to $45 per hour to well over $200 per hour, based on location, experience, research type, time constraints, and other factors. Is hourly rate the best route to take or is a project based a better approach? We've detailed below why and when the rate of a professional genealogist change. What Services to Expect From a Genealogist? There are four major services offered by professional researcher: Tracing ancestry Researching descendants Searching for vital records, or other records Running DNA tests and interpreting the results Here is a more detailed list of genealogy services that are available. Other services provided by many individuals may include; Deciphering ancient handwritten texts, tracking down missing persons, translating foreign records and conducting research counseling. Which ever service the individual may perform, there is one thing for certain: to do genealogy research, one should like lists. Your research project may consist of family history research, applying for a lineage society, completing a DNA test, reviewing DNA testing (also know as DNA analysis), or simply completing family research such as searching for your great grandfather. Note that it is not a requirement by law for a researcher, even if they are near you in your state, to be licensed or certified by any entity in the government. You must do your research well to ensure that you find a individual with the of expertise you need. Many researchers are certified by the Association of Professional Genealogists. Free Assessment with a Local Genealogist Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.What difficulties are you facing? *First Name *Last Name *Phone Number *Email * Landing facing? Field Submit Why Hire a Researcher? Professional genealogists offer a wide range of services tailored to uncovering your family's past. Their expertise can guide you through the complex journey of genealogy research, offering services that go beyond simple record searches. Here's a closer look: 1. Custom Research This is the bread and butter of a genealogist's services. Whether you're starting from scratch or hit a roadblock in your own serious research project, they can take on specific research tasks. This could involve tracing your lineage, uncovering the origins of an ancestor, or solving specific family mysteries. They develop a research plan, execute it, and present you with detailed findings. 2. Record Lookups Sometimes, you might need just a single document to break through a research barrier—a birth certificate from a distant country or a will from two centuries ago. Genealogists, with their access to various archives and databases, can retrieve these crucial pieces of the puzzle. 3. DNA Test Analysis With the rise of DNA testing, interpreting the results and understanding their implications for your family histories can be overwhelming. Genealogists skilled in genetic genealogy can analyze your DNA results, explain them in straightforward terms, and integrate this information into traditional family research, to paint a fuller picture of your heritage. 4. Lineage Society Applications Applying to organizations like the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) or the Mayflower Society requires proving your ancestry. Genealogists can help compile and verify the necessary documentation, ensuring your application meets the strict criteria of these societies. 5. Heritage Travel Planning Some genealogists combine research services with travel planning, helping you visit your ancestral homelands. They can pinpoint exact locations related to your ancestors and suggest places to visit, creating a deeply personal and enriching travel experience. 6. Writing and Publishing Turning research into a compelling family history book is a dream for many. Professional genealogists can assist in writing, editing, and organizing your family’s stories into a publication-ready format, ensuring the legacy is preserved for future generations. 7. Legal Genealogy In cases of estate settlement or unclaimed property, most genealogists can track down living heirs or prove relationships required by law. This specialized service requires a thorough understanding of both genealogical research and legal documentation. 8. Educational Workshops and Speaking Many genealogists share their knowledge through workshops, webinars, or speaking engagements. They cover topics from beginner genealogy to advanced research techniques, helping others hone their skills. 9. Consultation Services If you prefer to do the research yourself but need guidance, consulting with a professional genealogist can provide direction and advice. They can review your work, suggest next steps, and give other services to help you overcome obstacles. How Genealogists are Paid? An individual's charges are affected by three things: Competence - Charges are widely varied. With rates so high do not necessarily conduct better research. Most of them charge high to enable them to afford the training required to offer better service. Legitimate researchers should never promise to find the particular information you seek; it may be destroyed, missing or never existed altogether. A certified genealogist, in the United States and world wide, should be able to break through any genealogy brick walls you're facing and uncover your family stories with well defined research goals. Furthermore, most genealogy researchers are experts at lineage society, family trees, and much more but you need to be aware of time constraints, research experience, work samples, and research process. Professional genealogist for hire available here. The nature of the task - Research jobs, such as researching family history or family tree, vary with complexity. For instance, Consultation may be more complex than a record search. As a result, an individual's rates could be higher than the rates of a record searcher. Some tasks consume more time than others. If for example, the person conducting the census missed your great grandfather's house, not even the best researcher can find his name in the census, however, the researcher would have to do a thorough search to be sure. The market environment - The area of prowess and also the physical location of a researcher may affect their rates. For instance, a researcher who specializes in an area which not many researchers are experienced in may charge higher than a researcher whose proficiency is comparatively common. Hiring a professional in New York might cost more than one in a small town. Cost of Hiring - Fee Layouts When considering a professional, the fee structures and rates will vary from one individual to the other. There are those who bill as they proceed with the work, while others charge per project. Most of them will charge per hour plus expenses. Get a Free Consultation Cost of Hiring - By the Hour Many researchers give their hourly rates based on education levels, training, their skills, experience, and credentials. Plus, if they are local or internationally located. Market conditions are also another factor they use to determine their hourly rates. Rates may go as low as $25 per hour and as high as over $120 per hour. Many of the competent professionals have an average rate of between $25 to $45 per hour. Record searchers mostly charge between $50 to $95 per hour. We've previously examined how much does it cost to hire a genealogist and the above pricing seems to be the norm. Due to the varying rates, it is at times difficult to what exactly guarantees a higher charge. Generally, an individual may defensibly price higher rates if they: Researchers in demand and with good experience. Have a special research masterpiece like knowledge of records in another country. Their credentials show exceptional skills. In spite of the fact that researchers mostly work independently, it possible to find genealogical firms in places where there exist large repositories of records. There are many researchers around the world and across all states, so finding a professional near you should not be challenging. Expenditure Cost for Hire a Genealogist When researching your family history or your family tree, many professionals charge for the expenses incurred during their operations. The mostly incurred expenses include: Cost of copying documents. Charges by other researchers paid to conduct research of records in far cities. Transportation, meals, and accommodations. Fees paid to repositories and other record amenities. Cost for things like postage, secretarial services, and supplies. Paying your Professional Payment methods differ depending on the fee layout. Most research individuals ask for a retainer for they commence on the work, they then work and bill against the retainer until it all spent, they ask the client to pay another retainer and continue working. It is highly recommended to hire a genealogist who is local to you since the process is simple and easy. To hire a professional genealogist please contact us. We have researchers near you that are available for hire. Below are some tips to help you control your costs. Gather information about your family as much as you possibly can. Use as many free resources as possible. We have listed Free Genealogy Services Resources in the previous post. Be sure to take advantage of them. Break down a large project into minor tasks and pay for them periodically. Stay informed about your costs by requesting reports and comprehensive billings. Specify distinctly whether the hired researcher can bill for cost overruns and under what conditions should he do so. Request other members of your family to help you meet the costs. The Scope of Research Genealogists generally spend the first few hours of a project to determine the goals of their clients, examine the problem and come up with a research plan. This differs considerably depending on the volume of the prior research. Free Genealogy Assessment Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.What difficulties are you facing? *First Name *Last Name *Phone Number *Email * Group Ad Hidden Submit The Process of Hiring When you are considering to hire an individual, below are six steps you should follow: Determine the needs of your research. Before you hire, define the problem of your research and determine what you want to be done. Gather a list of professionals or genealogy companies. Alternatively, obtain a list of researchers by contacting libraries and genealogical firms around you. Reach out to the candidates. Call many individuals with relevant credentials and skills. Determine which of the several researchers you are going to hire. Before you decide, ask yourself the following questions: Does the researcher understand your problem and has the ability to solve it? Is the individual familiar with and can access the records that seem to be able to solve your research problem? Is the candidate interested in working on your project? Does he have the background and skills needed? Are the rates appropriate? Sign an agreement. Make sure you make an agreement with the researcher or research company before he starts working on your research project Pay and give information to begin. Send the retainer to start the work. Share the information you may have. Send clean photocopies. Never give the original documents or materials that you have no copies of. After determining a qualified individual, as for work samples and check review sites, but sure to check for research experience. Stay in Touch with Your Researcher When hiring a professional researcher, as your researcher continues working on your family history, make sure you communicate with him often. Continue to view work samples that are being provided. You can avoid many problems with good communication. Remember, you want to be part of the research and the mysteries that are uncovered. During the entire process be sure to ask lots of questions about all the family members you're trying to uncover. This will avoid as many research problem as possible. Genealogical Source Checklist When you consider the cost to hiring a professional near you, you should also kinda the following genealogical resources as it pertains to your research needs. Get a Free Consultation Family and Home Records Personal Knowledge Family Bibles Account Books Baby Books Biography Citizenship Papers Farm Records Funeral Programs Health/Medical Records Heirlooms Journals, Diaries Legal Papers Complete Genealogical Source Checklist Price Comparison We've been in the industry for a long time so we know that not everyone can afford a large price tag - nor does their research require it. However, our competitors don't seem to care. You be the judge. [table id=1 /] It's essential to evaluate the offerings against your research goals and budget. Some genealogists might include additional services like document retrieval, DNA analysis interpretation, or detailed reports within these packages. RecordClick services do not charge additional fees. With others, always clarify what is included in the package to make an informed decision on the value you're receiving for the price paid. Why Choose RecordClick to Hire a Professional Genealogist? At RecordClick, we take pride in our 94% success rate, showcasing our dedication to uncovering your family's history with accuracy and detail. Our clients have direct communication with our team of professional genealogists, ensuring that your journey into the past is handled with personal care and professional expertise. We're committed to providing the best pricing for "Professional" services, making top-tier genealogical research affordable and accessible. You can see our genealogists' skills in action on smaller projects, allowing you to gauge our work quality without a hefty initial commitment. Above all, we're a personable and trustworthy team. Our goal is to deliver great results, and we believe in building strong, trusting relationships with our clients as we navigate the story of their ancestry together. Benefits of Hiring a Professional Genealogist? 1. Deep Dive into History: Professional genealogists don’t just scratch the surface; they dive deep. They leverage specialized training in historical contexts and genealogical research methods to uncover details that most people would miss. Why did your ancestors move? What were their professions? These experts can often provide insights beyond names and dates, giving you a fuller picture of your heritage. 2. Efficiency and Time-Saving: Think about the hours spent trying to figure out old census records or ship manifests. With their experience, Genealogists can navigate these quickly, efficiently solving puzzles that might take weeks or months. This isn't just about speed; it's about making the most of your time, allowing you to enjoy the discoveries without the headache of the hunt. 3. Exclusive Access: There are treasure troves of information that aren’t digitized or publicly available online. Professionals often have access to exclusive databases, libraries, and archives. They might also belong to networks that allow them to go into corners of research you didn’t know existed. For example, certain church records or private collections can hold the key to your family's past, accessible only by those in the know. 4. Navigating Language Barriers and Geographical Challenges: If your ancestors hail from non-English speaking countries, language barriers can halt your research. A genealogist specializing in Italian or Chinese ancestry, for instance, brings language skills and understands the local nuances, geographically specific data, and historical context that might influence your family’s story. They can interpret documents or communicate with foreign archives, tasks that might be insurmountable hurdles for you. 5. Problem-Solving Skills: Hitting a brick wall is common in genealogy research. Professional genealogists have encountered many such barriers and developed strategies to overcome them. Their problem-solving skills are honed through experience. For instance, when direct records are missing, they know how to use indirect evidence to piece together the puzzle, a skill akin to detective work. 6. Accuracy and Avoiding Pitfalls: Genealogy research is fraught with potential errors. Misinterpretation of a record or following the wrong family line can lead your research problem take you astray for years. Professionals bring a critical eye to the data, ensuring that the family tree you’re building is actually yours. Their expertise is particularly valuable when dealing with common names, where the risk of mixing up individuals is high. 7. Emotional Distance: While deeply personal, genealogy can also benefit from an objective viewpoint. Genealogy professionals can provide a level of detachment, making them less likely to jump to conclusions based on family lore or wishful thinking. This doesn’t mean they’re cold or uncaring about your family history project; rather, they can help validate stories with evidence, ensuring the accuracy of your family narrative. 8. Presentation of Findings: The end result of professional genealogy research isn’t just a list of names and dates. It’s often a comprehensive report with documents, photos, and narratives that bring your ancestors to life. These presentations can become cherished family heirlooms passed down to future generations. 9. Ethical Considerations: Genealogy researchers adhere to a code of ethics, ensuring that sensitive information is handled with respect and privacy. This is especially crucial when dealing with adoptions, unknown parentage, or any potentially delicate family matters. FAQs Can I hire someone to trace my family history? Yes, all of the professional researchers listed above are available for hire. Simply use our free consultation form to give us an idea of the geographic location for what or who you're searching for, and we can get helpful information and generate a quote for you, as well as give you an idea of the probability of success. What services does a genealogy company offer? A genealogy firm typically offers a range of services, including ancestry research, DNA test analysis, record retrieval, and help with lineage society applications, all performed by professional genealogists. How do I know if genealogists are qualified? Qualified genealogists often have accreditation from recognized genealogy bodies, have completed rigorous exams, and have a track record of professional experience and success in the field. What is genealogy accreditation, and why is it important? Genealogy accreditation is a process where genealogists are formally recognized for their expertise by a professional body. It ensures they have met specific standards of education and experience in genealogy research. Does professional experience matter when choosing a genealogist? Absolutely. Professional experience is crucial as it reflects the genealogist's ability to tackle complex research tasks, navigate various types of records, and provide accurate and comprehensive findings. #### Cranberries Didn't Get Bogged Down in Limited Lineage, Notes this Genealogy Researcher This genealogy researcher remembers the summer I was 13 years old. My parents finally had enough money to take us on a week long beach vacation. They rented a small house in West Dennis, Cape Cod. Together, we went to the beach and we discovered something known to everyone there for centuries: the Cranberry. Wow, were they sour! ("Feh!," as my Polish pilgrim of a grandmother would say.) We had no idea at the time that in our vacation area, these berries had their own pedigree that was even better than a Mayflower descendant. Area cranberries were originally tended to by the Nobscussett Indians, then by John Hall in 1630. In 1816, John's descendant, Henry Hall, accidentally discovered the process of cultivating cranberries. The tour guides at the local cranberry farm that summer in the 1970s told us that while they were abundant, cranberries weren’t so easy to harvest and what to do with them was limited. That was then. This is now. On Cape Cod so many years later, this genealogy researcher bets the tour guides say something much better about the bogged-down little cranberry and its many offspring. The cranberry is like that successful member of the family, as this genealogist sees it. Everyone tolerates him or her for years. He doesn’t say much at family gatherings and what he does say is just…blah and bitter. He does good deeds, though. Then, suddenly, BOOM! By makeover and the right presentation to society, the most unassuming member of the family tree becomes a star. For the genealogy researcher, this is like the lineage maker for the family history researcher; the improver of the tree for the family tree researcher. That sour and limited ancestor of today’s cranberry had its lineage changed for the better by a debut into dazzling high (marketing) society after being made over. The cranberry’s handlers fixed it up with Sugar and this has resulted in an abundant, long and good marriage--producing offspring like crazy. Much like some of our immigrant ancestors in a new world, a name change, technology, innovation, and the step up through new ancestral lines have given this limited, rotund little nothing of a berry an American Dream comparable to a genealogist’s best ancestral find. In America, 400 million cranberries are now consumed per year, according to industry sources. On Thanksgiving, millions of households honor this berry! We have a cranberry love fest. For the genealogy researcher, think before Mayflower because this berry goes way back! According to the website of the country’s best known cranberry company, Ocean Spray, the first name given by the different east coast Native American tribe members to this unique American fruit was “Sassamenesh” or “Ibimi” or “Atoqua.” The German and Dutch settlers thought the flower of this berry looked like the head and bill of a local crane. And that name stuck: Crane Berry. A genealogist may find less a family tree and more a family vine that grows in sandy bogs and marshes, mostly in the northeast. For the genealogy researcher, there is no census to check or birth records to seek out. Instead, as in some family history searches, you’ll find literary descriptions, pictures and books that describe or show the early origins. How many of us genealogy researchers have read history books and looked at period pictures to get a sense of our origins? In this case, when you read or see descriptions of today’s cranberry ancestors, you’ll see that the crane berry was known for its healing properties and its deep color. It was used for dying fabric and healing. The cranberry could draw poison from arrow wounds and helped Native Americans survive. Our genealogy researcher sees cranberries in the same light as an ancestor search. The cranberry's history is like the relative who has done good. Doesn't this look famliar? Skip to more recent times. This genealogist suspects that it was sometime in the late 1970s and 1980s that Ocean Spray brought in a matchmaker. They knew that cranberry juice and cranberry sauces weren’t going to preserve the business. They wanted to move up in the business world. So, it seems like they worked with a consulting company such as a McKinsey to ensure the cranberry lineage would be preserved for the ages. The result has been visible in every food store in America for the decades now: Cran-Apple, Cran-Orange, Cran-Grape and Craisins. Do we call these lineage extensions step-children? Are they legitimate heirs to the little berry of the Native American and Pilgrim times? Genealogy reaserchers: Are they true descendants of our puffy little red guy who floated around in the northeast bogs, bitter and helpful, but not very easy to know? Do you have ancestors like this? Quiet and helpful, and then suddenly better known? Or do you want to find relatives like that? The professional genealogists at RecordClick will find your tribe for you and maybe unearth some quiet ancestors. Our genealogists for hire will also get the social story so that your family tree has historical context. We will that bring your ancestors back to life, so to speak. #### Cryptocurrency Estate Planning: How To Make Your Wallet Inheritable A recent study by the Cremation Institute uncovers the widely shared concerns regarding cryptocurrency estate planning. Most of the participants have no idea what would happen to their crypto assets if they died, reflecting the status quo in the society. The over 10,000 cryptocurrencies worldwide are hard to track, especially without the owner's key or login details. Blockchain also estimates the number of investors in cryptocurrencies to have increased to about a hundred million. With the numbers expected to soar, it will be more likely to have several family members with digital wallets. Key Takeaways Cryptocurrency estate planning is one of the most overlooked practices, leading to billions of dollars in lost fortunes. However, with the increasing value and technological progress, it has become easier to safeguard your digital wallets and make them easily inheritable. Disclosing your account details or private key in a trust, attorney, or Will can go a long way in helping beneficiaries receive your actual estate value. What is Cryptocurrency? Cryptocurrency is a digital currency formed and secured through cryptography. Some of the most popular cryptocurrencies include Bitcoin (BTC), Litecoin (LTC), Dogecoin (DOGE), and Ethereum (ETH). Most cryptocurrency new focus on the unpredictable prices for one unit. During the Covid pandemic, cryptos, including BTC, had a rocky experience and are still struggling to keep their heads high. However, investors offer hope and say the depression may be coming to an end. Similarly, a study by the Deutsche Bank interviewed crypto investors, most of whom believe that the prices will soar in the next five years.  In fact, most of the interviewed investors expressed their plans to increase their crypto investments. What Happens to Your Cryptocurrency When You Die? cryptocurrency   If you die without precise cryptocurrency estate planning, it would be nearly impossible for your heirs to access your digital wallets. So far, crypto companies like Bitcoin estimate that millions, if not billions, of crypto, have been lost due to owners' deaths and lack of private keys. As the crypto value grows, future losses would be significant, hence the need to update your estate-planning strategies. Remember that digital currencies are assets that you can't see or touch. They're encrypted, so it would be a hassle for heirs seeking to find them without the crucial details. Cryptocurrencies have been revered for their discreetness and security when the owner is alive. However, once you're dead, the strength becomes an obstacle. Therefore, it is crucial not to rely on traditional estate planning methods if you want executors and heirs to find and access digital currencies. How to Make Your Wallet Inheritable How to manage crypto The most important details to clarify in cryptocurrency estate planning are the logins to your virtual wallet. The details are called the private key and comprise a string of random characters. You also want to provide the password for the final stage before access to the wallet. The exact mechanism is used in our traditional banks, using keys to open safe boxes. However, banks can help access the safe deposit virtually if you lose the physical key. For the cryptos, having the correct virtual key is the only way to access the wallet. How To Avoid Losing Your Cryptocurrency When You Die Be professional One responsible way to deal with your crypto wallets is to be considerate of your heirs. Have a well-laid-out plan that ensures it won't be a hassle for concerned parties to access your wallet after you pass on. This does not mean exposing your details to every family member. While including the details in a Will isn’t a bad idea, doing so would not always be safe. A Will is public document that anyone can access, and including such information could jeopardize your wallet’s security. An unscrupulous family member with crypto knowledge can access the private key and hide the wallet from others. The information can also be removed, erased, or left out in copies when individuals want to commit fraud regarding the digital wallet. 3 Proven Solutions to Ideal Cryptocurrency Estate Planning Move The Crypto to Exchanges Cryptocurrency exchanges One of the most typical ways to safeguard your digital wallets is to move them to an exchange. Different crypto exchange companies, like Coinbase, Binance, and Gemini, apply a more traditional banking method where you actually have a physical safe deposit. It's rather essential to carefully scrutinize these largely unregulated exchanges to avoid the many risks they may pose. Some of your quick checkmarks include; Checking whether the firm is validly registered as a securities broker. The exchange should dominate social media platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn. An exchange firm registered in your country or state would be easier to research and understand. Know what the exchange does with your money: Lousy lending and other unsafe crypto practices that would lead to bankruptcy should serve as red flags. Be sure that the exchange firm's support system is working and reliable. Your chosen crypto exchange should disclose its reserves. Illegitimate or undercapitalized exchanges try to keep this information hidden. Open a Joint Account with The Exchange Most exchange firms also offer joint accounts, making the transfer of crypto assets smooth. To make your wallet inheritable, you may include your trust or heir as the joint partner in the account. Similarly, you may establish a beneficiary with the exchange holding your crypto. Nonetheless, it is advisable to review policies for each establishment to understand how the account is managed postmortem and ensure your heirs receive the assets effortlessly. Open a Trust Account Trusts are quick and private The third and more popular option in cryptocurrency estate planning is establishing a Trust to expedite estate settlement. One benefit of having a trust is that it helps avoid the potentially lengthy and costly probate process. Sometimes, estate settlement must go through the probate process, especially if the testator dies without a valid Will. Although the probate laws may vary with jurisdictions, the probate process involves having an account of the entire estate and establishing all the potential heirs or beneficiaries. As a result, the process takes substantial time, and the emergence of unknown or lost heirs could spark conflicts and disputes, further prolonging the process. Therefore, having a trust account for your crypto wallets will circumvent these risks and make transfers to beneficiaries easier. The only caveat to having a trust account is that you must acquire written permission from the estate attorney for the trustee to transact with the assets. Make Your Digital Assets Inheritable Crypto assets are just one example, but you need to provide access to your entire digital life to your heirs. Safeguard your information to access online bank accounts, Apple Wallet, Google Wallet, PayPal, prepaid cards, etc. Combining all the benefits and funds in these accounts could be significant, and ensuring it benefits your family is essential. Given the intricacies of the process, we recommend consulting our experts at Record Click. Please email us or schedule a call for more customized advice about your estate plan, heir search, or assistance in the probate process. See Record Click's Heir Research Services, Costs, And Expectations. #### Cultural Ethnicity Calculator The ethnicity percentages in your DNA results can open a new avenue of possibilities in your genealogy. Every company has its own way of calculating, so your estimates depend on who you ask. Sure, companies like AncestryDNA, FamilyTreeDNA, MyHeritageDNA, 23&Me, etc., will break down your so-called ethnicity estimate, but you're likely to end up with more questions than contentment. For this reason, you need to understand the mechanics surrounding cultural ethnicity calculation and its interpretation. What is Cultural Ethnicity? Cultural ethnicity reflects your affiliation to regions with distinct social attributes, including culture, religion, history, language, heritage, and other characteristics. While ethnicity may be hard to detect by DNA, it often overlaps with your genetic ancestry since people with a common heritage are likely to live in the same place and share marriage patterns. What is Cultural Ethnicity Calculator? A cultural ethnicity calculator is a tool that estimates your ethnicity percentage. Since the testing companies don't have DNA results for our ancestors and deceased relatives, their next resource is the "informative ancestry markers" or genetic markers on the chromosome. The companies use the"single nucleotide polymorphisms," or SNPs, to identify customers with a long history in a single region and make them a "reference panel group." Companies can also use samples from genealogy projects such as the Human Genome Diversity Project. Normally, these projects have samples collected from people with deep roots in certain locations. It’s worth noting that the ethnic estimate results you receive in your test are just that—an ESTIMATE. Most recently, when genealogy companies, updated their "ethnicity estimates," members saw a drastic change in their estimates, with some ethnicities emerging and other disappearing. Such adjustments elicit panic, elation, and confusion among users regarding their actual ethnicity and the reliability of the current results. The ethnicity percentage you receive on your DNA results reflects the amount of DNA that matches the reference panel groups or regions. For example, if your estimate shows 25% German Europe, 25% of your DNA matches the reference panel group identified for Germanic Europe. How To Calculate Ethnicity Estimate With the improving genealogical field and advanced technology, ethnicity estimates are increasingly becoming relevant, although there remains a long way to go. For now, it's advisable to only focus on estimates at the continent level and take anything broken further down with a pinch of salt. The first step in calculating your cultural ethnicity is understanding all the processes involved and choosing the best tester for you. Luckily, you can establish your ethnicity percentage without having to undergo a DNA test, especially if you know your ancestors’ ethnicity. However, online ethnic calculators that do not consider DNA tests may be limited to your memory or the number of generations to include. On the other hand, popular DNA sites such as Ancestry can break down your ethnicity estimates globally. So, once you take a DNA test, the company divides it into smaller chunks and compares each by the SNPs in its reference panel groups. It's worth noting that every company has different ancestry regions and may make adjustments prospectively. Besides, if the company lacks a matching ancestry for your DNA, it automatically assigns you to the next closest ethnicity. For example, if the site has no reference group for Denmark, your Danish ancestry may partly reflect Sweden, England, Norway, and Germany. Factors To Consider When Selecting Cultural Ethnicity Calculator The site's database and features are the first things to consider. If you want more detailed tests, check if your preferred site takes the YDNA and the mtDNA tests in addition to the autosomal test. These tests can help if you focus your genealogy on specific bloodlines, such as the maternal or paternal lines. Also, scrutinize the regions used by each site to ensure you get actual results that can help you track your heritage. Most importantly, the non-DNA ethnicity calculators lack the capacity for many generations. Having many correct inputs for many generations is likely to provide a percentage that tracks your lineage beyond a century. The app or site should also be compatible with your device or have the sharing link to transfer results to another genealogy site. In the same way, check whether the site can incorporate your family tree or other genealogical information from other sites. Most DNA testing sites only require you to submit your saliva, and the results will appear in your account after the test. However, the non-DNA sites make an estimate after you manually enter the nationality or ethnicity of every member in your family tree. Significance Of an Ethnicity Estimate While ethnicity estimates should be taken with reservations, they can come in handy depending on your reasons for them. An estimate might help you clarify stories linking your ancestors to some foreign culture. A small percentage might be a massive breakthrough for someone interested in verifying such stories. For example, if you've heard stories about your Polish ancestors having Scandinavian ancestry, finding 5% Scandinavian on your results would be jaw dropping. In the same way, testers help you explore the percentage of the cultural ethnicity with which you usually identify. For example, a person from Mexico may want to know what percentage of Spanish ancestry they have. These results may be surprising to many and disappointing to some, but it helps people realize the significance of other ethnic regions, especially in their heritage exploration. Besides, results on your ethnicity estimate can help better understand family history and migration patterns. Above all, submitting your DNA helps the genealogy sites expand their databases and make it easier for people to find their links. Limitations Of Ethnicity Calculators Ethnicity estimates are subject to several inherent limitations that prevent them from being completely accurate or especially helpful for genealogical research. That is not to say the science doesn't work; rather, the field is still evolving, hence the change in your estimates after every update. Remember to treat the results as estimates despite the highlighted significance in genealogical applications. For instance, the reference reports used by companies like Ancestry and MyHeritage are modern-day populations and not ancient. Besides, the references are a tiny sample of a few people that cannot be used as a representative of the world. Moreover, the genealogical sites have yet to accurately identify ethnicities who have interacted extensively. Ancestry says, "When people from previously separated populations have children together, they share DNA in what we call admixture. As previously distinct populations mix, they get harder to tell apart using genetics. If your family comes from a population with a history of admixture, your percentages for some ethnicity regions may be different than expected." In this case, for example, it would be hard for the site to establish whether a person from Greek or Italy has Spanish/Greek/Italian ancestry. Another drawback of these estimates is that some regions lack sufficient database to capture unique DNA. Data from vast regions in Africa and Asia is scant, making it hard to capture those ancestries in many people’s results. Lastly, the ethnicity calculation and estimates may be wanting as the technology still needs improvement. There needs to be a more detailed estimate that does not classify you as Native American but provides the exact ethnicity to which you belong. In the same way, the technology is yet to incorporate indigenous ancestry for regions like North and South America that would help individuals find concrete answers in their genealogy. Ethnicity Percentages Are a Tip of The Iceberg The main concern for testers is whether the genealogy calculators are accurate and which vendor is the best. First, the best vendor for you depends on your preferences, mileage, and features. The best vendor for German ancestry may not be accurate for Native American or British Isles. Regarding the accuracy of your ethnicity estimates, it cannot be 100% accurate or anything close to that. Remember that it is a rough estimate or, if you like, a guess. The best way to figure out your ethnicity percentage is through genealogy research. Building your family tree using your DNA results can be an excellent guide to learning as much as possible about where your family originated. So, if you've yet to build a family tree, you need to get one and start your genealogy journey. A visual will help you quickly locate your relatives and other matches, and their results can be a significant factor in coming up with a general outlook of your ethnicity estimates. Besides, you can use information from your family tree to verify weird percentages on your estimates.   #### Deeds Enhance the Family Portrait Genealogy research is a bit like painting a picture. The more information obtained, the more hues and dimension the picture has. Census records are an outline; they are the beginning of your picture. Censuses place an individual or family in a given place at a specific time, but they have their limits. If a family moved two or three times in a ten-year period, those other residences may be unknown. Both Nebraska and South Dakota, the two states I know best, had some off-year censuses – South Dakota more than Nebraska – but censuses are still limited in their information. Land records broaden the picture of a family by adding strokes of color. I like land records. I like finding a specific piece of land on a map. I like visiting a place where an ancestor lived. It gives me a sense of who the person was and what he or she had to deal with. A lot of people seem to shy away from working with land records. I’m not sure why. It could be the process of finding a deed. It could be making sense of the land description. It could be the challenge of looking through big, old books and documents with some almost indecipherable handwriting. Bear in mind, land records, especially deeds, can be some of the most valuable tools of a genealogist. I must admit that working with land records in the prairie states of Nebraska and South Dakota is easier than in areas that were settled earlier. As with most things, deeds have evolved. Many early deeds were handwritten in language that is now considered arcane and cumbersome. By the time the two states were being settled, the language was changing. A big improvement came in the late 1800s when the use of typewriters increased. Now, there are usually standardized forms with blanks to be filled in. Land records add a time element to your picture. When was the property purchased? If the family owned a farm, did they add, reduce or move their holdings? If the head of the household was a merchant, the same might apply. Did the family come into an inheritance, sell their home and move into one more befitting their new stature? Or did they face a calamity, such as a stock market crash or family disaster, and have to move into a simpler residence? Or did the family live comfortably on the same property for many years – possibly passing it on to the next generation? Deeds not only provide dates, but may also include information on family relationships, dower rights, and slave ownership. One set of my grandparents were able to purchase a house because of an inheritance my grandfather received. The date of the deed provided the time frame for the couple to inherit the money, move from one town to another, have a child, and purchase a house. These are broad strokes to add to a family's history. Finally, there is the land itself. Was the lot a business or a residence in town? Was it located in a "good" neighborhood? Or was the land a farm? How good was the soil for raising crops? What schools and churches were nearby? Was it located near other family members? Don't just stop with the outline of your family picture. Add some color and definition by utilizing the dates and land descriptions included in land records. This information will help you with the answers to your lineage questions and will add more depth and richness of tone to your family portrait. For help with your genealogy research using land records, speak to one of our professional genealogists today. #### Discover Your Ancestors with Ancestry ThruLines Have you ever wondered where you came from? Or where your ancestors originated? Well, if you have ever asked yourself these questions and got no answer, Ancestry Thrulines is here to help you out. This is a tool for people who want to take their genealogy research further. With ThruLines, you get to identify some of your relatives through DNA matches with barely existing family trees. ThruLines is a new Ancestry tool aimed at helping you know how you are related to your DNA matches through genealogy using DNA tests and your family line. It is a tool aimed at helping people break the brick walls present when it comes to finding their ancestors. Before we take a look at ThruLines and genealogy, we need to ask ourselves, what is Ancestry DNA ThruLines? How can we use it to make the search for our ancestors easier? How will it help you search for your great grandparents, lost daughter, or a number of relatives you might want to trace? What is Ancestry ThruLines? Ancestry ThruLines is a tool by Ancestry that helps one find how one may be related to their DNA matches through common DNA matches. ThruLines is based on the information provided by family trees and without altering the ancestry trees. Let’s explain that a bit. ThruLines by Ancestry will show all the identified descendants of a specific ancestor who has tested with AncestryDNA and who shares their DNA with the person whose test results are in review. ThruLines in turn provides the ancestral path between the common ancestor and every DNA match along with the amount of DNA shared and the predicted relationship. With ThruLines, you get more as compared to the previous Shared Ancestor Hints. This expands all the information provided by the hints giving better and clearer results. For long, Ancestry has been able to compare family trees for different testers and any given matches. It also notes down the common ancestors between the common trees. From here, ThruLines comes through and builds on this information by including data from all private and public searchable trees in the Ancestry network. If there is a genetic cousin whose tree is incomplete, ThruLine will provide an opportunity to view the connections which would take a lot of time and research if it was to be done manually. Any time that the data from all family trees is used, the names, places, and dates are supposed to be viewed as clues and not facts. The comparison between many family trees is only as accurate as the data contained in the trees. Using ThruLines The making of Thrulines was an ambitious undertaking and genealogists can only say congratulations to the programmers at Ancestry. Throughout the production and Beta testing, they have made significant progress and the changes are seen in the data. DNA results in Ancestry determine your ancestors. Keep this in mind. When using ThruLines, there are two views: Relationship view and List view. Relationship View Relationship view provides the user with a graphical view of all the descendants of a specific ancestor. The default relationship view for the ancestor shows the connection to that ancestor even though some of the details might be collapsed at a time and other testers who are identified as the descendant of a child of the ancestor. The data available for all other children of the target ancestor is collapsed but clicking on the # DNA Matches link under child’s name expands it. If you are the tester in this case, this will provide you with the details of the ancestral path to each of your DNA matches from the family, your relationship to them and the amount of DNA that you share. These might be people already in your tree or other searchable trees. List View The List View mode shows all the descendants same as the Relationship View. The difference is that it shows all this in one list. When you see the relationship view, expanding one line contracts the others automatically. If you are instead looking for a great “at a glance” view, with all of the shared DNA and relationship information included, List View does the job well. Seeing all relationships and the amount of shared DNA for all relatives in the same place provides the user with a good-cross check of the specific family tree as well as the family tree of your DNA matches. The amount of the shared centimorgans for all the relatives in a family tree is very important in ThruLines. If the shared centimorgans and the predicted relationships aren’t consistent, there might be errors in your family tree or all the trees used when collecting this data. The List View may sometimes make the relationships more apparent than they are because of looking at individual results. With this information comes the question of accuracy. ThruLines collects and displays data based on your family trees and other members of Ancestry. This means the data is as accurate as the trees the information is based on. If there are mistakes in the ancestry tree, this can cause an error and inaccurate results in Thru Lines. ThruLines are based on trees and this means they wont prove the specific connection you have to a DNA match. Let me give an example of this. If you have listed someone in your family tree as a second cousin, the person will appear as a DNA match in ThruLines as a second cousin. However, they still can be a first cousin once removed, a half-second cousin, or a number of relationships to you. What do you need for ThruLines to work? To get ThruLines using Ancestry: • Your family tree must be connected to your DNA • Your tree has to be at least 3 or 4 generations deep • Your tree must be either a public or private searchable tree. If your tree is unsearchable, you don’t have access to ThruLines. • You have only one kit for every person connected to the person in that tree. If you make the mistake of having multiple kits for the same individual connected to a single tree, only one of the kits will have ThruLines. This should not be a problem to most people as there aren’t as many people who have tested two times with AncestryDNA ThruLines. Misconceptions about ThruLines When ThruLines came out, some people nicknamed it Trulines. While this might sound nice, it is overly ambitious. Just like the connections with family trees, ThruLines have to be verified and proven. This is especially when it suggests new ancestors. You have to explore ThruLines work and the data it uses to produce these results. ThruLines does not tell you or confirm to you that a specific ancestor is actually your ancestor. ThruLines shows produced results based on the data collected from the individual trees. Shared matches may also appear but you have to verify the data through your family lines. The program will only help if you understand how to use it right from the DNA results summary. ThruLines doesn’t modify or do anything to your tree automatically. The ThruLines trees in the program are specifically designed for ThruLines. ThruLines uses different trees to suggest your possible or potential ancestors. This is all fun and amazing but you are not necessarily related to these people nor do you have DNA matches with them. Best to note that. Most people assume all the data collected from different trees is collected from people they are related to or have DNA matches with but it might not be the case. Be warned. If you are an individual looking for unknown parents and you see your name beneath a placard showing “private” individual in a little hashed box above your name on ThruLines, this doesn’t mean that your unknown parent has been discovered. But then, what does this mean? It means that Ancestry has found it right to “pair” you with a potential ancestor who happens to be a parent based on a combination of name similarity with yours and another person with the same surname but in someone else’s tree. In ThruLines, a parent/child match is the first match on the matches list. The reason we are saying all this about this program is even though it is a nice and resourceful program, don’t get your hopes up 100%. It is so sad to get excited that you have a parent/child match only to find out that ThruLines provide a “potential parent” who has nothing to do with your genetics. Be prepared for such an outcome and don’t get overexcited. To be on the safer side, check your DNA match list first. To know your common ancestors, like your great grandfather, taking a DNA test is not an option. The DNA circles on ThruLines will help you create a link on the linked tree from your father all through to the deepest it can go. Some people think it is much easier and faster finding their roots when they have an ancestor in their family tree. Having an ancestor in your family tree doesn’t mean that Ancestry has to use that ancestor. It may provide a potential ancestor from someone else’s tree. Be cognizant of whoever is in your tree and ask yourself why! When Ancestry uses an ancestor from another tree, the program will provide you with the information showing where the specific ancestor was “suggested” from and it also allows you to click on that tree to view their documentation. Family relationships even in genealogy programs can be complicated. Though it is easier to create member trees, a private tree, and more, the program might produce biased results if there are incorrect trees or if other people s trees interfered with the results. Ancestry customers can now find Thrulines information on their home page and use it to find a lost father, daughter great grandmother, 3rd great grand father and other lost members of their families. Finding or discovering your ancestors with Ancestry ThruLines is easier and faster. To use it, you only have to know how ThruLines works and be able to dissect the results so as not to get overexcited with some results. Ancestry however warns the users with repeated and extremely visible warnings that ThruLines are not definitive but they are just hints that must be verified with research. #### Doctor and Geneticist Tim Janzen Shares His Insight on Genetic Genealogy and DNA Testing in Three-Part Series Photo courtesy of Tim Janzen Over the coming days, Record Click will be publishing a three-part series of extremely interesting and informative articles that will help you to understand better about genetic genealogy and DNA testing. Our expert contributing author is Dr. Tim Janzen, a medical doctor and geneticist who has had an interest in genealogical research for more than 35 years, especially in phasing and autosomal DNA analysis. Dr. Janzen supports the use of DNA analysis as a complement to traditional genealogical research. He currently serves as co-administrator of the Mennonite DNA project. In addition to running a family practice at South Tabor Family Physicians in Portland, Oregon, Dr. Janzen is a consultant to the genetics company 23andMe as one of their Ancestry Ambassadors. He also serves on the ISOGG Y-DNA Haplogroup Tree Committee. Dr. Janzen periodically gives presentations on genetic genealogy and also does private genetic genealogy consulting on a case-by-case basis. His other passions include wife Rachel Janzen and their four children. #### Don't Let Jewish Genealogy Drive You Meshuga Greetings Record Click readers. Allow me introduce myself. I am a Baby Boomer Jewess who grew up in New York City. I am a relative newcomer to the world of family history research and Jewish genealogy, but I'm gaining momentum as a genealogical researcher. For the last four years, I've been delving into my Jewish genealogy by researching my maternal and parental ancestry on and off. About a year ago, while attending the Boulder Jewish Festival, I stopped at the Jewish Genealogical Society of Colorado (JGSCO) booth. I was so impressed with their organization that I began attending their monthly presentations, even though I was not actively researching Jewish genealogy. I found the organization to be committed to helping people find their Jewish roots, and this inspired me to attend. Growing up in New York City, I didn't think much about my roots, because they were all around me. But time has changed things. Now I live in Colorado, my parents and grandparents are deceased, and I am more motivated to take a deeper dive into my Jewish genealogy - that way I will know where I came from, and I can pass the information on to my children and grandchildren. Last month, I decided to attend the annual all-day seminar on Jewish genealogy with New York-based professional genealogist Rafael Guber. He was not only informative, but entertaining, as well, and in my opinion, a true mensch. The seminar titled “Demystifying Words in Jewish Genealogy” was subtitled “When Are Sefardim Really Ashkenazim?” “Sefarad” is a Hebrew word meaning “Spain” and describes the Jews who came from the Iberian Peninsula (including Spain and Portugal); however, the term today includes Jewish communities in North Africa, Iraq, Syria, Greece, and Turkey. Mizrachi Jews are from Iraq and Syria. For more information on Jewish genealogy, please see Kim Richards' blog on Sephardic genealogy. On the other hand, the Ashkenazim (from the Hebrew word meaning “german”) refer to Jews from Germany, Eastern Europe, and Russia. Hasidic (meaning "pious") Jews are an orthodox sect of the Ashkenazim. The Anshei Sefard (translated "Spanish Jews, but not from Spain") synagogues in the United States were started by Eastern European Jews - the Hasidim - from Poland and Belarus in the 1700s. The Hasidic European community includes Berlin, Warsaw, Vilna, Riga, Minsk, Pinsk, Kiev, Lemberg, Krakow, and Vienna. There are approximately a dozen major Hasidic movements today, the largest of which (about 100,000 followers) is the Lubavitch group, which is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York. One particular statistic had everyone in awe at the seminar. According to Guber, 80% of American Jews have Hasidic roots. He also explained that more than 50% of the Hasidic community survived the Holocaust. Mr. Guber explained the similarities between the Sefardic and Hasidic Jews of Europe. Both pray from the Sefardic bible, which dates back to the first Diaspora to Babylonia (597-582 BCE). Also, Sefardic and Hasidic Jews perform tefillin the same way. Tefillin entails wrapping the hand with phylacteries (a set of small black leather boxes containing scrolls of parchment inscribed with verses from the Torah). Ashkenazic and Sephardic Jews prefer different types of calligraphy for use in writing the scrolls; the Ashkenazim use a script known as Ktaav Ar that differs slightly in nine letters of the alphabet. According to Guber, the densest Jewish populations in Europe had the largest Hasidic populations. Poland had more than 1 million Jews, the Russian Empire had 2.5 million, and the Austro-Hungarian Empire had 1.65 million Jews with the majority of these populations belonging to Hasidic synagogues. If you want to know more about Jewish genealogy and are looking for your ancestors, Guber suggests that you first locate where your ancestors lived in Europe. Once you have done that, decipher which Hasidic community was in that area and then contact the community directly. According to Guber, the Hasidim are very willing to help; in fact, each community has a representative with whom you can speak. With this information, I am going to consult with my local Chabad Rabbi in Fort Collins, Colorado, to sort out my family's Jewish genealogy. It won't be an easy search because borders changed so many times in Poland, but I hope taking this direction will bring me closer to finding more about my family's history. Rafael Guber provided the following list that represents the nine major Hasidic communities and their current locations. Hopefully, this will help in your search. The list includes: Name; Current or last Rebbe (Rebbe); Founder; Headquarters (HQ); City/town of origin (Origin). Name: BELZ Rebbe: Yissachar Dov Rokeach (III) Founder: Sholom Rokeach (1781-1855) HQ: Jerusalem, Israel Origin: Belz, Galicia, Austria-Hungary/Poland (now Ukraine) Name: BOBOV Rebbe: Ben Zion Aryeh Leibsh Halberstam, Mordechai Dovid Unger Founder: Shlomo Halberstam of Bobov (1847-1905) HQ: Borough Park, Brooklyn Origin: Bobowa/Sanz, Galicia, Austria-Hungary (now Poland) Name: CHABAD/LUBAVITCH Rebbe: Menachem Mendel Schneerson (1902-1994) Founder: Schneur Zalman of Liadi (1745-1812) HQ: Crown Heights, Brooklyn Origin: Lubavitch Russia Name: GER Rebbe: Yaakov Aryeh Alter (b.1939) Founder: Yitzchak meir Alter (1799-1866) HQ: Jerusalem, Israel Origin: Gora Kalvaria, Russian Empire (now Poland) Name: KARLIN OR KARLIN - STOLIN Rebbe: Baruch Meir Yaachov Shochet Founder: Aharon the Great of Karlin (1736-1772) HQ: Givat Zeev, Israel, Jerusalem, Israel Origin: Karlin, Belarus Name: SANZ KLAUSENBERG Rebbe: Tzvi Elimelech Halberstam, Shmuel Dovid Halberstam Founder: Chaim Halberstam of sanz (1796-1876) HQ: Boro Park, Brooklyn, Kiryat Sanz Netanya Israel Origin: Cluj-Napoca, Hungary (now Romania), Sanz, Galicia (now Poland) Name: SATMAR Rebbe: Aaron Teitelbaum (b.1947), Zalman Leib Teitelbaum (b. 1952) Founder: Moshe Teitelbaum of Ujhel (1759-1841) HQ: Kiryas Joel New York, Williamsburg, Brooklyn Origin: Satu Mare, Hungary (now Romania) Name: SKVER Rebbe: David Twersky (b. 1940) Founder: Yitzchak Twersky HQ: New Square, New York Origin: Skvira, Russian Empire (now Ukraine) Name: VIZHNITZ Rebbe: Moshe Yehoshua Hager, Mordechai Hager Founder: Menachem Mendel Hager of Kosov (1830-1884) HQ: Bnei Brak, Israel, Kaser, New York Origin: Vyzhnytsia, Bukovina, Austria-Hungary (now Ukraine) If you still need help, a genealogical service may be your best bet. RecordClick staffs professional genealogical researchers who specialize in Jewish genealogy. #### Downton Abbey is a Treat for the Genealogist A genealogist deals with relationships and history. This RecordClick genealogist finds relationships and history to be fascinating, intriguing, and sad at times, funny at other times and a window on life. The popular PBS program Downton Abbey is now in its sixth and final season. Although the show is fictional, Downton brings together relationships, history and genealogy quite nicely. The show is set on the fictional country estate of Downton Abbey in Yorkshire, England. In season one, the story began after the sinking of the Titanic in 1912. Two male heirs of the manor perished in that tragedy. In the show, a male heir needed to be found because, at that time, females could not inherit property. The character Matthew Crawley was introduced and eventually married his distant cousin Lady Mary Crawley. At least for a while, the future of Downton Abbey was secure. Following history, the characters on this show have dealt with World War I, the 1918 flu pandemic, the attitude changes of the 1920s and the financial burdens of owning and maintaining a country estate. Great Britain still has a good many country estates often with histories going back 600 years or more. The land and homes frequently have a tie to a monarch or member of a royal family. And there is a story. While these estates were once a symbol of affluence and had an abundance of staff and servants, times have changed. Costs have increased. Large homes need a good deal of attention. Mirroring their real-life counterparts, the family of the Earl and Countess of Grantham and their descendants in the Crawley family must deal with such changes at Downton Abbey. Then, there are the relationships. Many a genealogist can tell tales of brothers marrying sisters or a widower finding happiness with the spinster sister of his deceased wife. At Downton Abbey, distant cousins Matthew and Mary Crawley became husband and wife. The aristocracy of Great Britain is no different – just on a grander scale. Most people are aware of Henry the Eighth (1491-1547) and his wives. While not as ostentatious as Henry, Charles II (1630-1685) had no children by his wife, but at least seven illegitimate children by five mistresses. Charles’ descendants include the current Princes William and Harry through their mother Lady (Princess) Diana Spencer. The British well-to-do are full of stories about marriages of convenience. Sometimes, it was an attempt to produce an heir. Or it may have been to add wealth to the coffers. It may have been to gain power or status. At Downton Abbey, the Crawley family depicts this society and provides a insight into the lives of the wealthy. For both the historical and relationship aspects of the show, the costuming and settings of the series are excellent. They depict how status was vital. They also show the relationships between servants and masters. When the genealogist is able to into the aristocracy of Great Britain, or any of a number of other countries for that matter, the search can become a lot of fun. Care must be taken, however, because sometimes what we family history researchers would like to find and the way things actually were can differ. Sometimes, one individual is in a location, yet the official dates on vital records may vary even though we know this is the correct individual. Then, there are other times when a genealogist may find two individuals with the same name and similar dates living in a specific locale. We ancestry researchers are usually the ones who help clear up the confusion—which can happen very easily. Series like Downton Abbey demonstrate just how complicated history and relationships can be. When you hire a genealogist from RecordClick, we will help with determine who is related to whom in your family history. Do you think there is a link to the British aristocracy? Let our RecordClick professional genealogist who knows where to look and for what documentation to search begin to help you. #### Dr. Jeffrey Malka - Author of "Sephardic Genealogy" - Shares Important Research Tips for Jewish Genealogy Most of you Jewish genealogy researchers probably already know that "Sefarad" (or "Sepharad") is a Hebrew word meaning "Spain." The adjective for the word is "Sephardic" and describes the Jews who came from the Iberian Peninsula (including Spain and Portugal). However, the term today includes Jewish communities in North Africa, Iraq, Syria, Greece, and Turkey. The difference between the Sephardim and Ashkenazim (from the Hebrew word meaning "german") is that the latter refers to Jews from Germany, Eastern Europe, and Russia. What you may not realize is that most of the early Jewish settlers of North America were Sephardic. Once the Sephardim were expelled from Spain, they migrated to Portugal, Italy, North Africa, and the Middle East (and later to Amsterdam and other places). Less than 200 years later, the first Sephardic Jewish congregation in North America, Shearith Israel, was founded in New York in 1684. Philadelphia's first Jewish congregation, Congregation Mikveh Israel, founded in 1740. Given the incredible history that the Sephardim have in the United States, I know that there are a lot of genealogists within our shores who are looking forward to gleaning helpful tips and research resources for Jewish genealogy. Genealogist Dr. Jeffrey S. Malka, author of Sephardic Genealogy: Discovering Your Sephardic Ancestors and Their World (2nd ed., Avotaynu, 2009) was kind enough to share some important research tips with Record Click (RC). Dr. Malka's SephardicGen.com  website is the best online source for developing a family history for your Jewish genealogy. Offline, his book, Sephardic Genealogy, won the Best Judaica Reference Book Award from the Association of Jewish Libraries in 2002. It is a "must have" resource for your Jewish genealogy family search. In 2012 Dr. Malka was awarded the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award by the International Association of Jewish Genealogy Societies for his pioneer work in Sephardic genealogy. RC: Who are Sephardic Jews, and how should lineage researchers begin to trace their Sephardic ancestry? Malka: In the rigorous sense, Sephardic Jews are Jews whose ancestors lived in the Iberian Peninsula. But today it has come to mean most Jews who are not Ashkenazic Jews (Jews who lived primarily in Christian Europe). So researching the genealogy of Sephardic Jews has many similarities to Jewish genealogical research in general. In both cases the same types of religious and community records are available for searching. But there are also significant differences. RC: What are those differences, and how do they impact Jewish genealogy research? Malka:  There are several differences, but I will focus on four. 1. Surnames Most Jews in the United States today are descended from ancestors who lived in Eastern Europe where Jewish surnames - with very few exceptions - only go back to the mid-19th Century. Prior to that Eastern European Jews did not use surnames, and names took the form of 'Jacob son of Isaac,' which makes it very difficult to follow a family through archival documents. In comparison, many Sephardic surnames are hereditary; almost all go back at least to 15th Century, with some starting as early as the 12th Century. This is an enormous advantage that permits the construction of centuries-long documented family trees. 2. Ketubot Ketubot are Jewish wedding contracts. They typically provide the names of the two spouses and their parents. Some Sephardic ketubot will list several generations of names for both the groom and bride - a major genealogical advantage. 3. Archives and countries Sephardic Jews lived mostly in the Muslim world, and their records are therefore found in different places. For some, such as those in Spain, there are profuse archival documents going back to the 1200s or earlier, in which Jews are clearly identified. The Netherlands kept excellent congregational Sephardic records long before civil registration was required. On the other hand, countries in North Africa or in the Ottoman Empire, where Sephardic Jews also lived, have much poorer archival resources. But because of the long-standing hereditary nature and age of many Sephardic surnames, it is still possible to go back through the excellent records in Spain, the Netherlands, and the Americas, etc. 4. Languages Because Sephardic Jews lived in many different countries, their genealogical documents will be in languages not familiar to Ashkenazic genealogists. And, although both Sephardic and Ashkenazic Jews spoke and wrote in Hebrew, the Hebrew cursive script used by Sephardic Jews is quite different from the one used by the Ashkenazim, the former being used in Israel today. So learning to read this script is an essential Jewish genealogy tool to genealogical researchers. You can purchase a copy of Dr. Malka's book Sephardic Genealogy: Discovering Your Sephardic Ancestors and Their World at avotaynu.com. If after reading Jeff's book and visiting his website you still need help in your Jewish genealogy research, consider contacting a genealogy ancestry service. RecordClick staffs professional genealogical researchers who are adept at Sephardic and Jewish genealogy research. #### Dual Citizenship by Descent Italian Style – Doing the Genealogy - Italiano Mambo Saluti da RecordClick! Have you seen those clever commercials where Americans spot the new Italian immigrants arriving on U.S. shores; but as it turns out, the newcomers are Fiat automobiles? Italians may feel the same way about the influx of Americans on Italian soil. Dual citizenship by descent is more popular than ever, and Italy makes it possible for U.S. citizens to achieve Italian citizenship through several avenues. For this article, I'll be delving into dual citizenship by descent with Italy, also known as jure sanguinis (Latin for "continuity of blood"). Whether you have a parent, grandparent, or a great-grandfather who was an Italian – you, too, are Italian by jure sanguinis. As the centuries-old Italian proverb says, Il sangue non e acqua - blood is thicker than water. Proving dual citizenship with Italy is not as difficult as it is with some other countries, such as France. The laws and requirements are pretty straightforward and easy to understand. However, Italian laws have changed over the years, especially since the mid-19th Century, so it helps to know a little about the history of Italy to understand the citizenship laws a little better. Are you eligible for Italian dual citizenship by jure sanguinis? Let's find out. Un Po 'di Storia Italiana - a Bit of Italian History Like many other European countries that suffered diasporas (migrations), Italy experienced three waves of major emigration starting in 1861 when the battle for Italy's unification was ignited. Also known as the Risorgimento movement (loosely defined as "resurrection"), modern Italy came into existence with the unification of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and the Papal States. There were several reasons why Italians left Italy in the mid-19th Century – poverty, disease, and a lack of land were just a few. The second wave occurred after World War I when internal political and economic problems, compounded by the consequences of Fascism, causing another major exodus. Between 1860 and the First World War, 9 million Italians left their homeland. The U.S. became the main destination of Italian immigrants beginning in the late 19th Century until the 1930s. The majority of immigrants settled in or near New York City, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and San Francisco. The third wave of emigration occurred after World War II due to the devastation wreaked on the Italian cities and countryside. The Italian Diaspora came to an end as the Cold War of the 1950s and 1960s began. Viewed as a connecting country between Western Europe and the Mediterranean, Italy was recognized by the U.S. as an important ally. It became the recipient of financial investment and government aid that ultimately brought about the "Italian Economic Miracle," thus ending Italy's diaspora. Jure Sanguinis – Understanding Italian Dual Citizenship by Descent According to 2010 Census statistics, there are almost 18 million Americans of Italian descent living in the U.S., many of whom are tracing their family histories, while others are ready to experience dual citizenship with the home country of their ancestors. Like many of the European Union (EU) countries, Italy recognizes its loss of human resources, and is welcoming back the descendants of its diaspora through dual citizenship. The Italian law for Italian citizenship by descent has a number of requirements that must be met, some of which are based on particular dates. While Italian citizenship is granted by birth through both the paternal and maternal lines (with no generational limits), there are two dates in particular that you need to keep in mind when you start researching - 1861 when Italy became unified, and 1948 when the constitution of the Italian Republic stated that women could transmit citizenship. Before 1948, based on the 1912 Italian Law 555, citizenship could be claimed only through the male parent. The first clause of the 1948 constitution of the Italian Republic states: "All citizens have equal social dignity and are equal before the law, without distinction of sex, race, language, religion, political opinions, personal and social conditions." The U.S. consulates still recognize the pre-1948 constitution to a certain extent, limiting applications for dual citizenship only to children born after January 1, 1948, if  they are claiming citizenship through a female. Don't give up hope. If this is your situation, your application can be brought before an Italian court where a number of cases have been granted citizenship. Though there is no generational limit for claiming citizenship by blood, your Italian ancestor must have been born in the Italian territories after March 17, 1861 (the date of the Official Proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy), or must have been alive (anywhere in the world) after March 16, 1861, in order to be considered part of the jure sanguinis line. Hai Diritto di Cittadinanza Italiana per Jure Sanguinis – Are You Eligible for Italian Citizenship? According to the Italian Citizenship Assistance Program (ICAP), if you are an American citizen, and any one of the situations listed below pertains to you, you may be eligible for Italian dual citizenship by jure sanguinis: 1) Your father was born in Italy and was an Italian citizen at the time of your birth, and you never renounced your right to Italian citizenship. 2. Your mother was born in Italy and was an Italian citizen at the time of your birth, you were born after January 1, 1948, and you never renounced your right to Italian citizenship. 3. Your father was born in the U.S., your paternal grandfather was born in Italy and was an Italian citizen at the time of your father’s birth, neither you nor your father ever renounced your right to Italian citizenship. 4. Your mother was born in the U.S., your maternal grandfather was born in Italy and was an Italian citizen at the time of your mother’s birth, you were born after January 1, 1948, neither you nor your mother ever renounced your right to Italian citizenship. 5. Your paternal grandfather was born in the United States, your paternal great grandfather was born in Italy and was an Italian citizen at the time of your grandfather’s birth, neither you nor your father nor your grandfather ever renounced the right to Italian citizenship. To help you better understand if you are eligible for Italian dual citizenship by blood, the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF), in conjunction with the Italian Embassy, has prepared a free online questionnaire that will help you determine your eligibility for dual Italian citizenship. The final determinations are made by the Italian consulate for the jurisdiction in which you reside. Embassy Finder lists all of the locations and contact information for Italian embassies and consulates in the U.S. What's the verdict? Are you a candidate for Italian dual citizenship by jure sanguinis? If so, congratulations, but you have your work cut out for you. To prove your family history, you must obtain original documentation to support each one of your lineage claims. Each record must be certified, translated, and issued an apostille by the Secretary of State in the state it was issued. If genealogy research is your cup of tea, stay tuned for my next article on Italian dual citizenship by descent. In the coming days, I will share with you a list of documents you will need to collect, as well as a list of guidelines that will help you avoid some pitfalls. If you wish to consult with a family history researcher who specializes in the subject of Italian dual citizenship, consider contacting a professional genealogy research service. RecordClick staffs expert genealogists - some of whom are based in Italy - who specialize in dual citizenship cases per jure sanguinis. Fino alla prossima volta. Arrivederci! Addio! #### Dual Citizenship by Jus Sanguinis - Part Deux The U.S. and Canada, and to a certain extent, France, still adhere to the principle of jus soli (territorial birthright); whereas, the 27 countries of the European Union (EU) are united in their policy of birthright by blood. Since 2004 when Ireland amended its constitution, the EU presents a solid front for its policy of birthright by descent, and no longer allows citizenship based unconditionally on territorial birthright. However, while the countries agree on this particular principle, they each separately recognize a myriad of different citizenship provisions. The following EU countries allow dual citizenship based on descent, with the least amount of requirements. Belgium Belgium is a fairly new addition to this list. Since 2008 Belgium has allowed dual citizenship based on descent. In the summer of 2012, the country proposed a new Belgian Nationality Law stipulating that applicants should be living in Belgium as long-term residents and be linguistically, socially, and economically integrated before they apply. If you become a citizen of Belgium, you do not have to renounce your other citizenship. The new Belgian Nationality Law, if passed in Fall 2012, will go into effect in early 2013. France France has recognized dual citizenship since 1973. A child, whether born abroad or in country, is considered French if he/she has at least one parent who was also born in France. While the country is the one hold-out in the EU that still recognizes jus soli to a certain extent, France no longer confers French nationality purely based purely on territorial birthright. For the most part, Europe adhered to the principle of jus soli until the 19th Century. Playing a ping-pong match between the two citizenship principles, France recognized territorial birthright until the French Revolution, which caused revolutionaries to view the law of soil as a legacy of feudalism, linking people to land, which was held by a land lord. In 1803 it created the French civil code based on jus sanguinis. While France leaned more toward citizenship by descent in the 19th Century, Britain stayed fixed to the principle of jus soli, passing it along to its colonies in North America. It wasn't until the latter part of the 19th Century that France reinstated jus soli. The change came as a result of rash of European immigration to France during the late 1800s. Greece You are eligible for Greek dual citizenship if you have at least one biological parent or grandparent of Greek origin or descent, see Greek Citizenship by Greek Origin, Descent or Ancestry. Portugal Like the rest of the EU, Portugal does not automatically confer citizenship based on jus soli. If at least one parent of a child born abroad is Portuguese-born, the child is automatically a Portuguese citizen. In 2006 the country made changes to its nationality law to allow the grandchildren, even if born on foreign soil, to obtain naturalization if they have Portugal-born grandparents. United Kingdom Jus Soli was the principle upon which British citizenship was based until the British Nationality Act of 1984. After a 375-year tradition of territorial birthright citizenship, the 1984 Act added a parentage component as one of its provisions. A child is recognized as a citizen of the UK even if he/she is born overseas, as long as at least one of the parents is a British citizen. According to the UK's Foreign & Commonwealth Office, “Under present legislation the United Kingdom recognizes dual nationality, and, if you acquire another citizenship, this does not affect your right to hold a British passport and live in the United Kingdom. The UK government has no objection to dual or multiple citizenship or to a person holding passports from more than one country.” United States “I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen.” ~ Oath of Allegiance to the United States According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, “The United States does not formally or officially recognize dual citizenship.” However, nothing can stop a U.S. citizen from applying for dual citizenship, as long as they do not have to renounce their allegiance to the U.S., or take an oath of allegiance to the non-U.S. country. There are also many additional provisions that you must know before you consider applying for dual citizenship. Check with the embassy or consulate of the country for applications and policies. For the ancesor search process required for dual citizenship by descent, you may consider contacting a full-service genealogy ancestry service. RecordClick staffs professional genealogists who understand the process required in tracing ancestry for dual citizenship by descent. #### Ellis Island: It Starts with a Name Ellis Island is a special place for genealogists and family historians. The halls are now empty of the stream of people arriving - some with little more than the clothes they were wearing – to become a part of life in the United States. The plaster and tile walls and hard floors that were built to withstand those millions of immigrants now echo with the voices and footsteps of visitors, many trying to understand what their ancestors went through on their journey to the United States and citizenship. When I visited Ellis Island, I noted the displays of trunks, suitcases, and items left behind. I followed the route the immigrants took on their way to making this spacious and opportunistic land their own. And I saw the faces – life-sized photographs looking at me. Around every corner there were faces. The pictures captured the young and old, individuals and families, the strong and the weak. Every photograph revealed something about its subject. They told a story. This is why I am drawn to genealogy. Every person in my family tree has dates and places where they were born and died. They each have a story to tell. Where did they live? What led them to the decision that the United States was a better place to live than where they were? What was the immigration process like? What barriers did they have to overcome? Along with all those millions of faces are the names. As inspiring as the Statue of Liberty may have been for the immigrants on their way to Ellis Island, there also had to be a sense of apprehension. There were strangers to talk to and language barriers. Some immigrants kept their family names. Some elements of foreign languages did not translate easily into English; so names were misspelled or spelled by sound. Names got changed. Someone with a difficult last name may have decided to use something easier. Someone with a common last name may have opted for a name slightly less common. But there were all those names . . . millions and millions of them. By 1892, when the doors of Ellis Island opened under the auspices of the federal government, the manner of dealing with immigrants had changed from earlier in the century. Because of the number of immigrants, the government was interested in who was coming into the United States. In the 1900 census, there were several counties in South Dakota where more than 80% of the population was either an immigrant or an offspring of an immigrant. The peak year for immigration was 1907 with more than one million newcomers passing through Ellis Island. Legislation limiting the number of immigrants allowed into the U.S. was passed in 1924. With that, the focus of Ellis Island changed. Finding search engines for passenger lists of immigrants processed through Ellis Island is relatively easy. Among the most popular are: • The official Ellis Island website. It is free, but if there are differences in the spelling of a name, finding an individual may become problematic. Consider using different spellings of the name for better results. (FREE) • Ancestry.com ($$$) has passenger lists into New York from 1820-1957. Again, if there are spelling issues an individual’s name may be difficult to find, so use various spellings. • Immigrant Ships Transcribers Guild has more than 12,000 passenger manifests. It also has links leading to other websites with passenger lists or ship information. (FREE) • One-Step Webpages: Stephen P. Morse is a computer guru with a genealogist’s heart. He has created a number of search engines for a variety of genealogic subjects including Ellis Island, Castle Garden and other immigration ports. Morse has developed an innovative method of searching for elusive names. It is difficult for a computer novice to explain, but suffice it to say it expands the results of other search engines. (FREE) • Cyndi’s List is a website with thousands of genealogical links. One section is devoted to immigration and naturalization. (FREE) • Of note, FamilySearch has started a project of indexing passenger lists. If you are having trouble finding your immigrant ancestor or want to flesh out more information, consider contacting Record Click for assistance from our experienced genealogists. There are other records that can be of help besides ships' lists: immigration and border crossing records; passports; citizenship and naturalization records; and emigration records from the country the immigrant left. As there was a process for immigrants to enter this country, there was also a process for them to leave their old country. We can help you find and make sense of the records and provide a glimpse of how your immigrant ancestors came to America. Remember this: It starts with a name. #### English Heritage: How To Navigate The Intricacies The US Census Bureau reports about 30% of Americans claim English heritage, meaning that any genealogical research may extend across the Atlantic Ocean. Luckily, we have genealogy experts ready to do the hard part for you and create a report, family tree, or chart tracing your ancestors in England. Key Takeaways The four territories comprising the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland may share elements. Still, they also have notable differences that could impact your genealogical research. Before you leap across the pond, it's wise to gather information from the most accessible sources like the internet or relatives. If you have English heritage and are concerned about crossing the Atlantic for information, we can help you narrow down the options and quickly determine your ancestors and their origins. RELATED: European Genealogy Back to the Old World What's The Difference Between Britain, England, And the United Kingdom? The different territories in England The first thing you need to understand, even before starting your heritage research, is the different terminologies used interchangeably but actually mean different places. Britain refers to Great Britain, a vast island in the British Isles made of Scotland, England, and Wales. The United Kingdom comprises Great Britain and Northern Ireland, a sixth of a separate island called Ireland. So, when people talk about British heritage, they may mean Scotland, England, Wales, or Northern Ireland. Hence, our particular focus is on just the England territory, which is referred to as a country but is not sovereign. Sure, the four territories making up the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland may share elements, but they also have notable differences that could impact your genealogical research. At Record Click, we explore each country's heritage differently, and this article will focus on English heritage. As we pursue English heritage, another aspect to consider is that the country has borders making up 48 counties or shires. These borders have shifted recently, with older shires absorbed and new ones created. Therefore, conducting your English genealogical research with the old and new maps would be wise to ensure everything is clear along the way. Crucial Sources for English Genealogy Research Genealogy sources include expertise, online databases and family and relatives Before you leap across the pond, it's wise to gather information from the most accessible sources like the internet or relatives. Detail every piece of information that you find out about your ancestors and background. This may include a name, important dates, events, accolades, occupation, or residence. Exhaust all sources and records in the country your ancestors migrated to and find clues that come in handy as you proceed to English records. If relatives lack substantial information about your ancestors or genealogy, there are sites and places to look for crucial leads in your research. 1. Census Records Census reports are the first thing you should look at when no substantial information surfaces regarding foreign heritage. The records are designed to detail the population for years, and England conducts the exercise every ten years, dating from 1841. However, Great Britain's restrictive privacy laws only allow us to access the census from 1911. In genealogical research, census records can help you understand the family structure at a given time in addition to birthplace, names of individuals, occupations, and relationships. However, you must be keen on common errors found on census records, like wrong assumptions by the enumerator, inaccurate spellings, and age reporting. 2. Civil Registry of Vital Events If the census reports provide insufficient information, you can search for birth, marriage, and death information in a civil registration office. In addition to the records, you can find indices with full names, venues, and dates. Birth records have the name of the child and both parents. In contrast, the marriage record includes the age, occupation, and names of witnesses. Similarly, death records will show the usual Address and cause of death, among other things. How To Research Your England Genealogy conducting genealogy research It would be a hassle commuting to all the archives from London to Manchester looking for records regarding your grandparents who lived back in the early 90s. Instead, a comprehensive genealogy would identify even closer relatives who would better guide your lineage in England. Tracking your English ancestor involves detailing the full names of every person connected to you. The family tree has proven most effective in expanding your family details with you as the root. Download free family tree samples and make family research a study and a fun activity in your living room. Every space in the family tree should include the person's full name, special dates like birth and death, and other relevant information. If you don't have any reference material at your disposal, try online searches for any clues. Besides, you can visit the National Archives and General Registrar's office for all records from birth to census. Hire a Professional Genealogist RecordClick Hire A Genealogist The process sounds easy in theory, but piling up the paperwork and dealing with all the bureaucracy can be a hassle. This is the point where you need a professional genealogist. A genealogist specializes in the descents of persons and knows the checkmarks of finding a specific ancestor. Record Click Professional Genealogists will expedite the process of unearthing personal information and help you understand the historical contexts. Only a professional genealogist can perfectly navigate the national library and quickly track your story. They also come in handy when you want to ensure you get everything right during the British citizenship application by descent. However, it's advisable to contact your state's consulate general office for directions on the application process, especially regarding descent, application fee, and duration. Of course, the first step in the citizenship application process starts by visiting the state's consulate with your genealogy information and records. RELATED: Find a Genuine Genealogist for Accurate Ancestry Discover Your English Heritage If you have English heritage and are concerned about crossing the Atlantic for information, we can help you narrow down the options and quickly determine your ancestors and their origins. Contact us and share with genealogy experts about which project fits your needs.       #### Estate Executor: How To Avoid Personal Liability During Probate It's wise to take caution when fulfilling your legal obligations and duties as an estate executor. Most of the reported cases of executors having to lose personal assets for damages they caused in estate oversight result from overlooking critical standard operating procedures. If a court of law ascertains that you mishandled or failed to protect the estate, you could be subject to sanctions and penalties. And since man is to error, you want to know the blackspots as you traverse the overwhelming and time-consuming responsibility. Key Takeaways Handling the probate process and overseeing the estate distribution is no easy feat, especially when relatives and family members are still grappling with the loss of a loved one. Some of the primary responsibilities of an estate executor include filing a petition and the Will, notifying beneficiaries, paying claims, and closing the decedent's affairs. Tips to help you avoid grievous mistakes as an estate executor include opening the estate on time and protecting the estate. What Is the Role of The Executor in Probate? Executors have a fiduciary duty The executor, also called personal representative (PR) or estate administrator, files a petition in a probate court to commence the probate process and facilitate estate distribution to heirs and beneficiaries. They act as the estate's custodian and the probate court's agent in determinations. After the testator's death, the probate process commences to establish the validity of a Will and ensure that it is followed to the letter. Essentially, the court ensures that creditors' issues are addressed and the estate is distributed according to the Will and the law. Unfortunately, handling the probate process and overseeing the estate distribution is no easy feat. The situation is further complicated when relatives and family members are still grappling with the loss of a loved one. Some of the main responsibilities of an estate executor include: Filing a petition and the Will. Notifying the Register of Wills Notifying beneficiaries Filing Inventories Paying claims Paying all necessary taxes Filing tax returns Closing the affairs of the decedent Most of these responsibilities are guided by the Will and the laws of the land. Therefore, you must understand the entire probate process and the relevant laws used in the jurisdiction. The most crucial point is that you can't risk going alone. Professional probate researchers at Record Click work with lawyers, administrators, executors, trustees, and bank and trust officers to complete heir search, estate settlement, probate research, lineages, and heir search services. The professionals have been assisting families with the complex and time-consuming processes for years to take the weight off their shoulders. Below are tips to help you avoid grievous mistakes as an estate executor. Open The Estate on Time The earlier the better Don't wait too long to open the estate, as you could incur losses and cause unnecessary delays to the heirs. As an executor, you’re expected to make the first legal move within a reasonable time after the testator's death. Letting the estate remain closed for a substantial time is tempting, but woe unto you when it catches up with you. The longer you wait, the more the taxes and bills continue to accrue, and the more the heirs become chagrined. As an executor, it would help if you smoothly facilitated the transition, ensuring that assets are distributed accordingly, and the case closed. So, analyze your strengths and weaknesses and decide whether you're up to the task. If you think you're not capable of handling the case, it would be better to decline politely to be an executor than to become an additional layer of stress to a grieving family. Advise Heirs and Beneficiaries Assets and Estate distribution Estate executors have a fiduciary duty under the law. Therefore, you must keep the heirs and beneficiaries in check during the probate and estate settlement process. Usually, the Register of Wills sends notifications to heirs about the opening of an estate. For this reason, executors don't bother communicating with all the heirs, assuming it's the court's duty. When the court is the first to notify heirs, they are likely to spawn mistrust and suspicion. Therefore, it's always best to communicate with interested parties to keep them updated. Ignoring them will make things worse. Remember, the heirs and beneficiaries have the right to file a petition to initiate your removal as an executor. Take Control and Protect the Estate Estate settlement should be done legally and ethically Proactivity is crucial when you are the estate executor, especially when real estate is at stake. Some things you should be ready to undertake as the PR include maintaining property insurance and securing real estate from trespassers and break-ins. Another critical task is to ensure the payment of taxes and mortgage proceeds to avoid losses. Some of these tasks may be challenging for an estate executor, especially if you don't live on the property. However, a good realtor can help repair and maintain the property pending sale or court determination. Another crucial aspect is the estate cash and financial accounts related to the estate. As an executor, you must know the last time the cash or accounts were accessed and by whom. Besides, you need to close all credit cards until you have a strategy through the probate process. Check Out Decedent's Mail Checking out the mail is a commonly forgotten standard operating procedure that could save you a boatload. Once you become the estate executor, you should see all mail from the post office to update you on important notices. Besides finding claims from lenders or creditors, emails can help locate information that no one could be aware of. Bank statements, credit card statements, and 1099s can help locate more assets. Seek Help from the Right Professionals Be professional Having a relative or a close friend who practices law doesn't mean they qualify to represent you in the probate process. Instead, hire professionals who will be of value in conducting your fiduciary duty. You should hire a professional heir researcher and a probate attorney to help conduct the probate research and file all the necessary documents. Other crucial professionals may include financial planners, tax advisors, and realtors. Feel free to seek guidance from the probate attorney on choosing the professional, but be sure to rely more on their professionalism than your kinship. Distinguish Probate and Non-Probate Assets Gifting bypasses the tedious probate process Probate assets are those with the decedent as the sole owner or as a tenant in common. The easiest way to determine a property's legal ownership is through the deed of transfer to the decedent. The mode of titling is the primary determinant of whether a real property will pass through the estate. According to the multiple-part jointly owned asset with rights of survivorship, it generally ends up with the surviving party. However, assets with beneficiaries named, such as retirement benefits, life insurance policies, and certificate of deposit (CD), should be paid upon the testator's death. Generally, studying the documentation helps determine the property or account ownership and whether it will be subject to the probate process. Properly Value the Estate Assets Ensure accurate asset valuation It would help if you oversaw proper asset valuation as the estate executor. Considering the processes' complexity, you may need the professional assistance of a certified and court-accepted appraiser to oversee the endeavor. While an appraiser is necessary for vehicles and items like household "stuff" and furniture, the case might differ for real property. It would be best if you decided whether to work with an appraisal, the state tax assessment, or a comparative market analysis. Of course, the decision should consider the potential tax liabilities and overall costs. Prepare An Accurate Inventory of Assets Executors have a fiduciary duty The assets the decedent owns solely, including personal property and accounts, should be subject to the probate and estate administration process. Therefore, estate executors must be accurate when filing the inventory and ensure they include everything. The inventory informs the court of the extent and value of the estate. Typically, it takes time to complete the inventory as the executor must thoroughly investigate all the assets before submitting it. Keep Accurate Accounting Records Enhance record keeping As an estate administrator, PR, or executor, keeping accurate records reflecting all the transactions is imperative. The first thing to file is the administration account, which must regularly report to the probate court about expenses and any profits or losses of the estate. Lack of accurate records makes it difficult to itemize the expenses and account for the investments, gains, losses, etc. Although estate attorneys handle a big part of updating the records, you're responsible for providing ledgers and records to help them make final submissions. It would help to consult an accountant to assist you with the preparations. Once the estate is ready to close, you should file a final account with the court for review and approval. The account will only be approved if the numbers are accurate to the penny. If you don't get your records right, the heirs may file objections to the final account, further delaying the probate process. Remember To Close Out the Estate Heir search, estate settlement, and probate must follow the law After the bank accounts are liquidated, claims paid, and necessary tax returns filed, you must formally close out the estate. A regular estate has over $100,000 in assets and requires a final administration account. This account reflects all the transactions related to the estate, including the gains, losses, expenses, and final distributions to the beneficiaries and heirs. Note the probate court must review and approve the account before you commence distributions. Always mail the checks to the beneficiaries to ensure they receive their share. Alternatively, you can have them sign a receipt for any asset or cash they receive. In the case of real estate, the executor must prepare a deed of distribution and record it with the local land records office to prove final conveyance to the beneficiary. Ignoring these final steps could lead to severe problems when beneficiaries want to sell the property, leading to additional costs and court processes. The executor could be personally responsible for these expenses and damages since all other assets are already distributed.   #### Estate Planning: How To Choose An Executor For Your Estate Choosing an executor is one of the most critical steps in your estate planning. Having a designated executor means your estate will end up in the right hands according to your wishes. Given the magnitude of the responsibilities of managing your estate, you want to choose an executor who fully understands and respects your wishes and those of the beneficiaries. For this reason, many testators go for close friends or relatives as the executor. However, this should not be the way for everyone. You must be sure that your designated executor can conduct the following roles, among others. What Are the Roles of An Estate Executor? Executors have a fiduciary duty If the Will has no designated executor or there was no valid Will at the time of death, the probate court may appoint an estate administrator with similar responsibilities as an executor named in a Will. In some states, the executor is the personal representative (PR) and must adhere to the terms provided in the Will or by the probate court. Below are some duties of the PR: Filing a petition and the Will. Notifying the Register of Wills Notifying beneficiaries Filing Inventories Paying claims Paying all necessary taxes Filing tax returns Appearing before probate court to report on the estate. The executor must keep communication channels open to keep the probate court, beneficiaries, and other interested parties updated. Who Qualifies to Be an Executor of a Will in Estate Planning? Anyone who understands the terms of your Will can qualify to be the estate executor. Typically, Wills are written comprehensively, making them executable even by the spouse, siblings, or children. However, this does not rule out the possibility of considering a neutral professional. You must meet the following minimum requirements to qualify as an estate executor. Be above the age of 18. Must not have a felony conviction. Some states may require you to outsource local executors and only consider out-of-state executors if they're also primary beneficiaries in the Will. How To Choose an Executor Who Is Not Friend or Family Be professional If you don't have any surviving close friends or family members or don't want them to be the executors in your estate planning, you can hire professionals like trusts, charities, or a probate law firm. Here is a more detailed look into other options: Professional Executor Most of the time, financial planners and attorneys serve as professional executors in estate planning. The professionals have the necessary skills and experience to handle probate cases and asset management. They make a good choice when you can't find a friend or relative to handle such a magnitude estate. Naming A Charity If you like working with charities, consider naming one as an executor of your estate. Naming a charity may be a good option, especially when you want to support a cause after you pass away. It's worth noting that charities are reluctant to take up roles such as estate administration. However, if you've been a long-time donor during your lifetime or have them as a beneficiary in your Will, they may be obliged to accept the role. Backup or Co-Executors Co-executors ensure that you wishes are followed the letter and funds are accounted for to the penny. Besides, having a friend or family as the backup creates a feeling that you didn't completely ignore close relatives or friends who expected to form part of the estate planning team. Additionally, having a co-executor ensures that the executor has a helping hand when conducting the role. Having a backup executor should not lead to a split of the roles but act as an alternative if anything happens to the primary executor. However, some backup executors may complicate the estate planning and settlement process. Disagreements and lack of communication between the two could lead to additional lawsuits and delays. Therefore, you should choose individuals with a good relationship for the sake of the estate and the beneficiaries. How Much Is the Executor Paid? Executors' pay depends Executor payments may vary with jurisdictions, and states require you to pay a "reasonable fee," usually from the estate. Some states may set a specific percentage of the estate as payment to the executor, including any out-of-pocket expenses. The costs for an executor may be minimal when you're working with a family member rather than a professional. However, if the family member lives out of your state, they may be required to obtain a bond to protect the estate from misuse. Therefore, familiarize yourself with the laws in your state and ensure your choice of an executor can cater to the upfront cost of a bond. Alternatively, you can waive the bond requirement through your Will. Note that the executor may need the assistance of a probate attorney, especially when the Will or the court process is complex. In this case, you will have to accrue more expenses from the estate. Tips for Choosing the Right Executor in your Estate Planning. Acting as an executor is a crucial responsibility, so you should be careful in choosing the person to handle your estate. You need to know the traits to look for and how to tell an incapable individual. Pick Organized and Responsible Parties Only Look for a professional Organization and responsibilities are essential qualities you need to check when choosing an executor in estate planning. Your preferred executor doesn't have to be a professional financial planner, accountant, or attorney, so long as they are responsible. A responsible executor will also work with responsible probate researchers and attorneys, making the entire process seamless. Besides, a responsible executor will keep the communication channels open for all the parties involved. Remember that the executor will receive payments from your estate, so you should expect him to be outstanding in his job. Consider People in Good Financial Standing Use due diligence Your choice of executor should be well versed in matter finance and demonstrate the same in his personal life. So, it would be a bad idea to go for a guy with many creditors and liens against them. People who have declared bankruptcy may not be the go-to option as it would be challenging to get a bond, let alone manage an estate. Bonding is crucial in estate administration and a requirement by the probate court to help distribute the estate in case the executor absconds. So, most companies may deny an executor the bond if they feel they are a financial risk. As a result, the probate court may not allow your choice of executor based on their financial standing. Name Younger Co-executors co executors should enhance the process Most people only draft their Will once in their lifetime, making it possible to have a probate process handling a Will that's decades old. Since many things may have changed throughout that time, you need to name at least one younger and healthy backup executor in your estate planning. It is assumed that the younger executor may outlive you or the primary executor. You can choose the younger executor by explicitly naming them in the Will or by elaborating a mechanism, such as the eldest of your remaining children. Don't Worry About Executor's Current Location Probate court Of course, the probate process requires property maintenance and regular court appearances so the executor must be in a convenient location. However, an executor doesn't have to relocate to qualify. While attending court proceedings and regular property visits are crucial, the executor can perform all these without being close to you. They can also hire a company to conduct most other roles, like disposing of the furniture or maintaining real estate. Prevent Drama Conflicts are common in estate planning Estate planning and inheritance is no stranger to drama involving relatives, siblings, and professionals. Therefore, you should formulate your Will and choose an executor in a way that makes estate settlement peaceful. The friends or family included as beneficiaries may not get along. So, when you choose one of them as the executor, they may use the position to exact revenge on others by being mean, adding hardships, or causing delays. In this case, you can include both parties as executors to force them to work together and avoid one taking advantage of the other. Alternatively, you can leave them out and find a neutral executor to minimize court disputes and prevent drama. Choose a Patient and Emotionally Grounded They should understand their job The need for an executor who can keep the peace despite the dramas cannot be overstated. Your choice of an estate administrator or PR should be ready to handle the hard work and maintain the emotional balance. Although the probate process has remained almost the same for centuries, estates have become complex. As a result, disagreements become more likely among parties on the applied approaches, documentation, or procedures. The executor must be ready for altercations and know how to deal with them despite their own struggle with the loss of a close friend or a loved one. Inform The Executors Let your designated executors know you're considering them for the role and ask their opinion. Besides, it would be best to let them read through your Will carefully and identify any areas of ambiguity that may stall the probate or estate settlement process. Most importantly, ask the executor if they genuinely feel they can dedicate their attention and time to such a demanding responsibility and what additional assistance they may need. Such a brief to the executor will help them prepare in advance and establish if they're up to the task. If not, they should be ready to decline politely and offer to help in other ways. Get Started with Estate Planning Now that you understand the ideal qualities of a good executor, you can carry on with your estate planning at ease. The most important thing is for the executor not to go alone. Instead, he should reach out to professional genealogist attorneys, administrators, executors, trustees, and bank and trust officers to complete heir search, estate settlement, probate research, heir search services, and more. Hire Record Click experts to help you smoothly work out the estate planning and probate process to avoid the stress of being an executor. Contact us today to schedule a private consultation to start the process. #### European Genealogy Back to the Old World European genealogy is vested in the mosaic of landscapes, traditions, and languages deeply steeped in history. Every region, from the fjords of Scandinavia and the olive groves of Italy to the rolling hills of Ireland, played a significant role in human civilization. Therefore, by exploring European genealogy, we unravel historical insights that extend beyond our lineage. Nonetheless, our personal narratives can interweave the tapestry of European history, giving us a glimpse of the struggles, evolution, and triumphs of our forebears. Unfortunately, personal odysseys that go beyond time and borders are marred with intricacies that often require professional intervention. You need to know the right tools and techniques to help you unlock ancestral roots and get into the heart of the Old World. Luckily, this guide highlights all the crucial aspects you need to know if you're planning to embark on an Old-World genealogy. RELATED: Old World Comes Alive for Family History Researchers at Folksbiene Gala Key Takeaways Family Research focused on Europe can help you gather information about the ancestors' lives and heritage. Unfortunately, embarking on such a journey that stretches back centuries comes with a set of challenges. The team of experts at RecordClick will help you conduct research back to the Old World, including Irish genealogy, German genealogy, and any other European heritage. What To Expect in European Genealogy Family Tree Family research focused on Europe can help you piece together information about the ancestors' lives and heritage. The investigative process, through narratives, documents, and records, can make the life we live today more sensible. Besides, the extensive region likely to be covered in such research makes the findings resonate with people across the globe. So, whether you have ties to Europe or a heritage that spans continents, European genealogy back to the old world can provide shared history and rich stories that bind humanity together. It's worth noting that embarking on such a journey that stretches back centuries comes with a set of challenges. Unraveling the history threads is a challenging task, not to mention inaccessible records, border issues, and language barriers. In addition, the long passage of time can obscure crucial details hence the need for professionalism, patience, and perseverance. Nonetheless, these challenges along the way make the process mysterious and exciting. That is not to say that such genealogy is not rewarding. Each breakthrough you make during the research bridges the gap between generations as you discover stories, faces, and names that fade over time. It is also thrilling to come across long-lost documents that help complete your family tree and uncover forgotten family lore. The sense of accomplishment that you develop after a few discoveries is unparalleled. Most importantly, the endeavor goes beyond names and dates, making the ancestors tangible figures who shape your identity. The Allure of The Old-World Genealogy Genealogy Research The timeless landscapes, ancient castles, and cobblestone streets are like a whisper about our roots and the past. They also serve as a promise to connect us to the legacy of our ancestors if we commit to digging deeper. But what's in it for you? Read on. Shaping Ancestral Narratives in European Genealogy At the heart of European genealogy back to the Old World lies the appeal of discovering family narratives and mysteries. The family stories should not just be tales of bygone eras but breathing records of the experiences and lives that shaped the modern world and your identity. Notably, most of these stories originated in the Old World, where ancestors faced challenges, carved their existence, and conquered. Discovery of Europe's Past Through Family Traditions One crucial way to look back into the Old World is through family traditions that offer a sneak peek into the customs and cultures that defined our ancestors. From the annual celebrations held then to the cherished recipes we savor even today, the traditions reflect ancient Europe. You can pay homage to the ancestors' lives through these traditions and honor your roots. Personal Connection Learning about the Old World heritage is a profoundly personal and emotional journey. When you visit the places where your ancestors once lived, walk down the ancient alleys, and breathe in the same landscapes, you forge a profound connection that transcends time. In this case, Old World stops being a history to you but a crucial link to your identity and life. Preserving the Legacy When you delve into European genealogy back to the Old World, you bring back to life your ancestors' stories. Honoring the journeys, struggles, and triumphs helps the present and future generations understand that they are part of an ever-evolving narrative. This way, they take their stories and those of their ancestors as a legacy that extends beyond their lifetime. RELATED: Virginia Genealogy – Researching the Old Dominion How To Navigate Old World European Ancestry Research Research Process Old World European Ancestry involves creating a schedule for all the necessary steps, such as gathering the right tools and resources. It's worth it to allocate substantial time for tasks like record-searches and visits as they take boatloads of time. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to navigate the intricate European family search. Start with What You Have: Before visiting archives and libraries, gather existing records such as stories, photos, and letters. These records offer a glimpse of your ancestors' lives and help you decide where to start your genealogy. Formulate A Strategy: The readily available records and artifacts should form the basis of your future research plans. They help you identify the missing information and decide on the next steps. It's worth digitizing and preserving them safely, as they may easily fall out of place or fade before you complete your research. Explore More Resources: The Old World is rich with church registers, immigration manifests, censuses, and historical records that can help unlock your lineage. Explore all the relevant resources and conduct your genealogy across generations and borders. Collaborate: Collaborating with professional genealogists and local historians is vital if you want an authentic genealogy outcome. These professionals can offer additional resources, guidance, and insights to break brick walls. Besides, they're best suited to unwind migration patterns, naming conventions, and intricacies in historical contexts. What Are the Main Ancestral European Origins? Records and letters in a library Countries and regions in Europe holding the key to ancestral origin include Italy and the British Isles. Each region has intricate patterns of historical records, migration routes, and naming conventions that help define ancestors' lives. Common ancestral European Origins include: Scandinavia: The Nordic countries, from the Viking legacy to modern-day Scandinavia, can offer insights into the lives of explorers, farmers, and seafarers. Ireland and the British Isles: This region is famous for its rich Celtic heritage and folklore. It also boasts of records that trace families in Great Britan and ancient Europe. Italy: As the land of culture, art, and romance, Italy has a wealth of records about ancient Europe preserved in municipal archives and churches. Germany: Germany has a well-documented history and offers a boatload of information about ancient Europe thanks to its robust record-keeping practices. How To Conduct European Genealogy Across Regions Your genealogy research in your designated region should leverage the archives, libraries, and online databases for details about your ancestor's birth, marriage, and death. Similarly, you should learn the naming pattern in the selected region and check if the conventions have changed with time. Most importantly, understanding the cultural and historical context may require the intervention of an expert. You need more than data to make progress in your Europe ancestry research, and a professional genealogist would provide valuable insights into the nuances of language, records, and local history. RELATED: Tracing Your Polish Ancestry – Geography May Hold the Answer Explore Europe’s Old World The team of experts at RecordClick will help you conduct research back to the Old World, including Irish genealogy, German genealogy, and any other European heritage. Together we can explore, celebrate and honor ancestors in the Old World and enhance their legacies for the present and the future. Grab the Free Consultation offer at RecordClick and share all your genealogy needs. #### Expedite The Probate Process: Tips For Attorneys Many things could go wrong when the probate process takes too long. Failure to expedite the probate process adds to the emotional stress and anxiety the beneficiaries may be going through while adversely impacting the estate value. What’s more? Delaying the probate process risks your reputation and credibility as a probate attorney. It also takes your precious time and energy that could be of value in other commitments. Surprisingly, most of these delays are avoidable only if you understand the probate process and the nature of the case before you. The first major cause of probate delays is failure to meet deadlines, while other causes can be addressed through a comprehensive heir search. Strict Deadlines Associated With the Probate Process attorney-in-chief must follow the law The probate process has set deadlines by which the attorney ought to have accomplished particular tasks. While the laws may vary with jurisdiction, the attorney should be sure to file estate tax returns, notify beneficiaries of the probate proceedings, and file an inventory and a final account within the stipulated time. For example, the probate attorney is expected to take no longer than four months after the decedent's death to provide a copy of the death certificate to relevant people and institutions like life insurance companies and the Social Security Administration. The attorney also has up to four months to collect any Will or witness statements and a comprehensive list of heirs, beneficiaries, and interested parties. This information supports their petition for probate or letters of administration. Other crucial deadlines to meet in the probate process include completing the estate inventory and appraisal of the estate and filing a final account that details all the transactions. It's worth checking with the relevant inheritance laws in your jurisdiction, especially on the timelines and the thresholds of the estate value. How to Expedite the Probate Process with Heir Search Heir's search has become a secret weapon for probate attorneys who want to accelerate the probate process and help the heirs move on with their lives without emotional or financial difficulties. What Does Heir Search Entail? Heir search involves joining the dots and back information with concrete evidence Heir search leverages forensic genealogy to identify heirs or beneficiaries of an estate. Unlike genealogy, which goes back in time to trace ancestors, heir search goes forward, starting with the decedent to the living heirs. Probate heirs search service providers identify and locate heirs guided by state laws. They also generate detailed reports, including exhibits and affidavits, to facilitate estate distribution. Their exclusive access to vital records and societies can help validate and expedite the process. Moreover, the search may cross beyond borders, requiring a solid understanding of international laws, languages, cultural norms, and politics. Such roadblocks are the reasons you may need the assistance of a professional heir searcher. In addition to skills and access to records and databases, heir search services leverage advanced methodologies like DNA to detect fraud and verify heirship. Below are the various ways heir search will help an attorney move with haste and ensure accuracy, due diligence, and efficiency: 1. Find the Will and Other Crucial Records heir search can help extract crucial records As a probate attorney, you need the original Will and documents like a declaration of heirship to petition for probate or letters of administration. However, finding these records would prove a hassle when you have no idea whether the decedent left a Will. Besides, completing a declaration of heirship would require first identifying and tracing all the heirs. Heir search service providers conduct forensic genealogy and records searches that can quickly help trace all the potential heirs and records from archives, homes, relatives, the County Clerk, etc. Therefore, incorporating such services on time can expedite the probate process and ensure you abide by the law. 2. Identify and Trace Heirs to Expedite the Probate Process Heir search can help locate missing heirs Identifying and tracing heir is what heir search researchers do best. Therefore, these professionals should be the first to put on the speed dial when you want to identify all the potential heirs and notify them of the commencement of the probate process. When the decedent dies intestate, or the Will is invalidated or contested, the probate attorney must enlist all the heirs, known or unknown, missing or accounted for. The quickest and surest way to do this is through the help of a certified researcher who not only traces every heir but also provides proof of their contacts and status. Note that identifying and tracing heirs may sound easy, but it involves in-depth research, perusing documents, and traveling, etc., which could delay the probate process and potentially lead to errors if handled solely by the attorney. 3. Unravel Complex Family Structures Heirship verification challenges can become a brick wall especially with complex family structures Complex family structures characterized by adoptions, multiple marriages, divorces, and blended families could impede a smooth probate process. When faced with numerous claims from different families, it would be a hassle for the probate attorney to verify heirship and priorities. Therefore, it would be advisable to seek the assistance of heir search service providers to verify heirship and explicitly detail their place in the table of consanguinity. In addition, an heir search would provide complete family trees for every family involved, helping the attorney tell who is legally adopted and who has inheritance rights depending on the heirship laws. 4. Finding Assets Hidden Assets Finding all the assets is another probate process exercise that could consume much of the attorney's and beneficiaries' time if not handled professionally. Attorneys must sometimes locate hidden assets and value them in an inventory. They must also handle assets beyond borders and those hidden deep in digital wallets like Bitcoin. Luckily, most of heir search service providers have a broad network of professionals involved in probate processes, such as private investigators, valuers, realtors, appraisers, and digital currency experts. Such cooperation can not only help unearth hidden assets but can help file an inventory and expedite the probate process. 5. Mitigate Disputes to Expedite the Probate Process Heir search can help mitigate inheritance disputes Disputes and conflicts regarding the estate, the attorney's conduct, or the asset distribution are major causes of probate delays. However, most of these disputes emanate from the attorney's failure to accurately account for heirs, assets, or the delay in executing their mandate. However, with the help of an heir search, most of these issues would disappear since their report would set the record straight regarding any assets or heirs' claims. Besides, DNA tests, original certificates, and records in the heir search report would incriminate or vindicate any heirship claim that appears fraudulent. 6. Court Appearance RecordClick's heir researchers can appear in court and expedite the probate process The most imperative aspect throughout the process is to remain within the provisions of the law. You must provide substantial evidence to convince the probate court about your findings. Otherwise it could throw the case into shambles and further delay the process. Luckily, experts heir researchers are admissible in court and can present the documentation and explanation of every aspect of their research or findings. Forensic genealogical reports prove beyond reasonable doubt that the probate attorney performed the necessary steps professionally, within the law, and without any malicious intent. 7. Avoid Liability Estate settlement should be done legally and ethically Heir's search would also vindicate the probate attorney against future litigation regarding how they handled the probate process or asset distribution. Attorneys who have ignored heir search in the probate process have faced litigation, disbarment, and, sometimes, imprisonment after heirs emerged to claim an already settled estate. Such unfortunate events can be avoided by incorporating heir search services. This way, you remain credible and reputable, which leads to more recommendations and business. Above all, having incorporated heir search provides a peace of mind that you strived to provide the best for the bereaved family and handled the case efficiently and sensitively to their needs. Save Time & Money by Hiring RecordClick for Your Search Reasons you should consider seeking RecordClick's services RecordClick will help you expedite the probate process with heir search through in-depth local and international forensic research, non-percentage flat-rate fees, over 98% success rate, and well-documented court-ready reports. Plus, if needed, we can appear in court for testimonies. Our professional genealogical researchers have completed tens of thousands of searches traversing various cultures, languages, and legal intricacies. Here's what to expect with Record Click’s heir search service: Record Click's heirline researchers work with and assist the attorney in finding the missing heirs to an estate. We document the evidence to validate the locating of missing heirs to an estate and provide the attorney with the necessary documents. 1. Heir Search When Estate Beneficiaries are Unknown We can help when the estate beneficiaries are unknown, need to be located, or need proof of the relationship. We provide a simple hourly rate and do not expect or require a percentage of the estate. 2. Heir Search Experience & Credentials We have experienced, credentialed researchers all over the USA, including in Salt Lake City, UT, the world-famous Family History Library, and international genealogical search expertise. Our researchers also have access to the constantly growing world of subscription internet services. After your research, your report and all your records will be provided in an attractive binder. 3. Customize Based on Your Heir Search Needs Our experts can customize your heir search for the genealogical research you need for your firm, your time frame, and your budget. Contact us today to get started on your estate settlement. For local and international services or heir searches, firms, attorneys, and trust officers rely on Record Click for their work. Our team of 45+ experts includes a former CIA agent, in-house DNA experts, researchers in all states, and researchers in all parts of Europe. Services included: heir German, heir search, search for heirs, heir searches, heir finders, heir finder, heir in German. Save time and money with RecordClick heir search Save money and time; we have the best pricing in the industry, and we're available to start today. We'll help you solve the unknown in your case. Please reach out to us today for more information. We offer free, no-obligation consultations, even if you are not planning to start a search immediately. Feel free to ask any questions — we look forward to connecting. Contact Record Click today or schedule a call. READ MORE: Record Click’s Heir Research Services, Costs, And Expectations. #### Expert Genealogist Laurie Mahaffey Shares Her 12 Tips for Successful Genealogy Research Central Texas Library System (CTLS) Deputy Director Laurie Mahaffey specializes in Genealogy & Texas History. CTLS is one of 10 regional systems serving Texas libraries by assisting librarians to improve the scope and quality of their collections and services. CTLS sponsors educational programs for library personnel; develops programs to draw non-library users to libraries; and stimulates the financial and civic support of central Texas libraries. Ms. Mahaffey shares her one-dozen favorite tips: 1. Start with yourself. Document your birth, marriage (if you had one), and parents. 2. Talk to your relatives about whom and what they remember from the past. Don't count on your memory – WRITE IT DOWN. 3. Be diplomatic about conflicting stories. If someone is contradicting another family member's story, keep it to yourself; you can evaluate it later. Sometimes people rewrite the past for their own reasons. 4. Ask open-ended questions besides names and dates. This will give you a fuller picture of your ancestors. If you can, get the names of schools they attended; it may be possible to search for old yearbooks at school offices or photos at libraries. 5. In possible, find out about the livelihood of your ancestors. Some professions "run" in families, such as teachers and doctors. This detail may help to distinguish between two similarly-named people when it is otherwise difficult to tell which one is your ancestor. 6. Get a library card and ask at your local public library for census records, online records, city directories, and other local records. They will be happy to help you. 7. Check the counties in which your ancestors lived for records such as wills and probate, marriage, birth, death, land, and tax records. Many counties have websites up on the USGenWeb listings. There is a page for each state, and many have one for every county. These are done by volunteers, so they are not standardized. You may find some of the same digitized records on GenWeb as you would on Ancestry; however, on USGenWeb, they are free. 8. Join a local genealogy group if there is one in your area. Often, members will help each other or offer clues about where they found information. 9. Check your state library and archives. Many of them have extensive genealogy collections and records that otherwise may have burned in a courthouse fire. 10. Try online cemetery sources such as FindaGrave. Frequently, putting in less information heightens your chance for an answer. For example: key in your great-grandmother's name, but leave off the state. Surviving relatives may not know exactly where she died. 11. Check the library nearest you for land record books by Arphax Publishing. This company has published books of land records in many counties and states of the US. They are wonderful for finding just exactly where your ancestors lived. Check the Arphax site to see what states and counties have been completed. 12. And last but not least, don't forget to check out the 1940 U.S. Census that was released recently. While only a few states have been transcribed and digitized, you can still search by location and address. For help with your ancestry research, speak to a professional genealogist today. #### Family Bibles Help Genealogy Researchers Trace Family Trees Long before the advent of civil records, our ancestors realized the importance of preserving family history. Undoubtedly curious about their own forebears who were beyond the reach of oral tradition, they knew their descendants would be curious about their roots, as well. Maybe the inspiration for recording genealogical milestones in the family bible was “the begats” found in Genesis, Isaiah, and Matthew; or maybe families wanted their names inscribed in a place they knew would be treasured for generations; but whatever the origin, the tradition of recording births, marriages, and deaths fulfills a universal desire to let the future know: we were here; we loved; we celebrated; we mourned — we remember, and we want to be remembered. You may already be blessed with one of these ancestral gifts, but the large, commanding family bibles, which used to be found reliably in most homes a century ago, are today rare. When my ancestor search obsession began, none of my relatives had a family bible. But knowing that such treasures do indeed exist, I went searching and discovered three rich repositories. First, there is the Family History Library’s (FHL) amazing collection in Salt Lake City, easily accessed, even if you live half a world away. Many avid family history researchers are unaware that they can order microfilms from the FHL to be delivered to their own local Family History Centers. This service is provided to all — not just Latter-day Saints (LDS) members. Using the FHL Catalogue, search the “Place” category for states. The topic “Bible Records” will come up, most of which were compiled by the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR). Because we are such a mobile society, do not assume that each state’s records cover only that state. The bible for your Connecticut family may have wound up in Wisconsin, where the vital records were subsequently transcribed. Read the film notes and subject categories to see what locations are included on a microfilm roll. When you find a source of interest, you can order the microfilm online. Second is the much under-utilized Ancestry.com resource: their own card catalogue. From the homepage, click on the “Search” button, and select “Card Catalogue.” In the next window, use the Keyword(s) box to enter “bible.” There are 68 titles available now, and this collection is growing. Third, you will find the Family Bible Website where you can search the bible pages that have been entered, as well as contribute information from bibles you may own. You can also subscribe to their mailing list and request information about your ancestors. This site is but one of the many places where you should be casting your genealogical researcher driftnet. The results may astound you. A year ago, I received a letter from a woman in California who had come across an old, water-damaged family bible in an apartment where she was moving. The cover was connected by just three threads. She looked for identifying information, but found none. However, the births, marriages, and deaths pages were filled with entries of a "McMillen" family. Checking the online trees at Ancestry.com, the woman located my family tree with every name and date listed in the bible, and she contacted me to ask if I would be interested in the bible. Interested??!! I was avidly, over-the-moon interested. She refused to accept even the cost of the postage, and mailed me this family treasure. Printed in 1813, the bible contained dates of my McMillen ancestors for a 75-year period. As a family history researcher and professional genealogist, I know that people frequently tuck important papers inside their bibles, I carefully checked each page. That effort rewarded me with two letters (written in 1863) and a scrap of cloth with a note pinned to it: “Great-grandma Mary McMillen’s dress.” Mary McMillen died in 1856, and I had just received not only her family bible, but a piece of her dress. What an amazing gift, not only from the lady in California who went to so much trouble to find me, but also from my ancestor Mary McMillen, who served as her family history researcher by diligently recording the information about her family — all 16 of her children! If you would like assistance in locating family bibles or other resources that may exist for your ancestor searches, call the professional genealogists at RecordClick. #### Family Health History: How To Prevent From Recurring Conditions Your family health history holds the key to your future well-being and longevity. However, many people easily overlook the treasure that lies within their family trees due to modern medical interventions that promise to handle everything. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the leading cause of disability and death is chronic diseases like diabetes, cancer, and heart complications. It estimates that these diseases, most of which have strong genetic components, result in about 70% of the deaths reported in the US. Shockingly, these are the very same diseases that often run in families with the risk of passing down to generations. So, why not take a fraction of your time to stop these menaces on their tracks? This guide offers insights on everything you need to reduce your risk of falling prey to deadly conditions silently ravaging your family. Key Takeaways Understanding your genealogy can help uncover potential health risks in your life or immediate family. Conditions with solid genetic components include diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer's, cancer, and hemophilia. A detailed family history record can help in risk assessment, early detection, tailored healthcare, and making informed decisions. RELATED: Family Reunions and Genealogy: How to Leverage Family Gatherings Why Family Health History Matters Exercise can mitigate risk factors Understanding your ancestry can help uncover predispositions and patterns that can be inherited, warning you of potential health risks in your life or immediate family. While tracking history may involve collecting ancestral and relative names and crucial dates, the most important part is tracking the genetic legacy. You want an accurate and detailed record of diseases that have affected generations in your family. Such history provides insights into the possibility of certain conditions lurking in your genes sooner or later. It also helps you in the following ways; Risk Assessment and Management: Besides tracking recurring conditions in your family tree, your research provides a glimpse into your susceptibility to the conditions. This information can help you develop prevention strategies. For example, suppose you notice a history of high blood pressure. In that case, you can take steps to maintain a healthy weight, manage stress, and regularly monitor your blood pressure. Early Detection and Tailored Healthcare: A disease can be better managed when detected early. So, your analysis can help your healthcare quickly identify the appropriate screening tests and what preventative measures to implement early. Informed Decision-Making: With knowledge, you have the power to make the right decisions and reduce your risk. For example, a record of diabetes can help you adopt a balanced diet and exercise regimen to keep off the risk factors. \ Peace of Mind: Discovering that your family tree has a clean bill of health can provide relief, knowing that you're not at risk of any hereditary conditions. How Genes Influence Your Family Health History DNA Test for Genealogy Genes are the blueprint that determines who you are, right from eye color to disease susceptibility. Imagine them as software that runs your body in roles like regulating functions and producing proteins. So, any variations, mutations, or alterations in your genes can affect many bodily processes and potentially lead to complications. Let's look at conditions with strong genetic components. Diabetes: Indications of type 1 and type 2 diabetes could translate to high-risk factors. Heart Disease: Since the genetic factor influences blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and fat management, it can determine the risk of heart-related complications. Alzheimer's Disease: Alzheimer's, too, has a genetic component, and an indication of the condition may reflect high risk. Cancer: Inherited gene mutations like BRCA1 and BRCA2 can be behind certain types of cancer, such as colon, ovarian, and breast cancer in your family line. Hemophilia: Hemophilia is a genetic disorder that leads to blood clots and may be hereditary. RELATED: Genetic Genealogy – Genealogists and Medical Family History How To Change Your Genetic Destiny Detecting a condition running down your family line is not a death sentence. You can make a few lifestyle adjustments and influence how the genes express themselves. Here's how: Genetic Counseling: Genetic counseling is recommended, especially when you detect a strong history of genetic conditions. The counselor will help you understand your risk and take you through the best decisions about your well-being and family. Healthy Living: Wise lifestyle choices such as managing stress, regular exercise, a balanced diet, and not smoking may mitigate any genetic risk. Regular Check-Ups: Regular check-ups and screenings can help detect any emerging condition early and make intervention most effective. Medication and Treatment: Medication may help manage genetic risk factors and protect you from recurring conditions. For example, health professionals have previously prescribed statins to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart complications. Your family health history should serve as a playbook from which to make wise lifestyle choices. Awareness and Self-Exams: Educating yourself about the symptoms of conditions in your family can help treat them effectively. Proactive Health Management: Openly communicate with your healthcare provider about discoveries in your research so they can figure out the best interventions. How To Build Your Family Health History The process involves creating a family tree and incorporating health records. Study the steps highlighted below and shed light on your family's status. Start with Yourself: Write your full name, crucial dates, and any medical conditions, major illnesses, or surgeries you've had. Add Your Parents: Ask about your parent's medical history, including any significant health events, chronic conditions, or surgeries. Be sure to note the ages of onset and any other relevant details. Add Siblings: Document any health issue your brothers and sisters may have experienced. Add Extended Family: Gather information from grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins about any major condition they may have had. Be sure to cover both your paternal and maternal sides. Considerations When Talking to Relatives About Family Health Personal health is a sensitive matter that requires empathy and respect. Therefore, you should incorporate the following tips to make the conversations productive and comfortable. Make the Perfect Timing: Find the best time and place for your relative to discuss health matters without stress or inconvenience. Be Empathetic: Be sensitive when approaching the matter and explain clearly your intentions and how the information can benefit current and future generations in your family. Create a Detailed Family Tree: Family tree charts and sheets are perfect visual aids that can make it easier for relatives to see the big picture and recount events. Ask Open-Ended Questions: Open-ended questions like "What health issues have you had over the years?" encourage more comprehensive responses than yes-or-no questions. Respect Privacy: Understand that relatives may not feel comfortable sharing personal information and find an alternative to build your wellness report. Consult a Genealogist: Expert genealogists help you structure your family tree and understand the familial connections. Besides, they have special access to medical databases and organizations that could provide in-depth insights about ancestral ailments and their trace to current generations. RELATED: Genealogy DNA Surprises: How to Deal with Unexpected Results Family Health Could Predict Your Longevity Your family health history will help you make informed choices and create a healthier legacy for future generations. With the help of a professional genealogist and your healthcare provider, you can detail every individual in your family tree and identify recurring health incidences. Grab the free consultation at RecordClick to express your concerns to our team of experts and embark on a journey to a healthier and happier future.   #### Family History Research “Across the Pond” I just love doing British Isles genealogy! In part because I have some English ancestors, and because and I also enjoy the challenge of tracking down records in “foreign” countries. The best part is I get to meet genealogists from the United Kingdom. English family history can be really fascinating, and in some cases can be traced as far back as the 11th century. This is thanks to William the Conqueror who wanted to shore up his kingdom by collecting taxes. He surveyed the land, the people and the property they owned. This survey created records of 13,418 settlements across England and became known as the Domesday Book. The content of the book is available at Open Domesday website. The book is stored at the National Archives at Kew in the London Borough of Richmond. The National Archives is really quite incredible. You can do nearly all of your British Isles family tree research at the Kew Archives. The Archives covers more than a thousand years of history for England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, and maintains over one million records in the form of files, documents, and images. Imagine trying to sort through more than 100 miles of records! Don’t worry about that though; the staff at the Archives is dedicated to assisting you with your search. The Archives also provides search help in a variety of forms including podcasts, tutorials, and guides. Can’t get to the National Archives for a family history search? Not so much of a problem. The Archives has in excess of 50,000 records available online, and their records are continually being digitized. They have so much information on their website that it can be confusing as where to start first. However, these two pages will put you on the right track. On their page for Catalogs and Online Records, there are links to online catalogs and to their partner websites. The Archives also has a Looking for a Person webpage that assists family historians in locating English ancestors. Besides the archives, a couple of the best websites for obtaining information and advice on British genealogy are the GENUKI and the BritishIslesGen websites. These sites host genealogical data and also support queries. The open access website FreeCEN is awesome as their volunteers transcribe and post the UK census records for the period of 1841 -1891. The free FamilySearch site also covers some British Isles records as well. If you need the help of professional genealogist to assist you with your British Isles research or an expert in conducting genealogy at Kew archives call Record Click. I am off for my morning cuppa, so cheerio! #### Family History Researcher Finds Ancestors of George Clooney Marriage Details Any family history researcher knows that this is the time of year when the bloom of love often turns into the flower of marriage. Ah, romance! This RecordClick genealogist enjoys working with marriage records and wedding write-ups in newspapers. Usually the marriage works out but, on the other hand, sometimes it doesn’t. The “sometimes it doesn’t” can add challenges for the family history researcher who is doing an ancestor search. Once more, this family history researcher is going to borrow actor George Clooney’s family. In my genealogical search, I have found that his grandparents, Andrew J. Clooney and Marie Frances Guilfoyle, married in about 1927. The ancestor search records show that their marriage didn’t last and each of them found a new partner. My genealogical research shows that some online Clooney family trees allude to a divorce in about 1940--but with no actual record. Enter: Religion. Family history researchers can find helpful details in church records Often, the family history researcher will focus on locating members of the family trees. And that is as it should be. However, on occasion, other things--such as religion--affected those family members. Religious rites and rituals influenced who they were and how they conducted their lives. And it helps to include this in family tree searches. The Clooneys and the Guilfoyles are an example. With so many types of blended marriages today, it is easy to forget that some families were (and still are) of one belief. This family history researcher has found that the Clooneys and the Guilfoyles were both of the Catholic faith. Here, the family history researcher will see that religion appears in a number of ways in the genealogical research. For the family history researcher, ancestors’ religious life may be evident in family tree members’ deaths.  The first clues may show up in the name of the cemetery where they are buried. In our genealogical search in Kentucky--Maysville, Kentucky in particular—the family history researcher will find over a dozen cemeteries, according to FindAGrave.  Some of these burial grounds are family, township or church cemeteries. The family history researcher will find that there is usually a clear relationship to family, place or religion at a cemetery. Here, in this genealogical search in Kentucky, this family history researcher has found that all but two of the cemeteries (Maysville and Saint Patrick’s) have less than 100 graves. Maysville Cemetery is the final resting place for over 6,500 souls and in Saint Patrick’s, consecrated ground for Catholics, over 1,100 have found their final peace. And what has this family history researcher found?  There is one Clooney buried in Maysville Cemetery. Most Clooneys and Guilfoyles – including Marie Frances Guilfoyle Clooney - followed their Catholic faith to Saint Patrick’s. Typically, to be buried in a Catholic Cemetery an individual needs to be in good standing with the Catholic Church and its tenets. One of the things the Catholic Church does not believe in is divorce –with no exceptions. According to the Catholic priest and author Joseph M. Champlin (1930-2008), marriages are for life and if the marriage doesn’t work, something was missing from its beginning. If reason can be found for a marriage to be irretrievably broken, couples may seek an annulment - a procedure that usually takes 12 to 18 months and involves fees. The final decision on an annulment is handed down by a Catholic Church tribunal. The family history researcher will probably recall that one of the best examples of annulment and its ramifications comes from Henry VIII of England. Born and raised a Catholic, Henry VIII started having lineage problems with his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, and wanted to divorce Catherine and marry Anne Boleyn. He petitioned Pope Clement VII to have the marriage annulled but issues came up in the process of dissolution. Henry thought he had scriptural reasons for the annulment, including the fact that his wife was the widow of his brother and the couple had not had sons. Genealogical researchers will find that Pope Clement disagreed. In the end, through a roundabout fashion, the marriage was annulled by the Archbishop of Canterbury leading to the protestant Church of England gaining prominence in the country. The process took over five years and this family history researcher finds that it hasn’t changed a lot in the last 500. So, let’s get back to our genealogical research in Maysville, Kentucky. There is a possibility that the marriage of Andrew J. and Marie Frances, both of whom were Catholic, was annulled. If that is the case, there would be no civil record. A family history researcher would then look at church records. They might be more helpful to the family history researcher in finding out what happened and when. Looking at Andrew, a 1950 Hamilton County, Ohio, marriage abstract states he was married twice previously. A genealogical researcher will conclude that this is not a positive sign of good standing with the Church. Marie Frances, however, was able to remain in good graces with the Catholic Church and be buried in St. Patrick’s Cemetery. Genealogists may find lots about ancestor marriages in church cemeteries. So, this family history researcher has been able to link marriage, death, religion and cemetery information all in one! Also to be considered by the family history researcher when dealing with a Catholic couple is what some call the “Catholic Divorce.” This is when a couple who no longer wants to be married, for whatever reason, separates and continues to live as single individuals. This could be considered in cases where there may have been a lack of funds to pay for an annulment. This may also be a possible angle for the family history researcher in cases when there is no documentary evidence that a civil or religious action was taken. Genealogists know that different religions have varied practices which affect vital records. The expert genealogists at RecordClick find answers, interpret information and organize your family history. We seek out records in usual and not-so-usual places and we make all types of genealogical search records useful and easy to understand for you. #### Family History Researcher, Don't Just Stay There, Find Something--like Land Records! Every genealogy researcher knows that internet genealogy can require some patience. There are things this RecordClick genealogist doesn’t expect to see online in my lifetime – like a small town newspaper that was only in existence for ten to fifteen years.  We family history researchers are still hoping for… Well, thank you Bureau of Land Management (BLM)! Here online, the BLM has recently added a number of land patent images for the plains states and images of the western states’ duplicate original survey plats. The survey plat states include California, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. The Government Land Office (GLO) – Eastern States Office is the home of the Secretary of Interior’s official copies of over nine million records. For any genealogy researcher, getting the images of the various original documents online is an ongoing project. What exactly does this mean? For the family history researcher whose ancestors homesteaded or purchased land from the federal government – from the east coast to the west coast – many records beginning in 1820 are online at the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Official Federal Land Records website. The types of land titles are: Cash Entry Homestead Military Warrants There are also images online related to survey plats and field notes. A genealogy researcher looking for land records, both metes and bounds and rectangular survey, should have some background knowledge of how the boundaries were delineated. This is where surveyors come in. The official record is a cadastral survey (a primary resource) and includes survey plats and field notes. The field notes are the narrative record of the project and include a list of individuals who participated in the work. The BLM-GLO website does a good job of explaining the surveying process for us family history researchers and genealogists. When first using the BLM-GLO web site, genealogy researchers should start by checking out the Research Center and resist the temptation to go straight to the document.  Family history researchers should learn a little about the history of public lands and the record keeping process. These search tips will maximize the amount of information that can be gleaned by the genealogy researcher from the available images. Then, check out the patents, survey plats and field notes. See who the neighbors were. Use the maps to locate the land in your ancestor search. Why should a family history researcher care about this BLM-GLO web site?  Because you, genealogy researcher, may have just added another chapter to your family history. The BLM-GLO website is not one this RecordClick genealogist visits daily.  I like to check it every couple of months to see what has been put online. I have been waiting for ten years for the major homesteading states to have their titles be digitized and put online. I knew of only two members in my ancestor search who homesteaded in Kansas.   But I was surprised when another name—that of my gg-grandmother Margaret-- came up in my genealogy research. Margaret did not have an easy life, according to my family history research, but she was one of the gutsiest ladies in my ancestor search. Born in 1826, and one of the oldest of a family with more than 12 children, she married young. She never learned to read and write, although I have seen a signature or two on a legal document. She had at least eight children and persevered when a husband and two sons participated in the Civil War. Surveys, deeds and documents related to land are helpful for genealogy researchers This family history researcher found that there were the moves - including one from New York State to a lackluster homestead in Nebraska in 1870. There was the separation from her husband, partially because of drinking issues, at about the same time the Nebraska homestead was proved up and sold. After the separation, she bought a small farm in Nebraska. That’s all that I knew. What had never become part of the family lore was that in 1887, at the age of 60, when many folks start thinking about slowing down, gg-grandmother Margaret took ownership of her own homestead in Kansas. Wow! Now that this genealogical researcher knows Margaret had a homestead in Kansas and where it was located, I want to get the courthouse deed records that verify when the land was purchased and sold.  Like most family history researchers, I want to add more to the family history. Land records are an excellent resource for the family history researcher.  Yet, working with land records gets complicated.  At RecordClick, our genealogy researchers will look for the deeds and documents for your family properties. We work with courthouse records and documents all the time. And we are happy build another story in the land of your family history search. #### Family History Researchers Leave No Stone Unturned With Cemetery Visits Any family history researcher in New Jersey and genealogist in New York, knows that 2013’s Hurricane Sandy blew through everything, including cemeteries. What a mess!  Yet, it is a familiar mess in burial grounds around the world. Family history researchers often find that the bad weather knocks down the memorials to our family tree members. Boom! Toppled tombstones, everywhere. Bad weather, over time, can be as damaging as a war to the world’s memorials—and memories. Thoughts about this are timely because coming up in June, the Association for Gravestone Studies will convene their annual conference in Indiana. They talk about this kind of family history research thing and study it. So, what does the genealogy researcher do when a tombstone is down or missing? First, let’s clarify. Sometimes a tombstone is missing because the family never put one there in the first place. At different times in economic history, families have had different levels of spending power.  There have always been mass graves for those who have died in pandemics and breakouts of illness, wars and other awfulness.  The poor have often been buried in Potter’s Fields with no individual markers.  During the great depression, many of the nation’s families didn’t put tombstones on graves due to financial hardship.  Has the same been happening with the downturn of 2008-2009? Next, a little tombstone history here: Family history researchers find ways to preserve the family's gravestones Early human graves were marked with piles of stones, or a cairn which is an above ground or in ground pile of stones to mark a burial site or important communal event.  Native Americans in the USA had cairns.  European cairns are found, also.  Around the world, graves were also marked with a single large rock.  Later on, as Christianity and other organized religions spread, religious symbols, such as a Celtic Cross in Ireland, marked burial sites. Sometimes the markers were forged in wood.  Most often, they were made of stone.  Lots of different types of stone--sandstone, earlier, and then other types of quarried stone.   As these stones crumbled, people began to use more durable rock for grave markers.  The shapes and sizes of grave markers became more varied. Originally grave markers had no words on them.  Yet, as the stones became more formal in size and shape, inscriptions carved into the rock became a way for the living to mark inspirations and remembrances of the dead. In the USA, slate was the go-to material for headstones for centuries. Then, sandstone and brownstone from east coast quarries became popular. From 1700s to early 1900s, the more durable marble and limestone were used, particularly by the wealthy.  As the inscriptions faded from sandstone and limestone and marble, so did the use of those materials. By the mid-1800s, granite became the solid favorite for tombstones.  To date, granite is still popular for both headstones and footstones. So, as these (hopefully) permanent markers in our genealogy searches show wear and tear from age and weather, how does the family history researcher go about making sure your ancestor search members’ markers are well preserved? Begin with the cemetery office staff.  They will be most helpful in aiding the genealogy researcher to figure out how to right the non-upright if you, family history researcher, find a gravestone toppled or something amiss at a gravesite. When going to a cemetery to do genealogy searches, be prepared: Bring pencil and paper. Have money for a fee or a tip. Bring your known family cemetery plot numbers and lots. Be open to finding new names buried nearby and possible additions to your family tree. Be ready to discuss and possibly subscribe to “perpetual care”. Be kind to all potential helpers (always). Once a family history researcher finds the gravestone of interest in your ancestor search, preserve the information on the tombstone. Many a family history researcher will photograph it, take paper and rub it with graphite, study it and make notes on all the important genealogy search information. Look around to see if there are names on nearby tombstones that are similar to those in your genealogy searches. Luckily, I did that in a genealogy search in New York. I found a long lost relative's gravestone, right near one of our known ancestor's burial place. And, there on the found gravestone: an intact picture of our relative from 1912! That is gold for the family history researcher! The professional genealogists at RecordClick will do ancestor searches that find gold for you.  We will put the pieces together and find the graves of your relatives and more. Call us to begin, reinvigorate and complete your family history research. RecordClick goes anywhere in the world. #### Family History Researchers, Do the Kardashians Really Rule? Meet the Medicis, the Italian Family That Built the Wedding Location! This family history researcher wants to be at Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s wedding at Forte di Belvedere in Florence, Italy . Yup. That’s where I want to be this coming weekend.  I want an aisle seat so I can be with Kimye (as they are called) overlooking the Arno River, as they add to their family tree. Historic. Gorgeous.  Ancestor search galore! OK.  So Kim K didn't invite me and neither did her mother. This genealogist in New Jersey says "fuggedaboutit." Just because I wasn’t invited doesn’t mean I can’t do family history research in Italy. I will do my genealogical search and know everything about the family who built the darn fortress where the Kardashians will be having the wedding.  So there. Much like how the Kardashian family today rules the news, the Medicis were front and center in Florence.  They were the family that ruled the universe in Italy. Ya hear me, Kim and Kanye.  I’ll be with you in spirit. But I’m focusing on the real genealogical search gold. This family history researcher in New Jersey says to check out da place: Built in 1590-95 by Gran Duke Ferdinando I de’ Medici, it was built on the south side of the Arno River. He built it to protect the center of government in Florence, the Pitti Palace and the south end of the city. This Renaissance fortress also showed everyone the power of the Medici family.  It is said to have held the family treasury and to have provided a shelter for the Grand Duke in case of emergencies. There are secret passageways to the Pitti Palace through the Boboli Gardens and there is a connection to the Palazzo Vecchio with the Vasari Corridor.  (Maybe Kim and Kanye will escape into their limousine this way?) The full name of the castle is the Fortezza di Santa Maria in San Giorgio del Belvedere, but it is more commonly known as Forte Belvedere. Now all of you genealogy researchers, we’re going to peek into, as a family history researcher in New Jersey might say, the noblest family in that region of Italy.  It is some family tree and you don’t have to do a faraway ancestor search.  Those Medicis all stayed pretty close to home for most of what we see in an ancestor search. A few moved to France or England.  And a genealogical search in Italy shows a few ended up in Rome…  Well, that isn’t so far away… Now this family history researcher will let you meet the family.  May we present:  The Medicis. They began in the 12th century and weren’t rich.  Yet, for more than two centuries, they ruled Tuscany. By the 13th century, they had become successful as bankers.  Genealogical research shows that the  Medicis helped a friend get the Pope job and were rewarded with business for their bank. At the end of the 13th century, one of the Medicis served as Gonfaliere of Florence, a high political office. By the 14th century, the wealth and political influence of the family had grown more.  Salvestro de’Medici led a revolt of the common people.  After that, he took over as ruler in Florence but became a dictator.  The genealogical research shows that he didn’t do so well for his family.  He was banished from Florence in 1382.  A genealogical search in Italy will show the decline of the family fortune at this time until Giovanni di Bicci de’Medici restored things and increased the family’s fortune so that they became the wealthiest family in Italy--some say in all of Europe. He was another Medici who was made Gonfaliere.  This was in 1421. Giovanni’s son Cosimo (il Vecchio, or the first) was the family all-star.  Cosimo was in, then out, then in again as he struggled politically with another Florentine power-family, the Albizzis. This family history researcher has found that upon winning, Cosimo il Vecchio became a life-long ruler who helped Florence prosper. Cosimo  il Vecchio was a culture vulture. Though he lived simply, he amassed a huge library and supported the arts. An ancestor search shows that through him and his son Piero, and his grandsons Lorenzo and Guiliano, the Medicis continued to maintain Florence as the cultural center of Europe.  They supported many artists including Brunelleschi, Donatello, Fra Angelico and more. The latter Medicis, the grandsons, were tyrant rulers but continued to support the arts. When the French invaded Tuscany, the French drove out the Medicis.  But, the House of Medici was welcomed back and restored when the Spanish invaded.  There were many additional Medicis who ruled Florence, some given titles of Prince, Duke and Grand Duke.   One family member became Pope Leo X and another became Pope Clement VII.  The family tree shows dotted lines indicating that there were even some illegitimate sons who got in on the ruling business. Though not heirs to the House of Medici, the Medici daughters did well for the family in the prestige department. Catherine de’ Medici, married Henry II and became Queen of France.  Maria de’Medici married French King Henry IV and had daughters who became a Queen of Spain and a Queen of England. One of the Medicis, another Cosimo, built a new office building to house the government administration.  The name of that building:  the Uffizi, which is now the well-known art museum.  The Medicis bought the Pitti Palace and handed it down to others in their family tree. Sound like a ruling family?  Well, by the late 1600s, family history research shows that after Ferdinand II, another Medici descendant, the economy in Florence slowed.  By 1737, Austrian troops occupied Tuscany and Gian-Gastone de’Medici, who had no male heir, became the last descendant of the Medici family to head the House of Medici.   The reign was over. So, family history researcher, do you think the Kardashians will continue to rule the tabloids, the way the Medicis ruled Florence? Well, renting the the Fortezza di Santa Maria in San Giorgio del Belvedere for a reported $410,000 might make them feel like the Medici family for a long weekend.  Let’s see what happens afterwards… Want to find the fortress in your family? RecordClick genealogists will research the house of Abramowitz, Johnson, O’Malley or whatever your family name is. Our family history researchers will search for the rulers in your family history and even the regular relatives. #### Family Reunions and Genealogy: How To Leverage Family Gatherings Combining family reunions and genealogy makes the get-togethers a cheerful and long-lasting repository of memories. The merry-making among the cousins and grandparents can become a rich and rare tapestry of genealogical information. But how do you bring the idea of genealogy to the reunions when there's so much to talk about already? Keep calm; this guide has everything covered and well-laid out for you to implement and turn a simple gathering event into a heartfelt celebration of your heritage. Key Takeaways Family gatherings are a rare opportunity to access records, build networks, listen to oral history, and learn about your cultural heritage. The most important part is to plan accordingly and set clear research objectives that every relative can appreciate. RecordClick will help you uncover your roots, hire an expert genealogist, and access free consultation on any genealogy-related question. RELATED: How To Conduct A Successful Family Tree Research Reasons To Incorporate Genealogy in Family Reunions Family Tree Art Family reunions are a perfect opportunity to connect with relatives you rarely meet. As a result, you can access different sets of documents, stories, and memories that could be insightful for your genealogy research. Here are the benefits you will likely reap from integrating family reunions and genealogy. Access to Records: Most relatives in the gathering may carry documents, diaries, letters, and photos to reunions. These items can help you establish exact locations, dates, or names crucial for your ancestry research. Cultural Heritage: A family gathering is the best place to understand diverse cultural origins. The information you gather can help you reconstruct your ancestor's lives and diversity. Oral History: Elders in the gathering can share oral tales that may not be documented about your ancestors. They can describe the migration patterns used by your ancestors, their traditions, and the consequent relationships. Network Building: Relatives in the reunions can offer insights on other branches of your tree that are less explored. Emotional Connection: Interacting with different relatives and listening to their part of the story can provide a more profound sense of identity and belonging. Multiple Perspectives: Family reunions allow you to listen to the same story from different perspectives, enriching your genealogy research. How To Prepare for A Genealogical Family Reunion Gather Relevant Information Like every genealogical endeavor, you must have clear research objectives that every relative can appreciate. Are you looking for documents and details about a particular ancestor, or want to expand your family tree? Once you have a clear objective, you can prepare for the reunion in the following ways; Study Your Family Tree: Know which parts of your tree are missing, including names and dates, so you can formulate specific questions for relatives. Gather Necessary Equipment: Assemble research tools such as a laptop, digital recorder, and notebook for data collection and documentation. Set a Questionnaire: Formulate direct questions for different relatives and ensure they're likely to elicit detailed responses. Here is an example of questions you may ask. Do you know anything about your ancestors' full names, birthdates, or birthplaces? Do you keep crucial documents such as family bibles, diaries, or letters? Do you recall any tales or legendary moments related to our ancestors? Did any of our ancestors serve in the military? Do you know any cemeteries, burial sites, and memorial plaques touching on this family? RELATED: Genealogy DNA Surprises: How To Deal With Unexpected Results Genealogical Activities to Incorporate into Your Family Gathering Activities Make Family Reunions Fun The best way to enhance family reunions and genealogy is to incorporate activities that do not overshadow the gathering but add taste. Therefore, your chosen activities should be educational, entertaining, and adventurous. Some of these activities may include: Family Tree Sheets: Provide interested members with blank sheets and let them create a family tree starting with themselves. Genealogy Quiz: Create a quiz on your family lines, traditions, and history to test your relatives’ understanding of their ancestry. Photo Identification: Choose one corner of the event as the "mystery photo" section and challenge relatives to identify people, dates, or events in old photos. Storytelling Circle: Gather relatives in a circle and let them take turns telling their favorite anecdotes using props and photos to keep it lively. Genealogy Scavenger Hunt: Offer clues about your family to help participants discover a hidden location, artifact, or legend. Enhance Display: Set up an area for all your genealogy research resources. Keep the documents, heirlooms, and photographs clearly labeled on the contexts and timeline. How To Form a Genealogy Network in Family Reunions Ask for Old Photos Incorporating genealogy into the reunion will likely attract other interested relatives, and you must know how to keep the fire burning. Networking strategies like storytelling, more regular meetings, and online chats can significantly entrench genealogy among relatives. Here are key strategies you can apply to form a network of like-minded genealogy researchers in the reunion. Genealogy Corner: The genealogy corner should be the setup for your storytelling circle, where interested relatives gather and perform genealogy activities. To make it a culture, always plan in advance about the books, resources, photographs, and quizzes at the corner in every reunion. Create a Social Media Group: Connect with your relatives on platforms like Telegram and WhatsApp where you can frequently discuss future plans and share stories and discoveries. Online connection means you can keep networking on ancestry research without waiting for the next reunion. Create A Newsletter: A newsletter would be handy, especially for relatives not in the digital space. Collaborate: Formulate genealogy-focused projects that require relatives to work together. For example, you can ask relatives to transcribe documents or old letters jointly. Working together for a shared goal fosters a sense of teamwork while enhancing bonds. How To Leverage Genealogy Information After Family Reunions Family Tree After the fruitful gatherings, you need to turn the insights and connections into solid blocks of your family heritage. Below is a step-by-step guide on crucial steps to make the best of it. Organize: Document and keep every piece of information you collect during the reunion neat, and ensure you clearly label the physical and digital files. Identify Gaps: Identify any missing information so far and formulate research objectives to close the gap. Update Family Tree: Keep the family tree updated, ensuring that you add the discovered dates or names and expand the branches as you discover distant cousins or new ancestors. Scrutinize Data: Compare the newly acquired information to check for discrepancies or inconsistencies. The details you have gathered should help you confirm facts or identify areas that need further research. Visit Libraries and Archives: Information obtained at the gathering could lead you to a local archive, genealogical society, or online databases and websites. Document Sources: It's imperative to record every source you use to help future researchers verify and trace the history. DNA Testing: DNA testing for genealogy has proved vital in discovering your roots and close matches. Platforms like Ancestry and 23andMe will break down the results and find close matches in their vast databases. RELATED: How To Start Your Genealogy Research From Scratch Harness The Power of Family Reunions With the proper enthusiasm and preparation, you can make the upcoming family reunion a fun-filled celebration of your genealogy. Remember that you don't have to do it alone. Grab the free consultation offer at RecordClick and pose any genealogy-related question to our team of expert genealogists. Contact us today and realize how combining family reunions and genealogy can be a rewarding and unforgettable experience.       #### Family Tree DNA - Discover the Heartwood of Your Ancestry When you envision your family tree, what do you see? The majority of you probably see a strong hardwood column that reaches to the sky, and whose limbs spread in all directions. You see leaves, twigs, trunk, and bark. Supported on the branches you'll find your ancestors, along with names, faces, and dates, telling you from whence you came. But instead of just seeing your family tree from the outside only, Record Click welcomes you to start looking at the inside of your family tree. Look inside to see the sap that runs through its veins, the xylem, the cambium, the phloem, and finally its heartwood. Don't forget the roots. This inner vision of your family tree gives you a more realistic and holistic view of your ancestry. Since we are not capable of X-ray vision, the best way to understand the insides of our family tree is through the science of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), which has been around since the mid-1800s when Gregor Johann Mendel, an Austrian monk, experimented with pea pods. At the same time, Charles Darwin was embarking on his journey aboard the Beagle to develop his theory of heredity. Neither of them knew anything about DNA, let alone genetic ancestry. For more information on Mendel and Darwin, see Record Click's blog "Population Genetics – Evolution, Natural Selection, and Genetics Come Full Circle." There have been a number of DNA milestones since Mendel and Darwin paved the way for hundreds of scientists around the world to embark on their own journeys to discover the secrets of DNA. Thomas Hunt Morgan published his Chromosome Theory of Inheritance in 1915. The term "DNA" first came into use in 1944. The molecular structure of DNA, also known as the double helix or DNA helix, was discovered by James Watson and Francis Crick in 1953. The world of DNA profiling - also known as DNA testing, DNA typing, or DNA fingerprinting - was ushered in by British geneticist Sir Alec Jeffreys in the 1980s. Forensic scientists began to use DNA profiling for identification purposes, especially in the area of law enforcement. From murder cases to paternity and immigration cases, DNA testing is also used to discover hereditary diseases, and is considered a main tool used in forensic genealogy. The Human Genome Project (HGP) ran between 1990 and 2003, and has fueled an interest in genealogy DNA testing for family tree researchers who want to take a deeper dive into their ancestry. The primary goal of the HGP was to determine the sequence of chemical base pairs that make up DNA - in other words, to understand the genetic makeup of the human species. Which brings us back to your family tree. Just as you need to know the botanical parts to identify a tree, you need to know the basic facts of DNA to understand your family tree. In addition to the trunk and crown, you now have additional parts of your tree that are important to study and discover. Thanks to the advances in family tree DNA, you can find the answers to complex genealogy questions; trace your ancestry on your direct paternal line (Y-DNA); trace your ancestry maternal line (mitochondrial or mtDNA); search for relative connections along any branch of your family tree (autosomal or auDNA testing); reveal the ethnic proportions of your ancestry; discover the history of your ancient human migration; help determine your ancestral homeland; discover your living relatives; and confirm your existing research. Whether you are hoping to solve a complex genealogical problem or a family mystery, if you have questions about an adoption, or are just curious to know the ancestry and ethnicity of your family, there’s a good chance that family tree DNA will answer those questions. Contact Record Click today to help you discover the DNA of your family tree www.recordclick.com. #### Family Trees From Simple to Beautiful Display the Work of the Genealogist Yes, genealogists are the family history researchers. We ask. We find. We collect as many dead and living relatives as possible. Then, the genealogist--and often the artist--makes a chart of the findings. The family tree sometimes begins as notes on the back of a napkin during the meeting of a long lost cousin. When finished, the genealogical research may be a wonderfully complex chart of hundreds of names. Once upon a time, there may have been a few cave family charts on cave walls. But for now, we'll stick to more modern times. Many a genealogist did research charts manually with pen and paper. Sometimes they got fancy and inked with color. Sometimes they were even better and painted with gold. Today, we create family tree charts on computer templates. Family history researchers will often also have artists create beautiful versions. However you do it, the family tree is a literal depiction of years of family history researcher findings. Family tree charts are the gift that keeps on giving--from the genealogist who cares beyond words. Family trees are the regular family history researcher chartings. Pedigree charts are for those with impressive lines. In the Middle Ages, pedigree charts were used to track inherited titles and land grants. The word pedigree comes from Middle French, pe de grue, which means foot of crane, and is a fanciful way of describing the appearance of the genealogical chart, according to Merriam Webster. Whichever way the genealogy researcher does it, the family tree chart is a work of genealogical science—and art. The chart can be fabulous document: gilded, colorful, swirly. The family tree can be a simple chart. In a book published this year, The Book of Trees, visual data expert Manuel Lima presents a history of tree diagrams as a way to depict information. Author Lima, an international award-winning designer, researcher, teacher, and founder of VisualComplexity.com, came to international stardom with his first book published in 2011, Visual Complexity. Lima’s first book combines a history of how information has been visualized with an update on the way today’s information is presented visually. With the The Book of Trees, Lima looks at more than eight hundred years of tree diagrams. He has 200 illustrations of different ways tree diagrams have been used. Genealogists will be fascinated with his discussions of every type of tree--from those done in ancient Mesopotamia to the elegant monk scribes’ works from medieval monasteries. He includes many examples of the type of trees that today's genealogists know so well:  the computerized tree template. But watch out! This book shows computer versions a family history researcher has never imagined before! For genealogists, Lima’s stylized computer trees, from basic to ones created with advanced computer-generated algorithms, provide new ideas for presentation of your genealogy research. His list of trees in the book includes: Genealogists will find an amazing set of ideas in this book that looks at 800 years of tree charts. Figurative Trees Vertical Trees Horizontal Trees Multidirectional Trees Radial Trees Hyperbolic Trees Rectangular Treemaps Voronoi Treemaps Circular Treemaps Sunbursts Icicle Trees Your genealogy, too, can be depicted beautifully. Today, family history researchers still have artists take all of the genealogy research done over many years and have it set it in a beautiful, artistic tree. It can be a fancy tree, a computer-generated work of art or one hand made just for you and your relatives. It will be far different from that back of that diner napkin on which you began, with long-lost cousin Joe, to figure out just how you two are related. At RecordClick, our professional genealogists will research your pedigree and find the many branches in your family tree.  And then, we can do beautiful depictions of your genealogy for you and your extended family. #### Famous Adoptees include President Gerald Ford and Nancy Davis Reagan, Though Genealogy Records Vary When looking for genealogy services, you'll find a number of hot topics--including DNA and adoption. In both areas, as with many ancestry searches and genealogical research projects, privacy is one of the most primary concerns. This RecordClick genealogist understands the need for handling sensitive issues with care. Yet, sometimes we need to know more. A good number of adoptees would like to access their records if for no other reason than to obtain information on medical history.  For those who might decide to use genealogy services for such a search and to understand how things are now, it helps to take a look how we got here.  As emotional as the issue of adoption may be now, it wasn’t always so. Adoption stories and information, including legal notices, used to appear in newspapers regularly. Adoption wasn’t even an option in the United States until 1851. “The Adoption History Project” on the University of Oregon website discusses a number of issues pertaining to the practice and includes one of this genealogist’s favorite aides – a timeline. Dates of note in the history of adoption in the U.S: 1851 – Massachusetts passed the first modern adoption law based on child welfare. 1854 – The New York Children’s Aid Society launched the orphan trains. 1910-1930 – The first specialized adoption agencies were founded. 1917 – The Minnesota adoption law was revised to mandate confidential records and, between the world wars, many states followed suit. 1998 – Oregon voters passed Ballot Measure 58 allowing adult adoptees access to original birth certificates. The welfare of children whose parents have died or are incapable of caring for them has been an ongoing concern in many countries. Even with the noblest of intentions, the family members and institutions that tried to serve these children came up short. Sometimes, family members, as well as the overcrowded and under staffed orphanages, were unable to give these children the attention they needed. Many of these children, robbed of their childhoods, were left to work in jobs unsuitable even for adults. When these children lived in large cities, life could be very difficult and they often ended up living in the streets. Massachusetts and New York were among the most progressive states in seeking ways to deal with the situation of these children. In 1854, the New York Children’s Aid Society started orphan trains, taking local city children in need of homes and relocating them to more rural areas. The program lasted into the 1900s and touched the lives of over 200,000 youngsters. In 1868, the Massachusetts Board of State Charities began paying families to board children in private homes. For the family history researcher using census records, a child in a home listed as a border rather than a family member may well have been an orphan or a child whose family members could not care for him or her. While there were formal adoptions in the U.S. before 1900, they were a rare occurrence. Most families could not afford or did not want to pay the legal fees in formalizing the process. In the early 1900s, legal notices in newspapers were considered part of this formal adoption process. In the U.S., when searching for genealogy services, your professional genealogist will know that that the adoption laws vary from state to state. For example, this professional genealogist lives in Nebraska and in Nebraska, if there is a published legal notice, that case becomes open to the public. How families handled adoptions may be of interest to those seeking professional genealogy services. For both President Gerald Ford and First Lady Nancy Reagan, their parents divorced when each was a small child. Both of their mothers were awarded custody of the children and both of their mothers remarried. FAMILY HANDLES THE ADOPTION OF PRESIDENT FORD  President Ford was born Leslie Lynch King Jr. in Omaha, Nebraska. His parents separated shortly after his birth in 1913. His mother, Dorothy Ayer Gardner, made her way back home to Michigan. She married Gerald R. Ford Sr. in 1916. The future president was renamed Gerald R. Ford Jr. No legal action was taken until 1935 and he was never formally adopted. The family is listed in the 1920 U.S. Census in Grand Rapids, MI. FIRST LADY NANCY REAGAN AS AN ADOPTEE First Lady Nancy Reagan was born Anne Francis Robbins in New York City in 1921. Her parents divorced in 1928 and her mother, Edith Prescott Luckett, married Loyal Davis in 1929. The family then relocated to Chicago. Nancy was adopted by Davis in 1935. The record of the family is in the 1930 U.S. Census in Chicago.  Every household is unique and when seeking professional genealogy services, one needs to stay aware of this. Some people more than others are more open to sharing information. Both President Ford and Nancy Reagan knew their biological fathers even though their adopted fathers were considered their family members. As adoptees become more active in knowing their genealogy, they sometimes find that the state laws have, from time to time, changed. For those interested in searching for their personal genealogy, the professional genealogy services company you hire will most certainly look into some of these resources including the Child Welfare Information Gateway, The Adoption History Project, and the National Orphan Train Complex. The professional genealogists at RecordClick are among the best to cull information for adoptees and families. #### Favorite Websites for Pennsylvania Genealogical Research Online resources are a must for genealogical researchers. This RecordClick genealogist has seen – and made – a good many “favorite” online genealogy lists. Usually at the top are FamilySearch and Ancestry however, their offerings, as vast as they are, may not have the desired information - and then a wall goes up. Researching online in the State of Pennsylvania is a good example. The largest online databases for Pennsylvania on FamilySearch include: County Marriages, 1885-1950 Philadelphia births, deaths, and marriages Philadelphia Passenger List Index Cards, 1883-1948 Pennsylvania, Eastern District Petitions for Naturalizations, 1795-1931, browse images Pennsylvania, Probate Records, 1683-1994, browse images There are some indexes for browsing images, but not for all volumes, and posting images is a work in progress. The Family History Library has a number of books and microfilms pertaining to Pennsylvania genealogy. Check the online catalog. Ancestry.com offerings include: Pennsylvania, Church and Town Records, 1708-1985 Pennsylvania, Tax and Exoneration, 1768-1811 Pennsylvania Founding Families, 1681-1911 These data bases are limited in their scope and the Church and Town Records, 1708-1985, while large, are not complete. My favorite online Pennsylvania resources include: Any U.S. Census records FindAGrave Online Searchable Death Indexes and Records U.S. GenWeb Project But wait, as the television ad might say, there's more. Pennsylvania family historians have a number of Keystone State genealogy resources to enhance the search. The five most encompassing are: Historical Society of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania State Archives ARIAS (Archives Records Information Access System) Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Department of Health The Historical Society of Pennsylvania has in their collection many family papers including diaries, journals, and family trees. It is a major repository of information relating to the Pennsylvania founding families of Penn, Logan, Norris, Pemberton, Drinker, Shippen, Cadwalader, Chew, Biddle, and Powel. There are also tax records, church records (a number of which are online through a partnership with Ancestry), death and burial records, and newspapers. A digital history project has a number of documents of historical interest that have also been transcribed. Check out the online catalog. The Pennsylvania State Archives is the best place to find where the various governmental records are held. There is an area explaining the various repositories for genealogists and community historians. As a rule of thumb, local records are kept at the local level. The state archives focuses on the records of the state government, although it does hold collections of private citizens and organizations relevant to Pennsylvania history, as well as microfilmed copies of many county records and some municipal records. A number of early land records have been digitized and are online. Other holdings include: coal mining records, prison records, railroad records for both the Pennsylvania Railroad and Penn Central Railroad. This includes genealogical information about individual railroad employees. Archives Records Information Access System (ARIAS) is Pennsylvania’s Digital State Archives. It is a part of the State Archives and a good place for the family genealogist to search out military records. Databases available online include: Pennsylvania National Guard Veteran’s Card File, 1867-1921 Civil War Veterans’ Card File Revolutionary War Military Abstract Card File World War I Service Medal Application Cards Spanish American War Veterans’ Card File of United States Volunteers Mexican Border Campaign Veterans’ Card File Militia Officers Index Cards 1775-1800 In addition to these online records, others are in the process of being digitized. The Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania website works on two different levels - state and local. The first is the state level. It contains statewide information and links. It is also the home of the Ruth Bitting Hamm Digital Library. Their digital databases include church record indexes and transcriptions from Berks, Carbon, Lebanon, Philadelphia, Schuylkill, and Snyder Counties. It also houses Pennsylvania County Repository Guides, court records from Philadelphia County including “Indigents, Miscreants, Madams and Madmen,” funeral home records and indexes from Philadelphia County, marriage indexes and licenses from Bucks, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lebanon, Lehigh, Luzerne, Northampton, and Philadelphia Counties, and a number of newspaper indexes and transcription. A membership in the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania is required to access many of the databases on the site. The second level is more local. The society has divided the state into six sections. Each section lists the counties in that section complete with a map showing the townships in each county. Societies in each section and their resources are listed, as well. Information on repositories is included. Additionally, there are a number of databases. Pennsylvania Department of Health is the repository for birth and death records. Indexes for birth certificates, 1906-1907, and death certificates, 1906-1962, are available online, but the site is not necessarily user friendly. The easiest way to access the index may be through the Pennsylvania State Archives website. The index page has the heading "Act 110 – Public Records." The database is a PDF file of a computer printout. There is no search engine. If the year of death is not known, the search has to be made year by year. Doing genealogical research in Pennsylvania can be a tad complicated and daunting. The expert genealogists at RecordClick can help. We are knowledgeable about the state, where records are located and how to access them. Genealogy researchers can help you organize your ancestor search information or prepare a special family history. #### Find a Genuine Genealogist for Accurate Ancestry Finding a genuine genealogist for accurate family history research requires stringent considerations and a clear understanding of where to look. With the surge of online sites and individuals emerging as family history researchers, it has become imperative to understand the checkmarks of a genuine expert who can meticulously weave together the threads of your ancestry. Read on to discover the characteristics that define a bona fide genealogist and the crucial steps you must take to uncover your ancestry with unwavering authenticity. Key Takeaways A genuine genealogist is trained and experienced while amateur researchers conduct family research as a hobby. DIY genealogy may seem enticing, but you will likely fall prey to the Illusion of Ancestry Research, Research Complexity and difficulty Solving the Puzzle. Grab the free consultation opportunity at RecordClick and embark on this captivating journey with a reliable genealogy expert. What Defines a Genuine Genealogist? RecordClick A genuine genealogist is trained and experienced in ancestral lineage and history. However, amateur researchers conduct family research as a hobby. Here's a sneak peek into what sets expert researchers apart from amateur researchers Education Background: expert researchers have honed their skills through extensive education and acquired several formal degrees and certifications in the field. Expert Methodologies: Professional genealogists follow a systematic research methodology to gather, verify, and cross-reference ancestry data. Specializations: An expert will have specific regions, such as Irish genealogy, German genealogy, or periods they specialize in. This helps them gather the relevant records and better understand the relevant nuances. Access to Resources: A genuine family history researcher has access to vast historical databases, archives, resources, and networks that an amateur may struggle to get. Ethical Standards: A professional is guided by strict ethical guidelines prioritizing integrity, accuracy, and privacy. RELATED: Reliability of Famous Kin’s Work Qualifications and Expertise to Look for In a Professional Genealogist Record Click Genealogy Besides the factors highlighted above, other qualifications to check include the following; Accreditation: Your choice should have relevant credentials, including certification from reputable organizations like the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists (ICAPGen) or the Board for Certifications of Genealogists (BCG). Experience: A genuine researcher must show a positive track record of research projects that qualify them to handle complex assignments. Sample Work: Ask them to supply sample research findings and case studies that portray their research skills and data presentation. Reviews and Testimonials: Search testimonials and reviews about the genealogist to gauge their effectiveness and professionalism. Finding a genealogist who ticks all these boxes allows you to confidently embark on your genealogy journey, waiting to unveil your heritage. Advantages Of Hiring an Expert to Unlock Your Ancestral Legacy Record Click Genuine Genealogy Consulting professionals helps easily overcome the numerous challenges of the research process. Here are the benefits you enjoy when you yearn for a genuine genealogist Professional Advantage: When you hire an expert genealogist, you leverage their expertise, specializations, systematic methodologies, and access to exclusive resources. Besides, an expert unearths hidden gems that help fill missing pieces and paint a vivid portrait of your family tree. Time-Effectiveness: Above all, an expert focuses solely on your genealogy which is a great deal in streamlining the process and saving time. Identity and Belonging: Genealogy helps discover your family history, values, inherited traits, cultural traditions, and a connection to your past and present. Healing and Closure: If you're searching for answers to unresolved family mysteries or locate heirs and beneficiaries of an estate, authentic family history information provides healing and closure. Preserving Legacy: A well-researched and presented ancestry research can be easily preserved for future generations. Cultural and Historical Understanding: When you get accurate genealogy research from a genuine genealogist, you enrich your understanding of your historical and cultural context. This way, you appreciate the society in which your ancestors lived. Strengthening Bonds: Family research findings unveil shared familial connections, which result in strong family bonds. DIY genealogy may seem enticing, but you will likely encounter the following hurdles. The Illusion of Ancestry Research The internet is flocked with information, making amateurs believe they can conduct in-depth research independently. However, much of the data readily available online may be misleading and erroneous. Research Complexity Research on your ancestry takes time and requires extra focus when examining historical records, deciphering and cross-referencing complex data. A researcher can only guarantee authentic findings with the proper education, experience, and certification. Solving the Puzzle Genealogy is twisty. DIY genealogists may misinterpret information and miss critical links resulting in incomplete or inaccurate family trees. RELATED: Is It Worth Doing The 23andMe Or Ancestry Test? Considerations When Hiring a Genealogist RecordClick Before you hire a family history researcher, be sure they match all your preferences. Here are the considerations you should make; Expertise and Specializations: Check whether your ancestry research requires a genealogist with expertise in specific geographic regions or periods. Research strategy: Inquire about their methodology, sources, and data presentation to see if it will fit your intention and help you grasp your family narrative. Most importantly, you can review work samples to gauge the researcher's professionalism and quality of work. Cost: Knowing the costs associated with working with the genealogist helps you plan your budgets accordingly. Therefore, it's imperative to clarify the fees and payment terms upfront. Adherence to Ethical Guidelines: Accurate ancestry results emanate only from strict adherence to ethical standards that requires genuine players to avoid presenting misleading or unverified information. Privacy, consent, and confidentiality are crucial to ensure your data and genealogy remain safe. Where To Find Genuine Genealogists and Accurate Family History Hire A Genealogist at RecordClick Fortunately, you have reputable directories, organizations, and online platforms to seek genealogical services and discover your ancestry. Organizations like BCG and ICAPGen list accredited genealogists, most specializing in geographic and specific periods. Conferences and seminars, both virtual and in-person, also provide an excellent opportunity to network and find accredited professionals. You can hire a genuine genealogist at RecordClick for professional genealogy research that meets stringent standards of competence and ethics. Success Genealogy Tales at RecordClick RecordClick Professional genealogists at RecordClick have succeeded in unearthing complex mysteries and providing accurate ancestry results. Most of these successes are detailed to prove the experts' understanding of the intrigues, fun, and surprises in the process. Our RecordClick genealogist Joan Shurtliff found that the land of New Salem, Illinois is a place recreated to tell the Lincoln story. Joan shows how visiting the places of our ancestors' lives helps you gain an understanding of who they were and what influenced them. Our other professional genealogist, Megan, has found some answers in the local Brooklyn newspaper depicting a clear example of how readily available resources can help us connect ancestry dots. This expert has found that Jane O'Meara Sanders (b. Mary Jane O'Meara, October 8, 1950), wife of Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, is an excellent example of someone whose family history details are helped by historic local newspapers. Another gifted and accredited family historian, Kim, shows the importance of every genealogist, remembering that there are various methods for calculating time around the globe. Kim visits the case of Kirk Douglas, showing how the Hebrew calendar adds information to the dates of his life.  She notes that part of being a reliable genealogist is placing our ancestors in the correct time and place– no matter which calendar is used. RELATED: Cultural Ethnicity Calculator Only A Genuine Genealogist Can Guarantee Accuracy Accuracy is paramount, especially when pursuing your family's history, and that's why you must find a professional genealogist. The specialized knowledge, meticulous research, and ethical conduct of genuine genealogists breathe life into your ancestral roots, fostering a profound connection. Grab the free consultation opportunity at RecordClick and embark on this captivating journey. #### Find A Will: Everything You Need to Know and Do If you want to find the Will of a loved one or any other person, the process is clear as long as such a document exists. You can only determine the potential beneficiaries, the extent of the estate, and the designated executor when you find a Will. While accessing a will has proven easy in recent years, some cases may be complicated and require the hand of probate attorneys. But before you even approach an attorney, below are a few tricks that you can try to find the estate planning document. Key Takeaways Wills are public records, and locating one from the office of the County Clerk is simple if it has been lodged with the court. Some of the steps to DIY include searching the decedent's home, asking family members, or asking their attorney. You can also check public records or online databases for copies of the Will. How to Find a Will Yourself Below are some of the easiest steps to find a Will. Search Their Home Start with finding the Will physically in places you think the testator could have it hidden. While the high chances are in places hidden from plain sight, such as safes, you should not ignore the more obvious areas. Check the Bank's Safety Deposit Box It is common practice for people to leave their wills in safety deposit boxes, making access challenging. However, if the decedent had previously granted you access or you're a joint account holder, it would be easy to open the safe. If you don't have access but have the right to, probate attorneys can help you with the access through a court order application. Ask Family and Friends Other relatives and close family members of the decedent can come in handy when you want to find a Will. Even if they may not know the exact location of this crucial document, they may provide clues that could lead you to the Will or its content. Consult Their Attorney Estate planning attorneys have been the go-to people for cases involving the Will or inheritance. However, with the rise in eWills and estate planning software, an attorney may know nothing about it. Still, speaking with the decedent's estate planning attorney would help establish whether they left a Will. These are only some of the options to find a Will. So, if you try all to no avail, it may be time to consult a probate attorney. However, finding a competent probate attorney does not guarantee finding the document as the decedent may have yet to create it, or it may be invalid. It is also possible that the decedent may have revoked the will, rendering it invalid. How to Find a Will in Public Records Records and letters in a library If the executor has filed the petition for probate and lodged the Will with the court, you can access it through the office of the County Clerk. You should follow this route when you're a beneficiary dealing with a hostile executor. Alternatively, heirs may want to view the Will to confirm that they have no grounds for contesting the Will. If you need to find out whether the executor filed a petition for probate or whether the office has the Will, you could request any officer in the County Clerk's office to search their records for the Will. It is worth noting that the officer's failure to locate such a document does not mean that it doesn't exist. How to Find a Will Online Most services are offered online now. To find a Will online, visit the county courthouse's website and locate the page for court documents where you can enter the decedent's name and any other relevant information. Alternatively, you can call or visit the County Clerk's Office to learn more. Note that the chances of finding a Will online are minimal, as the county would need to have a robust online database with updated court documents. Similarly, the executor must have lodged the Will with the Office of the County Clerk. Typically, lodging a Will and updating the database is a tedious task shunned by many officers, so the online process may not be reliable. FAQs About How to Find a Will Whether you're a beneficiary or an estate executor, respecting the decedent's final wishes is imperative, as stipulated in their last Will and testament. One way to do this is to locate the Will immediately. Below are answers to some of the frequently asked questions surrounding finding a decedent's will. How Do I Find A Will if I'm Tight on Budget? If you're an interested party, such as a beneficiary, the executor will notify you about the existence of a Will once they open the probate process. Also, you can check their home or the office of the County Clerk to find the Will at minimal or no costs. Of course, hiring an attorney can expedite the process, so we offer free consultation and affordable services to help you find a Will effortlessly. How Do I Locate the Lawyer Who Wrote the Will? To find information about the attorney who drafts a decedent's Will, you need a clue about the lawyer's name or the law firm he works for. However, lack of information calls for creative tricks like inspecting the decedent's transactions to locate law firms they paid. Other sources of information about the estate planning attorney include files and documents. If you still get nothing, consider consulting a probate attorney for further assistance. How Do I Find Out if I am In a Will? If you're named as a beneficiary in a Will, the executor will notify you about the opening of probate. The probate court can only grant a petition for probate once all beneficiaries are notified. What if the Executor Won't Show Me the Will? If the executor refuses to provide you a copy of the Will, you can check with the Office of the County Clerk. However, if the executor has yet to lodge the Will even after the deadline elapsing, it may be necessary to consult a probate attorney to press the executor to lodge the will and follow through with their other duties. It would be challenging for beneficiaries to enforce their rights when they have yet to study the Will. However, if the executor is negligent in a way that can harm the estate or infringe on other parties' rights, it may be time to work with a probate attorney to have the executor removed, suspended, or surcharged. Enjoy Your Right to Access Information Finding a Will is not only for close relatives and beneficiaries. There is no requirement to prove kinship to access a Will. As previously mentioned, Wills are public records, and you can access one from the office of the County Clerk if it has been lodged with the court. Feel free to email us or schedule a call for more customized advice about your estate plan, heir search, or assistance in the probate process. See Record Click's Heir Research Services, Costs, And Expectations. #### Find Out Where You Come From Right now there is a strong push to find out where we come from. Whether it is a school project or just a desire to know your family history, people are looking into the past. Someday curiosity will get to you too and you’ll want to research your family history. When that happens, it’s time to begin your search. You may be surprised to uncover information you never knew. After you interview all of your relatives, check out library books, and get as far as you can online, it’s time to find the cost of professional genealogists. Professionals have special skills in researching history. They study cultural history and families. They understand what was going on in certain eras of time. Professional genealogists know about the various wars that have ravaged America. They can find service records of your ancestors. Find out if you have a family member that fought in one of our wars. Learn if your ancestors were on the Mayflower or if they got here some other way. Where were they during the Great Depression? Did they survive any one of the many natural disasters in American history? There are many parts of family history that are hazy or simply unknown. A professional can help clear up some of the unknown. Tracing your roots can be a fun adventure. Most people can point to their immediate parents, grandparents and maybe even grandparents but beyond that family history starts to get lost. If you are curious about where your name comes from a genealogist can help. They will offer you a certain amount of hours for a small fee. The professional will spend the time you pay for doing research, making phone calls, and even traveling if they have to. The fee varies based on how many hours you wish for them to work for you. The cost is affordable and could be eye opening. Imagine how much fun it will be to find out key to your coming into existence. Check out the cost of a professional genealogist to help you get over the hump, fill in the blanks, and connect the dots in your family history. #### Finding a Professional Genealogist When seeking the service of a professional researcher consideration should be given to credibility, genuine concern, someone inquisitive and patient as well as person that is relentless in the pursuit of knowledge. A professional researcher is considered to be someone who is fully qualified to conduct a reliable and comprehensive study on almost anything. They are a trusted source for facts on a given topic or issue. They often have connections and access to libraries, museums, and other solid sources of information. They are capable of archiving and gathering information in the most reliable manner possible and presenting it in a concise and understandable report. Many, if not most, genealogists are self taught. They conduct research on family history, specific lines, cultures, a specific person, ethnicity and the list goes on.  The amount you pay, and the credentials the genealogist holds, do not necessarily mean you will get a return on your investment. Genealogists are generally not required by law to be licensed or certified. They can choose to secure credentials from several organizations. Each organization sets its own criteria. Many competent family history researchers do not seek credentials. Credentials do not necessarily offer results. The internet, and even published books/material, is laced with incorrect family history information. Some errors are a result of copying information from others, some are honest but containing inaccurate information with no credible sources, others are  simply a guess and yes some errors are the result of sheer denial.  Sometimes folks will just not accept that the ancestry is incorrect, or they are adamant to connect no matter what. It is paramount that anyone that provides genealogical research at a cost, or even for free, should be someone that is not shy about providing the truth even if it hurts. Just because information appears to be correct does not make it so. The family researcher should first conduct an independent investigation and be able to prove family lineage that is provided. If there are insufficient credible documents to prove the lineage, a credible researcher will state this and disprove with facts the reason for the finding. If there is sufficient reason that the lineage could be correct, then a disclaimer should be included. The professional genealogist should always provide sources. It is truly inappropriate for anyone to copy the work of others and fail to give credit. Every person that has graced this earth has made some contribution to this world regardless of the outcome. A good genealogist, in my opinion, will get into the family as if their own. The closer a person can connect to the family the more real the ancestors become, and this provides greater insight while researching. Pictures are invaluable as a means to connect to ancestors. There are no dumb questions in family history research. Questions spark thought, and also generate forgotten memories from the past.  In my experience, asking an older person a question may not provide immediate feedback. However, allowing several days to pass they may often find that old memory they have tucked away. A good professional genealogical researcher should be someone that redirects you if you are on the wrong track, offers suggestions that are real, and embraces your family as if their own. It’s a commitment, a passion and the desire for the truth to the extent it can be proven. To speak with one of our professional genealogists about help with your family tree research contact us. #### Finding Family History Can Be A Tough Task Everyone has a family--somewhere. While some people may not know much at all about their family history, some know a great deal of information about their families. It is always interesting to learn as much as possible about one's family history. Sometimes, people try to find the information online. Yet, often, it isn't so easy to find any information, much less the older details of the family members' lives. Lots of times, people like to get a professional to help to find out this type of family history information. There are different ways you can go about finding information about your family. Some people will begin their own search online. They'll look at website or two to try find details and family history documents or information. Others may begin at the local library and see what they can find there. Nowadays, with the busy lives we lead, lots of people decide to make their lives simpler and they hire a genealogist. This way, they let the professionals do it. They choose to work with a company that specializes in genealogy and has a staff of genealogy researchers who regularly do this type of family history research and can get the job done efficiently and effectively. People will often search for these professionals and the genealogical services companies online. Once they locate a company or two, they will do a little of their own research about the types of genealogy services that are offered and how the charge for this work go. It is common for genealogical services companies to charge for their services since they do specialized work on each person’s case. And a family history company knows that each person's family history is unique! To begin, anyone looking for family history services should have some basic information about his or her particular family. Details that are important include any names, birth dates, marriage information, and death information. These pieces of family history information are always extremely helpful when beginning a search for family members. It does take lots of time to go through historical records, so the more leads one has, the better the chances are of finding some family history information. Lots of people are able to find the information but they do find that it is a time-consuming process. If you are looking to find your family history details, you can hire a genealogist from RecordClick. Our family history researchers will get the facts for you and find the documents that will tell your family history story. #### Finding Nick Nolte with Genealogy Services, Technology and Sports It was a lazy Sunday afternoon. This professional genealogist found it a perfect day for wandering the countryside and getting an ice cream cone from the University of Nebraska Dairy Store in Lincoln. There, in a free Shop Nebraska magazine, this family history researcher noticed an article about a local boy made good : Nick Nolte. He has had a solid acting career the last 40 years receiving numerous nominations and awards. The article cast Nolte as something of a curmudgeon and focused on some of the low lights of his life including the youthful indiscretion of selling phony draft cards. There was mention that he did play high school football. So, this week, I’m borrowing Nick to talk about genealogy services. This brings up two points a family historian needs to keep in mind: Look at events in context View the bigger picture Sometimes, the 1950s and ‘60s are difficult for me to view as history. Then… I begin talking to young people and I see blank expressions when I mention a manual typewriter or a black and white television with knobs and tubes. When Nick Nolte was growing into adulthood – and Omaha was no different hundreds of other towns and cities – it was a given that someone in one’s high school class would creatively use driver’s licenses and draft cards to create fake ID cards. There weren’t yet many magnetic strips and pictures on plastic cards.  This professional genealogist’s first driver’s license was but a slip of paper in a sleeve made of slightly heavier paper. Our biggest worry was that they might go through the wash. Many younger people wound up in court for trying to create false identification cards in the hopes of purchasing cheap beer or wine. The genealogist needs always to be thorough. In researching Nick Nolte in the Omaha World-Herald newspaper, this professional genealogist did find that there were a couple of times when Nicholas King Nolte wound up in court. The first time was in 1959, in traffic court, for failure to produce a driver’s license and a sticker violation. The referenced sticker was a safety sticker that was briefly a part of a local law. The next time was a draft card incident that occurred in spring 1961. Next, I found something else that was interesting about Nick Nolte. The first hint came in an item that appeared in the newspaper in the autumn 1954 when the 13-year-old midget football player named Nick Nolte was rushed to the hospital after falling on a piece of glass in practice. And then, he played football. In an October 1957, Omaha World Herald sports article, Benson Bunnie (sic) quarterback Nick passed for two touchdowns in a trouncing of Fremont. In December 1958, Nick led all scoring with 17 points when the Westside Warriors defeated Hastings in basketball. In April 1959, Nick pitched Westside to a 2-1 victory over Lincoln Northeast and along the way struck out 13 batters.  The genealogy researcher will find that Nick changed high schools between his junior (1957-58 when he was a Benson Bunnie) and senior (1958-59, Westside Warrior) years of high school. To be a good three sport athlete in high school, a person has to have some smarts and can’t spend all of their time getting into trouble. Excelling in both athletics and academics, however, can be difficult. Finally, when the genealogy researcher is looking for clues, one has to consider locations, as in where some place or institution is located. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Benson was in the northwest part of Omaha. Westside High School was on the west side of the city, a little further south. Benson is a part of the Omaha School System. Westside High School was in an area of people considered to be where the new elite where. Originally, the school was District 66, separate from Omaha and, at that time continuing even to today, the residents were willing to support a separate school district. That fact may have played a role in Nick Nolte’s education. When you search for a genealogy services company, the professional ancestry researchers will know that if an ancestor seems to have dropped out of sight, but not moved, a family history specialist will know to take a closer look at what was going on in the area. A genealogy services company such as RecordClick features professional genealogists who know the nuances and technology involved in the family history research process. We make touch downs for our families. #### Finding the Good Stuff - A Case Study in Scottish Genealogy (Photo courtesy R.D. Zimmerman) Ten days following my sixth birthday, I returned from school to see my house in Selma, Alabama, surrounded by more cars than I could count. That morning while I was on the playground, my life had been changed forever – my father, Lt. Ronald Dingwall, a navigator in World War II, now training to be a pilot in the Korean War, had been killed in the crash of his F-51 Mustang fighter. I have felt the lack of him my entire life, and this ultimately led me to genealogical research. Along with this loss also came the loss of his family. We lived in the South, they in the North. It was my two-years-older brother who piqued my interest in reclaiming this family with tales of a village in Scotland that carried our name: Dingwall. But growing up, I set that aside with other childhood fantasies – until one day when introducing Macbeth to 30 teenagers, I pulled down a map of Great Britain and pointed out the location of Inverness, Scotland. I noticed what had eluded me for years of using that same map; just to the northwest of Inverness lay a small village – Dingwall! I almost couldn’t finish the lesson as a passion was born; somehow I would get to Dingwall, Scotland, and find my lost family. Five years later, my husband and I flew to the British Isles, rented a car and drove to the picturesque 12th Century village in the Scottish Highlands. Prepared for family research, I had photocopied a family tree from my baby book, with the names of four generations of Dingwalls. Upon presenting it to the village registrar, expecting an avalanche of documents, I was greeted instead by a dour expression, "When were these people born? Who left for North America, and when?" I had no answers. I simply replied, "But my maiden name is Dingwall. Don’t you know who my relatives are?" Eyeing me with stern Scottish reserve, she replied, "Over half the people in this town are Dingwalls. We need more information to help you." Much chagrined, I returned to Montana and promptly enrolled in a genealogy class to learn more about ancestry searches. After reconnecting with some of my long-lost Dingwall relatives, I learned family tradition held our Scottish emigrants left the Highlands mid-19th Century, first settling in Toronto. In 1997, the computer was just beginning to have a significant impact on genealogical research. Scouring online resources, I found an Ontario Index to the 1871 Federal Canadian census, a significant, free-finding aide. There I located my immigrant third-great-grandfather, for whom my own father was named: Ronald Dingwall. I ordered the microfilm of the census from the Family History Library, and when it arrived, I felt I was reaching back through time and meeting my ancestor, reclaiming some of what was lost that terrible day in Alabama. Once I found the right family, records starting coming more easily, as did an understanding of immigrant life in 19th Century Ontario. An extremely helpful resource for tracing ancestry was the genealogical website Ontario Cemetery Finding Aid, which led me not only to Ronald’s grave, but also to those of his wife and daughter, who died within two years after leaving Scotland. But the best record in helping me get to know this man came from the online digitized Toronto City Directories found on the Toronto Public Library site. Being fully searchable, the 1861 directory brought up listings for clubs and organizations, where I found Ronald Dingwall as a member of the Canadian Highland Society and the St. Andrew’s Society, identified as a "piper." Ronald Dingwall became real for me, as I saw him in my mind in traditional Scottish bagpiper regalia, piping the tunes he had learned in his native land. What an amazing arc his life had taken, and he was mine! Because I have so many "driftnets" cast out in the ocean of family genealogy (a public tree on Ancestry.com, surnames on Rootsweb, queries on Genforum, graves and information on FindAGrave), I received an email a few weeks ago from an unknown distant Dingwall cousin, who mentioned having a photograph of Charles Dingwall, one of Ronald’s sons, wearing his father’s traditional Highland garb. Would I like a copy, he asked. Would I??!! And so he sent this photo, which must have been taken in the 1860s, during Ronald’s lifetime. The photo looks so much like those of my father, I could scarcely breathe when I saw it. This is "the good stuff" in family genealogy indeed, the stuff that brings our ancestors to life and connects them to our present. As you research and find your ancestors, don’t be satisfied with a simple compilation of names, and dates, and places – vital to your success as those may be. But be persistent in finding those aspects of their lives that make them real people for you. Don't just click a census transcription into your online tree; open the original image and glean all the information available. If you need help pursuing your genealogical research, contact the professionals at RecordClick. A professional genealogist and expert genealogy writer, Patricia ("Tricia") Dingwall Thompson's articles can be found in the New England Historic Genealogical Society magazine "American Ancestors" (Spring 2012), on Everton's Genealogical Helper website, and serialized in the "New Hampshire Genealogical Record." A number of her researched genealogies are housed in the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. Having taught high school Advanced Placement English for 38 years, Tricia now teaches genealogy classes through the Bozeman School District's Adult Education program, and serves as Registrar for the Mount Hyalite Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. #### Fireworks History and Genealogy of the Families Who Go BOOM! Part 1 Anyone who does genealogy knows that family history research can be like fireworks: sometimes a big boom. Sometimes, a blast. Likely, many Americans enjoyed fireworks this summer. Think back to when you were a kid.  Summer, July Fourth—it was all about the fireworks, right?! Think even further back and you’ll realize that the genealogy of the families known for producing the amazing fireworks begins somewhere around 200 AD. This genealogy researcher has found that the big bang theory of spectacular blasts began eons ago in China.  Our quick genealogy research in China brings us way back to the Daoists, who were alchemists. They mixed chemicals trying to find longevity potions for wealthy people. (Mixing longevity potions for the wealthy--sounds like a current moneymaker, no?) Next, we found that hunks of green bamboo when thrown onto a fire made loud cracking noises very early on in Chinese history. According to our genealogy research, these flammable hunks produced a burning show so loud and wild that the Chinese royalty were convinced this was a way to keep away bad spirits. So, they began to have these unusual flames and bursts at the beginning of the year, when everyone wants to start right. What a new way to usher in a new year! Genealogy researchers will find that it was those with pristine family history who liked to fire up the skies in China. The early Han Dynasty family members solidified their place in history for the fireworks genealogist. The Hans were the ones who pushed the early Chinese chemists to make yet a bigger bang. And they were the ones who did it at the New Year. The following are the ruling royal families in China who originated the use of fireworks: What began in China has become a traditional way to celebrate major days Han Dynasty 200 B.C. Sui Dynasty  600-900 A.D Tang Dynasty 600-900 A.D. Next, the chemists put the bang in the hollowed out bamboo shoots. A more expansive type of fireworks, early on, was used by the Song family members in their celebrations: Song Dynasty 960–1279 A.D. Including Emperor Huizong of Song  1100–1125  A.D. and Empress Dowager Gong Sheng and Her son Emperor Lizong of Song  1224–1264 A.D. Our genealogy research can next move to the Middle East, where in 1240 a Syrian Hasan al-Rammah wrote about witnessing these “Chinese flowers” in the Orient. In 1292, explorer Marco Polo brought fireworks back to Italy from China. By the 1400s, the Italians were artistically improving this explosive and spectacular Chinese secret.  The joyous display of color and noise was used to shake up events for the Italian royals there, too.  The Italians brought color and artistry to a new level by incorporating local buildings as settings for the spectacular display of colors.  The Italian fireworks artistry was embraced as business by families who then brought this family business to Europe, Australia and America.  (More on that next time.) By the mid-17th century, word had spread to Russia when Peter the Great's Ambassador, Lev Izmailov, reported from China that he had seen these explosive displays. By 1758, word came back to Paris in the form of a treatise written by a missionary living in Beijing. His treatise was on the science of the fireworks. It was translated from Chinese and published five years. This added a BOOM for the history books. By then, everyone wanted to know the secret of Chinese fireworks.  Having Royal genealogy was no longer the only way to enjoy these displays. The general public was allowed to marvel at such displays during important historic events in Russia, England, France and Italy. That’s the brief history or the origin of fireworks. Next we will look at the business of fireworks and the genealogy of those families who have been bringing colorful joy to Americans for more than two centuries. Want to add a boom and wonderful color to your family history research? The professional genealogists at RecordClick will light up the sky for you and your ancestors. #### Flood of Family History Info: Everyone Has Something to Say About the Weather This RecordClick genealogist is tired of winter. We haven’t had a lot of the white stuff in my neighborhood, but there is snow in the weather forecast-- again. As I look out the window, I remember some of the storms of my youth and stories that my parents and grandparents related to me. These stories are important to the genealogical researcher who is tracing family history. I’ve talked to lots of older relatives and friends about past weather events.  There were plenty of stories, but, sometimes, while the storm was remembered, the date remained fuzzy and not certain.  Of course, the story is important and, as a professional genealogist and family history researcher knows, a few key questions will help guide the story teller to the correct dates. First, here is a brief history of the government entity which keeps the nation’s weather records. The National Weather Service was not always identified as the National Weather Service.  The recording agency began with the Grant administration in 1870 when the Secretary of War was authorized to establish a national weather service called “The Division of Telegrams and Reports for the Benefit of Commerce”. It was placed in the War Department with the idea that the military precision could be applied to keeping weather statistics. In the frontier states, the duty of recording weather data often fell to the Army post surgeon. A brief National Weather Service history timeline follows: 1870 - Division of Telegrams and Reports for the Benefit of Commerce was created under the War Department. 1890 – Division of Telegrams was transferred to the Department of Agriculture. 1891—The division became known as the Weather Bureau. 1940 – The agency was moved to the Department of Commerce. 1966 – Department of Environmental Science Services Administration created and became the home of the National Weather Service, formerly known as the Weather Bureau. 1970 – The Department of Environmental Science Services Administration was renamed National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Weather played an important role in the lives of our ancestors and our family history.  Most years had major weather events such as a drought or heat wave in the summer, floods, hail or blizzard in the fall and winter, and storms at sea. There were earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.  There were extreme weather conditions such as the Blizzard of 1888 and seismic events such as the San Francisco earthquake of 1906.  Newspapers of the time period featured stories on these events.  History books provide full detailed accounts. Online resources for the family history researcher looking for weather information include: The National Weather Service The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Underground In preparing for a family history interview, the genealogist must remember that, while it is important to prepare questions for the interview, these preparations may blow away like the snow outside the window, depending on the direction your conversation takes.    To begin the family history interview, ask questions about the person’s life, including where they lived and what was going on in the world at the time.  It is natural to add questions about the weather at this time during the family history interview. It is helpful to trace family trees by asking relationship questions about grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Ask if there were family reunions and, if so, what were they like?  Ask activity questions such as: What was school like?  What were the extra-curricular activities? Were there household chores? How was money earned? Was it easy to learn how to drive? What were the cars and roads like? What conveniences did the family have?  And then you can ask about the weather:  How did the weather impact these activities? A genealogist can be most accurate by working with both stories and facts when putting together the family history.   Notice that until now I haven’t mentioned a lot of dates--yet.   If the interviewee voluntarily provides some dates, that is fine. But it is essential to verify family history dates to be sure they are correct, including when relatives were born, died, married, where they lived, attended school and church. Weather may have impacted every aspect of a family history and may be used as a point of reference in the genealogical story.  Do some extra work to find out about the weather. Here is an example: When I was in the fifth or sixth grade, it was a rainy spring (I think) and a creek in the area where I lived flooded. I can remember seeing a good sized open area that had been crop land turned into one gigantic lake. The flooding caused a good deal of inconvenience resulting in a number of governmental entities cooperating to creating several dams and lakes on the creek to solve the problem. So, what was the storm really like? First, I looked at an online newspaper, the Omaha World Herald, for the city where I lived - Omaha, Nebraska. A general search using the name of the creek “Papio” and the term “flood” plus the years I was in the fifth to sixth grade, 1959 to 1961, brought up the issue with the story about the storm. There it was: August 2, 1959. The weather websites provided detailed atmospheric information.   I found the almanac section of the Underground Weather website helpful because towns and dates are entered into a search engine to get the weather information. One note: A city or town used to have one official weather recording station and the amount of precipitation received may vary a great deal in a small area and yet affect a different area. Listen to the stories and use a local newspaper and weather websites as historical guides. The expert RecordClick genealogists are available to assist you in your genealogy research and family history weather stories. We are able to provide research assistance, help you organize your family history, and help with documentation. #### For a Genealogist, the Obituaries are Already Heaven Every genealogist I know likes a good obituary. It isn’t that we like the fact that someone has died. Nope. That is not what a genealogy researcher wants at all. It’s about the facts, ma’am. Where else can a genealogist find out so much about someone you don’t know? It is often the genealogy equivalent to winning lotto. Don’t think we are morbid. Please. We’re not. We may be a little OCD when it comes to focus and getting the details, but when the genealogist looks for a family history and locates ancestors, that’s like the Powerball. Big winnings. So what has happened to this genealogy researcher is this: I’ve come to read the obituaries very closely, every single day of the week. In them, you see family jokes, family friends, and sometimes family enemies. You see where the person worked. Where they donated money. You sometimes see what they died from. There are lots of details for the genealogist. Obits list birthplaces and schools. The ancestor search can turn up lots from the local paper this way. Online obits are just as fulfilling but you can't clip them, so this genealogist prefers the paper kind. Take this morning. I read my local paper and my genealogy researcher glasses were on. This Sunday morning was particularly full. Sundays are that way because people know everyone is looking. For me, it is genealogist heaven. Three pages of them and way more details than I could imagine. I learned about a few  famous ones and a few young ones gone—so sad. I saw the outpouring of love for a few their families said were good men. And then, there were three, yes three, women who had just reached one hundred years. You really catch the trends! I saw which European or Russian areas people came from and to where they came first and moved next. Some of those obituaries told every company the person had worked for which gave me a sort of genealogist business listing tour. I also saw maiden names and on some of them, names of companions. For the genealogist who is searching for LGBT people, today’s obituaries are providing lots more details than they used to. Far more than when things were all bungled up in secrets. Yet, there is still a bit of a code that the genealogist has to learn, as in discerning what “companion” and “friend” mean. Though some are trailblazing, not too many are putting in “husband” for a man’s spouse, yet. And the last names. I have seen so many new and unusual last names. And when I find my family’s last names, even if I don’t know the person who died, I clip the obit and save it. Right to the file. This genealogist hopes to connect them all-- someday. I recall when my dad told me he was always reading the obits just in case he saw someone he knew. That was a decade ago and I chuckled. Guess what? Now, I read the obits right after I read the front page. Is it because I’m aging or because I’m a genealogist? When I recently had my newspapers held for a week, do you think this genealogist read the news in every one of those papers? No way! I  went right for the obits. Totally skipped the front page on most days. I just skimmed the whole paper till I got right to the obits and then I focused closely to see if I’d missed anyone I know, might know or might have a friend who knows. That’s how it goes around here in genealogist heaven. We’re looking for the facts. And when we find ‘em—we put them in the family history researcher files. It is just so exciting. But every genealogist knows this already. Hire a genealogist at RecordClick where our genealogy researcher will find your ancestors for you. We are thorough and excited about what we do. #### For a Genealogy Researcher, Baltimore, Baseball and Babe Ruth is the Best For many a genealogy researcher, Autumn is in the air. The baseball season is winding down and heading into the World Series.  The leaves on the trees are turning in some parts of America. Farmers are harvesting. Pumpkins are back. So far, the Baltimore Orioles are hanging in there. They are a venerable team, with a history dating back to the early 1900s. This genealogy researcher thinks, however, that Baltimore’s greatest baseball legacy is George Herman Ruth, Jr.,  more famously known as "Babe". Baseball legend Babe Ruth provides interesting famiy history information for the Genealogy researcher. Babe Ruth began his baseball career with a minor league team in Baltimore, and wound up making it to the major leagues in Boston. The rest, many a genealogist knows, is history. But, this professional genealogist must ask: What about The Babe’s family history? Let’s knock this one out of the park! George Herman Ruth, Jr.’s life is well documented. He was born on the February 6, 1895. His father, George Herman Ruth, Sr. held several jobs. The family lived, for a time, at least, over Ruth’s Café, located in what is now center field of Baltimore's Camden Yards. Interesting notes like this are terrific for the genealogy researcher and may be found in interesting sources. In particular, this information just mentioned was gleaned from the death notice of Mary Margaret Ruth Moberly from the San Francisco Chronicle, July 4, 1992. Young George Ruth was something of an incorrigible youth and he spent time in a Catholic home for boys. Early Attention Deficit Disorder issues as we now know it to be called? Maybe a genealogy researcher can search the medical records and the records of the Catholic home for boys which may still exist. But for this search, the genealogy researcher would next be wise to look at the census records. This professional genealogist was able to find the family in the census of 1900. In 1900, George Herman Ruth and his family lived in Baltimore City, in the 11th precinct at 339 South Woodyear Street, Dwelling 243, Family 311. Members of the family were: Ruth, George H., head,      b. Jan. 1871,    m6,     b. MD, father b. MD, mother b. MD Kate*,                     wife       b. July 1874,   m6,      b. MD, father b. Germany, mother b. Germany George H. Jr.,       son        b. Feb. 1895,   single, b. MD, father b. MD, mother MD *mother of 3 children with 1 surviving, A visit by this genealogy researcher to FindAGrave found unexpected surprises. The Ruths are there. A volunteer, who is also a Babe Ruth fan as well as a genealogist, posted additional information that provides more documentation than this professional genealogist has found on most family trees online. The posted information includes that Babe Ruth’s mother died young in August 1912 and his father died young in August 1918. The interesting fact for this family history researcher is that the two are buried in different cemeteries. Kate, born Catherine Schamberger, is buried in Holy Redeemer Cemetery as are her parents, Pius and Johanna Schamberger. George H. Ruth, Sr. is buried in Loudon Park Cemetery, as are his parents, John and Mary Ruth. Here are a couple of notes for the genealogy researcher about doing research in Baltimore. First, the City of Baltimore and the County of Baltimore are two separate entities. Each entity has a different set of records. Next, there are many vital records available to the genealogy researcher from the Maryland State Archives. This resource includes: • Birth Records: Before 1925 for legal purposes only with proper identification. Births over 100 years ago are open to the public. • Death Records: For the state 1898-1998 and for Baltimore City from 1875-1998. • Marriage Records: Most local jurisdictions prior to 1914 and after that date both statewide and local records. • Adoption Records: Most adoptions prior to June 1, 1947 are open and available to anyone. Marriage records may be helpful for the genealogy researcher in our Ruth family search as supporting documentation for George and Kate Ruth. The best place for the genealogy researcher to access them might be the Maryland State Archives. Family records also may be found in church records for the Catholic Church attended by the family. A clue for the genealogy researcher that church records may be valuable is the fact that Holy Redeemer Cemetery is jointly administered by the parishes of St. James the Less and St. Michael the Archangel. To follow the Ruth Family back one more generation, George H. Sr. and Kate are found in the 1880 U.S. Census: State of Maryland, City of Baltimore, Part of the 7th Precinct - 16th Ward, ED 153, P. 10, Lines 4-10, 131 Dover St.: Shamberger P. 47                   Baden Baden Baden J.                        44 Wife          Baden Baden Baden Katie                    6 Dau           Maryland State of Maryland, City of Baltimore, Part of the 4th Precinct – 18th Ward, ED 171, P. 15-16, 142 Ridgeby St.: Ruth, John       36                     Maryland Prussia Prussia Mary Wife        35                     Maryland Hanover Hanover George Son        8                     Maryland Maryland Maryland This genealogist asked herself if the records could be found for Babe Ruth’s grandfather P. Shamberger (sic) who came to the United States from Baden in what is now Germany. The online resource FindAGrave lists Pius Schamberger as dying July 21, 1904 and buried in Holy Redeemer Cemetery. The 1900 Census finds Pius Shamberg (sic), Johanna and two daughters living at 216 Emory St. Pius states he immigrated in 1854 and was an alien. Immigration records find him arriving in New York on December 19, 1854 at the age of 22 on the Ship North Wind. He left Europe from LeHavre, France. As the genealogy researcher can see, Babe Ruth’s family, with the early deaths of his parents,is a good example of German immigrants adapting to the challenges of a new country and culture. In the case of Babe Ruth, he scored big in America! Every family has home runs. The professional genealogists at RecordClick will find the records and stories to tell your family’s unique history. Contact us so we can hit it out of the park for you. #### For Ancestry Researchers, Pictures are Worth 1,000 Words How many of us ancestry researchers have a drawer or file in our homes filled with pictures? This RecordClick genealogist has spent a fair amount of time labeling envelopes of pictures, recording trips, documenting pregnancies and the birth and growth of children and grandchildren, chronicling family gatherings, saving memories and helping with genealogy research. And while I love our older photos, I do wonder what would happen if I put some selfies up on my wall of usual suspects (aka ancestors). Although the nature of photography has changed, snapshots are still a vital part of our lives. The art of photography has been around a long time. The first photographs were created in France in about 1830. The pictures caught the fancy of the public and a new art form was created. President Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) had a photographic portrait taken shortly before his death in 1845. President John Quincy Adams (1767-1848) and Former First Lady Dolley Madison (1768-1849) did likewise in the same time period. Photographs from the early days of taking pictures are most certainly treasures for family historians and ancestry researchers. . For well over a hundred years, people have been recording images of the world around them. One of the first photographers was Mathew Brady and his sometimes brutal depictions of the Civil War. Local photographers took family portraits, sometimes in a studio or sometimes at the subject’s home. Others early photographers recorded their surroundings. Ansel Adams raised scenic photography to a new level with his pictures of Yosemite National Park. He also documented a Japanese internment camp in California during World War II. The federal government hired photographers in the 1930s to take pictures for the Farm Security Administration – Office of War Information to record life at that time in the United States. Where are all these photographs? All ancestry researchers have to do is to look around. They will find thousands upon thousands of digitized photographs in the online collections of both the Library of Congress and the National Archives. Libraries, museums, historical societies and universities are also digitizing their collections and making them available online.  Often, the people in the photos are identified. Today, ancestry researchers will sometimes post pictures online as a way to get help from other family members in identifying the people in the photos. And even if family members of ancestry researchers are not online, the odds are good that an industrious genealogist can find a picture of the area where the individual lived. These photographic additions to the family history make the genealogy come alive. The quality of many of the old pictures can be amazing. For ancestry researchers, this can be very helpful considering that the older equipment was cumbersome and the process was lengthy--so different from today’s quick and easy smart phone pix. Some ancestry researchers specialize in photographic identification. These knowledgeable specialists will help determine the dates of the photograph through: Which method was used to take a picture The style of clothing and hair Dating the furniture A few years ago, I attended a genealogy conference in Cincinnati, Ohio. One of the highlights there was viewing a restored panoramic portrait of the city. Specialists in photograph identification had been able to identify the exact place, date and time the historic photograph was created. Many families have more pictures than they know what to do with. It certainly is a struggle for this ancestry researcher to not be overwhelmed when I inherit scrapbooks and boxes from the families of deceased relatives. I have to view them as a few grains of sand in the sea of photographs. With so many photographs available, the process of finding and identifying people in your family tree may become overwhelming. When you hire a genealogist from RecordClick, we help you find, identify and organize your collection. Our ancestry researchers will also provide information and advice on preserving your pictures and more. #### For Many Families, Christmas is a Time For Traditions That Tell Stories   December is a slightly mixed up time of year for our families.  For several months, now, we’ve been reminded of that it is a time for celebration and giving. And with that, come family traditions. Don’t all families have them?! For us and the many new and old branches of our families, there are the decorations.  My husband did his part by putting up a string of lights along the eaves of our home and hanging some on the bushes under our front window. We tend to go American: patriotic with red, white and blue lights. Some nearby yards have religious themes while other families are more secular with blow-up snowmen and reindeer in lights. Some families have traditions of hedging their bets with displays that are both religious and secular. As in family trees, holiday lights have age-old, passed down traditions. Year after year, families hang ornaments that tell family legends. Next, there are the Christmas trees. For some families, real trees are the way to go. For others, artificial is the “new” tradition. And then there are the ornaments. Some families prefer trees with ornaments that have a theme. This may be by color or nationality—or even an Elvis theme making him another type of Christmas King. Some families decorate their tree differently every year or two. For others, ornaments are passed down from  generation to generation and carefully put away each year to be used again and again. I’m a member of the “other” group. There are very few breakable ornaments on my tree. This genealogist finds that it is easier to put our traditional ornaments back up onto the tree after one of the small children or pets knocks them over—generation after generation. These family ornaments aren’t expensive, but most have a story. There are a couple from when my children were in elementary school and about the same age my grandchildren are now. Those early ones are made mostly from construction paper or milk cartons or with pipe cleaners and a paper clip or two. There are two or three that have been in the family since my grandmother made them when she was recovering from hip surgery in the hospital.  She’s be gone almost 30 years now and we still put them up. There’s a pink and white angel fish that we inherited from my husband’s side of the family. These ornaments have a story, too. Some that go up each year were purchased when we travelled. And there is one that my mother-in-law made out of the extra material from my wedding dress. The Christmas trees in our families will never make the cover of a home interior magazine. But the ornaments and their stories are important for the family history researcher. Ornaments have significance in the lives and places of families and can remind us of important times in a family’s history. One crafty aunt made ornaments out of felt depicting each and every member of the family. This was for my in-law’s tree. Every time a new baby came along, there was a new ornament to be added.  After both of my husband’s parents died, the ornaments were inherited by each represented family. The last Christmas gifts my husband’s grandmother gave her grandchildren were Scottie dog tree ornaments. What was the significance? She lived in Glasgow, Montana. Now, when these get passed down from generation to generation, the story of the Scottie dog will help family members connect to past ancestors—and places. For families and their history, hire a genealogist from RecordClick. Your stories will come alive and they may include traditions, especially from times shared at holidays such as Christmas. #### For the Family History Researcher, the Family of Michael Tilson Thomas Makes It Easy The family history researcher has it is easy when it comes to someone like Michael Tilson Thomas, who turned 70 this past December. That’s because so many of his ancestors have made the news. Beginning with his great great grandfather, the genealogist will find this ancestor was famous in Europe. Then came his grandfather, the child Cantor Boris Thomashefsky, who in Europe was sought out for his amazing voice and, upon coming to America, began a career that made him famous as an actor and producer in the Yiddish Theatre. The family history researcher can’t miss Boris’s wife, Bessie, who in her own right became famous as an actress and then producer, too. Then, in this amazing genealogy line is Michael Tilson Thomas’s father, the third son of the Thomashefskys, who changed his name to Thomas and became a well-known stage manager. When the family history researcher begins searching newspaper clips, you’ll see that some of Tilson Thomas’s other relatives—aunts and uncles—were famous for wrongs done. They’ll show up in the archives for having affairs that ended with violence and life-changing injuries. Such a wide range of publicity makes it easy for the family history researcher to find information on this family. Here are the some of the members of Michael Tilson Thomas’s family who have received a wide range of coverage in the newspapers of the day: NAME                          RELATED              COVERED Bessie Thomashefsky      GG                   Performances, productions, money issues, marital woes Borris Thomashefsky       GG                   Performances, productions, money issues, marital woes Emma Thomashefsky Finkel GAunt      Affair, attempted murder by the jealous lover, paralysis Harry Thomashefsky       Uncle               Film Director, Dir. father in The Bar Mitzvah Boy, Mickey Thomashefsky    Uncle                Affair, attempted murder by the jealous lover, paralysis All of this is great for the family history researcher. Why? Because this family is so well documented--all over the archives! The basics are always there for the ancestry recipe of the family history researcher—the census records, the birth, marriage, death records. Next, add to this ancestry research mix  a few lawsuits, bankruptcies, newspaper articles, court records. But…when people are famous, as most every family history researcher knows, the documentation opportunities are way more abundant. Sometimes, it can be overwhelming for the genealogist. The genealogist will find that Michael Tilson Thomas descends from one of the greatest theatrical families in the Yiddish theater. Credit: MTT Michael Tilson Thomas has been in the public eye his entire career. Since he he began as a young pianist, composer and conductor, he has been getting publicity. The family history researcher will find him in articles way way back to even his birth which was covered in 1944. Most recently, the family history researcher will find that he married his partner of 38 years. All over their home town, San Francisco, newspapers have covered this story. Want help finding your family all over the archives? RecordClick family history researchers will help you. Our professional genealogists know exactly how to find the news on your ancestors. #### For the Genealogist, College Newspapers Are Good Resources Many a genealogist remembers graduations—yours, mine, ours. One never forgets all that time spent cramming, exploring, and partying on the road to the coveted diploma. This is the time of year when all of that hard work and time spent studying is rewarded. In America, family researchers know that many of our parents and grandparents attended college. For the genealogist, an attendance record and course of study are usually the only official types of information released from an institution of higher education. This genealogy researcher, however, happens to like college newspapers as an additional source of information.  This week, this RecordClick genealogist will borrow a bit of the college career of author Kurt Vonnegut. Born and raised in Indiana to Kurt and Edith Vonnegut, Kurt Jr. was the youngest of three children. His father and grandfather were both architects and young Kurt seemed destined for a career in math or science. Born in November 1922, future author Vonnegut had to be impacted by the depression. In 1930, his family was living in a $25,000 house at 4365 N. Illinois and the family had a servant. By the time the 1940 Census was enumerated, the Vonnegut family had moved to a $7,500 house at 49 West 42nd Street and the servant was gone. A good genealogist can dig deeper. After graduating from Shortridge High School in Indianapolis in 1940, Vonnegut enrolled in Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. In an announcement that appeared in the October 29, 1940 edition of the university newspaper, The Cornell Sun, under the heading, “Cornell Sun Opens News Competition”, twenty-seven class members are listed as entering the freshman news board competition. One of the attending students was Kurt Vonnegut. When Kurt Vonnegut, Jr. was at Cornell, he published early pieces in the college newspaper. Vonnegut used the university as well as his high school newspapers to hone his writing skills. In the fall of 1941, he is listed on The Cornell Sun masthead as a news editor. Editorial page columns with his byline included “Innocents Abroad” and “Well All Right”.  His first column with a byline in May 1941 included jokes and a shout out to his high school: “I was falsely accused of stealing four gold watches, six diamond rings, a pearl necklace, and an umbrella. Such injustice – what did I want with an umbrella?” “I have to be home by seven o’clock every morning, because that’s when I get up.” “Nomination for the meanest man in the world: The guy who was deaf and never told his barber.” The following week on May 1, 1941, Vonnegut changed his writing style in his “Well All Right” column entitled “In Which We Dare to Enter a Stronghold of Evil”: “One of a group of party boys at Zinck’s suggested that we go over to the XYZ Club. Playing along like we knew what the XYZ Club was, we followed the gang. “Down South Auburn Street, over the small concrete bridge, and through an unmarked side door, the six of us found ourselves in a small, windowless, heatless, rugless hallway, facing another door…” With time and experience a genealogist can see how our ancestors can change, both outwardly with their appearance and inwardly with their thoughts and skills. How could the young Vonnegut have known in 1941 about the war time actions he would shortly witness that influenced his novels “A Cat’s Cradle” and “Slaughterhouse Five”? By the 1942-43 term, Vonnegut was an Associate Editor of The Cornell Sun. After February 1943, his name disappears from the paper. In some of his last columns, he expresses his feelings about World War II and the young men serving in the military. In 1942, the Selective Service System changed from administrative selection to a lottery system. In December 1942, the draft age range changed from 21-45 to 18-38. Many young men, including Kurt, were forced to leave college and join the military. For the genealogist, college newspapers can be a mixed bag. Some old college newspapers may be online. Others are not. The best thing to do may be to Google the name of the college with the phrase “newspaper archive”. The genealogist will find that the newspapers are a good way to learn which students were involved in the different activities and what was important to the students there at that time. Want to get a higher education in your own family tree? Hire a genealogist from RecordClick so that our professional genealogy researchers can make your genealogical documentation easier, provide extra details about your ancestors and create a special family history. #### For The Genealogist: Harriet Tubman Timeline and Family Tree A genealogist needs to be surprised. We can’t take information for granted. This family history researcher thought she knew Harriet Tubman. After doing the genealogical research on Frederick Douglass, this RecordClick professional genealogist thought it would be interesting to look at the life of Harriet Tubman Davis. Maybe there would be new finds for the genealogy researcher. Was there more to be discovered about the amazing woman who was an escaped slave, Underground Railroad conductor, Civil War soldier and spy, and advocate of human rights? This amazing giant (at 5’ tall) in African American history lived for 90-plus years. Even at 5', Harriet Tubman Davis is a towering figure in American History Much has been written about her. Yet, as this genealogy researcher searched, some discrepancies were found in the details of Ms. Tubman’s dynamic life. So, the only life date I’m supplying from my genealogy search for Ms. Tubman is her death: 10 March 1913 in Auburn, New York. Where is a go-to place for a genealogy researcher to get information? Well, Wikipedia may sometimes be a good place. I will use it as a beginning for background information on occasion. While it does serve a purpose for us genealogists for hire, this on-line data site, however, is not to be trusted fully. Wikipedia does attempt to source its material, but it really was off when it came to Harriet Tubman Davis. Most of the sources were secondary. Other online sources may be helpful. FindAGrave has a write up and The African American History of Western New York has a Harriet Ross Tubman Timeline. These also list numerous secondary sources. Speaking of timelines, here are a few dates (compliments of Wikipedia, FindAGrave and The African American History of Western New York) concerning Harriet Tubman Davis and the land she owned: 1859, U.S. Sen. William H. Seward sold property to Tubman on the outskirts of Auburn, N.Y. for $1,200. (Wikipedia) 1873, Tubman purchased a 7-acre plot from Seward. (Harriet Ross Tubman Timeline) 1895, Tubman purchased 25-acres of land adjoining her house. (FindAGrave) 1903, Tubman donated a parcel of land to the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church for the construction of a home for “aged and indigent colored people.” (Wikipedia) 1903, with the help of the AME Zion Church, Tubman built the Harriet Tubman Home for Aged and Indigent Colored People. (FindAGrave) 1908, Tubman purchased property adjoining her home. (Harriet Ross Tubman Timeline) 1908, the home for the aged officially opened its doors. (FindAGrave) Now for the genealogy reminder and alert: There is a difference between primary and secondary sources.  The above timeline is a good example of secondary sources. A secondary source is one compiled by someone else such as a biographer or an encyclopedia. A primary source is an original document such as a birth or death certificate, deed or will. A newspaper is sometimes considered a primary source because the reports published in it were recorded in a (usually) timely manner. These primary sources were created at, or very near to, the actual date of the event. So what really happened, dear genealogy researcher, in Harriet Tubman’s land purchase history? Because I am a professional genealogist and needed to know, I checked the primary sources which are the land records. 29 May 1873, Frederick W. Seward and his wife sold to Harriet Tubman Davis, seven acres for $1,200. A partial land description: Town 8 Lot 66, on Fleming Road, south of lands deeded to John W. Farmer. Frederick W. Seward is the son of William H. Seward, who was Secretary of State during the Lincoln Administration. The deed was recorded 20 Oct. 1886. (Cayuga County, New York, Land Records, Book 169, Page 85.) 22 June 1896, Harriet Tubman Davis purchased a 24 acre tract of land, Town 8 Lot 57, from the John W. Farmer Estate. The irony of this is that the land was sold at auction in front of the courthouse door where--this genealogist is sure--that in a different time and place, Ms. Tubman most likely witnessed the sale of slaves. She paid $3,215 for the land. The deed was registered on 14 July 1896. The entire deed information is located in Book 26 of City Deeds on Page 628. (Cayuga County, New York, Land Records, Book 180, Page 641.) March 1903, Harriet Tubman Davis transferred the ownership of the 24 acres to The African M.E. Zion Church of America. (Cayuga County, New York, Land Records, Book 189, Page 223.) 10 March 1913, Harriet Tubman Davis dies in Auburn, New York.  September 1914, the estate of Harriet Tubman Davis sold the seven acre tract to England Norris. The will was probably filed in March of 1914. There are will notations in the deed index book. (Cayuga County, New York, Land Records, Book 208, Page 19.) The story of the Harriet Tubman Home for Aged and Indigent Colored People is true but the dates were a little bit off. The genealogy researcher needs to remember primary sources (the musty old legal and religious books of which a fair number have been microfilmed or digitized) are more accurate than gleaning information from a book or online site which somebody has written. That said, a book such as a biography may provide a sense of who the person was and what they accomplished. As for Harriet Tubman Davis, this genealogy researcher doubts she took a very active role in the construction of the home for the aged named for her. Ms. Tubman was older by that time and her health was beginning to fail. Finally, whether it is wills and probates, land deeds or jury duty, a goal of the legal system is to be fair. Times and places in history may change the definition of “fair”. Being born a slave in Maryland was not fair. For Harriet Tubman Davis, owning land in New York during her long life is fair. This genealogist has verified the documents. Here’s to you, Ms. Tubman! All of our ancestors have stories to tell. The genealogy researchers at RecordClick will verify the information, find that special legal or religious document, organize your family history, double check dates, create your special family document and more. #### For the Genealogy Researcher, a Postcard from Anywhere is More Than A Pretty Picture Vacation time! Yeah! This RecordClick genealogy researcher can now phone the relatives or post the vaca pix on a social media site — instantly.  And I do.  But, I still like postcards. They last longer than the quick pix of the internet.  Most postcard pictures are better than any I could take. Plus, they are a terrific informational resource for the genealogist. Although pictures on postcards didn’t come into vogue until after 1900, the idea for a quick, easy way to send notes--Sounds a lot like the idea for email, doesn’t it?--has been around since the 1870s. To set the stage for the genealogy researcher, here is a picture perfect timeline: 1861 – The first postcard was copyrighted in America. 1872 – Congress passed legislation approving government production of postal cards. Postage for government printed cards was one cent. Postage for private postcards was two cents. 1873 – The first U.S. Postal Cards were issued. 1880 – Addresses of individuals enumerated in the U.S. Census were recorded for the first time. 1898 – Congress passed an act allowing private printing companies to produce postcards with the statement “Private Mailing Card, Authorized by Act of Congress of May 19, 1898”. 1901 – The wording on postcards changed and messages were not allowed on the front. 1907 – The address side of a postcard was divided and could have a message. The first “real photo” cards were produced using the Kodak “postcard camera”. 1917 – The White Border Period Begins. 1930 – The Linen Period begins. 1943 – The zoning address system was introduced. 1963 – Zip code was launched. To ascertain dates of a postcard, the genealogy researcher needs to note all of the information on the cover, or front. Then, the family history research can follow or see when and how it changed. Determining when messages could be written on the front – or when they couldn’t – is relatively simple. For those doing ancestry research, the address side may even be more important than the picture. Here are some additional items on a postcard that can help date it: The Amount of Postage and the Stamp Stamps have changed over the years. Many libraries have Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogues. It is updated annually and is considered the best source for postage stamp information. The Postmark Post offices have come and gone. Knowing when a post office was in existence can help date a postcard. In the earlier days and at smaller post offices mail was hand cancelled. The postmark may also indicate the time of day the postcard was sent. The Address Most cities began address systems before small towns and rural areas. Rural free delivery (RFD) was created by an act of Congress in 1893 although many rural areas didn’t start using RFD addressing until after 1900. If one area was annexed by another area, the address could have changed. This may be a possible clue for the date of the postcard. Fashion Styles Of course the ancestry researcher may note the styles of clothing and hair. Printing Process Many early picture postcards were printed in Germany because they had better printing processes. In 1917, the pictures began to have borders and in 1930 the quality of the cards improved making them look more like linen. Use buildings or landmarks to date a picture. They do change. The Size of the Postcard In 1878 the maximum size of a postcard was 3.5” by 5.5”. The Private Mailing Card Act of 1898 set the size at 3.25” by 5.5”. In the 1960s, the size started to vary to 4” by 6”. Now almost anything goes. When doing the ancestry research, it is a good idea for the genealogy researcher to learn when vacations were taken. Before cars were common place and highways improved, trips were a big deal. It was not unusual for at least part of a family to be visiting relatives for several weeks. Now you have an idea of how, in addition to a nice remembrance of a special trip or place, postcards are a great information source for the genealogy researcher. Found any old postcards in the family? Let a professional genealogist from RecordClick help you identify the essentials and find more information for you. When you hire a genealogy researcher from RecordClick, you will travel far and wide into your family history. You’ll have lots of remembrances to bring back home. #### For the Genealogy Researcher, the Life of Sandy Koufax is at a Good Pitch Baseball hall of fame southpaw Sandy Koufax (b. 1935), whose birthday was this week on December 30, has had lots of life moments that make for the kind of documentation a genealogy researcher likes. Though he has chosen to have a very private life after his years of sports success, his public legacy is an example of what is available to a genealogy researcher who seeks to gather information on a famous ancestor. Here are some of the ways such records will come easy to the genealogist: Long life. He’s now into his eightieth year as of this week. Long life equals lots of information. Many of our relatives are living longer, which means that the genealogy researcher has lots more documentation on their lives to find. Name. He had a name change from Sanford Braun to Sandy Koufax when his mother married husband number two, lawyer Irving Koufax. For correct documentation when looking for name changes, the genealogy researcher has to find out if a family member changed the name formally. Documents for name changes, if filed, may be found on line in many jurisdictions. Sports Records. He was a basketball player in high school who became a baseball player in college. The genealogy researcher can look for the school records and sports stats. When you have a family member who played any type of sports,  there are usually team photos in yearbooks and local newspapers. That's a great place to begin. Genetic Genealogy. He retired because his elbow had troubling arthritis. With this information, the genealogy researcher can explore genetic genealogy and a family’s medical history through medical records, death records, and anecdotal material and in-person interviews. Has there been a genetic tendency toward arthritis in Sandy Koufax’s family? After an injury to his arm from a fall when he was getting back to base, the team doctor called the chronic aftermath “traumatic arthritis”. In this case, the genealogy researcher would likely attempt to interview team medical professionals from that time. Medical Records. Aside from the arthritis,  Koufax had a crushed artery in his arm in 1962 that led to problems with his pitching hand. It was reported that he used an experimental medical protocol to open the artery. Records from this medical trial as well as in-person interviews with the medical experts who treated him may provide interesting information for the genealogy researcher. Tracking down medical personnel may be done by the genealogy researcher at a hospital; however, with so many changes in hospital administration, this may not be such an easy find these days. Place, like Brooklyn. He is from that place where so many of the famous have hailed: Brooklyn. Is there history in that New York City Borough, or what? And lots of records there, too. Brooklyn’s documents are available on line and this makes it much easier for the genealogy researcher to do get strikes. Religious Records. Known for his respectful choice, Koufax made baseball history when he did not play Game 1 of the 1965 World Series which fell that year on Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. For Koufax, who is known to be non-religious, synagogue records may not be the way to go. For the family history researcher, looking for records of an ancestor’s religious life may be productive. Churches, synagogues, mosques maintain records for life events including birth and coming of age ceremonies, marriages and deaths. A genealogy researcher will see that the legendary sports accomplishments of young Sandy Koufax were covered by thousands of newspapers and magazines. Sports Records and Awards. The amount of public awards a genealogy researcher can find with Sandy Koufax is astounding. He was voted favorite athlete of the 20th century by Sports Illustrated Magazine. He was the youngest player to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972. He has Strikeout Records, National League records, Cy Young Awards and a Most Valuable Player trophy. He participated in World Series and was Most Valuable Player. He has received the S. Rae Hickok Professional Athlete of the Year award, known as the Hickok Belt, as well as many other groups’ awards. All of these very public tributes are recorded in the records of the organizations as well as in print and television press reports. When one has a celebrated ancestor, lots of information is available and just has be tracked down and collected.  So, after the public information is collected, the questions that remain for the genealogy researcher to ask about Sandy Koufax  go to a next level: What heritage information is there on his parents? Who was his birth father Jack Braun? Who was his mother Evelyn Lichtenstein? Who was his step-father Irving Koufax who it has been reported took him to the Yiddish Theatre regularly and supported his participation in school sports? Where is his step-sister Edith Koufax? And where are his ex-wives Anne Heath Widmark Koufax (m.1/1/1969, d. 1982) and Kimberly Francis Kole (m. 1985-1998)? That gives us something to do. We can ruminate about the very private Sandy Koufax and his family history—or, knowing more ways to go about finding information, we can focus on our own. When you contract a professional genealogist from RecordClick, your questions about your family’s history and ancestry will be answered. #### For this Genealogist: Family and Football - Vince Lombardi's Family Tree This genealogist is ready for football!!! The college season with its 39 post-season bowls is winding down and the professional football playoffs are starting up. Which, for this RecordClick genealogist, brings to mind one of my favorite football coaches, Vince Lombardi. Every genealogist should recognize his name from the championship trophy, of course. In addition to being a great coach and good guy, he survived some terrible weather in Green Bay, Wisconsin. If he can survive that, this genealogist figures he can survive me borrowing his family for some genealogy research. Vincent Thomas Lombardi was born June 11, 1913 in New York City, the oldest child of Harry and Matilda Lombardi. In the 1940 U.S. Census, the Lombardi family was comprised of: Harry, 51 Matilda, 49 Vincent, 26 Madeline, 23 Harold, 17 Claire, 16 Joseph, 12. Harry was a butcher. Vincent was a teacher. Madeline was a bookkeeper. Harry was born in Italy and Mathilda in New York. Vincent, although still living at home, was soon to be married. The family was living at 2808 Ave. S in Brooklyn. This is a good place for a genealogist to begin. Vince Lombardi’s parents were Italian. His father, Harry, arrived in the United States in 1889. His mother was born in New York. By looking at the genealogy research of the family – the different members are collateral lines – we can see the family portrait as opposed to looking at one individual, parents and grandparents. The first thing a genealogist can look at is Vince’s siblings: Madeline, Harold, Claire and Joseph. In checking newspaper reports, the genealogy researcher will find that Vince died on September 3, 1970 in the Washington, D.C. area. A requiem mass was held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City and he was buried at Mount Olivet Cemetery in Monmouth County, New Jersey. Vince Lombardi's family is a nice genealogy catch. According to the Baton Rouge (LA) State Times Advocate, Vince was survived by his widow, Marie; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Lombardi of Brooklyn, NY; brother Joseph of Englewood, NJ; brother Harold of San Rafael, CA; and a sister Claire Brandshagen of Hazlett, NJ. The next step for the genealogy researcher is to check the cemetery to see if other family members might be buried there. On FindAGrave, the Lombardis buried in Mount Olivet Cemetery are listed as: Harry Lombardi, 1889-1971 Joseph J. Lombardi, 1928-2002 (and his wife, Elizabeth) Marie A. Planitz Lombardi, 1915-1982 Matilda Izzo Lombardi, 1891-1972 Vince Lombardi, 1913-1970 Links are available for: Madeline, 1916-2004 (and her husband, George) buried in Texas Harold, 1922-2011, died in California A visit to the Social Security Death Index finds that Lombardi sister Claire Brandshagen was born in 1923 and died in 1974. We have names, dates and a location for each of the family’s members. It’s something a family history researcher can dig into. One note: This genealogist has found that Italian families are usually good about keeping the maiden name as an identifier after a female marries. While working on this blog, seldom did I see a listing for Mr. and Mrs. Harry Lombardi. More frequently this genealogist found: Matilda Izzo Lombardi. In stepping back a generation, a genealogist can get a feel for what New York was like in the first part of the 20th Century. Similar to now, some families moved on a regular basis. Other families found a place to purchase and settle into a home. In 1940, Harry and Matilda were on Ave. S. In 1930, they lived at 2542 East 14th in an Italian-Irish neighborhood. Matilda’s mother, Laura Izzo was widowed and was settled into the home she owned at 2579 East 16th. Her husband Anthony had died in 1926. Included in Laura’s household were sons Louis, Anthony, Michael, daughter Nicholina and extended family. Their church was Saint Mark’s Roman Catholic Church located at 2609 East 19th Street. Continuing back in time, as the genealogist often does, we find that in 1920, Harry and Matilda were renting 2547 East 14th. Anthony and Laura had purchased 2579 East 16th. The 1910 U.S. Census sheds even more light on the families for the genealogy researcher. Harry was living with his mother, Mary. He and Matilda married on September 5, 1912 in Kings County/Brooklyn. The Lombardi household was located at 5 Spring Street in Manhattan and consisted of Mary, 57, a widow; Harry, 21; Asunta, 19; and Tony, 17. Harry and Tony were butchers while Mary and Asunta worked in the garment industry. Mary finished coats and Asunta made button holes. In the 1910 census, Antonio Izzo lived at 2519 East 16th Street in Brooklyn. He and sons Joseph and Louis were barbers. Son Joseph was a plumber. Antonio and Laura Carvalo had married in Manhattan on June 5, 1884 when he was 19 and she was 14. Antonio had immigrated to the United States in 1880; Laura, in 1883. Antonio died in 1926 and Laura in 1930. Both are buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Brooklyn. Vince Lombardi worked in his father’s butcher shop for a time when he was young. However, Vince’s generation of Lombardi men found different callings. All went on to college and all left the streets they had known so well growing up. A professional genealogist from RecordClick will create strategies for your family’s research and go back in time to get that special information. When you hire a genealogist from RecordClick, your family history research project is a success. We are used to genealogy research that runs back many generations. Let’s do yours. #### For Veteran's Day, A Genealogist Looks at the Congressional Medal of Honor and A Soldier…Lest We Forget A genealogist will find that World War I produced a number of famous war veterans including General John Pershing and Presidents Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower whose genealogies are fairly easy to trace. This RecordClick genealogist, however, holds a special place for those veterans who were “just folks”. They served their country honorably, but then proceeded to live ordinary lives. This genealogist has found that regular, special person in Sterling Morelock, winner of a Medal of Honor. The genealogy researcher might ask what exactly is the Medal of Honor. How long has it been in existence? Who are some of the honorees? A good genealogist asks questions including those about the achievements of the ancestors. The Medal of Honor was created in 1861 to highlight acts of bravery in the Civil War. It has been awarded to over 3400 individuals in the various branches of the service. Notable recipients include Thomas Custer (brother of George Armstrong Custer), Douglas MacArthur and Arthur MacArthur Jr. (father and son) and many ordinary men and one woman who did extraordinary things in the service of the military. A list of Medal of Honor winners may be found on the official U.S. Army website. The genealogist will find that according to the Army, Sterling Morelock was a private in Company M, 28th Infantry, 1st Division. He entered the service at Oquawka, the county seat of Henderson County in western Illinois. According to the citation, on 4 October 1918 near Exermont, France: “While his company was being held up by heavy enemy fire, Pvt. Morelock, with three other men who were acting as runners at company headquarters, voluntarily led them as a patrol in advance of his company's frontline through an intense rifle, artillery, and machinegun fire and penetrated woods which formed the German frontline... Morelock was severely wounded in the hip, which forced his evacuation...” So, genealogy researcher, who was Sterling Morelock? Although he entered the service in Illinois, he was, according to his World War I draft registration card, born in Silver Run, Maryland in June 1890. The genealogist may ask was he anxious to join the military? These are the questions that can lead the genealogy researcher to the colorful details. For example, this professional genealogist notes that on his draft registration card Sterling Morelock stated he had nervous trouble from a bad stomach. One might think he would have preferred to do any of a number of things rather than join the military. It does, however, provide the genealogist with a place to begin the deeper ancestry quest. In the 1920 U.S, Census, the genealogist will find Sterling Morelock, 29, living with Charles and Lena Holmes in Rozetta Township of Henderson County, IL. He is listed as a foster-son. The Holmes are from Pennsylvania and Missouri. Morelock's family is from Maryland. In the 1910 U.S. Census, this genealogist found Morelock, 20, living in the household of Addison and Sarah Morelock in York County, Pennsylvania just across the border from Maryland. His father, born in Maryland, is a bookkeeper and Sterling’s listed occupation is laborer. One wonders what happened to Morelock between 1910 and 1920? First came the death of his mother, Sarah, in July of 1912. Because of family circumstances, he went to live with the Holmes in Illinois. He entered the Army from there during World War I, shipping out to Europe. In the incident leading to the Medal of Honor, Private Morelock volunteered to lead a group behind enemy lines during the Mouse-Argonne drive to take out a machine gun nest. Instead of one, they found by the light of flares, five destroying them all with grenades. Morelock escaped without injury at this time, but did have his hip hit by shrapnel later while attending a wounded soldier. Morelock first returned to Illinois. The genealogist will see that he then opted to go back to his home country in northern Maryland and southern Pennsylvania. He spent over eleven years in and out of hospitals recovering from his shrapnel wound. In the process, he got a steel hip replacement. The next genealogy researcher question would be: What happened to him and when did he received the Medal of Honor? For the genealogist, government documentation provides a wealth of information. For Sterling Morelock, it only begins with the U.S. Census and World War I Draft Registration Card. There is a detailed process of nomination for the Medal of Honor including a recommendation package submitted by the Service Secretary. The package must also receive approval by the Chief of Staff of the Army, the Secretary of the Army, the Secretary of Defense, and the President of the United States. More information can be found in the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Report, Medal of Honor Recipients: 1863-1978 (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1979). The process may also be found by the genealogist described on the Army website. Morelock received the Medal of Honor in 1922. Morelock’s government involvement did not end with the Medal of Honor. In 1926, Rep. Mr. John Clayton Allen of Illinois petitioned for financial relief for Morelock (Journal of the House of Representatives, H.R. 10787). In the Catalog of Public Documents of the 72nd Congress (July 1, 1931 to June 30, 1933), Morelock passed the civil service examination for Guard and was appointed Guard with the Department of Agriculture. Shortly after the appointment, he moved to Pittsburgh, went to work for the Veterans’ Administration and remained a civil servant until his retirement in 1957. He became active in the Disabled American Veterans and is listed in their annual reports for a number of years between 1933 and 1962. Sterling Morelock, one of the last World War I Medal of Honor recipients in Pennsylvania, died in September 1964 and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery-- a hero in every sense of the word. Government records and reports cover a vast array of areas and topics. Make your complex search simpler with the help of an expert genealogist from RecordClick. #### Forensic Genealogist Interview With Colleen Fitzpatrick Photo courtesy of Colleen Fitzpatrick RC: What is your definition of forensic genealogy? CF: Forensic Genealogy is CSI meets Roots, the application of forensic techniques to genealogical mysteries. My definition is much broader than the conventional definition of a forensic genealogist who is involved with assisting attorneys with probate and other legal matters. My definition includes any methodological approach to solving genealogical mysteries. It overlaps many other disciplines. A good example is my discovery of an ergot epidemic in the 1600s in my ancestral village of Sigolsheim, France. This involved research into 17th century childbirth practices, the reconstruction of 1,000 year old weather records, religious beliefs and medical knowledge in the 1600s, and tie-ins with other historical events such as the Bubonic Plague and the Salem Witch Trials. (See "The Ulmer Story" in my Forensic Genealogy book for the full story). RC: Why did you choose to enter the realm of forensic genealogy? CF: I didn’t choose to enter the realm of Forensic Genealogy. I believe I have created a new realm arising from my deep interests in both disciplines. I have been applying forensic methods to my own genealogical research since I formally started investigating my family in the 1970s. For many years, I believed these techniques were standard genealogical approaches. I was quite surprised when we published Forensic Genealogy to find that methods well-used by me were quite novel to most other genealogists. RC: What have been your most interesting cases to date? CF: Having played a role in some of the most fascinating cases, the Hand in the Snow, the Identification of the Unknown Child, and the search for the family reference for Amelia Earhart’s navigator Fred Noonan – that's a tough question. Although it is my most recent case, and we still have so much to do with it – I would have to say my favorite case so far is Abraham Lincoln's DNA. We have not publicized much about it yet. Abraham Lincoln is perhaps one of the most profound individuals in modern history. What we have discovered about his DNA is just as compelling. Watch this space. RC: Are there any current cases in the news (or not in the news) you would like the opportunity to investigate? Is there a case in history -- whether provable or not -- that you would have liked to have solved? CF: Sure! The Tamam Shud case. I would like to do DNA testing on the Somerton man, who was found dead on a beach in Adelaide, Australia, in 1948, with no personal identification and no tags in his clothes. His autopsy suggested that he had been poisoned, although no poison was detected in his system. The most intriguing clue found to his identity was a minute scrap of paper in the watch pocket of his trousers that read “Tamam Shud” ("It is Finished"), the last words in Persian of the Rubayiat by Omar Khayyam. Nearly a year later, the police located the book the scrap had been torn from, with a faint phone number penciled on its back cover. The unlisted number belonged to a nurse living near the beach. When she was confronted with a cast of the dead man’s face, she was completely taken aback and nearly fainted, although she firmly denied knowing who he was. Along with the nurse’s phone number, police discovered five faint lines of letters that formed a code that even Naval Intelligence was unable to decipher. The Somerton man has never been identified, nor has the poison been discovered that killed him. An exact duplicate of the man’s version of the Rubayiat has never been located, and the code found on the back cover of the book has never been cracked. The nurse has since died. The Somerton man is buried in West Terrace Cemetery in Adelaide. Was he a suicide? Was he murdered? Was he the nurse's lover? Was he in the intelligence community? The mysteries linger. For the moment, Australian authorities have prohibited DNA testing to identify him, finding no purpose to do so other than "curiosity." I will be available to assist them if ever they change their minds. RC: There were two recent cases in the national media involving ancestry. I'd like to know how you as a forensic genealogist would go about investigating these cases: a) Earlier this year, Maricopa County (Arizona) Sheriff Joe Arpaio claimed that President Obama’s Hawaii birth certificate is a fake. Evidently, the numerical coding that Hawaii used on birth certificates at the time Obama was born in the early 60s is not readily available, and the state didn’t keep a copy of the numeric codes for their long-form birth certificate. A 95-year-old former state worker, who signed the president’s birth certificate, had to explain numerical coding used on birth certificates at the time Obama was born. If you were asked to verify the location of birth, how would you prove the President was born in Hawaii? CF: I would first analyze the chemical contents of the paper and the ink that were used to produce the certificate. I would compare them to the paper and ink used for other certificates created on the same date and at the same place as Obama’s. There is also a laser technique called profilometry that can be used to measure the thickness of the ink in a signature. Each person applies pressure on a pen in a unique way as he writes, causing changes in ink flow. This manifests itself as a unique profile in ink thickness along a signature that can sometimes be used to identify the writer. To authenticate Obama’s birth certificate, I would use this technique to compare the ink thickness profile of the original signature of the state worker on Obama’s certificate, with the profile of his signature on another birth certificate produced the same day. If the profiles do not match, I would study multiple originals of the state worker’s signature to determine the variation in thickness profiles of those signatures, and confirm whether or not the profile of the signature on Obama’s certificate fell within that variation. A match in thickness profile along with a match in chemical analysis of paper and ink would prove to a high degree of probability that the birth certificate is the real thing. RC: b) Massachusetts U.S. Senator, Elizabeth Warren, said during her campaign that she is Cherokee, a claim which has been challenged and is still unproven. With the aid of a forensic genealogist, how would Elizabeth Warren prove her ancestry? CF: If Senator Warren’s claim is that she is Cherokee along her direct maternal line, mitochondrial DNA would be able to establish at least that she is Native American. If her claim is that she is Cherokee along a line other than her direct maternal line, autosomal DNA testing would be able to tell her what percent she is of Native American origin. It is my understanding that neither test would be able to establish if she is specifically Cherokee. RC: What do you recommend to genealogists who are considering entering the world of forensic genealogy? Classes? Seminars? If so, which do you think are the best? CF: As far as becoming a forensic genealogist, I’d suggest finding a case to solve, and going to whatever lengths it takes to solve it. For example, check out Missing Identity, a website for child survivors who lost their birth identities during the Holocaust. See if there is a case you think you can help with. You might also find an adoption search you can assist with. As far as taking a seminar, you might want to try one of mine – I'll be co-teaching a workshop with Dr. Mary Ann Boyle in January at the Salt Lake City Institute of Genealogy.  Mary Ann will cover the practical aspects of starting and maintaining a practice, and I will cover how to approach cases from innovative and unexpected directions. For more information on Colleen Fitzpatrick's workshop, access Course 7 through the Utah Genealogical Association's website RC: Can you give us an update on the "Benjamin Kyle" case? CF: Sure. I have been researching Benjaman Kyle since early 2009. Although public interest in him has waned to a large extent, I have been relentless in my continued research into his identity. I have spoken with several hundred people in the last four and a half years and have followed scores of leads. After widespread publicity of his situation failed to produce anyone who recognized him, I am concentrating on using DNA to identify him. Y-DNA tests yielded Powell as the most likely family name for him, with Davidson a second possibility (See my blog dated August 9, 2010 on Identifinders). After we could not find a link for him to living Powells or Davidsons, Benjaman took an autosomal test through 23andMe. A geographic analysis I performed on his results indicate connections with a very large extended Powell family in the Western Carolinas (See my blog dated December 9, 2010 on Identifinders). I have identified several relatives of his on the order of 2nd -3rd cousins within this family. To expand our DNA-reach, I am collaborating with 23andMe to facilitate additional testing and analysis. The results of recent tests have allowed me to rule out more distant branches, and direct my attention to more closely related family members. It is taking some time to do this because of the extremely large size of the family and the high rate of intermarriage. In the meantime, I have compiled a family tree from pedigrees given to me by his matches, and am developing software tools to query the nearly 36,000 entries to find the “sweet spot” where he best fits in. The mapping and analysis methods I am developing to identify Benjaman have proven useful on my Child Survivor DNA identification project (also a 23andMe collaboration). (See my blog dated September 5, 2012). RC: What about forensic genealogy parallels nuclear physics? What about it is the complete opposite? CF: Parallel: They both require an objective look at data, with an intuition about the right way to interpret it. Neither discipline ever produces a final answer – rather, one answer only leads to more questions. In both areas, it's often just when you think you are ready to give up that you have a "eureka" moment. Completely opposite: Nuclear physics requires a lot of equipment, and a strong background in math. To be a crack genealogist you only need a laptop and a cell phone. I miss the math. RC: Can you suggest some of the databases you use that you find to be helpful in forensic genealogy cases? CF: You will laugh. Ancestry, Genealogybank, Familysearch, brsgenealogy.com, Scotland’s People, and any of the public record databases like Intellius or PrivateEye. It's not special access to data that is behind my success. It's the creative process that knits that data together into a coherent story. RC: You have blown the lid off two hoaxes involving the Holocaust? How did you become involved with these cases? Do you have an "intuition" for these kinds of cases, or does the science side of you demand solid evidence before you get a sense for the case? CF: Actually, I see no difference between intuition and science. It might sound like an oxymoron, but I use scientific intuition to get at the truth about something. This is a kind of objective assessment of plausibility. I can usually get a sense for the truth well before I have the facts to confirm it or disprove it. When I "follow my nose," I can usually find the evidence I am searching for. To set the records straight, although I was a key person on the two Holocaust frauds you mention (Misha Defonseca’s Surviving with Wolves and Herman Rosenblat’s Angel at the Fence), Sharon Sergeant was really the point man who originally took on the two projects. Sharon and I spoke nearly every night, analyzing recent developments and planning the next steps, so I did play a significant role in both exposures. I am now working on a third possible Holocaust literary fraud – The Mascot by Mark Kurzem. (See my article dated September 16, 2012 on J-Wire). RC: You have published three books. Any thoughts for a fourth? If so, can you give us an idea what it might be? CF: Of course. Once you've written three books, it becomes a habit. The working title of my next book is The Identifinder – How to Find Anyone in the World. Stay tuned. RC: You have had two extraordinary, but very different, careers in your life time. Do you think that's it, or might there be a third profession on the horizon? If so, what would that/might that career be? CF: You never know. RC: What was your last "Ah Hah!" moment? CF: My last two “Ah Hah” moments happened when I discovered the birth parents of a man who had been adopted in Manhattan in 1934. He had been searching for his biological parents for the last 56 years. He had hired an attorney in an unsuccessful attempt to get the State of New York to open his adoption records, he had hired a private investigator to sneak a look at his records at the New York City vital records office, he had hired a well-known genealogist to follow up on the names the PI came up with, and he had his original birth certificate accompanied by a statement from his birth mother that he had been named after his birth father. All of his efforts had been unsuccessful. Two years ago, the retired director of the adoption agency that had handled his case told him to give up – that at 76 years old, he would never be able to find his birth parents. His luck was about to change last January when he read an article about me in his local newspaper, and he called to find out more about DNA testing. To make a long story short, on September 7, 2012 at 8:52 pm, I found his father. Three days later, on September 10, 2012 at 2:53 pm, I found his mother. His life has not been the same since. RC: Who is/was your mentor? CF: I don’t think I’ve ever had a mentor, although I draw strength and inspiration from all women of accomplishment. #### Forensic Genealogy – Dead Men Do Tell Tales When I set out to research this article, I was a tad surprised to see forensic genealogy described as a "modern" approach to family research, as though it were invented yesterday. The practice has been around for quite some time. Only recently has it gotten a sexy name and the respect and appreciation it deserves. I have heard forensic genealogy described as "the study of kinship and identity as it pertains to the law." That's a good definition, but I prefer professional genealogist Megan Smolenyak's description – "reverse genealogy" – because in forensic cases, you begin with the deceased and you look for the living, compared to conventional genealogy, which starts with the living and looks for the deceased. (Ms. Smolenyak is the author of Trace Your Roots with DNA.) A lot of forensic genealogy is figured out by available documentation with science and technology mixed in. The three most important sources of forensic genealogy are: 1) Photo analysis 2) Database mining 3) DNA analysis Research Formula: Forensic techniques + conventional research = forensic genealogy In other words, forensic genealogy takes the facts discovered by conventional genealogy and weaves them together to give you an entire picture. It is a relatively modern approach to family research for the legal profession and law enforcement. Think "CSI Meets Roots." One of the most common uses for forensic genealogy is to locate missing heirs to estates. This is not a new practice. In fact, Laurie Thompson, a highly respected former Regent of a New York City DAR chapter, provided forensic genealogy research to the FBI and other law enforcement agencies, in addition to finding next of kin, for more than 40 years. She didn't have the luxury of online databases; she did it the hardcopy way. The answer to a case may be found in a city directory or in hospital or cemetery records. So "high-tech" is not necessary in forensic genealogy, but it sure does help. Where the high-technology comes in handy is with the DNA testing; but in the end, the science must be supported by the analyses of photos and documents. A short list of areas that are served by forensic genealogy includes: • Probate and estate cases • Guardianship cases (next of kin) • Civil pension, Social Security, or veteran benefits • Land issues Experts in Forensic Genealogy Colleen Fitzpatrick Fitpatrick is described as a "real-life CSI detective who has helped crack the most compelling mysteries of our time." Currently, she is a consulting genealogist for the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL). Boasting a PhD in nuclear physics, as well as an MS in physics from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, Colleen Fitzpatrick founded her own high-tech optics company (Rice Systems) in her garage. She subsequently contracted with NASA, the US Department of Defense, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the National Science Foundation, as well as other civil and government agencies. Fitzpatrick is the author of several best-selling books on genealogy, as well as a forensic genealogy book – Forensic Genealogy -that is considered "The Reference" for the entire profession. Dick Eastman, renowned genealogist and host of his own website Eastman's Online Genealogy Newsletter, highly recommends Forensic Genealogy. Other books by Fitzpatrick include DNA and Genealogy (2005) and Dead Horse Investigation: Forensic Photo Analysis for Everyone, among others. Dee Dee King An expert in the field of forensic genealogy, Dee Dee King serves on the board of the Council for the Advancement of Forensic Genealogy (CAFG) a professional business league. The Council's website offers valuable research resources, including links to probate codes, bar associations, state rules of evidence, genealogist/attorney relationships, and more. The Council also offers classes, and those who pass the course receive a Forensic Genealogy Institute Certificate of Completion. Forensic genealogy in short is research, analysis, and reporting in cases with legal implications. It's mining for research gold, using creative resources outside the realm of conventional genealogy research. It is applying scientific processes to traditional research to arrive at an answer. It is the dead speaking from the grave . . ."where are you?" Do you hear dead people speaking? If you do, forensic genealogy may be for you. Need help? #### Foundling Hospital Records New York City Orphan Train Records An ancestry researcher can travel in time with Orphan Train Records Many an ancestry researcher knows that New York City is and was a tough place to live.  When this RecordClick genealogist has visited the NYC metropolis on a number of occasions, I, too, have found it a challenging place to navigate. Yet, today it isn’t like it was in the 1800s. In the mid-part of the 1800s, when immigrants seeking a new life in America streamed into New York, they came by the hundreds of thousands. Then, in the time of the growing American economy, immigration regulations were few. In New York City, immigrant families who settled there often lived in overcrowded tenement buildings. These close quarters along with a lack of adequate sanitation and medical care meant that there were widespread illness and death among these families. Many children lost their parents and when both parents died, these young immigrant children and even those who were then born here to immigrant parents became orphans. One small group of people provided some hope to these poor orphans and that hope translated into a current-day rich research resource for genealogists. A Children's Aid Society picture of some of the orphan the train to homes. The numbers are a staggering. By 1850, there were an estimated 30,000 children believed to be homeless in New York City. These children had few advocates and were often left to fend for themselves. Hope and help arrived at the creation of several agencies including The Children’s Aid Society The New York Juvenile Asylum New York Foundling Hospital The Orphan Asylum of the City of New York The founder of The Children’s Aid Society, Charles Loring Brace, was challenged with dealing and caring for so many children. He developed a plan for providing the youngsters with improved living conditions. He felt a better life in a home with high moral standards and physical labor would provide more opportunities and practical education for the children. To that end, he created the Orphan Train Movement which lasted from the 1850s through the 1920s. Brace’s Children’s Aid Society was the primary agency involved in the Orphan Train effort although other groups did participate. This Orphan Train Movement is important for the ancestry researcher because it created a paper trail for these children—young people who might otherwise have been lost to history and never recorded. According to Children’s Aid Society records, between 1853 and 1893, over 97,000 children were able to find new homes. Children were placed on trains accompanied by agents. At stops along the way, prospective parents were given the opportunity to select a child. Orphan Trains stopped at more than 45 states across the country as well as in Canada and Mexico. The states that received the most children during this time period were: New York, 38,000 Illinois, 7,000 Missouri 4000+ New Jersey 4000+ Ohio 4000+ By the time the program ceased, over 120,000 children had been placed in new homes. The Children’s Aid Society and Mr. Brace considered a number of factors about the children who were involved in the Orphan Train program. Knowing that many of these city youngsters would be expected to help on a farm or in a home, Brace and his staff looked at each child’s ability to adapt to a new environment and made careful selections. Staff kept records of these children’s progress. A good amount of information regarding the orphans and their stories can be found at the National Orphan Train Complex in Concordia, Kansas. The museum and research center preserve the memories and artifacts of the Orphan Train children. Contact links for locating records are also available. The Children’s Aid Society website also has information on the history and records as well as a link to the group to which many of the surviving Orphan Train members belong. The interest in these Orphan Train records has increased among genealogy researchers over the last several years. Because of the nature of the movement, a number of people involved and the many records, the ancestry researcher can find terrific genealogy documents in these holdings. If you think your family tree includes an Orphan Train child, let the professional ancestry researchers from RecordClick find the records for you. #### Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons: Summer Fun for the Genealogy Researcher With genealogy, ethnicity or nationality is important. For this genealogist, being half German and a bit more structured in my life, I am often amazed by other nationalities. Today, it is the Italians. This professional genealogist recently enjoyed watching Jersey Boys, the movie about Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. I did enjoy the "que sera, sera" attitude of some of the film's Italian characters. I'm going to use this as an opportunity to “borrow” an Italian family and be their genealogy researcher for a bit. First, a history note from a professional genealogist: People usually didn’t move to some place new for the fun of it. Something was probably going on that was making their lives a tad bit miserable. This genealogist finds it difficult to imagine that any person would want to leave southern Italy.  Yet, in the late 1800s, there were a lot of changes there. In the 1860s, Italy was unified. That was followed in the 1870s by a socialist period marked by corruption, governmental problems and poverty. If that wasn’t enough, there was also a cholera epidemic that killed some 55,000 people. Life got tougher. So, in the 1880s, Italians began taking a chance on going to the United States. Genealogy researchers will see that the immigration numbers from Italy to the United States peak in the early 1900s. Another note from a professional genealogist: A good genealogist begins by working backwards. Its sort of like a genealogy Working My Way Back To You. Jersey Boys' Frankie Valli and his Italian family provide the perfect example. According to online biographies, Frankie Valli’s real surname isn’t Valli. It’s Castelluccio. In typical genealogy researcher fashion, I have found that the name has a number of spellings in various records, including Cestelucci. Our Frankie was born in 1931 in Newark, New Jersey to Anthony and Mary Rinaldi Castelluccio. So far, so good. But the genealogy gets more interesting. The next step I took was to find Anthony and Mary in the U.S. Census. Thanks to the online site FindAGrave, I found the couple buried in Glendale Cemetery, Essex County, New Jersey. The dates listed: Anthony Castelluccio: b. 1911; d. June 8,1991. Mary Rinaldi Castelluccio, b. 1913; d. December 15, 1987. The genealogy researcher fun continues. Genealogy researchers can verify family facts including those of famous groups such as Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons In order to get birth dates, the next place this professional genealogist looked was the Social Security Death Index. Anthony was easy – he was born November 28, 1911 with the last residence of Passaic, New Jersey. Mother Mary, on the other hand, is problematic. There are three Mary Castelluccios listed: b. 1918, d. 1987, last residence of Rockland, New York b. 1902, d. 1989 b. 1910, d. 2001, last residence of Burlington, New Jersey For the first entry, the birth year is nowhere close. However, the death year is correct and Rockland, New York county borders the County of Passaic, New Jersey. The dates on the second entry for Mary are both off. While the birthday for the third Mary entry is close, the death date is not at all close to the cemetery information and also, Burlington, New Jersey is a bit too far south and west. I’m not ready to commit to any of these three entries. So, this it’s back to the census for this genealogy researcher. In the 1920 United States Census, Anthony and Mary, both single, are entered in with their families. Anthony was living at 314 Sixth Street in Jersey City, New Jersey. Keep in mind that the 1920 Census was enumerated in January. The enumeration date can make a difference in the listed ages. The Castelluccio family: Frank                   Head                     44           b. Italy                  Barber Mildred                Wife                      37           b. Italy Anthony               Son                        8            b. New Jersey Then there are the Rinaldis. They are living at 221 Montgomery Street, about a mile from the Castelluccios in Jersey City. The Rinaldi family: Joseph                  Head                     51           b. Italy                  Barber Mary                     Wife                      49           b. Italy Andrew                Son                        26           b. New York        Electrician Mary                     Daughter             11            b. New Jersey If this Census is correct, Mary was born in 1909 and this creates another possible birth year. Whichever is correct, this genealogy researcher can surmise that the couple probably married sometime around the time the 1930 Census was taken. This professional genealogist has not yet found Joseph and Mary in the 1910 Census, but when I do, that will likely also confirm a birth year. While census records are a good source of information, family history researchers know that other records may be even better. New Jersey doesn’t have recent birth and marriage records online. Local church records may be a resource for the genealogy researcher, especially since Anthony and Mary lived in a good Italian neighborhood and many Italians in the neighborhood were Catholic. Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 344 Sixth Street, is very close to where Anthony lived. It was founded in the mid-1880s to serve the Italian community in Jersey City. A family history researcher may find that this church has baptism, confirmation, marriage and burial records for the family including basic information like this: Anthony Castelluccio b. November 28, 1911, NJ d. June 8, 1991, NJ Franki Valli    b. May 3, 1934 Mary Rinaldi    b. 1909-1913, NJ d. December 15, 1987, NJ During the 1900s, the cities of northeastern New Jersey were lively and crowded. Neighborhoods had many apartment buildings and affordable single family dwellings. When families could afford to, they moved to better housing. Between 1920 and 1930, Anthony’s parents moved from Sixth Street in Jersey City to 9 High Street in Newark. As for Mary’s parents, by 1930, they had moved from Montgomery Street to 74 Woodlawn Avenue in Jersey City. Many of those Italians living in northern New Jersey were first or second generation residents of this country. Finding those immigrant roots may be a challenge for the genealogy researcher. This professional genealogy researcher will take a look at that topic next time. If you are having difficulty locating your immigrant ancestors, the professional genealogists at RecordClick will help you. We provide expert insight into how your ancestors emigrated from one country to another. We have genealogy researchers who will obtain documentation and will solve your family’s genealogy mysteries. #### Freedom Rings for Rhode Island Adoptees and Genealogy Research For those of you who have read my earlier blogs, you will know that I have a special spot in my heart for adoptees seeking lost relatives, or those wondering how do I find lost relatives. That's why I am especially happy to report that this past week, just two days before we celebrated the 236th anniversary of American Independence Day, Rhode Island opened the state's pre-adoption birth records, marking the first time adoptees' original birth records have been available since the state sealed them in 1944. The law was adopted (no pun intended) September 2011, and the records were opened July 2, 2012. Adoptees born in Rhode Island who are 25 years or older now have the freedom to discover their biological roots and lineage. Already there has a been a tremendous response -- more than 350 people signed up to receive their birth records prior to July 2012 -- which suggests there is an overwhelming number of people anxious to learn more about their origins. Colleen Fontana, the Rhode Island State Registrar of the Office of Vital Records, said that the state has some 18,000 sealed records of adoptees dating back to the 1800s, so who knows what long-time genealogical mysteries may soon be solved. [Opening up the records is] "another affirmation of civil rights, human rights, justice," said Steven Costantino, Secretary of Health and Human Services, which oversees the state's Vital Records agency. I cannot help but agree with Mr. Costantino that knowledge of one's biological roots is extremely important for many. It is not just a matter of knowing what diseases run in the family, food allergies, and other medical information; instead, it can be a deep-seated need to feel "rooted" and part of something bigger than oneself. Could this cause complications for living biological parents who want to retain privacy, wishing for no contact with a child they put up for adoption? Indeed it might...quite possibly for every exultant adoptee, there are several biological parents who fear a disruption in their lives if these children located them. It is a delicate issue for sure and one for which there is no easy answer. We can only hope that there will be more joyful reunions and positive experiences than negative or harmful experiences. In the big picture, however, ensuring that each person has access to their own personal family history may well outweigh other concerns. I have spent many years helping families find lost relatives, as well as locate living relatives, and I am happy to report that the experiences have been overwhelmingly positive. It is true, on occasion there has been the rejecting mother or family who wants nothing to do with the adoptee; but for the most part, mothers and even fathers are overjoyed finally to reconnect with a lost child and to feel reassured that they were okay, that the child lived a good life, and that they might now have some sort of relationship with one other. One of my favorite cases was reuniting an 85-year-old father with his previously unknown 63-year-old son! This is the kind of experience that genealogists live for because it gives a real sense of purpose to this work. It was thrilling to know that we had helped reunite this family. It turned out our client not only had two new siblings but was finally able to meet his father and spend precious time with him while he was still alive. The sad cases are when the birth parents are now deceased and there are no surviving descendants or relatives to help fill in the blanks, or provide family photos, or tell family stories. I have also worked on such cases and experienced the disappointment along with a client when the family either refuses to have contact or when there are no surviving family members to fill in the story. Most of us want to know our story, how we got here, who our parents are, who we look like, and why we are the way we are. For expert advice on locating and finding lost relatives, finding living relatives and biological family, or to find birth mother and birth parents contact us. #### French Ancestry: How To Apply For Citizenship By Descent France's charm and culture put the world at its feet. The country is adored for its Eiffel Tower in Paris and its nonchalant way of life. Luckily, people with French ancestry can trace their ancestors and become more than just tourists of the adorable heritage. Sure, you can become a French citizen by proving your family connections to French relatives or ancestry. Besides, having an accurate breakdown of your family history can unearth other exciting aspects about you. This guide explores French citizenship by descent program and all the possible outcomes. Key Takeaways France has gradually implemented the Jus sanguinis principle, which grants citizenship to people connected to France by blood. You will need to prove your identity and the citizenship of at least one parent. If you have French heritage and are concerned about documenting it, we can help you narrow down the options and quickly trace your ancestors and their origins. RELATED:  How to get Italian Citizenship by Descent & Your Italian Heritage What Is Citizenship by Descent in France? French Flag Like in other countries, you can obtain French citizenship by birth, marriage, descent, investment, and more. Citizenship by descent is one adored option preferred by foreign citizens whose ancestors originated in France. If you're ready and willing to overturn the stones, we have everything you need to know to succeed in France’s case. The country has gradually implemented the Jus sanguinis principle, which grants citizenship to people connected to France by blood. Unfortunately, France only allows you to go back one generation, meaning you can only acquire citizenship by descent if one of your parents was a French citizen. If you're lucky to have a parent with French citizenship and want to pursue French dual citizenship, all you need is reliable and accurate documentation as proof. You will need to prove your identity and the citizenship of the parent. Also, there has to be proof of a parent-child relationship when you were a minor. Benefits of Acquiring French Citizenship France is the European Union's (EU) powerhouse and a top-five economy in the world. This means you'll never miss opportunities if you're willing to work in France. Besides, the French passport is among the most powerful travel documents, allowing you to visit various countries visa-free. Remember, as a French citizen, you can travel, reside, or work in any EU nation. Caveats To French Citizenship Eiffel Tower The most difficulty in acquiring French citizenship stems from the process and requirements. For example, France requires you to register all generations before applying. In other words, the parent who passes the citizenship to you must have all the necessary documentation as a citizen before you apply. It means that parents who qualify as citizens by birth or other means must go through the process, and the descendants must follow. In the same way, you must register and obtain citizenship before trying to do the same for your kids. While the paperwork may be easy to establish, the cultural and language interview is another hurdle. This plays into the fact that France is a nationalistic country, with less than 40% of the population speaking English. As if that was not enough, France can deny you the right to citizenship by descent. This mostly happens if you or your parent have been out of the country for over 50 years and have not participated in activities such as passport renewal, voter registration, census, etc. These caveats make France one of the most complex countries for people to acquire citizenship through the ancestry program. But don't fret yet. If you can prove your French ancestry and other recent connections, you still stand a chance to apply. Below is a detailed overview of how to quickly document your French heritage and track your ancestors and relatives in the world's powerhouse. How To Research Your French Ancestry Genealogy Research It would be a hassle to commute to all the archives from Paris to Maseille looking for records regarding your grandparents who lived in the early 90s. Instead, a comprehensive genealogy would identify even closer relatives who would better guide your lineage in France. Tracking your French ancestry may involve detailing the full names of every person connected to you. The family tree has proven most effective in expanding your family details with you as the root. Download free family tree samples and make family research a study and a fun activity in your living room. Every space in the family tree should include the person's full name, special dates like birth and death, and other relevant information. If you don't have any reference material at your disposal, try online searches for any clues. Besides, you can visit the National Archives and General Registrar's office for all records from birth to census. The process sounds easy in theory, but piling up the paperwork and dealing with all the bureaucracy can be a hassle. This is the point where you need a professional genealogist. What’s The Need for A Professional Genealogist? Genealogists are bound by the law Genealogists are professionals dealing with family history research and documentation. They help you start your genealogy from scratch and guide your plan to ensure you meet all your objectives. Besides, genealogists may be required to present the evidence and data proving your bloodline and make citizenship application a walk in the park. Most importantly, genealogists know the checkmarks of finding a specific ancestor. Record Click Professional Genealogists will expedite the process of unearthing personal information and help you understand the historical contexts. Only a professional genealogist can perfectly navigate the national library and quickly track your story. They also come in handy when you want to ensure you get everything right during the French citizenship application by descent. However, contacting your state's consulate general office is advisable for directions on the application process, especially regarding descent, application fee, and duration. Of course, the first step in the citizenship application process starts by visiting the state's consulate with your genealogy information and records. RELATED: How To Conduct Family History Research On A Budget French Ancestry Just Got Funnier! If you have French heritage and are concerned about documenting it, we can help you narrow down the options and quickly trace your ancestors and their origins. Contact us and share with genealogy experts about which project fits your needs.       #### French Dual Citizenship by Jus Sanguinis - Part Trois Once again, it's time to address dual citizenship by descent – also known as jus sanguinis ("right of blood"). So far I have delved into Irish dual citizenship and Italian dual citizenship. Numbering among the 27 members of the European Union (EU), Ireland and Italy have dual citizenship laws that are fairly easy to decipher. Today, however, France is on the docket, and I can tell you right now, the topic of French dual citizenship has proven to be as enigmatic as a French film. Admittedly, researching dual citizenship with France is no easy task. It could be in part due to the fact that France has only allowed dual citizenship since 1973 and has undergone a number of legislative changes in regard to French nationality. It also is the last hold-out in the EU to still recognize jus soli ("right of soil") to some extent; though it no longer confers nationality strictly on territorial birthright. Additionally, unless you speak fluent French, the language barrier can make the process difficult. With that said, I scoured more than 30 websites trying to get definitive information on the subject of French nationality, finding the answers to be, at times, a mystère. While I can read and understand French to some extent, I am not fluent in the language, and therefore have to count on page translations. I even viewed some unofficial posts for further insight, but found contradictory information, with some people saying, "It's possible," and others saying, "It's impossible." For the record, French dual citizenship by descent is not impossible, but it is a tad daunting. For the purposes of this blog, I have relied only on information found on official websites for French embassies and consulates, as well as the Code de la Nationalité Française (Code of French Nationality), especially "Title II - Chapter I: The French by Descent (Articles 17-19)." I also reference the Demande de Certificat de Nationalité Française, the actual application form, to ascertain what is considered grounds for French citizenship. If you are a United States citizen, there are a number of ways you can obtain French dual citizenship: Birth:  If one of your parents is a French citizen (the Law of 1973 established equality for men and women in regard to citizenship laws) Residence:  If you have lived and worked legally in France for five years Marriage:  If you marry a French citizen and then live in the country five years Service:  If you serve in the French Foreign Legion for at least five years Study:  If you earn a Masters Degree from a French University after studying in France for at least two years Since our concern is dual citizenship by descent, and since birth to a French citizen is fairly cut and dry, I am going to focus on French dual citizenship by jus sanguinis through the grandparental line. In general, to achieve French dual citizenship, you must obtain a French Nationality Certificate (CNF) – Certificat de Nationalité Française. The CNF is an official document that allows a person to prove their French citizenship. To earn a CNF you must first submit a Demande de Certificat de Nationalité Française. You will see on page 2 of the form the questions pertaining to the applicant's grandparents: names, dates of birth, marriage dates, place of residence for both grandmother (grand-mère) and grandfather (grand-père). The documentation you will need includes, but is not necessarily limited to: Your grandparents' birth certificates. These can be obtained from the city hall (marie) in the cities of their births. When requesting such documentation, remember to include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a letter explaining who you are, along with your grandparents' names, dates and places of birth, as well as each of their parents' names. An original copy of your parents' birth certificates, marriage certificates, passports, address, etc. (even and especially if they were born in the U.S.) A copy of your original birth certificate, address, etc. All documentation must be translated by an official translator, known as an assermenter translator. The best way to locate an official translator is through your local French Consulate. Additional to the documentation, you must also be able to prove that: You are at least 18 years of age You are of good moral fiber (through an attestation de moralité from a French citizen) You have no criminal history You have a current, primary residence is in France You have assimilated into French life* You have a command of the French language* - enough to function in daily life *Since 2003, to control immigration, the "Sarkozy law" requires an applicant to prove his assimilation into the French community in a personal interview, as well as to be evaluated on his/her knowledge of the French language and the rights and duties conferred by French nationality. If you live in France, you can take your documentation to a local tribunal d’instance (magistrates' court) for processing. According to the Consulate General of France, if you live abroad at the time of application, you must send the completed form (in French) to the district court of the 1st arrondissement of Paris (Service de la nationalité des Français établis hors de France, 30 rue du château des rentiers, 75647 Paris Cedex 13). You may also go through your area French consulate or embassy. Processing of your application can take up to two years, provided you submit all of the necessary information and documentation. Helpful Websites Consulates of France in the U.S.  Embassy of France French Ministry of Justice Legifrance If you fall within one of the categories allowing French dual citizenship, and you need help in the application process, consider hiring a professional genealogy service who knows the score on submitting the proper forms and documentation. RecordClick staffs professional genealogists in a number of EU countries, including France. A professional genealogy research service such as RecordClick can assist you in the French dual citizenship process. The history of France's Nationality Law from the new Civil Code of 1803 to present day is extensive. The French nationality law as we know it today was established by 1889, and includes a mixture of laws based on jus soli and jus sanguinis. The NATAC project – "Acquisition of Nationality in EU Member States: Rules, Practices and Quantitative Developments" - was conducted between September 2004 and November 2005. Chapter 5 of the report, which deals with France, was researched and written by Patrick Weil and Alexis Spire, and explains the history of France's Nationality Law. For your reading pleasure and information, please see my blogs on dual citizenship: Jus Sanguinis or Jus Soli – Are You a Candidate for Dual Citizenship? Dual Citizenship by Jus Sanguinis – Part Deux #### From Historical Shame - A Loving Lesson Is Learned We know better than to judge the past by today's standards, but sometimes it is difficult to understand certain actions of people and government, especially when it has occurred in the last century of American history. In 1924, the state of Virginia passed its Racial Integrity Act (RIA), which categorized Virginians as either white or colored, and deemed marriages between whites and non-whites a crime. The RIA remained in effect until 1967 when it was finally overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of Loving v. Virginia. It's fair to ask, "How did this happen?" Research can explain "what" happened, but the "how" of this travesty may never be fully understood. Delving into the subject, I found that Virginia's Bureau of Vital Statistics, which was created in 1912 by the Virginia General Assembly, fell under the direction of a racist by the name of Dr. Walter Ashby Plecker, who served as the Bureau's first registrar. A known white supremacist, Plecker, who held his post from 1912 until 1946, viciously promoted Virginia's RIA, also referred to as the "Act to Preserve Racial Purity." This Act was a series of legislative efforts designed to protect "whiteness" against what many Virginians perceived to be the effects of immigration and race-mixing.1 Using traditional genealogy research resources, I was able to uncover some facts regarding Walter Plecker, who was born in Augusta County, Virginia, to Jacob Plecker, a merchant. In 1870 his father’s estate was worth $13,000. By 1900 Walter was married and living in Hampton, Virginia. By 1930 he had a white servant Rebecca Shaw in his home. It does not appear he had any children in his lifetime. He was a medical doctor by profession. He is buried at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia.2 The lone exception to the 1924 Act to Preserve Racial Purity was the so-called "Pocahontas clause," which allowed powerful Virginia families (including descendants of Thomas Jefferson), who claimed kinship with Pocahontas and her English husband John Rolfe, to maintain their all-white status and privileges. We now know the truth about Jefferson and his relationship with Sally Hemings, a biracial slave, with whom he fathered four children. He allowed the two oldest children to escape in 1822, and freed the youngest two in his will. While Walter Plecker was seated in his position, he systematically and freely altered and reclassified birth, marriage, and death records, changing those classified as "Indian" to the race of "colored." In doing so, the first American people, Native Americans, belonging to six of the eight recognized tribes by the state, could not gain recognition because they could no longer prove their American Indian ancestry. White Virginians had long been concerned with policing the color line. Virginia outlawed interracial marriage in 1691. In 1705 the laws of the Colony defined a "mulatto" as "the child of an Indian and the child, grandchild, or great grandchild, of a negro." In 1785 the Commonwealth of Virginia clarified that definition to apply to "every person who shall have one-fourth part or more of Negro blood." After the American Civil War (1861–1865), a new statute defined a "colored person" as anyone having one-fourth or more of "negro" blood and an "Indian" as any person having one-fourth or more of Indian blood. During the first years of the 20th Century, with the emergence of scientific racism (the use of purported scientific methods to justify racial differences and hierarchies) and its attendant policies of segregation and disfranchisement, white Virginians sought to tighten racial definitions. In 1910 the Virginia General Assembly declared that anyone with one-sixteenth or more "black blood" was black. All other people were legally white.3 In 1943 Walter Plecker Asserted that Virginia Indians No Longer Existed In the early 1940s, Plecker employed the law to classify all Virginians as "white" or "colored" and to classify the state's Indians as "colored." Plecker believed that some African Americans were attempting to pass as Indians and feared that Indians would attempt to pass as white. He obsessively documented each and every birth and marriage registration submitted to his agency, and manipulated and distorted records to show that the genealogical heritage of Virginia's Indians was so intermixed with Virginia's African Americans that no real Indians existed. Colonial laws on slavery often used the words Negro and slave interchangeably, and by law at various times some Indians could be enslaved and others not.4 Time Line • 1691 - Virginians outlawed interracial marriage. • 1910 - The Virginia General Assembly declared that anyone with one-sixteenth or more of "black blood" is black. • 1912 - The Virginia General Assembly created the Bureau of Vital Statistics to register all births, deaths, and marriages. Under the direction of Dr. Walter Plecker, the Bureau of Vital Statistics became an active agent in policing the color line. • 1922 - The Anglo-Saxon Clubs of Americas was formed in Richmond, Virginia, and began demanding legislation to prohibit marriage between a white person and anyone who has any amount of non-white heritage. • March 20, 1924 - Virginia passes the Racial Integrity Act, a law aimed at protecting whiteness on the state level. It prohibits interracial marriage, the only exception being a marriage between a white person and a person with less than one-sixteenth Indian blood. • March 22, 1926 - A law known as the Massenburg Bill, which mandated racial segregation at all public assemblies, went into effect. The law required "the separation of white and colored persons at public halls, theaters, opera houses, motion picture shows, and places of public entertainment and public assemblages." • 1930 - The General Assembly passed a law defining Virginia Indians as those possessing one-quarter or more of Indian blood and less than one-sixteenth of black blood. The law also stipulated that such people would be considered black unless they lived on a segregated Indian reservation. • June 12, 1967 - In a unanimous ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court, Virginia's anti-miscegenation statutes were struck down, and Loving v. Virginia established the legal basis for a cultural redefinition of marriage. The U.S. Supreme Court's 1967 ruling in Loving v. Virginia declared Virginia's ban on interracial marriage as unconstitutional.5 Loving v. Virginia Richard Perry and Mildred Jeter Loving were an interracial couple living in Virginia in the 1950s; it was their landmark Supreme Court Case, Loving v. Virginia that changed history. This couple was married in June 1958 in Washington, D.C. and arrested five weeks later in July 1958 for violating the terms of the Racial Integrity Act. On January 6, 1959, Judge Leon Bazile accepted their guilty pleas, but suspended their one-year sentences on the condition that they leave Virginia and promise not to return as a couple for 25 years. The Lovings moved to Washington D.C., and in 1963 appealed their conviction; it was denied. Again in 1966 they appealed to the Supreme Court, and the conviction was overturned. Richard Loving was quoted by his defense as stating: "Tell the Court I love my wife, and it is just unfair that I can't live with her in Virginia." Because of Loving v. Virginia ruling, 24 states that still had anti-miscegenation laws on their books were forced to repeal them. In 1975, Richard Perry Loving was killed by a drunk driver. Mildred Delores Jeter Loving died in 2008. They are both buried at Central Point, Saint Stephens Baptist Church in Caroline County, Virginia. Mildred's mother was part Rappahannock Indian and her father was part Cherokee. She considered herself black. For genealogy researchers who are trying to gather information in the state of Virginia between 1924 and 1967, especially information on ethnicity, you may find it helpful to contact a professional genealogist to help you maneuver through this period of time. Record Click has expert genealogists with whom you can consult. Sources: 1 [Source: Contributed by Gregory Michael Dorr, a visiting assistant professor at Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts. He is the author of Segregation's Science: Eugenics and Society in Virginia (2008). Richmond Times Dispatch January 8, 1935] and Encyclopedia Virginia 2 findagrave.com 3 Encyclopedia Virginia 4 Virginia Memory 5 Encyclopedia Virginia #### From the Wish List of this Genealogy Researcher: An Archive Finding Aid This RecordClick genealogist has a wish list. Well, I have more than that because I do have some families about whom I wish I could find more information. WISH NUMBER ONE: I wish some archives were a little more user friendly. Most have an online list of their holdings. Some of these lists make sense and others, well, not so much. It is help for the “not so much” part that I am interested in. It gets jumbled when, as we genealogy researcher know, each town, city, county and state frequently has a different way of handling things and different terms for offices and courts. A District Court in one state may be a Surrogate’s Court in another state. One city may have a Town Council while another may have a Board of Commissioners. All have records. It can get just a bit confusing for the family history researcher. Genealogists search in archives--on line. Last week, the genealogy god of serendipity must have been smiling at me because I found something I have been looking for and I didn’t even know it. The Louisiana Division/City Archives in New Orleans has an online exhibit Hidden from History – Unknown New Orleanians. Even though I don’t have any connections to New Orleans, I find the concept of an online exhibit interesting. Hidden from History was created by Dr. Emily Epstein Landau and was on display in the Louisiana Division City Archives at the New Orleans Main Library in 2008. The online version was designed by Irene Wainwright. The exhibit presents the genealogy researcher with resources at the archives and it also provides information about how the city worked. This genealogy researcher found this online exhibit to be a good source for the New Orleans police department information. Hidden from History looks specifically at those who are in the margins of society. The online exhibit begins with mug shots --faces not too different from those I saw when I visited Ellis Island. The mug shots are ordered with numbers corresponding to each mug shot, or Bertillon cards. These cards provide some personal information about the individual. Yet, as the genealogy researcher knows, few ancestors are going to have mug shots or have been arrested. These type of records deal with more than criminals. Police records also deal with families and their issues and with those people  who have had mental health issues. This online exhibit also mentions their transportation logs that recorded travels to the State insane asylum.  Even better than that, there is the correspondence noted in this online exhibit between the police department and other governmental entities. This cache includes: Letters concerning space in the insane asylum for patients Reports about individuals who died while in custody Issues dealing with the indigent Requests by individuals seeking free permits to operate a business from their home Requests from individuals or groups seeking donations Letters from individuals concerning questionable activities of their neighbors Issues relating to evictions It is a lot to sort through! And the good genealogy researcher should always be prepared to search. So, if an ancestor was committed to an insane asylum, a police log or report might provide some insight into what was going on. And how many people have tried to earn just a little extra money by starting a small family business? Right? WISH NUMBER TWO:  I want more historical societies and archives to create online exhibits. Family history researchers can name the usual resources by rote: census records, vital records, marriage records, deeds, tax lists, newspapers, the family bible and list goes on. But what about that family member who doesn’t seem to have left much of a paper trail? Maybe there’s a census record, but the ancestor didn’t own property or have enough money to pay taxes and seems to have vanished into thin air. The genealogy researcher finds an online list of archival holdings. But  then what does it all mean? This is where an online exhibit might help. The topics that could be accessed are limited only by the imagination. These exhibits will provide the lists of what is in the archives or in the historical society’s holdings. An online exhibit will provide instant insight on how record keeping works in a certain city, county or state. The pictures in an online exhibit tell stories for us. An online exhibit will make the genealogy researcher wonder and ask questions. Who are these people? How did they wind up here? Why are they important? The experienced genealogists at RecordClick will find your ancestors. We will find the details of their lives and who they were in the world. They don’t need to have been rich or  famous. They may have been a pillar of the community, a scoundrel or just plain folks. Our family’s farmers and laborers have their place in our world of genealogy. RecordClick genealogists will search through archival holdings to find that person, create the family history, and bring alive the life of those people who are important to you. #### G-A-L is a G-U-Y - His Royal Highness Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge It's official! The name of the latest-born heir to the British throne has been selected: HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE GEORGE ALEXANDER LOUIS OF CAMBRIDGE ("Prince George" for short) We Yanks may think we have the corner on the hype surrounding the perfect baby name, but the trend in the U.S. pales in comparison to the recent excitement over the naming of Baby Cambridge. It's easy to see where we got our interest in baby names – clearly it's lineal in nature, because our Mother Country has adhered to fierce rules of tradition practiced for hundreds of years when it comes to naming its progeny. Like Mother like Child. Genealogists from either country will tell you that the format for naming babies can cause headaches. Prior to the 20th Century, our American ancestors followed a fairly simple format – oldest sons were given their paternal grandfather’s name, the next oldest son was given his father’s name, and later sons were named for their father’s brothers. The format may have been simple for our ancestors, but the use of identical names over many generations does, at times, make genealogical research difficult. For Americans, a first and middle name, along with a surname, usually suffices in the naming of a baby; however, the British Monarchy tends to go one name further. Like us, the Royals choose names that have some historical significance, usually evoking the memory of a famous monarch or relative. Queen Elizabeth II was named for her mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother - Elizabeth Alexandra Mary. So what are the derivations of the names George, Alexander, and Louis, and what are their significance in historical terms? Let's take a look. GEORGE There have been six British kings with the name "George." Four of the Georges ruled in succession, with a break in name between 1830 and 1910. The First – I (r. 1714-1727) The first George was born in Germany and was from the House of Hanover. He became King of England in 1714 and ruled until his death in 1727. The Second – II (r. 1727-1760) George II acceded to the throne in 1727. Because his oldest son preceded him in death, George II's grandson (George III) inherited the throne after his grandfather died in 1760. The Third – III (r. 1760-1820) George III was Britain's monarch during the American Revolution. He was the first Hanoverian monarch to be born in England and to speak English as a first language. When he was deemed mentally unfit to rule, his oldest son acted as Prince Regent starting in 1811, and then became King in 1820 when his father died. For those of you who are not averse to soaking up a little history via the cinema, the Oscar-winning film The Madness of King George (1994) is a good study of this King's 60-year reign, covering theories about what might have caused his bouts with mental illness. The Fourth – IV (r. 1820-1830) There was more than one Royal George to spark marital scandals. George IV secretly married a Roman Catholic by the name of Mrs. Fitzherbert – the marriage was considered illegal. Though George IV later married Princess Caroline of Brunswick, his attempts to divorce her were unsuccessful. She died the year after her husband became King. He agreed to Catholic Emancipation in 1829. None of Charles IV's legitimate children lived, so when he died in 1830, the crown passed to his brother William IV. The last of the Hanoverian monarchs were William IV (r. 1830-1837) and Victoria (r. 1837-1901). Queen Victoria's marriage to Prince Albert ushered in the Saxe-Coburg-Gotha name, which lasted only nine years, during the reign of Edward VII (1901-1910). The Fifth – V (r. 1910-1936) George Frederick Ernest Albert was the son of King Edward VII. He assumed the throne in 1910 upon his father's death and became George V. Due to anti-German sentiment as a result of World War I, George V renamed the House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha to the House of Windsor. He was succeeded by his eldest son, Edward VIII. The Sixth – VI Edward VIII didn't last long as King of England, reigning only 325 days (January to December 1936). His heart got the better of him, and he chose to abdicate the throne in 1936 to marry Mrs. Wallis Warfield Simpson, a twice-divorced American (born in Maryland). On the same day as the abdication, Edward's brother Albert, who acceded to the throne in place of his brother, conferred the family name of Windsor upon Edward, making him Edward Duke of Windsor (Wallis became Duchess of Windsor). The Academy Award-winning movie The King's Speech (2010) did an admirable job portraying George VI's unexpected ascension to the throne. The story has it that Albert chose to take his father's name, George, in order to create stability and continuity in the monarchy. Oddly enough "George" means farmer and earth worker, which are not the usual trades one conjures up when thinking about British Royals. King George the VI fathered Queen Elizabeth II, who is the reigning monarch and mother of Charles Philip Arthur George – better known as Prince Charles (the Prince of Wales), heir apparent to the English throne. Prince Charles' son, Prince William (b. 1982), also known as the Duke of Cambridge, married Catherine Elizabeth Middleton in 2011, now the Duchess of Cambridge - or "Kate," as we unceremonious Americans like to call her. The seventh George in the British monarchy became apparent on July 24, 2013, when the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (William and Kate) named the newest member of the house of Windsor – George (b. July 22, 2013). [box] For more fun and excitement, follow along by accessing the Windsor Family Tree.[/box] ALEXANDER The reason(s) behind the choice of the Royal Baby's second name "Alexander," is open to speculation and perhaps a little imagination. Not only have there been three Scottish kings by the name Alexander, but it is the name of the famous 4th Century ruler Alexander the Great. In the end, maybe the choice is not based so much on lofty reasoning but on something more down to earth, something more sentimental and heartfelt. The BBC reported that Alexander is a favorite name of the baby's mother, but it may also be a nod to the baby's Great Grandmother whose middle name is Alexandra. What do you think? LOUIS The choice of the name "Louis" can be pinned down a little better. Prince William's full name is William Arthur Philip Louis. The Los Angeles Times weighed in on the name choice by reporting, "Louis is apparently in tribute to Louis Mountbatten, a royal relation who was killed by an Irish Republican Army bomb." Lord Mountbatten, who was the last British Viceroy of India before independence in 1947, was known to the Royal Family as Uncle Dickie, and was a favorite uncle of Prince Charles. He died in 1979. PRINCE GEORGE ALEXANDER LOUIS Whatever the reasons are behind the selection of names for the Royal Baby, it was a joyous day for the Windsor Family, the United Kingdom, and the U.S., as well. It was a day to put aside ugly news and focus on a fresh start for a Royal newcomer and an evolving modern Monarchy. The Patriots who fought and died so that America could gain its independence will never be forgotten. And though the Monarchy is to us Yanks a system we love to hate, we also hate to love it. In the end, England is, and always will be our Mother Country, and we are its Child. The U.S. may be all grown up now, but England will always be the matriarch of our American family, so we embrace her, we love her, and we support her, no matter what. Today, Mother and Child are doing well, and it's worth celebrating. Source: The Official Website of the British Monarchy Did you know that Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip are related? They each share Queen Victoria as their great-great grandmother. Elizabeth is descended from Victoria’s son Edward VII, and Philip is descended from Victoria’s daughter Alice, thus making the couple third cousins (or second cousins once removed). Photo courtesy of Joan Shurtliff #### GEDCOM: A Middle Link in Your Genealogy Research Chain GEDCOM in the Raw GEDCOM is an acronym for GEnealogical Data Communication. It was developed by the history department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1985 to enable the storage and exchange of genealogical information from different computer software programs. A GEDCOM file is a common file format that allows different family tree software programs to communicate with each other. Nearly all family tree software can import a family tree from a GEDCOM file, as well as export to a GEDCOM format. In other words, it formats your family tree pedigree data into a text file that can be deciphered and converted by any genealogy software program. GEDCOMS make sharing information among genealogists, historians, and other lineage researchers much easier. For example: If you are using Family Tree Maker and you want to share a file with someone who is using Legacy Family Tree, you can export your information to a GEDCOM file. The recipient can import the GEDCOM file into their program, so that they can read it. Think of GEDCOM as a middle link in the genealogy research chain. What's more, you don't have to worry about losing your existing file. Exporting a family tree pedigree file to GEDCOM doesn't overwrite your existing data or change your existing file in any way; rather it generates an entirely new file. Bear in mind, for an easier read, you should open a GEDCOM file with a family tree software program or a special GEDCOM viewer. GEDCOM Tutorials and Tips There are some very clever and informative tutorials online and on YouTube. A short list includes: Treasure Maps Genealogy and its sister website Genealogy Compass. These sites offer free online resources that provide family history research techniques, lessons, and training (through articles and videos) to genealogy and family tree researchers. Check out the Family Search wiki on GEDCOM. About.com offers several great pages on GEDCOMs, two of which are: "How to Create a GEDCOM file in Your Genealogy Software" and "Genealogy GEDCOM 101." Creating a Family Tree Pedigree Masterpiece You have made it your mission to compile your ancestry research into a file format that can be read and shared by the near and distant members of your family. You have used any number of family tree software programs - from Family Tree Maker to Geni to MyHeritage. Now you are ready to turn that genealogy research into a visually stunning family tree. Unfortunately, the output from personal family tree software is oftentimes clunky and unsatisfactory, especially for complex or extensive family trees. Angus de Salis, the owner of GenoCharts, a custom family tree drafting service, uses his education in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, as well as Information Technology (IT), particularly Computer Aided Design & Drafting (CADD) systems, to turn regular old GEDCOMs into works of art. GenoCharts uses TreeDraw with CAD features and incorporates additional textual and graphic information to create a visually exciting family tree. GenoCharts provides clients with a high-resolution version for printing and a low-resolution version that can be distributed to other family members as an email attachment. I've taken you from A-Z in the world of GEDCOM; however, before you can generate an eye-popping family tree, you need the correct ancestry information. This is your mission, so do as much as you can; but when you hit a wall, don't waste time – contact a professional genealogist. #### Genalogists Use Video Storytelling to Preserve Ancestor Search Last month was March Madness - not just for basketball fans, but also for genealogists and the world of genealogy technology - as a plethora of new products was showcased at South by Southwest's (SXSW) Interactive Accelerator in Austin, Texas, and at the RootsTech conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. "What is genealogy technology!?" I think it is a turbo-charged version of good old-fashioned genealogical research. You know, the back-in-the-day gum-shoe sleuthing that required you to traverse the archive stacks and not the Internet; to spend months snail-mailing requests to county clerks and vital records offices; and to use valuable vacation time to visit far-off libraries, reviewing information on microfilm or microfiche. Things have changed a bit since then – and for the better. Genealogy technology has given birth to a generation of “pajama genealogists” which I’ve termed Pajamealogists. Cup of coffee in one hand, pencil behind the ear, dog or cat at one’s feet . . . today's genealogists are double and triple timing their research, amassing greater amounts of information that would quickly overwhelm a four-drawer file cabinet in no time at all. Genealogists aren't complaining as much as they are asking, "How can we get more information at our fingertips; and once we do, how can we save it for future use?" Along with the considerable uptick in available information comes the need for more computer memory – whether it is on a hard drive or floating on the Cloud – to house the docs, the jpgs, the PDFs, the pngs, the GEDCOMS, not to mention the xls spreadsheets. While electronic data storage is important to genealogical researchers, the sentimental and emotional component of why they are researching is still paramount: to pass the information to future generations. Again, “back in the day," family historians created elaborate scrapbooks, shadow boxes with memorabilia, Super-8 films, and VHS video cassettes, and even published and bound their family genealogy. The desire to hand down family history is the same; it's just the process that has changed, and that's where genealogy technology is taking over. I mentioned SXSW and RootsTech earlier. These conferences showcase the latest and greatest technology for any number of industries, genealogy included. David Adelman, CEO and Founder of ReelGenie, attended and presented at both events, showcasing his company's extraordinary all-in-one video storytelling package that allows anyone to create a timeless tribute online, including video, audio (voice and music), as well as graphic design elements – with all of the online digital tools available in one place. There is no need to download additional software or complicated programs; the entire process, including the voice-over recording and the scanning and uploading of photos, is available on the ReelGenie site. This one-stop-shop technology allows beginners and experts alike to turn family stories into family history documentaries. RecordClick.com, a full-service online genealogy research company, was honored to be a part of ReelGenie's trial phase. Rather than asking a digitally savvy customer to test the product, we reached out to a RecordClick client in his 80s, who is presently working on his memoirs, and who embraced the idea of video storytelling as though it were second nature to him. In a day and age when it seems people have more meaningful relationships with their electronic communication gadgets, RecordClick's professional genealogists witnessed an entirely different outcome during the product trial. We discovered that creating a storytelling movie brings a family together even before the video is completed. In the case of our customer, not only was he excited at the prospect of documenting his life for his descendants, but his family (wife and children) was equally thrilled to be a part of the process by helping to collect photos, write the script, select the music, and record the voice-over narration. It was truly a collaborative and loving effort. I think that the collaborative response was the biggest surprise to us at RecordClick. Though technology is often blamed for disconnecting people physically, the ReelGenie movie-making process actually brought family members together. Nothing can take the place of gathering around the dinner table to discuss the day's events, or sitting together on the couch to watch Ed Sullivan and Gunsmoke, but perhaps gathering around the family computer to create a family history film will create a modern familial connection that will be enjoyed for generations to come. #### Genealogical Researcher Hotspots in Indiana When you think of Indiana, a picture of flat, boring cornfields may come to mind. The last Ice Age may have left the Indiana landscape flat, but humans have enhanced it with a good sprinkling of history and genealogy along with plenty of brick and mortar libraries and archives to entice any family genealogy researcher. So jump in the car and buckle your seat belts, I’m taking you on a road trip to the genealogical hotspots in Indiana. Trust me, you're going to discover a lot more than just cornfields. I have tooled around the state for some 40 odd years in search of great genealogical hotspots, but the first stop on our genealogist road trip is my hometown of Fort Wayne in the northeast corner of the state. I grew up with the Allen County Public Library and watched the genealogy center grow from a half of a dozen microfilm readers to the massive world-class genealogical ancestry center that it is today. The Allen County Public Library (ACPL) is considered to be second in genealogy research only to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. The genealogy center at ACPL has resources for every county in Indiana, as well as materials for most of the other states. To summarize ACPL briefly, there are 11 databases which lead to numerous resources and 10 on-site databases to help trace family history. There are more than 55,000 family histories in books and 5,000 on microfiche. The Census collection includes all surviving federal population schedules, many state censuses and mortality schedules on rolls of microfilm. In movable stacks, ACPL has in excess of 48,000 city directories. On microfilm and microfiche there are passenger lists for 163 ports, as well as military records from the National Archives for every war from the American Revolution to the Philippine Insurrection – all available to genealogists. The ACPL has the largest genealogy and local history collection of periodicals, which can be accessed through the PERSI Index ~ Periodical Source Index. The massive index was created by the staff at the ACPL. The Library also has resources to trace African-American family lines and Native American research. Finally, there are also available resources and guidebooks to trace family history in other countries, including, but not limited to the British Isles, Canada, and Germany. Okay genealogists, grab your notebooks and i-Pads, we're hopping onto US Highway 27 and heading south to Richmond, located in the central part of Indiana at the crossroads of Highways 27 and 40 in Wayne County. We stopping at Earlham College, where the staff has created a large database of digitized Quaker research. Just a little historical tidbit about the roads on which we're traveling: Highway 40 is very close to the National Road, the first interstate highway financed by the federal government in the early 1800s. It started in Baltimore, Maryland, and ended at St. Louis, Missouri. In Indiana it ran across the state connecting Richmond, Indianapolis, and Terre Haute. Leaving Richmond, we'll take Highway 40 to Indianapolis. The state capital is well known for the Indy 500 Motor Speedway and race every Memorial Day, but there's a lot more to Indianapolis than just race cars. There are several interesting hotspots in Indy, but the two hotspots for genealogical research are the state library and the state archives. The Indiana State Library has many links, but the link I found to be most useful for ancestor search is for newspapers. The State Library has almost all of the newspapers for Indiana counties. The Ask A Librarian link is a good way to request an obituary for a nominal fee. The archive is an inventory of all of the digital collections in the library and the archives, including links to the counties, universities, and other unique collections. Back on the road, we’ll head south to Evansville in the south central part of the state, located on the Ohio River in Vanderburgh County. The Evansville Vanderburgh County Library (EVPL) houses its genealogy materials in their Indiana Room. From the website, you can access the Browning Collection, which is important to genealogists because it is a compilation of the obituary records (found in newspapers) of Vanderburgh County and surrounding southwestern Indiana. Additionally, it includes Veteran and Immigration records for surrounding counties. Also in Evansville is the Willard Library, which houses family histories; county newspapers; church records; and church, cemetery, and funeral home records. It's a great place for genealogists searching for genealogy and local history. Turning north on Highway 41, we have 53 miles ahead of us before we hit our next best genealogy hotspot - Vincennes in Knox County, the oldest town in the state. It is nestled on the banks of the Wabash River. It is the official/unofficial first capital of Indiana pre-dating statehood in 1819. Vincennes is also the home of the University of Vincennes, and the hometown of comedian Red Skelton. The genealogy records of the Knox County Public Library can be found in the McGrady-Brockman house, a former funeral home. It has a searchable index to the early probate records and the obituaries of Knox County online. Our next destination is Valparaiso, in the northwest corner of the state on Lake Michigan, in the heart of Porter County. We're going to be on a number of different roads, so I just suggest you Mapquest this one to get an idea of where we are going. Valparaiso more than 200 miles due north of Vincennes, close to Chicago. The genealogy department of the Porter County Public Library is especially good for many useful searchable links, including milk producers. Heading east on Highway 30, we'll wend our way back to Fort Wayne. To paraphrase Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, the best genealogy resource is in my own backyard. Whether you visit individual counties, click your way through the state, or just camp out at the Allen County Public Library, you are guaranteed to find resources to help you trace family history. Even the best genealogy researcher, however, may hit the proverbial brick wall in ancestor search. No worries, contact RecordClick, a professional genealogy service that knows how to maneuver many genealogy researcher resources in any state. RecordClick's professional genealogy researchers can start you on your ancestor search road trip. Links to the Libraries and Archives listed in this article: Allen County Public Library at Fort Wayne Ask A Librarian Browning Collection Earlham College Evansville Willard Library Indiana State Archives Indiana State Library Indiana State Newspapers Knox County Public Library Porter County Public Library Terre Haute Library Debra K. Hutsell is Indiana born and raised. Hailing from Fort Wayne, Debra boasts more than 40 years experience in genealogy research – 20 of those years as a professional genealogist. In addition to working with clients to trace family history, she has also worked with a number of attorneys and trust departments on heir research and probate cases, and has appeared in court as an expert witness to such genealogical research. Debra remembers when the Allen County Public Library (ACPL) in Fort Wayne had only a half a dozen microfilm readers and closed stacks. Today ACPL is a massive world-class genealogical ancestry center, considered to be second in genealogy research only to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. #### Genealogist, When You Can’t Find a Will After Death Think: Florence Foster Jenkins This RecordClick genealogist likes a good ancestry story. And sometimes the genealogist can find that a will and its probate make for a darn good tale. Take the case of Florence Foster Jenkins, who is recently back in the public eye with the film starring Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant. Most every genealogist will find that Mrs. Jenkins was a character. Her singing career was, to put it tactfully, quite unusual. Though she died in 1944, this genealogist remembers stories and recordings years that I heard years later in my childhood. Her voice was indeed memorable – even to a five-year-old pre genealogist. One of the reasons Florence Foster Jenkins succeeded in her musical career was because of her wealthy father, Charles Foster, and his fortune. This story is a research lesson for every genealogist. It is a story about a will. Charles Foster maintained a successful law practice in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. He married Mary Jane Hoagland and the couple had two daughters, Florence, born in 1868, and Libby, born several years later. Libby died before her tenth birthday; leaving the philanthropic Charles Foster focused most on the welfare of his wife and surviving daughter. When it came time to marry, Florence Foster married a Dr. Jenkins before her 20th birthday. Sadly, it was not a good match, especially after she learned she had contracted syphilis from her philandering husband. She was divorced but the genealogist will see from medical records that she was left to battle the disease.  At that time, syphilis had no cure. Because of her father’s good financial management and his will, her huge net worth, shall we say, hit a high note. When Charles Foster died in 1909, there was an intact will. Yet, after his death, this will mysteriously disappeared. No one could locate it. With a personal estate valued at $100,000 and real estate valued at $250,000—which was an extraordinarily high net worth for that time--,extended family members began to surface looking to make a claim on the estate. To protect their interests, Mrs. Mary J. Foster and daughter Florence Foster Jenkins requested that the court appoint an administrator to handle the estate and wealth. Family members contested the handling of the estate and the case was set to go to trial in September 1910. Then, in October 1910, a story in the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader about the case began: “Although it’s stealing and its return still remains a mystery, the will of Hon. Charles D. Foster, late of this city was admitted to probate today…” Mysteriously. The will was found!  (Isn’t this is the wish of every genealogist who runs into a lost will situation…) Charles Foster wanted his wife and daughter to maintain the lifestyle to which they were accustomed. First, however, there were debts to be paid and individuals to be remembered with gifts and money. Then came wife Mary J. Foster and daughter Florence Foster Jenkins. The income from the estate was to be divided evenly between the two with the survivor receiving the entire estate. After the death of the survivor, Charles had a plan for disposing of what was left. Mary J. Foster died in 1930. With the additional financial resources that passed from her mother’s share of the estate to her, Florence Foster Jenkins was able to maintain the lifestyle she lived and loved—and continued her beloved music explorations. Wills and probate may seem daunting to the family seeking a family history. The legal language takes time to learn and the logic of the process may not make sense to many. When you hire a genealogist at RecordClick, you get professional genealogy researchers who understand the court system and know where to look for—and interpret-- the records. Our ancestry specialists will also help you tell the family history story. #### Genealogists Can Go Home Again - If Only to Tap Local Genealogical Societies Graphic creator: Jenn Vieth I hear it all too often:  Everything necessary for genealogical research is available on the Internet. "Back in the day," genealogy research involved trips to county courthouses, libraries, and regional archives, and of course writing letters, and letters, and letters, enclosing all those self-addressed stamped envelopes, and then haunting the mailbox, hoping for their arrival. Now, thousands of genealogical researcher databases, at both free and subscription sites, are available on the Internet. But the idea that all genealogy research can be done from the comfort of your home is simply not accurate, and although I have no crystal ball, I cannot foresee any future in which that will be the case. There will always be a reason for boots on the ground in our ancestors’ neighborhoods. But those boots don’t necessarily have to be on your feet; after all, we all don't have the luxury of driving from courthouse to courthouse, repository to repository. Others who live in the locales we are researching can help us with our ancestor search, and we can find them in a vastly underutilized resource for the family history researcher — the local genealogical society. Most of these groups were organized decades ago with the major purpose of preserving local records and providing research assistance for others living far away. Members diligently clipped, sorted, indexed, and filed vital records, obituaries, probate records, and local history items. But with the advent of the Internet, and its unfortunate accompanying mental attitude of It’s all here, many of the treasures these groups assembled have been collecting dust. As family history researchers, we should seek out local genealogical societies to find what they have to offer to help us trace family trees. A Google search is a good place to start. Try the county name, plus the phrase "Genealogical Society." If nothing comes up, call the local public library’s reference department, asking if a local genealogical society exists. If so, the library should have contact information. And while you have that reference person on the phone, ask what other relevant genealogical researcher items may be in their collection. Obviously different societies will have collected and indexed different records. I was thrilled to find the Dodge/Jefferson Counties Genealogical Society in Wisconsin. They maintain a vast clippings file from the early 1850s, not merely of vital records, as valuable as those are, but of the local interest stories, too. Here I found the comings and goings of my 19th Century McMillen family, who were much more mobile than I would have imagined. Trains came through the small town of Fort Atkinson twice a day, bringing visitors from the big city of Milwaukee and the neighboring states of Minnesota and Iowa. These visits, whether for the weekend or several weeks, were reported to the local newspaper. Out-of-town births, marriages, and deaths were called in, as well, and local profiles filled the pages. Here I discovered that my 2nd-great-grandfather Hiram McMillen set out to restore squirrels to the town for the sheer enjoyment of watching their antics (they had been hunted to extinction within Fort Atkinson). I also read of his special Christmas treats for both squirrels and birds — on Christmas Eve, he would tie up nut halves and fill old socks with dried fruit, then go out in the cold Wisconsin night to tie these presents in the trees, and wait for dawn to watch the critters delight in their presents. The Dodge/Jefferson Counties Genealogical Society maintains a master index of articles such as these on their website, available for ordering. Here in Gallatin County, Montana, the old genealogical society disbanded in 1995 with the rise of the Internet, leaving behind file drawers full of cards and three-ring binders stuffed with newspaper clippings and family group sheets. But their work was available only to people who could come here. Over the decades, past dedicated members assembled a 12,000+ card file of vital records in local newspapers from the 1870s to the 1910s. Because birth, marriage, and death registration was not required, these old papers are the only source for many genealogical events. Last summer, we reorganized and got this data online. We indexed the index cards, obituary clippings, and additional vital records from the 1970s to the early 1990s. Adding to our predecessors’ work, we indexed local naturalization petitions and divorce records, and resumed the obituaries index. Currently we have started a fifth database, early voter registration records, which contain the voter’s age, city, county, and state of birth, far exceeding census birth information. Indexes for all these databases, more than 27,000 records for our small town, are available worldwide on the Internet through the Gallatin County Genealogical Society website. For a small fee, our members retrieve the actual records for ancestry researchers who request the documents. As you build your personal family histories and trace family trees, consider where your ancestors lived and what records may be left behind there. Then, search out a local genealogical society to see what rich databases could be waiting there. If you would like assistance in finding these underutilized organizations for your ancestor search, RecordClick offers comprehensive genealogy services to help you with your ancestor search. They, too, have many boots on the ground worldwide. #### Genealogists Rev Ancestor Search Engines for Genealogy Day "Names are an important key to what a society values. Anthropologists recognize naming as 'one of the chief methods for imposing order on perception'." ~David S. Slawson I hope you all enjoyed Celebrate Your Name Week (CYNW) – March 3 through 9 – an entire week of honoring anthroponomastics (the study of personal names), with each day celebrating a different aspect of names, from "Unique Names Day" to "Middle Name Pride Day." I don't know about you, but I was most excited about National Genealogy Day, which is the culmination of festivities on March 9th. CYNW was first established in 1997 by Jerry Hill, an onomatologist (one who studies the origins of proper names). National Genealogy Day is the 7th and final day of CYNW and is best understood as a day that reminds us to research, as well as appreciate our family genealogy and heritage. Once upon a time, ancestral roots were, more often than not, safeguarded by the family's "old maid" or other members considered a tad eccentric. While some of these embedded genealogists traced family tree history for posterity, others may have been motivated by a desire to gain status by association with their more successful forefathers and foremothers. Genealogists might consider family genealogy as just a hobby that has been given its own holiday, but tracing ancestry is a 365-day-a-year industry that continues to attract a significant number of people who have a passion for cracking family puzzles of who begat whom, including the what, when, where, how, and possibly why of it all. The number of family genealogy researchers is increasing at an amazing rate, and this certainly gives cause for celebration. Many genealogy tree researchers, including the Mormons, do ancestry searches as a fundamental part on their journey in Faith. Other ancestor search aficionados look to trace their ancestry as a prerequisite to membership in one of many lineage organizations, including, but not limited to, the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), the Mayflower Society, or other history-based organizations. Additionally, the recent focus on inherited diseases and genetic predispositions have spurred even more people to consider genetic genealogy (i.e., DNA testing) through professional genealogical services, such as RecordClick. Although we are surely more than what we inherit, we add something to the mix ourselves by celebrating National Genealogy Day, which promises to offer snippets of personal insight and some prime-time family genealogy surprises. As you find your ancestors, you may discover that you have a closet rogue or royal, sinner or saint. That's part of the "good stuff" of ancestry searches (See Patricia Dingwall Thompson's blog: "Finding the Good Stuff – A Case Study in Scottish Genealogy"), because eccentric ancestors make for entertaining conversation at parties and around the Thanksgiving table. If you’re fortunate to have your parents, aunts and uncles, or grandparents still living, consider observing National Genealogy Day by asking them to share their family genealogy stories and family history to help you in your endeavor to find your ancestors. Some website that will help you get started writing your family genealogy include: 10 Steps to Writing Your Family History Writing Your Family and Personal History The Armchair Genealogist: Research and Write Your Family History How to Write Your Family History Here are a few other ideas for celebrating National Genealogy Day: Family stories are further fueled by making the dish that Grandmother (or other favorite family cook) was known for. Never underestimate the influence of aroma and taste on memory. Don’t forget to collect and share family photos and letters, too. If convenient, use the day to visit a cemetery where an ancestor rests. Tombstones include the date of birth and death, a maiden name, and name of spouse or parents, and sometimes an invaluable gem about those left behind. Public libraries often mark National Genealogy Day. Go and learn the basics of family tree research for free. Thanks to several websites, such as Ancestry and RootsWeb, genealogists can do ancestor searches online for free. (Always verify the posted information, which may have been incorrectly transcribed.) Consider contacting a genealogy ancestry service, such as RecordClick, to help you get started or continue productively on your genealogy journey to trace family history, even beyond personal memories and published genealogies. RecordClick has professional genealogical researchers available to help you unlock those hard-to-crack family search genealogy mysteries. At its heart, National Genealogy Day is about delving into family genealogy, allowing genealogists to discover where their ancestors lived, what lives they led, as well as the joy, pain and brokenness, and healing and grace, left in their wake. National Genealogy Day can help connect us as individuals, families, and communities. Don't wait until March 9th to start celebrating. Sylvia Lambert offers an extensive background in writing for corporate and consumer audiences. Among her accomplishments, Sylvia co-founded the Fredericksburg Herb Farm, Fredericksburg, Texas, and coordinated the Farm's marketing communications for more than 15 years. Her published work includes "Along the Garden Path," a compilation of herb recipes and lore, and "Herbs: Growing and Using the Plants of Romance," which earned the Benjamin Franklin Book Award for outstanding contribution to gardening and agriculture information. Sylvia earned her BA from Rice University and MBA from Texas Tech University. #### Genealogists Ride the Research Rails to Find Orphan Train Rider Ancestors It was 1913 when the orphan train pulled into the small town of Waterloo, Indiana, and 200 children dressed in their Sunday-best filed out and were put on display for selection. Towns’ folk came from miles around to inspect these "train children" to see if they were healthy enough, muscular enough, and trainable enough to be adopted into their home. This was a common scene played out across many Midwestern towns. According to an article that appeared in the May 14, 1994 issue of The Fort Wayne News-Sentinel, Anna Gadomski was an Orphan Train rider on that train that stopped in Waterloo, Indiana. She was pre-arranged to go to a family in Cripple Creek, Colorado; however, during the stopover in Indiana, Father Peter Schmitt, a priest in the area, inspected the little Irish girl who was meant for him, but he found that she was crying. According to Anna, Father Schmitt asked a Sister from the local Catholic orphanage if the little Irish girl cried like that all the time. When the nun said she did, the priest turned his attention to Anna and asked, “What about this little girl? The Sister replied, "Oh, you don’t want that little 'Dutchman,' you want this nice Irish girl." The term "Dutchman" was a corruption of the German word Deutsch (meaning "German") and was considered a slang term. Father Schmitt, who happened to be German himself, picked out the little German girl, declaring, "That’s the girl I want." Charles Loring Brace It was not unusual for choices to come down to looks, hair and eye color, nationality, or health. For example, in an excerpt from "The Orphan Train" by  Andrea Warren (November 1998) in The Washington Post, another Orphan Train rider, Lee Nailling (81 at the time of the interview), of Atlanta, Texas, remembers a large farmer sticking his hand into his mouth to see if his teeth were sound. Nailling said, ''It was all I could do to resist the urge to bite him.''According to the Orphan Train history, the adopting trains ran between the years of 1855 and 1929. The program was the brain child of Charles Loring Brace, founder of the New York Children’s Aid Society (NYCAS). Inspired by the “placing out” programs of Europe, Brace saw this as a solution to the overcrowding and poverty of the large cities in the East. Cities such as New York and Boston were teeming with immigrants, many of whom were unemployed and destitute. If parents could not care for their children, they became orphaned and homeless. Nicknamed "Street Arabs," these unfortunate children were forced to survive on the streets, and sometimes resorted to petty crimes. However, states to the West, such as Indiana, Ohio, and Illinois had plenty of space, and not enough laborers. Because many parents in the East saw this as a way to give their child a better future, they gave the NYCAS permission to place out their child. Many of the older children viewed the Aid Society as an employment service that would place them with families who would pay for their labor. After placing a child, a NYCAS agent went back to New York to record the name, age, and nationality of the child. The agent also made follow-up visits to the adopting family for several years; all of this created paperwork and records for the family genealogy researcher to track. There is a guide on the NYCAS website to the many collections, but the genealogical researcher will need to contact them for information. In addition to the Orphan Train records, a genealogist shouldn't overlook such county records as deeds, since many adoptions and apprenticeships were recorded in deed records and guardianship indices. A good source for finding data about the movement is the National Orphan Train Complex. Located in Concordia, Kansas, the complex includes a museum and research center. Another research source for the movement is the Orphan Train Heritage Society of America (OTHSA), which preserves the history of the orphan train era. Unlike our modern adoption system, in which the child is usually an infant, the ages of the children in the Orphan Train ranged in age from six to 18. This meant that thousands of children placed by the NYCAS actually knew and remembered their background. Some kept diaries, many could be found in the census records with their new family, and sometimes with their birth family, too. Newspapers prove to be a good source of information. Before the arrival of the Orphan Trains, handbills were printed and distributed, and local newspapers wrote stories about the impending arrival. The Orphan Trains of Kansas is one of many websites to record those stories and newspaper articles. As the rural towns serviced by the Orphan Train became as overcrowded as the cities in the East, the NYCAS pushed the Orphan Train Movement farther West, until it was serving 45 states, including Canada and Mexico. In the early years, Indiana received the bulk of the orphans, but it soon became overcrowded. Crime in the East declined due to the shifting of the orphans, but as the orphans were shifted geographically, so were the problems. In the wake of such problems, many towns, such as Indianapolis, built orphan asylums, and manual labor schools. The efforts of the NYCAS were often duplicated by other societies such as the New York Foundling Hospital (NYFH). The NYFH differed from the NYCAS by being a religious-based agency that placed young children in a pre-arranged placement. Placements were not always made to happy families, nor did they lead to adoption; however, the goal of the organization was to create a foster arrangement. Now that you know a little more about the Orphan Train Movement, I bet you are asking, "What happened to little Anna Gadomski?" She was the little three-year-old German orphan girl who was pre-arranged to go to Crippled Creek, Colorado, but was picked out at Waterloo, Indiana, and never made it to Colorado. Luckily, her story is happier than many of the other children. Anna grew up near Waterloo. She said she had a happy childhood, but not a particularly normal one, since she was living with a priest. It was not unheard of for priests to adopt children. If you are conducting an ancestor search for a family member who was an Orphan Train rider, and you are having difficulty locating the information you need, consider contacting a genealogy research service. The professional genealogists at RecordClick can help locate hard-to-find information using a number of genealogical research resources. #### Genealogists Seek South Carolina Ancestors by Looking Behind the Veil From the Editor: As romantic as some writers make the Antebellum period of the South sound, the words they pen are perhaps analogous to the veil of Spanish moss dripping from live oaks that surrounds and blankets tranquil antebellum mansions - protecting their secrets, hiding their stories, veiling their history. The cast of characters we equate with the Deep South were real people, living real lives - some enjoying wealth and luxury, some just struggling to make a living, others suffering the tortures of servitude. No matter who they were, or from where they hailed, each and every one was a part of a family - coming from a rich legacy and generating descendants who, for some of us, create or fulfill our own genealogy story. South Carolina, along with other Southern states, claims a complex and complicated history to be sure. It is not our job as genealogists to judge history by today's standards; that would serve no purpose. Rather, what we do as family history researchers is to help you maneuver your way through the thick kudzu of historical records, in order to find your ancestors, and with them the answers to questions you may have. Genealogist Debra Hutsell welcomes you to grab a sweet tea and join her under a live oak. There, y'all may take a peek behind the genealogy tapestry veil to reveal the real history of South Carolina. ~ Nancy Siddons-Daniels Searching for Ancestors Who Were Slaves During the Antebellum period, which ranged from 1784 to 1860, South Carolina found itself at the intersection of economic survival and slavery. Slavery grew exponentially to the success of the rice crop and culture. Slavery can pose difficulties for genealogists, since the slave trade was constantly mobile, and many slaves did not have a surname. Court records can shed some light on the search for your slave ancestor, since slaves were considered to be property. During the Antebellum period, there were three courts: common pleas, probate, and equity. The equity court holds a miscellaneous group of records, such as bonds, mortgages, court actions, guardianships, and powers of attorneys. The South Carolina Archives stores many of these records on microfilm; however, there is an online database known as the Digital Library on Slavery that may prove helpful when searching these records. With the information found in the Digital Library on Slavery, genealogists can continue to search for further information through the South Carolina Archives. Searching for Ancestors Who Served in the Military If you look closely at that live oak that we are sitting under, you might see the scars of past wars imbedded in the tree. South Carolina played a critical role in the American Revolutionary War, as well as the American Civil War. As one of the original 13 colonies, South Carolina found itself embroiled in many battles and skirmishes during the Revolutionary War. The soldiers who fought in these battles have been recorded for future genealogists in such online sources as the South Carolina Department of Archives & History and the Southern Campaign Revolutionary War Pension Statements & Rosters. About a hundred years after the American Revolution, war erupted again; the first shots of the Civil War could be heard at Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, and South Carolina was one of the first states to secede from the Union. The efforts of these soldiers were recorded in a ledger located in the Richland Library in Columbia, South Carolina. Genealogists will find research a little easier using the online database Confederate Rolls of South Carolina. Searching for Ancestors Using Cemetery Records Magnolia Cemetery, on the National Register of Historic Places, is a silent city inhabited by live oaks and memories. The Spanish moss dangling from the branches lends an eeriness to the oldest public cemetery in Charleston. It is the final resting place for many southern politicians and military leaders, as well as planters, bootleggers, and more than 2,000 Civil War veterans. The South Carolina genealogist can find just about anybody who died in Charleston, South Carolina, in the last 150 years in Magnolia Cemetery. A quick search of Find A Grave usually reveals the information that any genealogist is seeking. While you're on the site, gaze at some of the images depicting the artistry of the tombstones. I confess I am afflicted with taphophilia - a passion for cemeteries. I think most genealogists suffer from this affliction, and Magnolia Cemetery is a truly beautiful cemetery to wander through. In addition to Magnolia Cemetery, South Carolina is home to three national cemeteries, which can be accessed at the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. The shadows are growing long and the evening breeze is causing the Spanish moss to do an eerie little dance. As you trace family history, you may encounter the veil of the South's history. Don't let it obscure your vision of finding your South Carolina ancestors. Contact the professional genealogists at RecordClick. Additional South Carolina Links for the Southern Genealogist The Dead Librarian South Carolina Society Order of the Confederate Rose Resources PBS, Africans in America - Resource Bank, Part 4: 1831-1865 (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4p2956.html : accessed 10 November 2013), "Conditions of antebellum slavery 1830 - 1860." South Carolina's Information Highway (SCIWAY) (http://www.sciway.net/afam/slavery/population.html : accessed 10 November 2013), "South Carolina – African-Americans – Slave Population." #### Genealogy and Art of Yoko Ono Shows Hope Out of Tragedy As every genealogy researcher knows, disasters and difficult life events provide documentation for our ancestor searches. Why? Because disasters and difficult life events are most often recorded. Take Yoko Ono. Yoko Ono, whose name means Ocean Child in Japanese, was born on February 18, 1933 in Seitama, Japan. She was the oldest child born to Eisuke Ono, who is reported to be a descendant of a 9th Century Emperor of Japan and Isoko Yasuda Ono, who was the granddaughter of Zenijiro Yasuda, the founder of Yasuda Bank. Her siblings are brother, Keisuke, and sister, Setsuko. WAR CONDITIONS Yoko lived her earliest life in Japan. At age 2, she moved to San Francisco following her father’s business transfer. After the bombing at Pearl Harbor and affected by the anti-Japanese sentiment that swept America, the family returned to Japan. Japan had had been ravaged by war. The genealogy researcher will find that records abound regarding the horrendous conditions and events in Japan during WWII. Yoko was in Japan in March 1945 for the firebombing of Tokyo. She is reported to have stayed with family members during that time both in the surrounding area as well as in the mountains away from the city. The genealogy researcher may use travel records, a country’s national registries and newspapers for details of the family. For the Ono family in post- war Japan, they had difficulties, even though they had been wealthy.  Yoko has detailed periods in which the family was forced to beg for food and keep all their belongings in a simple wheelbarrow. INSTITUTIONALIZATION The genealogy researcher may consult medical records for details on what happened to an ancestor. In Ono’s case, her family brought her back to Japan after her first marriage to a musician the family did not prefer. After she became depressed and suicidal back home, they committed her to a mental institution for a period of time. Medical records may be public after a certain time. The genealogy researcher should check locale and rules. KIDNAPPING Police records, interviews with private detectives and newspaper accounts may provide details for those who have had troubling conflicts during divorce. In 1969, after Yoko and John Lennon became high profile war protestors and shortly after Ono finalized her divorce from her second husband, that man, Anthony Cox, was awarded custody of her daughter Kyoko based on his claims about Ono’s drug use and history of depression. Cox then disappeared with her child into a Christian fundamentalist community called The Walk and kept the child from seeing her mother for 25 years. It was a heart-breaking tragedy for Ono who was not reunited with Kyoko until 1998. MURDER Every genealogy researcher most likely knows the details of Yoko Ono's husband John Lennon’s very public murder. This next tragedy struck on December 8, 1980, when Lennon was shot by a deranged fan and killed outside their New York Dakota apartment building in front of her. Like many other tragic events that hit families, these are well documented in press reports. High crimes such as murder will always have police details and often will have newspaper and television press reports. Husband: Toshi Ichiyanagi (m. 1956-d.1962) Husband: Anthony Cox (m. 28-Nov-1962, annulled 1-Mar-1963, m. 6-Jun-1963, div. 2-Feb-1969, d. 1975, one daughter) Daughter: Kyoko Chan Cox b. 8-Aug-1963, kidnapped 1971, reunited 1998) Husband: John Lennon (m. 1963-1980) Son: Sean Taro Ono Lennon (b. 1975-  ) The genealogy researcher will find life details in Yoko Ono's art and documents. Sometimes, the genealogy researcher will find details of an ancestor’s life in that person’s artwork. For example, Yoko Ono’s latest artwork is a tableware collection called Yoko Ono: Mended Cups - illy Art Collection. It is a set of six espresso cups that feature the dates and places of six tragic events. On each cup, written in her handwriting, are words detailing the one of these events. two of which include the above difficult events in her life—the 1945 bombing of Hiroshima and the 1980 murder of her husband John Lennon. With a new retrospective of 175 of her creative works opening in May 2015 at the Museum of Modern Art in New York and an ever-present wise presence on the internet through her ImaginePeace website, Ono seems to have moved on from the difficult times to a quiet, informed creative life that is stable and filled with art and family. RecordClick genealogy experts can find the documented incidents in your family. #### Genealogy and Frankie Valli, Part 3: Don't Forget Mama Rose! Every genealogy researcher knows that families are such wonderful things. Some families are fun loving. Others are serious. This RecordClick genealogist has seen some families face disaster and survive quite nicely. Other families seem to be getting along okay. Then something happens and they fall apart. This is what keeps genealogy interesting. Every individual and family is different. In the past couple of blogs, this professional genealogist has been looking at the family of Frankie Valli, of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons fame. In each blog, this genealogy researcher has found one individual who played an important role in the family. Now I realize that there is one person who has not received the recognition she deserves. I need to rectify that. While doing family history research, a genealogy researcher often focuses on one specific family member. If the surname is a common one – no matter what the nationality – following the correct family can get tricky.  The genealogy researcher knows that this happens especially when a nickname is used instead of the proper given name. We genealogy researchers know how many names are derived from Elizabeth or John! Frankie Valli's Italian family has lots to track Every genealogist knows the value of the census. There is always information that verifies children’s birth and growth. A census also provides the genealogy researcher with evidence of that one family member who is always there when the census is filled in.  There is that one person who keeps the family organized. Such a person is a genealogy researcher’s delight. In Frankie Valli’s family there is such an individual. Let’s take a look: In the 1910, U.S. Census, the Castelluccio family had five members listed: Millie Head 27 Widowed Mother of 3, 3 living Italian Immigrated 1899 James Son 5 Single b. NY Dau. 2 Single b. NY Susan Dau. 12-Feb Single b. NY Rosalie M-I-L 52 Widowed Mother of 1, 0 living Italian Immigrated 1899 Here is the family from the 1920 U.S. Census: Frank Head 44 Married Immigrated 1899, Alien B. Italy Barber Wife 37 Married Immigrated 1899, Alien B. Italy James Son 14 Single b. NJ Marie Dau. 12 Single b. NJ Asuntu Dau. 9 Single b. NJ Son 8 Single b. NJ Fred Son 5 Single b. NJ William Son 3 Single b. NJ Rose Dau. /12 Single b. NJ Rose Mother 63 Widowed Immigrated 1910, Alien b. Italy This is what appeared in the 1930 U.S. Census: Frank Head 54 Married at 24 b.Italy Immigrated 1902, Naturalized Wife 49 Married at 19 b. Italy Immigrated 1902, Naturalized Dau. 21 Single b. NY Asempta Dau. 20 Single b. NY Son 18 Single b Fred Son 15 Single b. NJ William Son 13 Single b. NJ Dau. 10 Single b. NJ Rose Mother 74 Widow b. Italy And now for the 1940 U.S. Census (Information provided by daughter Rose): Frank Head 64 Widower b. Italy Alien Rose M. Dau. 20 Single Rose Mother 86 Widow b. Italy Alien OK, genealogy fans, out of all the family members listed each census, who is the one constant? Who is the family member found by this genealogy researcher who is listed in every census? The answer from your’s truly, the professional genealogist: Mother Rose. This genealogy researcher has found that she was the matriarch of the family. With each census found by this professional genealogist, Mother Rose wore her age proudly as she got older. Her husband evidently died fairly young because Frank was her only child. As was the practice in Italy, a widowed parent often lived with adult children.  So, Mama Rose came to Frank and Mildred’s home and stayed. She was an integral part of the family—and a lucky thing for the genealogy researcher. That could be the end of the story. But a good genealogy researcher likes to try and find the bodies. The obvious place to look is on FindAGrave. There aren’t that many Castelluccios listed. No Frank. No Mildred. No Mother Rose. So the genealogy researcher should know that FindAGrave has millions of burials listed, but does not have all of them. Genealogy researchers can verify facts including those of famous groups such as Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons Since the Castelluccios are an Italian family and a Catholic family, this professional genealogist searched and found “Catholic Cemeteries – A Ministry of the Archidiocese of Newark”. Under “Find a Loved One,” there is an online data base of burials in Catholic Cemeteries in Newark, New Jersey. Buried in Holy Cross Cemetery are: Castelluccio, Carmela     burial 05/11/1936             Block 11                Sec-C     Tr-M      Gr-4       1A Castelluccio, Francesco  burial 01/11/1955             Block 11                Sec-C     Tr-M      Gr-4       1C Castelluccio, Rosa M.      burial 10/16/1940             Block 11                Sec-C     Tr-M      Gr-4       1B A family history researcher seeking accuracy needs always to double check the cemetery information with church and death records.  Here, it looks like Carmela became Millie became Mildred. Francesco became Frank. And Mama Rose was Rosa M. with a granddaughter named after her. Now we genealogy buffs see it clearly: Mama Rose, not to be left out, will be in the middle of things through eternity. Having problems keeping family tree branches straight? Want to understand practices of various nationalities? The genealogists for hire at RecordClick will help you. We organize, provide research strategies, do the footwork and create your special family history. #### Genealogy and Ol' Blue Eyes at 100: The Sinatra Legacy Continues Frank Sinatra’s genealogy is well known. His parents were immigrants from Italy. They’d eloped and then married in Jersey City, a far-away place that paved the way for success of the family name. That name, Sinatra, almost got a genealogy change when son Frank was becoming the famous singer that he was to become. Musician Harry James suggested it be changed to Frank Satin because of that voce, his voice, you know--that unforgettable voice. But his mom, Dolly Sinatra, the local abortionist and bar owner, refused, it is said. She knew the ancestry, the family history, the genealogy. She and Frank knew that Cousin Ray in Boston was a Big Band leader and was doing just fine with his original family name. No one was going to mess with their legacy. Nope. And now it is 100 years since the birth of Francis Albert Sinatra on Dec. 12, 1915, in Hoboken, New Jersey. If the genealogy researcher really looks, you’ll find that his original birth certificate is said to have had Frank Sinestro written on it. And then in 1945, the more famous Frank Sinatra had the “clerical error” corrected to Francis A. Sinatra. Ah, genealogy. When people get famous, they want their family tree and lineage just so. The celebration of whichever version of Frank Sinatra was born a hundred years ago has been a year of remembrances of his life. There has been an HBO show, library collection shows, Grammy museum show, books written and books reissued. Born a hundred years ago this month, Sinatra lived and played hard and leaves a legacy that is not forgotten. Born a hundred years ago this month, Sinatra lived and played hard and leaves a legacy that is hard to forget. Now comes a new Sinatra 100 volume, published by Thames and Hudson that includes 400 photographs, some of which are new to the public eye. Lots of people have written bits in it including Tony Bennet, Steve Wynn, Nancy Sinatra and Tina Sinatra. And what about the genealogy of Frank Sinatra?  Has it continued?  He did have three children with his first wife, Nancy. Most every genealogy researcher knows this.  But dig a little bit more because aren't your ancestry boots are made for walking?  You can find out who and where his grandchildren are. You might find some interesting lineage answers. Begin with the picture keeper-protectors who happen to be Frank’s daughter Nancy’s daughters--Amanda Erlinger and her older sister A.J. Lambert. They are active protectors of the family treasures and genealogy. There are assets in those pictures. How lucky! They have thousands of pictures with people who can be identified. Wouldn't every genealogy researcher die for a collection like this!? Doesn’t every genealogist crave hundreds of pictures with our relatives and friends identified in each one? That Frank Sinatra was a once in a lifetime man with a unique story. Yes, he was, with his amazing voice and eyes so blue. And each family has a once-in-a lifetime-person with a unique story somewhere in the genealogy. Maybe not so famous or with such a good voice. But legends are what families are made of. Sometimes, those legends sing. When you hire a genealogist at RecordClick, our professional ancestry researchers will find the unique stories of those people in your family’s tree. #### Genealogy and Politics Don't Mix This past Wednesday, July 18, just about every news outlet released a story on the claims of Maricopa County (Arizona) Sheriff Joe Arpaio that President Obama's Hawaii birth certificate is a fake. Forgetting the politics, forgetting the President's case – I couldn’t help but offer my thoughts on the subject, keeping my focus and interest on professional and amateur genealogists who are counting on the fact that vital records will open the next door to their lineage journey. I posted my comment on no less than eight major media outlets; it appears below: 'From a genealogist's perspective, we can only hope that all birth, death, and marriage certificates are all filled out accurately. As researchers, our interest is not mired in politics or popularity, rather in intrinsic facts that will help future generations map their lineage. In the case of Obama's birth certificate, it says that "investigators previously didn't know the meaning of the codes but they were explained by a 95-year-old former state worker who signed the president's birth certificate." One would think -- as is the case with the U.S. Census -- the questions and related coding for birth certificates for a particular area and year would be available for referencing, rather than having to rely on the memory of a nonagenarian. Too bad Hawaii didn't keep a copy of the numeric codes for their long-form birth certificate so that the question of Obama's birth details could finally be put to rest.' The comment drew thumbs up on several sites, except for one, in which two pundits viewed me as someone akin to Satan. Both unleashed a barrage of insults and attacks over my own legitimacy, making it clear that my interest in the numerical coding translation was foolish and clearly un-American. With all four of my cheeks still stinging from the slapping/spanking I received, I'm not about to let the bruising stop me from continuing to advocate for better vital records archival methods. It is important that genealogists, in the years to come, will be able to read and translate accurately the information they need to map their family history. Arpaio's chief investigator, Mike Zullo, contends that the translation of numerical coding used on birth certificates at the time Obama was born in the early 60s is not readily available. Zullo was quoted as saying, "It appears that in the case of Hawaii law, any person can obtain a birth certificate if any adult or their parents can prove that they resided in Hawaii for one year and paid taxes. There is no requirement to show that the child itself was actually born in Hawaii or on U.S. soil." Of course Hawaii officials said that was poppycock, replying, "Not only are Hawaii's vital records some of the best managed, but they also have some of the strongest restrictions on access to prevent identity theft and fraud." Because I am NOT a specialist in genealogy research in Hawaii, I welcome anyone out there who is to help us all understand the numerical coding used on Hawaii vital records. Has this presented a problem to lineage researchers accessing Hawaiian records? Hawaii genealogists – please weigh in; we need your expertise. #### Genealogy Consultants World Wide Associations One of the best ways to discover your family roots is hiring a professional genealogist. Maybe you don’t have the time or skills to indulge in the research required to discover your ancestors. If this is the case and you want to find your lost ancestors, the Genealogy Consultants World Wide Association is here to help you out. With experienced professionals in genealogy, you are sure to find one who can handle all the research and work required to assist you in finding your ancestors. To find a good genealogist, you need to first have an idea of what it is that genealogists do. What are the services they provide and how do they do it? Next, you need to know how to choose a competent genealogist through evaluation and select the best one to hire. Remember, we need a professional genealogist well experienced in genealogical research to be able to go deep in your family history and unearth any descendant or ancestor who was long lost. This is done with the help of building a family tree first and starting the genetic genealogy research from here. The Genealogy Consultants World Wide Association is not the only body that deals with professional genealogists. The association of professional genealogists also deals with professional and accredited genealogists. This Association of Professional Genealogists is committed and dedicated to the enhancement of the genealogical profession. It was founded in 1979 and is the world’s largest association for accredited genealogists. There is the American Society of Genealogists as well. This is an honorary independent society that leads published scholars in American genealogy. Though it is limited to fifty lifetime members also designated as Fellows, it is one of the best leading of genealogy bodies serving the discipline of genealogy through embodiment and promotion of high standards in genealogical scholarship. Next is the National Genealogical Society whose aim is to serve and grow genealogy research through providing training and education on genealogy, fostering increased standards and quality, and finally promoting easy and open access to genealogical records and preservation of the same. The National Genealogical Society is one place to visit if you want a professional genealogist or an accredited genealogist as well. Their genealogy research spans to family history going as deep as three and four generations. A certified genealogist from the NGS will help you break the brick walls one encounters in genealogy research. If you are looking for a genealogy consultant or professional genealogists, these organizations are the best place to start. Maybe you have no idea what genealogy research is all about or what a professional genealogist does apart from genealogy research and providing genealogy services. If you are looking for this and much more information on genealogy, the above organizations will go a long way into helping you with your internet research problem. These are some of the organizations where professional genealogists can come together to refine their research experience and get ways to better the genealogy profession. The organizations are also good for people who wonder how genealogy research is conducted or what a genealogy firm with all the experts is all about. All this information is good but the question remains, what do these organizations dealing with genealogy, family history, genealogy research and such assist the public? How Do these Organizations Help the Public? This question is common especially to people who are new in the genealogy world. Connections Getting a professional genealogist is a hurdle you have to jump. The above organizations offer the public with connections to genealogists who indulge in professional genealogy research. The Association for Professional Genealogists for example has a directory with nearly 3,000 genealogy professionals. They help and guide people to locate and connect with a professional in genealogy around the world. As a member of the public, you can evaluate the knowledge, experience, and skills of the listed genealogists in the directory to help you in choosing the right person for the project. With such databases, you can never go wrong and you are sure you will get the required assistance in searching for your ancestors. Information The Genealogy Consultants World Wide Associations aims at educating the public and potential clients about genealogy. Most members of the public ask, what can I expect from a genealogist? What is involved in the search of my lost ancestors? I want to go deep in my family tree and locate a long lost family member, what is required of me? These are some of the questions these genealogist associations aim to answer. You can stay updated in the ever expanding field of genealogy through required continued education. Advocacy Genealogy organizations members are active participants in the record preservation and access committees all over the world. The commitment of the genealogy organizations isn’t to people living in specific countries but to all nations around the world. It is their sole aim and purpose to help keep the genealogical records in the world open and ensure they are accessible to all. Protection Members of the Genealogy Consultants World Wide Association have to agree with the organization’s code of professional practices and ethics. They also report compliance to the continued professional education requirement. You have to understand, with genealogy, education doesn’t end. There is always something useful to learn and in turn make it known by other members and the public as well. If you are a contracting member of the public and believe that a member of the Genealogy Consultants World Wide Association or the APG has violated the code of ethics and professional practice, you can file a complaint for adjudication by the Professional Review Committee. All the above sounds like a good deal to the members of public. But what does the body offer to the genealogists who are actively involved in the genealogy profession? How Does The Organization Help Genealogists? Connections Genealogists who are members of the Genealogy Consultants World Wide Association get a large network of colleagues in the genealogy world. With these, they can share ideas, ask questions, develop new resources to make their work easier and much more. This is where ideas on how to further the genealogy profession come from and actualization stems from the same place. The genealogists also get a good connection to the members of public searching for their family history or the services of a genealogist. Education The organization has an annual professional management conference where members are educated. They also host networking events, monthly webinars and more. The aim here is to keep the members appraised with the latest information, tools and programs in genealogy to make the profession better. Advocacy Genealogists all over the world struggle with access to genealogy records. It is the role of this esteemed organization to advocate for open access to all genealogical records. If there are local efforts to limit access to any genealogy record, the organization relies on its members to alert them and take the necessary actions. Family history research isn’t a simple undertaking. Most of the time, genealogists require government records such as military records to make their search easier and these records should be open and easy to access. Passion Genealogists put their passion for genealogy to work every single day. It is the role of the organization to help genealogists develop this passion to a business. Our genealogy members aim to help their clients find answers about their roots and teach other researchers how to research and organize their family history research data. Our accredited genealogists also help the government verify descendants of military service members who were lost overseas, assist attorneys in heirship and settling probate issues and much more. The scope of a genealogist’s job is so wide and only limited by one’s imagination. If you are a genealogist who wants to explore the possibilities of this work and develop your plan, we are here to help you. The Genealogical Proof Standard When searching for an ancestor either through ancestry or another platform, the use of family tree is important. A shoe box full of money isn’t as valuable as the dozen of records containing direct evidence for a family historian. Imagine finding accurate and complete marriage certificates of relatives or ancestors listing in full the marriage date, legal names, and the full names of each parent. But what happens when you don’t have these direct answers? Direct evidence records don’t last for long. At some point, a seasoned genealogist will tell you that they faced a situation where there were bits and pieces of indirect evidence and sometimes when there was no evidence at all. This halts progress in the research as the evidence available is a puzzle in itself and you have to fit it together. Here, the Genealogical Proof Standard kicks in. It is a process used by genealogists to explain the minimums genealogists must do to make their work credible. For accurate research, the standard lays out these five important steps: • Exhaustive research has been done and completed • Every statement of fact has an accurate and complete source citation • Reliable evidence is available and should be interpreted and correlated • Contradictory evidence is resolved • This standard isn’t a device. It is a process that helps us determine what we want then decide what we need to learn. Genealogy research services involves a lot of research and requires experience as well. You have to be a good record searcher to provide this service. You must know the records to go trough when tracing family lines such as land records, church records, and other vital records in the search for family histories. As a client, your search for family histories start with DNA testing. With your DNA, the journey for the search of your family begins officially. The researcher compiles all the data, name, stories, and any other information that might assist in coming up with an accurate research report and avoid research problems. The researchers usually start with your family tree on ancestry com and input your DNA on the same. With your name, DNA analysis, and the family history library, unearthing your lost relatives becomes easier. A professional genealogist with the right skills and experience starts the research for your family members even with shreds of evidence about your family. #### Genealogy DNA Surprises: How To Deal With Unexpected Results Genealogy DNA surprises can threaten the foundation you have clinched on your entire life. With the rapid increase in DNA testing companies, easier testing techniques, and online family tree websites, matching your samples and uncovering your heritage has never been more straightforward. You can also scrutinize existing family trees and scientifically identify Non-Paternal Event (NPE) and Misattributed Parentage (MPE) cases. These unexpected revelations may take a significant emotional toll, but it is the norm with genealogy. So, whether you have been dealing with this surprise for some time or are just starting to navigate your genetics, here's a comprehensive guide on handling the situation. Key Takeaways The most common surprise case in genealogy is discovering that you’re not the biological child or parent. Most cases happen due to adoption, undisclosed affairs, and historical events like migration. While DNA surprises can be heart-wrenching, they may have a silver lining. RELATED: Is It Worth Doing The 23andMe Or Ancestry Test? What Are the Common Cases in DNA Surprises? DNA Surprise The two most common cases are Misattributed Parentage Event (MPE) and Non-Paternal Event (NPE). In MPE, your DNA results show a different genetic formation from your parents, proving that they may not be your biological parents as initially believed. Another facet is the NPE, where DNA results from the person assumed to be the father of a child show that he is not. Making any of these discoveries has the power to test family narratives and lead to feelings of betrayal and confusion. The traditions you've cherished, the stories you've heard, and the bonds you've created can be put into question. Nonetheless, the same surprises could help discover a whole new set of family lines. What's The Probability of DNA Surprises? Understanding the probability of DNA surprises is crucial in making sense of your test results. Below are some of the common reasons the surprises occur. Undisclosed Affair: If an undisclosed extramarital affair resulted in a child, the assumed parents may not be the biological parents. Such situations are contributed to by societal stigmas and family secrecy. Adoption: When adoption information is not adequately shared, it leads to a gray area about your biological parentage. Besides, the varying transparency levels in historical adoptions have proved challenging for adopted children to trace their roots accurately. Historical Events: Information about families separated by historical events such as forced displacement or migration can fade over time, leading to surprises. Therefore, you should research the historical context, including the cultural beliefs and legal regulations that could have influenced record-keeping practices and family dynamics. Understanding the context can help you appreciate your surprising DNA results and develop the will to embrace surprises throughout your genealogy journey. RELATED: Family Tree DNA – Discover the Heartwood of Your Ancestry How To Cope with Genealogy Surprises DNA Test for Genealogy It's normal to develop a range of feelings when confronted with a shocking DNA result slip. Such results can prompt an identity crisis, wondering about your origin and feeling anger and resentment toward people who may have kept the secret from you. Here are five ways to manage the emotional roller coaster. Take Your Time: Processing the shocking DNA information may be an emotional journey that requires processing time. So, give yourself time to experience the entire cycle of emotions without being judgmental. Seek Help: Find time to talk to a therapist or seek emotional support from friends who may've had a similar experience. Improve Your Well-Being: Focus on self-care activities such as exercise, journaling, and meditation to help the body process the stress. Learn About DNA: Educate yourself about DNA testing and its mechanism to quickly demystify the process and better understand your results. Review Your Family Tree: Consider reviewing your family tree, using the surprise to update the existing narratives and enrich your understanding of family history. Advantages Of Seeking Professional Help From A Genealogist Hire a Genealogist A professional genealogist will not only help you understand the results but can come in handy when you want to understand your genealogy better. Here are the reasons why a genealogist can be a game-changer. Experience: Genealogists understand the emotional toll and confusion that come with DNA surprises, so they're better placed to offer the breakthrough. Expertise in DNA Analysis: Genealogists are skilled in analyzing complex DNA results and can help interpret the data and make sense of your genetic heritage. Access to Resources: Professional genealogists have special access to databases and archives unavailable to the public. Therefore, they can easily find relevant records and help trace your lineage accurately and quickly. Objective Perceptive: Unlike relatives or friends who may have interests in your genealogy, genealogists analyze your data with an objective lens, which is essential, especially when dealing with sensitive dynamics. How To Move On After A genealogy Surprise The best way to navigate these surprises is to reconcile the results with existing family narratives. Here's how; Be Open-Minded: Be ready for further surprises, including adjustments to the family narrative. Gather Information: Collect additional information about your genealogy, including your close DNA matches. Communicate: Engage in open conversations with relatives about your desire to explore your family history; they may offer stories and insights on your research. Professional Intervention: Involve a therapist or counselor, especially when emotions run high. Similarly, seek help from a professional genealogist to untangle your ancestry. Be ethical: Understand the surprise's impact on other family members, so approach them cautiously, respect their boundaries, and let them synthesize the information at their own pace. Document the Journey: Create a family tree or keep a journal to show your genealogy journey and help future generations follow through with the family history. A lasting record that includes the surprises can also help you process your emotions. Focus on The Positive Side of DNA Surprises DNA Surprises can be blessings in disguise While the surprises can threaten your family history and take a significant emotional toll, they can also positively impact your genealogy. How, you ask? Identifying Your Family: Unexpected results can trigger the interest to trace the newfound identity and meet new relatives with unique stories, insights, and experiences. Expanding Your Family Tree: DNA surprises can help incorporate new cultures and ethnicities into your heritage and enrich your sense of belonging and identity. RELATED: Best Websites and Databases for Online Genealogy It Could Be the Tip of the Iceberg Genealogy DNA testing can present unexpected twists and turns that challenge the beliefs you've held dear. This guide helps you manage the situation through strategies to reconcile with reality. One of the most important steps is to consult a counselor or therapist for emotional support. Besides, a professional genealogist will help you understand the DNA results and plan the best way forward. RecordClick offers free consultation for all your genealogy inquiries with a team of experts ready to help you establish your heritage. .   #### Genealogy of a Family’s Mental Illness History, Part 1 - Tracing Alcoholism He is like a genealogy researcher. Tom Davis was a graduate student in journalism at one of the country’s elite schools as well as a professional reporter who happened to do the work of a genealogist. His family’s mental illness became the subject of an article and then, in 2011, a book: Legacy of Madness: Recovering My Family from Years of Mental illness. To write it, he used traditional genealogical research tools to uncover the history of his family’s medical issues. Which tools did this family history researcher use? Davis lists them in his acknowledgements. The traditional genealogy research tools he used include: Census Records Birth, Death and Marriage Records Local and National Newspaper reports Personal Interviews with Relatives School Records On Site Visits Photographs Genealogy research helps reporter Tim Davis uncover his family's history of alcoholism--and mental illness behind it Davis adds the reporter’s touch with additional methods of genealogical inquiry.  He adds these to get a full sense of the time, place, and people of his family tree and their history of mental illness.  He uses the added benefits of a reporter’s art to give color and depth to his family’s mental health history and ancestral story. These additional genealogical research tools that helped Davis add depth to his legacy: Examination of local paintings that depict the area and time Interviews with Mental Health Professionals Interviews with School Administrators Weather Reports for key dates in the family history Writings, pictures and photographs of historical time/places related to the family from the 1600s to present day With the reporter’s skill, he is able to track his family’s genealogy back to their American beginnings.  Then, with the combined skill of a genealogy researcher and the reporter, he tells the their genetic history of mental illness. He traces the Obsessive Compulsive Disease shown in his mother and grandparents way back in his family tree.  He details the way the disease manifested itself in at least four generations of those relatives—and in his own life.  From there, his genealogical research uncovers the way the family treated the then-undiagnosed disease: through self-medication.  This adds another level which the family history researcher can reveal—the tracing of alcoholism through the generations. Through creative reporting and genealogy skills, Davis breaks the chains of his family's history of alcoholism What Tim Davis does in Legacy of Madness: Recovering My Family from Years of Mental Illness is a ground-breaking example for the genealogy researcher.  He traces not only the disease of alcoholism throughout his ancestor search, but he uncovers the reasons behind the self-medicating.  Davis does this through extensive reporting and creative genealogy research. This book can give hope and a guide map to others who seek to become the family history researcher for their generational story. It can give hope to people in recovery from addiction to alcohol a way to be his or her own family history researcher. For those who want to search your family’s medical story, the professional genealogists at RecordClick will help you.  We carefully and sensitively do the genealogical research to find the answers to your long-wondered family history questions. #### Genealogy of Derek Jeter & Parents - Family of a Yankee with Southern Relatives Derek Jeter’s family is a genealogy home run! They have lots of nationalities mixed in and are a dream project for any professional genealogist or family history researcher. So, when he played his last all-star game this week, the legacy of his many family tree branches was right there before us on the field—strong and accomplished. Today, this this family history researcher wants to take a brief look at this amazing athlete’s genealogy. First, the verb jeter in French means to throw, though the surname is said to possibly also come from German. Physically adroit, Derek, as genealogy and baseball fans know, has thrown far in his baseball career. A genealogy researcher might notice there are a few Jeter relatives who are athletic. Our Derek Sanderson Jeter was born in the Pompton Plaines section of Pequannock Township, New Jersey in 1974.  His father is Sanderson Charles Jeter of Montgomery, Alabama, son of Lugenia. Derek's father's birth certificate would help our genealogy research to verify who his father was as well as whether Derek’s father’s name is Sanderson Charles or Charles Sanderson.  We’d need to researcher further the records on Lugenia and her family. Derek Jeter’s father’s extended family has been united in their genealogy research for a number of years. The living dream of a family history researcher: Over 500 are friends online and they say there are over 2400 known relatives, so far. Let’s look at some possible genealogy leads of his father’s family. Derek’s father is said to descend from Green W. Jeter, b. 1844, Coosa County, Alabama, d. approx 1917. Green W. Jeter was considered Mulatto in Alabama. Green W. Jeter, the patriarch of the now-called Jeter-Lumpkin family, was a minister. Green W. Jeter was also a politician, who was an alternate to the 1888 Republican National Convention, according to the family group.  My next genealogy step would be to find Green W. Jeter's birth records and those of his listed parents, including Green’s mother who may have been named Charity and, if so, would have to be verified by a genealogy researcher to be certain that she is the person listed in the will of James W. Jeter as his property passed down along with Charity’s six children to James W. Jeter’s daughter. African American genealogy can take the family history researcher on an interesting ancestral road. If we have located the correct James W. Jeter, he may have been born between 1790 and 1817 and may have been a white slave owner who may have died between 1791 and 1880. His parents may have been Eleazer Jeter and Anna Moseley. Eleazer Jeter may have been born in 1763 in Lunenberry County, Virginia. He may have died in 1821 in Montgomery County, Alabama. His parents may have been William Jeter and Margaret Vaughn. William Jeter may have been born between 1712 and 1741. He may have died in 1797 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. He may have been married to Margaret Vaughn between 1738 and 1779. His children may have been Priscilla Jeter and Eleazer Jeter. We will need more genealogy documentation to verify the above information and to find land deeds, census records, property sales (including human property), birth, and marriage and death records to determine if this James W. Jeter is related to Green Jeter.  Genealogy research in the African American family tree can be amazing and complex as the genealogists for hire at RecordClick know so well. A genealogy dream, Derek Jeter has ancestors from many nationalities and locations. Derek’s mother is Dorothy Connors Jeter, daughter of Dorothy Tiedemann and William Connors.  Dorothy Tiedemann, her mother, has an interesting family background.  Dorothy Tiedemann is a relative of John Tiedemann of Jersey City and his wife, Julia Melvin Tiedemann.  They had twelve children--two daughters and eleven sons--including Francis Tiedemann Trumper and sons Bernard, Sonny, Michael, and Joseph.  John and Julia Tiedemann added a 14th child when a local family’s son was orphaned. The Tiedemann family took in the boy, William “Sonny” Connors.  And isn’t it an interesting bit of genealogy research to find that a Tiedemann relative, reported to be a cousin, Dorothy, married this William Connors. Dorothy and William Connors, Derek’s maternal grandparents, known also as Dot and Bill Connors, had a reported fourteen children, one of whom was Dorothy, Derek’s mom. They still live in northern New Jersey where Derek’s family tree members planted him for summers during his childhood after his immediate family had moved to Michigan. The family is Irish and German—Irish through the Connors and German through the Teidemanns. Oh and by the way, Derek’s great grandfather, patriarch John Tiedemann, made a good New Jersey land purchase from an estate sale in 1952.  He got the Gudewill Castle in Greenwood Lake. Derek repurchased it more recently through a holding company in the early 2000s. Locally, it is known as the Tiedemann Castle.  When searching for records, one will find that there are four John Tiedemanns buried in New Jersey. Tiedemann, John b. 1869 d. Feb. 9, 1893 Buried: Holy Name Cemetery,Jersey City, Hudson County, New Jersey, USA Tiedemann, John b. Apr. 21, 1906 d. Aug. 9, 1981 Buried: Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington, Bergen County, New Jersey, USA Tiedemann, John b. unknown d. Sep. 7, 1932 Buried: Laurel Grove Memorial Park, Totowa, Passaic County, New Jersey, USA Tiedemann, John Joseph b. Aug. 11, 1960 d. Dec. 29, 1977 Buried: Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington, Bergen County, New Jersey, USA A genealogist will ask if they all are related.  To find out, the genealogy researcher would next search for census details to clarify. From other sources, this family history researcher has found that the John (Henry) Tiedemann who was born in 1901 and died in 1981 is Derek’s great grandfather.  He owned a church painting company which helped maintain churches in and around Jersey City.  The company now called John Tiedemann Inc. is run by grandson Ray Tiedemann who is one of the patriarch's 54 grandchildren. The company currently flourishes in North Arlington, New Jersey. So, now we see that Derek himself has quite a large family tree and varied genealogy mix-- the product of a white mother of Irish/German descent and a multicultural African American father. Derek’s parents met when each was in the U.S. Army and stationed in Germany. The professional genealogist would verify these details with military records. Derek’s dad has a PhD from Michigan State University and works as a substance abuse counselor.  His mom works as an accountant.  Derek’s dad played baseball—shortstop—at Fiske College.  Is the genealogy of baseball and numbers/statistics inherited?  Sure bet with Derek! This genealogy researcher has been pleased to watch this sports star grow in game and stature.  We remember his very first games in the major leagues. Twenty years of power playing!  That’s a genealogy home run, indeed. RecordClick genealogy researchers will get home runs in your genealogy and find the all-stars in your family.  We will go way past the statistics so you can find out your genealogy details and even your DNA inheritance, too.  Contact us so our professional genealogists can hit it out of the park for you. #### Genealogy of Fireworks Part 2: US Fireworks Business Is Still All in the Family for Many This genealogy of firework families is a blast. And an international one, too. It blazes from early China and those royal family trees with spectacular genealogical lines to Florence, Italy in the 1400s where the fireworks manufacturing biz was booming. It was growing in Italy because at that time the pyrotechnical guys found a big hit when they stuck fireworks into the heads of the plaster figures in Italy’s many religious parades. Those figurines’ fire-filled eyes and sparkling mouths kept the masses thrilled. A genealogy researcher will see that many of the ancestors of today’s American fireworks families began in Italy. Some came from Portugal. In their homelands, some were apprenticed to pyrotechnicians. Others were born into the fireworks business. Now, the genealogy of fireworks in America is into a new generation. These fireworks businesses are booming with the genealogy of a forth, fifth, sixth and seventh generation now in their family business. This family history researcher has compiled a brief list of Italian or Portuguese fireworks families who have brought excitement to New Year’s eve, Fourth of July and special event excitement in today’s USA. The list includes: Bartolotta:  Family of Sam Bartolotta who turned a hobby he began in 1930 into a company Bartolotta Fireworks Inc. of Genesee Depot, Wisconsin in 1977, now on its third generation. Cartolano:  Ancestors of Mike Cartolano current head of Melrose Fireworks, Melrose Park/Kingsbury, Illinois. Grucci: The Grucci Family owners of Fireworks By Grucci, Long Island, NY. Rozzi: The descendants of Paul Rozzi of Rozzi Fireworks in Cincinatti/Loveland, Ohio. Serpico: The family of John Serpico did run the business. Gerry Serpico, who worked with one of the Serpico sons,  and her son Randy now run International Fireworks, Douglassville, PA originally from North Bergen, NJ. Sorgi: The Sorgi Family owners of American Fireworks, Hudson, Ohio. Souza: The Souza Family owners of Pyro Spectaculars, Inc., Rialto, CA. Vitale: The Vitale Family owner of Constantino Vitale’s Pyrotecnico begun in  Pietramelara, Italy in 1889 and relocated in 1920 in New Castle, PA. Zambelli: The Zambelli Family owners of Zambelli Internationale, Inc., New Castle, PA and Florida. No longer in the family: Chiarella: The descendants of the Joseph Chiarella family who began Legion Fireworks owner which was sold to current owner Frank M. Coluccio, in Wappingers Falls, NY. Speciale: The family of Joe Speciale of American Fireworks,Utica, NY last run by Vincent Speziale but sold in 2011. No longer in business: Antonelli: Family of Amerigo Antonelli owner of  Antonelli Fireworks, Co., Spencerport/Rochester, New York Dominick including step sons John and Joseph De Ritis and husband of Antonellis’s step-daughter, Dominick Barbollo. Backes: Michael Backes owner of M. Backes and Sons in Wallingford, CT started in 1876 to manufacture backyard use caps and fireworks. This shop closed in 1962. Cimino: The family of Anthony Louis (Tony) Cimino (d. @2013) whose family owned Universal Fireworks Company and Neptune Fireworks, of Willow Grove, PA and Neptune, NJ. Gammerino: Donato Gammerino owner of the  Wallingford Fireworks Co., started in 1890, whose name was later changed to the Charles Gammerino Fireworks Display Co. formerly located on Florence Avenue in Wallingford, CT. Porcheddu: The family of Joseph W. Porcheddu and Paul Porcheddu/Porcheddus of Illinois Fireworks/Star Fireworks of Danville, IL. A professional genealogist will be able to find many more records on these family tree searches. The genealogy search will take census records, birth and marriage records from many American cities and the original Italian or Portuguese towns. There are lots of branches for the genealogy researcher to find. But it may not be so difficult since many of the businesses are still in family hands. That makes it much easier for the genealogist.  In-person interviews will likely yield genealogy records from family files and ancestor pictures galore. The genealogy researcher will see that the late 1800s saw many of the fireworks founders move from Europe to America. Ship records and entrance cards will be useful here to verify names, dates and home towns. Some families have genealogy secrets. These families have fireworks secrets! To build the history of the companies, the genealogy researcher will use city directories for company information and business records archives. Newspaper accounts and memoires will fill in the details and color. Here is a brief genealogical list of some of the families whose pyrotechnical businesses are still making family history: Zambelli Antonio Zambelli was one.  He came in 1893 from Caserta, Italy.  In the 1940s, he purchased the business from the wife of the founder, named Fazzone. It still is in New Castle, Pennsylvania.  His grandson George Zambelli, Jr. a Medical Doctor heads the family business, Zambelli Fireworks Manufacturing Company. Sorgi In 1899, Vincenzo Sorgi left Avenzzano, Italy for the United States. Three years later, in 1902, he began the American Fireworks Company in Hudson, Ohio. It was a business genealogy no brainer for him.  He knew the pyrotechnics field because three generations of his family before him had been in it.  Over a century later, the company is still operating.  Managed now by a seventh generation of the Sorgi family tree, Vincenzo Sorgi’s descendants, Jamie, John and Roberto Sorgi are working in the business. Rozzi In 1895, Paul Rozzi, was born in Pietramelara, Italy. Long known as the “Fireworks Capitol” of Italy, Rozzi left there for America at the turn of the new century. He settled in New Castle, PA.  Paul’s son Arthur, according to the Rozzi Fireworks website, began a business relationship with Cincinnati that continues today.  Arthur started Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks in Loveland, Ohio in 1930.  Today, the descendants of Paul and Arthur still run the company.  Nancy, Joe and Kathy Rozzi are still involved with the company.  It is still all in the family. Speciale The Speciale family ran the American Fireworks Manufacturing Company, a fireworks company near Utica, New York since 1947 and in 2011 ended its family history with the business. The Speciale family genealogy in fireworks dates back to when Vincenzo Speciale immigrated to the United States from Palermo, Sicily, and ran what was called the Italian American Manufacturing Co. At his death in 1936, Vincenzo’s son, Joseph took over.  Upon Joseph’s death, Joseph’s son Vincent took over. As of 2011, Vincent had sold the company to his protégé Kevin and the company was no longer in the family. Next time, we’ll blast through the genealogy of the omnipresent Grucci family. Want to add some power to your genealogy research? The genealogists for hire at RecordClick will go back generations for you. We’ll document your family’s booms and blasts. #### Genealogy of Fireworks, Part 3: The Gruccis, America's First Family of Fireworks How does a genealogy researcher trace “America’s First Family of Fireworks”? Would it be easy to find the genealogy of the Grucci Family, which holds the Guiness Book of World Records' honor for performing the largest fireworks display ever ? Well, this family is certainly visible. Coming up in September 2014, the Grucci Family will be in the skies once more.  They will be showing off in Baltimore, Maryland with the official fireworks celebration in honor of the 200th Anniversary of the American national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner. La famiglia Grucci traces their pyrotechnic roots to Bari, Italy, where, in 1850, Angelo Lanzetta, great great grandfather of Felix Grucci, Sr. was born. Professional genealogists have found stories that suggest he was apprenticed to an Italian fireworks family. A genealogist for hire or the family history researcher can search the records in Italy for birth documentation and marriage records. The genealogy researcher may want to look at business records and church archival notes for documentation of local businesses as well as local events and celebrations from that time. In 1870, Angelo Lanzetta came from Southern Italy to Long Island, New York.  The genealogy researcher can search for his entrance card and ship records to get the exact names, dates and destinations. After Angelo Lanzetta’s death in 1899, which the genealogist can confirm with his death certificate, his son, Anthony Lanzetta, inherited the business. It passed earlier than expected to the next generation and a search of local newspapers, obituary notices and business directories is one way to verify the dates, events, original business name and locations. So, if the business was owned by a Lanzetta, what’s with the Grucci name? The Grucci fireworks family tree began in 1923, when Lanzetta's nephew, Felix Grucci Sr., joined the business as an apprentice. Fireworks are the family business of the Grucci Family whose roots are in Italy. When the Great Depression hit, the family moved the business to Miami for better business prospects. But, by 1929, they had moved back to Bellport, New York on Long Island. For the genealogy researcher, surely interviews and family stories will add color to this business move and the new beginnings in New York. Documentation might likely be found in the formal business registration records. In 1940, the genealogy researcher will see that extended the family tree began to branch out. The genealogist would find the marriage certificate of Felix Grucci, Sr (b.1905, d.1993) and Concetta "Connie" DiDio (b.1918, d.2007). A family history researcher can find the birth (and death) certificates of their children, Donna, James (b.1941, d. 1982, killed in an onsite plant explosion), and Felix, Jr. (b. 1951) who each stayed in the business and helped helped build it. Felix Grucci, Jr. has had a life beyond the fireworks business. The genealogy researcher will have a field day with public records as Felix Grucci, Jr.  is a former United States Representative from East Patchogue, New York. He was elected as a Republican to the 107th United States Congress and served from 2001 until 2003. He also served as the Brookhaven, NY, Town Supervisor. For the genealogy researcher, newspaper reports, township minutes and congressional reports will be great resources for shining light on Felix Grucci, Jr.’s public service. The fourth generation, Felix Jr.’s sister Donna and her husband, Merlin Phillip “Phil” Butler, recently retired from the day-to-day running of the family business and are still involved in the company. The family history researcher would be smart to interview them for family stories and the lore of earlier Grucci generations. James' son Felix “Phil” Grucci (b. 1964), officially a fifth generation member of the family tree, is currently the President/CEO of Fireworks by Grucci, Inc. and Pyrotechnique by Grucci, Inc. the manufacturing division of the company. The family fireworks genealogy is now into the sixth generation of Gruccis with Corey (Phil’s nephew), Lauren (Phil’s daughter) and Christopher (Phil’s son). Relative Krystal Butler is currently working there, also. The company's headquarters are still in Long Island in Brookhaven, New York, and the pyrotechnics manufacturing facility is located in Radford, Virginia. Shows a family can have a blast working together over the years, doesn’t it? Light up your family’s sky with your spectacular genealogy. The professional genealogists at RecordClick will find your documents, your family members and your unique ancestral story. #### Genealogy on a Silver Platter - 2014 New Year's Resolutions When you make your New Year's Resolutions, they are usually pertaining to: Health - You're going to eat better and exercise more Finances - You're going to save money and cut back on frivolous spending Charity - You're going to volunteer your time to give back to the community Spirituality - You're going to worship more, curse less, make amends with family members, and patch up misunderstandings At RecordClick, we believe that genealogy research commands its own set of New Year's Resolutions. After all, genealogy is considered many things: a profession, a hobby, a gift, a curiosity, an obsession, a therapy. But more than all of that, it is a discipline, and that's where some 2014 Resolutions can help you become a better more holistic and efficient family history / Genealogy researcher. With all of the genealogical services that RecordClick offers, we don't expect you to bump up your genealogy research skills all by your lonesome. That's why throughout 2013, our professional genealogists have shared valuable information, skills, and research tips with you. So, for the start of New Year 2014, I am delivering the top 10 Genealogy Resolutions on a silver platter to help you become a better genealogist and family history researcher. These aren't just empty Resolutions; each one is based on an article written in 2013 by RecordClick's professional genealogists. All you have to do is key in the subject you are searching in the upper-right-hand corner "Search this Site" box, and the blogs on that topic will appear. Or scroll through the blog "Categories" on the right-hand-side of the page. Today is the first day of your genealogical researcher life. Let's Start the Countdown: No. 10 - Get your files together in one location and focus on one question you want to answer about regarding your ancestor search. Start with that question, find the answer, and then move to your next question. Start reaching out to family members and pick their brains for dates, names, and locations to help you with your genealogy research. Make lasting relationships along the way. No. 9 - Scour your house and bank deposit box for family artifacts and heirlooms, such as Bibles, scrapbooks, journals and diaries, old address books, photo albums, which may be of help to you in the future. No. 8 - Research probates, wills, death certificates, and land deeds, school records, vital records, ship records, newspapers, passports, and other court records for valuable information and history about your family. No. 7 - Research church records and visit cemeteries or research online websites for burial locations and headstones for family members. Take pictures or transcribe the information for future use. No. 6 - Visit your local genealogy library frequently, and consider joining a lineage society and attending workshops and conferences. Subscribe to online genealogy newsletters. Read the RecordClick blog religiously. No. 5 - Research military records, muster roles, and pensions either through libraries or online databases No. 4 - Check the U.S. census, and use it frequently. Remember though, the census is only as good as the census taker, so back up your information. No. 3 - Compile a medical family history. Get a genetic genealogy DNA test. No. 2 - Create a Legacy Book. Don't hesitate to have a professional genealogist at RecordClick help you put it together. No. 1 - Contact RecordClick today for a free consultation. Make a genealogical research plan of attack for 2014, and solve the ancestor search mysteries that have been troubling you. RecordClick wishes you Happy Ancestor Search in 2014! Photo credit Nancy Siddons-Daniels #### Genealogy Research and Baseball Diamonds: Yogi Berra and Joe Garagiola This RecordClick genealogy maven grew up watching the likes of Mickey Mantle and Sandy Koufax hitting and pitching on sunny Saturdays. It was in the afternoon and, for our family, it was on the small, black and white television screen. It seemed to this genealogist as if the Yankees or the Dodgers or the Cardinals were almost always in the thick of things when it came to the pennant race. Two of my favorite players were Yogi Berra and Joe Garagiola. Both were – and are – genuinely good guys. Both were talkers, but in entirely different ways. Yogi became famous for his way with words. Joe could describe the game and players for as long as needed. These guys weren’t handsome. Joe’s been bald forever. Yogi always has had his less than perfect, but honest, grin. But they are Greats and both have called St. Louis home. So, tell me, what does this have to do with genealogy? This is how: It’s all in the neighborhood. Yogi and Joe were neighbors.  Yes, that genealogy and baseball fans, is a fact. Yogi, properly known at Lawrence Peter Berra, along with his parents, Pete and Pauline, and siblings lived at 5447 Elizabeth in St. Louis. Joe’s family, parents John and Angeline and brother Martin, lived across the street at 5446 Elizabeth. The neighborhood was Italian and both sets of parents had immigrated to the United States in the early 1900s. But there is more: Pete Berra and John Garagiola were laborers in a brickyard. In the 1940 U.S. Census, Yogi’s brother, John, was a waiter in a restaurant as was Joe’s brother, Martin. Yogi and Joe attended the same high school – then known as South Side Catholic. In the censuses, enumerated in April, both are the same age: Age 4 in 1930. Frequently, a genealogist may get caught up in specific family details and over look that family’s neighbors and neighborhood.  This professional genealogist feels strongly that when researching family history, we genealogists must be checking the neighbors when working with the census. The Garagiolas were across the street neighbors of the Berras—but, genealogists note please, they were listed a couple of pages away in the census. What was the neighborhood of Yogi Berra and Joe Garagiola like at that time? The vast majority of residents were Italian. A good number of the families owned their homes which were often valued between $2,000 and $4,000 in 1930. A fair number of the male heads of household were employed in the brick, clay mining or terra cotta industries. There were also working in other businesses as bakers, milliners, cooks, grocery store clerks.  A couple of parks, including what is now the Missouri Botanical Gardens, were just a few blocks away. Also, a few blocks away was the insane asylum or what is now called the Saint Louis State Hospital. It all added up to a solid, middle class neighborhood for the time. And as Yogi might say, it was a good place to be from if you were from there. With a talent for baseball, Yogi and Joe took similar paths out of the neighborhood, away from St. Louis. The better player in the long run, ended up being Yogi, whose career spanned 19 seasons from 1946 to 1965 capped with election to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972. Joe also made his major league debut in 1946. His career lasted nine seasons in the majors and then he moved into a career in broadcasting. Recently Yogi Berra celebrated his 90th birthday. In a few months’ time, Joe will be celebrating his as well. For the family historian, it’s a home run story for families and friends who have so many connections. Best wishes from this genealogist to both baseball stars. The professional genealogists at RecordClick will hit a grand slam with your family details. We will explore where your ancestors lived, what they did and find new information for you. #### Genealogy Research Centers - Where Genealogists Do It in the Stacks In an era of cyber technology, is there really a place for gumshoe genealogists who still believe that shoe leather must be sacrificed to make the greatest finds? It may surprise you to know that Craig Silverstein, Director of Technology at Google.com, was quoted as saying, "My guess is (it will be) about 300 years until computers are as good as, say, your local reference library in search." In addition to local reference libraries, there are a handful of premier genealogical research centers in the United States, including the Salt Lake City-based Family History Library; the National Archives and Records Administration in Washington, D.C.; and the DAR Library housed at the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution headquarters at 1776 D Street NW in the Nation's capital. Considered meccas of research, these centers house collections with varying focal points and beckon visitors to wander their stacks, pore over their microforms, and peruse their manuscripts. The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is the largest lineage society in America with about 168,000 members. In 1896 the National Society DAR established its library. It took up residence in the auditorium of DAR's Memorial Continental Hall in 1949. Gen. Edward Pearce Casey, who also designed the interior of the Library of Congress, designed the Hall in the classical revival style of the beaux-arts in 1905. Starting with just 600 books in 1896, the DAR Library now boasts 180,000 American genealogical and historical manuscripts and publications (including 30,000 family histories/genealogies and personal letters); 300,000 files of genealogical documentation; and 15,000 volumes of unpublished genealogical records (including Bible records and cemetery transcripts). The DAR Library is not just limited to the American Revolution. Its collections also include a vast coverage of Colonial and 19th Century topics, as well as resource materials supporting women in American history, African-American, American Indian, and Jewish genealogical research. Supplementing the print holdings of the Library is DAR's Seimes Technology Center, which has 65,000 microforms in its collection, comprising federal census records 1800-1900, Revolutionary War records, and many state records not found in other D.C. research centers. While open to the public, the DAR Library suggests checking its online calendar for hours of operation. While the Library is free to members, non-members pay a small user fee that goes to maintaining the collections. For those of you who can't make a pilgrimage to D.C., the Library also has a presence on the Internet through its online catalogue. Its American Genealogical Research, a 175-page guidebook, explains DAR's reference collections. The guidebook offers tips on making the most of these resources, as well as navigating the Library stacks. No matter how many libraries or courthouses you visit or cemeteries you wander, sometimes you hit a wall in your research. The Internet provides an extraordinary wealth of genealogical resources, enough so that Kory L. Meyerink, founding director of the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy and consultant for the PBS series Ancestors, compiled the top 50 genealogy-related websites -- the DAR Library is included on the list. While the ease and speed of locating information with a keystroke or two is a siren song to family history sleuths, especially to Generation X, Y, and Z, as well as to Baby Boomers I and II, take heed all you Cyber Gen Genealogists -- undocumented material found on the Internet is not always trustworthy. A cyber hit may help you hurdle an obstacle, but don't let it take the place of solid documentation. Consider the fact that the best detectives of all time -- from Sherlock Holmes to Hercule Poirot to Lieutenant Frank Columbo -- didn't solve mysteries with the aid of the Web. They did it the old fashioned way by visiting the scene. The fact that America's premier genealogical centers are located in some great vacation destinations is a real incentive for families to plan their next vacation to include a trip to a library. For some, diving head first into stacks of family history may be as exciting as a ride at any major amusement park. For help with your genealogy research, speak to a professional genealogist today! #### Genealogy Research In Ireland - Expect Some Blarney and Bludgeoning "When English alternative rock singer-songwriter and lyricist Morrissey was quoted as saying, 'Life's full of tricky snakes and ladders,' might he have been referring to Irish genealogy?" ~ RecordClick Ireland is a different place now from what it was even a hundred years ago. Well, Dublin still gets a bit raucous, but it is usually in celebration with a pint of good ale. When it comes to Irish ancestor searches, however, admittedly, family history researchers today have an easier time researching genealogy in the Emerald Isle. A multitude of quaint villages still dot the countryside. Winds from the Atlantic sweep over the Cliffs of Moher. The island has been inhabited since before the time of Christ. At almost every turn there is an old castle, church or cathedral with an old cemetery. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, brought the Roman Catholic faith to the country in the mid- to late 400s. There should be church records and civil records, and in many cases, there are. For example, the earliest surviving text is the Book of Kells, a religious volume containing the four gospels of the New Testament that was created in about 800 A.D., about the same time as the first incursion of Vikings. While it may be easier for genealogists today to do family history research in Ireland, especially given the Irish genealogy databases that are available online, it is still no easy task. It seems Ireland, an outpost to protect against marauding visitors arriving via the Atlantic Ocean, was a popular place. It had a good many visitors, and they didn't always get along. About 800 A.D. the Viking set their sights on the Emerald Isle. The Normans arrived in about 1100 A.D. Around 1200, the English came calling. All of these "visitors" have influenced the history and genealogy of the country. It would be nice if life had settled into an easy pattern, but these are the Irish after all. The people have met with all sorts of calamities and met them as only the Irish can. On one of my visits to Ireland, the guide commented that the Irish often dealt with adversaries by blowing up things, like buildings, up or burning them down. Neither is a good way to save records. All is not lost. Searching for ancestors in Ireland takes a bit of imagination and tenacity. Let’s start with the timeline for historical background. Before the time of Christ – What is now Ireland was inhabited. Mid-400s – St. Patrick brings the Roman Catholic religion to Ireland. About 800– The Vikings begin attacking Ireland. Catholic monks create the Book of Kells. About 1000 – The Viking wars end. About 1100 – The Normans invade. About 1200 – The English arrive. 1297 – The system of counties is introduced in Ireland. 1311 – Ireland’s first university was authorized by Pope Clement V and was founded in St. Patrick’s Cathedral. It met with varying success and ended in the 1530s with the Protestant Reformation. 1348-1350 – The siege of Black Death, the plague, which started in Europe, spread to Ireland. 1530 – England’s Henry VIII broke with Rome, and England began its course on becoming Protestant. Mid-1500s – The Irish conduct their first rebellion against the English in Ulster (also known as Northern Ireland). 1592 – The University of Dublin was founded and is still in operation. About 1600 – The practice of Marriage Bonds began for the more elite of Irish society. 1700 – Irish education is not standardized. The privileged classes educate their children in private academies and with tutors. The children of the lower classes receive their education from itinerant teachers. 1766 – The Church of Ireland conducts a religious census. This is met with resistance from Roman Catholics. Early 1800s – Tithe Applotment Books are created. They record a survey to determine the amount of tithe payments to the established church – The Church of Ireland. 1831 – A national school system was organized. 1838 – Ireland was divided into districts, or Unions, in which the local rate-payers were made financially responsible for the care of the poor and starving in their area. 1845-52 – The Irish potato famine resulted in the death of one million citizens. Another one million emigrated from the country. 1847-1865 – Griffith’s Valuation was created. These were property assessments for tax purposes. 1921 – Northern Ireland was created by an act of the English Parliament. 1922 – The Public Record Office was burned during the Civil War. Records housed there included Church of Ireland parish registers, wills, and census returns. Some duplicates and copies were made before the incident. Helpful Irish Genealogy Research Links Ireland and Northern Ireland have a number of websites that may be of interest to genealogists. They are: National Archives of Ireland. Online data bases include: 1901 and 1911 censuses; tithe applotment books; lists of penal transports to Australia. Ask About Ireland. This is the National Irish Library website and has a number of online historical websites and data bases. Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI). Online resources include will calendars, Valuation Revision Books, street directories, a name search and Freeholders Records. Ireland GenWeb Project. Part of the WorldGenWeb Project, this website contains more localized information. Each county has a local volunteer with resources unique to that area. In future blogs we’ll take a look at civil records, religious records, land records and court records – keeping an eye out for a leprechaun with a shamrock and good news. Of course, the expert genealogists and family history researchers at RecordClick can help out. Our genealogy research services will go a long way in helping you to find an illusive record. RecordClick's professional genealogists can and will help you trace family history. The best part is that we are just a mouse click away. #### Genealogy Research in Nebraska Is Like Shucking Corn -- It's Gonna Yield Somethin' Sweet Nebraska isn't just about Husker football, although on football Saturdays you would think it is. For genealogy researchers and genealogy sleuths, Nebraska holds a rich history that includes pioneers, Native American Ancestors, the Lewis and Clark expedition, Mormons, emigrant settlements, wagon trails, and much more. Native American history makes for a veritable treasure trove of possible fascinating Nebraska ancestors. During the mid-1700s to 1800 many native tribes, such as the Otoe, Omaha, Ponca, and Pawnee, lived in eastern Nebraska. The western part of the state consisted of the Sioux, Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Pottawatomie tribes. When the Mallett brothers came to Nebraska in 1700, there were approximately 40,000 Indians living there. Eventually, counties started to form in Nebraska. In 1855 the territorial legislature defined Otoe County, which was one of the largest and the first counties to become established. The Watota, Pawnees, and Omaha tribes in Otoe County lived along the Missouri River. Otoe County is derived from "Oto," an abbreviation of Watota. The county seat is Nebraska City, which was the first locality in Otoe County. In 1865 the Otoe Courthouse was built on what was once an Indian cemetery. Nebraska City is overflowing with historical gems that are a professional genealogist's dream. The Otoe County Courthouse holds the kind of county records -- such as marriages, wills, and estate papers -- that are a goldmine for genealogists. These records give clues to family history and date back to when the Courthouse first opened. There are also records available from the district and county courts for Otoe County. The Homestead Act of 1862 gave settlers 160 acres of free land provided they paid a ten dollar fee and agreed to live on that land for five years. This exciting opportunity brought many emigrants to Nebraska. Many of these early ancestors were German, who were closely followed by the Czech, Swedish, and Danish settlers. Genealogists will find great diversity researching various ancestors in Nebraska. Otoe County Register of Deeds makes original land documents available to genealogy researchers. Don't forget that Nebraska has beautiful historical landmarks and tourist attractions. One notable property is the J. Sterling Morton home, located in Arbor Lodge State Historical Park in Nebraska City. This "house" is a 52-room mansion built to look like the White House. J. Sterling Morton is also the founder of Arbor Day and was the editor of the Nebraska City News. His son, Joy Morton, was the founder of the Morton Salt Company in Chicago, Illinois. Genealogists should definitely visit another historic location in Otoe County -- the Mayhew Cabin, also known as John Brown's Cave. It was owned by Allen and Barbara (Kagi) Mahew. John Brown's Cave was an underground cave, located below the Mayhew Cabin, where fugitive slaves who crossed the Missouri River into Nebraska would hide. The family fed and cared for the runaway slaves until they could go to the next stop. Nebraska was considered a free state, but some slavery did exist in Otoe County. Consequently, there may be opportunities to research slave records in Nebraska; to our surprise, we may discover we have slave ancestors in Nebraska. For genealogists who wish to do cemetery research and locate burial information in Nebraska, there are approximately 50 recorded cemeteries and family plots in Otoe County. Some of these abandoned cemeteries include: Old Elmwood Cemetery, Fowlkes Cemetery, and Warden Cemetery. These cemeteries are located on private property and can only be accessed with permission from the owner. However, pictures of the headstones and names have been recorded and documented for family history purposes. Surnames like Fowlkes, Snowden, Warden, Lowe, Gilman, Tolle, and Anderson can be found in some of these abandoned cemeteries. There is so much exciting information to help complete your family tree in Nebraska. The Morton-James Library in Nebraska City has an excellent genealogy section. Included is microfilm of the Nebraska City News Press, as well as a few short-lived newspapers that were started in Nebraska City. There is also a section dedicated to Otoe County family genealogy, as well as lots of information on the cemeteries located around Otoe County. The Otoe County Museum of Memories in Syracuse must not be overlooked for Nebraska family history research. Besides obituaries and family history documents for Nebraska, you will find audio tapes about the lives of people who lived around Syracuse and in Otoe County. Some of the most interesting audio tapes are from the caretakers of the Otoe County Poor Farm. They talk about the people (known as "inmates") who lived there, the inner workings of the farm, and how the inmates came to the poor farm. This is a brief overview of several family history research resources that can be found for Otoe County and Nebraska genealogy. For help with your Nebraska genealogy, and to locate Nebraska ancestors, speak to one of our professional genealogists today. #### Genealogy Research in Portland Oregon: Every Family Historian’s Dream Oregon is a fantastic place to do genealogy research! In fact, Google’s Trends spotting service reported that “Portland, Oregon consistently show up in the top 10 places to do genealogy, family history, and ancestry research.” Family Tree Magazine identified Oregon as one of the best states with online genealogical and historical resources. With so much interest in genealogy by Oregonians, there are many free genealogical resources that can be accessed on-site or online, even by researchers outside of Oregon. There are many outstanding genealogical and historical societies in Oregon and they charge reasonable membership fees. These societies also have affordable day-use fees for non-members. With so many societies and resources in Oregon it was difficult to make a shortlist of sites. Nevertheless, below is a list of family history sites, both on and offline, to aid the family historian in their search. Record Click has a professional genealogist based in the heart of Oregon, so if you need assistance with your Oregon search gives us a “shout-out.” Genealogical Forum of Oregon The Genealogical Forum of Oregon (GFO) has the largest genealogy library between Seattle and San Francisco with over 32,000 volumes as well as special collections. The GFO holdings include a rare book section with many hard to find resources. Indexes have been created for the key Oregon records in their collection and can be searched online or on-site. The GFO maintains a large collection of Oregon records and materials, but also records for all 50 states and many countries. The GFO library offers a wireless internet connection and access to Ancestry Library World Edition. If the researcher is unable to come to Portland, GFO can provide documents through the mail for a fee. Free to non-members are monthly programs and special interest group meetings. The research library is free on the first Monday of the month otherwise there is a day-use fee for non-members. Annual membership fees are available. http://www.gfo.org/index.htm Oregon Genealogical Society The Oregon Genealogical Society (OGS) maintains a large collection of genealogical and historical related materials that can be accessed by members and the general public. Though the focus is on Oregon genealogy, the OGS library in Eugene maintains a national collection of genealogical materials as well. The Society holds classes and seminars with eminent genealogists for a nominal fee per class. Monthly membership meetings are open to the public. http://oregongenealogicalsociety.org/ Oregon State Archives The Oregon State Archives contains a wealth of family history information. There are guides, indexes, maps, images, and research aids. Perhaps the most important resource online at the archives is the searchable surname index that uncovers vitals, naturalization, probate and other record details. If you want a copy of an original record, most records can be obtained for a nominal fee. The archives also hosts a genealogy and family history listserv (OR-ROOTS ). http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/pages/records/genealogy/index.html Oregon Historical Society The Oregon Historical Society offers many resources and services for family historians. Some of their offerings include an obituary collection, photographs, biography index, publications, census records, sound indexes, city directories, and a DAR index. Monthly workshops, a staff genealogist, and free e-newsletters are some of the many resources that are available to the public. Members pay an annual fee and non-members pay a daily entrance fee. Some categories of non-members have reduced admission cost or free entrance. Additionally, there are family days once a month with special admission rates. http://ohs.org/ LDS Family History Centers The LDS has family history centers across Oregon. The LDS maintains a catalogue of all the documents in their collection from which you can order any of them on film or fiche from their headquarters in Salt Lake City. Many LDS sites also have access to premium family history software and websites that generally charge for subscriptions. Contact your local center to see what is available on-site. The LDS is open to the public and does not charge any entrance or membership fees. Typical fees for photocopying and mailing film and fiche are charged. http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Library/FHC/FHC_Results.asp?FHCCountry=United+States&FHCStateProv=Oregon Oregon Genealogy Web The Oregon GenWeb Project provides links to genealogy related websites with a focus on Oregon, has specialized message boards, and a listserv related to genealogical research in Oregon. Oregon GenWeb also hosts the Oregon Tombstone Transcription Project. The US GenWeb Project provides free access for everyone and is available for every state in the country, not just Oregon.  http://www.orgenweb.org/ Oregon Genealogy Oregon Genealogy is a mega site of genealogical and historical links for Oregon. In addition, there are some useful nationwide links. The site contains a few databases as well, such as the Oregon Obituary Database. The site is ever expanding, regularly adding new links, data, and sources. http://www.oregongenealogy.com/ I Dream of Genealogy I Dream of Genealogy is a free online genealogy database. Of interest is that it contains a list or Oregon cemeteries and the individuals interned in them. http://www.idreamof.com/cemetery/or.html University Libraries Oregon State University The Oregon State University Valley Library maintains a large collection of published biographies for Oregon residents, maps, newspapers, magazines, journals and books to assist the researcher. http://osulibrary.oregonstate.edu/ The university archives includes yearbooks, alumni directors, student and staff lists and photographs. http://archives.library.oregonstate.edu/FindingGenealogicalInformaitonintheArchives The library also has a number of publications on the topic of genealogy and on specific family genealogies. Search the library using the online card catalogue and if you don’t live in the Corvallis area request an interlibrary loan from OSU through your local library. http://oasis.oregonstate.edu/ University of Oregon The University of Oregon Knight Library contains many genealogy resources such as the Oregon mortality census for the years 1850 through 1880. The focus of the collection is on the history of and genealogy of Oregon and the Western United States, but it also includes important documents for the rest of the country as well. Access a selected list of genealogy resources through the following link: http://libweb.uoregon.edu/guides/genealogy/ The library can be accessed through: http://libweb.uoregon.edu/ To speak with a professional genealogist about your Oregon genealogy and family tree research contact us. #### Genealogy Research Is Big and Bright - Deep in the Heart of Texas! Photo courtesy of the Texas State Genealogical Society Welcome to Texas, y'all. We've cooked up a passel o' goodies for you to chomp your teeth into. Nope, it's not ribeye, it's good 'ol homegrown genealogical research resources, and Sue Kaufman, President of the Texas State Genealogical Society, is gonna tell all y'all 'bout them right this very minute.* RC: What are the first steps a genealogist should take? Kaufman: Start with yourself and ask the questions: Who, What, When, Where, and How? Identify Who it is you specifically want to research. What do you want to find out about this person? When did this person live, and Where did they live? How and where will you find information on this person? Fill out family group sheets and a pedigree chart, which is often referred to today as a family tree – they're the same thing. The pedigree is your ancestral "map." The holes become your area of research. Do your homework. Take the time to read about how genealogy research is done by master genealogists, such as The Source: A Guidebook to American Genealogy (edited by Loretto Dennis Szucs and Sandra Hargreaves Luebking, Ancestry Publishing; 2006; third edition) and A Researchers Guide to American Genealogy (Val Greenwood; Genealogical Publishing Company; Baltimore, MD; 2000) among others. For further lists see: Check out the Getting Started in Genealogy website, or enter “beginning genealogy reading list” in Google. Genealogy research is not done in a vacuum; talk to other lineage researchers for suggestions and research tips. Join a lineage research society. Some of the genealogy websites offer podcasts; RecordClick has an informative blog site with helpful resource research advice; Ancestry.com has a learning center; FamilySearch.org offers free online learning classes and a wiki. Take advantage of what your local libraries offer in the way of workshops and seminars. The Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research in Houston offers workshops and seminars that teach researchers how to maneuver through websites and book stacks; it offers library orientations, including the use of library catalogues; and it conducts education sessions each month on variant topics, and information about conferences and workshops outside of the library. These sorts of activities and events will help you adopt and improve the efficiency of your genealogy research methods. RC: How might genealogy researchers most efficiently utilize genealogy collections and library consultants? Kaufman: Think of libraries as a destination experience. Whether the genealogy center is close to you or far away, you are investing time, effort, and money in the venture. Before you visit, identify your genealogy research questions and keep them specific. For example: If you are shopping for towels, you wouldn't ask the clerk for the "housewares" department, you would ask specifically for "towels." The same is true for the questions you ask library consultants – remember, they don't have the time to listen to your family stories; especially, with all the budget cuts, there are fewer librarians to help you. RC: What are your thoughts about genealogy research websites? Kaufman: The majority of researchers use Ancestry.com, for two reasons: they want results in five minutes, and they actually believe that everything is on the Internet. Ancestry.com features a search box – I call it the "magic box" – that lulls visitors into believing that they can type in a name and the research will be done for them. They don't stop to examine the rest of the website to find the various databases that are available to them. It's important for people doing family research to learn what is available to them beyond the "magic box." Take the time to search databases that are available online, but remember, there are limitations to researching only online. You pay your $200 to access a limited number of research databases – maybe they will have the information you need, and maybe not. A lot of people figure if they can't find it there, it can't be found, and that is not the case. For example, the state of Texas did not start collecting birth and death records until 1903. If you are searching for records prior to that time, you will have to go to the courthouse (or wherever the documents are kept) in the county where the person was born or died. Marriage records for Texas don't exist at the state level prior to 1965 – once again, you have to go to the county; you won't find it online. If I could create the perfect program for researchers, it would be source-related, teaching the mechanics of how-to-research. Educating lineage researchers is extremely important. Websites like RecordClick, FamilySearch, and Ancestry offer blogs with valuable resource information for genealogy researchers, online learning centers, podcasts, etc. These tools help the genealogy researcher navigate the online resources to get the most out of what is offered. RC: What research materials do you recommend? Kaufman: I think the best research resources are published source materials, such as vital records, microfilm, census, supplemented by databases, Internet, home sources, and anything that will offer information about a specific person in a specific place in a specific time period. RC: What do you recommend researchers do when they hit the proverbial "brick wall?" How can a genealogy researcher regroup to find other avenues of research to find the answer? Kaufman: The best thing a researcher can do when they hit an impasse is to read more about the issue or the era. If immigration is the issue, read more about the immigration laws pertaining to the time in question. Educate yourself about the area of research. Talk to someone and bounce ideas off them. Go through the list of research protocol to make sure you are not missing a step. RC: I see the Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research and other Texas libraries are affiliates of the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. How does an affiliation like this impact library operations? Kaufman: It is very helpful to be an affiliate of the Family History Library (FHL). Salt Lake City now serves as remote storage for a vast amount of research materials (microfilm, digital maps, video/audio presentations) that includes Hispanic, Eastern European, and British genealogy research resources, all of which can be found through FHL Library catalog and are available for online ordering from your home computer. The materials are then delivered to any FHL center you indicate, including Clayton. The FHL has a wealth of resource materials that smaller libraries could never afford, and it is continually digitizing more materials, so the depth of resources is always growing. RC: With all of the digitization of genealogy records, why even bother with a brick and mortar building? Kaufman: Because you will discover within the walls of a library or research center a wealth of human expertise that is needed to help find and understand published and electronic records. At the Clayton, there are eight expert staff members trained in genealogical research and librarianship, all sharing their vocation of genealogy with researchers and visitors. Being part of a larger library system also makes special collections available. A brick and mortar building, whether it’s the Texas State Archives or the Waco Genealogy Center, makes historical research a destination. RC: Do you follow any particular blogs on genealogy? If so, which ones are your favorites? Kaufman: I like following Geneabloggers daily blogs, and I especially like monitoring what blogs Thomas MacEntee (creator of Geneabloggers.com) is reading. Additionally, I follow Houston-based Caroline Pointer (4YourFamilyStory) and Amy Coffin's blogs. Another good read is the MoSGA Messenger; it is the official weblog of the Missouri State Genealogical Association. RC: What are some of the best "must-attend" genealogy events in Texas? Kaufman: There are a number of great events in Texas. We have the Texas State Genealogical Society annual conference coming up the first weekend of November (see below for more information). Dallas Genealogical Society hosts seminars. Victoria County Genealogical Society is another active organization in this regard. The Hispanic Genealogical Society of Houston lists organizations throughout Texas, along with related event information. Then, there are the Texas Research Ramblers Genealogical Society, which offers lectures, programs, newsletter, and additional resources. For more information contact your local library and ask the librarian if there is a genealogy or historical society in your area. There are ALWAYS meeting and lectures you can attend, even if you are not a member! Sue invites all of you to attend the 2012 Texas State Genealogical Society annual conference at the Riley Center in Fort Worth, Texas November 1-3, 2012. Featuring Curt Witcher (genealogy author and President of the National Genealogical Society) as the major speaker, this three day conference offers multiple lectures, networking and a vendor hall to peruse. *The opinions expressed are those of Susan Kaufman and not those of the Texas State Genealogical Society or the Houston Public Library. #### Genealogy Research Resource Round-Up / Texas Style Texas Libraries of Note • Abilene Public Library Genealogy Department • Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research / Houston Public Library • Dallas Public Library Genealogy Department • Denton Public Library, Special Collections Emily Fowler Central Library Special Collections department - Denton County Genealogy & Local History • Galveston Public Library - Genealogy Department • Grapevine Public Library’s Frances Pittman Malcolm Genealogy Room • Houston Public Library / Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research • Lubbock (City of Lubbock) Mahon Library Genealogy Department • McAllen Public Library genealogy collection • Montgomery County Public Library Genealogy Collection • Plano Public Library System - Genealogy, Local History, Texana, and Archives (GLHTA) • Richmond - George Memorial Library • San Antonio Public Texana Collection • Texas State Library & Archives Commission - TSLAC Genealogy collection • Victoria County Public Library Genealogy / Local History collection • West Waco Library and Genealogy Center Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research / Houston Public Library 5300 Caroline Street Houston, Texas 77004 (832) 393-2600 Collections include: Census records Family histories (15,000 catalogued volumes) International resources Maps Microprint Military records Passenger & immigration sources Periodicals Special collections Texas & Houston area USA & State materials Family History Library affiliate program - FHL Library catalog Houston Library Databases by Category - Genealogy See Clayton Library "Useful Links" page Texas State Genealogical Society Interesting and Informative Articles KHOU Anchor Len Cannon does genealogy search to find lost family history Parts 1 & 2 "The Changing Face of Genealogy" – Curt Witcher (information about the changing face of family history research) Records Preservation and Access Committee: A joint committee of the Federation of Genealogical Societies, the National Genealogical Society, and the International Association of Jewish Genealogical Societies. Texas General Land Office: History & Archives - The Story of Texas Land. From the menu on the left-hand side, select "Our Collections" and then "Land Grants" to search the database. The Texas State Genealogical Society (TSGS) partnered with the Texas General Land Office (TXGLO) to preserve and digitize important early Texas land history documents. TXGLO has offered preservation and technical expertise, while TSGS has provided $40,000 in funding to TXGLO to accomplish the goal of preservation. These records are important because they give exact dates of immigration into Texas for those settlrs claiming a land certificate from the various county clerks across the state. They are a history of who testified to receive a land grant and when they testified. This offers the ultimate quest of a family history researcher – recording a specific person in a specific place, at a specific time period. If you have questions about Texas genealogy or you need assistance on the dusty trail of ancestry research, contact RecordClick. #### Genealogy Research Tips - Dealing with Common Name Searches The tombstone, located in Liberty Cemetery, Upland Township, Dickinson County, Kansas, has two names on it. It reads: Top: Simon W. Miller; Died November 23, 1884; Aged 13 ys 11 ms 23 ds. Bottom:William H. Miller; Died November 7, 1884; Aged 52 ys 11 ms unreadable ds. ~(photo credit Joan Shurtliff) When I started researching my family genealogy I felt lucky. I didn't have to contend with many common last names. Note that "many" is not an absolute – there are always a few that come up. I figured finding information about them should be a piece of cake. As many a family genealogist (with a knowing smile) can tell me - that's not necessarily true. Combine that fact with the stories that have been passed down, which surely must be positively true (except when they're not), and genealogical research becomes a challenge. I have a g-g-grandfather, William H. Miller, who was from Ohio. Part of his wife Minerva’s family (the Millers) homesteaded in Nebraska in 1870. Their family: William H. Miller, b. 22 Sept. 1832 in OH; d. 7 Nov. 1884 in KS m. Minerva Biggerstaff, b. 1836 in OH; d. May 1896 in NE; Their children are: Sina, b. 1852 in OH; m. Powers James F. b. 1858 in OH; m. Bockey Caroline Tracy, b. June 1860 in OH; d. 23 Nov. 1884 in KS; m. John VanDyke Eliza Louisa, b. 1868 in OH; m. Kelley Simon W. (Dorsey), b. 1870 in OH; d. 23 Nov. 1884 in KS. Neoma, b. 1873 in OH; m. Mitchell Ruth Ann, b. Sept. 1874 in OH; m1. Nov. 1890 in KS, John VanDyke; div. Aug. 1892 in NE; m. 2. Aprl 1895 in NE, James H. Teachman. The story doesn't story there. The Miller family moved West in the early 1880s and homesteaded. A typhoid epidemic swept through the community in 1884, and William and two of his children died. Ruth's sister Caroline Tracy, who was married to John VanDyke, was one of the casualties. My g-grandmother Ruth, survived, ultimately marrying her sister's widower John VanDyke. The couple had one child, but things did not go well between the two. They separated, and John left. Ruth divorced John, and then married my g-grandfather James Teachman. Ruth and James lived happily ever after. End of story, right? Well not exactly. I hoped that the tale was true, but once I began to trace family history more deeply, I found errors. Like a good detective, I'm not satisfied until I find a body, which would be William H. Miller in this case. I began tracing my ancestry more thoroughly. When you are conducting ancestry searches on a common name, first look for things that make the individual unique. My g-g-grandfather often signed documents using his middle initial "H." His wife's name was Minerva. While William H. Miller can be a rather common name, Minerva Miller is less so. It is also wise to check collateral lines, which may include other family members, a business associate, neighbors, or friends. Because this story takes place between U.S. Censuses, that is not the first place I looked to trace family history; rather, I started with deeds. I did find a William H. Miller who purchased property from the Union Pacific Railroad in 1882 in Saunders County, Nebraska, the county where Minerva’s family settled. The legal description: S35 T14 R7E. It sounded promising. A check of the 1885 Nebraska State Census found a William Miller in Stocking Precinct with the following information: Wm. Miller, 36 Mary Miller, 37 Florence Miller, 9 Edna, 6 My hope started to fade. There was no "Minerva" or "Ruth." Furthering my family genealogy search, I checked county burial records and found Minerva Miller buried in Indian Mound Cemetery in Ithaca, Saunders County, Nebraska. She died in May of 1896. According to FindAGrave, there are four William Millers, including one William H., buried in Saunders County. None of them were interred in Indian Mound Cemetery. They all died after 1900. It was, literally, a dead end. A good genealogist has more than one strategy to trace family history and I started working on mine. The next step in my genealogical research was to check U.S. Censuses. I found my g-grandmother Ruth living in Saunders County in 1900: Teachman, James Head b. Apr. 1856 in NY m. 5 yrs. Teachman, Ruth Wife b. Oct. 1875 in OH m. 5 yrs. Teachman, Grace Dau b. Jun. 1889 in NE Teachman, William A. Son b. Mar. 1896 in NE Teachman, Florence Dau b. May 1898 in NE Teachman, Mina M. Dau b. Nov. 1899 in NE VanDyke, Hazel S-Dau b. Mar. 1891 in KS Teachman, Margaret Moth b. Nov. 1822 in NJ Hazel was g-grandmother Ruth’s daughter by John VanDyke. I didn't know she was born in Kansas. Where in Kansas did the family live? What other records might help? Ruth got a divorce from John VanDyke. If she was living in Nebraska at the time, there might be something in the Saunders County court records. Late one Friday afternoon, I stopped in at the District Court Clerk’s office and inquired about a really old divorce. Ruth came through for me. In August of 1892 she filed for a divorce and there it was in the very first paragraph: "Comes now the plaintiff and complains of the defendant for that on the 22nd day of January 1890, at Dickinson in the State of Kansas, she was married to the defendant and that she has ever since said marriage conducted herself toward the defendant as a faithful, chaste and obedient wife." I had a place. I contacted the Dickinson County Historical Society located in Abilene, Kansas. An item from the Abilene Weekly Reporter, 27 November 1884 stated: "A sadly afflicted family in Sherman township will hardly feel like returning thanks today to anybody or for anything. On Sunday, the 16th inst., W.H. Miller died of typhoid fever; on the 25th a son and daughter died of the same disease; another son is very low, and his daughter and son-in-law are down with the disease. Verily, dire affliction has fallen upon that household. We trust that the end is reached." A canvas of the county cemeteries, conducted by the historical society, showed that William H. Miller, Caroline T. (Tracy) VanDyke, and Simon W. Miller (Dorsey) were buried in Liberty Cemetery, Fragrant Hill Township. They shared the same tombstone. I found the body - and more. But those stories are for other days. Four Things to Remember: If you are researching a common name, working with collateral lines can be helpful. A search of FindAGrave lists Caroline VanDyke, but not William or Simon, in burials for Liberty Cemetery. Check more than one source for burial records if you need to. If you find an obelisk tombstone, be sure to look at all the sides for names. Many times when there were multiple deaths, an obelisk tombstone was purchased to save money. Finally, if you hit a brick wall in your genealogical research, consider contacting a genealogy ancestry service - RecordClick. RecordClick's expert genealogists can help obtain courthouse and cemetery records, provide research strategies, or trace your ancestry for your genealogy tree. Joan Shurtliff is a Board Certified Genealogist. She is a member of the South Dakota Genealogy Society (SDGS), where she received the Outstanding Member Award for 2011. She currently serves as a Quarterly Editor for the SDGS. Ms. Shurtliff has ties to several early settlers and 1870 Nebraska homesteaders. #### Genealogy Research: How To Strengthen Bond With Your Relatives Genealogy research is simply a breakdown of your family from a common ancestor. So, the family trees you used to complete in middle school form the basics of genealogy/family history research. Today, genealogy is a widely embraced practice, as evidenced by the increasing number of genealogy societies and the popularity of advanced online databases like Ancestry and FamilySearch. However, none of these dictates how you relate with known and unknown relatives. This guide highlights five ways to leverage your genealogy research to take your relations with your relatives to the next level. Key Takeaways Genealogy research uncovers many things about your relatives, creating an understanding of them and the entire family. You can use the genealogy report to strengthen the bond with your relatives, provided you internalize key statistics and carefully handle sensitive issues. Hire a professional genealogist to start your ancestry research from scratch and document all aspects of your family in a customized and presentable manner. Know Yourself Through Genealogy Research Understand your genealogy Before you reach out to your newly discovered relative, see how you can use ancestry research to understand yourself better. Genealogy is not solely about discovering relatives and ancestors. Instead, it can help you understand your personality, discover your roots, preserve your heritage, learn from your ancestors, and, most importantly, have fun. Your genealogy report comes with a detailed analysis of your background and cultural heritage that you can use to understand where you came from and the attributes you convey. Besides, the physical and personality traits section details talents, quirks, preferences, and other characteristics you may have inherited from your ancestors. Understanding the traits and values passed down in your lineage can be a significant step towards having a tight grip on your emotions, perspectives, and lifestyle. Besides, having a clear understanding of your background provides answers to obvious questions about your family. It also narrows down the focus of further research. Knowing yourself is also about knowing your immediate family. Grasping crucial details about your siblings, parents, and children is one way to test your understanding of your genealogy. How much do you know about your immediate family member's names, dates, and traits? Your impeccable understanding of your immediate family would be a plus when go to the next step of knowing your relatives. RELATED: What Your Family History Says About Your Life Know Your Relatives Meet your relatives physically and virtually Once you're done mastering yourself and the immediate family, you can seek to learn more about your relatives in the family tree. Of course, knowing your relatives should start with the basics (names, dates, and events). Still, you want to know what they do, their personalities, locations, interests, degree of kinship, and more. The first step would be to document all the relatives from a common ancestor and show their links. Whether it's your cousins, second great-grandparents, siblings, nephews, and nieces, you must know who is who and a few aspects of their genealogy. Above all, you should understand the links each relative has between you and other relatives. Know who is your uncle, stepbrother, cousin twice removed, nephew, and more. Luckily, a genealogy report comes with most of this data, so all you may have left is to meet them in person and study their characteristics. Not all relatives will be friendly and loving, and that's okay. Respect their decisions around the relationship they set with you, and don't try to change them. Their eccentricities and quirks give the family uniqueness and flavor, and you just have to love them. Learning about their unique stories, personalities, and achievements can help you know how to effectively approach them and communicate more empathetically. Identify Common Elements In Your Genealogy DNA Test for Genealogy Genealogy reports also help relatives discover various elements that they share, such as ancestors, surnames, traits, blood groups, and DNA. These can serve as talking points the next time you chat with your relative and a way to enhance your bond. For example, if you share passions and hobbies, it would be a good idea to plan activities together or pursue common goals. Having a common objective is a way to better understand your relatives and enhance your relationship with them. The common elements represent your family history and predictions about the future. However, your relationship with relatives should not be discriminatory or biased towards those with whom you share traits. Instead, it would be best to find a commonality with all your relatives to keep the familial bond intact. RELATED: Physical And Personality Traits That Run In Your Family Know How to Handle Sensitive Matters Ethical And Legal Considerations A comprehensive genealogy report may highlight sensitive issues that you should handle with utmost care. Topics such as divorce, mental illness, illegitimacy, crime, abuse, adoption, etc., should be approached with care to avoid conflict, embarrassment, and discomfort among family members. While some of these issues are mostly avoided, they shouldn't be hidden or denied, but instead accepted and regarded as reality and complexity of your family history. It's also worth appreciating the circumstances and context influencing the ancestor's actions and choices. If you must inquire, be empathetic when trying to understand your relatives' feelings and perspectives about any sensitive issue, and be ready to offer compassion and support when needed. Below are the guidelines you should apply for sensitive issues uncovered by genealogy; Understand The Context: Study the historical context and circumstances surrounding the issue and know how best to address it with concerned parties. Take Cue: Find out how other people, such as other relatives, the community, or ancestors responded to the issue and the direction it has taken so far. Keep it Confidential: Keep the issue private by using privacy controls on online sites or anonymizing the details if stored in public records. Obtain Consent: If you must discuss or share the issue with other parties, you must seek permission from your relatives. Be Respectful: Ask questions respectfully, especially when interviewing your elders, and avoid personal questions that would appear disrespectful and invading their personal boundaries. Strengthen Your Bond Through Genealogy Research Socializing and Networking While knowing yourself, your relatives, and handling sensitive issues may strengthen the bond, you need to be hands-on for it to work. This means gathering your relatives and creating opportunities to communicate, interact, and celebrate your family bond. One important activity is frequent family gatherings. Luckily, with advanced technology, it is now possible to hold regular online meetings and perhaps at least one physical gathering during the holiday season. Most importantly, the meetings and gatherings should be brief, well-organized, and have a common objective. Some of the fun activities you can incorporate in the meetings and reunions include; Celebrating your family heritage and traditions, such as your ancestors' favorite art, music, foods, languages, and customs. Sharing memories about your family, such as old photos and stories, to see if your relatives remember them. Discovering fun facts about yourself and other relatives, such as the origin or meaning of their names and the events of the year you were born. Visiting relatives' gravestones physically or virtually as a way to respect your heritage and your ancestors. Playing a family trivia game to test relatives' understanding of names and events related to your genealogy. Conducting a competition for the best family tree template from each of your relative's nuclear family. Tracing famous people in your family tree using online tools such as famouskin.com. Ideas to create strong bonds with your relatives are endless, and you can create your own based on your family's uniqueness. READ MORE: Reliability of Famous Kin’s Work How To Create an Accurate Genealogy Report Cultural Ethnicity Calculator The steps highlighted in this guide will only work when you have an accurate genealogy report that reflects the actual image of your family history. The report must also be comprehensive, showing not only the names, dates, and events but also certified cultural ethnicity estimates, inherited traits, etc. Luckily, at Record Click, we offer comprehensive genealogy reporting at budget-friendly prices. What's more? We offer free consultation to take you through the process based on your preferences, objectivism, and unique background, Talk to us today about your genealogy research plans and how to use them to bring your relatives closer.   #### Genealogy Society: When, Why, And How To Join Joining a genealogy society can be a game-changer in understanding your family heritage. Family history research landscape is vast, and being a member of a community helps understand your ancestry and create a network of like-minded people. This guide provides insights into three essential questions in genealogy. Why join, How to join, and When to join. These insights will provide a deeper understanding of the benefits you reap by joining a society, the steps to becoming a member, and the various stages at which joining is most necessary RELATED: Find a Genuine Genealogist for Accurate Ancestry Key Takeaways Joining a society early enough helps start your family history research on the right footing. Benefits of becoming a member include access to exclusive record, educational workshops and Seminars. The right society for you will depend on your budget, research objectives, and preferences. When Is the Right Stage to Join A Genealogy Society? Family Tree You can join early in your research or later. Early membership saves your time while a later date promises more advanced resources, specialized databases, and the opportunity to share your expertise. Read below for instances that may require you to join Starting Family Research As a beginner, you're likely to feel overwhelmed by the resources and information you have to gather. Joining a genealogy society as you start your family history exploration can equip you with essential tips, guidance, and a network of professionals who can mentor you along the way. Research Roadblocks Joining might offer lectures, workshops, and forums, vital in solving challenging puzzles. Exploring Historical Ties When you discover ties in your family tree, you may be eager to extend them by checking possible connections. Becoming a member helps you find fellow researchers with whom you can collaborate or check possible shared ancestral lines. Geographical Relocation If you relocate to a place significant to your heritage, becoming a member helps you access cultural insights, local expertise, and historical records. Why Is It Necessary to Join a Society? Symbol of togetherness Joining a genealogy society comes with various benefits that cater to your needs. From inequivalent access to advanced resources to a cast networking opportunity, membership can significantly boost your ancestral research journey. Let's explore the specific benefits members reap. Access to Exclusive Records and Resources Genealogy societies often maintain vast databases of hard-to-find records, so joining at the right time can grant you access and fill gaps in your family research. Essential records and resources you will likely access include rare manuscripts and documents, local and regional records, and private databases. Educational Workshops and Seminars Genealogy societies regularly organize educational events, seminars, and workshops to deepen members' skills, keep them updated on trends, and broaden their history knowledge. Notably, these events are led by experienced researchers who, besides providing guidance, focus on DNA testing and genetic genealogy to help you understand and leverage genealogy DNA results. Networking Opportunities and Research Breakthroughs Members of a genealogy society share a passion for family history research. So, by becoming one, you engage with a vibrant community that offers a network of opportunities and helps you discover distant relatives. Discounts and Perks Genealogy societies offer discounts for events, workshops, and seminars, saving you money and, at the same time, expanding your network and knowledge. Similarly, most societies partner with other sites, experts, and publications, offering members favorable rates for additional assistance and resources. Recognition and Participation Becoming a member of a family history society can lead to appreciation and recognition for volunteering, sharing findings, or mentorship. You can participate and help the effort to understand and preserve history on a specific period, name, or location. RELATED: How to Conduct Family History Research on A Budget How To Choose the Right Family History Society Socializing and Networking The selection process involves comparing each community and selecting the best one that aligns with your needs and goals. Follow the process below to find the best society for you. Look at Different Societies Check whether the society's geographical focus is relevant to your research. If you want to focus on regional records and history, consider joining a local community. However, consider national or international societies if you have broad genealogical interests. It's also noteworthy to consider a society that aligns with your specialization, such as military genealogy, DNA research, and immigrant ancestry. Similarly, check the society's online presence and see if it can help with online research, especially when physical meetings are impossible. Weigh the Benefits Compare the membership benefits offered by different societies. Evaluate the resources and databases to ensure they are helpful and up to date. It should also offer webinars, seminars, or workshops on topics of interest to help you stay current with genealogical advancements and improve your research skills. Lastly, examining the facilitation of members' collaboration and networking as a vibrant community can make your membership valuable and exciting. Assess Fees Compare membership fees across societies and go with what falls within your budget. Be sure to also review the obligations and commitments to ensure you’re signing for something you can accommodate into your already complicated schedule. Seek Recommendations Ask fellow researchers for recommendations on reputable societies and use their insights and experiences to make the right decision. Similarly, check for testimonials and reviews from current and past members to gauge overall member satisfaction. Attend Events If possible, attend webinars, online events, and virtual meetings organized by the society to understand the culture and engagement among members. In-person attendance would also provide an excellent opportunity for firsthand experience with leaders and fellow genealogists. Evaluate Communication and Support Consider society's communication channels, such as online forums, email updates, and newsletters. Regular communication can keep you engaged and informed about resources and events. It's also essential to ensure that it has accessible customer support for inquiries with membership or research-related questions. These guidelines and thorough research will equip you when choosing a valuable society in your exploration journey. How to Become a Member of a Genealogy Society You Are A Member Joining is a straightforward process involving visiting the website and completing the application form. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to join. Choose Wisely: After making the proper considerations, choose the society you want to join based on your interests and goals. Study the Website: Once you've identified a society of interest, visit their website and look for information about the application process, fees, and membership benefits. Complete the Application form: Choose your preferred membership option and complete the application form with accurate information. RELATED: Mayflower Society Genealogy – You May Qualify For Membership Make Payment: Check the accepted payment methods and use the most secure option for your case. Become a Member: After payment, you should receive membership confirmation that indicates your approval as a member of that society. Visit RecordClick to learn more about genealogy research and leveraging your membership. #### Genealogy Storytelling and Story Writing - Once Upon a Time in Germany Ursula Krause, a professional genealogist and genealogical story writer, as well as a lawyer, grew up in the United States and Germany. She specializes in writing immigrant biographies for Americans of German ancestry, especially those immigrants who came to North America in the 19th century. Ursula resides in Germany, lecturing and teaching in-country, as well as in the U.S. She authors "Ask Ursula Krause," a column published in the Sacramento German Genealogy Society's journal Der Blumenbaum. She recently served as a consultant for the upcoming documentary The Upside Down Book, which is premiering at the International Film Festival in Fort Lauderdale in October 2013. Ursula has published a number of stories about her own ancestors, which are available on her Rootseekers website. RecordClick was honored to have the opportunity to interview Ursula Krause, and is pleased to share with you this artful and amazing genealogical storyteller's thoughts on the importance of the history of our ancestors. RC: You mention that the art of storytelling has been a “custom” in your family for centuries; how do you know exactly that you come from a long line of storytellers? UK: My mother, aunts and my grandmother always talked about our family’s history. I remember my grandmother telling me about her childhood, and when she visited her grandparents in the countryside - the watermills and the fields of flax. I can still hear her voice; she was a wonderful story teller and an excellent writer. So were her father and grandfather, who even wrote a chronicle about the town of Driesen. And now I have taken over that part (and I love it!). The story of this part of the family goes back to the Thirty Years’ War, and it was told again and again in the evenings when sitting in front of the fireplace after a hard day’s work. That is what the family chronicle says, which was written down in 1905 by my great-great-grandmother’s sister Luise. Most of the church records for that area were destroyed in WWII, but our family story survived, and I am now able to trace my family back to the old days. RC: Was there a particular event or defining moment when you were 13 that made you know that you, too, wanted to carry on the storytelling custom of your family? UK: On the day of my confirmation, I received a family chart. I remember reading it immediately - the guests sitting in the living room and me sitting in my room, reading - I just couldn't help it. It said my great-great-great-grandfather was “Missing in America”, and I sat there, wondering how this could happen, him missing in America and me sitting on my bed in Germany. That thought did not leave me until I knew what had happened, years and years and years later. When I began to realize, that these stories needed to be preserved so they weren't forgotten, I started to write things down, adding them to the stories that already existed, like the story of the family during World War II. Through the years, I became the family’s storyteller, and every year the family receives a Christmas email with an interesting story. My goal is to get the next generation interested in family history, so that one day someone can take over from me. And to my surprise, they love the stories I tell. I will probably end up being the funny old Auntie Ursula who always tells strange stories about how things were hundreds of years ago. RC: Would you give us a little history about your website Rootseekers? UK: Rootseekers officially started in 2008. Through the years, I have come to realize that families need and want information about the places their ancestors came from and the social circumstances they lived in - and fled. German society was so very different from the societies of the young immigrant countries. All the rules and regulations, the strict hierarchy, the lack of political and religious freedom, all these things made it desirable to leave. Often we find the reason for leaving for America not in economical reasons, but in the lack of perspective. Most of the people aren't aware of this and gain a totally new perspective on their research and heritage when getting an insight on German history. I started blogging in 2011, mainly because I love to write and want to share my stories with the world. Turns out many people really enjoy reading my stories and are eagerly awaiting the next one to come. It has always been my goal to make a difference in people's lives with my research and my stories. And I really do think that this is a goal I have accomplished. Happy me! RC: I have found that there are quite a number of genealogists who started as lawyers. Do you have any thoughts as to why one profession would lead to the other? UK: I wasn't aware of that. For me, I can say that my legal education (and studying Latin for almost 5 years!) was the best ground for being a genealogist. It is the inquiring mind and the ability to pay attention to what somebody says that makes it much easier to do research. It is important not to forget the well trained verbal skills, the love of language you need to have in order to make a point. But that would be nothing without the analytic skills, taking apart what you find, thinking it through and thoroughly putting it back together again, bit by bit. And, of course - discipline - the capacity for suffering and never, ever giving up! In Germany we say, "if you survive two legal exams, you survive everything," and I guess there is a lot of truth in that! RC: What exactly is the “immigrant experience,” and what about it interests you the most? What interests family members most about the information in immigrant letters? UK: I lived in America as a child and later in Sweden. I found it to be very interesting how people (and myself) adapted to the new society. It is necessary to adapt in a certain way, but how much of your own upbringing and culture, your moral values, do you want to give up? What is it you take with you and bring into the new society? If you look at the German immigrants coming to America in the middle of the 19th Century, you will notice that when settling in the East, they needed to adapt - learn English. Often they attended the local church, even if they were of a different faith. But if you go to the West, you will notice that often the towns have German names; the people founded their own German-speaking Lutheran and Catholic churches, the third generation often being able to speak, or at least understand, German. In their letters home, the immigrants wrote about their daily lives, their thoughts about their new homeland and the way they adapted to it. It does show how the new society came to be, how America was built, and how our families were a part of it! By the way, did you know that members of the middle class often wrote about different kinds of food in their letters? RC: You specialize in researching German immigration to North America, mostly for Americans. In your experience, what seems to spur Americans to want to research their German ancestry? What are they most interested in finding out about their ancestral family? UK: First of all, I have to say that I find that Americans are very proud of their German heritage. Very often they don’t know the exact place their ancestors came from, so we need to start from scratch. The reason for their ancestor’s departure seems to be of importance. And “How could my ancestors take their children and expose them to the dangerous passage and the new beginning, without a roof over their head?” What might have happened that made them leave? What kind of life did they leave? What happened to the family that remained in Germany? Is there anything left, a house, a grave? Is there family? RC: I see that Rootseekers' philosophy is to find out how our ancestors lived by using land records, census lists, address books, ship manifests and passenger lists, obituaries, guild rolls, colonist lists, military lists, school and university matriculation lists, pastoral books, court records, manorial files, historical books, biographical books, official gazettes, newspapers, calendars, and historical maps. Of these research materials, what percentage can you find online vs. what percentage requires travel to a brick-and-mortar building? Which resources would be most beneficial, and most easily obtained by genealogical researchers here in the U.S.? UK: That is a hard question to answer. Every week we find more information and records online. It seems that Germany is a bit slow compared to Poland, Czechia, or Denmark, for example. Still, there is a lot going on, things really are happening. If you look at Baden-Württemberg, they have an enormous amount of information online. I recently finished a case just by sitting at my computer at my desk. And then you take Saxony as another example, here the church records haven’t even been [micro]filmed yet, so we still are working in the small villages with the original church books. But they have a lot of other sources online, like directories and old records. You should also keep in mind that in Germany we have a very strict privacy law, and that does make it impossible to put certain information on the Internet. So, I would think that there still is a lot of traveling to be done, but I am sure that it will be less in the following years. RC: While conducting German and Polish ancestry, you have probably come across some sad stories concerning generations past, which you have had to impart to your patrons. For example: a family member discovers he/she has an ancestor who was a member of the Gestapo or guilty of Nazi War Crimes. Perhaps you have had a Jewish client and discovered horrific details of an ancestor imprisoned in a concentration camp. How do you impart this kind of information to people? What is their “usual” response? UK: When I’m doing research in the 20th century, people mostly are prepared and want me to look into these things. Usually there isn't too much of a surprise whenever unpleasant details come up. Research in the Third Reich is a very serious subject and needs to be handled with care, even within my own family. Being German, we tend to be careful with this kind of information; it sometimes may be too hurtful, and I want to be sure that the people with whom I work are ready for it. Therefore, with this kind of research, I tend to talk to my clients through Skype before starting my research, simply to get a certain feeling of who they are and why exactly they want to know these things, and how they will cope with it. Still, I sometimes have the feeling that there might be something “unlawful”, but do not go too deeply if the person has not explicitly asked me to do so. I try to write my report in a very “academic” style, putting things into a historical context; that often makes things easier to understand and to live with. But my focus lies on immigrants who came to America in the 19th century. Sometimes I find out that the family lore turns out to be, well let’s put it carefully, not really true. But often the family identity is built on their ancestor having done certain things or having been a certain kind of person. This, of course, is not easy to handle; who would like to destroy the picture of an ancestor? I always do try to be as veracious as possible. So, of course things need to be mentioned, and when writing my report, I do so. But also, I focus on the social context and try to make the ancestor “come alive”. And then often how a family member thought it would be simply becomes less important. They are mostly surprised and at the same time thankful for this “new identity” I gave their ancestor. RC: You mentioned that you are a “consultant” for the upcoming documentary (to be released in October 2013) The Upside Down Book, about an American Jewish family gaining possession of a copy of  Mein Kampf. Can you give us some insight into this project and what you did as a consultant? Have you worked as consultant on other books, projects, or films you would like to discuss? UK: The story is about an American soldier of Jewish faith - "Uncle Eddie" from Brooklyn, New York - who came back from WWII with a copy of Mein Kampf in his luggage. He claimed that he had killed a German soldier in action and took this book out of his rucksack. After Uncle Eddie’s death, this book came into the household of his nephew in Boston. Years later, when the nephew’s daughter Hinda Mandell opened the book and noticed that there was a name, a date, and a town written on the first page, she felt a strong urge to find out who these people might have been and what had happened exactly. Now, one thing you should know is that in Germany this book is on the Index*, and it is forbidden to print or even sell it. Also, there are certain things we tend not to take up and talk about, things that are politically incorrect. And it is very impolite to call a person you haven’t been introduced to before in their home; you need to send a politely written letter. So, my role was not only to do parts of the genealogical research, but to give an introduction on who we are and how things are done. A major part of my job was to talk about German history with the focus on how our grandparents, parents, and my generation dealt and deal with what happened during the Third Reich. We needed to build a strategy on how to search and how to get in touch with the descendants of the former owner of the book in a politically correct way. [box type="info"] * The copyright of Mein Kampf is owned by the federal state of Bavaria as Hitler's heir (Hitler's last residence was in Munich); the copyright runs out on January 1, 2016. It is not forbidden to own a copy, and it is not forbidden to sell it through a second-hand bookshop, but it is forbidden to print and sell the newly-printed book, as it would be considered to be anti-constitutional propaganda and sedition, and therefore would be against the law. In Germany we say a book/film/music etc. "is on the Index," if its sale or print or broadcast would be unlawful. German law is very, very strict about any kind of Nazi literature, music, and memorabilia. ~ Ursula Krause[/box] There is another project I would like to mention. One of my patrons wanted to write his family story and not only needed research to be done, but also information on why his ancestor left for America. It only took me about half an hour to find his cousins. In my report I went into depth and explained a lot about the legal and social situation in those days in that area and what might have led to his departure. I had found the last will of his parents, and we needed to find the path from that part of his life to his new life in America. I also made some suggestions on how to write this story, as well. Thankfully, he sent this story to me, and it is magnificent! RC: What is the most interesting project you have researched? UK: Actually I can’t really answer that question. What is it that makes something interesting? I have done VIP projects, which, of course, are exciting. Still, every life and every story is so very special and precious. But what I can say for sure is that I am always impressed by the women I meet; I find their strength and their attitude towards life remarkable. RC: What is the most difficult project you have researched? UK: I guess every case has its difficulty. I remember searching for a member of the Slavic minority in Brandenburg. They are called Sorbs and have their own language and surnames, different from German surnames. Unfortunately the spelling of a name may vary, as well; sometime the first letter was an “H”, sometimes a “W”. That, together with the pastor’s lousy handwriting [in the old church records], made it nearly impossible to find out who was who. It was a big family, and there were cousins carrying the same first name. I then called a translator who told me about the different ways to spell one and the same name. But what made it even more difficult was that the person I looked for had changed the surname she had at the time of birth; she simply went by two different Sorbian names - her father’s name and her godmother’s. And the godmother actually was the wife of one of the brothers of her mother’s first husband. And actually his surname was different from his brother’s surname, as he was born out of wedlock and carried his mother’s maiden name. Needless to say, he sometimes used his legal name, and sometimes his father’s. Does that sound difficult enough? RC: How does research in Poland differ from Germany? UK: In general there is no difference between doing research in Germany or Poland, except for the language and the currency. There is one thing though that people with roots in what is Poland today should be aware of. At the end of WWII, many records were destroyed in the areas that are now Poland, Russia, or the Baltic states. The cemeteries were often vandalized (they built streets using the old gravestones), churches were set on fire, and many, many records were destroyed, as well. One of the reasons for destroying the records was to ensure that Germans would never have the possibility to prove claims on their land and would never come back. Polish refugees from what then became Ukraine were forced to settle in former German parts of Poland. Doing research during the Cold War was pretty complicated, if not impossible. Today, with Poland being part of the European Union, we grow closer and closer with every year, and research has become much easier. Still, the records are gone, and those with ancestors from Pomerania or Silesia (including myself) will find it hard to find out more about their roots. The Polish archives are working hard on putting records and books online, and many Polish genealogists are indexing German church records and taking care of the old German cemeteries. And it seems as if we have become friends after all. RC: What are some genealogical research tips you might share with genealogists in the U.S. who are conducting research for their ancestral family in Germany and Poland? UK: Before starting your research in Germany, first do thorough research in America; collect as much information as possible. That will help you with your research in Germany. Do think about getting in touch with a German researcher; sometimes having a professional researcher make a research plan will save you a lot of time and money in the end! Often you aren't aware of what you already have. Go through your records and documents carefully and write down every single detail! Even if you don’t think it is important, it might be to a German researcher! Try to find out as much as possible about the German town they lived in and about German history; the more you know, the easier your research will get. And most important: don’t give up!!! Contact RecordClick today for a free consultation. Our professional genealogists specialize in investigating lineage cases throughout the United States and internationally. We have genealogical research teams in Germany and throughout Europe who speak the language and know how to help you trace family history. Photo by Matthew White #### Genealogy True Crime Stories: Finding Prison Records of the Family Criminal New York Prison records: Sing Sing. National sites including Wallawalla, Alcatraz, Leavenworth. Genealogy doesn’t usually have the family history researcher going to these places in an ancestor search. But when a genealogy researcher finds there is a criminal in the family tree, these prison locations might just be where that ancestor was planted for a long, long time. Genealogy researchers often hear about a crime through family whispers, secrets and odd half-truths. For the genealogy researcher, these stories provide a high-level genealogy researcher workout. The genealogist will find that many of family tree members will provide different parts of the story. Repositories containing diaries may turn up a family member’s private thoughts in journals. American Diaries: An Annotated Bibliography of Published American Diaries and Journals may help find writings from the mind of your criminal. Genealogy searches may turn up a criminal in the family. Prison records help. Then, after the family interviews, you may want to hire a genealogist. If you are the genealogy researcher, begin locating the documents that verify the crime in your ancestor search. The genealogy researcher should look at federal, state, county, town and township hall court records. Criminal court cases should be the first pass. Crimes against the state or committed against individuals or the state include murder, theft, arson or treason. Felonies are serious cases and misdemeanors are minor crimes. When searching for the genealogy of a criminal ancestor, don’t forget to look also in civil case records because crime victims regularly file civil lawsuits for compensation. Bond books and docket books and court calendars are parts of the court proceedings and are good places for the genealogy researcher to find plaintiff and defendant names. They will also include case file numbers, descriptions of the actions, lists of documents brought to the court and dates of hearings. Civil and criminal cases may be found in separate docket books. Court records also include the pleadings, orders, minutes, documents filed and rulings. And the genealogist might get lucky: with a mug shot. These bulky records end up deep in storage, sometimes far away from the court location. With legal and court document searches, a smart genealogical researcher is wise to be friendly with those who serve in the court administration offices.  No con artists welcome here. Straightforward courtesy and friendliness are what can keep the genealogist out of genealogy research prison! There is hidden gold for genealogists in prison and inmate records. Many of these records, dating back to the early 1800s are available on line now. Most recently, genealogy buffs will know that three New York Prisons will soon have their records on line. These records include the Newgate in Greenwich Village from 1797-1810 The first New York State penitentiary Clinton 1851-1866, 1926-1939 Sing Sing 1865-1939 Additional online prison records for the genealogist and family history researchers include those for Anamosa State Penitentiary, Iowa established in 1872 Alcatraz Inmate Lists Arizona Department of Corrections - Historical Prison Register, 1873-1972 plus additional life/death sentences from, 1873-1896 Executions at Fort Smith, Arkansas, 1873-1896 Atlanta Federal Penitentiary, Inmate Case Files, 1902-1921 including information from 1880 on. Colorado State Penitentiary Prisoner Index, 1871-1973 Colorado State Reformatory Prison Records, 1887-1939 Connecticut - Wethersfield State Prison 1800-1903 Idaho Penitentiary Inmates, 1864-1947 Inmates Associated with the Mining Industry, 1865-1910. Chicago Police Department Homicide Record Index, 1870-1930 Indiana Index to Life Prisoner's Statements: State Prison at Michigan City Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary, Inmate Case Files, 1895 - 1931 Maryland Judiciary Case Search Nevada State Prison Inmate Case Files, 1863-1972 Inmates of the Tennessee State Penitentiary, 1831-1870 Utah State Archives Historical Name Indexes Walla Walla Penitentiary, Washington State, 1887-1922 What the genealogist finds in records such as these is sometimes a mixed blessing. You get the information you were searching for, but then you also verify that there was, indeed, a true crime story. Professional genealogists will help you search through the stories and mysteries of the criminal mind in your family history. RecordClick genealogy experts will help you get the full story. #### Genealogy Volunteerism – Go Ahead, Make My Day "How,' you ask, "is genealogy similar to 'Dirty Harry' Callahan?" Well, quite simply, there are things you can do to both to make their days. For Dirty Harry, it involves a .44 Magnum, so that's not recommended; but if you want to make a genealogist's day, just ask him/her to help you find a friend or family member who is deceased, or with whom you have lost contact. There's nothing a genealogist likes to do more than solve a mystery. In fact, these lineage sleuths are gaining quite a reputation for solving a slew of mysteries that have stumped law enforcement and investigative agencies. A recent case in Lake Tahoe involved two reclusive 73-year old twin sisters -- Patricia and Joan Miller -- who were found dead in their home. When it came time for the El Dorado County Sheriff's office to notify next of kin, none could be found. In an unorthodox move, the Sheriff's office released the names of the women to the public, and genealogy volunteerism went into full swing. The detectives' media plea was met by an overwhelming response. Hundreds of people across the country stepped up to solve the mystery, and in only a few days, two cousins of the Miller sisters were located. When I read about the sisters, I had no clue that I was just touching the tip of a genealogy volunteerism iceberg. It turns out that scads of genealogists are offering their services on a volunteer basis to law enforcement and the FBI, as well as coroners, medical examiners, other investigative agencies, and even the Army. One of the most important areas requiring in-depth research is "unclaimed persons" (UP) -- a deceased individual who has been identified but has no apparent next of kin to contact. Finding these family members is a time- and labor-intensive job, made more difficult by the fact that funding and subsequent staffing to the related agencies have been frozen or cut due to the U.S. economic doldrums. In response to this dilemma, San Bernardino County, California, took a proactive stance and built an entire website around its unclaimed persons' database -- see www.unclaimedpersons.com -- that welcomes lineage researchers to take a stab at finding the next of kin for those individuals listed. But the cycle continues. As the U.S. economy slides downhill, more bodies go unclaimed (what next of kin wants to be saddled with the high cost of a funeral?), the government cuts funding to the agencies that handle UP, the backlog of dead people escalates, and the call goes out to genealogists to help solve the cases for free. The irony is that genealogists, like the majority of the U.S. workforce, have been hit hard by the economic downturn. Many of these genealogists rely on freelance projects for additional income, yet they volunteer their time and talents for altruistic endeavors. Either these tireless researchers are candidates for an episode of My Crazy Obsession, or they should be canonized as saints for bringing closure to many families who may have lost contact with a loved one. I prefer the latter. Regardless of the reason, genealogy volunteerism seems to be picking up momentum across the country. As the number of UP increases, the volunteer genealogists' battle cry is heard, "Go Ahead, Make My Day." #### Genetic Genealogy - Genealogists and Medical Family History I may be a genealogist, but I have a slightly skewed way of viewing genealogy. In the traditional sense of ancestor search, I want to know about my ancestors – who they were and what they did. On the other hand, there is the biological component - my ancestors are a part of me. I resemble one of my grandmothers more than the other - right down to my dimples. As I look at my ancestors, they can give me other insights into how I got to be who I am (other than just a genealogist). Were they tall or short? Did they have a slight build, or were they from a more solid stock? How long did they live? How did they die: from accident or a disease that we have conquered; from a heart attack or cancer or senility; or did they seem to fade away? When I see a new physician, knowing he/she will want a medical family history, the genealogy researcher in me comes bubbling to the surface. Being a good genealogist, I have the death certificates for my parents, grandparents, and all but two of my great grandparents. I even have a couple of death certificates for g-g-grandparents, plus obituaries from the local newspapers. All in all, it is way more information than the physician is looking for; but as a family history researcher, I think it is important to trace family history with an eye for genetic genealogy - not only for me, but for my descendants, as well. The most important medical data to have includes: Name Relationship Birth date Death date Cause of death Also important: keep a family medical history to one sheet of paper. I have a neatly organized copy that is included in my personal medical file. I’m sure there are other formats that can be used, but I have chosen one similar to a four-column pedigree file with my siblings and me listed on the center-left portion of the page. Starting with my generation, I include our birth dates and major health issues. In the next column I have my parents, then grandparents, and finally, great grandparents. At the bottom of the page I list the individuals and the cause of death as stated on the death certificate, as well as their age at the time of death. The doctor is usually impressed with my genetic genealogy. It seems that many people can only name their parents, possibly a grandparent or two, and only maybe what they died of. With my medical family history I get an, “Okay, this is good,” although I only go back four generations. The sheet is slipped into my medical file. The “Okay, this is good” can usually be translated as: "Medicine has changed a lot in the past one hundred or so years, and as long as we have a general idea of family health issues, that’s fine and dandy." Keep in mind that life expectancy has increased over the years. In the 1800s, 60 or 65 was considered a long life, while now individuals routinely live to be 80 or 85. Of my 14 parents, grandparents, and great grandparents: Eight died of heart related issues Two died of cancer One died of pneumonia One died of tuberculosis For one, diabetes was a contributing factor Two, I suspect, died of heart-related issues; unfortunately, I don’t have death certificates to confirm it This tells me that I had better take good care of my heart. I have three siblings; of the four of us, three have similar cholesterol issues. A short timeline for cholesterol study: 1769 – Cholesterol was identified in solid form in gallstones 1815 – A chemist named the compound “cholestrine” 1987 – A report of the National Cholesterol Education Program suggested what total blood cholesterol levels should be. I’m sure this has been refined in the ensuing years. In addition to taking care of my heart, I need to watch what I eat and exercise. The ages of my ancestors at the time they died: 41-50: 1 51-60: 1 61-70: 7 71-80: 3 81 and over: 2 But I do have the potential for living a long and active life. As a genealogist, part of the reason why I trace family history is to discover genetic genealogy. From my genealogical research, I have learned not to take my health for granted. By learning about my family’s genetic genealogy, I know what to look out for, although I recognize that other unexpected health issues may appear. By creating a medical family history, at least I have given my healthcare provider an idea of what medical conditions I may have, so that we can then take a more proactive approach to my healthcare. Here at RecordClick, there are professional genealogists who can help you create a medical family history to give you an idea of your genetic genealogy. RecordClick also offers DNA testing kits, if you choose to take a deeper dive into the medical aspects of your ancestor search. The professional genealogical researchers at RecordClick can assist in obtaining death certificates, mortuary records, or other records that may help in creating a genetic genealogy. #### Genetic Genealogy - Valentine, Heartache, or Both? One thing for sure, genetic genealogy is not boring. It is, as you would expect, scientific, complex, and complicated. But when all is said and done, genetic genealogy can be downright salacious and disturbing – which makes it a perfect topic to discuss around the water cooler and at cocktail parties. One such story surfaced just last month. It turns out, an employee at a fertility clinic in Salt Lake City may have switched his sperm with that of hundreds of the clinic’s clients, thus fathering a slew of children between 1986 and 1997. This is not just some cheesy plot for a made-for-TV movie – it is true story and has been widely reported. Granted, the majority of fertility clinics that offer artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization are providing a beneficial service to those individuals who cannot become pregnant the “regular” way. But when someone like Thomas Lippert takes it upon himself to switch his sperm samples with those of hopeful fathers (who happen to be clients of the fertility clinic), then we have an ugly turn of events. What kind of person would do such a thing? you ask. In the case of Thomas Lippert, prior to starting his job at Reproductive Medical Technologies, Inc. (RMTI) in 1986, the “constant donor” served two years in prison for kidnapping. The charges stem back to when he was 25 years old in 1975 and a law professor at Southwest State College in Marshall, Minnesota. The guy was no dummy. Though Lippert was from a working-class family, he received a first-rate education, graduating magna cum laude from St. Cloud College, and then later from Notre Dame. But you know as well as I, brains don’t necessarily make someone smart, and they certainly don’t make someone exempt from a propensity to criminality or mental illness. At the same time, being smart doesn't automatically make someone nice. The demons that rattled Lippert were unleashed in 1975 when he decided to kidnap a young woman and submit her to electroshock and brainwashing to make her love him. Now there’s a very un-Valentine story for you! After serving two years for the crime, Lippert set his sights high and got a job at RMTI. Though Lippert died in 1999 from chronic alcoholism, he managed to leave a human legacy of genetic genealogy in at least one case – a daughter (we’ll call her “Ashley”) who was born in 1992 to clients of RMTI. Though Ashley’s family did NOT want or need a sperm donor, Lippert, a mere employee of the clinic, managed to insinuate his sample into the mix. The reality of the situation made itself known quite by accident when in January 2014 results from a paternity test taken through 23andMe showed that Ashley’s father was not biologically related to her. The decision to trace their genetic genealogy and undergo DNA testing was really a lark for Ashley's family. Admittedly, Ashley exhibits biological characteristics and mannerisms atypical from the rest of her family – she has a penchant for music, dance, physics, and a desire to learn Russian – but in the end, the decision for DNA testing was just for the heck of it. Once Ashley’s mother “Paula” discovered the glitch in Ashley’s paternity, she used the 23andMe DNA testing results to track down a cousin of Lippert’s. In the meantime, Lippert’s mother submitted to genetic genealogy DNA testing, which proved that Lippert was indeed the biological father of Ashley. As you can imagine, once the cat was out of the bag, anyone who conceived with the help of RMTI between 1986 and 1997 wondered if the same thing had happened to them. The fact Lippert would do such a thing in one case leads many to believe that he may have done the same to hundreds of other families. The clinic was associated with the University of Utah, which has agreed to provide free genetic genealogy DNA testing for clients of the clinic who were treated during the years that Lippert was employed. Unfortunately, the talented Mr. Lippert took the secret to his grave, so we can never really be sure if he slipped up once, or many many times. Time and DNA testing will reveal the answer to this genetic genealogy mystery. Though the RMTI clinic closed, 23andMe was able to provide the genealogical data that identified the “mystery” donor, in Ashley's case. Her family has since launched a website Was Your Child Fathered by Thomas Lippert?. Their main message is: “Although some may feel that it is preferable not to know if Mr. Lippert is the biological father of your child, we believe the knowledge of biological heritage is essential to avoid half-siblings who may be living in the same communities potentially engaging in romantic relationships, as well as for family medical history.” While such a genetic genealogy finding can deliver a devastating blow to a family, in the case of Ashley, her family loves her no less – she is who she is because of genetic genealogy, something that cannot be changed. As crazy as this story may be, it does serve as a reminder that genetic genealogy is the very fiber of our being. It also reminds us that blood may be thicker than water, but it is not necessarily the cement that creates the love between a parent and child. Whether you are intent on finding biological parents, proving paternity, getting information on your medical history, or just interested in the genetic genealogy of your family, there are genealogical DNA testing services that can assist you in your genealogy search. Rather than just focusing on the scientific aspect of genetic genealogy, you may consider working with a genealogy research service such as RecordClick, which offers DNA testing through 23andMe, as well as a host of comprehensive professional genealogy research services that will enhance your ancestor search. It's the perfect Valentine's gift for your family. For more information on genetic genealogy and DNA testing, please visit our three-part series with Dr. Tim Janzen, a medical doctor, geneticist, and consultant for 23andMe: Part 1: An Introduction to Genetic Genealogy – Finding the 1% Solution Part 2: Choosing the Right Autosomal DNA Test Shouldn't Be a Random Process Part 3: Exploring the Use of Autosomal DNA for Genealogical Purposes #### German Ancestry - Tracing your German Ancestry in Germany German Ancestry - Tracing your German Ancestry in Germany - Resources for German Ancestral Search We're a professional genealogy research company. Our German researchers can help you locate records in Germany, complete your citizenship by descent, find your German roots and your German ancestry, locate pictures and ancestral stories, and more... Our German Ancestry Experts German Ancestry Researchers in Germany   available Max (Holzgerlingen, Germany) available Matteo (Munich, Germany) available Tilda (Essen, Germany) + 2 More Researchers Hamburg / Germany Frankfurt / Germany   Read: German Citizenship by Descent Schnitzel & Noodles with a Side of Research Strudel The author's ggg-grandfather Herman was from Westfalen (Westfalia) located in the northwestern part of Germany/Prussia. 1850 map of Germany: courtesy of the American Geographical Society Library, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Digital Map Collection. Those of you family history researchers who are tracing your German ancestry know that the process can be challenging to say the least. If it's any consolation, you're not alone. A large portion of U.S. citizens have some tie to Germany. In fact, according to the 2010 United States Census, Americans of German descent now number about 50 million and are the United States' #1 ancestral group. The Germans started coming to Colonial America in the early days of settlement, and they kept on coming. I discovered that my father was full-blooded German, and he and all of his U.S. ancestors lived in the same closely-knit German farming community north of Burlington, Iowa. His ancestors, however, started immigrating to the United States in about 1850; so, as the family genealogist, I had to go about finding where in Germany the family originated. Does this sound familiar to you family history researchers out there who are facing the task of ancestor search in Germany? At times there is a sense of serendipity when it comes to genealogical research, and my ggg-grandfather Hermann is one of those cases. Information included in early naturalization records was sketchy - because the only real requirement to citizenship was to give up allegiance to a native land and its ruler - and the records are of little value to family genealogists. As time passed, however, information in naturalization records increased; therefore, by the late 1800s, recorded information became more helpful to a genealogical researcher. Because many of my German ancestors became U.S. citizens before 1870 when information on naturalization records was sparse,  I had to find other avenues of genealogical research. I knew that sometimes there are clues on a census, if the census taker put down the area in Germany where the individual was from; and newspaper obituaries are also a possibility. I struck out on all counts. But then there was ggg-grandfather Hermann. He’s buried in St. John’s United Church of Christ Cemetery in Des Moines County, Iowa. Born 24 September 1805 in Germany, he died 1 October 1882. His wife, Anna Catharine was born 8 August 1808 and died 17 November 1886. The earliest census in which I found the family was in 1860: Herman Gesling, 54, b. Prussia Catharine Gesling, 51, b. Prussia Herman Gesling, 23, b. Prussia Hannah Gesling, 18, b. Prussia Caroline Gesling, 16, b. Prussia Albert Gesling, 10, b. Prussia Catherine Gesling, 13, b. Prussia Anna Gesling, 5, b. New York The family came to the United States between 1860 and 1865. They lived in New York for a time before settling in Iowa, and, as immigrants go, Herman and Catharine were a bit older than usual. The couple settled into farm life in their corner of Iowa. The serendipity occurs when Herman died. In about 1880, the State of Iowa began keeping death records. If the individual was an immigrant, often only the country of birth was noted. Herman's death record had a bit more to say; it lists that he was born in Herford, Germany. Trace and Explore your German Roots The thought of researching German records can be daunting because of language and handwriting barriers, but FamilySearch has done some translating, as well as transcribing, to make it easier for genealogists. While doing a marriage search for Herman and Catharine, I discovered that they were married 6 November 1831; Evangelisch (Evangelical/Protestant); Herford, Westfalen, Prussia. To make the family complete, the FamilySearch database of the births/christenings between 1558 and 1898 listed all of the Gesling children (using German spelling "Gösling") born in Prussia: Hermann Heinrich Gösling; Christening: 22 January 1837; Parents: Herm. Henr. Gösling, Anne Cathr. Riepen. Hanne Friederike Gösling; b. 19 January 1842; Christening: 23 January 1842; Muenstergemeinde Evangelisch, Herford, Westfalen, Prussia; Parents: Hermann Henrich Gösling, Anne Cathar. Ilsabein Riepen. Caroline Friederike Gösling; b. 5 April 1844; Christening: 8 April 1844; Evangelisch, Herford, Westfalen, Prussia; Parents, Hermann Henr. Gösling, Anne Cathar. Riepe. Anne Catharine Gösling; b. 26 January 1847; Christening: 31 January 1847; Evangelisch, Herford, Westfalen, Prussia; Parents, Hermann Henrich Gösling, Anne Catharine Riepen. Albert Heinrich Gösling; b. 15 February 1850; Christening: 17 February 1850; Evangelisch, Herford, Westfalen, Prussia; Parents, Hermann Heinr. Gösling, Anne Catharine Riepe. Free German Ancestory Assessment Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.What difficulties are you facing? *First Name *Last Name *Phone Number *Email * - Ad Device Submit Tips for a Family Historian If you are a family historian researching in Germany, there are several tips to remember: The first vital records were recorded and maintained by the church. This practice started in the 1500s and lasted well into the 1800s or later. Genealogists need to take into consideration naming practices. The bottom line is, however, that many names were used over and over again throughout several generations. The best way to affirm the correct family is being traced is to work with the entire family – parents and children. Using the birth order and birth dates can help clarify a family and its members. The FamilySearch Germany, Births and Baptisms, 1558-1898 database lists more than 37 million individuals. It can be very helpful, and it is in English. There can be several name forms or spellings. The last names of some of my German ancestors have only minor variations, while two of my family last names have been spelled many different ways. Boundaries in Germany have changed many times throughout history. A family researcher should use maps from both the time period that the ancestors lived in the country and modern day to get a perspective on where the old home is located. Researching genealogy in Germany? RecordClick can help you with your ancestor search. With professional genealogists based in Germany, RecordClick can assist genealogists and family history researchers locate the correct records and documents to help with their ancestor search.  Whether it is finding an individual, a place, or a record, professional genealogists in Germany working for RecordClick, can help you. Staying Organized Keep in mind, genealogy is a popular hobby for many people, as it can be both interesting and informative. If you're just getting started, one of the best ways to organize your research is to create a tree. There are several ways to do this, but one of the simplest is to use a printable tree template. You can find them here: https://recordclick.com/templates/ View RecordClick's additional blogs on German genealogy: German Genealogy – Tips from a German-based Genealogical Researcher Trace Your Teutonic Ancestry – RecordClick Boosts In-Country Research for German Genealogy Sources: U.S. GenWeb; Des Moines County, Iowa cemeteries, St. John’s United Church of Christ. 1860 U.S. Federal Census, State of Iowa, Des Moines County, Flint River Township, p. 227, Dwelling 1613, Family 1514. Des Moines County, Iowa; Death Book 1; p. 28. Compiled by the Des Moines County Genealogical Society. Germany, Marriages, 1558-1929; FamilySearch.org. German, Births and Baptisms, 1558-1898; FamilySearch.org. #### German Genealogy - Tracing your German Roots in Germany German Genealogy - Tracing your German Roots in Germany - Tips from a German-based Genealogical Researcher We're a professional genealogy research company. Our German researchers can help you locate records in Germany, complete your citizenship by descent, find your German roots and your German ancestry, locate pictures and ancestral stories, and more... Our German Genealogy Experts German Genealogy researchers in Germany   available Max (Holzgerlingen, Germany) available Matteo (Munich, Germany) available Tilda (Essen, Germany) + 2 More Researchers Hamburg / Germany Frankfurt / Germany   Read: German Citizenship by Descent Genealogical research in Germany can be a fascinating and productive study; at the same time, it can be disappointing and frustrating. The same may be said for all ancestry searches – domestic or international – but it is even truer for researching genealogy in Germany. The reason for this has a lot to do with the historic development of Germany over the last 1,000 years. The United States is a relatively young country at only 237 years, compared to European countries with thousands of years of history. Germany is one of those countries with an ancient history; however, relatively speaking, "Germany" as a nation is extremely young. Present-day Germany has been in existence only since 1990, when it was formed out of the 11 "older" federal states of the Federal Republic of Germany, and the five "newer" federal states of the former German Democratic Republic. Where the difficulty comes for genealogists researching German genealogy is that every one of these federal states has at least one main archive, depending on its size. Bavaria for example has nine, while Hamburg only has one. Family genealogists conducting German ancestry searches are met with the fact that German territories are now part of other countries, which means there are many different archives in the federal states in Germany. If you want to research German archives today, you should always remember that the frontiers outside and inside the land called "Germany" were historically far from stable. As people moved, so did their archives. For example: the descendants of Christian IV moved from Zweibruecken to Munich, handing over some (but not all) of the territories on the left side of the river Rhine after 1816 to the Prussian Kings or the Hessian Landgraves of Hesse-Homburg. The descendants of Christian IV took their archives with them, which means that you could find traces of your ancestors in archives in Munich, as well as in Darmstadt (Hesse) or Koblenz (Rhineland-Palatinate). 9 Tips for your German Genealogy Search Before you begin your German genealogy search, consider the following: Find out as much information as you can about your ancestor Know the time period in which your German ancestors lived Know under whose reign your German ancestors were born Were your ancestors Catholic or Protestant? This is important if you choose to search church archives Try to identify the site and the size of the place where your German ancestors lived. What was once a village could now be incorporated as a town or a city; a town may now belong to one of the other nations surrounding Germany Identifying the site is also important to start the research in the right area. There are several villages and towns with the same name, but they are located several hundred miles apart Remember that the spelling of your German ancestor’s name or the place where he/she lived could have changed over the years. The further back your search leads you, the more likely it is to find different notations in the records Try to get used to the different scripts and printed letters used in the German language, such as "Sütterlin" or "Fraktur" FamilySearch.org or Ancestry.com are great genealogical research resources. You can access them to find out if there are already digitized records available. FamilySearch has more than 40 Historical Record Collections for Germany, dating from pre-1700s to present day. Included in the collections are census and lists; birth, marriage, and death records; probate and court records; military records; migration and naturalization records, and others. If you speak German, Ancestry Deutschland offers its website in the German language. Staying Organized Keep in mind, genealogy is a popular hobby for many people, as it can be both interesting and informative. If you're just getting started, one of the best ways to organize your research is to create a tree. There are several ways to do this, but one of the simplest is to use a printable tree template. You can find them here: https://recordclick.com/templates/ Additional German Genealogy Websites: Cyndi's List Germany / Deutschland: Search for links to German genealogy websites on the Internet Family Search.org offers a "Germany Page" in a Wiki format that includes sections on "Getting Started with German Research," Nobility and Government Areas," "New Portal for German Church Records on the Internet," as well as helpful "Research Tools" Genealogy Roots Blog provides "Tips for Finding Your German Immigrant Ancestor's Hometown in Germany." The more information genealogists have have, the easier genealogical research will be. Information is necessary, not only concerning your ancestors themselves, but also knowing how and where to find an archive, a location, or other information that will aid your genealogical research. Because RecordClick recognizes research trends, and has the desire to help you find your ancestors, they have drastically increasing their genealogy ancestry services in Germany, staffing more in-country professional genealogists, to help trace your ancestry. With so many archives to deal with, language barriers, and the inevitable need to research in faraway locations, a German-based genealogist for hire may be your best bet. Free German Genealogy Assessment Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.What difficulties are you facing? *First Name *Last Name *Phone Number *Email * Hidden facing? Source Submit German-born and educated Thomas Dunzweiler is an author, translator, journalist, independent scholar, and genealogical researcher in Rhineland-Palatinate. Thomas, who lives in his hometown of Meisenheim, Germany, serves as the Co-Chairman of the Historischer Verein Meisenheim e.V. – the Meisenheim Historical Society (a registered non-profit organization). He also serves as official town guide for the Verbandsgemeinde Meisenheim (VG Meisenheim community association), taking special enjoyment in telling tourists that his town is not just involved in world history, it is responsible for world history. #### Getting Around New SSDI Regulations: Where There's a Will There's a Way For the family historian, the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) is a great tool. This RecordClick genealogist uses it on a regular basis and will probably continue to do so – even though the present 113th U.S. Congress (2013-2014) enacted legislation in December 2013 to limit its use. Known as the H.R.295 - Protect and Save Act of 2013, the bill delays adding any new personal information to the SSDI until three calendar years after an individual’s death.  The reason for this restriction by Congress:  To help prevent fraud and identity theft. The SSDI is an easy way to get birth and death dates for individuals born late enough in the 20th Century to be part of the Social Security program. The main reason the SSDI was created was to help prevent fraud and identity theft.  Genealogy is a secondary application, but to genealogical researchers and professional genealogists, it is the most important. [box type="info"] The Social Security Act was signed by FDR in 1935. Taxes were collected for the first time in January 1937, and the first one-time, lump-sum payments were made that same month. Regular ongoing monthly benefits started in January 1940. The Death Index contains a listing of persons who had a Social Security number, who are deceased, and whose death was reported to the Social Security Administration. (The information in the Death Index for people who died prior to 1962 is incomplete since SSA's death information was not automated before that date. Death information for people who died before 1962 is generally only in the Death Index if the death was actually reported to SSA after 1962, even though the death occurred prior to that year. Source: Official Website for Social Security (http://www.ssa.gov/history/hfaq.html : accessed 15 February 2014)[/box] Congress passed the H.R. 295 Protect and Save Act of 2013 just after one of the largest incidents of identity theft ever: the theft of the credit information of an estimated 70 million consumers, which occurred during the 2013 Christmas shopping season. That theft of information had nothing to do with the Social Security Death Index, however. And, to date, identity theft or fraud from the SSDI online information has been minimal. At this point, family history researchers can choose to do two things about the new SSDI search restrictions: Begin working on legislation to reverse or nullify this recently passed legislation, or deal with the new time limits by planning ahead for your ancestor search in the SSDI. Because I am neither a legislator nor lobbyist, I will leave the legislative aspects of this recent SSDI situation to those who are. The option for me and other family history researchers: We will deal with it. Here is how: Dealing with the SSDI now requires some old fashioned footwork, most of which may be done on the Internet. Birth and death information may be located on the Internet directly or may be obtained using obituaries that are now also online. In recent years, increased numbers of newspapers, funeral homes, and larger cemeteries began providing obituary information online. In my work as a professional genealogist, I have never come across any data compiled on how businesses have used the SSDI for preventing fraud and identity theft.  As a professional family history researcher, I have found that the information on the application form for a Social Security card provides family data dating back to the time when the family member applied for the card . . . those many years ago.  That person’s actual Social Security Number is a secondary prize. To begin my genealogical death information search, I frequently go to Online Searchable Death Indexes and Records,  a website created and maintained by Joe Beine. He classifies resources by the state and metropolitan areas of Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Los Angeles, New York City, and St. Louis. This free site is basic, but contains a wealth of information including links to cemetery and newspaper websites. Perhaps the best pay website for finding recent obituaries is ObitsArchive. Although the website requires membership for obtaining an obituary, it does have a free index showing name, newspaper, and the date of the obituary. GenealogyBank.com, another pay website, also has a good number of recent obituaries. Keep in mind that an obituary may appear in more than one newspaper. Often the obituaries in a smaller circulation newspaper may contain more information. When the newspaper doesn't appear to be online, try searching Google for the state newspaper or press association. There should be a list of state newspapers and, possibly, links to those newspapers. If a newspaper has a website, it is likely the newspaper will also have obituaries online. If the newspaper doesn't have a website, the Google search will usually provide direct contact information for the newspaper. Additionally, the genealogical researcher may look at funeral home listings online. Many funeral homes now have websites and post obituaries along with condolence books. When the deceased lived in a larger metropolitan area, I will use an online city directory or phone book to determine the residence address. Check information from the nearby mortuaries first. The local Chamber of Commerce or public library may be helpful for contact information when a funeral home does not have a website. Finally, there are the cemeteries. Historical societies, local county records, and FindAGrave have lists of known cemeteries. Remember that not all cemeteries are listed on FindAGrave. Even though recent death information may not be available through the Social Security Death Index or a death certificate, burial records are likely available through the private or governmental entity that owns the cemetery. On several occasions, I have visited a County Clerk’s office and then decided to skip the hassle of trying to get a death certificate. I have chosen, instead, to go straight to the burial records of the cemetery at the cemetery office. These records are open to the public. Large cemeteries often have staff who will help genealogical researchers. For smaller cemeteries, the family history researcher may have to seek out a clerk or sexton who will provide access to the records. So, family historian, when you find that you can use some help searching for recent death information or navigating the Social Security Death Index, the genealogists at RecordClick will set you on the right path. We have experience in developing research strategies and doing the footwork needed in tracking down that illusive date or place or person. For more information on the H.R. 295 - Protect and Save Act of 2013, visit Congress.Gov - United States Legislative Information. #### Giving Thanks to the Genealogist and the Early Settlers Every genealogist comes across many different topics while researching a family’s history. This RecordClick genealogist thinks it might be interesting to explore two topics that may either unite or divide a family: Religion and Theology. With Thanksgiving, American family talk turns to turkey and to those who wore the wide-brimmed, square black hats and buckles on their shoes. “Pilgrim” and “Puritan” are often used interchangeably to describe these people. Though the Pilgrims and Puritans shared some similar religious beliefs, they were not the same. That difference may also help explain why some ancestors relocated to America in the late 1630s. First, let’s take a brief trip back to Ye Olde England. England in the 1500s was having all sorts of religious issues. Some of the issues traced back to the period between 1491-1547 which was the time when Henry VIII ruled and broke from the Catholic Church. Part of the trouble was that the church and state became so closely intertwined that people could be fined for not attending Church of England services. There were people who didn’t like this because they were being forced into a particular religious practice. Some of these people joined together to form what came to be known as the Separatist movement.  This Separatist movement included the Pilgrims and the Puritans who felt strongly that church and state should be separate entities. The Puritans wanted to “purify” the church from the Church of England. Their story is familiar to most of us in America and to many a genealogist. The Pilgrims left England and began arriving in Massachusetts in 1620. At first, they worked together to insure their survival in this new world by cultivating the land and building their homes. Within a couple of years, dissatisfaction led to dividing the new land and assigning a share to each person. Although they were Separatists, the group was somewhat more open than the Pilgrims when it came to the practice of their beliefs… so long as the church and state were separate. The Pilgrims were Separatists and were quieter than the Puritans in how they handled matters. If there was someone among them who held different views, they tolerated that individual but did not welcome him or include him in community affairs. Then, along came the Puritans. One of the early Puritan settlements was in Salem, Massachusetts, in the mid-1620s. They were not as organized as their predecessors and followed the lead of the Pilgrims as they organized churches in New England.  Their theology in those churches, however, was less tolerant. The vocal Puritans complicated religious practice in the settlements in Massachusetts. While they believed in the separation of church and state, they required every town to have a minister and to build a meeting house. When the time came to fund paying ministers and constructing meeting houses or churches, they sought community support for local money which limited and this was an idea that didn’t go over well. When the genealogist is looking into early American ancestry, one may find the Pilgrims and the Puritans and their history. The situation came to a head when Roger Williams, a Cambridge University-educated Puritan became the acting pastor of the church at Salem in 1634. Williams had an affinity for languages and was able to relate to the Native American population in the area. He also had liberal beliefs and in 1635, he was relieved of his position. The next year, in 1636, he along with other dissenters relocated to what became Providence, Rhode Island. The Pilgrims never gained the momentum of the Puritans. Plymouth, Massachusetts was not as economically or agriculturally dynamic as the Salem area was for the Puritans. In the 1700s, other religious beliefs and theologies began to take hold in the new world although today’s Congregational Church does trace its roots all the way back to the Puritans. A genealogist can find so many records that survive from the early New England period.  The genealogist may feel that this happens to be the good fortune of the genealogy research. Yet, these records have been used by so many authors, historians, schools—and ancestry researchers. Whether one agrees or not, the controversy of the new world—with the Puritan and Pilgrim beliefs—sure made for good documentation.  This way, we, today have a terrific picture of America’s early days and a good historic picture of early New England. The genealogist can give particular thanks to the New England Historic Genealogical Society and the many other local historical societies, libraries and archives for keeping the traditions—and records—alive. Finding out just who an ancestor was may be challenging for the genealogist. It takes skill to find documentation of their beliefs, religion, theology and more. For the genealogist to understand the religious background takes time and effort. When you hire an experienced genealogist from RecordClick, you will get professional researchers who understand how to find information both in the United States and overseas. #### Got To Go T'other Way - Taking a Different Route in Genealogy Research There’s a New England saying that I like a lot about a person asking for directions: “Ya can’t get there from here – Ya got to go t'other way." So it is with genealogical research. Sometimes “ya got to go t'other way." The challenge is to find the other way. Sophisticated types call it thinking outside the box. It might also be called following the paper trail. That’s fine… but what’s outside the box to think about? For Nebraska genealogists (or other states as well) it might be: • Schools, Colleges, and Universities • Fraternal Organizations • Business Records Schools, Colleges and Universities Researching school records in Nebraska can be a bit of a challenge. Town and city schools were more organized, while rural schools were a little less so. Once a year, however, many districts were required to take a school census. This could include the names of the parents and children to the age of 18 or 20 who were not married. Attendance records may also be available. Although siblings may not be identified, the records would indicate if there was an illness or when a student started attending the school or if the family moved. Finding school records may be a bit difficult. The Nebraska State Historical Society has records for Lancaster and Gage counties on microfilm. Records for schools that are still in existence may still be at the school. If there had been a County Superintendent of Schools, they may have gone to that office. As rural school districts consolidated, that position was eliminated. The records may be at the courthouse or have been destroyed. A check of a local museum should also be considered; occasionally, volunteers managed to save the records. Colleges and universities sometimes have their own archives. The University of Nebraska at Lincoln archives are located in the Don L. Love Memorial Library. The amount of information that can be released for students and faculty is basic: name, date attended, and field of interest. The university had digitized all of the available yearbooks beginning in 1884. The University of Nebraska at Omaha (UN-O) archives are found in the Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss Library on the UN-O Campus. Many records and university ephemera are located there. Back issues of the UN-O newspaper, The Gateway, are online. The easiest way to find them is through a search engine. Most colleges and universities have alumni associations. They should not be forgotten. A number of smaller colleges have closed. If they had a church affiliation, check with that denomination. If they were private, a local library or historical society may have an idea of where to look. Fraternal Organizations Before the telephone, radio, television, and internet, people used to find a need to interact with each other face to face. I say this somewhat in jest, but getting together as a group to socialize and develop plans and ideas to improve one’s self and the community played an important role in society. Finding a family member in the records of a group can add new dimensions to the family history for the Nebraska genealogist – or for someone researching almost anywhere. There are many organizations that fit this category: Elks, Lions, Rotary, Kiwanis, Masons, Eastern Star, Odd Fellows, Grange, Women’s Clubs, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H, Sons of Norway, and the list goes on. There isn’t enough space to go into depth on the organizations except to say that a lot of people got involved in a lot of organizations. Many are still active today and have websites. Among the largest organizations were the Masons. They have an archive in Lincoln. Many groups kept (and are still keeping) scrapbooks. If the books still survive, they can probably be found on the local level with a member of the organization, at a local library or museum. Business Records Who knows what may be found in a ledger? A businessman may have kept track of accounts and payroll in a ledger. The owner of an industry may have posted purchases, payments and payroll in a ledger. A cemetery sexton may have a book showing plot purchases or burials. Remember that the mortuary business didn’t really develop until the 20th century. Prior to that, the selling of caskets may have been part of a furniture or hardware store. A surprising number of these records have survived. For a Nebraska genealogist – or any family historian – what might be found in a business record may only be a very small piece of the puzzle, but it could be the piece that answers an important question. A city directory or phone book may help in the research of a local business. Larger corporations may have an archive or placed their old records in a museum or library. It may take some sleuthing, but if records can be found, they might solve a question and add to the family portrait. Look for Clues When I started working on my family history many years ago, one of my first stops was the cemetery. As I visited more, I noticed that most of the cemeteries – many of these were small rural ones – had a monument or two that were marble tree stumps. I didn’t think much about it because none of those tombstones belonged to my family members. But I did note that the tree stumps were usually from the early 1900s. Within the past couple of years, I found out that the tree stump tombstones indicated Woodmen of the World. The Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society is based in one of the tallest buildings in downtown Omaha and has an interesting history. There may also be a Masonic or other fraternal organizational symbol, or a Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) or Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) Insignia on a tombstone or in records left by an ancestor. Keep an eye out for clues. If you can’t there from here, maybe there is a t'other way. Genealogy can get a little complicated, no matter in what state you are researching. The expert researchers at Record Click have knowledge of the records and can help you develop a research plan, can determine if that certain record is available, where it is found, and track it down for you, as well as assist with research questions. #### Grant Of Probate: How To Apply For Estate Settlement Grant of probate application involves making formal requests in a court to handle the estate of the decedent. The process is similar with or without a will, but for the latter, it is called a grant of letters of administration. Besides giving the go-ahead in estate distribution, the grant also serves as a legal validation of a will or the probate process. This guide looks into the process of acquiring a grant with or without a will and the responsibilities it brings to executors and administrators. Key Takeaways Estate executors must seek legal authority to proceed with heir search and distribution. Conducting a thorough heir search is paramount, to avoid penalties incase a missing or undetailed beneficiary shows up after the estate is distributed. If you need more information regarding heir search, estate settlement, or the whole process, contact Record Click for help. What is A Grant of Probate? Grant of Probate confirms a will or estate management A grant of probate is a court order legalizing the court process and identifying an individual as the executor of an estate. The grant is the court's acknowledgment of the will's validity, thus allowing the named executor to proceed with estate settlement. This executor will be solely responsible for sorting out the assets per the directions on the will and ensuring every heir gets their share. Do I Need A Grant in Intestacy Succession Suppose the decedent didn't leave a will (dying intestate). In that case, intestacy laws in most states dictate that the court follow the order of inheritance when choosing an administrator. In most cases, the order of preference may prioritize spouse, children, parents, siblings, and so on. Documents needed for a successful application include original copies of certificates, valid will, and identity cards. What's Next After Grant of Probate? The grant confirms the executor or administrator After the grant, the executor or administrator is expected to handle the assets according to the will or the intestacy laws. The primary role includes gathering all the assets left behind and ensuring they detail everything. Failure to discover or detail any estate the decedent leaves means it won't be accounted for. As a result, the beneficiary may not receive their entire inheritance. Executors must avoid this mistake at all costs, as we have seen probate courts holding executors personally accountable for such mistakes, however genuine they may look. Therefore, being an executor means putting your shoulders under this burden and conducting thorough searches to detail every asset left behind. The task can be daunting, especially when you have insufficient information on the deceased's assets or when the assets scatter worldwide. In addition to finding and detailing any assets left behind, the executor must conduct a thorough heir search to ensure that all beneficiaries are accounted for. This responsibility also proves troublesome, especially when beneficiaries go missing or are unknown. In this case, the executor is tasked with searching for them in whatever way possible. Common search methods include include consulting professional genealogists, posting newspaper ads, and making general inquiries. No executor wants to pay from their own pocket when a missing or undetailed beneficiary shows up after the estate is distributed. So, conducting a thorough search is paramount because the buck stops at the executor. If you're an executor of an estate whose heirs are unknown or missing, you don't need to search alone; consult our professional specialists to help you unravel any mystery. We're ready to take full responsibility for requesting a Grant of Probate and handling any legal or estate settlement matter. READ MORE: Record Click’s Heir Research Services, Costs, And Expectations. How To Check Grant of Probate Check Government websites If you want to access a will or believe that a grant was already provided, you can check public records. Normally, when a will goes to probate, it becomes a public document, and so does the respective grant. Most documents become publicly accessible 14 days after the registry issues them. A straightforward way to find an old grant of probate is through government websites. Do I Need a Grant of Probate When There's a Will? Grant of Probate When There's A Will Not every estate distribution requires a grant of probate. However, having a valid will should not be interpreted as a replacement for a grant. You may still need to apply even if you have a valid will. The person designated as the executor in the will should be the one applying. A grant of their application will not only to prove the will but also to commence estate distribution among beneficiaries. Similarly, the next of kin in an intestate case is responsible for an application for a grant of letters of administration. Under What Circumstances May I Not Require a Grant of Probate? it depends on the amount of the estate The estate value and nature are the determinants of whether you need a grant of probate or not. You may not need to apply if the deceased worth is not substantial. Unfortunately, we don't have an exact definition of unsubstantial estate, and it all depends on local laws and financial institutions. However, most cases must involve an estate worth over $20,000 to undergo the process. Otherwise, you may need to deal with the small estate procedure rather than probate. If the estate was held jointly with another living owner, the Rule of Survivorship dictates that it automatically pass to them without grant. However, you may need to apply for a grant of representation if the joint estate has the decedent in their sole name or if other assets are of significant value. Conduct a Flawless Probate Search Probate processes often involve professional genealogists and attorneys ensuring each heir gets their share. So, if you need assistance in heir search, probate search, estate settlement, and the like, contact Record Click for budget-friendly offers, assured accuracy, and formidable court presentation.   #### Graves and Cemetery Record Keeping: Mysteries for the Genealogy Researcher A good family history researcher is a good sleuth and one of the challenges this RecordClick genealogist finds the most rewarding – and frustrating – is finding the body. Okay, so it’s really a grave. This genealogist has seen some plots with just a couple of graves and I’ve seen some cemeteries that have over 100,000 burials. There are neat cemeteries and overgrown ones. Some large ones have historical walks and provide surfaced roads for joggers, bicyclists and places for picnics. Some remote ones require a GPS to find. It can be surprising to discover where the relatives are buried. As many a genealogist knows, larger cemeteries tend to be easier for the genealogy researcher to work with. An onsite office with regular hours may house burial records. Smaller cemeteries may prove more of a challenge. I have a number of relatives buried in a cemetery that used to be in the country. Now that a city developed nearby, this small cemetery is managed by the staff of a larger cemetery. One day I stopped in at the office to get information about an individual buried in the used-to-be rural cemetery. The clerk bemoaned the fact that, in its early history, the smaller cemetery didn’t have a perpetual maintenance fund. All I could reply was that the goal of the people was to have somewhere to bury family members. In the beginning, keeping records and maintaining the cemetery were of secondary importance. One of the most poignant moments I’ve seen on the various genealogy television programs was when actress Cynthia Nixon visited the graves of her gg-grandmother and ggg-grandmother in rural Crawford County, Missouri. The car drove down a two-lane paved road, then down a dirt lane and finally across a field to the graves. (This genealogy researcher’s reminder: Try to obtain permission when crossing private property.) Three of filmmaker Darryl Zanuck’s grandparents are buried in Antelope County, Nebraska. His mother’s parents, Henry and Anna Maurine Torpin, are buried in the Oakdale Cemetery, while his grandfather John Jacob Zanuck is interred in Laurel Hill Cemetery at Neligh. Both cemeteries have less than 2,000 burials. Singer John Denver has several ancestors Deutschendorf and Koop buried in the Mennonite Brethren Cemetery in rural Washita County, Oklahoma. A cemetery can be more than a cemetery for the genealogy researcher. It can also reflect the who and what of the community. Some different types of cemeteries include: Family Religious Community Ethnic Fraternal organizations Whe the genealogist is looking to find records for individuals buried in a simple family plot, these sources are probably the most difficult to get. The graves can be in the corner of a pasture or some other out-of-the-way place. As long as the family lived on the property, the graves were maintained. After those individuals died or moved on, nature began to reclaim the burial location. Family records, newspaper clippings or correspondence may be the only way for the genealogy researcher to know if an individual is buried there when there is no tombstone. A probate of an estate, if there is even a probate, may also provide clues. Many small cemeteries are adjacent to churches. The church, if it still exists, is likely to have records. If the church has closed, the records may have gone to another church or denomination library or archive. Town cemeteries are common. The time frame may vary a great deal, but in many areas it wasn’t until after 1900 that area residents organized cemetery boards or developed a means of selling plots. The cemetery could have been in existence for several decades with little or no record keeping making it difficult for the genealogy researcher to track.  In addition to a small town or community having a cemetery, a township may have one as well. In many instances, there are township boards with records that might be of help for the genealogist. Many community cemetery boards are creating onsite lists of individuals and where they are buried to assist the family history researcher. While an ethnic group may have its own cemetery in an area, often it is tied to a religious denomination such as Danish Lutheran or Irish Catholic. Local churches may be helpful for the genealogy researcher. Finally, there are fraternal organizations. Sometimes the Masons or a similar group would take charge of the cemetery. It may also provide a clue for additional resources for the genealogist. While many larger cemeteries have paid staff, the genealogy researcher need to remember that the care and improvements to a smaller cemetery may be the responsibility of a volunteer board that is more than happy to receive some financial support. If you are looking for a family member or two, a family history researcher from RecordClick will help you locate documents that verify your ancestors’ lives. A genealogist for hire with RecordClick can locate information on your missing relative and then compose the story of that special life for you. #### Happy New Year From the Genealogist to the Poet New Year’s Eve is this week and Auld Lang Syne started going through the thoughts of this RecordClick genealogist: “For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne… we’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet, for auld lang syne…” The words were written by Scottish poet and national treasure, Robert Burns, in 1788 and set to a traditional folk tune. This genealogist began wondering, just who was Robert Burns? As I began to search, I quickly realized that, although Robert Burns waxed poetic, he didn’t spend a lot of time here dwelling in the past even though these famous words mean "times gone by." He was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, southwest of Edinburgh, in 1759. His short life ended in Dumfriesshire, Scotland in 1796. Burns, was from humble beginnings. His father, William, was a farmer and the family relocated on a fairly regular basis. Even with limited formal schooling, the younger Burns took an interest in language and began composing verse in 1783. After his father died in 1784, poet Burns' life took a number of turns that provide interesting material for the genealogist. It seems that, among other things, our poet liked the ladies and knew how to indulge them. And it was these ladies who inspired a good deal of his poetry. A short timeline: January 1759, Robert Burns, was born in Ayrshire, Scotland. 1783, Burns began composing poetry. 1784, Burns’ father, William died. 1784, Burns met Jean Armour in Mossgiel, Scotland. 1786, Burns published his first volume of poetry. He started to spend time in Edinburgh as well as Mossgiel. 1786, Jean was pregnant with and bore twins. The father was Robert Burns. Unmarried, she took the matter up with local officials. 1787, Jean became pregnant again with a second set of twins. 1788, Jean gave birth to the second set of twins, both of whom died. A bit later, Jean and Robert were married. 1791, by this time Robert and Jean had moved to Dumfries, southwest of Edinburgh. July 1796, Burns died in Dumfries of rheumatic fever. So far, other than the birth of multiples, there isn’t anything terribly unusual for the genealogist to add up, is there? Well…Burns was a prolific writer of letters in addition to his poetry. In his letters, he reveals a fondness for ladies who were in need. After he began to find an audience for his poetry, he spent time in Edinburgh as well as Mossgiel. Here is a timeline of some of the ladies who received his attention: 1785, Elizabeth Paton, a servant in Burns’ father’s home, gave birth to Burns' first child in May of 1785 (before Jean’s twins were born.) 1786, Mary Campbell, a nursemaid in the area, reportedly exchanged bibles with Robert and he promised matrimony. Mary died in the later part of the year. July 1787, Mary Cameron, a servant girl in Edinburgh, bore a child and issued Burns a writ concerning the matter. Late 1787, Agnes Craig ‘Clarinda’ M’Lehose, who was in an unhappy marriage to someone else, had an affair with Burns that lasted a couple of months. 1788, Janet Clow bore a son she named Robert and issued Burns a writ concerning the matter. 1790-91, Ann Park bore Burns a daughter she named Elizabeth Burns in March of 1791. Robert Burns and Jean had nine children together: Robert, b. Sep. 1786; Jean, b. Sep. 1786; unnamed twin, b. Mar. 1788, d. shortly after birth; unnamed twin, b. Mar. 1788, d. shortly after birth; Francis Wallace, b. Aug. 1789; William Nichol, b. Apr. 1791; Elizabeth Riddle, b. Nov. 1792; James Glencairn, b. Aug. 1794; and Maxwell, b. July 1796 on the day his father was buried. If the genealogist has been counting, Robert Burns had three daughters named Elizabeth and two sons named Robert. The second Elizabeth was born in 1791 within a couple of weeks of the birth of his child William Nichol. So much for a traditional family. The best website this genealogist has found for information about Robert Burns is “Burns County” at www.robertburns.org. The genealogy researcher may also want to explore the Burns Encyclopedia. This New Year’s Eve, genealogists, raise your glasses, toast to Auld Lang Syne and to Robbie Burns. Remember the past and "times gone by", but look to the future. A RecordClick professional genealogist will help you remember your past--and find your family tree and ancestry records. We have genealogy researchers in Great Britain—and everywhere--who know the ins and outs of document searches and understand the multiplicity of record keeping systems. #### Harvesting Family History Information From a Different Kind of Deed Many a family history researcher knows that it’s October in the farm belt. Time to get the crops in while the weather, hopefully, cooperates. This RecordClick genealogist has enjoyed a good number of picture- perfect fall days lately. Blue skies and breezes with a more than a hint of cooler weather coming seem to be the norm. Farmers are rising before the sun to harvest crops while the weather cooperates. Local producers are spreading their wares at the farmers’ markets. Tomatoes and cucumbers are giving way to squash and pumpkins. In my neck of the woods, soy beans are first, followed by corn. Grain trucks leave trails of dust on the county’s gravel roads as everyone rushes to get the crops to the elevator for storage. Time is money. The family history researcher will see that time was money for our ancestors who were involved in agriculture. The challenge was to get the money. For those who did not homestead, money was needed to purchase or rent the land. More cash was needed to purchase and maintain the tools and to obtain seed. Many farmers did not have all the financing needed. For those who owned land, the property was collateral for loans that helped get the needed items. A genealogist may find information in the mortgage deeds used to help purchase big equipment such as grain elevators. PHOTO: J. Shurtliff This family history researcher has been to a number of conferences that featured sessions on land records. Warranty and quick claim deeds are often discussed by family history researchers at these conferences. Rarely have I heard mention of mortgage deeds even though the walls of rural courthouses are lined with books of them. These mortgage deeds provide insight in the present into how a farmer is doing. They can also help the family history researcher understand why a family stayed in an area or why the family moved on. To understand mortgage deeds for a given area, the family history researcher should learn some history of the nearby towns and their banking industry. Banks were not usually the first businesses to set up shop in a town. The genealogist can ask: How did banks work? What services did they provide? When were the economic depressions? How have regulations changed over the years? Farmers would usually get mortgages in the spring and, if all went well, they’d pay the loans off in the fall. Profits would provide living expenses for the family for the coming year. If a bank wasn’t an option from which to borrow, this family history researcher has seen neighbors borrow from neighbors. These written agreements, also called a mortgage deed, usually wound up in a record book in the clerk’s office at the courthouse. The goal of most farmers was to make enough money when crops were sold to put some money into savings as seed money for the next year’s crop. If there were enough good years, perhaps there would be no need to borrow money in the spring. If fall profits did not quite cover expenses, additional money would be needed in the spring. In any case, this information can be useful for a family history researcher looking into ancestors who may have had farms, land or money to loan. Some additional questions the genealogist might ask: If a farmer had financial issues, was the reasons economic, family or weather related? Was there a run on the banks? Did a spouse get sick and die? Was there a drought, flood or insects? A mortgage deed would provide a good time frame for researching. The family history researcher will find that mortgage deeds are recorded in the same manner as warranty and quick claim deeds. They are also filed in the same indexes. Mortgage deeds are not just for farmers. A businessman seeking to increase inventory may also be one who obtains a mortgage deed using property as collateral. The family history researcher will find that our ancestors often have a good deal to tell us in the documents they leave behind. A RecordClick family history researcher will create your special family history with experience in locating courthouse records that include deeds to vital registers to legal disputes. #### Heir Locator Services: After Finding Heirs, What Next? One thing is certain, every family is different. While some families are closely knit, others rarely meet let alone know each other’s whereabouts. Some families have a clear course of action on how their estate is handled while others don’t. So what happens when a person passes on and his/her heirs cannot be located? If the deceased person died testate, then it falls upon the trust or attorney entrusted with the estate to conduct heir search to find the beneficiaries. Otherwise, if the person died intestate, then the attorneys would have to conduct heir search to find the missing heir or unknown heirs. Most often, they seek the services of probate research companies (heir hunters) to help them locate the missing heirs. How does a Probate Research Company Conduct Its Search? Most of these firms have the resources and man power to conduct a worldwide search to locate missing heirs. The technique used by a heir hunting company to find a missing heir or unknown heir will depend on the amount of information that they have on the person in question. Among the techniques employed for the heir searches include: Genealogical Research: Heirship status is usually attained by being the relative of the deceased persons. One of the best way of ascertaining if indeed one is a relative is by a genealogical search. The genealogists will perform an extensive forensic genealogy research to ascertain who has the right of heirship. Forensic genealogy uses some of the same sources of forensic evidence to establish family bloodlines. As such, using a genealogy heir search is usually efficient in locating an heir. Outright Research: Probate research firms are also known to use investigative techniques to locate beneficiaries and heirs. They comb through documentation such as birth records, marriage records and even death records in a bid to locate missing heirs and beneficiaries of an inheritance. Use of publications: Most often these firms publish missing heirs and unknown heirs in newsletters. Usually there is a contact number which the heirs or anyone who know their whereabouts can use to reach them. A good heir hunting firm should perform its due diligence when they find their targets. Some of the best firms available include: American Research Bureau: This firm has over 80 years in the field of international probate research making it among the best there is. The knowledge of estate law, and in-depth research techniques has enabled it to find missing heirs and unite lost family members. Estate Research Company: This firm has built a reputation of being efficient at tracing unknown heirs and missing beneficiaries across the globe. It has a team of renowned researchers and genealogists who are adept at looking for heirs. These companies usually offer the search services at a reasonable fee. What Happens in a probate without a will? Whether deceased left behind a will or not, the decision on inheritance distribution is at the court's purview. When there is no will in place, the probate court makes certain tweaks to its proceedings including the criteria for appointing estate representatives. A person who deems themselves as an heir have a legal right to file a probate. They either go through the probate process alone, or seek the services of an attorney to walk them through it at a fee. Most often, may appoint the person who filed the petition as the personal representative of the estates. Nonetheless, if it deems them unfit, then it will appoint another party it deems eligible for the task. The intestate probates usually end with the spouses getting the most of the assets, followed by children, parents, grandparents, and other blood relatives in that order. Nonetheless, every case is different, as such the share one gets will depend on the number and type of heirs involved. There are instances where no rightful heirs come forth, in such a case, the state assumes ownership of all the assets and properties. A probate process without a will concludes with a court order that shows the individuals who have the heirship right and how the assets will be distributed amongst them. The order must be adhered to by the family. In case disputes arise over the estate, the family can use the order to settle it. How long does an heir have to claim their assets? While heirs have a right to make a claim on a deceased person’s estate, there is a time limit to which they are allowed to make their claim. The provision of family and dependents acts of 1975 gives heirs a six months window from the date of the grant of probate or letters of administration were issued. However, there are exceptional circumstances when the court may extend the period. #### Heir Research For Adopted Individuals: How To Claim Rightful Inheritance Heir research for adopted individuals has become the go-to solution, especially when the adoption records are closed. It's a gateway for people seeking to access inheritance and information about their identity. When adoption files are sealed, you're only left to look for other means to prove your parentage and pursue inheritance. This is where heir search comes into play- You learn about your adoption and inheritance from either side and your rights. This guide looks at heir research, its application in adoption cases, and the sure process that guarantees accurate results. Key Takeaways Adopted individuals can still inherit from their biological parents under certain circumstances. One major obstacle to that achievement is the sealed adoption documents that hinder access to crucial information. Luckily, heir search can help bypass the sealed documents and prove your heirship to an estate. Why Heir Research Is Necessary in Adoption Cases heir research Heir search is a legal process where a researcher identifies and proves a relationship in a family. The process is mainly triggered by estate settlement cases where the probate court may require identifying every heir. Understandably, most adopted children fail to pursue their biological roots to avoid the deep-seated emotions and practical intricacies involved. As a result, a treasure trove of wealth could remain unclaimed forever, not to mention missing crucial medical history and the sense of closure and healing. Assets may not be your only reason to pursue heir search as an adopted child. Here are more compelling reasons; A sense of Identity: Knowing where you came from creates a sense of belonging and helps you join the puzzles about your heritage and identity. Financial Security: Assets and life insurance benefits are meant to cushion heirs in challenging times, and a search can help you determine if there's any waiting for you. Family Medical History: Research helps you understand common conditions that could be running in your genetic lineage, making it easy to take preventative measures. Closure and Healing: Identifying and reconnecting with your biological family can bring a sense of resolution as you understand better the circumstances surrounding your adoption. Is An Adopted Child an Heir in The Biological Family? You need to join the dots and back information with concrete evidence An adopted child can inherit from their biological parents if the will clearly states so. However, the chances of having the right to inherit from your biological parents depend on the legal framework in your residence. While adoption is deemed to legally sever your relationship with your biological parents, it doesn't mean that your inheritance rights are ruled out. All you need is to understand adoption laws in all the concerned places of jurisdiction and how they apply to your case. This underscores the importance of seeking legal advice to navigate them effectively. Professional adoption attorneys can help you understand details about your adoption and the possibilities of having a breakthrough with your pursuit. Besides, they are well-suited to identify any irregularities in the adoption process and advise you to annul it. How Heir Research for Adopted Individuals Work Starting from scratch Heir search, whether or not involving adoption, is not a DIY exercise. You need someone experienced in the field an understands the legal and genealogical intricacies. Luckily, reputable companies like Record Click have built robust workforces and programs to help in the following ways; Legal Navigation: You want a firm admissible to document and present its search report before a court of law. The team of heirline hunters at Record Click understands adoption and inheritance laws and can easily interpret them in your case. Genealogical Expertise: Only an expert genealogist can seamlessly overcome challenges and accurately assemble your family tree. Networking: Heir search companies have an extensive network of resources, institutions, and expertise that they can leverage to provide reliable results. How To Choose The Best Heir Search Service Provider Professional Support While the market is flocked with a myriad of service providers, you may need to make the following considerations to find the best for you; Reputation: One of the easiest ways to identify a reasonable attorney or service provider is by reading client reviews and testimonials. Experience: Your chosen professionals should have a track record and show exceptional skills in handling inheritance and adoption cases. Specialization: Consider attorneys and heir line hunters familiar with the adoption terrain characterized by complex family dynamics and inheritance disputes. Cost: Ask for the quotation price for all services and see what matches your budget. Luckily, Record Click has detailed prices, services to expect, recommendations, etc., on a single page to help you choose wisely and quickly and expedite the process. Heir Research for Adopted Individuals: Step-by-Step Guide Formulate A Plan For Your Research Here are common principles to observe for accuracy and validity in heir search for adopted individuals; Data Collection: The first step involves gathering readily available information at home or from relatives. This may include original documents such as birth records, adoption records, location, and dates of crucial events and people. Hire a Professional: Submit all you know to an heirline hunter to proceed with the search process and handle all the legal and genealogical intricacies. Note that you will be helping them along the way to reach out to your adoption agency and courts when necessary. Join Support Groups: Join online communities and support groups dealing with adoption cases for emotional support and guidance. DNA Testing: Testing with services like 23and Me and AncestryDNA can find other biological relatives who've also submitted their results. Besides, DNA results can help genealogists verify the family tree and strengthen their case in a probate court. Join Online Platforms: Websites like Adoption.com, AdopteeSearch, and International Soundex Reunion Registry (ISRR) can help you search for matches in their databases. Seek Legal Assistance: Hire a reputable adoption attorney familiar with reunion cases and other legal complexities. Prepare for Any Outcomes: Before proving your case, consider its emotional impact on all the concerned parties. What if they react wildly? What if you are rejected? Only counseling and emotional support can help you overcome. Find Your Roots Through Heir Search Adoption and heir research professionals are critical in streamlining the pursuit of your identity. So, if you're at the outset of your heir research for adopted individuals, consider contacting Record Click. Our team of dedicated professionals will support you along the way to knowing who you really are and where you come from. Grab the free consultation and other discount to start this journey on the right footing. #### Heir Search Companies: The Best Avenue to Locate Missing Heirs and Beneficiaries You’ve probably heard of people receiving unexpected inheritance from distant relatives. Have you ever wondered how they were traced given that some had little or no contact with the relative who bequeathed them the wealth? Well, there are professional heir search companies that specialize in finding missing heirs. Today, the traditional close knitted nature of families is slowly fading away. It’s not unheard of for family members to stay miles away from each other due to work or other personal commitments. There are also many cases of children being born out of wedlock. A result of which is estrangement among relatives. For such reasons, locating heirs and beneficiaries requires specialized expertise and access to private and public records to aid in the search. As such, trust officers and attorneys seek the services of professional heir hunting firms to help them in their quest of finding the rightful heir. Types of Heir Search Firms Do you need to locate a missing heir? There are two types of firms which specialize in locating missing heirs, beneficiaries and unknown heirs. The percentage based firms and non-percentage based firms. Let’s have a deeper look at these heir search entities to understand how they execute their operations. 1. Percentage-Based Search firms These companies take on heir search assignments without having a predetermined remuneration. Their fees is usually agreed upon with by the missing person when they find them. This type of payment is also known as “no fee to the estate”. There are times that these firms start conducting their search without informing the trust officer or the attorney. Upon locating the heir, these firms usually charge fees ranging between 20-50 percent. Their heir search fees tend to be high especially if the estate in question is large. 2. Non-percentage Search firms These entities base their service fees on predetermined factors such the nature of the search needed to find the unknown heir and the information available to accomplish the task. Some of these non-percentage heir search entities work on the terms that if they fail to find the missing person, they will forfeit payment. As such, their heir search efforts are usually thorough to avoid such a scenario. Unlike the percentage based firms, non-percentage entities require a court approval before they start executing the search. These firms’ fees are usually settled by the estate from the share due to the person being sought. How Do these Companies Find Missing Heirs? The technique used by the heir tracing firms depends on whether the person in question is missing or unknown, the nature of the estate, geographical location, and other factors such as name change. below are some of them. Extensive research: These entities have the resources to conduct a worldwide research to trace the whereabouts of the missing person wherever they may be. This includes making local inquiries, visiting known family members, searching through documents such as death, birth and even marriage records, looking through online records and so on. Genealogical Search: Some of these companies have their own genealogists while others outsource for services of renowned geologists. These experts conduct an in-depth forensic research on the unknown person’s ancestry to establish bloodlines with the deceased person. Moreover, they have the ability to conduct international genealogical search. As such, their success rate of locating missing heirs is high. Publications: There are times when these firms run publications on newspapers and other media platforms. This technique is one of the most recommended by the courts. Even so, this methods success is mostly reliant on someone identifying the picture of the missing. As such it may not be effective when conducting an International search especially if a local paper was used. Who is considered an Heir in a Will? Many people tend to confuse an heir with a beneficiary. An heir is a person who receives the estate of a person who died intestate. On the other hand, a beneficiary is a person who has the legal right to collect a property as instructed in a will, insurance policy, trust, or any other legally binding arrangement. When someone dies without leaving behind a will, their heirs usually receive the property they left behind in accordance with laws probated by the given state. Most often than not, heirs are usually children, parents, siblings, descendants or other relatives who have blood ties with the deceased person. Spouses are entitled to property via marital, or community laws, as such they are not considered as heirs. Whenever a will is missing trust officers and attorneys task heir search entities to find these people. #### Heir Search For Estate Distribution: How To Be Fair And Law-Abiding Heir search for estate distribution has been a lifeline for probate attorneys who want to avoid stress and conflicts before, during, and after estate settlement. Working with a professional genealogist and having the complex family trees sorted and missing heirs uncovered has never been more relieving. In fact, probate heir search services have become necessary for probate proceedings as the probate court will sometimes require forensic proof to ascertain kinship. Genealogy also comes in handy when you want to stop fraudulent estate claims on their tracks. For probate attorneys, it's mostly about their peace of mind and making a fair estate distribution that safeguards your reputation and keeps you legally protected. What is Heir Search, and How Can It Help in Estate Distribution? Heir search Heir search leverages forensic genealogy to identify heirs or beneficiaries of an estate. Unlike genealogy, which goes back in time to trace ancestors, heir search goes forward, starting with the decedent to the living heirs. Probate heirs search service providers identify and locate heirs guided by state laws. They also generate detailed reports, including exhibits and affidavits, to facilitate estate distribution. Their exclusive access to vital records and societies can help validate and expedite the process. Moreover, the search may cross beyond borders, requiring a solid understanding of international laws, languages, cultural norms, and politics. Such roadblocks are the reasons you may need the assistance of a professional heir searcher. In addition to skills and access to records and databases, heir search services also leverage advanced methodologies like DNA to detect fraud and verify heirship. Other benefits of incorporating heir search for estate distribution include upholding the decedents’ wishes, preventing delays and disputes, streamlining estate distribution, and satisfying clients. Common Probate Hurdles That Require Heir Search for Fair Estate Distribution Every estate and probate attorney seeks to expedite the probate process and fairly distribute the assets. Unfortunately, that is not always the case, as the process can be unpredictable, especially when the decent died intestate. Below are common probate puzzles that call for the intervention of a forensic genealogist. 1. Lack of Clear Directives A valid will can save time and resources in a probate process If the decedent dies intestate, the estate may have to go through the probate process and be subjected to intestacy laws. In this case, the probate attorney, executor, or administrator must search for the assets and the potential beneficiaries. A forensic genealogist will help conduct family history from scratch and provide a comprehensive report backed by evidence admissible in court. Without a clear account of all the assets and the heirs, making substantial progress with the probate process would prove a hassle. 2. Missing Heirs Heir search for estate distribution can help locate missing heirs In most cases of intestacy, heirs' whereabouts are unknown, but it's a legal requirement that they be found for a fair estate distribution. According to the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act (UUPA) adopted in many states, the probate attorney has the fiduciary duty for any unclaimed property and should strive to distribute the state even to the missing heirs. In this case, a comprehensive genealogical investigation would come in handy to locate the whereabouts and current status of any missing heirs. Failure to contact probate heir search services in time would delay the already long probate process and add to the worry of the grieving family members. 3. Unknown Heirs finding unknown heirs The probate cases could also involve children or relatives whom the executor or probate attorney may not know. This, too, must be ascertained according to the Uniform Probate Code (UPC). For example, section 6402 of Michigan's UPC requires the identification of all heirs at laws in case of intestacy. In fact, the succeeding section 6403 stipulates that the court should appoint an attorney to represent, investigate, and identify the unknown heirs. When it comes to investigating, only a professional genealogist can find reliable records and have their findings admissible in court. 4. Fraudulent Claims Working with heir search professionals can help track and stop probate fraud Fraud is rife in probate and can lead to fraudulent estate distribution and doom for the probate attorney. As the person in charge of the estate and its settlement, you want to scrutinize any claim against the estate to ascertain its legitimacy. The probate court would need a sufficient supply of original or reliable birth certificates, DNA tests, and other relevant documents as proof. All these requirements fall in the space of heir search services. These forensic genealogists will find every record you want and help you prove your point before the jury. 5. Complex Family Trees Probate can hit a brick wall especially with complex family structures Probate attorneys might find it hard to fathom family trees involving blended families, adoptive children, multiple marriages, and so forth. However, the probate process must commence as stipulated by law, but you'd need additional research to navigate such intricacies. A professional genealogist will help you complete and understand the family tree to establish who the rightful heirs really are. Besides, the expertise helps acquire additional documentation such as divorce decrees, marriage certificates, and adoption papers crucial to untangle these complex family lines. If faced with any of these circumstances, heir search becomes necessary for fair estate distribution. Otherwise, you risk missing out on crucial information in addition to the negative consequences highlighted in the following section. Consequences of Not Conducting Thorough Heir Search for Estate Distribution Conflicts are common in estate planning involving siblings Conducting heir search for estate distribution may be a necessity given the circumstances, but you may be more inclined to incorporate it to avoid the following adversities: Inequitable Estate Distribution: Realizing that you deprived heirs of their equitable share can be tormenting, especially when it evokes resentment and conflicts. Legal Liability: Distributing the estate without thorough investigation could see some heirs excluded from the share, which is a breach of fiduciary duty. These heirs could sue you for damages. Disputes: Inequitable estate distribution due to lack of in-depth research could lead to chaos and conflicts between family members, which could damage their relationships and take them to unrepairable levels. This is the last thing you want to oversee as a probate attorney. Added Expenses: Failure to conduct a forensic heir search for estate distribution could mean more litigations against you and other parties, which could cost more legal fees, not to mention potential damages. Delays: The probate process is dreaded because of how long it can take, but failure to conduct a comprehensive search would exacerbate the situation. The result is more delays for the rightful heirs to get their share and more of your time trying to vindicate yourself. Tarnished Reputation: A probate attorney who neglects crucial steps like heir search for estate distribution and suffers numerous damages and litigations may find it hard to attract new clients. Besides, facing disbarment or imprisonment is one sure way to lose business. Save Time & Money by Hiring RecordClick for Your Search Reasons you should consider seeking RecordClick's services RecordClick will help you expedite heir search for estate distribution through in-depth local and international forensic research, non-percentage flat-rate fees, over 98% success rate, and well-documented court-ready reports. Plus, if needed, we can appear in court for testimonies. Our professional genealogical researchers have completed tens of thousands of searches traversing various cultures, languages, and legal intricacies. Here's what to expect with Record Click’s heir search service: Record Click's heirline researchers work with and assist the attorney in finding the missing heirs to an estate. We document the evidence to validate the locating of missing heirs to an estate and provide the attorney with the necessary documents. Heir Search When Estate Beneficiaries are Unknown We can help when the estate beneficiaries are unknown, need to be located, or need proof of the relationship. We provide a simple hourly rate and do not expect or require a percentage of the estate. Heir Search Experience & Credentials We have experienced, credentialed researchers all over the USA, including in Salt Lake City, UT, the world-famous Family History Library, and international genealogical search expertise. Our researchers also have access to the constantly growing world of subscription internet services. After your research, your report and all your records will be provided in an attractive binder. Customize Based on Your Heir Search Needs Our experts can customize your heir search for the genealogical research you need for your firm, your time frame, and your budget. Contact us today to get started on your estate settlement. For local and international services or heir searches, firms, attorneys, and trust officers rely on Record Click for their work. Our team of 45+ experts includes a former CIA agent, in-house DNA experts, researchers in all states, and researchers in all parts of Europe. Services included: heir German, heir search, search for heirs, heir searches, heir finders, heir finder, heir in German. Save time and money with RecordClick heir search Save money and time; we have the best pricing in the industry, and we're available to start today. We'll help you solve the unknown in your case. Please reach out to us today for more information. We offer free, no-obligation consultations, even if you are not planning to start a search immediately. Feel free to ask any questions — we look forward to connecting. Contact Record Click today or schedule a call. READ MORE: Record Click’s Heir Research Services, Costs, And Expectations.   #### Heir Search: The Newfound Love For Probate Attorneys One of the most daunting tasks that probate attorneys dread is dealing with missing or unknown heirs and assets. Luckily for most of these legal professionals, heir search has become the game changer in untangling issues like adopted or blended family dynamics and allocating fragmented assets amicably. Most state laws require that executors and probate attorneys make a good-faith effort to find and contact any missing heir, using all viable methods. The case can’t proceed unless they file an affidavit with the court detailing their attempts to locate and contact the missing heir. At this juncture, heir search becomes paramount, and estate and probate attorneys are increasingly becoming aware of its benefits, hence the boom in collaboration between them. Luckily, the number of forensic genealogists, attorneys, and investigators who can offer exceptional services has never been higher. Below, we explore specific aspects of family law where heir search becomes particularly relevant and the strategic insights that probate attorneys need to master. READ MORE: Record Click’s Heir Research Services, Costs, And Expectations. What Is The Relevance Of Heir Search In Family Law? Estate settlement should be done legally and ethically Without heir search, the probate process would prove a hurdle, especially if the decedent died without a Will or is contested. Besides helping locate missing heirs and beneficiaries, heir search services can aid in resolving disputes and ensure compliance with inheritance laws. Here are a few key areas where the impact of heir search is particularly noteworthy: 1. Identifying Heirs in Intestate Succession. When the decedent does not leave a Will, all heirs must be identified and located to determine how the estate will be distributed according to the laws of intestacy. RecordClick provides a comprehensive genealogy report, backed with concrete evidence and original documentation. 2. Resolving Complex Inheritance Disputes Conflicts are common in estate planning involving siblings Inheritance disputes are common in intestacy, especially if the family structure is indefinite and complex. Normally, confusion arises on who should get what portion of the estate, and there's a likelihood of unknown beneficiaries. In this case, attorneys seek heir search services to establish accurate heirship and minimize conflicts and legal challenges. Attorneys have the burden of proof on their chosen estate distribution plan. One critical requisite is a comprehensive genealogy report showing potential heirs and their relationship with the deceased. In a recent case that our expert genealogist Joyce handled, stepchildren, adopted children, illegitimate children, and an estranged wife waged war on the estate distribution plans. Joyce expertly documented the decedent's lineage and table of consanguinity, providing all the documents to help the attorney make his case. The genealogy report plus documents served as solid evidence in court, expedited the process and protected the attorney from future litigations. 3. Uncovering Hidden Assets and Debts Heir search is not limited to heirs; it can also help uncover hidden assets and debts associated with the estate. Accounting for all the assets and financial information is a critical step that helps the probate attorney leave no stone unturned and ensure fair estate distribution. On several occasions, RecordClick team has served as court-appointed investigators to document every unknown or hidden asset and finances. These investigators employ a myriad of tactics to reveal outstanding liabilities, offshore accounts, and accurate assessments of the estate. 4. Ensuring Compliance with Inheritance Laws Inheritance rights Another reason probate attorneys need heir search is to ensure that they comply with inheritance laws. Inheritance legislations stipulate the need for accuracy and evidence about heirship and adherence to other relevant laws. For example, a case involving a client with international ties may be subject to cross-border inheritance regulations. Therefore, the attorney must ensure compliance with domestic and foreign inheritance laws. For this reason, the attorney may need heir search services to identify the heirs in different jurisdictions and the laws that apply to them. Such a collaboration expedites the process and ensures that all relevant laws are followed to the letter. 5. Supporting Estate Planning A valid will can save time and resources in the probate process Estate planning is highly encouraged to avoid delays in the probate process or conflicts arising from unknown or dissatisfied heirs. It is the best way to express the true intentions of the estate and can go a long way in expediting the probate process. Expert genealogists at RecordClick have shared their notable achievements in estate planning with estate attorneys. They describe instances of stumbling upon illegitimate children, undocumented assets, and biological patterns that could jeopardize the Will's legitimacy in estate distribution. Without a certified heir searcher, attorneys would barely notice such risks nor substantiate their accuracy. Such an oversight would be costly during probate once the illegitimate children and estranged wives learn of the testator's demise. Generally, the relevance of heir search in family law cannot be overstated. These examples illustrate how probate attorneys can leverage heir search to enhance their success in family law, inheritance and the probate process. Contact RecordClick or schedule a call to learn how heir search applies to your case. Our Free Consultation lets us discuss every aspect and help you decide. How Successful Attorneys Use Heir Search To Their Advantage The success of probate attorneys has mainly been gauged by their collaboration with other professionals, such as executors and asset valuers. However, the latest parameter has been their collaboration with heir researchers for probate purposes. RecordClick asked probate attorneys about the benefits they reap from working with our team. 1. Quality, Efficiency and Productivity Collaboration saves time, energy, and money Attorney John ("Jack") Vincent DiAna from DiAna Law Group hails the enhanced efficiency, productivity, and quality. Jack has worked with RecordClick for over seven years now and emphasizes the need for attorneys to create a collaborative mood as soon as they seek heir search services. Jack describes the relief of having a professional handle a task outside your core competencies. "I share with the heir researcher what I need with the case, the people I want identified or located, and their documentation. Experts at RecordClick help me optimize workflow and deliver in a cost-effective and timely manner." 2. Improved Client Satisfaction and Retention Incorporating heir search professional can help solve many puzzles Being the head of DiAna Law Group, John "Jack" V. DiAna also appreciates the positive and lasting impression that the collaboration has on the clientele. He acknowledges that the probate process is dreaded, but the concern has dwindled in recent years as the quick turnarounds have somewhat exceeded the client's expectations. According to Jack, the result is high ratings and positive reviews for his firm and long-term relationships. "The succinct documentation and report we get from RecordClick, plus our efforts in sorting out the legal aspect, demonstrates our commitment, competence, and professionalism as a law firm. " John "Jack" V. DiAna. 3. International Probate Search International heir search and probate Processes Natalia Fedorova, another probate attorney from Des Moines Elder Law firm, is multilingual. So, effortlessly handles cases involving several languages, and she prefers a multilingual heir researcher conversant with Russian or German genealogy. "In mid-2023, I worked on a case involving lost beneficiaries and a vast estate scattered in the US, Canada, and Germany. One area I need help with was finding all the beneficiaries and notifying them of the probate proceedings. I also needed family tree charts, proof of citizenship and residence, and tax obligations and exemptions of the heirs scattered across Europe. Thankfully, RecordClick's heir researcher, Joyce, was up to the task, and she not only helped identify the heirs but also notified them of the probate proceedings and their rights and obligations regarding the estate. She craftily documented her notice efforts and results, including proof of service, delivery confirmation, and responses from the beneficiaries." Natalia emphasizes the role that heir search plays in conducting international probate searches and the advantage of having a professional who can find translations for the different copies available online and in archives. How Technology Is Transforming The Heir Search Process online family tree research Traditionally, heir search was time-consuming and labor-intensive. Traveling to foreign archives back and forth took a lot of work, not to mention the costs.  However, in the era of technology, online platforms, databases, and cutting-edge tools have made the process more efficient and quicker. Below are the three significant ways that technology has transformed heir search: Online Platforms: It is now easier to communicate remotely with all the professionals involved in the probate process and maintain the course to a common goal. Social media sites like LinkedIn also offer insights on family history and genealogy topics, creating public awareness and interest. Databases: Heir researchers can access millions of records from their couch, thanks to online databases publishing vital statistics such as court, census, and land records. As a result, heir researchers can quickly find and identify crucial details and create a family tree on RecordClick.com. Cutting-edge Tools: Heir research is also becoming the newfound love for probate attorneys due to its accuracy an advanced analysis. Thanks to tools like DNA testing and forensic genealogy, heir search results are more reliable than ever and admissible in court. Take your Profession A Notch Higher Probate attorneys reap a lot to benefit from incorporating heir search in their practice. The estate settlement process doesn't have to be as long and tedious as it used to be. However, every case has its uniqueness and solving it can be easier said than done. Our team comprises professional genealogists who work with lawyers, administrators, executors, trustees, and bank and trust officers. These professionals will help you complete estate settlement, lineages, and other heir search services. We offer no-cost, no-obligation consultations, even if you are not planning to start a search right away. Feel free to ask any questions — we look forward to connecting. Contact Record Click today or schedule a call. READ MORE: Record Click’s Heir Research Services, Costs, And Expectations. #### Heirs' Property: How To Resolve Generational Disputes Heirs' property is an estate without the formal processes to show change of ownership over a long time. In other words, the phrase describes a situation where spouses, children, and relatives assume the property of a decedent without conducting probate, and the pattern continues down generations. While cases of heirs owning the property after the owner's death are prevalent, they still fall short of having the proper documentation to show who owns what. In this case, it may be challenging to use the property as collateral for financing, sell it, or receive any benefits. Heirs' property situation also exposes the heirs to the risk of losing the property if a partition action arises or as a punishment for failing to pay taxes. This guide explores the challenges associated with property passed down through generations without the necessary formalities. It also provides crucial steps that you can take to obtain a clear and marketable title. Key Takeaways Failure to commence or finalize the probate process means that the property records will remain outdated regarding ownership, leading to many issues. One of the crucial steps to resolve problems associated with heirs' property is seeking the help of an estate attorney and a researcher to trace all the property records, establish all legal heirs, and pursue a clean title for the property. If you're one of the beneficiaries of the heirs' property, consider consulting experts at Record Click to help resolve any issues as soon as possible. Legal Issues Associated with Heirs' Property Estate settlement should be done legally and ethically Most Communities still hold heirs’ property due to lack access to legal counsel and favorable laws that honor traditional land transfer methods. The only solution for many people is the special provisions for heirs' property in partition laws across states. The special provisions protect every member's ownership or shares if some family members want to sell the property. When no probate process occurs after the property owner's death, there is no legal basis to determine the next course. Land records remain outdated on the heirs and current property ownership. This massive gap in the legal process could go on for several generations, leading to a situation where the records show the rightful owner to be a person who died a century or decades ago. By this time, the number of informal heirs of the property could be hundreds of people, many of whom may not realize they have an interest in the property. What Does a Typical Probate Process Entail? In most cases, the probate process commences after the demise of the property owner. The probate court oversees the transfer of the real property, whether there was a valid Will or not. Finally, the estate executor or administrator files a deed in the property records office, which indicates formal documentation of the transfer of property and title to new owners, who may include heirs and beneficiaries. You can find the records at the property/land records office, which is at the "Clerk of Deeds" or "Recorder's Office." What Happens After Skipping Probate? the longer the riskier Failure to commence or finalize the probate process means that the property records will remain outdated regarding ownership, leading to many issues. First, all the legal heirs and beneficiaries may not enjoy their rights as they lack a legal standing. Second, the heirs will fail to obtain financing from banks or lenders as they may not leverage the property as collateral. Failure to finalize an estate can also lead to financial obligations in the future, as the new owners may not receive updates regarding assessment notices, property tax statements, and other legal notices. The lack of such notices increases the likelihood of land loss due to default in taxes and other assessments. The probate process also plays a crucial role in sorting out any credits or debts associated with the property before distribution. So, ignoring the process means that the heirs may not receive a clean slate, and the creditors may take advantage of the confusion to make more claims. While the regulations vary with states, creditors have less than 10 years to file a lawsuit. However, executors’ swift action may significantly shorten this time as the creditors are soon notified about the debtor's demise and the opening of probate. With the time shortened, it becomes more likely for heirs to acquire a clean property title. What if The Owner Didn't Write a Will? Grant of Probate When There's A Will In cases where the decedent died without a Will (intestate), the state laws come into play to help decide the rightful heirs and beneficiaries. The probate court is often handy as it is the medium through which an estate administrator is established and heirs searched. The property is then divided among all the heirs depending on the family's composition and size. However, it would be a hassle to establish heirs without the probate court guidance. No other formal determination of heirs exists under the applicable intestacy distributive scheme. The probate process makes inheritance formal and shortens the time the legal heirs must make their claims. The clarity and legality in the probate process leave the credits and other assets addressed, providing the heirs with a clean title. However, ignoring the process makes it more likely for additional issues to cloud the property. How To Resolve Problems Associated with Heirs' Property One of the crucial steps to resolve problems associated with heirs' property is seeking the help of an estate attorney and a researcher to trace all the property records, establish all legal heirs, and pursue a clean title for the property. You need professional help to ensure everything runs smoothly and smoothly along the way. \ Below are some typical strategies and tools to resolve the issues. Determine Current Title Status The very first step is to track the document's current status. A professional probate attonry will help you determine the title's current legal status, including any burdens or defects that could impact the property or the heirs. This information is typically found through a "title opinion," "title examination," "title report," "title search," or "evidence of title," depending on the terminology used in your state. Commence the Probate Process Grant of Probate confirms a will or estate management You can start correcting the records once you determine the current title status. An interested party, such as heirs, can bring a probate action if no complications are presented by the delay. However, the probate court will be at best to decide whether it is possible to commence or handle the probate process depending on the period or complications. Heir Search and Estate Settlement You need to join the dots and back information with concrete evidence When decades have passed since the demise of the original owner, searching for all the heirs and beneficiaries may be challenging. Usually, heirs' property has family members who remained on the land and passed it down generations. On the contrary, other heirs may not have any connection with the property or even realize they have such an inheritance. In this case, you need a professional genealogist to detail an accurate family history and conduct a thorough heir search. Luckily, heir hunters and genealogists are skilled professionals with a vast network of resources and experience to unearth heirs through marriage, birth certificates, and ancestry records. Once the heir hunters establish all the heirs, it becomes easier to update the property ownership. One quick and efficient way is through the quiet title action, where all the involved parties agree on the property ownership and do so in a court of law. For example, parties may agree to gift their small fractional interest to parties with an attachment to the property. Applicable State Laws The law is supreme Your State's laws can also come to your rescue, especially if they incorporate the "Marketable Title Act," which seeks to automatically remove liens and stale burdens on a property after several years. Similarly, the law may allow property ownership to change hands through doctrines like adverse possession. However, a property becomes more challenging to rescue when the title has been in flux for an extended period. Therefore, it's advisable to move with haste as soon as you realize the need to keep the records updated and save the property. If you have an interest in heirs' property, consider consulting experts at Record Click to help resolve any issues as soon as possible. The Most Effective Solution is Prevention The best way to avoid the intricacies of heirs' property is to conduct thorough estate planning now. Whether you prefer trusts or writing a Will, you must formulate a plan to facilitate a clear title for future generations. Similarly, heirs should also be enlightened on the importance of the probate process, whether or not a Will exists. They should also seek legal counsel as soon as they discover that the appropriate steps were not followed. A timely intervention may help resolve the title concerns before they get out of hand. Feel free to email us or schedule a call for more customized advice about your estate plan, heir search, or assistance in the probate process. See Record Click's Heir Research Services, Costs, And Expectations. #### Heirship and Intestacy Laws: When You Die Without A Will Heirship and intestacy laws are the only way to go when an estate has to be distributed with no valid will. They determine who is entitled to inherit the money, property, and belongings left behind by the decedent. Therefore, intestacy laws provide the framework of heirship determination, making it a crucial reference during an heir search. An accurate and well-documented heir search report ensures that every heir gets their rightful share, and no intestacy laws have been overlooked in estate distribution. But what defines intestate and testate succession, what are the implications of intestacy, and how is heirship determined eventually? Read on to find out. Key Takeaways Intestacy cases can attract controversy, especially when the heirs or assets are unclear. In this case, every heir must prove their rights to heirship in a probate court per the set heirship and intestacy laws. The first step would be to hire a genealogist for evidence of your lineage and an attorney to represent you in probate court. How To Distribute the Estate Without a Will (Intestate) Dying Intestate When a person dies, their belongings, money, and property (estate) must be distributed to the heirs according to the will or through intestate succession. Note that a will must meet all the requirements of the respective jurisdiction to be considered valid. If there's no will or it is invalidated, the succession may suffer in the following ways; The estate may be distributed contrary to the preferences or wishes of the decedent. Heirs may feel shortchanged in estate distribution or excluded altogether. The estate may attract higher debts, fees, and taxes. Estate distribution may take a long as administrators and probate courts get involved. More litigations, disputes, and conflicts might arise among heirs fighting for the estate. The best way to avoid all this drama is to create a valid will or estate plan to protect assets and express your wish as the owner. It is recommendable to update the will regularly to reflect changes in financial and personal circumstances. The only issues likely to arise when there's a will include; An outdated, unclear, and incomplete will that falls short of reflecting the current situation. A court contest or challenge by someone who believes they've been excluded or unfairly treated regarding the estate or will. Failure to meet legal procedures or formalities, hence limiting its effectiveness. What Do Intestacy Laws Say? Heir search should be done legally and ethically Intestacy laws vary with jurisdiction depending on the local cultures, histories, and legal systems, but they all provide guidelines on the following; Who qualifies as a beneficiary or heir of the intestate estate. What percentage or share of the estate is each beneficiary or heir entitled to. What is the priority or order of inheritance How inheritance rights apply to spouses, children, siblings, parents, etc. The inheritance rights of stepchildren, illegitimate children, adopted children, and other non-biological relatives. How the inheritance rights of spouses are affected by divorce or remarriage. How criminality, renunciation, incapacity, disinheritance, and predecease can affect inheritance rights. The inheritance rights of charities, the state, or creditors. For example, New York's intestacy laws are based on the Uniform Probate Code, which provides the following guidelines for intestacy succession; The spouse inherits everything if there are no children. The children inherit everything equally if there's no spouse. If there's a spouse and children, the spouse inherits the first $50,000 plus half of the balance. The children equally inherit the remaining half. The estate will be distributed according to a table of consanguinity if only parents, siblings, and other relatives are left. Note that intestacy laws can vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, hence the need to seek professional help and familiarize yourself with local laws. Genealogists and estate attorneys are well-suited to align your case with the respective laws. Besides, they're aware of developments in intestacy laws. For example, they will know of Ontario's recent intestate estates increase from $270,000 to $322,000 in July 2023 or the legal precedents such as the 2019 intestacy battle involving Jeffrey Epstein in New York. Such developments can significantly impact heirship research and estate distribution in future cases. What Do I Need to Be Considered An Heir? Estate distribution Whatever the intestacy law says in your jurisdiction, heirship determination is usually influenced by relationships, bloodlines, and legal precedents. The relationship between the decedent and the potential heirs is a crucial factor that impacts estate distribution. Typically, the hierarchy starts with the spouse, children, siblings, and parents in that order. Another factor is bloodline-the biological connection between the decedent and the potential heir. Some jurisdictions may prioritize blood relatives as heirs and non-blood relatives such as spouses and in-laws. Probate courts have also relied on legal precedents or past court decisions to determine heirship. These precedents provide authority on how to apply the law while establishing the principles that determine heirship. In this case, the probate court may use these determinations to expand or restrict the rights of certain heirs, including spouses and siblings. The Role of Record Click in Unraveling Heirship and Intestacy Laws Record Click Solves The Mystery Record Click is a leading heirship research company known for helping clients plan their estate, locate beneficiaries, or prove their heirship. Some of our services include; Genealogical research: proving a bloodline or relationship with the decedent requires in-depth research into your family tree backed by evidence such as census records, birth certificates, and marriage certificates. The team at Record Click has the resources and expertise to unwind the complexities in your family tree and link you to the decedent. Heir Search: Professionals at Record Click will help you locate the whereabouts and contact information of relatives and potential heirs while confirming whether they're alive or dead. Additionally, heir research will help determine the potential heirs and other circumstances surrounding the inheritance. Heir Report: Our team will compile a comprehensive and accurate report summarizing the genealogical and heir research. The report will include a pedigree analysis or family tree diagram and a legal opinion that can guide you in challenging or supporting estate administration and distribution. Heir Representation: Our professional will represent the rights and interests of the potential heirs in negotiations with other parties or in court. Such representation is vital in resolving disputes, claiming rightful inheritance, and handling debts, fees, and taxes. Click Here To GRAB the 12-Hour Heir Search Package The 12-Hour Heir Search Package includes a 98% success rate, straightforward, non-percentage-based fees, court-ready reports, worldwide service, and more. While the process may vary depending on your case, here's a general sequence of steps that you can expect at Record Click; Information Gathering: The researcher starts with available information such as full names, crucial dates, place of residence, will, liabilities, etc. Information Analysis: The researcher analyzes information and formulates the scope and objectives of the heir search based on applicable heirship and intestacy laws. Genealogy Research: Professional genealogists consult archives and online databases to find clues and verify your family tree. Heir Search: Heirline hunters incorporate the most suitable methodologies to confirm available information and find proof of heirship guided by intestacy laws in the respective jurisdiction. Prepare Heir Report: Experts create a report summarizing the genealogy and heir search, including recommendations for further action. Provide Heir Representation: Our team of experts is qualified to file claims or petitions in court to facilitate communication, negotiate settlements with other parties, or enhance cooperation among heirs. Save Time & Money For professional assistance on heirship and intestacy laws in your jurisdiction, contact us at Record Click, and our team of qualified and experienced genealogists will handle your case no matter the intricacies involved. #### Heirship Verification: How To Enhance Legal Certainty During Probate Heirship verification is crucial in the probate process as it is the only way to, among other things, successfully identify heirs, claim insurance benefits, contest a Will, and distribute assets. Like in other court proceedings, any claim brought forward by the probate attorney must be substantiated with concrete evidence. For probate attorneys, heirship verification is as essential a task as the entire probate process itself. With proper verification, the probate process can avoid delays, suspension, or terminations depending on the state law and the court's discretion. Failure to verify heirship could also see the estate end up in the wrong hands, not reflecting the decedent's true intention. In the worst-case scenario, unverified heirship can lead to legal consequences for the probate attorney, the estate, and the beneficiaries. In addition to paying damages to the plaintiff, the attorney may face disbarment, which would be catastrophic. Luckily, this guide will help probate attorneys enhance legal certainty throughout the probate process and steer clear of any adverse consequences. What Probate Processes Require Heirship Verification? The law is supreme Heir search services are crucial in every aspect of the probate process, but below are instances where verification is particularly important. Intestate Succession: Intestacy laws stipulate that all heirs be identified and verified when an individual passes away without a valid Will. The probate attorney is tasked with locating and verifying these heirs through certified methods such as a comprehensive genealogy report. Life Insurance Claims: Insurance companies may require verified heirship information from individuals claiming proceeds from a life insurance policy. The verification required may include proof of heirship backed with forensic data and original records. Distribution of Assets: Whether or not the estate undergoes probate, heirs may need to verify their heirship before receiving their portion. In small estate cases, heirs may need to file a verified affidavit of heirship detailing their inheritance rights before the courts. Contesting a Will: Heirship verification is also mandatory when a Will is contested. Comprehensive genealogical research is mandatory to substantiate claims of omitted potential heirs and to establish their rightful entitlement. Unclaimed Property Recovery: The surest way to distribute unclaimed property is to accurately identify and verify the legal heirs through a forensic and in-depth search. Guardianship Proceedings: Verifying heirship is crucial in situations involving minors to help the probate court determine legal guardianship arrangements. What Are The Common Challenges In Heirship Verification Heirship verification challenges can become a brick wall With heirship verification being so paramount, probate attorneys prioritize it to ensure the probate process runs smoothly. However, the process is marred with intricacies and inconsistencies whose remedy may fall outside the attorneys' core competencies. Below are common challenges that probate attorneys encounter when detailing heirship. 1. Identification of Heirs If the decedent dies without a Will or leaves an intricate family structure, it becomes a hassle for the probate attorney to identify heirs without the help of heir search services. Blended families and adoption complicate heir identification, risking omission or conflicts among parties. 2. Incomplete Family Records Probate attorneys are tasked with providing all the relevant documents to substantiate their assertions and claims regarding an estate. They must review and present records that prove relationships and events, such as birth certificates, divorce decrees, declarations of heirship, and more. However, the lack of comprehensive family records makes it hard for the attorney to make their case and may end up erring on heir identification. Such a mistake would trigger disputes in the estate, exposing it to litigation, liability and delays. 3. International Heirship When the probate process involves heirs in different countries, it becomes challenging for probate attorneys to verify their heirship. With inheritance laws and jurisdictional issues taking center stage in these circumstances, attorneys face an enormous challenge. 4. Unclaimed or Missing Heirs The probate process is prone to cases of unknown, unclaimed, or missing heirs. If not verified, these individuals could reappear later, potentially disrupting the process and causing conflicts. In this case, the probate process may be delayed, leading to increased fees and costs and reduced inheritance. 5. Legal Time Constraints State laws and the probate courts may dictate strict timelines for the heirship determination, which could be insufficient, especially in vast estates or complicated family structures. As a result, the attorney could be forced to overlook crucial steps like heir verification, which is a recipe for future litigation. 6. Fraudulent Claims Probate fraud is also a concern for probate attorneys as individuals are likely to falsely assert heirship and present forged documents. Without proper verification, attorneys may inadvertently accept the fraudulent claims, exacerbating family conflicts and jeopardizing their reputation. How To Overcome Probate Challenges With Heir Search Expertise A file image of a lawyer's joy after overcoming a probate puzzle Luckily, probate attorneys can now leverage heir search's cutting-edge tools and technology to verify heirship and address or minimize the legal challenges and complications. Hiring professional genealogists, researchers, and investigators can go a long way in helping trace all heirs and prove their kinship and status. Below are the various ways that researchers can help attorneys overcome heirship verification challenges: 1. Genealogy Expertise Heir researchers comprise expert genealogists skilled in tracing family lineages, which can help verify heirship. Genealogists craftily navigate databases, archives, and historical records to extract original copies and construct comprehensive family trees. This way, the experts can formulate clear connections between the decedent and potential heirs worldwide. 2. Forensic Analysis Heir search services comprise forensic expertise such as DNA testing, handwriting analysis, and document examination. These and other forensic analyses can help probate attorneys confirm biological relationships or detect any fraud that could affect estate settlement. This way, the parties are assured of accuracy and reliability with the presentations, contributing to a legally sound heirship verification process. 3. Access to Specialized Databases Heir search firms have access to specialized repositories and databases not available to the general public or attorneys. Most of these exclusive databases contain crucial records and data for heirship verification. So, by consulting heir researchers, probate attorneys can tap into these resources and contribute to a more robust verification process. 4 Collaboration with Archivists and Historians Heir researchers collaborate with historians and archivists who possess knowledge of cultural contexts, family records, and local history. Their insights provide contextual information that can significantly aid in accurate heirship verification. Through this collaboration, it becomes easy for her researcher to acquire a more nuanced understanding of the familial dynamics and relationships within the cultural and historical contexts. 5. Utilization of Advanced Technology Heir search has improved drastically from the traditional methods to data analysis tools and software to acquire and sift through information. Besides, advanced techniques such as skip tracing, the internet, and social media enhance time efficiency and accuracy. 6. Legal Research Proficiency Heir search professionals are proficient in legal research and ensure legal standards and requirements guide their activities. They understand the intricacies of probate regulation, inheritance laws, and legal documentation crucial in heirship verification. As a result, the documentation they provide is accurate and legally valid, thus minimizing risks of future litigation. Most importantly, heir search professionals offer court-ready reports and may testify if needed. Generally, heir search services introduce a multidisciplinary approach to heirship verification, benefiting probate attorneys and expediting the probate process. Record Click’s Heir Research Services, Costs, And Expectations Successful Heirship Verification by RecordClick Professionals We asked a few experts at RecordClick to share their recent experiences helping probate attorneys resolve heirship verification challenges. RecordClick’s Heir Researcher, Quentin, Untangles Inheritance Worth Over $1million. A comprehensive heirship verification process ensures timely estate distribution Peter, a Kentucky-based probate attorney handling Joan’s estate worth $1.4 million, approached me for verification. Joan was not married and left no known heir, so the estate had to go through probate, and that is where Peter came in. He wanted me to search for Joan's family and potential heirs. I commenced genealogical research, extracting crucial records from archives and the church library to create an accurate family tree. Through extensive research, I discovered that Joan's father had a brief marriage and two children, one currently living in Iowa and the other in Minnesota. Being Joan's half-siblings, I traced and contacted these potential heirs to verify their identity and entitlement to the estate. I also compiled a comprehensive report, including two affidavits of heirship, to help attorney Peter settle the estate conclusively. RecordClick Investigator Joyce Stops An Impostor Heir Searcher on His Tracks Working with heir search professionals can help track and stop probate fraud When Christine passed away in late 2022, she left behind an estate worth $5 million and two potential heirs: her daughter (Anna), who was the estate's personal representative, and a son (Donald), who relocated some years back and whose location or fate remained unknown. In March 2023, Anna received a call from a person claiming to be an independent heir hunter and claimed to have found Donald. The independent heir hunter demanded fees for his services, prompting Anna to consult her estate attorney. The attorney, Jane, hired RecordClick to investigate Christine’s family tree, track Donald, and verify the heir hunter’s claims. RecordClick’s Joyce conducted a thorough genealogical analysis and forensic examination only to find out that regrettably Donaldson was deceased and that the heir hunter was an impostor. Moreover, Joyce discovered that Donaldson had left behind a daughter, Rose (21). After consulting with the attorney, Joyce included Rose in Christine's family tree and contacted her to verify her identity and entitlement to the estate. Joyce also provided a comprehensive court-ready report and an affidavit of heirship to the attorney. The attorney used the information and evidence to expose the fraudulent heir hunter and to settle the estate seamlessly. How To Collaborate In Heirship Verification consult widely Probate attorneys, heir search professionals, heirs, and other parties in the probate process should forge a symbiotic relationship to enhance legal certainty in heirship verification. Below are the crucial steps every party should take to create a collaborative environment. 1. Initial Consultation All parties should begin the heirship verification process by holding consultations about crucial details on the estate, the heirs, and potential challenges along the way.  Such an exchange ensures that everyone understands the context and how to approach specific requirements. 2. Integrating Legal Expertise Probate attorneys and heir search professionals should work closely to understand the relevant probate regulations, inheritance laws, and other legal nuances that may impact heirship verification. This way, their efforts will align with the legal requirements, enhancing the validity and accuracy of the verification. 3. Regular Updates and Information Sharing In any collaboration, ongoing communication and information sharing is paramount. In the same way, probate attorneys should provide legal documents, such as Wills, while the heir researcher should keep the attorney updated on the research progress and twists. Regular updates and information sharing promote informed decisions and help make real-time adjustments. Such collaboration also reduces risks of oversights and enhances accuracy in the verification process. 4. Joint Strategy Development Collaboration also helps jointly develop the best heirship verification strategy. This includes determining legal parameters, the scope of the research, and the necessary steps to be taken. Joint strategy development streamlines the verification process, ensuring an efficient and targeted approach. 5. Preparation for Legal Proceedings Collaboration between heir search professionals and probate attorneys can also help them prepare for potential legal challenges. By collectively evaluating the status of potential heirs, gathering evidence, and coordinating testimonies, the professionals would be better prepared for the court proceedings. Enhance Legal Certainty with Verified Heirship Heirship verification requires accurate and reliable documentation to mitigate conflicts and delays during the probate process. Luckily, this guide highlights all the necessary steps probate attorneys need to take to verify heirs and enhance legal certainty during probate. Experts heir search professional and genealogists at RecordClick are ready to offer specialized expertise and techniques and avoid or overcome the potential challenges and complications that may arise without a robust verification process. These professionals will help you complete estate settlement, lineages, and other heir search services. We offer free, no-obligation consultations, even if you are not planning to start a search immediately. Feel free to ask any questions — we look forward to connecting. Contact Record Click today or schedule a call. READ MORE: Record Click’s Heir Research Services, Costs, And Expectations.       #### Hire a Genealogist from Australia - Tips to Avoid Future Headaches Granted, when looking to hire a genealogist from Australia the internet has presented a platform where any kind of information can be easily accessed. However, many people are unaware that information which is crucial to their family history research cannot be found online. For instance, most Australian records are available to genealogists who can physically visit repositories. Our genealogy researchers can easily access all of these vital records and assist you with your genealogy research in Australia. It does not matter if you are limited by your past research or you have reached a genealogy roadblock, Record Click will ensure that you do not miss out on the gold mine of information that will connect you to your past. Going Back In Australia From the 1800s till the present day, Australia has experienced large waves of immigration. Your ancestors could have settled in areas such as Victoria or South Wales in pursuit of economic activities that provided a means of livelihood. Maybe they loved traveling and adventure, therefore, you will discover much more about them in ships passenger lists. When it comes to leading you to your heritage, we do not leave any stone unturned. We will ensure that you get all the answers you need from our ancestry search. We believe that to really know yourself, you need to understand who your descendants were and what their lives were like. They are part of what has made you who you are. Our genealogists will use their expertise to enable you to find more details about your ancestors. This kind of knowledge should be able to define what your life was and what it has become. If you hire a genealogist from Australia, we will use all the unlimited search opportunities to take you many years back. Here are 6 reasons to hire a genealogist in Australia after you hit a roadblock in finding information: Dedicate enough time to your research work Learning more about your family can be extremely time-intensive, especially if you are conducting research alone. It can be an even more challenging process if you do not have a primary source document that proves every piece of information that you find. Record Click takes this hefty burden off your shoulders and provides you with the facts that you need. Our genealogists will offer cost-effective ways of compiling all the sources that will lead you to your accurate family tree. With your busy schedule, you may not have enough time to dedicate to your research project but if you hire genealogist Australia, you can be certain that your family history is in the best hands. Our experts will undertake labor intensive and challenging research work. Breaking Down Roadblocks If you are not a professional genealogist, it is only normal to hit roadblocks or brick walls during your research. Our experts have the skills and expertise to solve difficult genealogical problems and get past them in the easiest ways. They conduct in-depth research and search through numerous additional records that you may not have access to and those that contain the most vital information. Getting Rid of Language Barriers & Interpreting Foreign Research It is possible that your ancestors spoke a language that you may not necessarily understand at one time or another. Therefore, you may find records which require interpretation because they are written in a specific language. While you may not understand Lithuanian and Polish, Record Click genealogists who speak and read many different languages, therefore, we can easily trace your ancestry even beyond immigration. Our professionals have also visited worldwide archives and understand the value of exhaustive information. Working in a Team Setting The best genealogists know the importance of a fresh set of eyes. Even if you choose to do the research yourself, you may miss an important clue that lies in that death or marriage record. No matter how many times you look at it, you may not see it. A professional genealogy company like Record Click (https://www.recordclick.com) ensures that your research work is assessed in a team setting by a number of professionals. Analyzing DNA DNA analysis plays one of the biggest roles in genealogy today. If you want to prove your heritage through testing, our experts will clarify on DNA analysis. If you believe that this analysis will help in breaking down a brick wall, we will clarify on which test will solve your specific problem. Validating Your Search Results If you have family history research work of your own or inherited it from a family member, you can hire a genealogist from Australia to validate your findings. If you are "just not sure" about the information that you have, Record Click is here to dispel your doubts. We will fill in all the holes and correct all errors before you spend the next 10 years researching in the wrong line! These reasons should make you curious about your Australian genealogy. We are here, anytime you want to step back in time. We will trace your family tree in millions of genealogical records and make any clarifications that you may require. We enjoy watching people rediscover with their family history and embracing their roots. The best way to embark on the exciting journey of discovery is to hire a genealogist from Australia. It is certainly time to turn into a professional! It is the ultimate solution! Conclusion for Hire a Genealogist from Australia Record Click is all about the best genealogy research. We have spent many years perusing dusting old books and scrolling through microfilm in local and international libraries in order to bring our clients the truth that they seek. When you hire our researchers, you will get a distinct level of service, professionalism and research experience. In order to break down those roadblocks, our professionals will use the necessary skills to ensure that you get the most out of the rewarding experience. We are looking forward to helping you trace your family history. Do not spend too much time second-guessing yourself, let our professionals handle it! We are well-versed in all aspects of Australia genealogy. #### Hire a Genealogy Professional How can you ensure you get the most out of hiring a professional genealogist to work on your family history? The first thing to do before you engage your genealogy researcher is prepare! A "prepared" genealogy client will make the research experience far more productive, than one who is not as well prepared. The very first thing your genealogist wants to understand is your goal. So, have a clear sense of what it is you would most like to accomplish with professional genealogical research. Remember this motto for genealogy- specific goals are gold!  A broad goal such as "get as much as possible on my family tree" is not as helpful to a genealogist as a goal stated the following way; "I would like to research my family tree, starting with my ancestor in 1875 and working back for four generations." This second goal provides a clearly defined goal, which a professional genealogist can then more easily quantify to an approximate time block of research. Different goals will require different time blocks. A genealogist cannot possibly know all the circumstances surrounding your ancestor's lives before researching. So, clearly some approximations based on years of genealogical research experience are used to guide the correct package. If your ancestor moved several times, lived in multiple states, had several marriages, or was adopted these events may require additional time to sort out and unravel the relationships. If you know this information beforehand, provide as much information as you can on the family in question. The next step is organize your research. If you are not using a software program such as Family Tree Maker or a tree at Ancestry.com then ask your genealogist for a Family Group Sheet and a Pedigree form to complete before researching.  This is important and will save you countless hours of research time.  It is far easier for your family history researcher to develop a research strategy from easy to understand and well organized notes and charts, than lots of loose unsourced documents. Ensure whenever you can that you provide source citations for your claims.  If you give a professional researcher a pedigree with a long list of names but no evidence, then we are duty bound to work the line and prove the claims before proceeding with new information. You can save yourself much of this review time by making sure you document each generation, and support each relationship with evidence. It is important to ensure that each claim meets the standard of proof required in professional genealogy. If  you are struggling with a research obstacle or a brick wall, identify clearly what your research problem is. Let your genealogist know the time period you are stuck in, as well as all the strategies, and resources you have used to date to solve your problem. Sometimes a Strategy Session or a Research Plan may be all you need to move past the wall. We will be covering more topics to help you get ready to hire your professional genealogist. However, just incorporating these three points above will go a long way toward creating an easy and fruitful working relationship. Remember, Goal, Organize, Identify, and Prove! To hire one of our professional genealogists to help you build your family tree, or find family, contact us. #### Historical Societies Provide Gifts for the Ancestry Researcher Genealogical and historical societies and libraries are found everywhere in the world. Without these people and facilities, the quest of the ancestry researcher would be far more difficult. This RecordClick genealogist appreciates the time, work and knowledge that many people in these important places--near and far--have contributed to help me on my research quests. ‘Tis the season… a time for giving as well as receiving… and a time for family. I have several go-to genealogical and historical societies which I use whenever I do my own family tree research. Each place is unique and has evolved  to serve its particular area: Orange County (NY) Genealogical Society Staffed by volunteers, it has a wealth of local genealogical and historical information. The Society recently moved to a new location between Goshen and Florida at the Valley View Nursing Home Complex. The hours for the research room are limited and exceptions can be made. Lancaster County Historical Society, Lancaster, PA With support of individuals and businesses from across the county, this society has a good-sized campus which is highlighted President James Buchanan’s home “Wheatland” and the historical society museum and library. The library is staffed by professionals and has regular hours. It is “must” stop for the ancestry researcher living in and searching in Lancaster County. Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center, Fremont, OH The library, located adjacent to the Rutherford B. Hayes home, is much more than a presidential library and archives. This facility is home to old local records and correspondence. The professional staff has made it a wonderful repository of genealogical information which every ancestry researcher will appreciate. It has regular hours. A primary resource is an online index of over three million area obituaries, death, and marriage notices. The index was created by working with 60 partner libraries. The Burlington Public Library in Des Moines County, IA This is the home of the Burlington Genealogical Society and houses a variety of historical and genealogical documents. The library has regular hours with staff and society members who are knowledgeable about the region. Saunders County Historical Society and Museum located in Wahoo, NE Although smaller in size than some others, this facility does have a paid director/curator/archivist. Additional staffing is by volunteers. The museum has regular hours that are shorter during the winter months. Here, there is a variety of information, including old marriage records which will be of interest to the ancestry researcher. There are many more of these societies. Some are in places that this ancestry researcher can only guess about. Each of these genealogical and historical societies contains important documents, correspondence and ledgers--and more. They house the treasures that the family history researcher digs for. These places are gold mines for an ancestry researcher. Note that I have used the term “volunteer” more than once. Often, when it comes to these treasured places, the ancestry researcher will find that budgets are limited and that the staff and volunteers must spend time raising money to keep the doors open. It is impossible for the ancestry researcher to support all of these entities, but this professional genealogist has a few that I belong or donate to each and every year. Consider making a contribution. For support in your genealogy work and expertise from those who know exactly how and where to get your family’s best genealogical information. #### Homesteading Or Genealogy - Either One Is a Tough Row to Hoe Picture a covered wagon with wheels lumbering across the prairie, grass bending in the gentle spring breeze, and the sun warming the earth. The passengers in these prairie schooners dreamed of making this untamed land their own, knowing that there would be hardships and hard times, but they held on to the belief that they would succeed. For the most part, that's the way we think of the homesteaders making their way out to a parcel of land they hope to call their own. Did it really happen that way? Not so much. Settling the west was a business – a very big business. Although pioneers crossed the Great Plains in the 1840s and 1850s heading to Oregon, Utah, and points west, a few did stay and begin setting up housekeeping in the 1850s and 1860s in Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota. The big land rush began, however, in the late 1860s and early 1870s. The roots of the rush were the result of two major pieces of legislation passed during the Civil War. The first was the Homestead Act of 1862, which was passed on May 20, 1862. Following closely behind was the Pacific Railway Act enacted on July 1, 1862. In order to settle the land more quickly, people needed to get to the land easily. A railroad could cut the time from months to days, and the only wagon needed was from the station to the land. A timeline might help: • 1861 – Kansas became a state • 1862 – Passage of the Homestead Act of 1862 • 1862 – Passage of the Pacific Railway Act • 1863 – Work began on a transcontinental railroad beginning at Omaha, Nebraska, and Sacramento, California • 1867 – Nebraska became a state • 1869 – The rails of the Union Pacific and the Central Pacific met at Promontory, Utah • 1889 – South Dakota and North Dakota gained statehood While the transcontinental railroad was being planned and constructed, surveyors began their job of surveying the lands to be homesteaded using the Public Land Survey System (PLSS). Conceived with the help of Thomas Jefferson, the PLSS made describing a parcel of land more orderly than the metes and bounds system used in the Colonies. Sections, Townships, and Ranges replaced links, chains, rocks and slashes in trees. A section is a square mile – 640 acres. A legal township is usually 36 sections in a six-by-six square. Range is used in conjunction with townships to identify land east or west of a principal meridian. Homesteading was a rather simple process -- on paper anyway. It took five years, following these steps: 1. File an intention to homestead at the nearest land office. 2. A check for previous ownership claims was made for the plot in question – usually described by survey coordinates. 3. The prospective homesteader – the head of a household or individual at least 21 years of age - paid a filing fee of $10 to claim land temporarily, and a $2 commission to the land agent. 4. The homesteading process began. It included: living on the land, building a home, and making improvements. 5. When the requirements were completed, the homesteader got two neighbors to vouch for the improvements. 6. After the completion of the final form and payment of a $6 fee, the homesteader received the patent for the land. There is more to the story, however. The major goal of the transcontinental railroad was to be built and start carrying people and goods east and west. While the railroad was the fastest and easiest transportation available, the next step was to make the trains more accessible. Towns and stations started to pop up along the route. Later, numerous railroad companies were formed taking advantage of the situation by building branches to other areas. Early communities lobbied the railroad to come their way. Gambles were made on whether to plat and start a town, hoping a railroad would come to it. More than one town withered and died because the railroad took a different route than first indicated. Other towns upped and moved – if the railroad wasn’t going to come to them, then they would go to the railroad. Many entrepreneurs waited until the railroad was built and then founded a town. Then, as now, advertising was used as a method of luring people into the unknown and separating them from their money. Railroad representatives even visited Europe hoping to entice immigrants to America. Many people were skeptical, however. There was the financial investment of moving and an even bigger gamble if the land turned out not to be productive. Some households went West sight unseen, went to the land office and claimed whatever plot looked best in the desired area. Many families sent a representative ahead who made contact with the land agent, located a suitable plot of land and began the application process. Word would be sent back to the family, the decision made, and the move commenced. When the family arrived, the representative would relinquish his claim to a family member, and homesteading began in earnest. One of my g-g-g-grandfathers, at the age of 64, decided to move from Ohio to Nebraska to homestead. Other of his family members homesteaded in the same locale, including three daughters, their spouses, as well as their children and their families. Additional extended family members also relocated to the area. There was a support group, and most settlers realized -- whether it was family, nationality, or religion -- having people in the neighborhood with a cultural commonality that could be relied upon helped make a difficult situation easier. Relocation meant houses had to be built. Most homestead houses were small, 12x14 feet or so. There were wells to be dug, barns and graineries to be built, trees to be cleared, and sod to be turned. It was all done with no guarantee of success. As time went on, buildings were enlarged or replaced but the beginnings were humble. Some homesteaders succeeded; others did not. Some viewed the land as an investment and stayed on the land. Others saw it as a means to a different end, proving up, selling the land and using the profit for another venture. According to the Homestead National Monument website (see below for link), when all was said and done, 1.6 million people claimed 270 million acres of land. Kansas had almost 90,000 homesteads; Nebraska more than 104,000; South Dakota 97,000 and North Dakota 118,000. There were homesteads in 30 states before the Homestead Act of 1862 was repealed in 1976. It is estimated that 93 million people now living can trace their ancestry back to a homesteader. For genealogists and family researchers working on your family tree, I am including some helpful resources to aid you in your study of the homesteading era. Homestead National Monument U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management National Archives and Records Administration Library of Congress Golden Spike National Historic Site Our Documents Few signs of the homesteaders remain. Square fields and pastures attest to their labor. Trees planted to shade long gone houses still dot the landscape. Some enlarged houses, barns, and farmsteads do survive. Mementos can be found in local museums. More importantly perhaps are the memories and stories of the people who took chances, and by so doing, managed to change a country. Where you are lucky is . . . if you hit a stumbling block in your lineage research trek, you can always contact a Record Click genealogy expert to help you past that rock in the research road. #### Honus Wagner, a Family History Researcher and Baseball Finally, family history researcher, the seasons are changing. Folks are thinking gardens and flowers. In sports, this genealogist is seeing that basketball is winding down and baseball is gearing up. I have a couple of genealogy workshops on my docket; projects and trips to plan. And, yes, genealogy is everywhere… even in baseball. For the family history researcher and those diehard baseball fans, some of the best baseball stories are about “Honus” Wagner. His given name was actually Johannes Peter, with the Johannes changed to John, at first. For the Germans and baseball enthusiasts, the Johannes became “Honus”. Born in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, he was the son of a coal miner who grew up to become one of the greatest baseball players in history. His career spanned approximately 20 years, from 1897 to 1917. He played mostly for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was one of the first inductees into the Baseball Hall of Fame, in 1936. He is also known for being on one of the rarest baseball cards around. So much for his biography, says the family history researcher, what about his genealogy? The son of German immigrants, John “Honus” Wagner (b. 1875) was toward the bottom of a string of children born to Peter and Kathryn (Catherine) Wagner. The family lived in Carnegie Borough, near Pittsburgh, PA. For a family history researcher, the U.S. Census is a good way to tell this story. The Wagner family was similar to a good many families of the era. Parents Peter and Kathryn immigrated to the United States in the 1860s and Kathryn had given birth to nine children with six surviving in 1900: Wagner, Peter      Head     June 1838       62           A coal miner       He owned his home. Wagner, Kathryn Wife      June 1838       62 Wagner, Charles  Son        Nov. 1869       30           Barber Wagner, Albert     Son       Sep. 1871         28           Ball-player Wagner, Louis      Son       Jan. 1874         26           Day-laborer Wagner, John      Son        Feb. 1875         25           Ball-player Wagner, Carrie    Dau       May 1878         22 Wagner, William Son       Apr. 1880         20          Barber The parents and children were all living in the same household. Not long after the census was enumerated in early June, Catherine died and was buried in Chartiers Cemetery about a mile from her home. After her death, the children started leaving home. In 1903, Carrie married Charles Gallagher and Charles married Emma. John/Honus married Bessie Baine Smith in 1916. For the family history researcher,  names and dates are important, but the occupation listed on the records must also be noted.  Honus’s Father, Peter Wagner, labored in the coal mines for more than 20 years. The genealogist looking closely at the records will see that none of the children wanted anything to do with that occupation. Albert became interested in baseball first and helped John/Honus get started in the sport, but he wasn’t the athlete his brother was. Albert played professionally in the major leagues in 1898. By 1910, Albert was no longer playing baseball. Single, he was living with his sister, Carrie, and running a pool hall. Life didn’t treat Albert that well. When he died in 1928, he was a clerk at a hotel in Pittsburgh. A nephew, John Gallagher, was the informant for the death certificate. The family history researcher can see that the members of the Wagner family seemed to look after each other. Their father, Peter, retired from the mines and continued to live in the family home at 119 Railroad Avenue. Here is the household in the 1910 Census: Wagner, Peter Head        71           Wd          Watchman        Baseball Park Wagner, Louis Son           38          S              Plasterer           House Wagner, J. Hans Son       35           S             Professional      Baseball Paulus, Jennie Servant   22            S             Housekeeper    Private family Peter died in 1913, after, this family history researcher imagines, he watched his son play baseball on many sunny afternoons. John “Honus” Wagner retired from baseball in 1917. He married, started a family and, by 1920, began a career as a retail-wholesale merchant in the sporting goods industry. It is always interesting when the family history researcher hits an ancestry home run. The expert genealogists at RecordClick will find your stories and help you hit it out of the park by documenting your family's one-of-a-kind record. #### How a Family History Researcher Finds Magic in the Records - Lesley Ann Warren Part 2 Tracking family history and finding the details of ancestor’s lives are part of the work of the family history researcher. In all of the notes on Lesley Ann Warren, the award winning actress—and America’s best Cinderella—it always says her father was William Warren and indicates the family’s name was originally Woronoff. This family history researcher decided to look into that. In the 1920 census, there is a William Woronoff. He is a little boy, age 4, with a brother Herb, also age 4, (mistakenly listed as age 7 on the summary page, but looking at the actual page the genealogist can see it is a 4). They are living in the Bronx. William, the document says, was born in New York. The father is Morris, age 28, came to America from Russia in 1905 and was naturalized as a Citizen in 1913. Morris’s sister, Lena, age 24, is living with them and so is Morris’s and Lena’s mother, Sophia, age 65. It is quite a packed household, isn’t it?  But where is Morris’s wife? In the 1930 census, Morris is now age 39, Herb and William are age 14 and in college. And now there’s a wife: Elizabeth, age 39. Perhaps, wife number 2. The family history researcher would check further into this with marital records. According to the census documents, they are all living in Portchester, New York. Skip to the 1940 census, ten years later, and the boys are listed as having completed their third year of college as the highest level of education. They are now 24. Morris is a wholesale playclothes manufacturer. He is 48 and his wife Elizabeth is listed as 50. They are living at 531 E.Lincoln Avenue in Mount Vernon, New York. This family history researcher loves the census records. Look how much information you can find! Every ten years, you can see the changes in a family. Two boys without a mother and ten years later they have one. A grandmother in the house and ten years later, she isn’t there. Now, if the genealogist looks at the Military records on top of the census records, the family history researcher can get some more genealogy info. Look at William Woronoff. His military records show he was born in 1915. In August 14, 1941, he was still single and he enlisted at Camp Upton in Yaphank, New York. The record says he had four years of college and was working in the Lawyer and Judges field. So, in 1940, he was living at home. A year later, he enlists. Let’s say Lesley Ann Warren was born in 1944 (or 1946 as her Hollywood bio says). If this William Woronoff is her dad, the timing might just be right to be in the military for three years, get out in 1943/44, get married and have a child by 1944…or 1946. When the family history researcher studies the documents—such as census records and military records—a whole world of info appears right before our eyes.  MAGIC! POOF! Then, if we look just a bit further, we can find the death of a William Warren on August 31 1985 in Sherman Oakes, California. Is this Lesley Ann Warren’s dad?  Did Lesley Ann Warren move her dad out to California? This William Warren was born July 27, 1914. Pretty close to the 1915 of the enlistment records. More research. More records. And POOF! The family history researcher can find and further verify the ancestry, birth records, name change and other details. If you love finding new ancestry information with a family history researcher, hire a genealogist from RecordClick. Our professional genealogists will do magic. #### How Long Does It Take to Get an Inheritance? You can get an inheritance within months if the estate and process are simple, but a complex case can last for years. Let's explore the duration of the inheritance process and the antecedents. Key Takeaways The duration of receiving your share as a beneficiary depends on the complexity of the estate and the status of the estate plan. Trusts and gifts offer quickest way to get an inheritance as Wills and cases of intestacy must undergo the probate process. Most importantly, estate battles could also delay estate distribution as parties litigate for justice. What is The Probate Process? Probate cases Probate is the legal procedure for resolving the estate of the deceased. The Probate court confirms the legality of the Will and gives the designated executor authority to operate on behalf of the estate. Essential tasks like signing land title documents to buy, sell, mortgage, or transfer real property and directing ICBC to transfer vehicle ownership to another person may only be possible for the executor to complete with a Grant of Probate. Notably, strict guidelines from several institutions are in place to guarantee a legal transfer of the deceased's assets. Banks, the Land Title Office, and the country's Revenue Agency are third parties that acknowledge and verify the existence of a court-certified copy of the estate grant. This copy proves that the executor has the legal right to act on behalf of the estate. How to Get an Inheritance When There Is No Will Dying Intestate Without a will, the probate court may select a close friend, professional, surviving spouse, other surviving family members as the "administrator" of the estate. The probate court will issue a Grant of Administration or estate grant if the case is successful. The Grant of Probate and the Grant of Administration have the the same legal standing, and the applicant has the same authority to act on behalf of the deceased's estate. When someone passes away "intestate," meaning without a will, their heirs divide the estate under the priorities outlined in the Wills, Estates and Succession Act. Usually, the spouse of the deceased would first in line to inherit. The Step-by-Step Timeline for Receiving Inheritance from a Will Identification of All Assets and Liabilities Gathering information about the deceased's assets, such as bank accounts, real estate, and cars, as well as any estate liabilities, like mortgages, credit cards, loans, or other outstanding bills, is the first step for the executor or administrator of the estate. Application for an Estate Grant Grant of Probate The executor must request for a Grant of Probate. However, there must be a submission of an Affidavit of Assets and Liabilities for a Domiciled Estate Grant to the probate court. All the estate's assets and debts appear in this document, along with their fair market worth as of the death date. The Affidavit's amounts apply when computing the probate tax. However, an executor or potential administrator should consult a lawyer before submitting an estate grant application to ascertain whether a Grant of Probate or Administration is necessary before the estate division. Beneficiaries can receive assets, such as Tax-Free Savings funds, retirement funds, and life insurance policies without the requirement for probate. Notifying Beneficiaries and Creditors Probate court Before the distribution of an estate, one must notify the beneficiaries, creditors, and next of kin. Under probate court regulations, an applicant must send their formal notice detailing their intention to apply for an estate grant, along with a copy of the Will, to all beneficiaries in case it applies, to the deceased's intestate successors if there is no Will, and to creditors if the deceased passed away without a Will. This process can entail tracking and informing the deceased's potential spouse, children, or distant relatives. Filing an estate grant application should start about 21 days after the giving of the notices. It might also be mandatory to inform creditors and other claimants via the local press or Gazette to present their claims against the deceased's estate to the executor or administrator within a certain time. The probate court must review the applications in the order of their filing. Following its assessment of the application, the court will notify the attorney or other designated contact to inquire about any outstanding matters, request payment of any applicable probate fees, and notify the listed contact about the issuance of the estate grant. Time spent in court can range from four to eight weeks to several months. Only after the settlement of all disputes and the payment of all necessary probate fees can the estate grant be granted. Obtaining an estate grant requires first paying the costs associated with probate. After the issuance of the estate grant, the executor or administrator can begin managing the estate assets and distributing certified copies of the estate grant to different institutions. Fulfilling Obligations and Debts The executor or administrator should pay all funeral expenses, court charges, probate fees, legal fees, and any unpaid debts or valid claims against the estate before you get an inheritance. If the payment of these debts or claims against the estate does not happen after the distribution of the estate, the executor or administrator may be held personally liable. Completing the 210-Day Hold Period Inheritance rights Unless all beneficiaries agree or a court order is in place, the executor can only distribute the estate 210 days after making the probate grant. The waiting period, which follows the Wills, Estates, and Succession Act, is intended to give time for filing any maintenance claims from the estate, sometimes referred to as wills variation claims. The initiation of a claim for a change in a will must happen within 180 days after granting the estate grant, and the executor should receive it within 30 days. The executor faces personal blame if a maintenance claim arises after they’ve distribute an estate before the 210-day waiting period without permission or a court order. After settling debts and liabilities using the proceeds from the sale and liquidation of the estate's assets, the executor or administrator can start allocating the estate. The executor or administrator must also file the necessary tax returns, including an estate tax return and a final income tax return, and pay any unpaid taxes. Following the disposal of the estate, the executor or administrator may be held personally liable for any unpaid taxes. Once the revenue agency delivers the tax clearance certificate, all outstanding estate accounts may be closed, and the final distribution to the residual beneficiaries may occur. The residual beneficiaries could take up to a year to get their final payout. READ MORE about RecordClick’s heir research services, costs, and expectations. #### How Much Neanderthal DNA Genealogy Do You Have In Your Ancestry? Recent DNA genealogy studies have shown that those of us of European and Asian extraction (i.e., non-African modern humans) are also of Neanderthal descent, with as much as 4% of our DNA deriving from the Homo neanderthalensis (i.e., Neanderthal), a species of human that became extinct, along with our other ancient ancestors, almost 30,000 years ago. Asians, Native Americans, and South Americans have an even higher percentage of Neanderthal DNA in their DNA genealogy than Europeans. This article will shed some light on our lost-but-not-forgotten ancestors, those people you never thought would share the limbs of your family tree. You will discover that we had more in common than you might imagine. Most of you have seen the “March of Progress” illustration by Rudolph Zallinger — the 6-million-year depiction of human evolution, showing silhouettes of man in single file progressing through the ages, starting as a bipedal ape, moving through less-evolved ancestors, and arriving at our modern selves. Though humans did not evolve directly from any primates living today, we absolutely share a common ancestor with modern African apes, such as gorillas and champanzees. Though our last common ancestor species lived between 6 and 8 million years ago, human's and chimpanzee's DNA is almost 99% identical when you compare the bands on chromosomes. It's how those chromosomes are put together that makes the difference. The human genome - the entire set of genetic information for every one of the 23 chromosome pairs - is not identical to that of any living primate. That is why we are evolutionarily, biomedically, and cognitively different from chimpanzees. Which brings us to Neanderthal DNA? Before you deny your DNA genealogy ancestry, shaking your head and saying, "T'ain't no way I'm related to a low-brow dullard Neanderthal," bear in mind that anthropological research has found that Neanderthals were a more complex people than just a bunch of brutish cave people. Ian Tattersall, the curator emeritus of the American Museum of Natural History's anthropology division, and Chris Stringer, a paleoanthropologist at the Natural History Museum of London believe that Neanderthals were capable of some abstract thought (possibly including language), canny hunting, adorning themselves with shells, painting their bodies with ocher and other colorful pigments, constructing well-crafted tools, as well as conducting simple burials. Stringer went so far as to say that Neanderthals were not so different from us as previously thought – the complex mind of a modern human ended up being wired differently from that of the Neanderthal. [box] "I feel we are not yet close to a full understanding of [our] origins. In fossil bone and the DNA of every person alive today, there are still ancient stories waiting to be told." From Lone Survivors: How We Came to Be the Only Humans on Earth by Chris Stringer, Times Books, 2012.[/box] This is no fly-by-night theory. This is scientific ancestry by DNA. In 2010 the journal Science published the results of the Neanderthal Genome Project, which began in 2006. Under the aegis of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Germany and 454 Life Sciences (a U.S.-based biotechnology company), geneticist Svante Pääbo and other researchers developed a new DNA sequencing technique that got results from old and/or degraded genetic material. The preliminary sequences gave compelling genetic evidence that the H. sapien and Neanderthal species have a lot more in common than originally thought; in fact, 99.7% of the base pairs of modern human and Neanderthal genomes proved identical. This suggests that some interbreeding occurred between the two species. These ancient trysts more than likely began occurring 60,000 years ago as modern humans made their move "out of Africa," migrating to the Middle East where Neanderthals were living. Think of it as a little spice in your DNA ancestry. Despite the similarities, however, there were 23 detected areas of the genome showing dissimilarities between the Neanderthals and modern humans. Pääbo explained that several of the areas of difference has to do with our brain structures. Even though the Neanderthal's brain was just as large, if not larger than modern humans, its function, development, and the connectivity of the brain synapses between nerve cells were different from a modern human's brain. In short, H. sapien brains are wired differently from those of the Neanderthal. An earlier migration of various human species out of Africa to Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East occurred around 700,000 years ago gave rise to the Neanderthal and Denisovan people. Neanderthals, who were considered Europe's first inhabitants, were short in stature, light in complexion, with large jaws, sloping foreheads, and barrel chests. Denisovans were probably darker skinned and lived exclusively in Asia. (While Neanderthal DNA is found in the genomes of everyone who is not of African descent, Denisovan DNA appears only in people of Asian extraction, indicating that their DNA did not circulate to other areas of the world the way Neanderthal DNA did.) So, if you are of non-African extraction, then your DNA ancestry is almost guaranteed to include a little genetic material from your Neanderthal ancestors. Those people who remained in Africa became H. sapiens – also known as anatomically modern humans (AMH) - and had a fully modern appearance 80,000 years ago. [box] "In fossil bone and the DNA of every person alive today, there are still ancient stories waiting to be told." From Written in Stone: Evolution, the Fossil Record, and Our Place in Nature by Brian Switek, Bellevue Literary Press, 2010.[/box] What happened to our Eurasian relatives? Why did our Neanderthal ancestors disappear around 30,000 years ago, leaving us the last humans standing? There are a lot of theories on this subject, including genocide by the superior AMH; evolutionary failings; a sudden and severe climate change; or disease brought by the AMH. An online article published by National Geographic - "Sex With Humans Made Neanderthals Extinct?" - referenced the Neanderthal-interbreeding study (co-authored by researchers at Arizona State University and the University of Colorado-Denver). Their findings? The two species "dissolved into a new species as a result of interbreeding” with more modern humans. Whatever caused the extinction of our ancient ancestors, it did not erase the indelible mark they left on our genetic ancestry. This time of year is a good time to give thanks for our modern family, as well as our ancient family who did the best they could with what they had. For help with definitions, see Record Click’s DNA Genetic Terminology Primer. RecordClick is a full-service genealogy ancestry service with professional genealogists on staff who can help you identify your modern genealogy tree. It can also help you identify your ancient genetic genealogy through DNA genealogy testing. Contact us today. #### How Personal Narratives Make You An Effective CEO If you’ve had the privilege to read about the CEO of Google and Alphabet, Sundar Pichai, you'd understand the significance of personal anecdotes as a C-suite executive. Pichai craftily narrates how his modest Indian background influenced his work ethic and made him an exceptional CEO. Unsurprisingly, Pichai also learned to embrace narratives and mentorship to skyrocket his career. He's alive to the reality that CEOs must create and spread a story that effectively influences emotions to help the business. Luckily, at the heart of every successful CEO lies a rich resource of personal tales that unfold through family history. Besides shaping your identity, family history shapes the ethos of a leader, influencing mindset, fostering resilience, and carving out a distinctive leadership style. Therefore, understanding where you come from, the stories of your forefathers, and the values they held provides a profound insight into the fabric of your identity. This guide unravels the profound connection between personal narratives and the art of leadership, taking cues from the life stories of accomplished CEOs. Successful CEOs Using Personal Narratives to Their Advantage Besides Google and Alphabet CEOs, a long list of successful C-suite executives have their personal narratives, most of which are readily available online. Below, we highlight five CEOs in leading global companies whose personal narratives have remained iconic. 1. Oprah Winfrey Oprah in a conference discussing her book “Build the Life You Want.” Oprah is the CEO of Harpo Productions and Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN). Being a television personality and entrepreneur, her narrative is spread throughout her numerous interviews and shows. However, her latest book, "Build the Life You Want," covers most of what you can learn as a C-suite executive. Key points have been her traumatic and abusive upbringing and how she had to persevere sexism, racism, and poverty. Oprah's story of empowerment and resilience resonates with millions around the world. 2. Nike’s Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman at Nike World Campus in 1999. As the story goes, Phil was a track athlete who teamed up with his coach, Bill, to create innovative, high-performance shoes for athletes. The result was a successful athletic footwear and apparel corporation, Nike. While much of the ex-CEO’s personal stories is covered in Phil's "Shoe Dog" memoir, the Nike website also clarifies their vision and highlights achievements like creating Nike Air technology. The company's logo, slogan, and products convey its values and identity. 3. Maple Leaf Foods Inc.’s Michael McCain Michael McCain was CEO when Maple Foods became the world’s first major carbon-neutral food company. Curtis Frank recently became the new Maple Leaf Foods president and CEO, replacing Michael McCain, who served for 25 years. Michael is now the company's Executive Chair of the Board of Directors. McCain’s 25-year tenure has earned him overreaching recognition as among the most admired and influential leaders. Most notable was his extensive sustainability plan that made Maple Leaf Foods the world’s first major carbon-neutral food company. He has extensively shared his personal story in interviews, on the Maple Leaf Foods website, and in the book “The New Entrepreneurs: Building a Green Economy for the Future" by Andrew Heintzman and Evan Solomon. 4. Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has mastered the art of storytelling in the many conferences where Microsoft participates. Much of Satya Nadella's personal narrative is available in his 2017 memoir Hit Refresh: The Quest to Rediscover Microsoft's Soul and Imagine a Better Future for Everyone. Here, the Microsoft CEO narrates his background, struggles, and achievements. However, Satya's story is also evident in his contributions throughout his career. For example, he transformed Microsoft's culture to focus on customer obsession, growth mindset, and digital transformation. The acquisitions of GitHub and LinkedIn and the launch of Microsoft Teams and Azure happened during his tenure. In his memoir, Satya discusses his family, revealing how his eldest son, with cerebral palsy, inspired him to advocate for empathy and accessibility in technology and society passionately. 5. GM CEO, Mary Barra General Motors CEO Mary Barra addresses the Global Business Conference for investors. Barra is the first woman to lead one of the big three automakers in the U.S. and has most of her narrative covered in her book, "Driving Success: Leadership Lessons from Mary Barra’s Journey at GM.” Barra's story started when her dad worked at General Motors (GM) as a die-maker for about four decades. As a result, she developed an interest in automotive and engineering, pursuing all the right courses and eventually joining GM in 2014. Her story depicts resilience and diversity, given her track record in profits and the market share she has earned for the company. Most importantly, she survived the ignition switch scandal and Covid challenges. Why Do I Need Personal Narratives as A CEO? Below are some of the reasons you need personal stories; 1. To Leverage the Power of Storytelling The world is shaped by two things — stories told and the memories they leave behind. Storytelling may be the most powerful tool in a CEO’s tool chest today. The market has become volatile and unpredictable, so you really need to build relationships even if you're only used to specific fields like accounting and finance. Here are the main reasons CEOs must be good storytellers. Foster Connection: Stakeholders, including employees, will likely develop a personal connection to the company when they can relate to its story. As a result, it boosts morale, employee retention, and overall job satisfaction. Clarifying the Vision: A CEO can help stakeholders understand the objectives and why they matter by crafting a narrative for the company's direction and purpose. Expound The Significance of the Numbers: Engaging narratives can transform overwhelming data and metrics into engaging stories of goals achieved, progress, and challenges overcome. Inspiring Change: CEOs can highlight real-life examples of teams or people who adapted successfully to change to help employees humanize any change and make it more attainable. Brand Identity: Narratives can covey the company's culture, mission, and values in a resonating way and help customers distinguish it from competitors. Navigate Crises: Storytelling is a powerful tool for CEOs to address the emotional aspect of a crisis and serve as a source of hope and inspiration. 2. To Adapt to the Shift in Effective Leadership Personal narratives align with the concept of “narrative leadership” that has become an art for CEOs to master to become more effective and relatable. CEOs also need to master personal narratives to adapt to the ongoing shift in C-suite-level leadership. The concept of “narrative leadership” has become an art for CEOs to master to become more effective and relatable. This was a hard lesson for Netflix ex-co-CEO Reed Hastings when he became too dictatorial in his former company Pure Software. Eventually, Reed adopted a laissez-faire leadership approach at Netflix. Moreover, the increase in female CEOs like GM’s Mary Barra, Citigroup’s Jane Fraser, and Oracle’s Safra Catz has also contributed to the leadership shift. With this number expected to soar, traditional feminine traits like humility, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal relationships will become a clever trait for CEOs. 3. To Steer the Corporate Culture Corporate culture framework In our review of the Proven Strategies For Aligning Corporate Culture With Family Ethics, we highlighted the need to align the corporate leadership with an overarching responsibility on issues like diversity, human rights, inclusion, equity, and climate change even if it means not making much profit. For example, Maple Leaf Foods ex-CEO Michael McCain's extensive sustainability plan showed that firms must be part of the solution to benefit future generations. He went head-on with the primacy of shareholders and investors, who normally pressure CEOs to focus on short-term gains and ignore long-term responsibility. One of the easiest ways to align the corporate culture is through narratives and activities that demonstrate the company's primary focus. In the case of a family business, it becomes imperative to understand the family narratives to have your decisions and objectives aligned with the true intentions of the founders or the family. Encouraging personal narratives and family histories in the corporate culture creates a sense of belonging by: Celebrating the diversity of each stakeholder and recognizing their contribution to the company’s success. Fostering a strong personal connection to the company's mission, vision, and purpose and demonstrating how they align with personal goals and values. Encouraging employees to study other people's stories and share their experiences to learn from each other's insights and perspectives. Building empathy, trust, and collaboration among employees and creating an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone feels respected and welcome. The result of all this is a motivated workforce whose benefit includes improved output, enhanced customer satisfaction, increased morale, and reduced turnover and recruitment costs. 4. For Professional Success Incorporating personal narratives, family history, and storytelling as a CEO can lead to professional success in the following ways: Enhancing qualities and skills such as communication, authenticity, influence, and vision. Build trust and rapport with employees, customers, partners, and investors. Inspiring and motivating others to follow suit, share their goals, and support the mission. Create a distinctive, strong brand that differentiates you from competitors and shows your actual value. Learning from past experiences and planning how to tackle challenges and pursue future opportunities. How To Identify Suitable Narratives for Effective C-Suite Leadership Prominent leaders including former president Barack Obama and Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos created their personal narratives from their family heritage. The most suitable personal narrative for you comes from your own story and background. As demonstrated through real-life examples, every CEO has a unique story to tell from the achievements, challenges, and values that drive them. In the same way, the first place you need to look for clues is your family history. Where did you come from, who were your forefathers, what did they do, and how did it influence you or your family? In other words, the story of your identity, culture, and values and how it shaped your mindset, resilience, character, and leadership style. Prominent leaders including former president Barack Obama and Jeff Bezos created their personal narrative from their family heritage. Obama acknowledges his ancestral roots and the optimism and resilience he witnessed in his father's homeland as his major motivation. “And Africa and its people have helped shape who I am and how I see the world.  In the villages in Kenya where my father was born, I learned of my ancestors, and the life of my grandfather, the dreams of my father, the bonds of family that connect us all.” Obama said in his address to the African Union. For that reason, he has passionately advocated for global cooperation, inclusion, and diversity in his leadership. Similarly, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos' narrative applies to his pursuit of growth, excellence, and customer satisfaction. He discovered his father’s and ancestors’ roles in the Cuban revolution and learned from their courageous and adventurous spirit to form one of the big five American technology companies. RecordClick.com As A Valuable Resource for Uncovering Untold Family Stories Genealogy can help identify several topics for your authentic personal and family narratives. Record Click lets you discover your family history and personal narratives through personalized and affordable genealogy services. We also offer free family tree templates to add or view photos and your family lineage. Our expert genealogists and in-house DNA experts will guide you throughout the research and help identify aspects that can form compelling personal narratives for your profession. Their access to millions of resources such as military, immigration, census, birth, marriage, and death records can offer valuable insights about your ancestor's lives, occupations, struggles, relationships, and achievements. Some of the crucial aspects that could convey family narratives for a CEO in their family history include: Family Origin and Migration: The stories of the family’s origin and migration can reveal its cultural background resilience and adaptability. Tracing your roots to a different country or continent can show how your ancestors' journey influenced your worldview and business vision as a CEO. Family Traditions and Rituals: Genealogy also unearths the family's identity, customs, and values reflected in how it celebrates milestones, holidays, and everyday events. As a CEO, you can share how these family traditions shape your morals and leadership style. Family Achievements and Challenges: Family history research can inspire gratitude, ambition, and pride by revealing how your family overcame their difficulties, accomplished their goals, and impacted the world.The challenges and achievements of the activists, innovators, or entrepreneurs in your family are a solid source of motivation to make a difference as a C-suite executive. Grab the free consultation to inquire more about your case and kickstart your discovery of personal narratives to skyrocket your leadership and career. How To Apply Personal Narratives for Effective Leadership Once you have a comprehensive family history report that offers insights into your family and personal life, it's time to tell your personal narrative. Whatever the report says, you need to remove the filters and be comfortable sharing with people openly. A narrative that demonstrates authenticity and vulnerability builds trust with your audience and inspires them to follow your vision. However, not all narratives fit all situations. You need to choose the narratives with a context and meaningful message to the audience. Your story should be relevant to the business problem and demonstrate how you learned from your experience and applied leadership roles. For example, suppose you have an internal audience and want to introduce change in operations. In that case, you can narrate your previous experience of change-what it involved, the challenges, lessons, and how you embraced it. However, a personal or family story full of pride and manipulation risks offending or alienating your audience if they find it inappropriate for the situation. Therefore, the personal narrative you incorporate in the CEO storytelling strategy should align with the values and serve a higher purpose than your self-interest. Steps For CEOs To Incorporate Family Narratives into Their Professional Storytelling Great business leaders should use narratives to inspire and lead others. With all the benefits that family and personal narratives can add to the company and personal brand, you need to follow these steps to instill them into your professional storytelling: Speeches and Presentations: Public speeches, presentations, and keynotes offer the best opportunity to make your personal narratives relatable and compelling. Internal Communication: Showcase personal growth and vulnerability in your stories to reflect your values, resilience, and guiding principles. Highlight Projects and Milestones: Use your personal journey to highlight the parallels with the company’s growth and milestones. Thought Leadership Articles and Blogs: Use your narrative to provide a unique perspective on industry trends or and make the complex concepts more available. Engage on Social Media: Share your story on social media platforms, connecting it to trending or current business concepts while encouraging your audience to share their stories. Practice Social Responsibility: Tie your personal or family narrative to social responsibility efforts and inspire others to participate in philanthropy. Use Biographical Features: Include your biographical features in corporate publications showcasing your family background and how it shapes your approach to business and leadership. These steps help C-suite executives create a more memorable and resonant impact while building a relatable and genuine personal brand. What’s Your Personal CEO Story? Of course, C-suite executives must practice rational business management behind the story, as the story alone cannot run a company. Nonetheless, getting people's attention is critical in business, and one effective way to do so is with a great personal narrative. From enhancing the corporate culture to professional success, the benefits of incorporating personal narratives in CEO storytelling techniques cannot be overemphasized. Luckily, with Record Click, you can hire a genealogist to help you study your background and identify critical aspects of your family and life that convey authentic and motivational personal narratives. Contact us today or schedule a call.   #### How to Become a Professional Genealogist Online Becoming a professional genealogist online is not a difficult chore, however, it does comes with some important hurdles that must be overcome. Continue reading more about how to become a professional genealogist online below. Your strong interest in your family origin has led you to track down your ancestors. Maybe now your other family members and friends are asking you to do the same for them. This leads to the following two questions: Are you ready to research for others? Does this make you an online professional genealogist? Let’s find out! A professional genealogist online is a qualified and trained individual who is paid for their research. If you are thinking of embarking on this journey, it is important to gain genealogy experience that will propel you to a professional level. Consider whether you possess the necessary genealogical and business skills that will make you a reliable genealogist online. Genealogical Skills to Become a Professional Genealogist Online By doing a self-assessment, it will be easy to find out whether you have the right skills to become a professional. What Are Your Genealogical Skills? When finding out how to become a professional genealogist online (a) determine whether you have knowledge of the area where you live (b) knowledge to conduct an excellent search (c) the necessary skills to access online records. What Is Your Genealogy Specialty? If you can speak foreign languages then you will be able to conduct wide searches. Also, find out whether you are more skilled in researching different record types such as religious records, court records or even publishing family histories. This will make it easy to establish the expertise you will have as a professional genealogist online. Business Skills Even when working online, it is essential to have the right business skills. This includes time and financial management, customer service, marketing and business writing. Ensure that you are well-capable of managing your time with other commitments and are able to consistently meet deadlines. Scheduling your workload will ensure that research is carried out efficiently. Once all these factors are determined, you are now ready to begin your journey on how to become a professional genealogist online. Here are other steps that you should take: Register For Online Courses There are many genealogical research certificate programs online that will enable you to better your skills and become a professional. Remember, when genealogical research is used to trace ancestry or find historical discourses, the results must be irrefutable. Therefore, you need to be well-equipped with the best research methods and technologies. There are online courses that employ lectures, practice activities and online discussions that will better prepare you for your profession. Registering for an online course is the best way to seek certification on how to become a professional genealogist online. Study All Professional Genealogical Publications Professional publications such as the Genealogical Society Quarterly will help to familiarize with research articles that have been written by other professionals as well as discover appropriate online research methods. Joining the Association of Professional Genealogists is the best way to be part of a positive network of professionals. With a current membership of more than 1,100 genealogists, you will be able to get an immense amount of knowledge for your newly chosen career path. Learning the genealogy code of ethics will also let clients know that you are serious about your work quality. Continue Discovering Multiple Genealogical Research Resources Although there are numerous genealogical resources online, it is always best to diversify with other resources such as courthouse records and library resources. This will give you a better understanding of how to conduct deep research and what your end results should entail. Transfer this knowledge to your online work and better yourself as a genealogist. Consider Your Writing Skills To successfully present your research work to all potential clients, you must be knowledgeable of proper writing styles, citations, and grammar. Once you have polished your writing, submit an article for a case study for possible publication. This will give you a good insight as to what should be improved. Network With Other Online Genealogists, Librarians, And Archivists The best way to develop your skills is by connecting with other professional genealogists online, it will be easy to keep abreast with new information, research skills and will also receive helpful advice. Make A List Of Your Goals Genealogy is a wide professional field. Therefore, it is always best to think about what interests you and the online resources that you have the best access to. Do not take on a project that will be challenging in terms of resources. Remember, professional genealogists do not necessarily do all client research, some are authors, editors, adoption specialists and equally deal with other related fields. Subscribe To Genealogical Journals Needless to say, we can always learn from someone else’s research. A genealogical journal will give you unlimited access to case studies that are continuously published as well as an abundance of articles that will further develop your skills. You will always learn something on every page. Learn To Abstract And Index Records As a professional genealogist online, it is essential to learn how to abstract or index a group of records. This will automatically better your skills and allow you to gain a deeper understanding of online records. Such projects will always enhance your credentials. Continue Researching Your Own Family History Your desire on how to become a professional genealogist online began when you were researching your own family history. Even if you take on other projects, do not stop researching about your origin. This will equally make you a better professional. However, remember that it is not unusual to focus more on your own family history than research associated with other clients. When becoming a professional, it is best to learn how to budget your time and dedicate equal time to all research projects. The steps to on how to become a professional genealogist online have the common theme of education. This is why the profession is so attractive. After all, there is always something exciting to learn, find or share. Practice your research skills every chance you get, take an online course and ensure you are accredited. This will be beneficial in the long run. #### How to Choose A Good Genealogy Site in the UK Choosing a good genealogy site in the UK starts by asking why should you connect with your family roots? While the answer may simply be to find a sense of belonging, different people have a variety of reasons for tracing their family tree. Maybe they simply want to know more about their parents or preserve their family history in the very best of ways. Others may want to pass information about their forefathers to their children. How to Choose A Good Genealogy Site in the UK Why should you connect with your family roots? While the answer may simply be to find a sense of belonging, different people have a variety of reasons for tracing their family tree. Maybe they simply want to know more about their parents or preserve their family history in the very best of ways. Others may want to pass information about their forefathers to their children. Regardless of the reasons for tracing your genealogy, it is important to choose a good genealogy site in the UK in order to confidently find all the digitized their genealogy records and finding one that is best suited for you could be a daunting task. Worry not! We got you covered. Read on to find out how to choose a genealogy site in the UK: Do not rush It is always important to find out all your options when it comes to choosing a good genealogy site. Although there may be sites that have a huge following, do not automatically go with them because other people do. Take your time to research on all the options that you have and the depth of records and information that comes with various sites. This is the best way to make your choice. Go further a field By visiting the local library or archives center, you will be able to use a majority of genealogy websites for free because the information repository has made subscriptions. This is a brilliant way to look into what you will be getting from your website of choice. Always 'try before you buy' Every good genealogy site UK comes with a free trial period. It is not wise to rush into making a subscription, instead, it is always better to use the site for the free 14-day trial period that is available for all newcomers. If you are not ready to commit, you can simply cancel before the payment period kicks in. Determine whether the site covers your region There is no need to subscribe to a website that does not provide information from local area searches. This only lets you know that you will not be able to conduct exhaustive genealogy searches. The best site covers searches in a wide area. For example, if your family comes from London, Liverpool, then you may want to sign up to a site like Ancestry.com because it is mostly tailored to this region. Give the site a test-drive Trying to look for a range of genealogical information and/or ancestors is the best way to test-drive the site. One thing is for sure, this is an ideal way to determine the search mechanisms that may suit you best. Remember, every site lets you search in a different way. Therefore, go for where you feel most comfortable. Ensure the site offers a family tree builder There is nothing else that will connect you to your family members better that building your family tree does. Therefore, a good genealogy site in the UK should always have a reliable tree-building capacity. Can other people look at your tree? Can you access the tree on your mobile phone? It is always better to stick with a site that will build your family tree in the way you want. Do not limit yourself Granted, you may have your tree saved in one place but you do not have to stick with a single subscription site just because of this reason alone. Even though you may be offered generous discounts, it really pays to try out other sites and see what they have to offer. For instance, you may choose to subscribe to one website for a year and change during the next year. Determine the ease of use What is the use of subscribing to a genealogy site in the UK that is difficult to use? You will not be able to get the information that you require or above all, conduct searches. The ideal site is all-round and easy to use even for beginners. You will not be frustrated or find it challenging everytime you want to find or enter a new source of information. While it may come with a bit of a learning curve, the site should simply be easy to use after the first try. Browse through the available records The best genealogy site in the UK should always have exhaustive records. The only way to determine whether your site of choice will be able to cater to all of your genealogical needs is by using the records. With increased access to a variety of records, you can be sure that you will find the names and other details pertaining to your once stars without any real challenges. It should also be easy to review matches and get relevant information about your family lineage by making a simple search. Find out if the site is up to date A genealogy site that is not be up to date will not be able to serve your informational needs. Thousands of records should always be added to the site's existing collection to ensure that it remains up to date even as you will need to expand your search from one time to another. Got Scottish or British ancestors? The genealogy site should have a difference in collections. For instance, it should not only provide collections that are general in nature without being able to narrow down your search. If you are looking for Scottish and British ancestors specifically, yours should be able to find information pertaining to them without as much of a hassle. Free help and advice It is normal to get stuck from time to time and you may require help and assistance from the site of your choice. A good genealogy site in the UK will provide guidelines on how to get started as well as how to manuever searches. It should have a friendly customer support team that is on hand anytime you need clarification. It should also have online help, webinars, FAQs and manuals to help you get by. A wealth of experience Just like with anything else, experience is everything when it comes to a genealogy site. One that has been in existence for a number of years will give you the confidence in knowing that it is highly accomplished and has been used by many people over many years. You can be certain that it will give you all the answers you are seeking. However, a newly developed genealogy site may just be starting out and merely trying to gather its resources. The best genealogy website will give you the free will to use information and let you search and transfer to your contentment. It is important to conduct your search with an open mind in order to find more of your long-lost family members. Needless to say, genealogy is history on a personal level. While finding your roots can mean different things to different people, with a good genealogy site in your corner, it is not as hard as you think. You will simply find all of the answers that you need without a doubt in the world. #### How To Claim Assets And Life Insurance Benefits Through Heirship: What You Need To Know And Do Proving your heirship can help you successfully claim assets and life insurance benefits. All you need is to substantiate claims of heirship to a treasure chest of unclaimed assets or forgotten insurance policies in your family history. U.S. National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) reports over $70 billion in unclaimed assets, from safety deposit boxes to forgotten bank accounts. It claims that a majority of heirs are oblivious to the existence of any unclaimed assets. This guide helps you understand the intricacies of heirship and the most effective methodology to unlock the hidden treasures. Key Takeaways Heirship helps you unlock what's rightfully yours, provided you follow the due process. The process involves navigating a complex landscape of strict regulations, timelines, and thresholds. Professional assistance is the game changer in finding original vital records and proving your case in a probate court. RELATED: What If an Heir Cannot Be Located? Significance Of Heirship in The Legal and Financial Landscape You must prove your heirship in a probate court In law, heirship is an acknowledgment of rightful heirs to the assets and benefits of the deceased. So, unlike family research, which seeks to identify family members, heirship research seeks to grant you access to your financial legacy. Through heirship, it becomes impossible for anyone to fake records and fraudulently claim assets and benefits. The laid-out framework enhances legality and fairness in distributing the estate and scrutinizing the validity of the claims. Moreover, Federal and state governments have laws guiding probate court proceedings, legal documentation, and review before a determination. The U.S. has laws such as the Uniform Probate Code (UPC), while Canada has the Succession Law Reform Act in Ontario and the Wills, Estates and Succession Act in British Columbia, among others. People are encouraged to pursue heirship to utilize the billions of benefits idle in banks and assets. Read on to learn the steps from scratch and successfully acquire a document that grants you access to what is rightfully yours. While the process seems straightforward, it is always wise to look out for pitfalls, mostly emanating from the passage of time, missing records, and fragmented families. Such complexities underscore the need to work with an expert to ensure you make substantial progress and remain accurate. What Does the Heirship Research Process Entail? You need to join the dots and back information with concrete evidence The heirship research process involves compiling the relevant evidence admissible in a court of law and tracking all the assets and insurance policies. Here is the step-by-step guide; Step 1: Gather Basic Information Surveying the landscape is vital to understanding the nature of the expedition ahead. The first step should be gathering information about the deceased, including other possible heirs and assets in question. Step 2: Genealogical Research Documenting your family tree is the most critical step, as it informs about your identity and helps you know what records to collect for evidence. See our guide on conducting successful family history research to start on the right footing. Step 3: Documentation and Verification The third phase involves scouring historical archives, public records, and court documents for statistical proof of every detail. Identifying the necessary online databases and websites is where expert genealogists come in handy. RELATED: Family Reunions and Genealogy: How To Leverage Family Gatherings Step 4: Legal Validation Your heirship claim must fall within the confines of law to be successful and indisputable. This step involves conducting the research ethically and legally and providing concrete evidence. Step 5: Asset Identification Once you have established your heirship, the next step involves identifying and documenting all the unclaimed assets and benefits. The step may also involve liaising with insurance companies to confirm details. Step 6: Claiming the Assets and Life Insurance Benefits In this process, you claim your birthright by submitting the necessary evidence for assets and life insurance policies. More on that further below. How To Locate Lost Life Insurance Policies Gather Relevant Information Life insurance policies are better located by gathering information from relatives, policyholders, and insurers. Since the policies provide a financial cushion, it would be worth researching extensively for any forgotten treasures. Unfortunately, many policyholders don't communicate policies, leaving beneficiaries unaware of hidden treasures. Besides, the different forms of life insurance add to the complexity of successfully claiming assets. Nonetheless, you can navigate most challenges effectively with the correct information from insurance companies and available records. Tips To Successfully Claim Assets and Life Insurance Benefits Professional assistance is the game-changer While experts at Record Click will guide you based on your unique family case, we have crucial actions that have proven effective in claiming assets and life insurance benefits. Read on; Document Your Research: Locate and keep birth, marriage, and death certificates and other legal records to prove your case beyond any reasonable doubt. Seek Professional Assistance: The legal and heirship research matters require field experts. Luckily, Record Click experts have the knowledge and experience to knock tasks out of the park. Besides, Record Click works with many different heir search lawyers in the United States, Canada, and Europe. Communicate Clearly: While claiming assets and life insurance payouts may be a sensitive issue, discussing with family members is necessary to avoid misunderstandings. It's also wise to notify other heirs of your intentions as per the law to prevent challenges with the court process. Be Patient and Persistent: The heirship claim process may present unforeseen challenges or be lengthier than expected, hence the need to remain patient. Comply with Laws and Regulations: Failure to comply with federal, state, or provincial laws can cause case delays and denials. Therefore, double-check your submission, eliminating any inconsistencies or errors that could lead to complications. Stay Informed: Read about heirship claim laws and processes and take note of new developments or changes in the field. Similarly, you can lodge question requests to your chosen research professionals. Expect Challenges: Study the pitfalls common in asset claim cases to proactively avoid them. In addition to having plans to address the challenges, professional guidance would come in handy. RELATED: Adoption History Research: What You Need To Know Unlock the Hidden Goldmine You don't have to walk the heirship journey alone. Record Click is here to help you with all your genealogical, legal, and heir search queries. Grab the free consultation about your future financial legacy and get what is rightfully yours.   #### How To Conduct A Successful Family Tree Research You can conduct a successful family tree research by acquiring the necessary tools, formulating a plan, and consulting a professional genealogist. However, conducting genealogy is easily said than done, and finding accurate results requires expert maneuvers around the many twists and turns. Luckily, experts at RecordClick have created this guide, touching on the main areas that can guarantee authentic findings about your ancestry. Besides highlighting the crucial resources, this guide will offer tips on best preparations and costly mistakes to avoid. Key Takeaways Successful genealogy research requires proper planning and setting the right objectives. Costly mistakes common in genealogy studies include assuming every piece of information is accurate and failing to consult a professional. With the assistance of a professional genealogist, you're sure to topple any brick walls and get authentic data about your ancestry. RELATED: Adoption History Research: What You Need To Know How To Start Your Family Tree Research Online Family Tree Research Your journey should start with identifying the main objective. Is your exploration aimed at connecting with your roots, learning history, or building a family tree? A clear objective for your endeavor provides guidance and significantly saves resources and time. Besides, a clear goal helps you decide on the best methodology to quickly and surely reach your destination. Our detailed review on how to start your genealogy research from scratch provides the best tips to ensure you start on the right footing. What Tools Do I Need For Family History Research? Genealogy Research Authentic genealogy can only be guaranteed when you utilize online databases, websites, libraries, archives, and DNA tests. Online databases and websites have been the game changer in genealogy as they help anyone find valuable records. As a result, it has become easy to find the exact ancestor or date in the records, contrary to how the traditional method work. Therefore, it is advisable to prioritize online resources for genealogy information before heading to the National Archives. Sites like FamilySearch and Ancestry.com have proved helpful in finding classified genealogy records. Our review of the best online databases and websites will help determine which site benefits your research objective. While online resources have taken the world by storm, you can't underestimate physical archives and libraries' influence on your genealogy research. They serve as treasure troves of yet-to-be-published records and have assistants ready to help you find what you want. Local libraries are usually the custodians of genealogy information specific to your area. In contrast, National archives and libraries in large universities may have military, immigration, adoption records, etc. Another practice that is proving effective in tracing ancestry family trees is genealogy societies. These historical communities at the regional and local levels have turned out to be goldmines of genealogy information, including relevant photos and documents. Our review of Genealogy societies will help you know how to join one and if joining a genealogy is really the best option for your case. Reasons DNA Test Is Necessary For Family Tree Research DNA Test for Genealogy DNA tests have proven crucial tools for authenticating your ancestry. Besides providing the genetic makeup across different people, DNA tests offer insights into your ethnicity estimates and maternal and paternal lines. The only caveat when dealing with DNA tests for genealogy is the privacy implications and the possibility of unexpected discoveries. So, you need to test with a reputable and company. Read this comparison of AncestryDNA and 23andMe, the top two DNA testing companies globally, to decide the best for your case. RELATED: How To Search For and Find Possible Living Relatives – Research Strategy How To Prepare For Family Tree Research Formulate A Plan For Your Research Family heritage exploration requires adequate preparations to start and achieve the set objectives. It would be best to have a plan to collect your information, store it and audit yourself along the way. Let's walk down the plan. Define Your Objectives Once you have exact reasons for exploring your family history, the next step is establishing where to find the information. To find out if your ancestor was a military officer, you should look for military genealogy records. Take Notes Careful note-taking and detailed documentation are the cornerstones of accurate family heritage research. Here are the six principles to adhere to for accurate documentation Source Citations: Take note of all the places you find information, including the nature of source, title, publication date, repository, etc. Transcribe: If you encounter handwritten documents crucial for your endeavor, transcribe them carefully for counterchecking and future use. Timelines: Create a chronologic timeline for every ancestor based on their life events. Family Tree Sheets: Use family tree templates to record crucial family data, such as dates for significant events in every individual's life and their locations. File Naming: Establish a standard file naming system for your endeavor to make it easy to retrieve documents, photos, notes, etc. Folders and Binders: Whether using online or physical storage means, the binders, folders, and subfolders should be categorized and clearly labeled. Remember to leverage online platforms for efficiency and reliability. For example, digital note-taking tools like OneNote and Evernote can help keep your records organized and searchable. Besides, genealogy software such as Family Tree Maker and Ancestral Quest can help manage and organize your data. Mistakes To Look Out For In Family Tree Research Avoid Hitting The Brick Wall Genealogy research is fraught with pitfalls that can betray the entire process and the findings. Experienced genealogists at RecordClick have mapped out the costly but disguised mistakes that could lead you to disappointment. Doing It Yourself Conducting genealogy research without the proper guidance can lead to wrong assumptions or a brick wall. However, with the assistance of a professional genealogist, you're sure to topple any brick walls and get authentic data about your ancestry. Here are the five ways hiring a professional genealogist can save you big time. Access to resources: Professional genealogists can access publicly-unavailable documents, making retrieving classified information easier. Besides, they do all the record search work, saving you time and stress of record keeping. Breakthroughs: Expert genealogists have the experience and knowledge to break any brick wall your encounter. Expertise: Professional genealogists are best placed to handle unique family history explorations involving foreigners, immigrants, ex-military, etc. They have the skills to navigate complex challenges and decipher historical documents for accurate findings. Documentation: An expert genealogist will provide family tree charts and carefully document every step. Time Efficiency: Professional genealogists are the game changers regarding your time in your family history exploration. With their expertise, it will be easy to find records and solutions, allowing you to attend to other commitments in your life. Assuming Everything You Find is Accurate Going by every piece of information your find is one of the biggest mistakes in genealogy. You must verify everything you encounter, as records are prone to human errors, inaccurate family lore, identical names, etc. Every piece of information you see may be wrong, no matter how convincing it looks. Therefore, cross-reference your information from multiple sources to ensure accuracy and consistency. If possible, rely on primary sources like wills, marriage licenses, and birth certificates, as they will likely be more accurate. RELATED: Find a Genuine Genealogist for Accurate Ancestry Get Set on An Explorative Journey At RecordClick, we understand the importance of this genealogy journey because it's the essence of what we do. Our team of professional genealogists understands the intricacies of genealogy research and is dedicated to helping you with guidance, resources, and tools. So, if you're set for this genealogy journey, leverage the free consultation at RecordClick and uncover family stories depicting your unique heritage.   #### How To Conduct Family History Research On A Budget Conducting a budget-friendly family history research involves using free and readily available resources and searching for the most affordable genealogist services. However, the costs associated with heritage research can be overwhelming, from subscribing to all the relevant archives and databases to finding a genuine genealogist. This financial barrier is a major deterrent for many, but with determination, creativity, and information, conducting a low-cost genealogy is possible. RecordClick understands that not everyone can afford the high costs associated with genealogy research. Therefore, we have highlighted proven economic strategies and resources to help you unravel accurate family history without breaking the bank. RELATED: Genealogy-Financing Benefits of Family History Research Connecting with family Accurate genealogy goes beyond compiling relative names and indicating dates for important events. Rather, it's an in-depth exploration of your lineage, connecting you to your ancestors and paving the way for future generations. Here are the benefits you reap when you embark on a genealogy research journey. Unlocking Your Roots and Heritage The heart of family history research is connecting with the past and gaining a deeper understanding of your origin and culture. As you go back in time, you unearth stories about your ancestors, their lives, and events in their lifetime. This connection with the lives of relatives you never met brings a sense of continuity from your family's past, present, and future. Emotional and Psychological Well-Being Delving into your family history provides a sense of belonging as it unravels the continuum of generations you are a part of. Besides, genealogy research can also be therapeutic, especially in times of family estrangement, loss, or heir search in estate settlement. Stories about your ancestors' strength and resilience could inspire you to overcome your challenges. Also, their perseverance and triumph can instill a sense of pride in your lineage and heritage. As a result, the newfound pride boosts confidence and self-esteem, which promotes positive self-identity. Limitations Of a Low-Cost Genealogy Research and How to Overcome Genealogy Research While genealogy research can be rewarding, it can present obstacles, especially for those seeking budget-friendly genealogist services. Reading through this guide is a significant step towards overcoming budget constraints in your genealogy research. Here are the common obstacles you're likely to face and the befitting solutions. 1. Limited Access to Databases Accurate genealogy research requires access to premium databases, most of which require paid subscriptions. This can be a deterrent when you want to limit the costs. In this case, you should search for free genealogy information sources like your local library, local government archives, historical societies, and family history centers. Besides, genealogy websites like USGenWeb Project, Ellis Island Database, RecordClick, FamilySearch, and Internet Archive offer cost-free historical records. Budget-friendly family tree research subscription options include MyHeritage, Findmypast, Ancestry Library Edition, and American Ancestors. Similarly, you can utilize local libraries and archives for customized records at little or no cost. RELATED: Record Search (a). Valuable Genealogy Information Found in Free Family Research Databases and Archives The free information sources offer a treasure trove of genealogy information that can help conduct your family research hassle-free. However, to save time, you need to know the exact information to look for. Here is a breakdown of viral records that are hidden gems for genealogy researchers. Vital Records: Libraries and archives usually house birth, marriage, and death records which can be crucial in studying your ancestry and creating an accurate family tree. Census Records: Historical census records indicate household members' places of birth and occupation and can help trace ancestry migration and provide context to ancient life. Land and Property Records: Tax records, property maps, and land deeds can inform where your ancestors lived, conducted business, or owned land. Local Newspapers: Getting hold of historical newspapers can provide a rich source of information about your ancestors, including community events, social news, marriage announcements, and obituaries. Church Registers: Church records such as marriages, baptisms, and burials are often found in local archives. They can help establish your ancestors' religious affiliation and any events they attended. Although these records may not be all you need for your genealogy, they can paint a vivid picture of your ancestors and add context and depth to your family history research. To acquire all information from these resources follow our 7 Tips for Searching Records. 2. Costly Genealogist Services Hiring a professional genealogist is highly recommended if you want ethical and accurate results, but these services can be costly. As a result, individuals experiencing financial constraints find it challenging to enlist expert assistance. While DIY heritage research seems the most economical alternative, it mainly results in inaccuracies and time wastage. RecordClick offers free genealogist consultations and affordable services that may fit within your budget estimates. 3. DNA Testing Expenses DNA Test for Genealogy DNA testing is a proven way that offers insights into a person's genetic ancestry. In addition to providing unprecedented opportunities to explore your genetic ancestry, DNA complements traditional research methods. However, the costs can be prohibitive for some. Affordable DNA Testing for Family History Here are the most affordable options for your DNA testing. Autosomal DNA Testing: This is the most common DNA test for genealogy as it provides a myriad of genetic markers that make it easy to trace close and distant relatives. Companies like 23&Me, AncestryDNA, and MyHeritageDNA offer this type of testing at affordable prices. DNA Testing Promotions: Take advantage of discounts offered by DNA testing companies and have your results ready without putting a strain on your pocket. Testing Multiple Family Members: Most DNA testing companies offer discounts when testing multiple family members. So, bringing your parents, siblings, and close relatives can save you some cash and help build a more comprehensive genetic picture. 4. Travel Costs Genealogy research may involve traveling to archives and cemeteries or visiting distant relatives. For this reason, travel expenses can quickly add up and take a toll on your budget. To address this challenge, consider opting for online genealogy and records and making calls instead of engaging physically. Alternatively, you can hire an affordable professional genealogist for all the errands. RELATED: Is It Worth Doing The 23andMe Or Ancestry Test? How To Find a Budget-Friendly Professional Genealogist Genealogy Finding a genuine and affordable family history researcher is vital, especially with the surge in individuals and sites claiming to offer genealogist services. Here are the crucial steps to find a genealogist who matches your budget. Establish Genealogy Research Goals: It's crucial to clearly define your research objectives before seeking genealogist help. This way, you'll quickly understand sections of the research that require their intervention and ensure you make the most out of the opportunity. Understand the Genealogist's Specialization: Consider hiring a genealogist familiar with the time or geographic area pertinent to your family history. Specialized genealogists can provide personalized assistance that fits your research needs at more competitive rates. Negotiate Services: Explain your financial constraints to the genealogist and see if they can align the research to your situation and still provide ethical and accurate results. You can focus on specific research aspects or explore partial research services to maximize your budget. Your Family History Journey Awaits! You can unravel your family mysteries and create an accurate family tree regardless of your financial situation. RecordClick is dedicated to making genealogy research affordable and enjoyable for all. Take advantage of special discounts, free consultation, free access to resources, and expert consultation from our professional genealogists. Leverage your bargaining power and begin your genealogical adventure now!   #### How To Discover Your Polish Heritage If you want to begin the journey back to your Polish heritage, you need to know all the necessary steps for positive results. You want to start with the right footing and know where to find the necessary information and how to extract it. This article will help you with everything and ensure you're pointed in the right direction. Key Takeaways Like any other genealogy research, your Polish genealogy should start with the readily available information. Most importantly, you should seek assistance from a professional genealogist to ensure you follow the right course and achieve accurate results. Professional genealogists not only access hard-to-find resources and networks but can document your heritage in a presentable manner. RELATED: Family Reunions and Genealogy: How To Leverage Family Gatherings 1. Start with Available Information About Your Polish Heritage Old photos are crucial when starting your genealogy research Before you think of your great-grandfather who resided in Lublin, Poland, you should start with information you have about your immediate relatives and parents. The first place to find this information is at your home. Look for deeds, medals, certificates, old passports, Wills, diplomas, old pictures, and other valuable items associated with your close ancestors to know their important dates, rites of passage, etc. Once you have every crucial detail in your home, proceed to your aunt's or cousin's homes for the same. 2. Interview Family Members Family members and relatives can offer insights into your Polish genealogy Once you're done accumulating documents from home and relatives, consider conducting interviews to understand your family and its structure. The documents and the data you gather from the interviews will be crucial in recording repositories. If no relative or family member provides crucial details about your Polish genealogy, try interviewing old family friends or neighbors. Some of the information you should seek in such interviews include names of ancestors, names of the ancestral village in Poland, the local language, or any other recallable information that can serve as a lead in your Poland genealogy. While such information may not lead to a specific name or ancestor, it helps narrow your research to a specific demography. The information can also be used by future generations seeking a broader understanding of the family history. So, note all the details in a preservable book and back it up on tapes, CDs, computer files, etc. You can look beyond Poland if you need more clarification. Start with your current country of residence. If you’re in the US, try to get the exact address of the towns where your ancestors lived. This information can help you locate the church your ancestors attended and where to retract census records. Besides, the birth, marriage, and death records kept in churches can help you quickly track your lineage. 3. Searching Vital Records  online family tree research Your Polish genealogy cannot be complete without information from vital records such as census, voting, naturalization, military, parish, obituaries, probate, etc. These documents may contain crucial information that chronicles the life of your ancestors. However, the date those records are incepted, where they're preserved, and how to access them varies from country to country. For example, some municipalities keep vital records at the city or town level. Moreover, only researchers with a valid membership to legally recognized genealogical societies can access vital records. Contrastingly, other parts of the United States keep vital records at the State level. Other states like Pennsylvania have separate preservation for marriage records. You can access them at the Marriage License Bureaus at the County Court House. Similarly, New York restricts the available records based on the dates. To summarize, you must understand the variance associated with your target area of jurisdiction to save time and quickly find accurate information. Expedite Your Polish Heritage Research You need to join the dots and back information with concrete evidence As you may have already realized, conducting successful genealogy research is easier said than done. Extensive research across countries can be time-consuming and frustrating when you follow a false lead. Many have been researching their genealogy for years and still have more to discover. The urge to discover your Polish heritage sometimes comes across brick walls like a language barrier or obstacles that keep you stuck. Researchers may have a clue that their ancestors migrated from Poland but need to learn more about that and wonder where to start. Luckily, we have a team of genealogical experts performing thousands of genealogy projects for decades. Our professional genealogists will give you a head start and help you overcome any obstacle holding you back from identifying your Polish heritage. It would be a hassle commuting to all the archives from the US to Poland looking for records regarding your grandparents who lived back in the early 90s. Instead, a comprehensive genealogy would identify even closer relatives who would better guide your lineage in Poland. Tracking your Polish genealogy involves detailing the full names of every person connected to you. The family tree has proven most effective in expanding your family details with you as the root. Download free family tree samples and make family research a study and a fun activity in your living room. Every space in the family tree should include the person's full name, special dates like birth and death, and other relevant information. RELATED: How To Conduct Family History Research On A Budget conducting genealogy research If you don't have any reference material at your disposal, try online searches for any clues. Besides, you can visit the National Archives and General Registrar's office for all records from birth to census. A professional genealogist specializes in the descents of persons and knows the checkmarks of finding a specific ancestor. Record Click Professional Genealogists will expedite the process of unearthing personal information and help you understand the historical contexts. Only a professional genealogist can perfectly navigate the national library and quickly track your story. They also come in handy when you want to ensure you get everything right during the Polish citizenship application by descent. However, contacting your state's consulate general office is advisable for directions on the application process, especially regarding descent, application fee, and duration. Of course, the first step in the citizenship application process starts by visiting the state's consulate with your genealogy information and records. Track your Polish Heritage If you have Polish heritage and are concerned about crossing the Baltic Sea for information, we can help you narrow down the options and quickly determine your ancestors and their origin. Contact us and share with genealogy experts about which project fits your needs.             #### How To Elevate Brand Identity And Loyalty Through Family Heritage The success of brand identity and royalty depends more on emotional aspects than rational values. According to the 2023 Customer Loyalty Engagement Index (CLEI), customers' perception of a brand has changed drastically, mainly due to shifting climatic, political, and economic landscapes. Customers and potential stakeholders are increasingly taking an emotional look at values and focusing more on how the brand meets their expectations. Whatever these expectations are, they can make or break the brand loyalty. Therefore, a company must establish and foster emotional attachment with the customers to make its brand uniquely recognizable. An emotional attachment makes the customers feel like they know and understand the brand better. Family heritage has proven to be the leading player in forging emotional connections with customers. Stories about the company, its founders, and the top leadership emphasize its authenticity while evoking nostalgia and elevating brand identity and loyalty. This guide demonstrates how family heritage evokes emotion and earns brand loyalty for companies and leaders. Why is Family Heritage Important for Brand Identity and Loyalty? Ford Motor Company has notably allocated top leadership positions to the Ford family to ensure continuity and the preservation of values. Family heritage is vital for brand identity and loyalty because it differentiates and establishes consumer trust. Another reason family heritage is so crucial in building a brand because it creates an emotional connection like no other in the industry. With the erratic dynamics in the corporate world, people are getting more immersed in the digital and virtual world. Consequently, they miss the good old times when things were authentic, simple, and more tangible. Family history fills this void by unearthing authentic stories about the brand and its founders, evoking emotion, which has proven to be a key seller for a brand. Moreover, family history conveys the business tradition and history that, when communicated, influences consumers' perception of the brand. And the more the brand is associated with heritage and tradition, the more likely the reputation will grow. Family Heritage Evokes Nostalgia One of the reasons family heritage is so effective in elevating brand identity and loyalty is its ability to evoke nostalgia. Nostalgia is known to be more powerful than other emotions when creating a long-lasting emotional attachment with consumers. For this reason, companies are increasingly adopting images, music, and adverts with a strong association with an era or time. As a result, they give the brand a sense of heritage and tradition, as is the case with image style, visual identity, and product smell. Coca Cola's ad , seen below, features the iconic polar bears, from the '90s, enjoying a Coke together in a winter wonderland. Coke uses nostalgia to show the simplicity and sweetness of celebrating the holiday season and the joy of sharing a Coke with loved ones. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2de6ReSR4EI For example, Disney+ has played the nostalgia card by unveiling new stories, sequels, and a content library that takes the audience back in time. The recently produced series dubbed "The Book of Boba Fett" is set in the Star Wars universe and a spin-off of The Mandalorian, which evokes nostalgia by seemingly expanding the storyline. Family Heritage Conveys a Compelling Brand Story Brand and CEO storytelling is crucial in leveraging the power of family history. A tactfully crafted, unique story is enough for consumers to associate with the brand. It also makes them feel part and parcel of this history, which, in turn, provides more incentives for people to purchase from the company. A Compelling Brand Story Speaks Authenticity and Core Values Family heritage can elaborate on how the company started, the hurdles stakeholders encountered, what has held the company intact for years, and more. Detailed discoveries can serve as perfect sources of personal narratives and lessons to make your brand one of a kind. As an executive leader, you can leverage family history to demonstrate the company's commitment to remain true to its values, promises, and mission, which create a sense of integrity and reliability among consumers. This way, you build trust with customers and influence employee perception. investor, philanthropist and Berkshire Hathaway co-founder, chairman and CEO appreciates the middle-class family he grew up in. Most importantly, leveraging family heritage for brand loyalty puts the company's authenticity beyond the CEOs and other leaders. Sure, leaders are crucial in enhancing brand authenticity, but it's better to have the company's heritage engrained in the entire company. To the consumer, the company's authenticity should not stop at the CEO but should be evident in the organizational policies and employee conduct. Apple knocks this out of the park, and its emergence as the world's top phone maker in 2023 shows its perfection in fostering authenticity. Also, the story of Steve Jobs and crew starting Apple. Inc. in a garage embodies crucial design, simplicity, and innovation values. The brand story depicts Apple's authenticity and makes the consumers feel like they're part of this technological journey. A Compelling Brand Story Is a Key Differentiator. When family history unearths a compelling brand story, it helps the company stand out as a product seller and a conveyor of values and experiences that align with consumers' beliefs. The Coca-Cola Company also serves as a good example, as it adds the differentiation of bringing people together unlike any other beverage company. Campaigns like Share A Coke, I'd Like To Buy The World A Coke depict togetherness and sharing moments. These efforts help Coca-Cola emphasize that it's not just focused on drinks but also is a catalyst of joy and unity in the consumers' everyday lives. https://youtu.be/1VM2eLhvsSM Evidently, storytelling can create a legacy that makes products and services a crucial consideration in the consumers' minds. The inspiring and relatable stories help companies build a robust emotional connection that differentiates them and drives brand identity and loyalty. Benefits of Elevating Brand Identity and Loyalty Strong brands have latitude in the competitive market Some of the apparent benefits of having strong brand loyalty include having the leeway to develop a more significant market share, charge a premium without increasing costs, expand the product lines, and possess much more considerable influence as a company. 1. Positive Brand Identity and Loyalty Boosts Profitability Below are other benefits that robust brand loyalty can have on the return on investment (RO1): a) Increased Profit Margin A company with a strong brand identity and loyalty has its products or services perceived at a higher value than competitors. For this reason, most of these companies can easily set higher processes, thus drastically increasing their profit margins. b) Increased Sales With strong brand loyalty, companies can quickly sell their offerings as consumers want to be associated with the best that can come from them. The drive to get the best helps increase sales as loyal consumers flock for new products from the company's popular segments, despising any offerings from competitors. c) Increased Order Value per Customer Consumers will be free to spend more on a company with positive brand loyalty, leading to immense profitability. The production and promotion costs may be equal across competitors, but the consumers' behavior of aligning to solid brand names causes inequalities in order values and profitability. d) Reduced Promotion Costs Once your company establishes a robust brand, consumers prioritize it in shopping. Therefore, you won't need to spend much on advertising, as consumers trust your company and its products. e) Maximum Customer Retention Promotion costs are further reduced by the fact that the companies with positive brand equity as the current customers will come back. For example, Apple sells an interconnecting constellation of products to its customer base and has noted a cycle where customers return ASAP when they wear out. While the customer turnover could result from other factors like Apple's innovation or devices' ease of use, it's still clear that the positive brand has a hand in this. 2. Positive Brand Identity and Loyalty Influences the Corporate Culture LG CEO William Cho has actively engaged with company employees through end -of-year F.U.N. Talk’ A company's brand identity is reflected in the coat of arms and its mission, values, and corporate culture. A clear narrative of what the company stands for, why it started, and what it seeks to achieve helps set an aligned culture that shapes employees' loyalty and morale. Here's how: a) Employee Morale and Loyalty When you use family heritage to elevate your company's brand identity, employees will likely feel more aligned with the values and mission. As a result, they report pride in their work and job satisfaction. Similarly, the employees identifying with the company's values will likely enjoy working for the company, leading to employee retention, reduced turnover, and associated costs. b) Corporate Culture 82% of customers shop from brands that share their values, highlighting the importance of a brand identity that aligns with consumer and employee values. Using family heritage to elevate the brand identity makes it easier for CEOs to align corporate culture with family values. How To Successfully Weave Family History Fabric Into The Brand Identity A company's family history, including its heritage, values, and founders, can help strengthen its brand identity and loyalty. However, you have to know the right spots to hit to unearth compelling narratives that give the company an identity and help customers understand its mission. Below are aspects of family history that can successfully integrate into the brand identity to attract loyalty. 1. Family Heritage and Founders' Stories Chief executives who are members of the Business Roundtable, include, left to right, front row: Julie Sweet of Accenture North America, Brian Moynihan of Bank of America, Tim Cook of Apple, Robert F. Smith of Vista Equity Partners of Austin. Back row: Jeff Bezos of Amazon, Mary Barra of General Motors and Larry Fink of BlackRock. A comprehensive family history research can help unearth the stories that motivated business founders. With the ability to go back in time, expert genealogists can trace the business founders' lineage and come up with names, dates, anecdotes, and records to substantiate the findings. We have seen companies like Ford Motor Company use the stories of their founders to connect with the consumers and humanize the brand. Ford champions its founder, Henry Ford, as an astute innovator in the automotive industry. The story cites the founder's production of the Model T, which changed the transport industry in the US. 2. Longevity And Tradition Family members and relatives can offer insights into their ethics and traditions Family history research also helps a company or CEO learn about a tradition observed down the family line as a show of quality, resilience, etc. Genealogy can help uncover rituals and traditions carried out by ancestors and those intended to thrive in personal and corporate leadership. The Brooks Brothers clothing retailer leverages its long history of serving dozens of US presidents to establish its brand as keen on quality and rich in heritage. Brooks Brothers company uses this narrative to position its brand as a pioneer of classic American style. 3. Use Of Coats of Arms or Heraldic Symbols A herald painter sketching the coat of arms Heraldic symbols such as the coat of arms have also proven to help establish an identity for the CEO and the company. With family history, finding out if the business founders had a coat of arms becomes easier. If not, family heritage can help you create a coat of arms that conveys your identity, credibility, and tradition. The practice is more common in Europe, but American executives and corporations are increasingly adopting it for its proven effectiveness in enhancing corporate and personal narratives, which drive brand identity and loyalty. The Harvard and Yale universities are perfect examples of institutions that have embraced the use of coats of arms to reflect their heritage. The Story of Sam Walton and Walmart Walmart uses its founder's story as key to its brand identity Walmart has a compelling narrative about its founder, Sam Walton, and how his traditions and values shaped the ethos of the business. The company appreciates Walton's early life, entrepreneurial spirit, and commitment to customer service as key to its brand identity. Walton's narrative starts in his early life, learning from his family about the value of frugality, hard work, and entrepreneurship. His struggles during events like the Great Depression also helped establish a philosophy for his start-up. The company still holds Walton's initial vision to offer competitive prices and his culture of partnership and respect for employees. Walmart's integration of family heritage and personal values into its brand identity has helped it enhance consumer trust and create a unique corporate culture. This narrative is a perfect example of how the company's family history and founders elevated its brand identity and loyalty. It's also a clear indication that when a company's brand identity is rooted in family heritage, its connection with stakeholders endures. Steps to Elevate Brand Identity and Loyalty Whether your company is new or established, you can leverage history, emotion, and tradition. You need a comprehensive genealogy report about yourself or the business founders and look for unique instances that could link to current values and operations. Below are steps to develop a brand story to elevate brand loyalty. 1. Understand Your Why According to Simon Sinek, compelling organizations have a compelling purpose behind their establishments and brands. In his book “Start with Why,” Simon faults advertisers for focusing more on the How than the why. Therefore, you should have a clear narrative on why your company is doing what it does and what drives it. The answer to this demonstrates the brand's values that guide the company in handling stakeholders. Consumers will likely understand the company's purpose through its terms of service, innovation, and quality. Jeff Bezos' clear purpose for Amazon boosts its brand identity and loyalty Developing an authentic story about your brand will require introspection on who you are as an organization, where you have been, and where you want to go. 2. Drive Awareness Once you have ideas from your family heritage, the next step is to drive awareness for your company. Awareness techniques include creating emotional conversations and emphasizing brand values over product attributes. Once you have a comprehensive genealogical report, it becomes easy to map the roots of your brand. It also helps you align the business operations and associations to the heritage you want to create for your brand. The next step will be to weave that heritage through your brand's messaging and communication. You should also test the messaging with customers to understand its effectiveness and customer reaction. Elevate your Brand Loyalty Brand identity has become a crucial asset for companies, given consumers' notable shift in alignment towards an emotional look at values and how companies meet their expectations. For this reason, business leaders must find a unique story about themselves and their companies that they can leverage to create a solid and authentic identity. Luckily, Record Click has everything you need, from records to expert genealogists, to help you conduct accurate family history research and extract critical stories that can elevate your brand. Hire a genealogist at RecordClick to study family values in your company and your background and identify critical aspects that can boost brand loyalty. Record Click offers a wide array of services and a diverse genealogy team that is Accredited, Credentialed, Professional, and Experienced to break open family trees and reveal unique family histories. A genealogy company shouldn't only be about local searching; that's why our diverse team includes specialists from all across the United States and the globe. Regardless of whether the ancestral background is from Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, or other parts of the world, we can help identify all the clues. Our expertise is record retrieval! You can ask our researchers about families worldwide, geographical migrations, marriages, affairs of the heart, medical family trees, death records, land deeds, assets, and much more. We can customize your family search for the genealogical research you need, your time frame, and your budget. We offer free consultation and an automatic discount for all new customers. Contact us today or schedule a call. RELATED: How To Use Family History For CEO Succession Planning #### How to Find a Genealogist in Australia Tracing your Australian family history is anything but an easy task. However, when you cannot seem to find the right information may be due to the constraints of living miles away from the country or even dealing with a foreign language, then hiring a genealogist Australia is the way to go. It does not matter if you come from a small or large family, you have roots and branches that are deeper than your understanding. Remember, your Australian ancestors came from all kinds of geographical areas time periods and certainly belonged to diverse ethnic groups. It is only a highly qualified genealogist Australia who can confidently handle the research task and provide you with the information that you need. This article is your ultimate guide on how to find a genealogist in Australia. Learn more about your Australian ancestors with our Australian Genealogy Service Types of Australian Genealogists Before selecting your genealogist of choice, you should understand that your family research will be conducted internationally and you may have ‘zero contact’ with the professional. Therefore, to go for a genealogist who is highly ranked and can professionally handle the task even if you are not present. These are the different types of professionals that you will come across in your quest to find a genealogist in Australia: The Upcoming International Genealogist This is a professional who knows the basics of Australian genealogy but is not well-versed in his practice. He or she has not had serious or diverse clients and mostly sources for information online. Unfortunately, this professional is not credible enough to work at an international level. The Hobby Professional Genealogist This is a genealogist who has extensive experience that comes from researching their own family tree for many years. Unfortunately, they do not have the know-how to overcome genealogy problem or roadblocks that may occur during your family history research. The Local Genealogist Although this researcher is based in local Australia, he or she lacks the relevant resources to take on any research work. Therefore, it may be impossible for the professional to provide exhaustive information and will only be of limited help to you. They only draw a research conclusion based on the evidence that is readily available to them. The Specialist International Genealogist This professional is considered the best genealogist Australia. With an abundance of expertise and a wealth of information, the professional will perform analysis, prepare various search strategies, consult physical and online information repositories as well as travel across Australia and beyond to find original records pertaining to your heritage. There is no doubt that this is the ideal international genealogist. He or she is highly experienced and thoroughly carries out their work. However, this is reflected in their research fees. But for the quality information that the professional provides, they are worth top dollar. Evaluating International Genealogists Even if you think that you have found the perfect professional who will carry out your Australian genealogy research in the best way, it is highly important to evaluate every professional before hire. The following considerations will enable you to end up with the best and most qualified professional for the job: Work Samples Before hiring a genealogist, it is important to review their work in order to understand what to expect from the end results. Different Australian genealogists use diverse methods to provide the information that you need. It is equally important to determine the following: The Genealogist’s Proof of Standard (Gps) This is a qualification that ensures every international genealogist meet a minimum standard when trying to prove your ancestry. Therefore, the researcher must be exhaustive and use pertinent records that will be highly beneficial to the research process. Time Efficiency Needless to say, the genealogist should be capable of utilizing the allotted time efficiently and come up with all the information that you need. This will ensure that you do not exceed your budget in terms of what you will pay. This simply shows the motivation that the professional has to track down clues and end up with relevant findings. Public Reviews and Testimonials All international genealogists should showcase their qualifications through positive public reviews as well as testimonials. By utilizing the internet, you can find out their work and find experiences and this will help you determine whether to choose the genealogist Australia. Based on the experience of others, you will find out whether you are making a solid decision. Apart from the professional’s personal website, there are also many other great review sites that will give you insight into your decision. Qualifications The best genealogist Australia is often established in a specific region and should have passed several levels of qualifications. They should also be certified and possess the ability to tackle any challenging genealogy research projects. This will only prove that you have chosen the best professional for the job. Your Personal Requirements The international genealogist that you choose should meet all of your set requirements. They should be cost-effective, maintain constant communication and be ready to tackle the job diligently in order to meet your desired outcome. Choosing an international genealogist Australia presents equal opportunities and challenges. However, remember to be confident in your choice because this will determine the kind of end results that you will achieve. Also be open-minded enough to understand that what you even the best genealogist may not deliver all the information that you seek. When hiring a genealogist, you will only be getting the pledge that a genealogist will use their paid time effectively to look for information in the best way. Do not let this deter you from embarking on a research that will lead you to your Australian roots. While finding the best person for the job may seem difficult, the end of the process will be well worth it. When it comes to tracing your Australian genealogy, there is no better time than the present! It is best to go international ad embrace the experience while you still can. #### How To Find Hidden Assets In Probate Cases Hidden assets in probate cases include anything obscured from the prying eyes of estate administrators. This may include investments, properties, bank accounts, and various valuable possessions that the decedent held. These concealed treasures matter greatly in probate cases because they can significantly change estate distribution among heirs and beneficiaries. A new discovery would mean more to the beneficiaries and a new dimension on debts and inheritance taxes. Therefore, it’s imperative to understand the intricacies of hidden assets and their implication if you want to navigate probate cases effectively. This guide breaks down the common types of concealed benefits and how to trace them successfully. Key Takeaways The concealed treasures may include real estate, offshore accounts, cash, cryptocurrency, and business stocks. A successful search for hidden assets involves navigating complex landscapes guided by privacy, confidentiality rights, and local laws. All these intricacies, pitfalls, and challenges necessitate the involvement of heir researchers and attorneys to enhance accuracy and efficiency. What Are the Common Types of Hidden Assets? Hidden treasures Hidden assets in probate cases can vary significantly, but the most likely to appear include: Cash and Bank Accounts: Money stashed in secret locations such as drawers or crypto/ bank accounts opened in secret to obscure transactions. Property: The decedent may have real estate and properties in different places and probably use trusts or third parties. Similarly, people use shell companies to shield their property ownership and rent or use them for business to make them less conspicuous. Business Interests and Investments: Complex company structures could make it hard for estate administrators to easily identify bonds, securities, or stocks, especially if the decedent did it intentionally. Collectibles: Art, jewelry, and other valuable collectibles may only be found if you locate the storage units, deposited boxes, or the individual trusted with them. Offshore Accounts: Moving funds across international borders is a common tactic to evade detection and taxes. Digital Assets: Online assets like digital wallets, online businesses, and domain names may only be apparent if you conduct an in-depth forensic investigation. Indicators Of Hidden Assets in Probate Cases Looking for red flags Any red flag in financial records is an indicator that you may have a hidden asset. Financial records are a significant culprit when betraying malpractices in estate reporting. So, unexplained large deposits and withdraws, transaction gaps, or indefinite logical explanations are reasons to fret. The decedent's lifestyle can also indicate discrepancies in their estate reporting. If they frequently traveled, had luxury cars not registered in their name, or lived a life that exceeded their reported income and wealth, it may suggest hidden assets. Indicators of hidden assets vary in each case and you need a keen eye and understanding of financial and business nuances to recognize them. How To Locate Assets in Probate Cases Gather Relevant Information Locating assets involves a multifaceted approach that draws upon various methodologies and sources. Here is a sneak peek into the process of uncovering concealed wealth and inheritance. Asset Investigation: This process involves a systematic examination of the decedent's assets, accounts, documents, and records. The investigator may also interview friends, associates, family members, and employees for clues. Forensic Accounting: Forensic accountants analyze financial data that can reveal hidden liabilities, assets, or income. They are better placed to spot anomalies and patterns that could lead to a concealed treasure. Physical Searches: The decedent's home, offices, or other premises may be searched for devices, paperwork, deposit boxes, or other places where valuables may be concealed. Financial Records and Institutions: Tax returns, credit reports, financial records, and other pertinent documents can be insightful about financial history. Similarly, investigators can contact relevant financial institutions, agencies, organizations, and businesses that the decedent dealt with for clues on assets. Professional Assistance: You will need a private investigator, a forensic accountant, and an heir hunter to detect hidden assets. Their understanding of the nuances helps them easily evade the pitfalls and prove their case with evidence and accuracy. For example, Record Click’s reports can be used in court as they’re recognized as official documents. Plus, if needed, we’re available to appear in court for testimonies. Our team of 45+ experts include a former CIA agent, researchers in all states, and researchers in all parts of Europe. READ MORE: Save time & money by hiring RecordClick for your search What Are the Legal Implications When Finding Hidden Assets? The law is well-pronounced when finding hidden assets in probate cases. Some regulations provide a timeframe when an estate must be filed, as well as the conduct of the executors and administrators. Therefore, your jurisdiction determines the legal implications your search will likely encounter. For example, in New York, executors or administrators have six months to file an inventory of assets with a possible extension, while Texas sets the limit at 90 days. What is the role of Court-Appointed Investigators? In cases of dispute or suspicion, the court may appoint an investigator to check into records. The chosen investigator must remain transparent and report their findings and recommendations to the court. They are legally obligated to report the estate in a probate court and legally gather information to back their submission. Any failure by these professionals can attract a legal consequence, including personal liability and removal from the role. How Professionals Help Find Hidden Assets in Probate Cases Consult a professional Working out all the obstacles the decedent may have intentionally applied in hiding their assets is no small feat and consulting professional goes without saying. Professional genealogists in heir search companies are skilled in locating missing estates and heirs. They have the necessary resources and network to unlock any mystery surrounding your probate case. Attorneys are also crucial when you want practical legal guidance and court representation. They can collaborate with the genealogists to ensure that your case is beyond a reasonable doubt. If the court has appointed an estate administrator, you should work closely with them to ensure that they proceed according to the legal framework and guidance provided by the probate court. : Bottom Line Involving professionals in the early stages of your probate cases can stop the concealments before they worsen and make it easy to win your case. Most importantly, the intricacies and challenges in uncovering hidden assets underscore the need for experience and expertise. To facilitate these efforts, Record Click offers you a special discount to assist in your quest for a just and fair asset distribution. See our discounted services and prices here and realize how seamless uncovering concealed inheritance can be. #### How to Find Your Diverse Family Heritage Add the above cartoon to your website (copy/paste the following HTML code): <a href="https://www.recordclick.com/find-diverse-family-heritage/" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.recordclick.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/family_heritage-1024x724.jpg" width="500" /></a> Family Heritage Family heritage, the great melting pot that is America is descended from people of different ethnic and racial origins. Everyone here happens to be an immigrant. Ranging from the prehistoric immigrants to the masses arriving in pursuit of 'the American Dream' during various phases of history. There are forced immigration of the African Americans as well. Excluding the African American migrations, rest of these were triggered by varying factors. Most of the Europeans arriving in pursuit of a place with equality. Where common people could own land, work as hard as they had in their own lands and turn their fate around. Others were forced by famines, war, religious discrimination, better economic opportunities or the so-called 'American Dream'. Why don't I know my family heritage? As they settled in the new land and adopted it as their home, their future generation busied themselves with other things. And most lost track of their ancestry. Not knowing who their forefathers were and their stories. But at some point, in life, people develop an interest in their family heritage. And wonder who were their ancestors, where they came from and what challenges they faced when they landed on a new land. How to trace family heritage? It seems fascinating to do so but can be a little tricky. You can begin your search by identifying the 'old country', relatively easily if your ancestors came to the US when travel records were maintained. That's where you can look for information. Owing to the growing public interest in family heritage, many resources in the print and electronic media have been dedicated to the purpose. These include books, chapters, a compilation of records CDs and web sources. Some organizations have dedicated themselves to help people trace their ancestors through genetics. With simple tests like spit tests, they link the genetic information with the vast data available to them and the scientific expertise at hand. Tracking your ancestors from available old records should proceed systematically to be able to bear any fruit. Begin by trying to identify the biological records. The exact name of the immigrant and/or as many relatives as possible. The ethnic group or religious group or the community the ancestor belonged to. The ancient ability to move in groups bearing religious or ethnic similarities can help point to the records you need to explore. If you can find information about the family or friends of your ancestors, exploring family records or family traditions could be a great way to figure out your family heritage. Your next go-to area should be scanning through the immigration records. Combine the information from the biological research and find where they first arrived? Where they came from and the transportation means they used. Try to get as close as possible to the arrival date and ship etc. used to reach the US. The town they first came to and causes of the immigration. This can lead you to a new set of records that you can explore. Where did the initial settlers come from? Records show some 57 million people initially came to the US since the year 1607 from different parts of the world. Out of which 10 million only passed through the US en route to another destination. Other records are available from the US statistics bureau. Where there are records available for larger migrations from different countries. The early migration between 1607-1790 was primarily from the British lands, including England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, the Southern Ireland and Ulster Ireland as well as Germany. The largest group remains to be the forced migrants from Africa which account for approximately 40% of the total migrations to the US. Fewer people came from the Netherlands, France, Sweden or Finland and a small number of Jewish people made the US their home until the 1790s. The demographics shifted between 1820-1855. When the Irish formed the biggest community of Immigrants, followed by Germans. More diversity came with people from other European countries, China and Mexico. It was after the year 1885 that the so-called newer immigrants from Eastern and Southern Europe came and moved to the urban areas. These mostly Jewish immigrants came primarily from Italy and Russia. Why family heritage is important? More and more people from varying backgrounds kept pouring in to seek a better fortune for themselves. By the year 2000, the ethnic mix had vastly shifted. German was the dominant ancestry (German Genealogy), the African Americans were second in place (African American Genealogy), third place for the Irish ancestry (Irish Genealogy) and fourth for English. Other prominent ethnicities included the Hispanics, Italians, French, Poles, American Indians, and Dutch. While searching for the family heritage among Whites' resources have been readily available. Things were very different for the African Americans. Since slavery is a shameful reality of the dark past, many like to shun it. But as more and more African Americans voice their concerns and want to search their roots like their White counterparts. Resources have developed and efforts are being made to help the African Americans get in touch with their past. This happens to be especially difficult because most of them came on slave ships with no travel records. Finding other records is difficult as well. They were only made part of the census for the first time in 1870. A good way would be to begin your research with the year 1940 and build the family tree in reverse from there on in the previous records. Just like other ethnic communities, African American search for ancestry is also guided by DNA testing; known as DNA genealogy. If not too clearly understandable, it can help you connect with others who decide to take the test. The results might be pointing towards a common ancestry. Can family heritage of slaves be found? In the census for 1860 and 1870 slaves were accounted separately. You can look into these records as well. Starting with the later census and tracking back to see if your ancestor could be tracked in the former. A good way would be to match the owner's name since freed slaves those days used to take their owner's surname. Exploring Freedman's Bank records can also be useful. The bank was established in 1865 to help the freed slaves save money. It existed till 1874 and boast records for over 70,000 African Americans during that period. Military records for the Union's 'Colored Troops' during the Civil War and Newspapers from the early 20th century dedicated to the African Americans can also be of great help. At Record Click we help dive into your family history by identifying the important records of your past. We receive many great reviews of our record retrieval process. Regardless, if it right here in the USA or globally. Contact us today to see how we can assist you with your ancestral research. #### How To Handle A Trust In Estate Planning Incorporating a Trust in estate planning comes with several benefits especially when combined with a Will.  In fact, Trusts are recommendable when you want to protect your assets, save on taxes, and avoid the tedious probate process. However, Trusts risk, among others, having your hard-earned wealth scattered in the hands of an unscrupulous person. Therefore, the need for due diligence cannot be overemphasized, especially when you have family conflicts, special cases, and a complex estate. You also want to know what is expected of a trustee and whether you can change them when necessary. Key Takeaways Wills and Trusts are two crucial estate planning tools with different levels of control, privacy, taxation implications, and probate processes. A Trust is a legally binding agreement establishing a way to channel direct benefits to heirs and beneficiaries from the estate. Professional advice from an attorney or financial advisor can help make the best choices based on individual objectives and circumstances. What is A Trust in Estate Planning? Trust A Trust or Family Trust is a legally binding agreement establishing a way to channel direct benefits to heirs and beneficiaries from the estate. The person named to administer or manage the Trust is the "Trustee," while the person creating the Trust is the "grantor." The third party in the agreement is the beneficiaries, who are expected to receive their share of the inheritance upon the grantor's demise. A Trust allows the heirs to formally benefit from the estate when the grantor is still alive. Besides, Trusts offer the best chances to witness how your estate settlement would look like, and the likely obstacles heirs are likely to encounter along the way. In this case, making the necessary reforms and updating your trust as children grow and circumstances change would be easy. What Is the Difference Between a Trust and A Will? A will A Trust in estate planning can be enforced immediately, but a Will has to wait until the testator dies. Besides, estate settlement through a Trust is quicker than through a Will as you won't need to undergo the potentially tedious probate process. A Will in estate settlement must undergo the probate process where the executor is approved, or a new administrator is chosen. Our Probate Court Process guide explains that the probate process publicizes documents, exposing personal details and wealth. However, Trusts operate in privacy, and you don't need court approval from your trustee. So, if, unfortunately, the grantor passes on, estate settlement would proceed without a glitch or delay. Most importantly, the process would take place away from the publicization witnessed in probate processes. Can I Have Both a Will and a Living Trust? Yes. You can have both a Will and a Trust for your estate plan. However, this strategy is not recommendable when considering the publicity and time used through probate. Instead, it would be best if you opted for the Pour Over Will, designated to allow everything to go to your Trust upon your demise. What Is Irrevocable Trust in Estate Settlement? As the name suggests, the irrevocable Trust in estate planning is a type you cannot reverse or change after signing. This type of Trust is feared for its lack of flexibility and control but revered for the asset protection and estate tax savings it comes with. Once you sign an irrevocable trust with a Trust, it is assumed that the estate is no longer under your control, so you can't be taxed. Revocable Trusts Revocable Trusts are also called Living Trusts and provide the grantor with adaptability in their estate plan. As the name suggests, grantors can revoke this type of Trust and regain complete control of their estate. Do I Have to Pay Taxes on Trusts? Once the grantor transfers the estate to the irrevocable Trust, it technically ceases appearing in their portfolio and hence cannot be taxed. For this reason, creditors or tax agencies cannot place a lien on the assets. Estate distribution for each beneficiary may be taxable based on the type of trust, the kind of distribution, and the beneficiary's tax bracket. Irrevocable trust shields your assets from creditors and significantly reduces your tax liabilities than revocable Trust. The most common types of estate distributions include real estate, stocks, cash, and other assets. So, whatever you receive may not be taxable, but it may have generated income, interests, or owed taxes. In this case, the estate executor or administrator pays these before the distribution. How To Set Up A Family Trust In Estate Planning The trust should be professional Setting up a family Trust involves drafting and signing a Trust Agreement listing all assets and beneficiaries. The document should also clearly state the Trustee and your personal provision on how they should manage every asset. Consult your estate planning attorney when drafting the document to ensure you capture all the parts. The attorney will help the Trust to complement the Will and make other crucial decisions like dedicating heirs' property and appointing guardians for your children. Once the agreement is signed and legally binding, you can move assets to the Trust. This means retitling them from your own to Trust-owned. You simply need to approach institutions holding your stocks, assets, or accounts and finalize the process. What Is the Job of a Trust in Estate Settlement? A successor trustee must administer the Trust according to the grantor's wishes. Some of the responsibilities include: Compiling an inventory showing the necessary assets. Keeping records for annual accountings and making them accessible to the grantor or beneficiaries. Meeting all credit and tax obligations on behalf of the grantor. Keep all parties informed about any significant decision about the estate or Trust. Following the Trust instructions to the letter. What Are the Fiduciary Duties of a Trustee? Trusts have a fiduciary duty Fiduciary duties for estate executors/administrators and Trusts are similar. Both act as the beneficiaries' personal representatives; hence, they must take special care and remain legally confined. While the fiduciary duties of a Trustee may vary with state, here's a breakdown of what to expect. Trustees have a fiduciary duty to: Follow the trust instrument Prioritize the interests of the beneficiaries. Treat all beneficiaries fairly. Do not misuse the trust property. Grow the estate and keep it vibrant. Keep different properties separate. Litigate when the estate is under threat. As a beneficiary, you should understand the Trustee's responsibilities to know when they go overboard and what to do. Also, the Trustee should take time to understand the responsibilities ahead to avoid conflicts, confusion, or facing fiduciary misconduct claims. How To Close a Trust After Death Executors have a fiduciary duty The person named as the successor trustee is responsible for terminating the trust according to the Trust terms. Usually, trusts in estate planning are distributed entirely soon after the death of the grantor. However, grantors may design their Trusts to remain open in the long run. With most states prohibiting minors from handling their inheritance until adulthood, the grantor may plan to keep the trust open for years after death to serve the purpose. Similarly, a grantor could keep the Trust open longer if they think giving a lumpsum amount to an adult beneficiary would be detrimental. The trust instrument can include any specific condition by the grantor. Below are the final steps of a Trust after the grantor's death Locate and Review Relevant Documents: The first task is to gather all the relevant documents, like death certificates and trust instruments, to help commence asset distribution. Notify Heirs and Beneficiaries: Trustees are required by law to notify the heirs and beneficiaries of the start of asset administration about 60 days after they assumed the position or from the grantor's date of death. Create an Inventory: Start the process of accounting for all the assets included in the trust instrument, indicating the value at the time of the grantor's death. As a trustee, you should not value the asset yourself but should seek the help of a probate referee or appraiser. Settle Claims: Trusts should prioritize paying off valid debts and taxes before distributing assets to beneficiaries. A certified public accountant (CPA) would help handle all the claims and keep the records accurate. Distribute Assets per Terms of Trust: The final step involves distributing the assets to beneficiaries according to the Trust provisions. As a trustee, keep full documentation showing the transfer and any other relevant information. The paperwork should be proof that all beneficiaries received their share. How To Contest a Trust in Estate Planning Contesting a trust The compelling grounds for contesting a trust include: Unfair exclusion from the Trust, unfair terms of the Trust, Trustee's misconduct, undue influence, elder abuse, fraud, lack of capacity, revocation, mistake Contesting a will can be challenging if your reason falls outside these grounds or any other obligation highlighted heretofore. Nonetheless, a trust lawyer can help you better understand the laws in your jurisdiction and help formulate a plan. Who Can Contest A Trust in Estate Planning? Like contesting a Will, contesting a Trust in estate planning requires some legal standing, as you will likely be directly affected by the Trust. This included beneficiaries, heirs, or a trustee. Some Trusts may include the no-contest clause, depriving the beneficiary of their benefits if they contest. The Legal Process of Contesting a Trust As you take guidelines from your estate planning attorney, you should familiarize yourself with the legal process to plan accordingly. File a Petition: Your trust attorney will help you file a petition with the probate court, which presents your case and the grounds for contesting. Notify Involved Parties: Once you file the petition, you must notify heirs, beneficiaries, and trustees so they can have a chance to respond and defend the trust. Discovery: This phase involves gathering evidence from the parties and supporting your case. Settlement: The last phase involves parties having an amicable negotiation or having the court decide. What Happens After a Successful Trust Contest? sucess If you successfully contest a Trust in estate planning and it is considered invalid by a court of law, the Trustee and the agreements are no longer relevant. In the absence of other valid estate planning agreements like a Will, the assets in the Trust will become intestate and subject to laws of intestacy (dying without a Will). The probate process commences, and all the potential heirs are searched for succession. According to intestacy laws, inheritance should go to the surviving spouse and children. However, if a spouse and children do not exist, the inheritance goes to parents and siblings. Understanding Trust in estate planning and distinguishing it from a Will is crucial to streamlining your estate plan. Trusts have become a darling for people looking to have everything working by the time they die. Similarly, understanding Trusts can help you quickly spot fraud or misconduct and take necessary steps. However, the processes are easier said than done, and it is advisable to always seek professional assistance when planning to participate in any legal action. You can avoid the stress relating to Trusts by hiring an expert from Record Click to help you smoothly work out everything. Contact us today to schedule a private consultation to start the process. See Record Click's Heir Research Services, Costs, And Expectations.   #### How To Mitigate Inheritance Disputes With Heir Search Heir search has proven to be practical for probate attorneys who wish to mitigate inheritance disputes with finality. Learning from prominent disputed inheritance cases like Michael Jackson's, Jimi Hendrix's, Charles Manson's, and Leona Helmsley, no probate attorney wants to see estate settlement remain on probate for decades. Luckily, as a probate attorney, you can mitigate most, if not all, potential inheritance disputes if you leverage heir search. These services ensure you have everything researched and well-documented, leaving no room for fraud, left-out heirs, or missing records. Below is a detailed look at heir search services and how they can keep your probate process conflict-free. How Will Heir Search Help Mitigate Inheritance Disputes? By incorporating heir search services as a probate attorney, you will have met all the legal requirements and saved time and money. Here is a detailed look at the several areas through which heir search will help mitigate inheritance disputes: 1. Helps Identify Potential Heirs Heir search for estate distribution can help locate missing heirs When the decedent dies intestate or has an invalid or contested Will, heir search moves in to quell any roots of conflict by conducting a thorough genealogy investigation to identify the estate's rightful heirs. According to the laws of intestacy, the estate must be distributed according to the table of consanguinity, which typically prioritizes the spouse, children, parents, siblings, and other relatives. So, as soon as probate is granted, the probate attorney must establish who the heirs are and notify them of the commencement of the probate process and their rights to inherit. By incorporating heir search, the probate attorney starts on the right footing to resolve disputes regarding the estate or their conduct. 2. Finds Unknown and Missing Heirs finding unknown heirs Missing or unknown heirs can be a source of inheritance disputes, especially if left out during estate distribution. In this case, the probate attorney risks litigation due to breach of fiduciary and potential damages to compensate for the unaccounted heirs' share. In the worst-case scenario, the emergence of an heir could cause conflicts due to unfair mistreatment. However, with heir research, the probate attorney can avoid such an occurrence by quickly telling the probability, location, and fate of a missing or unknown heir. Heir search service providers conduct in-depth research on the decedent's heirline and document their findings in a way that's admissible in court. 3. Solves Complex Family Trees Heirship verification challenges can become a brick wall especially with complex family structures Blended families, adopted children, and multiple marriages can be recipes for inheritance disputes, especially if there's no Will or if it's invalidated. Proceeding with such a probate case would be a hassle for a probate attorney. They would need to clearly understand the family structure and table of consanguinity before distributing the estate. This is where heir search comes in. The search involves forensic genealogy incorporating advanced methodologies like DNA to establish kinship and verify heirship. A comprehensive heir search report makes it hassle-free for the probate attorney to understand who inherits what and to make the case before the jury. 4. Counter Fraud Working with heir search professionals can help track and stop probate fraud Fraud in the probate process could breed disputes as different parties try to prove their point. While probate fraud could take many shapes, heir search can help stop fraudulent claims against an estate. A researcher can help the attorney determine which heir is legitimate based on birth certificates, adoption records, marriage certificates, DNA tests, and other evidence in the heir search report. What Are the Most Common Causes of Estate Battles While Estate battles can have divergent reasons, we have captured the most likely scenarios. Understanding these causes could be a significant step in knowing how to prevent or resolve them. 1. Dying Without a Will A will Dying without a Will a.k.a., dying intestate and can be a major reason for conflict in estate settlement. The lack of a Will or any other legally binding agreement leaves the entire estate in limbo without clear instructions on who should own what and when. When a person dies intestate, the estate is subject to the laws of intestacy and the probate process. In this case, the probate court takes over the matter. It appoints the estate administrator, who should take account of every asset and establish all the rightful beneficiaries and heirs. While the probate process seeks to streamline estate settlement, it could have to deal with family dynamics, introducing illegitimate children and half-siblings into the picture. The more disputes in such a process, the longer it would take for every heir to receive their share. 2. Sibling Rivalry Conflicts are common in estate planning involving siblings Sibling rivalry is a common phenomenon not only in estate settlement but also in other aspects of life. However, extreme sibling rivalry could lead to estate battles if mediation is ineffective and timely. When there is bad blood between siblings, agreeing on simple matters like property distribution or the probate course becomes harder. Besides, the rivalry could lead to numerous injunctions when executing the Will or during the probate process. Most of the time, sibling rivalry stems from childhood or new circumstances introduced by the death of an estate owner or estate distribution. A small issue could become a massive estate battle for years without the appropriate mediation to address underlying issues. 3. Economic Disparity Among Beneficiaries Economic standing is also key When there is a substantial economic disparity among the beneficiaries, estate disputes are likely to arise as the distribution may appear inconsiderate to some. The beneficiaries with less economic value may feel unfairly mistreated when those who are economically well-off appear to receive more from the estate. Besides, most beneficiaries have accused the Trustees, executors, or testators of favoring some beneficiaries through special allocations and appointments. However, it is worth noting that the decision to give more to some beneficiaries is within the testator's right based on reasons known to them. Since the needs of each beneficiary may also differ, they are likely to prefer conflicting solutions in estate settlement. An economically stable beneficiary would prefer property maintenance to add value for future sales, while others would prefer immediate liquidation. 4. Co-Trustees and Co-Executors Choose wisely Having more than one estate executor or personal representative (PR) is recommended when you want assurance that the estate will be distributed according to your wishes. The same goes for having a backup Trustee who works with a colleague to settle your estate. Unfortunately, having multiple trustees or executors could lead to disagreements among the parties on the best way to handle an estate. While these professionals are expected to reach a consensus on several issues, a fraction of disagreement could spiral into a blown-out dispute. The matter could worsen when the executor or a Trust has some interest in the estate or is a beneficiary or a sibling. If the issues cannot be resolved, it may delay estate settlement and any litigation to remove the executor, further complicating things. 5. Cases of Dependency, Mental Illness, or Incapacity Mental incapacity An estate settlement setting that mishandles sensitive cases like dealing with dependents, minors, and mental incapacity is a recipe for disaster. When a beneficiary trustee, testator, or any other interested party falls under this category, estate settlement could take a different route and encourage disputes. Beneficiaries may base their disputes on the fact that one party was dependent, mentally ill, or incapacitated, making any provisions in a Will or Trust invalid. When taken to a probate court, such matters can lead to prolonged probate processes and an overhaul of the estate settlement plans. For instance, in the case of end-of-life care, the estate owner is generally under the care and control of a chosen people, if not one. As a result, cases of elder abuse are prevalent in this situation as the caregiver tries to influence the patient for personal gain. So, when one of the caregivers is interested in an estate settlement, other beneficiaries may fall victim to litigation for alleged undue influence to have the estate planned in a certain way. 6. Estrangement or Disinheritance Confirmed heirs are entitled to inherit too When successors or heirs are left out of the estate plan, they will likely challenge their exclusion, making a prolonged court battle imminent. Similarly, unknown or missing heirs could emerge during the probate process and prove their right to be part of the estate beneficiaries. Additional heirs emerging during estate settlement are common in blended families and secretive relationships. According to the laws of intestacy, the estate administrator must consult a probate researcher to identify all the potential heirs of the estate. The emergence of more heirs is likely to cause a battle between families and beneficiaries. Even when the decedent dies testate, estranged spouses and children may still contest the Will and have their interests considered before the executor distributes the assets. How To Mitigate Inheritance Disputes During Estate Planning Estate battles are common in estate settlements and can result in lengthy and costly legal actions. Therefore, estate and probate attorneys should help parents and property owners find ways to prevent contests or disputes during probate and estate distribution. Here are a few steps estate owners can take to prevent estate battles in your estate settlement: 1. Seek Professional Advice Be professional The most important thing is understanding the dynamics of estate settlements and all the likely scenarios. Therefore, it is imperative for the estate owners to consult a professional, especially if they suspect that their estate planning could lead to disagreements and court battles. The first professional would be an estate plan attorney to help draft those Trust documents and Wills per the law. An estate planning attorney ensures that they include crucial elements in the Will or Trust and that the entire agreement is adequately executed without any cause for alarm. Of course other professionals to consider may include probate attorneys to prepare the estate for the probate process while heir researchers would create a comprehensive genealogy that shows all the potential heirs and beneficiaries. 2. Plan The Estate on Time The earlier the better Creating Trusts and Wills when the estate owner has the capacity is advisable, as doing it later can be challenging. Creating the plan when they're already under critical care and have mental capacity issues could encourage interested parties to contest the plan based on undue influence and lack of the necessary capacity. 3. Avoid Signs of Influence Siblings It is common for parents or estate owners to have their eldest children, or close relatives cater to different forms of their activities, such as making appointments with the attorney or making personal decisions without a formal agreement. Other beneficiaries may find this practice suspicious and could contest a Will or Trust based on undue influence. So, whether there was influence or not, parties may present substantial evidence before the probate court and see the entire process marred with unending conflicts and hatred. For this reason, estate owners and their attorneys should not let anyone influence the estate plan in any way and avoid leaving an unexplained bequest to them. If they must favor one party over another, it would be advisable to communicate the rationale to mitigate inheritance disputes. 4. Consider Using Trusts Trusts Trusts are an alternative estate planning tool that, unlike Will, keeps details private and doesn't have to go through the probate process. So, if you suspect that there would be a dispute to the estate, it's wise to open a Trust to protect beneficiaries from the tedious and costly litigations. Normally, Trusts take effect immediately and do not have to wait till the death of a grantor. Therefore, beneficiaries are introduced to the estate plan terms early and can raise any concerns with the grantor when they're still alive. Besides, assets granted to an irrevocable Trust are no longer considered property to the grantor. They, hence, may not be affected even after death. 5. Mediate mediation saves time, energy, and money If you're a beneficiary of an estate and want to preserve sibling harmony, some of the most critical actions include using a mediator, liquidating assets, and deferring to an independent fiduciary. A neutral professional mediator can be a game-changer in handling estate battles as they can bring all the warring parties together and help reach a consensus. Similarly, deciding to liquidate and spit the proceeds can solve issues surrounding assets and heirs' property. Most importantly, siblings should decline or revoke their appointments as Trustees or executors and choose an independent professional to decide on asset distribution. Being a Trustee or executor over your siblings will likely cause friction, and it is wise to let a neutral professional take on the matter. However, the decline or revocation should only happen when other siblings agree on the same, depending on the estate's ability to pay for such services. Benefits of Using Heir Search to Mitigate Inheritance Disputes A file image of a lawyer's joy after overcoming a probate puzzle Of course, the primary benefit of heir search in this case is to lead to a peaceful and amicable probate process. In addition, having everything in order will save money and a lot of time on the dreaded long probate process. Below are other benefits probate attorneys reap from incorporating heir search to mitigate inheritance disputes. You prevent legal challenges, fines, disbarments, and imprisonment that could arise from mishandling the estate or probate process. Heir search streamlines the process, expediting the probate process and ensuring equitable estate distribution to all beneficiaries. A comprehensive forensic genealogical report minimizes the risks of errors that could lead to more litigation, costs, and delays. A streamlined probate process saves the family and the other involved parties the stress and emotional turmoil that could emanate from disputes and shambled estate settlement. Conducting thorough heir search and mitigating inheritance disputes helps maintain your reputation as a professional probate attorney. It also shows your commitment to a high level of service and expertise. Save Time & Money by Hiring RecordClick for Your Search Reasons you should consider seeking RecordClick's services RecordClick will help you mitigate inheritance disputes with heir search through in-depth local and international forensic research, non-percentage flat-rate fees, over 98% success rate, and well-documented court-ready reports. Plus, if needed, we can appear in court for testimonies. Our professional genealogical researchers have completed tens of thousands of searches traversing various cultures, languages, and legal intricacies. Here's what to expect with Record Click’s heir search service: Record Click's heirline researchers work with and assist the attorney in finding the missing heirs to an estate. We document the evidence to validate the locating of missing heirs to an estate and provide the attorney with the necessary documents. 1. Heir Search When Estate Beneficiaries are Unknown We can help when the estate beneficiaries are unknown, need to be located, or need proof of the relationship. We provide a simple hourly rate and do not expect or require a percentage of the estate. 2. Heir Search Experience & Credentials We have experienced, credentialed researchers all over the USA, including in Salt Lake City, UT, the world-famous Family History Library, and international genealogical search expertise. Our researchers also have access to the constantly growing world of subscription internet services. After your research, your report and all your records will be provided in an attractive binder. 3. Customize Based on Your Heir Search Needs Our experts can customize your heir search for the genealogical research you need for your firm, your time frame, and your budget. Contact us today to get started on your estate settlement. For local and international services or heir searches, firms, attorneys, and trust officers rely on Record Click for their work. Our team of 45+ experts includes a former CIA agent, in-house DNA experts, researchers in all states, and researchers in all parts of Europe. Services included: heir German, heir search, search for heirs, heir searches, heir finders, heir finder, heir in German. Save time and money with RecordClick heir search Save money and time; we have the best pricing in the industry, and we're available to start today. We'll help you solve the unknown in your case. Please reach out to us today for more information. We offer free, no-obligation consultations, even if you are not planning to start a search immediately. Feel free to ask any questions — we look forward to connecting. Contact Record Click today or schedule a call. READ MORE: Record Click’s Heir Research Services, Costs, And Expectations.   #### How to Remove an Executor In Estate Planning Beneficiaries may take legal action if an executor does not operate in good faith when making judgments and allocating funds. However, to remove an executor in estate planning, there are recognized grounds that should prevail. Executors are normally designated in a Will and oversee every transaction related to the estate and are the final distributors of the estate according to the Will. While executors have fiduciary duty on the estate and beneficiaries, there are susceptible to misconduct and misuse of power. That said, let's examine the roles of an executor and the grounds that can compel the removal of an executor. Key Takeaways You can remove an executor from estate planning because of negligence in carrying out estate administration duties per the will. This ground includes failing to inventory assets, pay debts, and distribute to heirs. Interested parties like beneficiaries can petition the probate court for executor removal and formally account for estate issues. The court holds a hearing and reviews evidence before deciding on removal and potential penalties. The Roles of an Estate Settlement Executor Executors have a fiduciary duty An executor does the following: Determines and safeguards the estate. Educates beneficiaries about the probate procedure. Assists in informing creditors so they can submit claims. Pays the estate's debts. Files and pays any unpaid taxes. Assign assets to benefactors. Covers the costs associated with estate management. Act obediently and refrain from self-dealing on behalf of the estate's beneficiaries. Manage the estate's sensibly. Protect the assets, such as ensuring sufficient insurance is in place. Due to the intricate legal issues, the executor might wish to retain legal counsel. A lawyer can handle any problems that may arise during the probate process for the executor. The Grounds That Can Compel the Removal of an Executor Neglecting to Complete the Necessary Tasks An executor is legally required to fulfill specific statutory obligations, and their removal may become warranted if they fail. These responsibilities include gathering and protecting the estate's assets, filing a claim inventory with the probate court within ninety days, and allocating the estate's remaining assets to the beneficiaries once any outstanding debts. Gross Misconduct Fraud is a compelling reason The executor must step down if you have enough proof that they have mismanaged or embezzled estate assets or are likely to do so. The court will also remove them if they commit gross wrongdoing or mishandle their responsibilities. Take note of the word "gross"—the executor's acts must be extremely heinous. You can't just say that you disagree with their choices. Significant Conflict of Interest A substantial conflict of interest could be created by misusing funds or using the estate property for personal gain. For instance, you can claim a material conflict of interest if your sister moves into your parent's house and doesn't try to sell it despite the will specifying its mandatory sale and the revenues divided among the heirs. Incapacity The court may remove the executor if they are suffering a disability that hinders them from carrying out their responsibilities. This ground covers physical and mental impairment or confinement in a prison. How To Remove an Executor in Estate Planning Heir search, estate settlement, and probate must follow the law An interested party may consult an estate litigation attorney to make the case against the legal suitability of the executor. In addition, the attorney may submit a petition to compel the executor to prepare a Formal Account if they suspect that the estate has suffered harm due to the executor's improper act. The estate litigation lawyer may be able to get an order permitting discovery throughout this procedure. This move enables the attorney to subpoena evidence, interview witnesses, get records, and depose the trustee. The lawyer should then present the evidence acquired at this hearing using the court's Rules of Evidence and Procedure. The judge may order the fiduciary's removal and surcharge them for damages if, after considering all the evidence, they are found culpable. FAQs About How To Remove An Executor Can I Remove the Executor That the Will Names? Yes, you can remove an executor named in the Will for reasons such as misuse of authority or neglecting obligations. How Does One Remove an Executor in Estate Planning? Submit a petition to the estate's probate court, outlining the reasons for the executor's dismissal and suggesting a new one. Who Can Ask the Court to Remove an Executor? Beneficiaries or heirs of the estate typically possess the legal authority to request the executor's removal and replacement. What Happens When the Court Dismisses an Executor? If misbehavior resulted in the removal of the previous executor, the court will name a new one, demand an accounting of the former executor's activities, and possibly impose sanctions. Is It Possible to Select a New Executor Without the Court's Consent? Every process to remove the executor must be discussed among other beneficiaries and get a nod from the probate court. What Is the Duration of The Executor Removal Procedure? The duration it takes to remove an estate executor depends on the volume of cases the probate court handles. A court date and decision on an executor removal petition may take several months. What Happens If the Executor Objects to Being Changed? The executor is expected to defend his actions, but the probate court will hear from all the sides and make the final decisions based on the law and the testator’s interests. It’s The Right Way or the Highway If a judge receives sufficient evidence, they can remove an executor. However, you8 must provide substantial evidence to convince the judge to find the executor out of order. Be sure to obtain depositions, witnesses accounts, interrogations, subpoenaed papers, and evidence presented under the Rules of Evidence to make your case. However, you can avoid the stress related to executors by hiring Record Click experts to help you smoothly work out the entire probate process. Contact us today for a free consultation and kick start the process. . #### How To Search For and Find Possible Living Relatives - Research Strategy I have heard an award-winning genealogist describe searching for living ancestors as “reverse genealogy.” In my opinion, I think it is just a continuum of the genealogy process. After years of collecting dead relatives, I thought it would be nice to look for some living relatives - you know, someone with whom you can share your genealogical research discoveries? Sometimes the only way you can find the living is by way of the dead. In this article, I am going to help you find your living relatives, rather than your non-living relatives. Genealogists, get ready to flex those fingers and boot up your computer; we’re going to crack open the genealogical research toolbox and help you find some of your living relatives. Facebook and LinkedIn Just about everybody has heard of a Facebook reunion - you know, one in which siblings were separated at birth and reunited after 50 years, or an adopted child found his/her birth mother, or long-lost lovers rekindled their relationship after 67 years. Facebook is just one gigantic global photo album, and it is a terrific tool in the genealogist toolbox. LinkedIn is another handy tool in your genealogy toolbox for finding living relatives. It touts itself as the "world's largest professional network with 225 million members in over 200 countries and territories around the globe." You can narrow your search by location, business, interest, etc. For the family genealogist, finding living relatives will probably be less dramatic than some of the Facebook reunions, but still just as interesting. What may surprise you is that in order to find living relatives, you may very well have to start with the dead relatives. In this case, "Dead men do tell tales." Obituary Ironically, a good genealogy research tool to find living relatives is the trusty obituary. Many family genealogists begin a search with a death event, simply because so much information is recorded at the time. If you are not sure how to locate an obituary, then a virtual trip to the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) will be in order. Many websites such as Fold 3, Ancestry, and FamilySearch include the SSDI as a free database. FamilySearch is extremely easy to use, and it is all free. After a quick search of the SSDI, the genealogist will learn the birth and death dates and the last residence of their ancestor. The last residence may prove helpful to the genealogical researcher, because knowing where the ancestor lived narrows down the newspaper search for an obituary. Remember, an obituary may deal with the decedent first and foremost, but it almost always lists surviving family members of the dearly departed. For example, my grandfather Harold Thrasher died in 1974. A search of the SSDI indicated his last residence was Allen County, Indiana. That information led me to an obituary published in the November 23, 1974 issue of the Fort Wayne News-Sentinel. The write-up listed surviving family members: Mrs. Marvin Hutsell (daughter) from Fort Wayne, Indiana; Frederick (son) from Warsaw, Indiana; and Norman (son) from Flint, Michigan. I realized that since the obituary was published in 1974, some of the living relatives might have since died, but that didn't stop my search. Online Phone Directories With this information, I went to two of the many online phone directories – another terrific genealogy research tool to help you find living relatives. The caveat here is to use more than one source. It is best to use at least two online directories to confirm information. For example, I did find a listing for "Marvin" in one directory, but not in the other. I found an address and phone number for Alta. If her listing had not included a phone number (cell phones are not listed), I would have considered sending a letter via regular mail. This is always a good option, allowing you to introduce yourself and ask your questions. City Telephone Directories If their digital footprint doesn't include social media, such as Facebook or LinkedIn, then a city residential telephone directory might yield the information you are seeking. Some city directories offer information including occupation, residence; it may even note the death. PIPL People Search Database Another website that claims to be the most comprehensive people search database on the Web is PIPL, which advertises that it will "dive into the deep web to bring you results you won't find in any other search engine." PIPL allows you to search by name, email, username or phone, as well as location. Google Then again, if you are "Feeling Lucky," you can just Google the name you are looking for, but beware! Remember my grandfather Harold, the person we started with? I Googled his name and got 97,300 results; my own name yielded 16,300 hits! Conclusion So the next time you are looking for a long-lost relative, don't put all your eggs in the Facebook basket. Consider opening your genealogy toolbox and ratchet up your research for finding living relatives. No genealogical research toolbox can hold ALL of the family history researcher tools. Sometimes, you need to reach out to a professional genealogy research service when you need a tool you don't have. The professional genealogists at RecordClick are ready to roll up their sleeves and delve into your latest living relative search project. Whether you are looking for a living or non-living relative, RecordClick's genealogical services will answer your needs. #### How To Start Your Genealogy Research From Scratch When you start your genealogy research from scratch you must find readily available resources and consult professional genealogists for guidance. If you'd like to start this journey but need help figuring out where to start, don't fret; we have you covered. Whether you’re struggling to find sufficient records, have an uncommon surname, or don't know your biological parents, we have guidelines to help break the brick wall. Before getting into the technicalities, you must know what is in it for you. Key Takeaways Embarking in family history research helps you connect with your roots, explore family values, learn history, and preserve cultural heritage. The first step in this long journey is to begin with yourself, writing down names and important dates of people in your nuclear family and expand to relatives. The team of expert genealogists at RecordClick is ready to help with expert guidance and specialized genealogy services at affordable rates. RELATED: Adoption History Research: What You Need To Know Why You Must Start Your Genealogy Research Now Start Your Genealogy Research Embarking on family history research has personal and historical significance, not to mention the insights you gain about your current life and family. Here are a few reasons you should start your family tree search. Connecting with your Roots: Genealogy research unearths details about your origin and the ancestors' stories that provide a profound sense of belonging and place in society. Exploring Family Values and Traditions: Family heritage research can help you identify a unique holiday tradition or recipe revered by your great-grandparents. You can revive and cherish the same traditions and establish that deep connection across the family. Honor Ancestors' Resilience: Perusing ancient records can help you learn about the daunting challenges your ancestors faced, which can be a rich source of inspiration. Learn History: A family history search is one of the best ways to learn history and how it shaped your ancestors' lives and, eventually, your life. Preserve Cultural Heritage: Through genealogy, you learn about your family's customs, traditions, origin, and languages. This understanding is crucial in the globalized world where one is likelier to lose connection to their cultural roots. What Is the First Step in Family History Research Old photos are crucial in genealogy The first step is to define your objectives. Embarking on a journey with a clear destination can save time and be more fulfilling. An objective will help you in the following ways. Having a clear objective for your genealogy research guides your research, making it less likely to get lost in the vast world of genealogical data. An objective also helps you track your successes and know when to reevaluate or expedite the process. Having milestones along the way helps develop a sense of accomplishment and motivation every time you accomplish them. Understanding your goal helps you accurately allocate resources and time to ensure your only focus on what's most likely to yield valuable results. Most importantly, a family heritage search objective helps you identify the most appropriate methodology to apply. For example, you'd focus more on international records to find immigrant ancestors. Common Objectives When You Start Genealogy Research Formulate A Plan For Your Research Below are common genealogy goals you should consider in your research. Unearthing Immigrant ancestors: One of the reasons many people consider starting genealogy research is to learn the ancestry migration patterns, the circumstances that led to the migration, and the challenges experienced in the new homeland. Creating A Family Tree: Another reason to research and document your family history is to complete a family tree that spans multiple generations. Discover Ancestors in the Military: Military genealogy helps you discover ancestors who served in the military, the battles they fought, their ranks, and awards. Explore DNA Information: Researchers using DNA results can uncover ethnicity estimates, family connections, and unknown relatives. Sites like AncestryDNA and 23andMe have become popular for aiding genealogy through genetic matchings. Preserving History: Conducting family history research by interviewing older family members and keeping records can be a clever way to preserve oral history and help pass down family stories through generations. Joining Genealogy Societies: Some genealogy services require members to prove descent from a specific ancestor or a group of ancestors. For instance, you must prove descent to one of the Mayflower migrants to join the Mayflower Genealogy Society. To achieve this, you must start your genealogy research now. RELATED: A Genealogy Researcher Looks at Donald Trump and His Mom How To Gather Family Information in Family History Research Gather Relevant Information Information gathering in family heritage research involves starting with readily available information and seeking additional data from archives, libraries, and relatives. Here are the critical steps that lay the foundation for your journey. Begin With Yourself: Write down names and important dates of people in your nuclear family and expand to relatives. Find Clues: Gather documents such as family artifacts, heirlooms, old photos, marriage certificates, birth certificates, etc., and look for clues about your family's past. Record Audio Stories: request relatives to share their stories about the family and its anecdotes to help you gain valuable context into your ancestors' lives. Here are examples of respectful and open-ended questions you may as your relatives Where and when were you born? Can you share any information about our family's country of origin? What are some unique family traditions or customs you remember? What did our ancestors do for a living? Any notable achievements or professions? What religious affiliations did our ancestors have? How To Organize and Document Your Genealogy Research Family Tree A few steps into genealogy journey, the volume of data and records becomes overwhelming, hence the need to find a backup, establish a filing system, and create a research calendar. Here are tips for best order and documentation as you start your genealogy research. Use a consistent naming convention such as YYYY-MM-DD. Cite your information to help with review and verification. Use online sites and databases for historical records and features like research logs and source citations. If you prefer physical means, consider archival-quality materials to protect photos and documents. Consult a genealogist that'll help meet your genealogy objectives affordably. Identify local archives and libraries to visit and make inquiries. Create a family tree and record vital information Common Genealogy Challenges and How To Overcome Online Genealogy Common challenges when start your genealogy research include scant records and hitting brick walls, but we've highlighted breakthroughs. Scant RecordsA lack of crucial records can lead to a dead end in your research, but it shouldn't be the case always. Instead, you can expand your research to other areas where your ancestors may have lived or connect with local genealogists familiar with the missing information. Surname ChangesDealing with surname variations is a common challenge in genealogy as people change names after marriage, immigration, or personal preference. The best way to address this hurdle is by documenting all the variations and analyzing all the immigration and marriage records for any variations. Hitting a Brick WallEncountering a brick wall means failing to make progress in tracing your family lineage. In this case, consider reviewing the research steps so far and look for discrepancies, overlooked clues, and missing details. It would also be wise to check local archives and seek help from a genuine genealogist to provide a fresh perspective on your endeavor. RELATED: A Good Genealogy Researcher Must Find The Rest of the Story It's Just the Beginning, Not The End Your genealogy journey has just set sail, and a boatload of discoveries and history is waiting for you. Luckily, RecordClick offers resources, tips, and tricks to help you dive deeper into the fascinating world of genealogy. Similarly, our team of expert genealogists is here to help with expert guidance and specialized genealogy services. Take advantage of free consultation to learn the steps to start your genealogy research and overcome unique challenges in your exploration. #### How To Track Famous People In Your Family Tree Tracking famous people in your family tree has never been more intriguing and accessible than it is today, thanks to technological advancements. Online genealogy research or sites like AncestryDNA, Famous Kin, RelativeFinder, etc., promise quick glimpses and tantalizing hints into your potential connections. However, most lack the accuracy and depth crucial for accurate family heritage research. While you may want to check these sites and online databases for hints, you need to be sure that the information is backed with concrete evidence. From establishing who is famous to joining the family tree dots, we have everything you need to know before you start rejoicing. Key Takeaways A famous person in your family tree can be anyone you cherish despite their societal achievement. Consider putting your family tree in order before finding a famous relative or ancestor. Your presumed connections to famous relatives on online sites may be fallacious. RELATED: Reliability of Famous Kin’s Work What Defines a Famous Relative in Your Family Tree? The definition of a famous person in your family may be subjective but fun A famous relative does not always mean celebrities or politicians. Instead, it can mean a famous ancestor, media personality, public servant, etc.  Here are common criteria people use to define fame in their family. Historical Significance: People who might have played a role in the shaping of history, such as activists, political leaders, revolutionaries, and others, can be considered famous. Public Recognition: A person with public recognition from sports, science, entertainment, etc. Notable Achievements: A famous person can also mean individuals who've made notable achievements and contributions in their respective fields, such as award-winning performances and inventions. Media Coverage: A person may also be considered famous if featured in media through documentaries, biographies, etc. Genealogical Revelations Involving Famous People The following case scenarios illustrate the best strategies to find connections to famous people. President Obama's Irish Roots In 2007, a professional genealogist identified Irish Falmouth Kearney as Obama's great-great-great grandfather. The genealogist even helped find a photo of this maternal ancestor and their dwelling place in County Offaly. The Hemingway Family Ernest Hemingway is a renowned literal figure whose genealogy revealed his relation with other famous people in his family tree, including Anson Hemingway, his great-grandfather, who served in the U.S. Congress. It's worth noting that, in both cases, professional genealogists played a crucial role in searching for primary and reliable sources and meticulously piecing together the family tree. Besides, readily available documents, online databases, and archives proved valuable in uncovering these relationships. How To Research Your Family History Finding other relatives, whether famous or not, must start with yourself. It would be hard to prove your connection to any relative if you don't have clear documentation of your family history. Below is a sneak peek of how to conduct your family history research. Our other guide on starting your genealogy research from scratch breaks everything to the bare bones. Start With What You Know: The first few steps of your family tree should be easy as you only need to find dates and full names of yourself, siblings, parents, cousins, etc. Finding Information: Archives, libraries, and online databases have crucial information that can help you learn about ancestors or events such as immigration and census. DNA Testing: DNA testing through companies like 23andMe and AncestryDNA can help uncover genetic connections and validate your research. RELATED: How To Conduct A Successful Family Tree Research Genealogical Challenges and How to Overcome Them Expert Genealogist help break the Brick Wall A professional genealogist can solve common challenges in genealogical research, including language barriers and missing records. Below, we highlight the common challenges and how you should maneuver. Language Barriers: Researching a person from another part of the world means the possibility of encountering a foreign language in records. In this case, collaborate with researchers and translators fluent in that language for in-depth research and data recovery. Missing Information: Lacking exact information is a common challenge in genealogy, especially when natural disasters damage the archives. In this case, you should consider alternatives such as oral history, diaries, and church records. Local or Specialized Information: If you want records for a specific period or place, consider hiring a specialized or local genealogist familiar with the period or area. Genetic Surprises: DNA testing may provide surprises on unknown details about your family and identity. Our guide on DNA surprises takes you through the testing process and how to deal with any outcomes. Common Names: Names may reappear in a genealogy exploration, but it doesn't mean they're connected. Therefore, you should verify your sources to make sure everything is clear. Documentation and Organization: Keep a record of your family history research, including the original documents and citations. Your family tree software, digital files, and documents should be well-organized and structured to maintain progress and enhance future use. How To Identify a Famous Person In Your Family Tree Identifying a famous person in your family tree may start with easy tell-tell signs such as shared locations and common ancestors. The best place to start is at your family tree, where you can peruse the details that you've collected for clues about possible connections with a famous person. Similarly, check if the person's hometown and birthplace match any of your ancestors or relatives. Another option is to try genealogy tools and websites like famouskin.com, RelativeFinder.com, Geni.com, and WikiTree.com. The process in these sites involves looking for matches or connections to famous people from a vast database. While these tools are valuable in providing hints, they may be misleading since most of the information is user-contributed. Besides, not all your ancestors or relatives may be documented in these databases. In fact, the sites clarify that the ancestor reports are compiled from thousands of different sources, many over 100 years old, and only attached to each ancestor so you can personally judge their reliability. Therefore, you're advised to consider links to your own family tree as a starting point for further research, as the accuracy and reliability of their sources cannot be guaranteed. How To Conduct Independent Genealogy Research and Verification online family tree research Independent genealogy research and verification is the only way to ensure you're related to a famous person. This way, you'll overcome any limitations of online databases and uncover even the less-known people in your family. Here are the 4 steps to proving your connection to a famous person through independent genealogy research. Treat Online Connections as Assumptions: Understand that online sites may present fallacious connections to famous people. So, despite the shared surnames and traits, you need proper verification to pinpoint errors. Use Primary Sources: Use primary sources such as birth records to verify names, dates, and locations against the available information. DNA Testing: Consider DNA testing for complementing and verifying your research methods. Collaborate with Professional Genealogists: Hiring a professional genealogist saves you time and ensures your findings are accurate. Besides, genealogists can access classified records and document your lineage in a simple chart that can last for years. RELATED: How To Conduct Family History Research On A Budget Embark on Your Journey of Discovery As you uncover famous relatives and ancestors, you will experience every fascinating bit of genealogy research. While connecting discoveries to famous people may be thrilling, the key to authenticity lies in meticulous investigation and verification. So, should you experience any challenges or concerns, we're here to help. The team of professional genealogists at RecordClick will help you unravel your links to a famous person in your family tree. Contact us for a free consultation and affordable assistance on all your genealogical queries. #### How To Unlock Corporate Innovation And Creativity With Family Heritage Success stories like McDonald's Happy Meal, Amazon Web Services, and Google's Gmail are examples of the results CEOs should expect when they unlock corporate innovation and creativity. These and other ideas were pioneered by employees and worked wonders for their respective companies. While these stories prove that corporate innovation can drive organizational success, many CEOs have yet to have a regard for innovation in their companies. They fail to recognize that employees are the most valuable asset when harnessing expertise and intelligence. As a result, it becomes hard for innovation to thrive since the company has restricted employees to their job description. In such an environment, employees barely understand what innovation entails, and most will confuse it with open-mindedness. They lack the clue to make tangible connections that result in inventions, insights, and discoveries. Many employees and corporate leaders remain unaware of family heritage's creative and innovative potential when trying to achieve personal and professional goals. Stories about your ancestors, business founders, their values, traditions, and experiences can help tap into full creative power beyond random ideas. They motivate you to transform your inner creativity into meaningful projects. This guide explores the existing family heritage patterns that can help create unique strategies and think outside the box. Most importantly, it demonstrates how CEOs can leverage family heritage to unlock corporate innovation and creativity among employees and see their company and careers succeed tremendously in all areas of life. How Family Heritage Helps Unlock Corporate Innovation and Creativity Family heritage offers numerous insights that can motivate creativity in the workplace. Innovation rooted in personal and family heritage evokes motivation, morale, high performance, uniqueness, and profitability. Below is a more detailed look into the different ways family heritage can unlock innovation: 1. It Enhances Corporate Leadership Personal narratives from family heritage align with the concept of “narrative leadership” that has become an art for CEOs to master to become more effective and relatable. It would be daunting to foster innovation in employees when the CEO, CFO, CHRO, and other C-suite executives have yet to subscribe to it. Family history has proven to be an effective source of insights in establishing true identity throughout career and life. The stories about business founders, ancestors, family dynamics, and diverse backgrounds have effectively facilitated the CEO's innovative spirit, brand identity, social impact, succession planning, and more. With all corporate elements streamlined through family heritage, it sets the stage for the CEO and employees to pursue innovative ideas. An aligned corporate leadership and culture helps employees balance tradition and innovation. 2. Boosts Cognitive Abilities and Emotional Intelligence emotional intelligence unlocks corporate innovation and creativity A comprehensive family heritage report uncovers intriguing, surprising, and inspiring facts about a family or company and the values that have thrived. These insights could foster curiosity and imagination just like any historical discovery. However, the family heritage case is different as it portrays the true reflection of the employee or the company and aspects that touch on emotions and the social impact. For example, discovering that a great-grandmother wrote a novel or started the company can motivate them to pursue innovative goals in their current position. Similarly, they would be more inclined to try new domains despite having no such consideration before. 3. Motivates New Approaches and Diversity A detailed family tree unearths backgrounds that can motivate new approaches and Diversity With family heritage research, employees understand the challenges business founders and their ancestors endured, their opportunities, and the achievements they made. A comprehensive report also covers the cultural and historical contexts that shaped their lives, helping staff extract valuable lessons that can unlock corporate innovation and creativity. The diversity depicted in the company history or employees' family trees, as well as the rituals conducted by the forebears, can help employees understand the source of their values and identity. In the same way, learning about business funders can help employees align with the company's values and appreciate its mission. Consequently, the employee can appreciate their strengths and potential and develop a different way of thinking and unique values. Such uniqueness drives the invention of new products, services, and solutions that not only fill a gap but also bring differentiation, which is an advantage for any business. 4. Encourages Resilience and Adaptability Your ancestors' contribution during War can be inspiring Numerous studies have shown that children exposed to stories of their ancestors' resilience and perseverance are likelier to show the same traits. Well-documented stories about ancestors' resilience and adaptability will likely foster similar employee characteristics. Learning about the hardships ancestors or business founders endured during their time, and the efforts they made to overcome them can be a rich lesson for employees who face challenges. Family heritage is rich in stories about past obstacles, challenges, and changing environments and their impact on ancestors' lives. Cases of torturous migration, discrimination, disasters, wars, oppression, and more can be enough testaments to what life was then. Lessons from these events can help corporate leaders and employees face challenges and uncertainties with determination. Besides, such unfortunate lessons can motivate workers to challenge the status quo and yearn for success and utmost resilience. 5. Fosters Collaboration and Communication LG CEO William Cho has actively engaged with company employees through end -of-year F.U.N. Talk’ Family heritage conveys stories about the company or the individual leaders and employees. By having every employee pursue their family heritage, CEOs can have the workers share and listen to the stories of their colleagues to understand their identity and appreciate their diversity. Sharing and listening may include collaborative practices like writing biographies, creating family trees, or writing documentaries—such sharing of family heritage fosters trust and rapport. Besides, employees may discover shared traits and values that motivate them to pursue innovative courses together in their careers and lives. Eventually, they become close friends and are more likely to exchange ideas and feedback in work-related activities. RELATED: Leadership And Social Impact: How To Be A CEO Who Cares 3 Successful CEOs Who Have Unlocked Corporate Innovation and Creativity While family heritage will encourage innovation among employees, CEO stories will make it look realistic and achievable. Therefore, as a CEO, you should be on the front line when it comes to leveraging your family heritage to unlock innovation. Below are top executives who have provided perfect examples that you can learn from to lead by example in innovative products, services, or solutions. 1. Apple's Steve Jobs Apple co-founder and former CEO, Steve Jobs Apple co-founder and former CEO Steve Jobs’ achievements demonstrated the impact of family heritage on a CEO and the company, especially in matters of innovation and creativity. Jobs had a Syrian biological father, making him curious about Islam and his father's homeland. His mother also had Swiss-German heritage, which encouraged him to pursue excellence, precision, and respect for education. However, Jobs grew up in the hands of adoptive parents of American-German heritage. These dynamics enhanced his hardship and survival tactics as well as his independence. When Steve Jobs co-founded Apple, he leveraged his vast heritage from Syria to explore new product markets. Besides, his adventurous traits helped Apple pursue new tech, hence the production of iPods and iPhones. Most importantly, the confidence he gained from his upbringing with adoptive parents motivated him to challenge the status quo and develop innovative products like the App Store. His respect for education and science is also evident in the company's production of informative and educational iPads, iTunes U, and more. 2. Oprah Winfrey Media mogul and philanthropist, Oprah Winfrey Oprah Winfrey rose from poverty and hardships to create a successful and influential career in television, film, and publishing. She also supports various causes and charities. Oprah is an example for CEOs, especially women, to leverage lessons from their heritage and upbringing and champion corporate innovation and creativity. Oprah's parentage was of different cultural and ethical backgrounds, so she learned pretty early the sensitivity of inclusion and diversity. Besides, her father is said to have served in the Armed forces, so she knows the price and reward of resilience and hard work. However, the major lessons for the media mogul and philanthropist emanate from her humble background in the hands of a grandmother who was a teacher. She taught young Oprah how to read, recite bible verses, and remain disciplined all her life. These experiences instilled tangible values into Oprah's life, and she grew up dedicated to leading the same in her endeavors. Consequently, Oprah's values have paid off if the billions of views her shows have garnered are anything to go by. Besides, her O Magazine demonstrates her values for human well-being and accomplishment through its health, culture, beauty, fashion, and spirituality topics. Her cable TV network, OWN, also conveys Oprah's values and vision in its original programming. Oprah's values regarding education and eradicating poverty are evident in her Oprah Angel Network, which supports various courses such as helping victims of natural disasters, building schools in Africa, and offering scholarships. 3. Walt Disney Perhaps there wouldn't be anything like the Walt Disney Company, the iconic characters like Mickey Mouse and Snow White, were it not for the innovation and creativity Walt acquired from his family heritage. https://youtu.be/Pk2znRXn3gU Walt Disney, the founder of The Walt Disney Company, acknowledged the role that his diverse cultural background and upbringing played in his success. His father, Elias Disney, was a dealer in farming, carpenter, mail carrier, businessman, etc. Walt had first-hand experience of thriftiness, perseverance, and hard work through him. Similarly, Walt's mother, Flora, was a teacher who taught the young lad education, creativity, and curiosity. It was the mother who exposed Walt to a variety of art and read him stories regularly. Nonetheless, the father bought the first art supplies for the young Walt. Such contributions from his family enhanced Walt's innovation, animation, and storytelling skills. At the age of 18, Walt had already become a professional commercial illustrator, and by the time he launched Disneyland Park, he was determined to unlock more creativity. Walt Disney used its diverse heritage and its lessons to create an innovative workforce that has contributed to Disney's current success. Besides inspiring stories like Bambi and Fantasia, Disney's heritage helped him persevere challenges and obstacles like World War II, legal disputes, and labor strikes. RELATED: How Personal Narratives Make You An Effective CEO Tips for CEOs to Foster a Culture of Innovation and Creativity through Family Heritage Great business leaders should stick to the company's sustainability and employees' success and not immediate profits Family heritage has proven to be a critical consideration in the corporate world as it helps establish your true identity and fosters creativity, leading to differentiation and success. The best place to start is to learn your family history and find compelling clues to drive your current desire to create a new product or service. Every person has a unique family history that they can leverage to unlock corporate innovation and creativity or support such aspirations. Family values should be evident through the CEO, as well as alignment with the corporate culture and any values held by the company or its founders. The same goes for all employees. They should have a family history or values that drive them and appreciate their diversity with colleagues. How to Uncover Your Family Heritage At RecordClick, we help you unlock corporate innovation and creativity by tracing your family tree and documenting discovery stories and lessons from ancestors. Expert genealogists at Record Click search and use original records, documents, photos, and other sources to make an accurate account of your ancestors and the entire family. Such a comprehensive report makes it easy to understand your heritage, identity, and complexity inherited from your family. Most importantly, our experts will advise on the best DNA test for your genealogy. DNA results are crucial when you want to uncover your genetic traits. It can also help you understand strengths that you can leverage in creative and innovative ideas. DNA test can help uncover your genetic traits Above all, DNA results can help create a more diverse workforce, which is crucial when you want to unlock corporate innovation and creativity in the workplace. The information in the genealogy report will help you build support networks, lead with a purpose, and create an ultimate competitive advantage that'll crush the competition. Our diverse team includes specialists from all across the United States and the globe. Regardless of whether the ancestral background is from Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, or other parts of the world, we can help identify all the clues. You can ask our researchers about families worldwide, geographical migrations, marriages, affairs of the heart, medical family trees, death records, land deeds, assets, and much more. We can customize your family search for the genealogical research you need, your time frame, and your budget. We offer free consultation and an automatic discount for all new customers. Contact us today or schedule a call.   #### How To Unravel Intricate Family Structures During Probate In a recent probate case, the attorney was desperate to unravel intricate family structures and quell the high tensions caused by fighting co-wives, hidden assets, and illegitimate children claiming heirship. The decedent, Mark, intended to have everyone in his life catered for upon his death, leaving plenty of assets and cash. Unfortunately, he had no Will despite having separated from two wives and married a third, but having joint properties with each. To add insult to injury, the latest union had two sons, with the eldest claiming to be the designated estate administrator. Were it not for the assistance of a forensic genealogist, the probate attorney was almost freaking out with all this chaos. It is a classic example of why probate attorneys should consider heir search services when they want to unravel intricate family structures during probate. What Are the Pitfalls in Intricate Family Structures? Intricate family structures may involve blended families and adoptions A family structure can be considered intricate or extensive when it involves multiple marriages, blended families, adoptions, international heirs, illegitimate children, and more. Such families have proven to be the most challenging for probate attorneys when trying to expedite the probate process and distribute assets. One of the common pitfalls probate attorneys encounter when handling intricate family structures during probate is working on a Will or estate plan that was not updated as circumstances changed. Another pitfall could emanate from a testator who assumed that the new spouse is so humane that they will automatically distribute the estate to every beneficiary equitably if they themselves die. Notably, plenty of the pitfalls emerge from decedents who never bothered to plan their estate or even draft a Will. Whatever the case, the results are almost certainly disastrous. Understandably, handling a probate process involving a complex family structure can be a hassle, and it calls for a highly specialized skill set from a qualified attorney. Multiple marriages, international heirs, illegitimate children, adoptions, and blended families can bring up legal and emotional issues, but incorporating heir search expertise can help the attorney see around the corners. What Does Probate for Intricate Families Look Like? With the proper documentation, proof of heirship, and an inventory of all the assets, probate can be hassle-free Generally, the worst-case scenario is that disputes between relatives will ensue since the probate court gets to decide how the estate should be distributed. Besides, the process may take too long and get very expensive as interested parties make their claims and sabotage any meaningful progress. Moreover, the threshold for probate is exceptionally low in most states like California. So, the probate attorney could be entangled in a process involving a meager estate for years and years. However, with the proper documentation, proof of heirship, and an inventory of all the assets, it becomes hassle-free for the attorney to escape the whirlwind and deliver their case within months. How Does Heir Search Help Unravel Intricate Family Structures During Probate? Heir search can help locate untangle intricate relations Heir search services can help unravel intricate family structures during probate on three fronts. First, the service involves forensic genealogy that can structure, restructure, and verify family trees associated with the decedent, making locating heirs and determining heirship levels easy. Secondly, heir search services also involve the interpretation of inheritance laws across jurisdictions, ensuring that probate lawyers conduct the process in accordance with laws and regulations. Thirdly, heir search service providers can locate all the assets associated with the decedent, ensuring a timely conclusion of the probate process. What Does Heir Search Entail? Heir search involves joining the dots and back information with concrete evidence Heir search leverages forensic genealogy to identify heirs or beneficiaries of an estate. However, unlike genealogy, which goes back in time to trace ancestors, heir search goes forward, starting with the decedent to the living heirs. Probate heirs search service providers identify and locate heirs guided by state laws. They also generate detailed reports, including exhibits and affidavits, to facilitate estate distribution. Their exclusive access to vital records and societies can help validate and expedite the process. Moreover, the search may cross beyond borders, requiring a solid understanding of international laws, languages, cultural norms, and politics. Such roadblocks are the reasons you may need the assistance of a professional heir searcher. Note that your choice of researcher must be certified, insured, and licensed. In addition to skills and access to records and databases, heir search services leverage advanced methodologies like DNA to detect fraud and verify heirship. Below are the various ways heir search will help an attorney unravel complex family structures during probate and ensure accuracy, due diligence, and efficiency: 1. Accurately Structure Family Trees Family Tree Comprehensive family structures for cases involving illegitimate children, adoptions, blended families, and multiple marriages should be the first thing a probate attorney pursues to kick start and expedite the probate process. However, with the confusion and errors that can occur in such structures, it becomes imperative to seek the services of a professional search service provider. With vast experience in forensic genealogy and complex family structures, probate genealogists can quickly create different family trees from scratch and ensure you knock the probate process out of the park. What’s more? Heir researchers provide original documents like birth certificates, marriage certificates, adoption papers, divorce decrees, DNA results, and more to support their findings. They also detail tables of consanguinity to show which relative comes first based on inheritance laws. These resources can help support or refute any claims of inheritance. With complete family trees accurately placing all the involved parties at their rightful place, it becomes easy to locate each one. Most importantly, the records efficiently provide clues about each heir's whereabouts, so finding missing or unknown beneficiaries becomes a walk in the park for skilled researchers. 2. Finding All The Assets A comprehensive heirship verification ensures timely estate distribution Heir researchers’ expertise in extracting crucial documents from libraries, archives, and online databases means they can easily trace the decedent's assets and safes. It is worth noting that families with intricate structures and contestations are likely to have hidden assets, and heir researchers understand this too well. For this reason, they leave no stone unturned when searching property, business interests and investments, collectibles, offshore accounts, digital assets, and more. Here is a sneak peek into the process of uncovering wealth and inheritance. Asset Investigation: This process involves a systematic examination of the decedent’s assets, accounts, documents, and records. The investigator may also interview friends, associates, family members, and employees for clues. Forensic Accounting: The researchers may analyze financial data that can reveal liabilities, assets, or income. They are better placed to spot anomalies and patterns that could lead to a concealed treasure. Physical Searches: The decedent’s home, offices, or other premises may be searched for devices, paperwork, deposit boxes, or other places where valuables may be concealed. Financial Records and Institutions: Tax returns, credit reports, financial records, and other pertinent documents can be insightful about financial history. Similarly, investigators can contact relevant financial institutions, agencies, organizations, and businesses that the decedent dealt with, for clues on assets. Heir researchers’ understanding of the nuances helps them easily evade the pitfalls and prove their case with substantial evidence and accuracy. 3. Interpreting Inheritance Laws Estate settlement should be done legally and ethically Heir researchers are well versed with inheritance laws, thanks to their experience and expertise across jurisdictions. Therefore, they can help break down inheritance and intestacy laws for different jurisdictions besides completing complex family trees and finding assets. They also understand the local cultures, histories, and legal systems, so they can quickly provide guidelines on the following; Who qualifies as a beneficiary or heir of the intestate estate? What percentage or share of the estate is each beneficiary or heir entitled to. What is the priority or order of inheritance How inheritance rights apply to spouses, children, siblings, parents, etc. The inheritance rights of stepchildren, illegitimate children, adopted children, and other non-biological relatives. How the inheritance rights of spouses are affected by divorce or remarriage. How criminality, renunciation, incapacity, disinheritance, and predecease can affect inheritance rights. The inheritance rights of charities, the state, or creditors. Also, probate courts have relied on legal precedents to determine heirship. These precedents provide authority on how to apply the law while establishing the principles that determine heirship. Benefits of Using Heir Search to Unravel Intricate Family Structures during Probate Heir Search Incorporating heir search to unravel intricate family structures during probate prevents stress on the probate attorney and the rightful heirs. Besides, having everything in place expedites the probate process, allowing beneficiaries to continue with their lives and peacefully come to terms with the loss of a loved one. Below are the benefits probate attorneys are likely to reap from incorporating heir search in probate cases involving intricate family structures: Access to Resources: Forensic genealogists can leverage their expertise, networks, and exclusive accesses to quickly find records, databases, and tools and ensure accurate and swift reporting. Uncovering Hidden Information and Assets: The investigators can quickly discover hidden information about heirship or assets, enrich the probate process, and streamline estate distribution. Collecting and Organizing Documents: Besides filing a comprehensive genealogical report, the researchers will provide all necessary documents and evidence in an organized manner. Resolve Disputes: The expert testimony the researchers provide confirms heirship and relations, settling any disagreements over estate settlement. Reduce Risk of Fraud: With every heir's lineage and identity verified through heir search, probate attorneys can quickly support or refute any claim. Court Appearances: Experts heir researchers are admissible in court and can present the documentation and explanation of every aspect of their research or findings. Forensic genealogical reports prove beyond reasonable doubt that the probate attorney performed the necessary steps professionally, within the law, and without any malicious intent. Peace of Mind: Heir search report provides peace of mind for the probate attorney, knowing that they handled the process with the sensitivity and needs of the beneficiaries at heart. Besides, they will rest assured of no possibility of further litigation or fines regarding the process. How Does Record Click Heir Search Specialists Help Attorneys Unravel Intricate Family Structures? Reasons you should consider seeking RecordClick's services RecordClick will help you unravel intricate family structures with heir search through in-depth local and international forensic research, non-percentage flat-rate fees, over 98% success rate, and well-documented court-ready reports. Plus, if needed, we can appear in court for testimonies. Our professional genealogical researchers have completed tens of thousands of searches traversing various cultures, languages, and legal intricacies. Here's what to expect with Record Click’s heir search service: Record Click's heirline researchers work with and assist the attorney in finding the missing heirs to an estate. We document the evidence to validate the locating of missing heirs to an estate and provide the attorney with the necessary documents. 1. Heir Search When Estate Beneficiaries are Unknown We can help when the estate beneficiaries are unknown, need to be located, or need proof of the relationship. We provide a simple hourly rate and do not expect or require a percentage of the estate. 2. Heir Search Experience & Credentials We have experienced, credentialed researchers all over the USA, including in Salt Lake City, UT, the world-famous Family History Library, and international genealogical search expertise. Our researchers also have access to the constantly growing world of subscription internet services. After your research, your report and all your records will be provided in an attractive binder. 3. Customize Based on Your Heir Search Needs Our experts can customize your heir search for the genealogical research you need for your firm, your time frame, and your budget. Contact us today to get started on your estate settlement. For local and international services or heir searches, firms, attorneys, and trust officers rely on Record Click for their work. Our team of 45+ experts includes a former CIA agent, in-house DNA experts, researchers in all states, and researchers in all parts of Europe. Services included: heir German, heir search, search for heirs, heir searches, heir finders, heir finder, heir in German. Save time and money with RecordClick heir search Save money and time; we have the best pricing in the industry, and we're available to start today. We'll help you solve the unknown in your case. Please reach out to us today for more information. We offer free, no-obligation consultations, even if you are not planning to start a search immediately. Feel free to ask any questions — we look forward to connecting. Contact Record Click today or schedule a call. READ MORE: Record Click’s Heir Research Services, Costs, And Expectations.   #### How To Use Family History For CEO Succession Planning Understanding family history and values ensures that the CEO succession remains true to the business roots while adapting to contemporary situations. While best practices such as timely planning remain crucial, you must still convey the business ethics, values, and vision before executing the plan. Whether leading a family or non-family business, family history helps establish thriving leadership qualities to keep the business flourishing. It becomes a perfect platform to balance between honoring tradition and promoting innovation. This guide will examine how entrenched and relevant family history research is in the contemporary corporate world, precisely the CEO succession plan. How Is Family History Relevant in Corporate Leadership? From aligning the corporate culture to finding your personal narratives, family history has proven to be a game-changer in corporate leadership. A detailed understanding of the family patterns, challenges, motivations, and values offers insights to C-suite leadership on addressing arising matters. Here are several aspects of business that an understanding of family history might enhance: 1. Corporate Culture Companies make donations as part of their alignment of corporate culture with family ethics Our review of the Proven Strategies For Aligning Corporate Culture With Family Ethics highlights the benefits CEOs gain by leveraging family history. Before working on or effecting change in corporate culture, C-suite executives are advised to consider key issues like inclusivity and diversity, not to mention the true intentions of the founders. However, with family heritage research, the CEO can avoid culture shocks emanating from conflicting traditional values. You want to identify the compatible code of conduct and rituals to enhance the corporate culture and remain faithful to the investors' true intentions. 2. Leadership Development Family history informs major aspects of your life Family history and ancestry have proven to significantly impact leadership for C-suite executives as it helps them develop a sense of identity and purpose. A well-documented genealogy report highlights the ancestral origin, migration, traditions, challenges, achievements, etc., which can be a source of self-discovery and motivation for a CEO. Learning about the company's or CEO's origin and evolution helps stakeholders respect the practices and traditions and be committed to long-term success. Most importantly, lessons from personal narratives and family values, such as responsibility, create a strong alignment with stakeholders. 3. Innovation and Adaptability Family history details business investors, founders, and current top executives' struggles and achievements. Such discoveries can be a rich source of cues on fostering innovation and adaptability in the wake of inevitable change. A comprehensive genealogy report would also demonstrate how these people, their values, or the company have withstood the test of time, serving as a regulatable example for stakeholders to remain adaptable. Besides, understanding your cultural background will likely influence a unique perspective that you can leverage to differentiate the company in a flocked market. 4. Ethical Decision-Making Great business leaders should stick to the company's sustainability and not immediate profits With current markets behaving more erratically, CEOs and other top-level executives are getting into the trap of marginal thinking. Luckily, those who understand their respective family heritage will stick to the company's ethical conduct, integrity, and reputation and not rush for immediate unethical benefits. The continuous cultural context unearthed by family history shows the leaders and the stakeholders that decision-making will not be just about themselves but also about their family and the company. Such a consistent approach not only enhances the corporate culture but also builds confidence among stakeholders. 5. Brand Identity Family history represents the brand's roots, tradition, and alignment with specific values. As a result, customers and stakeholders can easily differentiate the brand from competitors, especially if they're interested in or share the brand's cultural values. Companies like Tiffany & Co. and Harley-Davidson leveraged their background and family history to create a robust brand identity that has remained resilient to date. Tiffany & Co. and Harley-Davidson Customers also strongly connect to a brand or leader with a rich family history, perceiving their products and services as more stable and reliable. They develop an emotional connection towards a brand when they find a genuine story behind the products or services. How Family History Enhances CEO Succession Family history's impact on the corporate culture, leadership, and decision-making also helps plan and execute a C-level succession plan. It helps the involved parties read from the same page by understanding their cultural diversity and the corporate values that bind them. In addition, a comprehensive family heritage report can help determine the processes to follow in looking for a successor and the crucial values they must check before commencing the succession. Below are the various ways family history research can enhance CEO succession in family-owned and non-family businesses. 1. Alignment With Core Values Cargill's headquarters in Minneapolis, Minnesota Alignment with core values is among the first things the CEO succession plan should prioritize when considering a successor. As the current CEO, you likely grasp the core values in your company, such as entrepreneurship, philanthropy, hard work, stewardship, etc. If not, a comprehensive family, company, or investor background can help grasp the values that are crucial to the company and how to enhance them through the planned succession. Most companies, such as Cargill, have maintained their values for over a century despite having succession about every five years. So, as a new or incumbent CEO, knowing the culture behind the values can help you plan accordingly and ensure that the company's legacy, integrity, and shared vision will thrive even after you hand over. 2. Leadership Legacies Apply relevant leadership skills to instill a robust leadership legacy Leadership legacy is crucial, especially in family history, as it demonstrates the kind of leader you should look for. Luckily, it is easier in family businesses to trace these leadership patterns with the help of a genealogist. You want to understand the perfect leadership traits to replace you and ensure continued company growth. For example, before the Hess Corporation's acquisition in 2023, it demonstrated a thought-out succession plan that ensured stakeholders understood the family history. From John to Leon Hess to John B Hess, the successors perfectly matched the predecessors and the founder's leadership traits. 3. Corporate Governance Ford Motor Company has notably allocated top leadership positions to the Ford family to ensure continuity and the preservation of values. Family history is also a resource to learn the historical governance structures of a company to help develop a robust framework for CEO succession plans. You want to learn how the company has maintained governance over the years and some irreducible minimums to consider. Besides uncovering leadership patterns, family history can also help you know the key figures in the company or the industry you must consult, especially when faced with numerous candidates for the top position. For example, the Ford company has notably allocated top leadership positions to the Ford family to ensure continuity and the preservation of values. 4. Stakeholder Confidence Stakeholder confidence is crucial for success A clear understanding of the family heritage can boost stakeholder confidence in the strategies and choices in your CEO succession plan. Having compelling grounds for your choice of a successor could quell any dissatisfaction among the stakeholders and motivate them to support the new leadership. It is worth noting that stakeholder confidence holds a dear place in a company's success, hence the need to craft a succession that has the stakeholders' concerns at heart. For example, Walmart's corporate governance guidelines require the board to align the "projected long-term success with its customers, associates, suppliers and the communities, including the global community, in which it operates." 5. Risk Management Every CEO succession plan should have a risk or emergency strategy to keep the company afloat amidst crises. Risk management becomes second nature with family history as the ancestry records offer insights on overcoming challenges. Learning about the founders' resilience, your ancestor's struggles, and gains can offer crucial lessons to boost your risk management. 6. Talent Development Family history guides talent acquisition in CEO succession planning Learning the family history and heritage can help identify and nurture internal talent. With details about the family hierarchy and traits running down the family tree; it becomes easier to identify your potential successors in your tenure and start development quite early. Grooming leaders early and internally leads to superior operating performance and a smooth and successful CEO transition. In the same way, family history serves as a benchmark when recruiting externally. It helps evaluate candidates' fitness with the company's heritage. Research shows that even CEOs with no family connection to the company can lead to exponential growth as long as they align with the company's values. Family history, corporate leadership, and succession go hand in hand, but the most critical aspect is the application and timing. As a CEO, your first job would be to understand the values and history associated with the company. Once you grasp the heritage behind the business, you can start developing and evaluating potential successors, ensuring that they are the best fit. Thirdly, ensure your succession plan is successful by selecting a leader who embodies the company's ethos and who the stakeholders will embrace. The process should start in your early days at the position, characterized by regular updates based on the family legacy and the evolving needs. Also ensure you work with key players including the board, chief human resource officer (CHRO), and the chief sustainability officer (CSO). It's about balancing adapting to change and respecting tradition, which is critical to the company's growth, reputation, and success. Commit to A Smooth and Efficient CEO Succession with Family History Research CEO succession can make or break a company and your leadership reputation, hence the need to prioritize it throughout your tenure as a CEO. Understanding your heritage or that of the business founders can serve as a platform to execute all your leadership and handing over mandates. Luckily, expert genealogists are now readily available to customize your research, provide sufficient documentation, and highlight areas relevant to your company's succession. Hire a genealogist at RecordClick to study family values in your company and your background and identify critical aspects that can enhance the CEO transition process. Record Click offers a wide array of services and a diverse genealogy team that is Accredited, Credentialed, Professional and Experienced to break open family trees and reveal unique family histories. A genealogy company shouldn't only be about local searching; that's why our diverse team includes specialists from all across the United States and the globe. Regardless of whether the ancestral background is from Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, or other parts of the globe, we can help identify all the clues. Our expertise is record retrieval! You can ask our researchers about families worldwide, geographical migrations, marriages, affairs of the heart, medical family tree, death records, land deeds, assets, and much more. We can customize your family search for the genealogical research you need, your time frame, and your budget. We offer free consultation and an automatic discount for all new customers. Contact us today or schedule a call. RELATED Leadership And Social Impact: How To Be A CEO Who Cares #### Human DNA Ancestry Includes Neanderthal DNA Hopefully, you are still not reeling from my blog last November - Neanderthals: They May Just Be a Part of Your DNA Ancestry - in which I reported the scientific findings of the Neanderthal Genome Project. Scientific study concurs that the majority of us humans carry Neanderthal DNA in their DNA ancestry as a result of interbreeding between Neanderthals and humans almost 60,000 years ago. The Neanderthal Genome Project shows that people of European and Asian extraction (i.e., non-African modern humans) are actually of Neanderthal descent, with as much as 4% of their DNA ancestry deriving from the Homo neanderthalensis (i.e., Neanderthal). Our Neanderthal DNA is really no laughing matter, unless it is viewed through the eyes of someone like Stephen Colbert, an American satirist and humorist, who happens to host of his own show The Colbert Report on Comedy Central. In November 2012, Colbert interviewed British paleoanthropologist Chris Stringer about his new book Lone Survivors: How We Came to Be the Only Humans on Earth (Times Books, 2012), which explains the outcome of the Neanderthal DNA Project. Stringer managed to survive a volley of crazy questions from Colbert, including, "What part of me is Neanderthal? Is it the guy that comes out when I'm drunk, because he is rough trade?" and "Is [Neanderthal DNA] like a terrorist DNA sleeper cell?" Chris Stringer maintained his composure; he is, after all, a leading authority on modern human evolution and has been through his share of challenging interviews. The study of human evolution follows three different avenues of research: mapping anatomical changes as seen in fossils of skulls and bones, DNA genetic testing, and archaeological studies of artifacts created by ancient peoples. Stringer explained that there were as many as six different kinds of human species, but only we modern humans (aka Homo sapiens) remain as the lone survivors. Based on our mitochondrial DNA, which is inherited through females, we all originated from one ancestral group that lived 200,000 years ago in Africa, which is where modern humans transitioned from ancient humans around 100,000 years ago. Humans made the move out of Africa about 60,000 years ago and traveled to Europe where they encountered Neanderthals. Colbert retorted, "We kicked a little Neanderthal a*s!" The Neanderthal species was wiped out, but Stringer explained that while we don't know the exact reason, there was definitely interbreeding that occurred between modern humans and the Neanderthal species – and that's why our DNA ancestry carries Neanderthal DNA. When Colbert asked about the possibility of someone cloning a Neanderthal, Stringer replied that theoretically if some idiot had enough money and enough arrogance, it could be done. To which Colbert replied, "You're singing my song." The interview wrapped up with a discussion of dietary evolution and how it has impacted the human brain along with our gut. Humans initially lived by foraging plant and vegetable material. Because there was no meat in their diet, the human brain did not develop. Only until humans started eating meat, did they have the additional energy to evolve a larger brain. This triggered Colbert to state, "And that's why vegetarianism is so stupid to me." While our brains got larger by eating meat, our guts got smaller. Early humans had huge bellies, because more intestines are required to break down vegetable material. By adding meat to our diets, the length of our intestines got shorter, and our guts became smaller. So, whether you pick up a copy of Chris Stringer's book Lone Survivors: How We Came to Be the Only Humans on Earth, or you read one of the many interviews with him in some of the most prestigious publications in print, you probably won't laugh as much as if you watch the 11/19/2012 episode of The Colbert Report. Where else will you hear a more entertaining and informative interview about Neanderthal DNA, science, DNA ancestry, DNA testing, human evolution, Asia, Europe, Africa, genetics, international affairs, sex, cloning, history, vegetarians, food, and books – all in less than six minutes? While you are embracing your 2013 Resolution to Embrace Your Inner Neanderthal, consider having DNA testing done to see how much of your DNA ancestry is Neanderthal. #### Hundred Year - Olds Give the Genealogist a Long Life: Centenarians Abound! If any genealogist has been reading the obituaries or even the sports pages, you’ll see that centenarians abound. Every genealogist will want to know that the most senior verified-aged American man died this week at age 110, according to Illinois’ Rockford Register Star.  It was Mr. C. Conrad Johnson who was born in Sweden and lived in Rockford, Illinois. According to a gerontology research firm cited, there are still several American women alive with unverified old ages that rival that of Mr. Johnson. These people are sometimes called supercentenarians for living to and beyond 110 years. Just last week, The New York Times sports pages reported on Evelyn Elliott, a 107-year old football fanatic who has been rooting for the Buffalo Bills team for many decades. In the local paper of this genealogy researcher, there are centenarians listed daily in the obits. This genealogist knew something was up a few years ago, when I saw that the birthday card section was carrying cards (and not just one!) for your 100 year-old birthday wish. It was in 1983 that Willard Scott began sending TV wishes to the very unique 100 year olders. It’s been a growing trend. In analysis of the 2010 census, 53,364 Americans were over 100 years old. Most ( approximately 80%) are women. Entertainer and comedian Leslie Townes "Bob" Hope, (b. May 29, 1903, d. July 27, 2003) was one of the approx 20% guys who made it. What does this mean for the genealogist? It means work, and lots of it. An increasing percentage of the population is now living past 100. This, they say, will continue to continue. OK, genealogist: Consider that according to National Center for Health Statistics, National Vital Statistics Reports and infoplease, the average life expectancy of people both male and female, black and white combined was: 59.7 years in 1930 68.2 years in 1950 78.7 years in 2010 You will now know that we’ve been adding many pages and more documents to the family history research charts and many years of work for the genealogy researcher. Think of all those many men who died what we now call young in the 1950s  from the sudden heart attack and the women who died from whoknowswhat. Today, with America’s wonder drugs, better food, less smoking, our seniors are living longer. By the way, most of the centenarians alive are in America... For the genealogist, this means our seniors will live through more recordings of the census. They will have more medical records. They will have more wives or husbands and, therefore, more marriage certificates. They may have more homes with deeds and mortgages to be found. They will have more photographs to collect or sort through. They may even have sports statistics to find. They have on line documents such as Facebook pages and TV clips. There probably won’t be more military service records, although the Veterans Administration hospital, pension and awards documents may be plenty. They likely won’t have so many more religious ceremonies (maybe a wedding or two and some vow renewals?). They certainly will not have an increase in burials since it is one plot per person. They may have a duplicate plot if they change where they are going…but that’s another story we will be doing next week! The task for the genealogist increases because of the sheer volume of records for another 20,30,40 years. But if these people are living into today’s world, a bunch more of these records will be available on line. So, YES! It is a blessing to have our moms, dads, aunts, uncles, grandparents, siblings and cousins live longer. Every genealogist knows the additional blessings of a real live person brings for the genealogy researcher in us: A brain you get to pick. More in-person interviews. Another person to verify family stories. More stories you get to record and keep. A memory that just might recall who it is in those black and white pix that no one recognizes. A person who may be able to divulge big secrets because everyone else isn’t around to get angry at them… It is a whole new world at 100 years. Celebrate it, genealogist! Quickly! A professional genealogist from RecordClick will document the seniors and everyone else in your family for you. We know the process, what to look for, what to ask and where to get the information and documents. #### I See Dead People and I Can Read the Inscriptions on Their Tombstones, Too Photo credit: Nancy Siddons-Daniels I think it's fair to say that Americans like clean things. We wash our cars, squeegee our windows, hose down our sidewalks, and shampoo our dogs. So, when the subject of cleaning headstones and monuments comes up, I expect at least a few of you out there to be somewhat interested, and even intrigued to know more. But there are others of you who have already grabbed your buckets and brushes and are planning your next trip to a historic cemetery or graveyard to help clean up a piece of the historic past. To genealogists and family history researchers, grave markers provide a link to our ancestors - even when paper documents have been lost or burned, or digitized records are not available. Rather than accessing genealogy databases on a computer, or thumbing through old records at the county courthouse, true gravestone researchers are wandering through cemeteries and graveyards, looking for information they need – only their information will be etched in stone or marble. But just as time is no friend to paper documents, neither is it friendly to stone monuments – both writing surfaces are threatened by a number of elements. The worst threats to stone Headstones are damaged over time by dirt, air pollution, biological organisms (mold, mildew, algae, bacteria, etc.), bird droppings, plant and tree sap, salt damage, freeze thaw cycles, foot traffic, desecration, and uneven land caused by collapsing wooden caskets. While all of these forces will cause a grave marker to deteriorate, the worst offenders are well-meaning people who set out to clean headstones using inappropriate methods and preparations, such as cleaning agents with corrosive ingredients. What NOT to use on stone: Bleach Vinegar Shaving cream Salt-laden cleaners, such as sodium hypochlorite (NaClO), sodium perborate, sodium percarbonate, sodium persulfate, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, calcium hypochlorite, or urea peroxide Strong acids such as muriatic or hydrochloric acid Strong bases such as concentrated ammonia, sodium hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, or potassium hydroxide Mechanical power tools (such as sanders or drills) High-pressure washing Choosing the right process to clean headstones: So, how can you be certain you are using the right process when you start cleaning stone markers? A good place to start is with your state's historical commission. The Texas Historical Commission's Cemetery Preservation Program provides technical support to a growing network of cemetery preservation volunteers known as the RIP Guardians,  whose mission is to record, investigate, and protect historic burial grounds in the state. The RIP Guardian program teaches local volunteers proper cemetery restoration and preservation techniques, especially headstone cleaning. They stress several rules when it comes to cemetery preservation and rehabilitation: Do not trespass Do not use harmful household products to clean the gravestone Do not make rubbings Do not use flour or chalk to make inscriptions easier to read; instead, use reflected light There are guidelines to appropriate cleaning methods of grave markers, but first you need to know the kind of stone with which you are dealing. It's hard to see rock as fragile, but it is. Think of it in terms of your skin. It is porous, and because of its porosity, it absorbs whatever is put on it. Like your skin, different kinds of rock and stone have a particular pH balance. Measurements for pH are the key to whether something is acidic, basic (aka alkaline), or neutral. Water, for example, has a pH of approximately 7, which is considered neutral. Any pH level below 7 is considered acidic, and anything greater than 7 is considered alkaline. Now, taking into consideration that limestone is a sedimentary rock composed largely of calcium carbonate, with a pH level of 7-14, it is very alkaline, and would suffer greatly from any acidic preparation. To understand the chemical reaction, remember back to your school years when you mixed baking soda (basic pH) with vinegar (acidic pH) to create an instant volcanic lava flow. Acidic preparations will eat away at porous stone – that's why pollution is such an enemy to stone façades and memorials. In conjunction with the National Parks Service (NPS), the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training (NCPTT) offers Best Practice Recommendations for Cleaning. NCPTT recommended cleaning methods for stone markers: Use the gentlest, least invasive cleaning method Do no harm to the stone Don't remove the original surface Minimize cleaning frequency Test cleaner first (biocidal cleaners take up to two or more weeks before soil disappears) NCPTT recommended cleaning products (follow manufacturer's directions): Biocidal cleaners: D/2 Biological Solution manufactured by Sunshine Makers Enviro Klean® BioWash® Other non-ionic cleaners Equipment needed: Gloves and eye protection Bucket Brushes - soft natural or synthetic bristles (vegetable brushes or soft grooming brushes for large animals - be careful of rough or metal edges) Wooden tongue depressors or popsicle sticks (these work well to dig out hard-to-get debris gently) Hand or backpack sprayers Lots of clean water Cleaning Process: Always start at the bottom of the monument or marker Make sure stone is stable on its base Test a portion of the stone first to check for reactions Pre-wet the stone liberally and keep it wet throughout the cleaning process Do not let the stone dry Apply the cleaner onto wet stone according to manufacturer's recommendations Use a soft bristle brush and use circular motions to loosen dirt Rinse with water thoroughly after cleaning each area The Texas Historical Commission (THC), Houston Arts and Media (HAM), and Texas Society Daughters of the American Revolution (TXDAR) have produced a video titled With Respect: Preserving Historic Cemeteries on the subject of historic cemetery preservation and headstone cleaning. You can also access a number of informational articles on the NCPTT Cemetery Conservation site. I have heard it said, "Our heritage is our past, our legacy is our future, and the present is our responsibility." Let this 4th of July spur you on to take responsibility for the present by preserving a little niche of the past. Before you begin any preservation project within a historic cemetery, be sure to check your state's statutes and rules regarding cemetery laws and/or your state's cemetery commission. If you suspect cemetery vandalism or desecration, contact your county or municipal law enforcement agencies. #### Ice is Nice for the Ancestry Researcher: the Zamboni This RecordClick ancestry researcher finds that today is one of THOSE days in Nebraska – snow, wind, and ice. I view these days as good for the imagination because this genealogist can’t do much else. So I look out my window at a parking lot across the street covered with snow and think of Frank Zamboni. The name Zamboni is, more or less, synonymous with ice events--hockey and figure skating. After a period of time, when ice gets a good deal of use, the surface needs to be cleaned up and smoothed. Out comes this big machine--often generically referred to as a Zamboni --that puts a new surface down in almost no time at all. So, this ancestry researcher wanted to know who was Frank Zamboni and how could he help a genealogist? First of all, Frank Zamboni is a good example of how immigrants have made our lives easier. His father, Frank Zamboni Sr., born in Austria in 1862, came to the United States in 1885 and became a naturalized citizen. He and Carmelinna Masoero, born in Italy in 1871, were married in about 1888 and had four children. Then comes a turn of events that makes things for the ancestry researcher interesting. While many family history researchers think of Italians living in larger cities along the eastern seaboard, Frank and Carmelinna Zamboni don’t exactly fit that  image. The couple first settled in Colorado. In about 1890, the Zambonis moved to Utah. In the 1900 U.S. Census, Frank Sr. is listed as Frances and was working as a saloon keeper in Eureka Precinct, Juab County. In the late 1800s, mining was a major source of revenue in the county. While living in Utah, the couple became the parents of two sons, George A. and Frank Jr. In the early 1900s, the family relocated to Bannock County, Idaho in the southeastern part of that state. Frank Sr. took up farming and the family remained in the area about 20 years. How does a family get from farming in Idaho to ice in California? The ancestry researcher needs to be able to ask good questions. The Zambonis had a mechanical talent and figured out how to apply it. George A. Zamboni, the oldest son of Frank Sr. and Carmelinna, is listed in the 1910 Census as a blacksmith. With the advent of automobiles, it was a dying occupation. However, many blacksmiths adapted their skills and became auto mechanics. In the 1920 U.S. Census, the family had moved back to Iron County, Utah. Frank Sr. was a carpenter and George A. and Frank Jr. were mechanics. Between 1920 and 1930, the Zambonis moved to Los Angeles County, California. One way to add value to skills is to provide unique goods and services. Warm Los Angeles needed ice and the Zambonis wanted to satisfy the need. By 1940, Frank Sr. had died and George A. had become a salesman in the oil refining industry. Frank Jr. and his younger brother, Lawrence, saw the value of ice. As refrigerators improved, the need for ice diminished and Frank turned his attention to how already owned machinery could be used. The idea for a skating rink was formulated followed by the need for a machine to keep the ice in good condition.The Zamboni Patent In the U.S., patents were developed so inventors could benefit from their creations. Frank took advantage of patents and obtained 15 for different ideas, including one for the ice resurfacing machine now known as a Zamboni. The benefit for research the ancestry researcher is that information on patents is available online through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Frank Zamboni’s Ice Resurfacer received Patent No. 2643679 on June 23, 1953. All types of information of interest to the ancestry researcher may be found online. While the National Archives or the Library of Congress are good places to look initially, other government offices are in the process of making documents available. Knowing what is available and where it can be found can be difficult. When you hire a genealogist from RecordClick, your search will be done with knowledge and experience. #### Immigration and Castle Garden - A Gateway to America The United States is a nation of immigrants, and New York has been a major entry point into North America from the time Henry Hudson sailed up the river that became his namesake. Immigrants entered the United States across borders and through many ports, and New York was one of the busiest. When we think of immigration through New York, we tend to think of Ellis Island first; however, Ellis Island did not begin operation until 1892. Almost 40 years prior to its opening -- in the mid-1800s -- Castle Garden (also known as Castle Clinton), located at the Battery at the tip of Manhattan, was where immigrants arriving in New York began their documentation process. A tip to you genealogists out there. The first immigrants arrived by boat, and the early passenger lists were fairly short; however, those passenger lists (also known as a ship's manifest) are a good resource for genealogists and family historians looking to find family trees. CastleGarden.org hosts 11 million records from original ship manifests. The ride over for the first settlers was something less than ideal. Ships were small, quarters cramped, amenities few, and the sail could stall at the whim of the wind. As more people saw their future in the colonies, the ships became even more crowded. As with many things, developing a protocol for ships passenger lists and manifests took time. As situations changed, so did the rules. In the late 1700s, the federal government recognized a need for immigrants to be naturalized – to swear allegiance to the United States rather than keep their loyalties to their original homes. So began the process of taking care of people with a variety of backgrounds and enabling them to call the United States home. One note: there was little immigration to the United States between 1793 and 1815 due to the turmoil in Europe and the political situation in the United States. An area on the southern end of Manhattan adjacent to Battery Park began as a military fortress called Castle Clinton during the War of 1812. In 1824, it was renamed Castle Garden and opened as a resort. No one knew what its future would be. A brief time line: 1790 – Congress passed an act to establish uniform rules of naturalization. 1819 – Congress passed a law designed to improve steerage conditions for immigrants. The Secretary of State was also required to prepare annual reports to Congress on immigrants describing age, sex, occupation, country of citizenship, intended residence, and the number of immigrants who died en route. The report was prepared by the Captain or Master of the ship and delivered to the Collector of the Customs. 1824 – Castle Garden opened as a resort. 1842 – Before this time there was no official national immigration policy. Rules differed from state to state. 1847 – With the support of the German and Irish Emigrant Societies, the New York State Legislature created a Board of Commissioners of Emigration with the purpose of regulating immigration practices. 1855 – Castle Clinton/Castle Garden became the Emigrant Landing Depot. 1890 – The federal government took control of immigration processing and Castle Garden was closed. 1892 – Ellis Island opened. 1924 – Passage of the Immigration Act of 1924 ended mass immigration to the United States diminishing the role of Ellis Island. 1950 – Castle Clinton was named a National Historic Monument. Castle Garden, like Ellis Island, was a special place full of humanity, uncertainty, and chaos. In the early 1870s, reporter Louis Bagger visited the facility and came away with this impression: "Slowly, one by one, the new-comers passed the two officers whose duty it is to register every immigrants name, birthplace and destination in a large folio – a work that is often rather more difficult than it would first appear to be. In the first place the officer in charge must be able to speak and understand nearly every language under the sun . . . but then arises a second difficulty – the remarkable want of intelligence and the constantly recurring misapprehension shown by some of the passengers.” With inauspicious beginnings, Castle Garden grew into a haven for immigrants before they ventured onto the streets, highways and byways of the United States. With their personal information ascertained, there were facilities for them to clean up a bit and help find something to eat, a room to meet friends and relatives, and individuals that could be trusted to help them purchase the necessary transportation tickets to their final destination. In short, Castle Garden and its processing of more than 8 million immigrants provided an organizational foundation on which Ellis Island could expand. Finding immigration and naturalization information can be a bit confusing and exasperating. The foremost problem is with the name and its spelling. As foreign as the names were to the clerks trying to make lists, so were the ways of the United States to the immigrants, and there were misunderstandings. Some foreign languages have sounds and symbols that don’t translate well into English. Clerks attempted to write down what they heard. Errors were made. Even though the spelling may not match the current name, it can provide a sense of how the name may have sounded when spoken. Finding the records may be a bit daunting. Some of the best known online websites are listed below. • The Castle Garden website hosts 11 million records from original ship manifests. They are presently digitizing 1.3 million records. • The National Archives has several online passenger list series. • Immigrant Ships Transcribers Guild is a group of volunteers transcribing ships lists. To date, over 12,000 passenger manifests have been indexed. • Ancestry.com ($$$) has some indexes and document images. • FamilySearch has started a new project indexing U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Records. Making sense of, or finding, immigration records may be difficult. To help get over the immigration hump, Record Click has a number of expert genealogists who can provide advice and assistance. They can help determine a strategy for researching ship’s lists or assist you in the search. There are also genealogists familiar with researching foreign countries. #### Inheritance Rights Of Step Children: Everything You Need To Know Inheritance rights of stepchildren vary from those of adopted and biological children despite stepfamilies being common in modern society. The U.S. Census Bureau puts the number of stepchildren at 2.5 million, with over 13% of adults having a stepchild. Stepfamilies include divorced parents who remarry, single parents living with new partners, or same-sex couples with children from previous relationships. While the children may enjoy all the privileges of a nuclear family, they may face challenges regarding estate planning and inheritance. This guide highlights the inheritance rights in blended families while providing tips to secure the stepchildren's inheritance rights in your estate planning. Key Takeaways Stepchildren are not entitled to their stepparents' estate unless they are formally adopted or included in beneficiary designations, trusts, gifts, or a will. The inheritance rights of stepchildren differ from those of adopted and biological parents, hence the need to seek further guidance on the legal provisions in your jurisdiction. The four common ways to include stepchildren in your estate plan and leave them direct inheritance is by including them in a valid will, trusts, beneficiary designations, or offering gifts. What Are the Inheritance Rights for Stepchildren? Stepchildren's inheritance rights depend on circumstances Stepchildren are not entitled to their stepparents' estate unless they are formally adopted or included in beneficiary designations, trusts, gifts, or a will. Therefore, the children have no automatic right of inheritance despite any warm relationship they may have had with the decedent. As an adopted child, you enjoy similar inheritance rights as a biological child who has a right to inherit whether or not there was an estate plan. However, the adoption deprives you of the right to inherit from your biological parents unless otherwise indicated in their estate plans. Apparently, inheritance rights for stepchildren differ from those of adopted and biological parents, hence the need to seek further legal guidance on the legal provisions in your jurisdiction. Can Stepchildren Challenge a Will? Stepchild's chances of challenging a will are scant Some situations allow stepchildren to challenge their stepparents' estate plans. However, to successfully challenge a will as a stepchild, you must prove beyond doubt that you were named but somehow removed in the last minutes. In addition, you must prove that the last-minute removal was as a result of the following reasons; Fraud: You must prove that other beneficiaries in the will, such as biological children, influenced the recent removal with false information about you. You must provide substantial evidence of the misleading information supplied to the testator before the changes. Forgery: You must prove that someone altered or rewrote the will through false pretense. Forgery is a leading and provable cause of will contest. Still, the complainants must clearly show how other people included statements or signed the documents in place of the decedent. Mental Incapacity: The courts require decisions and proceedings only involving mentally sound parties. So, proving that the testator had no mental capacity when drafting or altering the will would be sufficient ground to support your case. While you need to prove that the testator was not of sound mind at a given time, you must also provide the basis for your assumption: was it due to illness, age, drug abuse, medication, etc.? External Influence: Under this ground, you must prove in a probate court that the testator acted under the influence of external forces, which may include other beneficiaries, to alter the will in their favor. These are some possible reasons you may contest a will as a stepchild, but it doesn't mean you'll always carry the day. Therefore, before deciding on how to contest as a stepchild, you need to consult a professional estate attorney to review your case and advise you on the legal options in the future. Can Stepchildren Inherit from Their Biological Parents? Parents can include stepchildren in wills and trusts Stepchildren can only inherit from their biological parents if the laws of the state where the biological parent died allow or if they're named in a will or trust. However, the following scenarios may allow them to claim inheritance from their biological parents despite not appearing in wills or trusts. Dying Intestate: If the biological parent dies without a will or trust, the state's intestacy laws come into play. States like Florida and California consider stepchildren for inheritance from biological parents, but only if no other living relatives exist. Rights of Omitted Children: Step children can seek inheritance if the biological parent did not name them as beneficiaries in trusts and wills but had planned the estate before remarrying or before the stepchildren were born. They can use laws in some states that protect the rights of children unintentionally left out of the estate plans. Invalid Will: If they were not named as beneficiaries but the will later found to be invalid due to fraud, forgery, coercion, lack of capacity, or any other reason. In this case, the stepchild can challenge the estate plan in probate court and reclaim their inheritance rights. These are some of the closest means for stepchildren to claim inheritance from their biological parents. Still, they must convince the court to grant them the rights. Besides, the process may require a robust understanding of your jurisdiction's inheritance and intestacy laws, not to mention expert navigation of the costly and complex legal procedures. How To Grant Inheritance Rights for Stepchildren in Your Estate Plan Gifting bypasses the tedious probate process The four common ways to include your stepchildren in your estate plan and leave them direct inheritance is by including them in a valid will, trusts, beneficiary designations, and offering gifts. Here's is a more detailed look at each of these tools; A will: In a will, you express your wishes on how you'd want your estate to be distributed and clearly state the beneficiaries. Here, you can include your stepchildren as beneficiaries and clearly state the amount of your estate they're entitled to. Trusts: A trust allows you to designate someone as the trustee of your assets and property and oversee their distribution to all beneficiaries. Unlike a will, a trust does not have to go through the probate process, saving money and time. A Beneficiary Designation: This form is commonly used in assets and accounts that require a designated beneficiary, such as annuities, brokerage accounts, and insurance policies. By naming your stepchildren as beneficiaries for these assets and accounts, you save them the hassle of going through the probate process for inheritance rights. Gifts: This option lets you transfer assets or cash directly to your stepchildren without going through the probate process. Gifting is known to reduce the inheritance tax. Also, it ensures they are safe from dynamics in probate cases after your demise. Don't Give Up Yet For more guidance and information on estate planning needs and inheritance rights of stepchildren in your jurisdiction, don't hesitate to contact Record Click. Record Click is a professional heir search company that provides services for estate settlement, probate search, heir search, heirship, and more Our team of experts will help you claim your inheritance rights, find missing heirs, settle your estate faster, and more. For Heir Search, Estate Settlement, or a Probate Search, See Record Click’s Heir Research Services, Costs, And Expectations.   #### Inheritance With A Sibling: How To Handle Abuse A lot of swindling happens when you share an inheritance with a sibling. Some siblings feel entitled to overseeing the estate and colliding with probate matters because they have power of attorney. Luckily, inheritance laws lay bare the legal guidelines you can follow to enjoy your rights as an heir or beneficiary. So, you must know what to do when you suspect foul play like unfair estate distribution, forced property sale, etc. This guide provides an overview of inheritance between siblings, including intricate issues like untrustworthiness and conflicts. Key Takeaways Siblings can jointly inherit an estate when named in the Will or following intestacy laws. Some of the common issues when you share an inheritance with a sibling, include how to divide the properties equally and how to meet the aspirations of each. Fortunately, siblings can always reach an amicable solution to settle disputes or take the matter before the court of law for a determination. How To Inherit as A Sibling Inheritance rights Siblings can inherit the same estate differently, such as appearing in a Will when no other close relative is alive or the next of kin in intestacy. Below is a more detailed look into how siblings can inherit an estate and what the laws require. Nonetheless, inheritance laws can be complex and vary depending on the jurisdiction, so sync up with your attorney. Inheritance Through a Will The Will serves as the testator's last wishes on how they wish to distribute their estate. In this case, your parents indicate you and your siblings as their heirs and other beneficiaries. In the same way, other people could name you and your siblings as the beneficiaries of their estate. Order Of Intestate Succession When a person dies without a valid Will (intestate), estate distributions become subject to the probate process, which follows intestacy laws. According to the law, the order of succession should be hapen in regard to degree of kinship as stipulated in the table of consanguinity (see below). Table of Consanguinity As you can see in the table above, the testator and the spouse are numbered "0" and named "You." The inheritance priority is stipulated to follow the degrees of consanguinity starting with the smallest column. A spouse is always the most entitled, then the descendants and the decedent's parents. If none of these relatives is alive, siblings come into play for an equal share. Therefore, according to the table of consanguinity and the law, inheriting from your sibling is more likely when they die intestate or have you in their Will. Even if they don't include you in the Will, you could still inherit the estate if the benefactors named in the Will are themselves deceased. Can A Half Sibling Inherit Like a Full Sibling? The chances of step-siblings inheriting the estate like full siblings depend on what makes them half-siblings in the first place. Are they biologically connected with the other siblings? Are they adopted into the family? For adopted siblings, they would only succeed in pursuing sibling inheritance if they were legally adopted into the family. As for the biologically connected sibling, some DNA tests and an accurate genealogy report could help make your case before the probate judge. How To Handle Inheritance with A Sibling Conflicts are common in estate planning involving siblings Conflicts with your siblings about inheritance can be a complex situation to handle, but they're inevitable when dealing with a mean or hostile sibling. Many of these disagreements emerge during the distribution of properties such as real estate, cars, and houses. If you're the estate executor, you must reflect the testator's wishes on the property. And since trustees and executors are fiduciaries, they are allowed to decide about an estate provided it is for the best of the trust or estate, respectively. However, if you're a beneficiary, you must be clear on your possession percentage and the decedent's wishes on the property.  If you have divergent opinions about handling the cars or house, consider hiring a property dispute lawyer to represent your interest and enforce rights regarding the inherited property. How To Sell a House Inheritance with A Sibling Ensure accurate asset valuation You can bring up a partition action to sell a shared house inheritance with a sibling. According to the law, a person may not be forced to own a property they don't want but can be forced to sell a property they want. However, the partition action can be costly and time-consuming, so co-owners would better discuss the options. Common options include having the property occupiers pay the non-residing sibling or having the residing siblings buy the other out of their interests over a given period. Be sure to check updates in your state to remain updated on partition laws, mainly on cases involving heirs' property. What Happens When One Dies in Jointly Inherited Property? The fate of an inherited property after the death of one party depends on whether the title is held as tenants-in-common or joint tenants. Tenancy-in-common provides equal shares to the owners without the right of survivorship. So, if a co-owner passes on in this case, the property will be subject to the intestate succession laws. However, joint tenancy allows the transfer of the deceased co-owner's interests to the living co-owner. How To Request Rent from Siblings in An Inherited Property You should agree on payments If your siblings are occupying a jointly inherited house, you can legally make them pay you. However, it would be best if you were sure that you own a percentage of the house and that the original owner didn't provide the occupants with the enjoyment of the house for life. However, if you have the same rights to the property, but the other sibling has taken complete control without your explicit permission, you need to consider taking legal action. Options include evicting them, getting a judgment for unpaid rent, or initiating a partition lawsuit. How To Manage a Mortgage Inheritance with A Sibling If siblings inherit a house with a mortgage, quick options include continuing to pay for it or selling it. Siblings may decide to sell and share the proceeds or keep the house. It is always possible for siblings to agree on the best way forward. When the siblings involve minors, the most capable sibling may agree to complete the payment and let the others pay back over time. Whatever your decision, you should not default on the mortgage, as the house could be subject to foreclosure. If the decedent's home has a mortgage, the estate administrator or executor can decide to continue making the payments from the estate or sell the property and distribute the cash to the siblings as inheritance. Settle the Sibling Rivalry in Inheritance Reaching resolutions is possible, but many cases involving inheritance with a sibling end up in court. While the court should be the right way for anyone fighting for their rights, the process can be costly and adversely affect the involved parties. Therefore, it is advisable to try and solve all the issues with your siblings amicably before taking them to court. No one wishes to undergo a tedious legal process and additional costs, especially when grappling with the loss of a loved one. Hire Record Click experts to help you smoothly work out the estate settlement  and probate process to avoid the stress of estate battles with a sibling. Contact us today to schedule a private consultation to start the process. See Record Click's Heir Research Services, Costs, And Expectations. #### Inheriting From A Relative: What Makes You Eligible? Inheriting from a relative is possible if you prove eligibility for the estate. However, before you lodge that complaint in a probate court, you must understand the legal intricacies and how they apply to your case. This guide helps you determine eligibility as an heir to your relative's estate and the legal process to transfer the estate to you and other heirs. Key Takeaways Pursuing inheritance from a distant relative can be long and tedious, especially when there's no will or known heirs. The most important thing is understanding the inheritance laws in the respective jurisdiction and your place as a potential heir. To navigate these intricacies and avoid disappointments, consider seeking services from a professional genealogist and a legal expert. What Makes You Eligible to Inherit from A Relative? Family tree Your eligibility to inherit from a distant relative depends on whether the decedent left a will. If so, you may have no place as a distant relative. The surviving spouse and the decedent's children are the only people allowed to claim an inheritance despite the presence of a will. So, the lack of a valid will or a will that fails to cover all the assets is the only opportunity to assert your eligibility to inherit from a distant relative. Typically, issues of intestacy (dying without a will) lead to a probate process where intestate succession laws come into play. Although the laws may vary with jurisdiction, they follow a similar pattern in classifying relatives and their eligibility to inherit. The first-class relatives include the surviving spouse, children, grandchildren, etc. The second class of eligible relatives are the parents and siblings, while the third are distant relatives such as aunts, cousins, uncles, grandparents, etc. It's worth noting that states have special rules that limit inheritance rights concerning the decedent. For instance, Texas intestacy laws, allow half-relatives (related to the decedent by one parent) to inherit only if there are no known whole relatives (related by both parents). Other states like Illinois and Massachusetts limit the distance of relatives that should inherit at 15 and 10 degrees removed, respectively. In addition, the probate court may apply the concept of "excluding prior classes" that grants the estate to the closest relatives. In this case, distant relatives may not inherit when the decedent has surviving closer relatives. For example, in intestacy succession with only a living parent and an aunt, the parent excludes the aunt from inheriting. In the same way, if there's only a living grandparent and a cousin, they share the inheritance equally since they belong to the same class of relatives. Therefore, it's imperative to understand what the laws in your jurisdiction say about your case. The Legal Process of Inheriting from A Relative Probate Court Process Suppose the decedent died without a valid will or left out some of their assets in the will. In that case, you may have to undergo the intestate succession process to claim the inheritance as a relative. Besides following the state laws, the court requires you to prove your relationship with the decedent in the kinship proceedings. What Are Kinship Proceedings? Kinship proceedings are held in a probate court to protect all heirs and ensure that the estate is distributed according to the laws. Usually, the court requires all applicants to supply extensive evidence of their kinship with the decedent. Common documentation and evidence may include a comprehensive genealogy report, DNA tests, and birth and/or marriage certificates. See our Step-by-Step Guide on The Probate Court Process. For Heir Search, Estate Settlement, or a Probate Search? See RecordClick's Heir Research Services, Costs, And Expectations. Challenges In Inheriting from A Relative Inheriting from a relative can be complicated and stressful, especially if there are unclear documents or conflicting claims. For this reason, you need to understand the best ways to address them for the best results. Some of the common challenges include: Proving Your Heirship Case: Intestacy laws require that applicants carry the burden of proof through documentation and evidence. So, you have to unwind any complex family tree involving the decedent and show a reliable link to you.The only way to overcome this challenge is to hire a professional genealogist to create an accurate family tree, gather documents, and present your report in the probate court. Searching for Other Potential Heirs: Intestacy laws require that all heirs be established and respected, meaning that you need to check if other distant relatives could also qualify as rightful heirs.In this case, a genealogist will help in a comprehensive heir search and avoid possible future litigations or disputes into your heirship. Dealing With Creditors and Tax Collectors: Any claim against the estate from tax authorities and creditors could significantly impact your inheritance share. Moreover, some of these layers could take advantage of the situation to exaggerate the amounts the decedent owed them.A legal expert may be helpful when you want to identify, verify, and negotiate any claims. Finding Hidden or Unknown Assets: Insurance policies, cash, bank accounts, and stocks that are not easily accessible or discovered may complicate the inheritance process. Since the probate court requires all assets to be identified and valued, the process may take longer than expected. This guide on How To Find Hidden Assets In Probate Cases has all the solutions you may need. What Professionals Are Crucial When Inheriting from A Relative? Genealogists and Legal Experts are the game-changers Inheriting from a relative can be daunting, albeit rewarding, especially when you incorporate a legal expert and a professional genealogist. A genealogist will help you in the following ways; Heir Search: Genealogists are experts in family history research with access to vast networks, databases, and tools to accurately detail your lineage. This expertise can be helpful when you want to establish, verify, or prove your identity and relationships. Court Presentation: Genealogists are better placed to present any family relationship documents and evidence before the probate court to support your heirship claims. Documenting Your Family Heritage: Besides conducting family history research, genealogists create visual presentations of your familial connections through fan charts and family trees. This presentation helps you understand the lineage and makes the history easily preservable. While genealogists are a valuable resource in inheritance cases and heir searches, they may not be the best to provide legal advice or representation. Therefore, you should also consider consulting an attorney. Here's why; Review Trusts and Will: Legal experts can review any will and determine its validity or admissibility in a probate court. Besides, they can advise you on the best route for your case and how to navigate the probate court process. Handling the Estate: Legal experts are the chief advisors when managing inherited assets and transferring everything to your name. In addition, they provide guidance on resolving conflicts and paying taxes and debts. Addressing Your Concerns: A legal expert will answer questions about the probate process and inform you of options and consequences. Ask The Experts Inheriting from a relative can be life-changing, but the process requires careful planning. The only way to ensure a smooth and successful probate process is by incorporating legal experts and genealogists from the first step. These experts will help form the basis of your application and advise on the possible outcomes depending on the circumstances. If you want to learn more about inheriting from a relative in your unique case, contact RecordClick today for a free consultation and a breakdown of what you need to set sail. #### Interesting Finds for the Family History Researcher In Arlington National Cemetery's 150 Years Family history researchers might want to note that Arlington National Cemetery with 250,000 graves in Arlington, Virginia is now 150 years old. Many genealogists will immediately think of the eternal flame that is there. The tomb of the Unknown Soldier will likely come to mind of the family history researcher. Those doing an ancestor search in America of the 1960s will no doubt have the image of President John F. Kennedy’s rolling casket and know of his 1963 burial in Arlington. Many will just happen to know the cemetery is open 365 days a year.  A family history researcher might recall the stoic dedicated soldiers who guard the everlasting flame. Arlington is the most noted national cemetery of the 131 nationally maintained military burial grounds in 40 of the American states.  (There are also 33 soldier's lots and monument sites and numerous state-maintained veterans’ cemeteries.)  For the family history researcher, access to these records is good.  There are federal websites that help the genealogist with ancestor searches.  On-site visitor access is well run. When the family history researcher searches for the tombstones and burial grounds of those family tree members who have served in the military, it may often produce results. Things are well organized at Arlington. One example of this is in the attention given to those family members who are burying a relative at Arlington. For them, there is special customer service center. Not everyone who is buried at Arlington National Cemetery was a soldier. The cemetery is burial ground for an amazing and interesting array of people. Among them: Freed slaves African American Civil War Soldiers An Astronaut A Civil Rights Leader A Supreme Court Judge A Negro Leagues Baseball Player Medical Doctors Senators Presidents Civic Leaders Those who have served in some capacity in the military How does one get admitted?  The paperwork process to get “into” Arlington seems as rigorous as a college application. First, there is validating paperwork that must be completed and proof that must be submitted for admission. Most important, obvious and final: One must not be alive. The history of Arlington National Cemetery is as fascinating as the people buried there. The land deed and genealogical origins are of interest to the family history researcher and particularly to those who are doing genealogical searches of slaves, family trees of freed slave families and to the African-American family history researcher. The family history researcher will find that, originally, it was a plantation estate in Virginia overlooking Washington, D.C.  The property was owned by Martha Washington’s grandson, George Washington Parke Custis, son of John Parke Custis, Martha’s son by her first marriage. (Did you know she was married once before George?) Martha’s son John Parke Custis died when his son was 3 and this 1100 acre property was left to the young child. The young child became a ward of George Washington, who later adopted him. Then, when the adopted grandson was older, he wanted to honor George Washington by naming this inherited property Mount Washington. But instead, the family settled on the name of another ancestral property in the area and called it Arlington. George Washington Parke Custis built the house at Arlington between 1802-1818. For years, it was called the Custis-Lee House. It is now called Arlington House. It still stands today and is maintained by the National Park Service. He and his family lived there and he and his wife were buried together on the property in 1853 and 1857. The graves are still there and are marked. Custis and his wife had only one surviving child, Mary Anna Randolph Custis. This child married her distant cousin, Robert E. Lee, a West Point Graduate and military man who became a well-known Civil War General. During most of her lifetime, she lived on the property while Robert E. Lee travelled for battle and business. Upon the death of her father, George Washington Park Custis, Mary Anna inherited the property including Arlington House. She also inherited many slaves who worked on the property.  Robert E. Lee did come back from his travels for a longer period of time to live. During this period, he fixed up the house, which had become run down while he was away.  Mary Anna’s father’s will also stipulated that upon her death the property should pass to her eldest son, George Washington Custis Lee. Her father’s will also sought to educate and free the slaves who worked on the property. Things were fine at Arlington until 1861 when the neighborhood began to go downhill, so to speak. As Virginia seceded from the Union and war began, the area became obviously unsafe.  Robert E. Lee and his family left the property, leaving most of the slaves there. The slaves continued to maintain the property throughout the war. (Exactly how they did that has to be an important genealogical search angle and, hopefully, is a preserved part of the descendants’ ancestral history.) The Arlington estate was confiscated by the federal government when property taxes levied against the property were not paid in person by Mrs. Lee. (A curious point for the family history researcher searching land records, no?) The property was then offered for public sale in 1864. It was purchased by a tax commissioner for "government use, for war, military, charitable and educational purposes." According to the Arlington website, the family history researcher will see that “Arlington National Cemetery was established by Brig. Gen. Montgomery C. Meigs, who commanded the garrison at Arlington House, appropriated the grounds June 15, 1864, for use as a military cemetery. His intention was to render the house uninhabitable should the Lee family ever attempt to return. A stone and masonry burial vault in the rose garden, 20 feet wide and 10 feet deep, and containing the remains of 1,800 Bull Run casualties, was among the first monuments to Union dead erected under Meigs' orders. Meigs himself was later buried within 100 yards of Arlington House with his wife, father and son; the final statement to his original order.” A fascinating sight for the family history researcher is the changing of the guard at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. There is another turn to this story, however, that will be of interest to the family history researcher specializing in African-American ancestry. One of George Washington Park Custis’s slaves named Airy Carter and two of her children, William and Elinor Syphax, were granted their freedom as well as a grant of 17.5 acres of land by George Washington Park Custis. A genealogical researcher in his own right, we might assume, a president of the Black Heritage Museum of Arlington, Craig Syphax, is a descendant of another of Airy Carter’s children. According to his family history knowledge, the grants likely came because Airy Carter’s two children were the children of George Washington Park Custis. When the property was seized in 1884 for the non-payment of taxes, the 17.5 acre tract was also seized.  The former slaves had no proof of ownership. This happened to be the parcel of land that was later given by the Federal government to newly freed and escaped slaves to create a place to live and work. Genealogists will find that during the Civil War, the federal government gave land to more than 1100 slaves to create a freedman’s model community. The government called these people “Civil War Contraband”.  They came to the property from the property itself, Virginia, Maryland and the surrounding areas. They lived and worked on a tract of the property which is said to be located in the vicinity of the current amphitheater. They developed a full town with church, school, hospital and homes, all surrounding a lake. Many residents worked on local farms to help sustain both income and food in this village. It was depicted by written and oral histories as a successful community. After the Civil War, the former owner, that adopted grandson of George Washington, George Washington Custis Lee, sued the federal government for return of the property. The case went to the Supreme Court where he won it back in 1882. In 1883, the federal government—Congress--purchased the land from George Washington Custis Lee for $150,000. With that purchase, the property of the freed slaves’ village was included. The people of the village were given a small financial settlement and sent away. Their experimental model freedman’s village was torn down in 1900.  A small model of the village on display at Arlington House is one of the only reminders. The graves, however, of some 3639 people of the model freedman’s village remained—and still remain—at Arlington. Each grave, originally marked with the word “Contraband” on the tombstone, was replaced over time and eventually marked with the more respectful “Citizen” or “Civilian”. A family history researcher will find the stories of some of Arlington’s freed slaves online. One person in particular, James Parks, was born a slave on the Arlington Property in the early 1800s. He lived and worked there for his entire life--through the Civil War and beyond as a free man. He buried the first war dead at Arlington and continued to be of service throughout the Civil War. He died in 1929 at age 93, still a resident of the property and he is buried on the grounds at Arlington National Cemetery. RecordClick family history researcher can find your family’s military graves and everything else in your family history search. Contact the genealogists for hire at RecordClick. #### International Probate Process: How To Handle Cross-Border Assets And Heirs The international probate process is becoming paramount as the number of people traveling abroad and owning assets in different countries soars. For example, U.S. citizens living abroad have spiked by about 33%, resulting in over 10,000 estate tax returns filed for decedents with foreign assets. However, with heirs and assets spread across countries, the estate settlement gets tricky as you must comply with all the laws and logistics in the foreign land. Any misdemeanor can result in losses, disputes, penalties, and delays for the beneficiaries. This guide looks at the possible international heirs and assets, the legal dynamics, and the best strategies to successfully conduct a cross-border probate process. Key Takeaways An international probate process deals with assets and heirs spread across different countries, thus subject to different laws and regulations. The dynamics in such a process require careful planning and professionalism lest the beneficiaries suffer significant tax, legal, and financial implications. When you want a smooth, expeditious, and successful international probate, professional genealogists, heir searchers, and legal experts are the game-changers. For Heir Search, Estate Settlement, or a Probate Search, See RecordClick’s Heir Research Services, Costs, And Expectations. Types of Cross-Border Assets and Heirs Assets and Estate distribution Assets likely to be registered in a foreign country include bank accounts, real estate, life insurance, investments, and pensions. Usually, they are governed by the law of the country where they are situated, regardless of the owner's nationality. Similarly, if potential heirs are foreign nationals, dual citizens, expatriates, or missing, then the international probate process might come into play. These heirs may have different rights and obligations depending on their residence status in each country and their relationship with the decedent. Additionally, countries may have varying inheritance laws that should provide guidance on how the estate should be distributed and taxed. In fact, understanding and complying with the different laws is the main hurdle in an international estate settlement. Laws And Regulations of An International Estate Settlement Probate cases Common laws that affect the cross-border probate process include succession, jurisdiction, domicile, inheritance tax, and double taxation treaties. Here is a detailed look at each of them; Domicile Law Concept This legal concept considers someone as a permanent residence in a country even if they relocated or work in another. Its vital in the cross-border probate process as it affects the taxation of assets owned by the person. In the U.S. and Canada, a person can only have one domicile at a time, although provinces and states may have their own rules for tax purposes. On the contrary, Europe's civil law concept allows a person to have more than one domicile at a time. Still, they can change it when they acquire foreign nationality, have a family in another country, or stay in another country for a given time. Jurisdiction Law Concept This concept allows a country to apply laws to a person or entity and helps recognize and validate the will or intestacy laws. However, jurisdiction laws can be complex, especially when dealing with decedents or heirs with dual domicile and dual citizenship or movable and intangible assets. Most countries apply the lex situs principle, which imposes jurisdiction laws on assets registered or located within their borders. Others, such as E.U. members, apply the E.U. Succession Regulation that harmonizes cross-border succession matters. Succession Laws Finding assets should be done legally and ethically Succession laws determine how international assets will be distributed to heirs based on intestacy laws or the will. These laws are crucial in estate administration as they guide the obligations of executors, creditors, beneficiaries, and other involved parties. Usually, assets are subject to the succession laws in the country where they're placed or registered, regardless of the nationality or domicile of the heirs or the deceased. However, the laws vary significantly across countries, especially regarding children's rights, spousal rights, creditor's rights, forced heirship, and charitable bequests. In the U.S. and Canada, testamentary freedom reigns, allowing estate distribution as one wishes, considering creditor's claims and spousal rights. However, in the larger European region, forced heirship reigns, meaning that a person cannot completely disinherit their children and spouse from the estate. However, states and countries may have varying regulations on how the estate should be calculated and distributed. Inheritance Tax Laws Inheritance tax applies during the transfer of assets in succession or gifting and determines the amount each beneficiary should part with. In most countries, the tax rate is determined by the assets' values and the relationship between heirs and the decedent. Some countries follow the estate tax principle, which taxes the whole value of the estate before distribution. Contrastingly, others apply the inheritance tax, which taxes inheritance received by individual heirs. Double Taxation Treaties These are treaties between countries to avoid or reduce excessive taxation on international heirs or assets. They are a relief in the probate process as they exempt second taxation on assets taxed in another jurisdiction. In most cases, these treaties allocate the exclusive taxation right to the country where the deceased or heir resides or the assets were registered. While most countries follow similar principles in implementing these laws, it's worth checking for any variation in your state or country. How To Ensure a Smooth and Efficient International Probate Process Hidden treasures A successful cross-border probate process is only achievable if you follow the proper strategies and procedures. Here are the crucial steps you must not overlook; Making a Valid Will: A valid will save you a boatload of litigations, disputes, and time as it clearly expresses your wishes on estate distribution. On the contrary, dying without a will with heirs and assets in different countries leads to a probate process that can be long and tedious.Note that a will is considered valid only when it complies with all the requirements and formalities, including a witness, translations, signatures, and notarizations. Obtaining a Probate Grant: This grant allows you to handle the estate according to intestacy laws or the will. You may need to support your grant application with the will, valuation, affidavit, or inventory. Seek Professional Assistance: While cross-border processes appear complicated, there are professionals specialized in them who can provide unequivocal assistance and help smoothly have the estate distributed legally and on time.Professional genealogists will help conduct an international heir search for the probate process. Similarly, they have networks to best legal advisors and translators to smoothly maneuver the inheritance nuances across borders. You Can't Skimp on the International Probate Process Cross-border probate cases are complex but possible when you follow the rules. Luckily, at Record Click, we have experts on international legal matters and genealogy who have proven handy for heirs looking to untangle the intricacies of cross-border estate settlement. So, whether you want to make a valid will, obtain a grant of probate, distribute international assets to international heirs, or find heirs, our experts are ready to help you along the way. Contact us today for a free consultation and a no-obligation quote, and see any stress related to your probate case fade away. #### Ireland Reaching Out – Irish Genealogy in Reverse Is No Blarney It's a simple idea really. Rather than waiting for living Irish descendants to search and find their Irish ancestry, Ireland is reaching out first to find the descendants of its Diaspora and then welcoming them to come and visit their ancestral home. The driving force behind it all is the Ireland Reaching Out Program, also known as Ireland XO, which started as an Irish genealogy pilot project a couple of years ago in Loughrea, located in the southeast portion of County Galway. Local resident and Ireland XO founder Mike Feerick saw the Irish ancestry project as a great way to increase tourism, thereby boosting the Irish economy, which has been hard hit of late. According to Feerick, "Ireland XO is building an invaluable national infrastructure that we hope will drive tourism and energy into every community." In order to extend an invitation to members of its global Irish Tribe, Ireland XO proactively tours locales that are heavily populated with people of Irish ancestry. The program's representatives, including Feerick and Henry Healey (a distant relative of President Obama), act as ambassadors during the visits. In mid-2012 Ireland XO reached out to Galway's sister city of Chicago, sending a delegation to the Windy City, as well as attending the Milwaukee Irish Fest with its estimated 120,000 festival goers. Ireland XO was able to provide ancestral details and Irish genealogy for as many as 600 Irish-Americans, who subsequently signed up for the program. How Ireland XO uses reverse Irish genealogy to build its database is by encouraging the country's parishes to launch their own Diaspora projects that include compiling information from parish records for the last 200 years, and creating a list of those countrymen who emigrated. Since Ireland XO went national in 2011, more than 500 of the island's parishes (North and South) are now actively involved in the project. To see if your Irish ancestors' parish is included, check the Ireland Reaching Out website for Find My Parish. In order to trace your Irish genealogy, you really need two pieces of information: the name of the place (town or village) where your ancestors lived, and their religion. Irish land division makes Irish genealogy particularly difficult. Irish genealogists have to take into consideration the fact that the island is split into the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Additionally, there are four provinces, 32 counties, cities and towns, townlands, baronies (obsolete since 1898), and dioceses. Ireland XO has tapped the country's data resources at the parish level, of which there are approximately 2,500 - some are ecclesiastical and some are civil. Parishes usually have been and continue to be responsible for compiling and maintaining Irish land and property taxes and records, integral resources to tracing Irish genealogy. In many cases emigrating Irish listed their parish as a place of origin on civil documents in their adopted country. Ireland XO is hoping to replicate its Irish ancestry database technology in every one of its 2,500 parishes. Once you have established in which parish your family lived, you can contact that entity. If they are active in the project, volunteer Irish genealogists will help you create your family tree, map your ancestral gravesites, tell you where your family lived, etc., and invite you to visit your ancestral homeland, so that you may attend a number of gatherings to give you a better understanding from whence you came. What drove Ireland to engage in reverse genealogy? New York Times reporter Chris Nicholson in his article titled "In Tough Times, Irish Call Their Diaspora," cited a number of economic statistics of the country that help to explain. Its unemployment rate is at 14%, having risen 10% in just five years. Emigration has more than quadrupled in the last two years to 34,500, with many young Irishmen seeking work opportunities in Australia and the U.S. Additionally, Irish economist David McWilliams explains that the country's economy has shrunk more than 20% in less than three years. McWilliams, who is the co-director of Ireland XO, sees Ireland's search for its Diaspora as having spiritual value. He views the project as "recharging the battery of the Irishness of the Tribe," and further describes Ireland - with its relatively small population of 4.5 million - as the "Mother Ship" of a global Irish Tribe of 70 million people. To welcome visitors to the country, Ireland XO has partnered with Gathering Ireland, a tourist initiative that is preparing to invite as many as 325,000 visitors to Ireland through the end of 2013. The project's other "Meet and Greet" events include its Week of Welcomes, which invites the Irish Diaspora to return to their ancestral parish. It helps those seeking their Irish ancestry to build on their paper trail of records by providing an actual face-to-face experience with local knowledge. Other events include clan gatherings, lectures and workshops, family reunions, festivals, and more. To see a full schedule, access Events on the Ireland XO website. Those of you with Irish ancestry now have more resources to research your Irish genealogy. If you know a little about your Irish ancestry, you can register and leave queries on the Ireland XO website that will be answered by local trained Irish genealogist volunteers, so that you might be linked to your ancestral home. For those of you who are intrigued, but have no real clue if you do have Irish ancestry, or if you suspect you are a descendant of the Irish Diaspora and need to know what you should do next, you can also contact the program, or you can contact a professional genealogist who is trained in Irish genealogy. RecordClick is a genealogy ancestry service that can help you with your Irish genealogy, so that you will have the necessary information to connect to the roots of your Irish ancestry. #### Irish Dual Citizenship by Descent - Start by Tracing Ancestry St. Patrick's Day is right around the corner, and if you are one of the 34 million Americans who claim Irish ancestry, you may feel an ancestral tug from the Land of Saints and Scholars. What better time than now to delve into your Irish genealogy. Considering RecordClick's response from individuals tracing ancestry and seeking Irish dual citizenship by descent, it's clear that the spirit and blood of Ireland is coursing through the veins of many U.S. citizens. In a country of only 4.5 million people, Ireland has come together as a country to call home the descendants of its Diaspora. Different Irish genealogy organizations are spearheading projects to draw Irish descendants back to the island. The Ireland Reaching Out Program (aka Ireland XO) started as an Irish genealogy pilot project a couple of years ago, and is now the driving force behind calling Ireland's ancestors home. The influx of visitors and dual citizens are expected to increase tourism and boost the Irish economy. If you are still wrestling with the idea of Irish dual citizenship by descent, I welcome you to read my blogs on the subject: Jus Sanguinis or Jus Soli – Are You a Candidate for Dual Citizenship? Ireland Reaching Out – Irish Genealogy in Reverse Is No Blarney Erin Genealogy Go Bragh – Irish Ancestry Research Forever Once you decide to expand your geographical borders by tracing ancestry, but before you start the process of applying for Irish citizenship by descent, you will want to check with the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs Embassy of Ireland website for a list of U.S. Consulates to find out which one oversees your state. For the purposes of this article, I have referenced "Instructions and Required Documents for Citizenship by Descent (Foreign Births Registration)" located on the Consulate General of Ireland / Boston website for the documentation needed to apply for dual citizenship by descent. If you were not born on Irish soil and choose to find your ancestors and establish dual citizenship through descent, then you must first apply for Foreign Births Registration (FBR). You can now submit an FBR form (known as 'Náisiún) online. In addition to completing an FB1A application and having it witnessed, you must also produce the following documentation if you are applying for dual citizenship by descent. Grandparent 1. Irish Birth Certificate (full, long-form). 2. Marriage Certificate. Must include bride and groom’s details (full names, places of birth, ages/ dates of birth, parents’ names and, if possible, parents’ places of birth) along with the date and location of the ceremony. 3. Death Certificate. If grandparent is still living, send an authenticated copy of grandparent’s current Irish or U.S. passport or their original U.S. Naturalization Certificate. The authenticated copy of the passport may be signed by your witness or notarized. Parent 4. Birth Certificate (full, long-form) showing grandparents’ names, places of birth, and ages at the time of birth. 5. Marriage Certificate. Must include bride and groom’s details (full names, places of birth, ages/ dates of birth, parents’ names and, if possible, parents’ places of birth) along with the date and location of the ceremony. 6. Death Certificate. If parent is living, send an authenticated copy of parent’s current ID (current driver’s license or passport). This authenticated copy may be signed by your witness or notarized. Do not mail original ID. Applicant 7. Foreign Births Registration application (completed and witnessed). 8. Two recent identical passport type photos, which must both be signed and dated on the reverse by the witness who completes Section E. 9. Birth Certificate (full, long-form) showing parents’ names, places of birth, and ages at the time of birth. 10. Change of name documentation (if applicable). This may include a marriage certificate in the case the name was changed at the time of marriage, or a legal name change document issued by the courts. 11. Authenticated copy of your valid photo ID (state driver’s license or U.S. passport only). Photo ID must be submitted for all applicants regardless of age. This authenticated copy may be signed by your witness or notarized. Do not mail original ID. 12. Two original proofs of residence at the address listed on the application. Acceptable proofs of residence include utility bills (gas, electric, cable, telephone, cell phone, etc.), credit card bills, or bank statements. For applicants under the age of 18, the proofs of residence may list the parents’ names in lieu of the applicant’s. Driver’s licenses are not acceptable proof of residence; they are only accepted as photo ID. And lastly, you will need to include the appropriate fee. You can find the most current fees and payment options on the FBR website. Bear in mind, the process for Irish dual citizenship can take up to a year and a half. Important Tips The Consulate General of Ireland stresses that all certificates submitted must be original civil certificates (i.e., state issued, state certified copies bearing the raised seal of the issuing authority). All supporting documents must be original or notarized copies. Do not send original passports, driver's licenses, or important IDs (send as notarized copies). Key Websites for Helpful Information Embassy of Ireland / USA Foreign Birth Registration Ireland Department of Justice & Equality Irish Department of Foreign Affairs Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act Irish Naturalization and Immigration Service includes information on visas, immigration, citizenship, asylum, and repatriation If you are saying to yourself, That's a lot of documentation! You're right. And because of the gravity of the situation, the documentation has to be official and spot-on. No doubt, there are some genealogical researchers our there who are champing at the bit to find your ancestors on your own. Those of you who are weekend genealogists may be prepared for part of the ancestor search needed, while others of you are best served by contacting a genealogy ancestry service like RecordClick, we're expert genealogists in Irish dual citizenship are available for consultation. Ireland I am coming home I can see your rolling fields of green And fences made of stone. I am reaching out, won't you take my hand I'm coming home Ireland. ~ Ireland - lyrics by Garth Brooks Photo by Nancy Siddons-Daniels 2013 #### Irish Genealogy Forever - Tips for Genealogical Researchers Each genealogical researcher who is looking to trace his/her Irish ancestry is doing so for many different reasons – some personal, others legal. Some genealogical researchers want to find out who their g-g-g-grandmother was, others are interested in dual citizenship based on jus sanguinis, while others want to lay claim officially to all of the trappings befitting a true Irishman: the culture, the heritage, and the traditions of dancing, singing, story-telling, drinking, and fighting. The last two you can claim on St. Patrick's Day whether you are of Irish descent or not, because we all know: On St. Patrick's Day, EVERYBODY IS IRISH. However, if you want to be officially of Irish descent the other 364 days in the year, I have some ancestry research resources to share with you. What you need to understand first and foremost is that you are by no means alone in your Irish genealogy search. There are a lot of descendants of the Irish Diaspora - the exodus of the Irish from their country during the 19th Century. In fact, between 1800 and 1900, almost 8 million people left Ireland in search of a better life in North America (U.S. and Canada). The largest group of emigrants, estimated at almost 2 million, left between 1841 and 1860 at the height of the Great Famine. By 1870 Americans of Irish descent numbered more than 33% of the U.S. population - representing the largest number of foreign-born emigrants; Germany was a close second, representing 30%. If you are a novice genealogical researcher, take a moment to peruse the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) website for its excellent online exhibition on Irish emigration to North America in the 19th Century. This site gives you a glimpse of what your forefathers and foremothers went through in order to guarantee a better life for their families AND descendants. Once you have scoured the PRONI website, you owe it to yourself to access a truly awesome Irish genealogy website - I just discovered it myself - Irish Genealogy Toolkit. This site weaves its Irish magic and seduces you into reading every topic listed on its sidebar. This is, in my opinion, a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. It's a great place for genealogical researchers to find out the latest and greatest genealogy resources available today and where to find them, including but not limited to, census records, forms and charts, free family tree templates, civil registration, church records, societies and groups, Irish prison registers, burial records, land and property records, maps, and software. Additionally, the site has an Irish Genealogy News Blog, and a section dedicated to Irish Heritage (holidays, recipes, names, symbols, traditions, citizenship, crafts, etc.), as well as "Advice for Irish Roots beginners, and tips for moving on with your family history quest." You can also follow Irish journalist and family historian Claire Santry on Twitter @Irish_Genealogy. If you have already traced your Irish ancestry and you have embraced all things Irish, you may want to take the leap and apply for dual citizenship based on jus sanguinis. Each country has its own policy on what constitutes citizenship. Even though the United States still follows jus soli – territorial birth – the European Union is in solidarity with their policy of jus sanguinis. Since 2004, when Ireland revoked its automatic right of citizenship solely by territorial birth and adopted the policy of jus sanguinis, no European country has recognized territorial birthright alone for unconditional birthright citizenship. If either your father or mother, paternal/maternal grandmother or grandfather was an Irish citizen at the time of your birth – even if you and both parents were born outside the island of Ireland – through your Irish grandparents, you can claim citizenship. You can also claim dual citizenship through marriage. I will be writing more about Irish citizenship and jus sanguinis in the coming days. The documents you provide to establish citizenship via jus sanguinis must pass muster with the Foreign Births Register at an Irish embassy or consular office, or the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin. If dual citizenship is not your goal, you may desire instead to obtain a Certificate of Irish Heritage offered by the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The requirements for eligibility have been relaxed, thanks to Ireland Reaching Out - better known as Ireland XO. Anyone of Irish descent who was born outside Ireland can be issued a certificate by making a self-declaration of named people in direct line between themselves and the Irish-born ancestor, and answering two questions about that ancestor. Although government-approved, the Certificate confers no rights to citizenship. No forensic genealogy required here; it's more fun than it is official. For more information on Ireland XO, see my blog "Ireland Reaching Out – Irish Genealogy in Reverse Is No Blarney." If you are the genealogical researcher for your family, I hope the resources I have listed here will help you trace your Irish ancestry. If you hit the proverbial genealogy brickwall, don't hesitate to contact a professional genealogist well versed in Irish ancestry research. Record Click offers genealogical services that can help you on your journey. Until that time, we wish you: Go n-eírí an bóthar leat - May the road rise with you. . . as you go in search of your Irish genealogy. #### Italian Ancestry - Slow Life, Ancient Roots Being Italian, or an American with Italian roots, or Italian ancestry, in the Italian diaspora, has got a lot more to do with choosing Barilla as your favorite brand, knowing that pizza really comes from Naples, or feeling proud to have the same roots as Liza Minelli because she has such a great voice. Possibly the most interesting thing about the US and Italy in terms of roots, and being rooted in a territory of origin, is that they are clear polar opposites. On the one hand, the European settlement in the US could be described as one of the newest nations in the world today. Whereas Italy is one of the most ancient, with a history that is so complex, rich, eclectic and fascinating, that even if you weren't Italian, it would be a delight to investigate it. This is what makes you, as a person with Italian roots, and an Italian history which stretches back into the mists of ancient history, so uniquely interesting. This is the root of Italian ancestry. Italian Immigration Most people associate Italian immigration to the US with the Ellis Island immigration (1905 - 1914 approx): 84% which came from Southern Italy and Sicily, where Southern Italians had been disenfranchised by the unification of Italy, had become impoverished, and arrived in the US with a suitcase and $18 - $25 (about $600 today) in hand. Many were turned back due to illness, or just because they did not make the grade in other ways. Almost half just couldn't face the hardships and discrimination and left of their own accord. It became known as "L'Isola delle Lagrime" (Island of Tears). After years of research Italian genealogists have confirmed this finding. For many immigrants, the journey to America became the fulfillment of the Venetian proverb - "The first sin is to be born desperate" Italians Discovering the Americas But let's back up a bit. This was not the first, though clearly the most significant in numbers, the connection that Italy had had with America. The Italian/American affair began in 1499 - 1502, when Vespucci, an Italian explorer, discovered the Americas. In a poetic sense, therefore, could the immigrants who later arrived at Ellis Island have been considered to be immigrants or re-colonizers? Tongue in cheek, of course! Other families of note, whose family names are still prominent in the US today, including the Venetian family, Tagliaferro, and the Fonda family. Perhaps one of the most interesting, from a historical point of view, is Filippo Mazzei, a confidant of President Jefferson and author of the phrase which assumed the equality of all men, which is included in the American Constitution. Ellis Island - shaped the face of America Back to Ellis Island, and the immigration which, despite such humble beginning, significantly shaped the face of what America was later to become. To date, 17 million of Americans are of Italian descent. The long list of important influencers amongst this population is well-known by most Americans. These were often the descendants of these poor immigrants, who arrived poor and illiterate, often to be berated and despised; and yet, who rose to the top, anyway. How did they do this? Where did they get the "grinto" (courage, determination)? The secret lies in their roots. Ernest Hemingway once wrote this; that every person can write at least one great novel - the story of their own lives. History is essentially about the personal stories of people and an Italian genealogist can help you uncover the stories of your lineage. When your personal story is connected to a history as great as that of Italy, with bloodlines that stretch back to the Etruscans, The Renaissance and the Roman Empire, your personal history could be considered to be a masterpiece of genetic diversity and culture. Sicilian Italian immigrants Italian immigrants (many of whom were Sicilian), at face value, looked like a ragtag lot of sad illiterates (more on the question of illiteracy and poverty later); but they knew something which no-one else knew - their history. They were Sicilian and fiercely proud of that. Taking Sicily as an example, here are some historical reference points: Sicily was the crossroads for invasions and cultural exchanges by Greeks, Arabs, Normans, Germans, and Jews. Before 1250, women's rights were defended, as was the environment. Does this sound backward to you? The cultural patrimony of Sicily, and Italy, in fact, is so rich and diverse, as to be impossible to cover adequately in one article. Sicily is also particularly interesting because it is a unique instance in the area of genealogical research. This is because the records stretch back to 1500. With the help of an Italian genealogist, you don't have to be nobility to trace a clear unbroken line of ancestry through one of the many archived resources which have been so carefully kept intact: monasteries, parochial records, land tax records, legal records etc. Italian Genealogical Heritage All the other areas also have similar areas of fascination with regard to genealogical heritage. Historically, Italy has only been a homogenous nation for a brief period of time; since the middle of the 19th Century. Before that, it was comprised of separate nation states. Many people still consider this to be the overriding reality of their lives. Their cuisine, language (distinct dialects) and customs, all reflect very specific regional preferences. They feel a strong sense of "campanilismo" (pride for your own town). Even another Italian traveling to that region will feel, to some extent, like an outsider. What about the nitty-gritty? Do you need a professional Italian genealogist to help you with your search? Is this something you can do alone, or with your family? This depends. You need to understand the Italian ancestry panorama, and how it works, to better be able to understand what will work for you, and how far back into your history you want to go. However, usually, you can take the search into your own hands, up to a certain point. This can be time-consuming. If you don't have the time, maybe it would be better to hire a professional Italian genealogist. This is what a search for Italian ancestry would entail: Italian Ancestry - An Overview Italian ancestry and genealogy, in general, is the field of family history study, encompasses various disciplines; including ethnology, onomatology, and even heraldry. To be a good genealogist, you have to be not only a competent historian but also an adept sleuth. Since a knowledge of specialized fields, like languages, kinship, canon law and paleography are often essential; a professional genealogist often has to refer to colleagues who work within these disciplines. As an Italian descendant, your most important point of departure is to know where, and who, to refer to, in search of your family roots - who can best help you. Italian ancestry is a complex area of genealogical study and research. Many authors and experts do not agree on every issue. One of the biggest traps not to fall into is to go in search of stereotypes. Broad statements about the disparity of wealth between the North and South, might not be useful in your particular search. For instance, Naples was, in fact, the wealthiest city until its annexation to the Kingdom of Italy (1860). At that time the second wealthiest city was Palermo. The fact is that at this time, the North was poorer than the South; most immigrants were Northerners. Northerners and Southerners Italian Ancestry Another common stereotype which can be wrong is the conception of the typical blond Northerner and the dark-haired Southerner. Many Southern Italians are blond or red-haired, with light eyes, because of the Longobard and Norman influences. The notion that all immigrants were illiterate and impoverished, is also not correct. This is helpful to know because your family of origin might not have belonged to that class. Some had become impoverished due to politically motivated setbacks; however, many were skilled middle-class craftsmen and merchants. Neither were many really illiterate but simply considered to be illiterate, because they could not speak and write English. Neither were 19th Century Italians landless peasants. Most owned a bit of land. This is useful to know because the census and land records can be investigated. This is why tracing your roots in Italy is not always simple. However, there are some simple first steps you can take. What can you do? A fundamental first step is a knowledge of Italian; since most of the records will be in either Italian or Latin. The quest becomes more difficult, if, for example, your origins are in Piemonte, and the records are in French, or your family was from Tirol, and the records are in German. Start in the present and work back to the past. Do you have elderly family members who can give you information? Do you have old photos and memos? Understanding the ethnological norms is also often quite useful: certain regions named their children and dressed certain ways. These kinds of records, even photographic, can be very useful. Having the maiden names of family members can help you do a more profound search. Once you have accurate first-hand accounts from elderly family members, it is easier to research the official record or ask your Italian genealogist to locate a record for you. It's also easier to take the first step and to draw a family tree from the information you have gleaned. Joining a site like ancestry. It puts you in a good position to be contacted by people with similar interests. You never know what you could discover along the way. Surnames are also a very good guide in Italy for regional provenance. A guide like "Dizionario Ragionato dei Cognomi Italiani by Rizzoli is very useful resource. If your family has kept original documentation, birth certificates, etc; it's much easier. If not, you will have to resort to the Italian authorities or ask your Italian ancestry expert to contact the Italian authorities. This can be difficult; but here is a guide, if you feel you can do this alone. Simply contacting families randomly in the village where your family came from can be time-consuming and confusing. Making contact with them, establishing a relationship, and all the other niceties; only to reach a dead end, can be frustrating - if they are even willing to become involved. What if you don't have any of these records? How easy are they to obtain? First step - American records. You can consult microfilmed immigration records, steamship passenger lists, and old census records. There is a free online search available on Ellis Island. Italian Records Acts of birth, baptism, marriage, and death would be the most important primary source. If you know what commune (municipal area) your family originates from, you can contact the Ufficio Anagrafe and ask for the "certificato di stato di famiglia". This provides extensive information about your family if they immigrated after 1880. Contacting the vital statistics office in a particular commune is not always simple, and getting information about a specific ancestor might not get results. They might give you an act of birth extract if you give them precise information regarding names and birth dates; but they will not involve themselves in detailed research projects. You will also need to be able to speak Italian to do so. They will not allow you, as a third party, to request records of a living relative. The privacy laws exclude this kind of search. Where these primary records are missing, you can consult parochial records, which date back prior to the 1800's. However, accessing these is not easy at all. Most of these have not even been microfilmed. The other point is that nay request can take up months of bureaucratic time, and to and fro communication, necessarily in Italian, before it could prove to be fruitful. More often than not priests are just too busy and not willing to get involved. if you're lucky, a friendly, polite explanation in Italian and a generous donation might get some response. Secondary records can be consulted in the absence of primary records. These could be military service records, land and census records, etc. A note about source documents Both microfilm and original documents can vary according to the region. To be able to discern them correctly might need expert help. For example, certain Sicilian records might need a knowledge of Greek, Lati, and native Sicilian elements. However, most records are written in either Italian or Latin. Sometimes site is not possible to obtain documents for various reasons, particularly with regard to original records. Photocopying of archival material might not be allowed, or there might just not be a photocopier. Remember, this is Italy! The food is great, but the bureaucracy is inefficient and unwieldy. Sound complicated and time-consuming? It is. That's why many people do as much as they can, and then consult with professional service. At Record Click we have many Italian genealogist who are ready to assist you with any roadblocks that you might be facing. Consider hiring a professional genealogist from Record Click. #### Jewish Genealogy: How To Touch Base With Ancestral Struggles Jews are the oldest group with their national identity and cultural heritage intact. Still, their turbulent history has held them from matters related to pedigree documentation. However, in recent years, Jewish genealogy has become a popular hobby, as evidenced by popular genealogy programs. Tracing your Jewish background can be a major step in knowing yourself better and understanding the circumstances that your ancestors faced. Besides, Jewish genealogy gives you a direction on your culture, beliefs, and identity in society. And with the intricacies involved in such an endeavor, experts at Record Click are ready to give a hand. Key Takeaways While researching your Jewish genealogy, it's wise to understand that not every detail you come across may be accurate. The first step is gathering information from your relatives about your family and ancestors. If you have Jewish heritage and are concerned about taking trips for information, we can help you narrow down the options and quickly determine your ancestors and their origin. Brief Jewish History Jewish Calendar Jews have a long history, and we may only capture a snippet in this guide. The turbulent part of Jewish history has dramatically affected Jewish genealogy but luckily left reliable records that you can use to track your Jewish heritage meticulously on a family tree. Going back to the 6th century, we recall the torturous captivity Jews endured under Babylonians. They later faced Roman occupation, the Crusaders, and the Mamluk period. As if that was not enough, Jews were subjected to pogroms and unfair laws in Europe, leading to massive displacement to Britain and the US. Little did they know that they would again suffer annihilation under the horrific Nazi regime. Despite the tragic history associated with the Jewish people, they've become influential in the economy, culture, and science. In fact, you're likely to discover lasting marks in history that emanate from brighter moments in Jewish history. Jewish Genealogy Research Overview Army veterans Despite the turbulent history, Jewish genealogy remains a possibility, but that is not to say it's a walk in the park. The chances of a gentile finding a comprehensive family tree of their family back hundreds of years are higher than for Jewish. Nonetheless, Jews can trace their family tree back to the late 19th century during the immigration period. Available records in American countries indicate the immigrants' or their parents' names. While researching your Jewish genealogy, it's wise to understand that not every detail you come across may be accurate. Information in the past was not as well documented as it is now. The ancestors barely knew their birth dates or parents' full names. Besides, even if they knew this information, it may have been missed by the unreliable logistics used then. Steps to Detailing Your Jewish Genealogy Understand your genealogy For most people, genealogy research requires compulsion lest you get lost in the bushes. While there are many ways to track your genealogy, a retrospective approach has proven most successful. Most of the resources you need are freely available online, but you may need to pay some fee if you want to take it further. Another important step when tracking your Jewish genealogy is tracking the ancestors and their siblings. The additional information will help you verify records, mainly names used across the family. 1. Start at Home Since we recommended starting with the present and going back in your Jewish genealogy research, you should start with the most convenient records. Look for documents in your house or house used by your relatives. Be sure also to ask them about your ancestry, and they may provide leads to your research. The records you will likely find include invitation cards, birth certificates, pay slips, identification cards, and more. 2. Vital Records While the records or information provided by your relatives may not be specific, it can help kick-start your Jewish family tree. However, when you want details for all your ancestors across generations, you may need to dig further for vital records like census records and birth, marriage, and death records. For example, the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) provides valuable information about people who died as early as 1937. So, you should know the date of birth, death date, and residence of your US Social Security Number-holding ancestors who died within that time and had a. 3. Hire A Professional Genealogist Professional Genealogists leave nothing to chance With most Jews having migrated from a different region, extensive research across countries can be time-consuming and frustrating, especially when you follow a false lead. Many have been researching their genealogy for years and still have more to discover. The urge to discover your Jewish heritage sometimes comes across brick walls like a language barrier or other barriers that keep you stuck. Luckily, we have a team of experts in the field who've performed thousands of genealogy projects for decades. Our professional genealogists will give you a head start and help you overcome any obstacle holding you back from identifying your Jewish heritage. It would be a hassle to commute to all the archives in Israel, Turkey, the US, etc., looking for records regarding your grandparents who lived back in the early 90s. Instead, research conducted by Record Click specialists would identify even closer relatives who would guide your lineage better. Tracking your Jewish genealogy involves detailing the full names of every person connected to you. The family tree has proven most effective in expanding your family details with you as the root. Download free family tree samples and make family research a study and a fun activity in your living room. Every space in the family tree should include the person's full name, special dates like birth and death, and other relevant information. Why You Need A Professional Genealogist Accurate and comprehensive genealogy can be transformative Only a professional genealogist can perfectly navigate the national library and quickly track your story. They also come in handy when you want to ensure you get everything right during citizenship application by descent. However, it's advisable to contact your state's consulate general office for directions on the application process, especially regarding descent, application fee, and duration. Of course, the first step in the citizenship application process starts by visiting the state's consulate with your genealogy information and records. If you have Jewish heritage and are concerned about taking trips for information, we can help you narrow down the options and quickly determine your ancestors and their origin. Contact us and share with genealogy experts about which project fits your needs.   #### Joan Rivers: A Genealogy Researcher Finds Ancestral Origins of That Amazing Brain This genealogy researcher has always loved Joan Rivers. May she rest in peace. I will miss her. She was brilliant. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Barnard. Did she inherit her father’s smarts? Seems so. Joan Rivers was born Joan Alexandra Molinsky.  Her father Meyer Chaim Molinsky was a doctor. He is listed along with five other students in Long Island College Hospital’s Class of 1924. And any genealogy researcher knows that you had to be smart to go to college in those days and even smarter to go through a medical course of study. In Joan Rivers’ memory, this genealogist will look at her ancestry and in particular her father’s family. Joan Alexandra Molinsky Rosenberg was born in 1933. She was the younger of two daughters of Meyer Chaim Molinksy and his wife Beatrice (also noted as Bettrice on the 1920 census and maybe Betty Cohan from a 1928 marriage certificate. Now that last one would be interesting to hear Joan Rivers comment on...) Joan's mother is listed as Beatrice Grushman Molinsky in most documents. The translation of documents lists Joan’s sister as Barbara Cushman (?) Molinsky Waxler (b.1930 d. 2013) but this genealogist suspects that the name Cushman may have been Grushman or changed or mistranslated. Direct interviews with family members is how a genealogy researcher would clarify this at first. Joan’s sister, too, was brilliant. This genealogy researcher found in an obituary notice that sister Barbara attended Connecticut College where she majored in economics and also graduated Phi Beta Kappa.  Barbara went on to attend Columbia University Law School where she was one of the youngest graduates. She also attended medical school. The genealogy researcher’s next step to verify this information would be through relevant school records, bar and medical society documentation. This genealogist has found solid information for Meyer Chaim Molinsky in the standard genealogical research documents—census, marriage certificates, and naturalization records.  But the information that has fascinated this genealogy researcher comes on the ship record, the 1920 census and the place of his birth. Meyer Chaim Molinsky was born in Russia—Nemerov—in about 1900. His birthdate is mostly listed as December 7, 1900, yet it appears as 1897 on a naturalization certificate and 1901 on another document. A genealogy researcher and one who traces Jewish genealogy knows that such dates are often not exact when dealing with immigration records. One record found by this genealogist shows that Meyer Chaim died in January 1985 of heart failure at his home at 6 Oxford Road in Larchmont, New York. And to think that Joan's heart had trouble in the end... Meyer Chaim’s birthplace is Nemerov. This place is now called Nemyriv in western Ukraine. For those family history researchers focused on Jewish genealogy, it should be noted that Nemerov, during the 1600s through the 1800s, had a sizeable and important Jewish population. The town became well known because noted Torah scholars were there during this time and disciples of important Hasidic rabbis flocked to study there. For those researching Jewish genealogy, Nemerov appears as a notable center for Jewish learning. Two Rabbis in particular were known to have spent time in Nemerov:  Rabbi Yom Tov Lippman Heller (from whom this RecordClick genealogist likely descends) and Nathan of Breslov also known as Reb Noson, born Nathan Sternhartz, who was the chief disciple and scribe of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov,  the founder of the Breslov Hasidic dynasty. Joan Rivers' father immigrated from Nemerov in the Ukraine. To this genealogy researcher, it seems likely that Joan Rivers’ and her sister Barbara’s brilliant minds and their very smart father may perhaps descend from Torah scholars in Nemerov. This could be further researched in the original birth, marriage and death records and scholarly books from the Ukraine. A search of the existing Hasidic writings and yeshiva student lists from that time would also be important, A genealogy researcher focused on Jewish genealogy may find more information on this and be able to link Joan Rivers further to her family’s ancestral history of brilliant, scholarly minds. Back to Meyer Chaim Molinksy’s journey. He left Nemerov and departed from Liverpool on the ship Mauretania arriving in New York on September 16, 1910 at age 9. The ship’s manifest says that he, his mother and two siblings were aboard the ship and that they were living in Odessa before their departure. This may just be where they were right before leaving. More research will have to be done to see how long their stay was in Odessa. In all subsequent documents, his hometown is listed as Nemerov. By 1920, his family is living in Brooklyn. His mother Minnie is age 49, has three children and is listed as a widow. Meyer’s older sister, Ida, age 22, is listed as working in the men’s clothing industry. The documents found on line interpret her position as a fireman. BUT this genealogy researcher has looked at the actual census document and found that this is not correct. Ida was actually a finisher in men’s clothing, a job that many immigrant girls got in sweatshops in New York. Someone read the handwriting incorrectly. Big mistake! If Ida is Minnie’s oldest child, it might be noted that Minnie had her first child at age 27, which was old for that time. A genealogy researcher focused on Jewish genealogy would take the next step and verify this with the original birth and marriage records from the Ukraine. The genealogical research would include verifying Meyer Chaim’s father’s information, his parent’s marriage records and the family’s birth records. These records most likely can be found in the Mormon (LDS) church’s voluminous collection of records from that area of the Ukraine. In the 1920 census, Meyer Chaim also has listed his younger brother, Harry, who in 1920 was age 16 and working as a salesman in a department store. Meyer Chaim is listed as a student—most likely in the very beginning of his medical studies. The genealogy researcher would take a small next step to verify through school records and business directories the length of study in the 1920s at the Long Island College Hospital. We do have a good note on that from the 1940s census which lists Meyer’s highest grade completed as:  “4th year college”. If we look at the actual ship's manifest, from the Mauretania sailing from Liverpool on September 10, 1910, it appears from the handwritten documentation that Minnie may originally have been Molie and that the last name may have been Malinowski.  Meyer is spelled Meier on that document. This Jewish genealogy researcher notes that the original names of Meier’s siblings would have to be further clarified by genealogical research focused on the ship’s cards and other departure/arrival lists. This genealogy researcher noticed that their Yiddish names are listed. It appears in longhand to be Roizel for Ida and Harry’s original name is there but not clear. More genealogical research would have to be done to look at the original document in person. Many immigrants adopted Americanized names and this family was no different. Molie became Minnie. The children became Ida and Harry. Meier became Meyer. And maybe the last name was shortened. The three children were listed with their mother. No father is listed.  However, this genealogy researcher knows that often fathers sailed ahead first to America bringing families over later. Another possibility is that she came over as a widow. We have a nice family history research mystery here. RecordClick's genealogy researcher finds adoration in the history. But, by the 1920 census, the family is living in Brooklyn.  Meyer Chaim’s mother is listed as a widow and a male, Chas Traner/Trainer age 45 from Minsk (Poland) is living with the family. He is listed as a Boarder (often an arrangement made to bring in extra funds) who is a salesman in the Camp industry. And in loving memory to our beloved Joan Rivers and her brilliant, fabulous, amazing, over the top sense of humor, we are going to add: Minnie a widow and a male boarder, sure, a boarder, WINK WINK. This brief journey back in time to when Joan Rivers’ father came to America and his early life is a small example of how the genealogy researchers at RecordClick work. RecordClick's professional genealogists search all types of records including immigration documents, birth records, marriage records, school records and more.  Our genealogy researchers search thoroughly to bring back some part of those near and dear to us who have passed on. Contact us to begin your journey back in time. #### John Denver's Genealogy Country Road Leads to Oklahoma, Not Colorado: Short Biography Photo credit: Joan Shurtliff, courtesy of American Historical Society of Germans from Russia A family history researcher always has to be on the lookout because there are interesting facts and items around every corner. And what is found can elicit a Really!? from even the most seasoned genealogical researcher. Even as a veteran genealogist, I  was a bit surprised when I visited the American Historical Society of Germans From Russia (AHSGR) in Lincoln, Nebraska, a couple of months ago. The Society's headquarters are in a modest building, which is designed to give visitors a feeling of the old country. The adjacent museum covers more than two centuries of history of Germans from Russia through displays that include some out-buildings, including a church, store, and a summer kitchen. Photo courtesy of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia; Lincoln, Nebraska There is a statue in front of the building, but also the ground is paved with bricks bearing the names of families who support the museum. One particular brick that caught my eye was inscribed John Denver. I have no problem admitting that I was a John Denver fan beginning in my college years. His blond hair, big grin, glasses, and down-home attitude appealed to me. I knew he was of German descent, but I didn't realize he had Germans from Russia in his heritage. Curiosity got the best of me, and the genealogical researcher took over. John Denver’s given name was Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. Through the lyrics to his songs, his book titled Take Me Home: An Autobiography, along with the genealogical research his family members have done, the Germans From Russia Museum and Library in Lincoln and online have a fair amount of information on Henry John Deutschendorf's history and family. The country roads of John Denver's life don’t lead home to West Virginia, Colorado, or the mountains - rather to a small farming community in west-central Oklahoma called Corn (formerly spelled "Korn"). There are some dates in his biography that should be remembered: 1892 – Oklahoma land rush Late 1890s – Germans from Russia began settling in Oklahoma About 1900 – Korn, Oklahoma, was founded 1901 – Land was deeded to the Mennonite church for the Mennonite Brethren Cemetery 1907 – Oklahoma entered the Union 1917 – Anti-German feelings ran strong during WWI, and German immigrants in the United States had to deal with strong negative sentiments in regard to their heritage. It was at about this time that Korn (German) became Corn Mid-1930s – The Dust Bowl forced many Oklahoma farmers to leave the land 1941 – Pearl Harbor Koop – Deutschendorf Family Tree Henry Koop, b. 31 Mar. 1870 in Russia; d. 2 Aug. 1913 in Washita Co., OK; m. 16 Mar. 1892, Elizabeth Janzen. They had a daughter, Anna Elizabeth Koop, b. 8 Aug. 1901 in Oklahoma; d. 26 Dec. 1985 in Washita Co., OK; m. 15 Sep. 1917 in Washita Co., OK, Johann Heinrich Deutschendorf, b. 12 Sep. 1895 in Russia; d. 8 Oct. 1943 in Washita Co., OK. They had a son, Henry John Deutschendorf, b. 15 Apr. 1920 in Washita Co., OK; d. 15 Mar. 1982 in Denver Co., CO; m. Erma Louise Swope, b. 7 Aug. 1922 in Beggs, OK; d. 17 Jan. 2010 in Denver Co., CO. They had a son, Henry John Deutschendorf, also known as John Denver, b. 31 Dec. 1943 in NM; d. 12 Oct. 1997 in CA. Photo courtesy of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia Deutschendorf and the Koops were descendants of a group of German farmers who accepted an invitation from Catherine the Great to settle near the Volga River in Russia in the 1700s. In the mid-1800s the political situation in Russia changed and the cordial relationship with the German settlers began to deteriorate. The Germans from Russia began immigrating to the United States. Denver’s paternal grandfather, Johann Heinrich Deutschendorf, was born in Russia of German parents in September 1895. According to the 1920 U.S. Census, he immigrated to the United States in 1913 and settled in Washita County, Oklahoma. He owned no land because, by the time he arrived, free or inexpensive land was gone; instead, he rented farmland. In 1917 he married neighbor Anna Elizabeth Koop. The families were of the Mennonite belief – a conservative religious sect founded in the area of southern Germany/Switzerland in the early 1500s. Notably, Mennonites consider themselves simple, peace-loving people with religious ties to Amish and Hutterites. The three groups believe in adult baptism, and fathers and husbands serve as head of household. While music played a role in religious worship, little singing was done in the home. Anna Koop’s parents, Henry and Elizabeth Janzen Koop, were Russian immigrants arriving in December 1893. Leaving Germany from the Port of Bremen, they sailed on the ship Stuttgart. After their arrival, the Koops made their way to Kansas. Between 1895 and 1899, the family relocated to Washita County, Oklahoma. Henry homesteaded 160 acres in Section 25, Township 10 North, Range 16 West proving up in April of 1905. The land was satisfactory and supported the growing family. The good times, however, were not to last - patriarch Henry Koop died in 1913: Mennonite Brethren Cemetery - Corn, Washita County, Oklahoma Anna Elizabeth Koop Deutschendorf, b. Aug. 8, 1901; d. Dec. 26, 1985 Johann Heinrich Deutschendorf, b. Sep. 12, 1895; d. Oct. 8, 1943 Henry Koop, b. Mar. 31, 1870; d. Aug. 2, 1913 Elizabeth Janzen (Koop) Pauls, b. 24 Jul. 1874; d. 11 June 1930 The Deutschendorf household was a busy place in 1920. The census was taken in mid-February of that year, and it showed that Elizabeth and her children were part of the household, and John and Anna had a son, Henry John, on April 15. 1920 U.S. Census - State, Oklahoma; County, Washita; Seger Township; ED 196; Sheet 10B; Lines 89-96 Deutschendorf, John Head 24 Born in Russia, parents born in Germany Anna Wife 18 Anna Daughter 1 7/12 Koop, Elizabeth Mother-in-Law 45 Sam Bro-in-Law 20 Jacob Bro-in-Law 17 Lena Sis-in-Law 15 Aaron Bro-in-Law 8 While many families left Oklahoma during the dry years of the mid-1930s, John Deutschendorf hung in there. The population of Washita County decreased from 29,435 in 1930 to 22,279 in 1940. In the 1940 U.S. Census, John listed his occupation as farmer. Son Henry John at 19 had completed three years of high school and was earning money working as an assistant janitor at the public school. War was looming in Europe at the time, and Henry John made a decision totally out of nature with his religious Mennonite background – he joined the Army. I can almost imagine some of the conversations in the household before the enlistment; the elder Deutschendorf could not have been pleased. Not only was his son's decision a major break with the Mennonite tradition, but because Henry John was intelligent, young, and strong, his help on the farm would be missed.  On 30 November 1940, Henry John enlisted as a private in the Army in Oklahoma City. He stated that his civilian occupation was a farmhand, and he was single without dependents. He couldn't have known what his future held, but the sky was the limit. The military became his life. Not long after Henry John’s enlistment, he met a Tulsa girl – Erma Louise Swope. The two fell in love, got married, and in 1943 had a son, Henry John Deutschendorf Jr. While Henry John Sr. was growing up, technology was making huge strides. He must have seen bi-planes as a youngster on the prairie. The two wings became one, and the covering changed from cloth to shiny silver metal. Engines improved and the planes kept getting larger, flying faster and higher. The military provided Deutschendorf – who had to have excellent eyesight, intelligence, outstanding reflexes, and a knowledge of how engines worked – the opportunity to learn to fly the new planes. He became an Air Force pilot in 1947, eventually flying the B-58 Hustler faster than the speed of sound. A highlight of his career came on 12 January 1961 when he and his crew set six world speed records. There is little the military and the German Mennonites have in common, but one thing is structure. Perhaps the military gave a new routine to the life of Henry John Deutschendorf Sr., replacing that which he left behind on the farm. The Mennonites were more into work and doing what was expected of the individual without complaint, and the discipline required of a military pilot certainly fit the bill. Still, Henry John Deutschendorf Sr. followed his own path that might very well have been considered free-spirited by his Mennonite relatives. Whatever the opinions were, the decision of Henry John Deutschendorf Sr. to break with his Mennonite heritage changed the course of his family.  His son, John Denver, was no less disciplined than his father; however, his path was an artistic one, and certainly considered free-spirited. Where the musical artistry trait came from is a mystery, but it is possible that it came from John's mother, Erma Swope. Next time I am at the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, I will definitely take a peek at her side of the family. For more information on the AHSGR and museum, see Joan's blog Another Genealogical Gem: Germans From Russia Find a Home in the U.S. For help with your ancestor search, consider the genealogy research services of RecordClick. Sources: 1900 U.S. Census 1910 U.S. Census 1920 U.S. Census 1930 U.S. Census 1940 U.S. Census American Historical Society of Germans From Russia; Lincoln, Nebraska Ancestry of John Denver; compiled by William Addams Reitwiesner; www.wargs.com/other/denver.html The B-58 Hustler Association Homepage; www.b58hustlerassn.net FindAGrave; www.findagrave.com: Deutschendorf, Anna Elizabeth Koop; Deutschendorf, Johann Heinrich; Koop, Heinrich T. “Henry”; Pauls, Elizabeth Janzen; Deutschendorf, Mrs. Erma Louise Swope; Deutschendorf, Henry John “Dutch” National Archives; World War II Army Enlistment Records documenting the period ca. 1938-1946; www.archives.gov Oklahoma Historical Society’s Encyclopedia of Oklahoma Culture and History; http://digital.library.okstate.edu Striplin/Thomas Family Tree; www.ancestry.com U.S. Census Bureau; www.census.gov U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, General Land Office Records; www.glorecords.blm.gov #### Jus Sanguinis or Jus Soli - Are You a Candidate for Dual Citizenship? The first questions out of the mouths of most readers will be: "What does this have to do with me?" and "Why would I be interested?" Here are your answers. If you are of Irish or Italian parentage, grandparentage, or even great-grandparentage that is provable by documentation, you may very well be eligible for dual citizenship in that country – meaning, you can obtain a passport from the country of your ancestors' origin. Why would you want to obtain a second passport? I'll get to that later, but for now, it's important for you to understand the history behind the two principles of jus sanguinis, which extends the right of nationality or citizenship based on the child's parents' nationality, and jus soli, which extends citizenship based on which territorial jurisdiction the baby is born. Presently, the vast majority of countries use a mixture of both principles when granting or denying citizenship. Since 2004, however, no European country recognizes just territorial birthright for unconditional birthright citizenship. The unified block of countries was solidified in 2004 when Ireland revoked its automatic right of citizenship solely by territorial birth. To understand the difference between nationality by right of soil (jus soli) and right of blood (jus sanguinis) requires a visit to ancient Rome during mid-5th century BC, when the idea of nationality was a basic tenet of Roman Law -- Ah ha! That's why the terms are in Latin. To the Romans, an individual was first and foremost a member of a family, a tribe or a people – not just a territory. There are multiple reasons why there is a trend toward revocation of jus soli. One such activity that has lately been the subject of much controversy is that of "citizenship tourism" or "anchor babies," a practice whereby individuals travel to preferred countries in order to bear children in that territory. Take, for example, the Border between Mexico and the U.S. with its 330 ports of entry and 45 U.S./Mexico border crossings. Border cities especially affected by the "anchor baby" trend include San Diego, California; Douglas and Nogales, Arizona; Columbus, New, Mexico; and multiple Texas cities, such as El Paso, Laredo, Eagle Pass, and Brownsville -- all of which provide portals to Mexican nationals seeking U.S. citizenship for their babies. Historically, for the babies born to women who make it across the border to deliver in the U.S., full citizenship is attained by the principle of jus soli, causing a number of U.S. lawmakers to support the abolishment of the principle of territorial birthright in the U.S. The principle of recognizing bloodright was, at one time, the sole means of determining nationality in European countries. It is still adhered to by the majority of Central and Eastern Europe, as well as Asia; however, it is now joined, in some cases, by the principle of territorial birthright. But the major practice of jus soli is observed by a minority of the world's countries – the U.S. and Canada being among that small number. The principle of territorial birthright in the U.S. is protected by the 14th Amendment, which states: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside." The similarities between Canada and the U.S. include the fact that they are part of the Americas and therefore considered the New World. They are defined as "advanced economies" by the International Monetary Fund. The choice of European countries to go the way of birthright by blood extends not only from the desire to end "citizenship tourism," to curb the influx of asylum seekers, but also to reclaim, to a certain extent, the millions of its citizens who fled their respective countries during various diasporas (large-scale migrations of citizens who move away from a country). Ireland's Diaspora during the 1840s was spurred by the Great Famine. Italy's Diaspora began approximately around the time of the country's unification in 1861, ending in the 1960s when Italy's economy made a miraculous turnaround. Those of you who are of Irish or Italian descent now understand why the countries of your ancestral origin want you back. Now you have to decide why you would want to establish citizenship in these countries. Even if you have no interest in obtaining dual citizenship, you may want to preserve the option for your descendants. Perks to Holding Dual Citizenship • The U.S. does not require you to renounce your U.S. citizenship if you become a dual citizen • Irish and Italian passports allow an individual to travel freely in the European Union (EU), which comprises 27 countries • An Irish passport entitles the holder to live and work within the EU • Tax benefits • Educational rights • You can purchase property and open a bank account • After you work in an EU country for a certain length of time, you are entitled to unemployment compensation, healthcare, and pension rights • Cost of living may be lower than the U.S. and therefore good for retirement • Easier to open a business Requirements for Dual Citizenship Ireland If either your father or mother, paternal/maternal grandmother or grandfather was an Irish citizen at the time of your birth – even if you and both parents were born outside the island of Ireland, through your Irish grandparents, you can claim citizenship. You can also claim dual citizenship through marriage. To claim Irish citizenship, you must register in the Foreign Births Register at an Irish embassy or consular office, or at the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin. Italy You may be eligible to hold dual citizenship in Italy if your father was an Italian citizen at the time of your birth; your mother was an Italian citizen at the time of your birth, and you were born after January 1, 1948, but before April 27, 1965; your paternal grandfather was an Italian citizen at the time of your father's birth; your maternal grandmother was an Italian citizen at the time of your mother's birth, and your mother was born after January 1, 1948; your father was born after January 1, 1948 in the U.S., and your paternal grandmother was an Italian citizen at the time of your father's birth. Contact the Italian consulate, serving your state, to request the proper forms. Required Documentation and Paperwork You will have to prove your lineage by ordering applicable birth, marriage, and death certificates for your parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. You may possibly have to submit copies of naturalization certificates and green cards. If this hard document proof is readily available to you -- great, you can begin the process. However, if you don't have these records, the process of acquiring them can be daunting. . .take heart. Your best bet is to contact a top-notch genealogy ancestry service. Record Click's international genealogical researchers are well-versed in these types of projects, and can obtain the correct record copies you may need, as well as help you through the process of achieving dual citizenship. Arrivederci and Slán go fóill. #### Justice Antonin Scalia: Genealogy, Family Tree and Death Certificate When this RecordClick genealogist first heard the news of the death of Associate Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia this past weekend and then waited for the onslaught of huge headlines – which did indeed come – all I could do was sigh. One of the next things I thought about, however, is what lessons are there in this for the genealogist? Justice Scalia can teach us something about the role of a death certificate. It is a legal document after all. And it is a doc for which genealogists are always on the lookout. So, what is it and why is it important? LOTS OF DATA ON THESE CERTIFICATES The short answer is that a death certificate is proof that a person is dead. That’s obvious. The information on a death certificate, though, may provide personal data including: Date of death Cause of death Place of birth Date of birth Names of parents Name of spouse Attending physician Informant Place of burial Funeral home. All of this information has statistical importance. Immediately, a death certificate is part of the legal documentation needed as part of the burial process. It helps with transportation for burial in a state other than where the death occurred. Later on, a death certificate is needed to settle an estate. In the even longer term, this document is something a genealogist will cherish as a primary source of documentation. The process of creating a death certificate becomes more complicated when an individual, such as Judge Scalia, passes away with no one in attendance and while on holiday in a state different from his place of residence. National Public Radio posted a piece on Facebook last Sunday, February 14, 2016, entitled, Remembrances; Justice Antonin Scalia, Known for Biting Dissents, Dies at 79. This piece does a good job of describing the process involved in declaring a person deceased in a rural area and what happens when gathering information for the death certificate. LOCATION LOCATION LOCATION Justice Scalia died in Presidio County, Texas. With 3,856 square miles, it is larger than the states of Rhode Island and Delaware. Its total population: approximately 7,800. The county seat is Marfa, Texas, with a population of approximately 1,900. In these rural areas, people traveling long distances to events and sometimes a football game or a speech might be well over 100 miles away – one way. Many of these events are on Saturday – the day of the week that Judge Scalia passed away. Many rural counties have limited health care facilities and few attorneys. They also often have county officials who do double duty. Sometimes it is might be that the County Clerk is also the coroner and a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician. The first thing in the creation of a death certificate is to determine that the individual is indeed dead. Officials, usually law enforcement and medical assistance, are notified. The officials assess the situation and determine the next course of action. If the person is found to be deceased, the coroner is contacted and a judgment is made as to whether the death was due to natural causes or whether foul play might have been involved. The coroner contacts a physician for medical information. The documentation begins. In Justice Scalia’s case, from reports this genealogist has read, there were some health issues. The evidence seen by this family history researcher indicates that the coroner contacted the Judge’s physician and that Justice Scalia had visited his doctor with complaints before the trip. The information provided by the physician to the coroner becomes part of the death certificate documentation. As an aside, the role of the physician is to determine what health problems an individual may have had and along with the coroner, helps decide on a course of action. While the documentation is going on, usually the family and a funeral home are contacted. If it is indicated that an autopsy is not needed, the body is taken to the mortuary. The information needed for the death certificate is gathered and the process begins for the issuance of the document. When transportation of the deceased across state lines is necessary, there is a protocol that includes the possession of a death certificate. Funeral homes in both locations then work together to insure that protocol is followed. The mortuary of the family’s choice works with the deceased’s loved ones to make arrangements for the funeral. These details may be part of the death certificate information or be added to amend the death certificate. COMPLICATIONS AND INFORMATION WITH LBJ's DEATH  Death is not always neat. President Lyndon Johnson had a heart attack and died in the San Antonio International Airport in 1973. His Texas death certificate provides insight as to his health issues and how long he had those problems. The informant, the family secretary, is listed and the genealogist doing research is able to get a quick snapshot of his life. (As an aside by this professional genealogist, it is worth a visit to Johnson’s Texas ranch where in the hill country one will find Lady Bird’s beloved wild flowers.) In his memory, this genealogist thanks Justice Antonin Scalia for his service to this country and for reminding the genealogy community and public of the value of a death certificate as a legal document. When you find a genealogist at RecordClick, you will get a professional who will get you and your family the important documents in your ancestors’ lives. #### Keeping the Faith: Researching Nebraska Church Records Even as the explorers were defining the land that was to become Nebraska and the Great Plains, missionaries were setting out to save souls and minister to the needs of the people, including Native Americans, living there. It was not an easy task, but by the 1850s, a number of religious denominations were organizing and building churches. Church records are a good source of information for Nebraska genealogists. Although almost all religions are present in Nebraska, the most common, during the time the state was being settled, were Methodist, Catholic, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Congregational, Episcopalian, and Baptist. There were many more denominations, but Methodist, Catholic and Lutheran were the dominant three in those early days. Some Important Dates: 1854 – Nebraska Territory formed. 1854 – The Methodist Episcopal Church officially began serving the needs of the people of Nebraska. In October, a pastor was assigned to Nebraska City. 1856 – The first Catholic Church, St. Mary’s, was dedicated in Omaha. 1856 – Bellevue Presbyterian Church was organized. 1857 – The Vicariate Apostolic of the Nebraska Territory (Catholic) was established. 1858 – The first representative of the Evangelical Lutheran Church to Nebraska was appointed. 1858 – The first Lutheran Church, Emmanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, was organized in Omaha. It is now known at Kountz Memorial Lutheran Church. 1858 – The Omaha Presbytery was organized. 1867 – Nebraska became a state. 1875 – Synod for Nebraska (Lutheran) was received into the General Synod at the biennial convention. 1885 – The Diocese of Omaha (Catholic), which included Nebraska and Wyoming, was created. 1887 – The Diocese of Omaha was split and reduced to all counties in Nebraska north of the Platte. At that time, the Dioceses of Lincoln and Cheyenne (Wyoming) were created. 1912 – The Diocese of Kearney (Catholic) was created. 1917 – The Diocese of Kearney was transferred to Grand Island. 1939 – The Methodist Episcopal Church; the Methodist Episcopal Church, South; and the Methodist Protestant Church merged to form the Methodist Church. 1945 – The Omaha Diocese became an Archdiocese. 1968 – The United Methodist Church was created when the Methodist Church joined with The Evangelical United Brethren Church. Before immediately delving into church records, it might be a good idea to learn come history about the particular denomination you are researching. We’ll take a little closer look at the top three. The Methodists had a number of varieties including: German Methodist Episcopal; Methodist Episcopal Church among the Swedish People of Nebraska; Methodist Episcopal; and Methodist Protestant. The first major consolidation came in 1939 when three branches merged to become The Methodist Church. In 1968, the denomination unified with Evangelical United Brethren (EUB) to become the United Methodist Church (UMC). Some of the EUB congregations, however, opted out of joining the UMC and remained Evangelical. Through the first half of the 20th Century, many small towns in Nebraska had a Methodist Church. Ministers, then and now, are assigned rather than called. Methodists were not noted for their record keeping, with the quality varying from minister to minister. If the church is still active, that is where records will be found. If a church has closed or if information on a minister is sought, it should be in the archives on the lower level of the Cochrane-Woods Library at Wesleyan University in Lincoln. In some areas of rural Nebraska, Catholicism is the predominant religion. A small town may have had a Catholic grade school, high school or hospital. Specific areas of Omaha are also predominantly Catholic. When researching Catholics, be aware that members of many congregations were of one nationality. If there were Polish, Czech, Irish, and Germans living in one area, each could have its own church. Priests are assigned to parishes, and records should be in good order. Nebraska genealogy researchers should check with the local Catholic church in regard to records. The Omaha Archdiocese office, might be able to help with older records or information about Omaha area churches. The Lutheran churches may be among the most complicated to work with. Cities in Nebraska with a population of 7,000 or more may have four or more Lutheran Churches belonging to different synods or governing councils. Many Lutheran Churches are linked to individuals with a Scandinavian or German heritage. In the early days of the state, synods represented included: Nebraska Synod, Danish in America, Danish United Lutheran, German Iowa, Norwegian in America, Augustana, and Wisconsin. Lutherans use the call method for obtaining ministers, and the denomination is noted for keeping good records. The Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) regional archives house records relating to synods and congregations, including records from dissolved congregations. The archives of the Nebraska Synod are located at Midland Lutheran University in Fremont, Nebraska. The collection has both Augustana materials and records from the German Nebraska Synod, part of the former United Lutheran Church in American. For more information contact: office@nebraskasynod.org. Finally, the Nebraska State Historical Society has a number of church records from across the state in their manuscript collection. Resources History of Nebraska by J. Sterling Morton and Albert Watkins; Western Publishing and Engraving Company, Lincoln, Nebraska, 1918; Nebraska GenWeb OnLine Library. Catholic Archdiocese of Omaha. Catholic Diocese of Grand Island. Catholic Diocese of Lincoln. Nebraska Church Records in the Manuscript Collections of the Nebraska State Historical Society (follow "Note" on page on how to limit your search to just the Church Records collections). Nebraska Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (email: office@nebraskasynod.org). ELCA archives. Nebraska United Methodist Church archives. Regardless of the denomination, tracking down church records in Nebraska can be challenging. Churches opened, closed, moved, changed their names, consolidated or did any of a number of things including burning, flooding, and blowing away. The knowledgeable Nebraska genealogists at RecordClick can help you sort through your information, provide you with ideas on where to search, or do the search and obtain the information for you. They can also research the churches in an area to help you find the church where your ancestors worshiped. #### Labor Day and the Genealogist - Did our Ancestors Work?! This RecordClick genealogist still has that “to do” list for summer.  Yet, Labor Day and all the autumn barbecues and trips are just around the corner. Yes, Labor Day. It has arrived and is probably one of the most celebrated holidays around the world. Did you realize that it is a non-religious holiday in over 80 other countries? On different days and at other times, of course! The history of America’s Labor Day is a story fraught with contentious moments. First established here in 1887, it became a federal holiday in 1894.  For a large portion of the population, work life was of small, but important, value.  Life in the workplace was also a life of struggle. Incidents that are frequently recalled include the Haymarket Riot, the Pullman Strike and the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire. Why should this holiday and these events be of interest to a genealogist? Because improving working conditions was, and is, a movement with advocates and opponents. Where there is contention, there should be documentation. Where there is documentation, there should be names. Where there are names, there are stories and there should be many a genealogist tracking the information. The roots of Labor Day go back to the founding of Guilds in Europe. Garment workers are a good group to sample. Clothing was made completely by hand from the weaving of the material to the creation of a garment and its accompanying accessories. Tradesmen were paid a pittance for some of the fine attire they created. When the tradesman banded together, they could ask for higher wages. To obtain quality clothing, the customer had little choice but to pay the price asked by the tradesman. Being a member of a trade Guild was an honor and a sign of achievement. Then, perhaps not in the beginning, yet eventually, records were kept. For the genealogist, the labor union movement in the United States dates back to the mid-1800s. The beginnings were modest with the Noble and Holy Order of the Knights of Labor listed among the first unions. Beginning then with approximately 10,000 workers, its membership had grown to over a million people including African Americans and women by 1886. With time, its membership waned and other unions began to gain strength and numbers. Here, labor unions sought to improve working conditions in addition to achieving increases in wages. In many industries, long hours laboring in poor conditions were expected. Railroad and mining companies were among worst offenders. Whether the mines were in Wales, West Virginia or Kentucky (at left, Library of Congress photo), many men lost their lives as they worked hard to put food on the family tables. Railroads did provide faster and easier travel and shipment of goods. But these companies did not focus on safety issues. In 1893, over 18,343 railroad workers were injured and over 1,600 workers were killed. In the garment industry, many women were able to find work at the turn of the twentieth century. Yet, this was another industry where safety was not a priority. When the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire occurred, 146 women died in their locked work place. Many were young immigrants. Unions were created to help care for their members. Membership and dues needed to be recorded. Union activities had to be documented. When the genealogist searches through union records, what is the best way to begin the search? First, the genealogist should note the person’s occupation on census records. Then, consider if union membership may have been beneficial to this individual in that profession or job. Check with local historical or genealogy societies and libraries to see what unions may have been active in the local area. Locate where records may have been kept or sent. Find out about the history of the union. Here are some examples of unions that the genealogist may come across: The United Garment Workers Union (UGWA) was established in 1891. In 1994, the UGWA became part of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union. Records are located at Georgia State University in Atlanta with online information at: digitalcollections.library.gsu.edu. United Mine Workers of America (UMW or UMWA) was founded in Columbus, Ohio in 1890 with the merger of the Knights of Labor Trade Assembly No. 135 and the National Progressive Union of Miners and Mine Laborers. Regional offices are listed on the website: umwa.org. United Transportation Union (UTU) was the result of a merger in 1969 of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Engineers, the Order of Railway Conductors and Brakemen, the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen, and the Switchmen’s Union of North America. The history of the four unions dates to the 1860s when wages were about one dollar per day. The Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen Records 1873-1975 is Collection No. 5141 at the Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Cornell University. A genealogist may feel overwhelmed in this type of search. That’s because there have been hundreds of unions. Some families support unions, others do not. Union records may be found in a variety of places—all of which make for interesting ancestry research and, of course, another reason we RecordClick genealogists love helping you find all about your family history. A professional genealogist from RecordClick will find and create your unique family history. #### Land Records - Putting a Family in Its Place In my ancestry research, I have one of those families. Almost everybody has one. It’s the family that just gets along. No politicians or preachers that were mentioned in the newspapers. No scoundrels or scalawags with periodic court appearances or prison records. They didn’t climb any mountains or sail the seas (not that I know of). Families of fame or infamy are usually easier to research; however, what the Teachman family lacks in notoriety, it makes up for in something else – longevity. It's amazing what you discover when you start digging into your ancestors' lives. Early in my computer-generated genealogy research of my maternal ancestry, I stuck the last name “Teachman” in almost every search engine I could find. One of the most interesting hits was a newspaper clipping from the New York Columbian, 11 December 1820, reporting a death: “At Long Pond, New Jersey, Nicholas Teachman, aged 106 years and 5 months; one of the first settlers of the state, leaving numerous descendants of the fourth generation.” I have since found other notices from newspapers listing Teachman’s age at 100 years. Give or take six years, living that long was a rarity in 1820. Besides the interesting fact that Nicholas Teachman managed to hit the century mark, the notice gave rise to a number of questions to which I wanted to know the answer. Where was Long Pond? Did the Teachman family own property. Is there anything else I can find out from a paper trail? Applying a little cyber elbow grease, I found that Long Pond, now known as Greenwood Lake, is located about 40 miles northwest of New York City in Warwick Town of Orange County; the lake extends into New Jersey. According to the Warwick Chamber of Commerce, it's a great place to live if peace and quiet are the goal. New York artists have even painted it. Through further research, I discovered that the Teachmans are mentioned in a book about the area: The Warwick Woodlands; or, Things as they were there twenty years ago, an early travel book published in 1850 and written by Frank Forester. Roads to the area were less than ideal then, and even now, not direct, but that doesn't keep Long Pond from being a great weekend getaway spot for city dwellers. Digging deeper into the Teachmans' lives, I discovered the fact that the family wasn’t into wills. Unfortunately, I didn't find much information in the census because the early U.S. censuses for New Jersey are gone. Because the family seemed to be rather non-committal when it came to religion, I couldn't refer to a family Bible. The other research choice I had was to follow the money. In a day when the banking industry was in its infancy, property often became a family’s wealth. What I discovered is that Nicholas Teachman owned property on the east side of Long Pond. The search for land records took me to Bergen County, New Jersey. On 1 September 1803, Lemuel Cobb conveyed to Nicholas Teachman a tract of land situated on the east side of Long Pond in the Township of Pompton, County of Bergen and East Division of the State of New Jersey, containing 10 acres. Lemuel Cobb was a surveyor and, as such, was able to convey the property. This was early in the settlement of the area. Richard W. Hull wrote about it in his book, People of the Valleys - A History of the Valleys of the Town of Warwick, New York, 1700-1970: “And as late as 1803 Indians would occasionally appear on the east shore of Greenwood Lake to barter hides for food”. The 1800 U.S. Census lists Nicholas Teechman in Warwick, Orange Co., New York. The household consisted of: males, 16-25, 2; 26-44, 1; 45+, 1; females, 16-25, 3; 45+, 1. In early New Jersey tax lists, Nicholas Teachman is found for the years 1790-1794. In 1799, Nicholas is in New York paying personal taxes. In 1801, he has real estate in Warwick, Orange County, New York. New York – New Jersey, it’s a bit confusing. Further research cleared the matter up. There was a border dispute between New York and New Jersey. Part of the area in question was on the east side of Long Pond where the Teachmans lived. The New York – New Jersey border has been surveyed several times, once in 1774, with another survey authorized in 1872. It was discovered that the border surveyed in 1774 was not straight, but “bowed considerably south into New Jersey.” (“The New York – New Jersey Boundary Line: While New Jersey Dozed, New York Was Wide Awake”, a paper written in 1997 by Peter Osborne of the Minisink Valley Historical Society.) The reason for the problems with the surveys was a deposit of magnetite in the area that affected the survey instruments. That information has cleared up the confusion about the changing New York-New Jersey border confusion. I have not yet answered all of my questions, but I have found out some very interesting facts. By finding out about where the family lived, I know that the land was important in their livelihood, and they seemed to be self-sufficient. By the 1800 U.S. census, the "Nicholas" mentioned in the death notice was likely living with a son. Nicholas is a common name in the family. My great great grandfather Luke Nicholas Teachman, born in 1818 in Orange County, New York, was probably “one of the numerous descendants of the fourth generation." So, for those of you who have had similar research problems as I, take note that if you are accessing land records, especially early deeds, county and state boundaries may have changed over time. Keep an open mind and an open Atlas. Take note of adjacent townships or counties, even state lines, and check for records pertaining to your family's land holdings over a broader region. Our families may have stayed in one place, but the boundaries around them may have moved. If you hit a wall, cast your net a little farther. . .you're bound to catch a great piece of information about your family history. #### Laura Berry Shares Her Thoughts and Expertise on Genealogy Research Record Click writer and researcher Amy Brozio-Andrews recently interviewed Laura Berry, the Editor of Your Family History, a genealogy publication headquartered in the town of Barnsley, in South Yorkshire, England. Laura is an experiential genealogist and professional archives researcher, having helped generate a myriad of history programs, national newspaper and magazine articles, and books. Laura coordinated genealogical teams for the BBC version of Who Do You Think You Are? She also worked on other BBC-produced programs including Not Forgotten, History Mysteries, and Family Ties, as well as other televised and audio programs, such as You Think You're Royal? and Tracing Your Roots. Laura has contributed to several publications, including the Who Do You Think You Are? Encyclopedia of Genealogy; the Reader's Digest: How To Trace Your Family History on the Internet; and Lost Voices From the Titanic, which was written by Dr. Nick Barratt, the Editor-in-Chief of Your Family History magazine. Recently, she has been working on The History Channel’s Hidden House History. How did you become interested in genealogy? I was in my early 20s and had just finished university when I first became really interested in my own family history – my grandmother got the old family photos out, and I wanted to try to get my head around how all these people were connected and where they came from. She also told me a couple of family legends that got me curious. I’m still trying to get to the bottom of a story about a Victorian ancestor who married a gardener and was allegedly disinherited by her wealthy relatives – supposedly the owners of London’s Truman Brewery. What makes Your Family History magazine stand out from other genealogy publications? Your Family History is edited by professional genealogists. Our Editor-in-Chief, Dr. Nick Barratt, is President of the Federation of Family History Societies, a Trustee of the Society of Genealogists, and Vice President of the Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archives. I worked with him on numerous genealogical projects before I became Your Family History magazine’s Editor, including doing research for the TV series Who Do You Think You Are? in the UK, Ireland, Australia, and South Africa. So, we are really passionate about the subject, and we have a network of specialists on hand to give expert advice and help readers get to the bottom of their research problems. What are some of the biggest challenges facing family history researchers today? Modern family historians have benefited greatly from the Internet and the digitization of records, but we need to remember it still has its limitations. For example, many English and Welsh parish registers have been digitized in recent years, but there are still many more that only exist as microfilm or paper copies in archives, so you’re not getting the full picture when you carry out an online search. In what ways has the digitization of records and their availability online changed family history research? It’s so much quicker and easier to trace your family history back 150 years or so now, compared with the long and drawn out process that genealogists had to go through just 10 years ago, consulting paper indexes and trawling through microfilm reels just to find one family on a census return. Researching roots overseas is also an affordable and realistic prospect for many people now – I’m really pleased that I’ve been able to trace my grandfather’s Irish roots back to the 1830s. I ignored this branch when I first started out, believing the myth that barely any Irish records exist, as so many were burned in the 1920s. However the free online records made available recently (including the 1901 and 1911 census and civil registration indexes) helped get me on my way and inspired me to visit Ireland to find out even more on the ground. What's your advice for novice family history researchers? To anybody just starting out, the best advice I can give is to question how you know each fact as you add it to your family tree; you should constantly ask yourself how reliable the evidence is. Don’t scrimp on documentation – ordering copies of every necessary certificate will stop you from taking a wrong turn and from spending hours (and perhaps money) researching a different family. What's your advice for experienced family researchers? The same advice applies to experienced researchers – if you hit a "brick wall" it's always worth going back with a fine-tooth comb through the research you did when you first started to make sure you didn’t miss anything the first time round. Look to see whether there were any clues in the documents you ordered months ago that hadn’t meant anything to you at the time, but perhaps now might provide the key to your problem. So making sure your research notes are thorough and easy to understand is also vital! Looking forward, what kind of genealogy puzzles do you see being common to family history researchers among our children's children? I think advances in genetics will provide some really interesting conundrums for future genealogists – children born following artificial insemination with the help of a donor may want to trace their biological parents’ family history for various reasons, but data protection may hinder them in that process. Another fascinating example is children who are conceived posthumously, following Diana Blood’s ground-breaking case in the UK in the 1990s, which gave her the right to undergo IVF treatment using the sperm of her deceased husband, and to have the father’s name put on her children’s birth certificates. This may not be commonplace right now, but the future could see increasing numbers of children being conceived by this method. Future genealogists will certainly face a puzzle as to how these children could have been fathered so many years after their dad’s death. For family researchers interested in sending you their stories to win a 6-issue subscription, what kind of elements make someone’s family history stand out? We’re really interested in inspiring stories that have been thoroughly and creatively researched using records that few people would think to turn to. Most genealogists know how to use census returns, birth, marriage and death records, wills, newspapers and so on to find out the basics, but there’s a wealth of other archive material out there that we like to draw attention to. It’s great to find readers who have used some of those to flesh out their family tree. Have you found that there are certain kinds of family history resources that are often overlooked? People usually struggle to trace their English and Welsh ancestry back past 1837 when civil registration began, as parish registers are the key resource for tracing baptisms, marriages and burials prior to this year, but they’re not usually very detailed. However, local officials created plenty of other documentation at that time that can often be full of biographical information – settlement examinations, bastardy orders and taxation records, for example. What's the most rewarding part of being a member of the Your Family History magazine team? Being able to interact with our readers and really make a difference to people’s research give me a great feeling. It’s wonderful when we receive letters from readers thanking us for publishing a particular article because the advice helped them to break through a problem that they had been struggling with for years. It makes all the hard work worthwhile! For expert help with your ancestry research, consider contacting RecordClick, a genealogy ancestry service well versed in Irish genealogy research. Photo courtesy of Laura Berry #### Leadership And Social Impact: How To Be A CEO Who Cares Leadership and social impact go hand in hand as businesses look to integrate corporate social responsibility (CSR) and environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG). This aligns with continued business commitments to socially friendly initiatives such as the United Nations CSR dubbed the Global Impact, to which thousands of companies have already subscribed. As a result, the primary responsibilities of CEOs have shifted from focusing solely on profits, but also to the well-being of the stakeholders and the community. There needs to be an aspect where you show empathy and an understanding of the business's and society's woes and also show the urge to address them. But how do you address them authentically and effectively? How do you genuinely create a social impact that reflects your values? How do you convince others to join you and work toward your mission? The answer is in the values, traditions, and stories that shape your identity. The culture you inherited from your ancestors and the values you're brought up with can offer valuable insights into how you can be a caring CEO. For example, discovering a history of discrimination and stigma in your family can make you more inclined to implement inclusivity and equality policies in your company. This guide delves into family heritage's role in understanding social and environmental issues. It also offers tips on initiatives, such as social inclusion and climate change, that could align with your identity, values, and goals. How To Find Personal Motivation for Enhanced Leadership and Social Impact Warren Edward Buffett, Indra Nooyi, are examples of successful CEOs finding their personal motivation from their family history. Buffet appreciates the middle-class family he grew up in and his parents' teachings about values of frugality and social responsibility. Investor, philanthropist and Berkshire Hathaway co-founder, chairman and CEO, Warren Buffet appreciates the middle-class family he grew up in. These principles have remained intact throughout Warren Buffet's life, and his philanthropic efforts and have become essential to his legacy. Comparatively, Indra Nooyi's motivation is well documented in her memoir "My Life in Full: Work, Family, and Our Future." Nooyi shares how her family values and cultural background shaped her leadership style. Indra Nooyi's family values and cultural background shaped her leadership style to become one of the world's 100 most powerful women. One particular lesson she learned was the respect for diversity. Nooyi elaborates on her commitment to bolstering inclusion and diversity during and after her tenure at PepsiCo. These two examples top the list of successful CEOs who have leveraged their unique family heritage to make a difference in their professional areas. It also indicates that incorporating family values enhances your social impact as a leader and a company. Your Family Heritage Can Offer The Much-Needed Personal Motivation The best part about sourcing your motivation from your family heritage is that you benefit in many ways. You learn about your ancestors' legacy and achievements, which helps you understand your own challenges, strengths, and identity better. You get to discover the complexity and diversity in your family tree, exposing you to perspectives that can enrich your empathy as a CEO. Your ancestors' contributions come to light, and you recognize significant family roles in society or the environment. Your family's struggles and challenges can help you develop a sense of gratitude and humility, likely fostering a spirit of service and generosity to the less fortunate. Most importantly, you'll be sure to avoid any potential ethical dilemma or conflicts of interest likely to arise from unknown family ties. Family heritage is the best place to get your cue when you want to align your personality and professional goals with your family's vision and values. While the list could continue, the primary advantage is knowing where to look in your family history research. Luckily, expert genealogists at Record Click provide a comprehensive genealogy report highlighting critical sources of motivation such as: 1. Contribution To Population Growth, Cultural Diversity, And Demographic Changes Records and letters in a library The birth, marriage, and death records are the primary documents for a genealogist.  They help verify any information regarding population growth, cultural diversity, and demographic changes. Genealogist track actual birth names and dates and ancestors' contributions in their communities. It is the easiest way to find out if your ancestors were refugees, immigrants, first settlers, or intermarried across ethnicity, religion, or social background. 2. Contribution to Military Service Your ancestors' contribution as servicemen can be inspiring Genealogists also get hold of military records to trace ancestors in the armed forces, the wars they fought, their honors, and their impact on the family. Nothing can be more motivating than learning about your ancestors’ contribution to the freedoms you enjoy today and the loyalty and leadership they demonstrated. 3. Land Utilization Surveys, deeds and document related to land are helpful for genealogy researchers Information on the possessions associated with your family can help understand its values and commitment to infrastructure, urban planning, and environmental sustainability. Luckily, genealogists have a broad access to land records showing, among other things, the properties your ancestors rented, owned, or sold. 4. Economic Activities and Contributions census records like one seen here are crucial in learning about the demographic profile. Census records help a genealogist locate ancestors in specific places and times and also learn about their education, household composition, economic status, and immigration history. The information in a census record can help you understand how your ancestors contributed to leadership and social impact initiatives. It is the best place to find out whether your ancestors were activists, teachers, farmers, artisans, etc. 5. Wealth They Left Behind In-depth genealogy research also extracts Wills and probate records to define the ancestors' estate, the debts they incurred, and the beneficiaries. The Will can also convey the testator's true intentions and wishes, especially regarding social justice and philanthropy. An indication that your ancestors contributed enormously towards education, health, human rights, and non-profit organizations can clarify their values and how you can promote them in your position. How To Gain Deeper Insights Into Social And Environmental Issues Family history and values can also help C-suite executives gain deeper insights into social and environmental issues. With a comprehensive genealogy report from RecordClick, you get anecdotes about some of the most pressing CEO challenges like inequality, social justice, climate, diversity, and conservation. 1. Inequality and Social Justice   Leaders looking to enhance their social impact must promote social justice. Discovering the social upheavals that ancestors endured can be a powerful motivator for C-suite executives to address issues of injustice in their organizations. As a CEO, you can drive policy changes, foster community engagement, and promote advocacy. 2. Cultural Sensitivity and Diversity Cultural Ethnicity Calculator Genealogy also uncovers the cultural diversity and diverse origins that shape your family. It involves tools like the cultural ethnicity calculator that may easily prove that you originate from a diverse background, motivating you to foster inclusivity as a CEO. Standard practices to champion inclusivity as a CEO include creating employee resource groups, enhancing training programs, and diversifying leadership. 3. Climate Change Awareness Genealogy can reveal how ancestors managed floods, their experience with drought, and whether their businesses contributed to pollution during the Industrial Revolution. As a CEO, such awareness could serve as inspiration to support energy initiatives such as reducing your company’s carbon footprint. 4. Historical Precedents Historical events are an eye opener for contemporary challenges. Photo courtesy of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia; Lincoln, Nebraska Historical precedents with grave consequences on your family tree can also motivate you to merge your leadership with social impact. Learning that your great-grandfather was involved in the Civil Rights Movement can make you more attuned to the importance of diversity and inclusion within their company. With all the details and documents provided to you by our genealogist, you can find the need to implement policies to support underrepresented communities and promote equal opportunities. Your ancestor’s precautions throughout the Industrial Revolution should inform you of their industrial excesses. Such lessons help you take the necessary steps to maintain environmentally sustainable and ethical practices in your company. 5. Legacy of Philanthropy Companies make donations as part of their alignment of corporate culture with family ethics The legacy of philanthropy in American families is a testament to generational values' impact on social responsibility. As a CEO, you want to know what philanthropic practices your ancestors participated in and at what magnitude, especially if you’re running a family business. For example, the Rockefeller family is famous for supporting social causes like arts and health. As a modern CEO discovering such a lineage, you might be inspired to establish a drive that aligns with those values. You can learn a lot from your family history, especially if you want to be remembered as a socially responsible CEO. By uncovering your ancestors' values, trials, and triumphs, you can find wisdom and inspiration to face contemporary social challenges. Actionable Steps For CEOs To Bolster Leadership and Social Impact Below are the actionable steps you can take across departments to foster social responsibility; 1. Reflect on the Family Values and Legacy Family members and relatives can offer insights into their ethics Understanding your family heritage makes it easy to identify the enduring principles that keep it strong and how you can align that with CSR goals. You can align principles like integrity, respect for people, and community involvement with modern CSR goals and impact stakeholders and the community in the long run. 2. Identify Historical Parallels The discovery of having lost ancestors or relatives in the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire in your family history research can be an unfortunate reminder of the need for caring as a CEO. From poor working conditions to a lack of safety measures, you can learn a myriad of lessons to address today's challenges. The examples from your family history can be unique and hence have unique lessons that could save the contemporary corporate world. You only need to take actionable steps like fostering inclusivity and partnering with the community. 3. Leverage Ancestral Wisdom family history requires accurate genealogy and documentation Your family history comes with crucial insights about your ancestors' adaptability, resilience, and ethical conduct. Some of the effective ways these insights can help you include: Fostering a Resilient Mindset: You can use your ancestors' problem-solving techniques to deal with setbacks and stress and promote your well-being. Adapting to Different Situations: Create a diverse team open to changing business models and strategies based on evolving needs. Promote Ethical Conduct: Set clear policies to reflect fairness and integrity in all dealings. Enhance Family Heritage: Understand the company's cultural roots and align the corporate culture with family ethics. 4. Engage with the Community Positive engagement involves collaboration, listening to people's needs, and actively participating in community life. Typical engagements may include regular meetings, supporting essential services, and launching collaborative initiatives. 5. Build a Legacy of Responsibility Enhancing generational transition also fosters social impact Seek to build a legacy of responsibility and care as you foster leadership and social impact. Consider how future generations will judge you and how you want to inspire them in your family and beyond. Below are crucial steps for a CEO to leave a long-lasting legacy: Define Core Values: Embed core values such as community service or sustainability in the corporate culture and communicate them clearly to all stakeholders. Lead by Example: Use your decisions and actions to demonstrate the environment you wish to create and serve as a role model. Invest in People: Employee development is a crucial step in leadership and social impact as it prepares the workforce for the future. Open Engagement Channels: Maintain open communication with employees, customers, and the community and show empathy, especially when making far-reaching decisions. Plan for Succession: Developing a succession plan ensures the company’s legacy and values are upheld now and in the future. The steps you take as a CEO to boost your social impact and leadership will mostly depend on your identity and personal narrative. Whatever your strategies, you will surely enhance your reputation and credibility as a CEO who cares. Enhance CEO Reputation And Credibility  LG CEO William Cho has actively engaged with company employees through end -of-year F.U.N. Talk’ Besides your efforts' corporate and social impact, your reputation and credibility as a CEO who cares can only soar. Here’s how: 1. Public Relation Leaders engaging in enhanced leadership and social impact are often considered more respectable and trustworthy. Studies suggest that the reflective leadership model, known to foster awareness of social impact and ethics, is associated with increased stakeholder loyalty and trust. Leaders, including Bill & Melinda Gates and Sheryl Sandberg, have demonstrated their dedication to societal well-being through their foundations. As a result, they have positively influenced their image and earned respect from the public. 2. Unique and Authentic Brand Identity Your commitment to enhancing leadership and social impact creates a unique and authentic brand identity, especially when informed by family heritage. Family-owned businesses like Ford Motor Company and Walmart have mastered using family history and values to their advantage. Their unique stories give their brand a human touch and foster customer connection. Ford Motor Company leverages family history to boost its brand In the same way, your family history and determination to impact society can be a robust differentiation in a competitive market. Traditions and history can help you create a unique brand and stand out among competitors. Such an approach builds loyalty and trust among customers. Be A Socially Responsible Leader Working on social impact and responsibility enhances a leader's reputation and credibility, not to mention its positive impact on the community and society. Luckily, family history research can provide clues about the issues that haunt the community and your ancestors' efforts toward them. CEOs also have lessons to take from their heritage on how to be authentic, practical, and inspiring leaders. With Record Click, you can hire a genealogist to help you study your background and identify critical aspects of your family and life that convey authentic and motivational personal narratives. Record Click offers a wide array of genealogy services and a diverse genealogy team that is Accredited, Credentialed, Professional, and Experienced to break open your family tree and reveal your unique family history. A genealogy company shouldn't only be about local searching; that's why our diverse team includes specialists from all across the United States and across the globe. Regardless of whether your ancestral background is from Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, or other parts of the globe, we can help you break open your family tree. Our expertise is record retrieval! You can ask our researchers about your ancestors worldwide, geographical migrations, marriages, affairs of the heart, medical family tree, death records, land deeds, assets, and much more. We can customize your family search for the genealogical research you need, your time frame, and your budget. We offer free consultation and an automatic discount for all new customers. Contact us today or schedule a call. RELATED: How Personal Narratives Make You An Effective CEO   #### Learn the ABCs of Genealogical Research Using School Records One morning in late August, as I was driving past the local high school, I saw a sure sign that school was going to start soon - The marching band was outside practicing. There were no fancy uniforms – mostly tee shirts and blue jeans - but horns were tooting, drums beating, and flags waving. The seasons were changing. I could not help but be reminded of an under-used resource for genealogical researchers – the school census. An overlooked resource by family historians, a school census can contain a good deal of genealogical information, and better yet, a student's family can be followed year by year. Schools and education have played an important role in the development of this country since Colonial times. The first schools were founded in New England when the need for public education was deemed vital to the growth of the country. There are some dates in the history of education that a genealogist should remember: 1620 – The Pilgrims arrived. 1635 – Boston Latin School, the first public school in the colonies, was founded. 1650 – Harvard, the forerunner of what is now Harvard University, received its corporate charter. 1693 – William and Mary College in Virginia was founded. 1821 – Boston started the first public high school. 1865 – The U.S. Government began making arrangements with missionary societies to operate Indian schools. 1870 – All states had free elementary schools. 1910 – More than 70 % of American children attended school. 1940 – Half of the young adults in the United States earned high school diplomas. 1973 – About 60,000 Native Americans were enrolled in boarding schools. Genealogists need to keep in mind that educational institutions can be categorized: Public and private schools; funded by state and local taxes or tuition. Native American schools; funded by the federal government, patriotic organizations, or religious institutions. Colleges and universities; funded by taxes and tuition. One of the benefits of educational records for genealogical research purposes is that they follow an individual or family more closely than the U.S. Census, which is enumerated every ten years. The good news for family history researchers is the fact that school censuses, as well as records for attendance and what subjects were studied, are open to the public. Personal records, such as grades, are not. Attendance records follow a student’s day-to-day involvement with the school. They also record when a student moves into and out of a school district. The school census was taken once a year. The information recorded varies from school district to school district, but usually includes the parent’s name, the name of the children in the family, and the birth dates or ages of the children. Children who have not yet started school or have concluded their education, but are still household members, are often included. Available college and university student records usually include dates of attendance, as well as the areas in which the student studied. Genealogists often overlook school records because they are not easily located or may even have been destroyed. Most of the time they are not indexed, and in order to find the correct school, it is necessary to know the location of the family residence. In this rare instance, Native American school records may be the easiest to locate because many of their schools fall under the auspices of the federal government - the records of which were more likely to be saved. To locate school records, check first at the school district office. In rural areas, frequently a County Superintendent of Schools was the administrator. Check the county courthouse; that is where the records may be. If the position has been eliminated, check with the county clerk. Old records may have found their way to an attic or basement. County or state archives, historical societies, or genealogical societies are possible repositories for school census and attendance records. Many colleges and universities now have libraries and archives that house student information. An alumni association may also be helpful. The LDS Library has made an effort to microfilm or digitize school records they may locate. A portion of the school census records for the State of South Dakota is online at FamilySearch. A number of states have had school census records microfilmed. Many Indian school records have been microfilmed, too. Include the Indian nation the individual may have belonged to in the search. Check the Family History Library card catalog for information on the microfilm. If you would like help in your genealogical research, look to the expert genealogists at RecordClick. We are knowledgeable in the various sources – including school attendance and census records – available to the family history researcher. We can do an ancestor search for information or help you organize and write your family tree history. #### Legacy Books - A Genealogist's Gift for the Professional Generations We've all heard it from our families, haven’t we? It’s Thanksgiving dinner or some other gathering of the clan, and the topic of our passion for genealogical research comes into the conversation. Someone looks disdainfully in our direction and asks the question: Why on earth would you want to spend so much time with dead people? Our hackles rise, hopefully, our temper does not, as we launch into all the reasons that this obsession with family history is such a vital part of our lives. I have often heard that the "genealogy bug" frequently skips a generation, or two. But wouldn't it be gratifying to share our love of our ancestors and their life stories with others in our family in such a tangible way that they are drawn in as well? A new product offering from RecordClick can do just that with the Legacy Book. The old saying that a picture is worth a thousand words is timelessly true. When genealogists start enthusing about their latest find (Did you know that great-grandpa became a doctor but couldn't make a living and had to go back to cotton farming?), others may simply glaze over or change the topic of conversation. But, if you put an actual census image into their hands from 1900 listing great-grandpa’s occupation as a physician, and then the 1910 census showing him as a farmer, those documents make great-grandpa more real, and the speculation about his career path will take off. A Legacy Book allows family history researchers to bring together the documents and images of their ancestor search. Printed on high-quality, glossy paper, a typical book begins with a 5-generation pedigree. This is followed by the generations flowing back through the second-great grandparents. (Additional generations can be added as desired.) Included is a family group sheet for each ancestral couple, a timeline for each direct ancestor (set against a historical timeline of the major world events corresponding with that person’s life), and all documents you wish to include, such as birth and marriage certificates, military documents, immigration, and naturalization records. The individual’s information from images, such as censuses and passenger lists, is summarized off to the side of the document for easy consumption. Generational divider pages help keep the reader on track. Your photographs, perhaps rescued from old albums and shoeboxes, help make the people and places of your ancestor search jump vividly to life. The layouts are all handled professionally, and a wide array of backgrounds help tell your family’s stories. A limitless variety of images can be included: military medals, certificates, diplomas, letters, passports - anything that can be scanned or photographed can be included in a Legacy Book. This product will pull in even the most skeptical family members; and often seeing the product being developed online inspires your relatives to get involved in family history research by cleaning out old drawers or closets, looking for additional photographs, documents, and other memorabilia to include. As the professional RecordClick Legacy Book producer is working on your book, you will have the opportunity to view the progress and request additions or changes. If you would like to preserve and present your genealogical research in a format that goes beyond the 3-ring binders and endless file folders, consider contacting RecordClick for a free consultation. Your loved-ones, now and in the future, will thank you for preserving the family history in such a vibrant, engaging fashion, and your Legacy Book will be proudly handed down through the generations, honoring those generations who went before. And when the next person asks you what on earth is so interesting about a bunch of deceased relatives, just hand them your Legacy Book and smile. #### Legacy Books - The Genealogy Gift Of Family For Family If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind? ~ From Ode to the West Wind by Percy Bysshe Shelley With apologies to Percy Shelley: If Autumn comes, can Christmas be far behind? This year, family researchers should consider a unique genealogy gift to share their love of ancestral history with the rest of their relatives, who may be feeling a bit ignored while the family genealogist is obsessively researching the past. The Legacy Book, offered by RecordClick, is a true family heirloom that will be treasured by generations to come, while preserving the earlier generations’ histories. Consider a genealogy gift card as they make a great Ancestry as a gift Those family members not addicted to genealogical research generally wonder what the lure is. They may see the piles of old, hard-to-read documents and stacks of file folders and rooms stuffed with 3-ring binders and filing cabinets as a general mess. Too often, when the current family historian passes away, survivors come in to clean out that "mess," and the research of decades can end up in the trash. Too much of the dedication of past genealogists has been lost this way, but that practice can be prevented by the production of a Legacy Book. This product can be customized to fit your needs. Generally, it begins with a 5-generation pedigree page, with the names and vital dates flowing from the lead person back to the 2nd-great-grandparents’ generation. Following this pedigree page, the next sheet is a family group sheet containing the lead person’s spouse and children, with all dates, much as you would find on a typical family group sheet, but with photographs of the husband and wife, if available. The next page presents a timeline of the significant events in the individual’s life from birth to the present, if the person is living, or to death, if the individual is deceased. Running across the bottom of the page is an historic timeline of world events that paralleled the person’s life, such as World War I, the Women’s Right to Vote Amendment, World War II, the First Man on the Moon, and so forth. The third part presents the genealogical documents of the lead individual: censuses, birth and marriage certificates, educational and occupational diplomas, award certificates, photographs from various ages—whatever can be scanned can be included. The following section moves to the lead person’s parents, and presents their family group sheets, timelines, records, and photographs. Censuses are digitized images, the best possible quality for the document, and they have all the crucial information about the given individual pulled out and summarized on the side of the census, so if the small font at the heads of the columns is too small or too faded through the years to read, everything pertaining to that person is written out very clearly on the side. The tops of the pages list the person’s name and the title of the record, such as: "Herbert Yates Smith — 1880 United States Federal Census." After the parents' section comes the grandparents' section with all of their documents and photographs. Next come the great-grandparents, followed by the 2nd-great-grandparents. Additional generations can be added if your family tree goes that far, but if it does not, the genealogical professionals at RecordClick can offer additional research if you desire. The only limitation is a maximum of 250 pages. The binding of the Legacy Books is meant to last for decades, and the paper stock is glossy and heavy weight. The result is a treasured genealogy gift to yourself, your family members, and your future generations. The professional genealogists at RecordClick can help you with your ancestor search, while other expert family history researchers are prepared to create a lasting genealogy book that captures your family legacy - one that will be enjoyed for generations to come. Whether you order a Legacy Book for an anniversary, a reunion, or a stellar Christmas genealogy gift, the experts at RecordClick are ready to create it for you. Contact RecordClick today to arrange for an unforgettable genealogy gift of family for your family. Images courtesy of Tricia Dingwall Thompson. #### Let Passports Be Your Passport to British Genealogy Research Halt! Who Goes There! Who hasn't heard the phrase while watching an old movie? Not just a movie trivia question, that phrase is one of the United States Armed Forces General Orders for Sentries, and used especially when securing borders. Tracking travelers, however, didn't start in the U.S. We are a people on the move; we have been since the dawn of existence. At first, the search was to fill basic needs – food, shelter, protection for our bodies. Then someone decided to see what was over the horizon, just because it was possible. Along the way, settlements and countries evolved. With that came the desire to delineate borders and keep track of who went where. There are The Great Wall of China and Hadrian’s Wall, city walls, and castle moats. England, and later Great Britain, was one of the earliest countries to start tracking travelers. So who were the travelers? Who determined whom to allow in and whom to keep out? What happened to the records? The paper trail that genealogists love to follow began. In earlier days, papers called "safe conducts" or passes "beyond the seas" signed by a king or queen helped insure safe passage across borders and into new lands. The documents were usually used by upper class travelers on government or financial business and could be utilized in conjunction with a letter of introduction. The term "passport" evolved and the record keeping began began. 1414 – A reference is made regarding "safe conducts" in government records. 1450 – The Privy Council (a body of advisors to the ruler) Register begins. One of its duties was granting passports. 1641 – The year the earliest surviving passport, signed by King Charles I, was granted. 1772 – The language used to write passports was changed from English and Latin to French. 1794 – Passports were issued by the Secretary of State. 1858 – Passports were restricted to United Kingdom nationals and the language was changed from French to English. 1914 – Passports were printed on paper and contained a picture of the holder. They were now required for overseas travel. 1915 – The first modern United Kingdom passport was issued. British passports and emigration records can go hand in hand for genealogical researchers tracing ancestry. Keep in mind that the record keeping system evolved; to start with passports were not required. There are estimates that between 1630 and 1700, 380,000 English citizens relocated to the Americas. Whether you are a professional genealogist or just enjoy family search genealogy, The National Archives (TNA) in the UK is a good place to start to trace your ancestry. TNA has worked with findmypast genealogy website to create indexes of British passport applicants from 1851 to 1903. They can be accessed for a fee through the U.S. website: www.findmypast.com or the UK website: www.findmypast.co.uk. There are no indexes for 1857 or 1863 to 1873. 1858 is missing names beginning with A-G. Other passport records at The National Archives at Kew include: Indexes of British passport applicants (1904-1916) Registers of British passport applications (1795-1948) Passports (1802-1961) and case papers (1916-1983) Entry books of passes issued by Secretaries of State (1674-1794) More information on the passport resources can be found on the TNA website. Genealogical research would be easy if all the information was located in one place. But in Great Britain, like the United States, that isn't necessarily so. The TNA website is helpful in that it has two parts. The first is the TNA. The second area, A2A – Access to Archives, lists the holdings of other repositories throughout the country through the online archives network. Great Britain is divided into 10 regions with many repositories from the Abbey House Museum to Yorkshire Sculpture Park. For example, I searched for other repositories with passport information and came up with the North Yorkshire County Records Office. Among its holdings is "Specimen seals and signatures in case of authorization for passports 1858." As in most genealogical research, the more specific the site, the more specific the information. The TNA website has a list of helpful books for those genealogists searching for passport information. Two of note are: Original Lists of Persons Emigrating to America, 1600-1700 (Chatto and Windus, 1874) by J.C. Hotten. The multi-volume set contains information from TNA registers of licenses to pass beyond the seas. The second volume is Migration Records by Roger Kershaw (TNA books, 2009). For genealogists tracing ancestry, seeking passport and emigration information in Great Britain can get a bit complicated. TNA and A2A can help direct genealogy researchers to possible research sites. For additional help, RecordClick has experienced genealogy ancestry services and genealogical researchers in Great Britain. RecordClick has access to TNA and can assist with ancestry searches through other repositories of information. Take a look at TNA and A2A. photo credit Nancy Siddons-Daniels #### Lineal Descendants Chart: How To Determine Hierarchy A lineal descendants chart details the blood relatives in the direct line of descent – the children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc. of a person. Having a detailed analysis of these descendants is crucial especially when someone dies intestate (without a valid will). One of the many things that happen when someone dies intestate is the heir search. The administrator or executor establishes the estate left by the decedent and all the beneficiaries. After appointing an estate administrator, the probate court requires them to follow applicable laws and identify unknown or missing heirs. Usually, the estate distribution prioritizes the spouse and the children, hence the need to create and complete a lineal descendant chart. Key Takeaways Lineal descendants include your children, grandchildren, and so on. A lineal descendant chart illustrates the generations originating from a single person or couple. A lineal descendent chart is crucial when presenting evidence of your kinship to a testator. Who Are Lineal Descendants? family tree frame Also known as an issue, lineal descendants are the generations from a common ancestor. They include children, grandchildren, and so on. Lineal descendants are crucial in intestate succession as the probate court and intestacy laws prioritize them during estate distribution. Note that the law has no variance between adopted and biological descendants, and both enjoy equal rights. However, your biological children may not count in intestacy cases if they are legally adopted elsewhere. Simply put, lineal descendants are the opposite of lineal ascendants, comprising the parents, grandparents, etc. Other forms of descendants are the collateral descendants, who are the lineal descendants of a sibling. They comprise cousins, aunts, nephews, aunts, and nieces. What is a Lineal Descendants Chart? Lineal Descendants Chart As the name suggests, a lineal descendant chart illustrates the generations originating from a single person or couple. Normally, the person or couple is at the top of the chart, and their children, grandchildren, and great-grandparents follow. This chart plays a significant role in keeping track of your offspring and helps them know the connection with their other relatives such as cousins. A lineal descendants chart must include spouses for all the individuals, and the width depends on the number of individuals in each generational level and their marital status. For this reason, families with many children and descendants require an extensive chart to accommodate all and indicate personal details. In this chart, apart from spouses and adopted, every person shares some part of their DNA from the person at the top. Also, the chart does not include siblings or parents for the person at the top. Genealogical Numbering in A Lineal Descendants Chart Table of Consanguinity Genealogical numbering is a critical part of heir search and family tree publications. Every individual on a chart has a number that determines their degree of relation to the common ancestor. While you're likely to encounter different numbering methods, all the systems serve a common purpose: to keep things organized and help you quickly identify relationships on a chart. Lineal descendant charts use the Register Numbering System that most Historical and Genealogy Societies use for publications. This system only numbers the blood-line descendants and not their spouses. The common ancestor at the top of the chart is given the number 1. In contrast, the children are given a lowercase Roman numeral in their birth order. This way, every descendant has a unique number. Numbering in Other Charts Unlike lineal descendants charts, ancestry charts start with the child, and the ancestors branch out in generations. The ancestry formation uses the Ahnentafel numbering system with the child as number 1, the father as 2, the mother as 3, and so on. Numbering in family tree charts helps keep track of family members and makes the whole thing simple. Benefits of a Lineal Descendant Chart Heir search must follow the law A lineal descendent chart is crucial when you want to present evidence of your relation to a testator. Therefore, having one already created or consulting a professional genealogist to create one is vital to ensure you're included when an administrator distributes the estate to valid beneficiaries. Below are other benefits that you may reap from a descendants chart. Understand Your Heritage Completing a descendants chart is an exciting journey that helps you not only detail heirship but also create an understanding of your heritage. Descendants will know where they came from and how they settled in their local communities. Detailing Family Members on a Visual Depiction One real advantage of a lineal descendant chart is exploring descendants and discovering unknown or missing relatives. This way, you can tell who should be prioritized regarding heirship and how to explain the genealogy to a probate judge. Fun Completing a descendant chart is fun as you spend your leisure time making enjoyable discoveries and depicting how you originated from a common ancestor. The task may be daunting, especially for complex family structures, but we have tricks to untangle mysteries. Where Can I Find a Lineal Descendant Chart? If you need a lineal descendant chart completed ASAP, we can do that and send a PDF preview your way. You only need to let us know the proper dimensions and design, and we can proceed with drafting and printing. In addition, we have descendant charts and other family tree templates on our site ready for editing and download. So, please review the available templates as you read the guides on each design. You'll surely love our genealogy services that confidently provide a money-back guarantee. Feel free to contact us if you need clarification or guidance on heir search or completing any chart.     #### Locating Missing Heirs and Beneficiaries In a normal situation, family members are in a position to identify and locate an heir or beneficiary to a deceased even if the deceased died intestate. However, there are times when extra effort is needed to help locate these people so they are notified of their right to inheritance or at least participate in court hearings. One of the most bugging questions people as after an intestate is, how do I find missing heirs? Intestate is when a person dies without a will and someone has to inherit the probate estates. Probate law is different in different states regarding inheritance. The beneficiaries are sought for from the family first. If the heir is missing, the probate attorney informs the Administrator who starts with doing sue diligence to locate the missing heir. There are intestate situations where there is a will but due to errors, the documentation is rejected by probate court. This leaves the heirs of the estate unknown and the assets cannot be distributed unless the court can locate missing heirs and beneficiaries. What if an heir cannot be located? If an heir can’t be located, the administrator is required to make efforts to find the missing heir. The first thing is doing due diligence by: Searching online Advertising in a local newspaper Asking friends or family of the deceased Hiring a private investigator Write to the heir’s last known address What if after all this, the heir still can’t be found? What happens to unclaimed inheritance? Locating a missing heir can be a real struggle. If they can’t be found, the administrator hires a probate attorney. The available heirs or beneficiaries come together and everyone gets their share. For the remaining share, the law is different in different states. It is however similar in that the unclaimed inheritance is deposited in a county account opened when the probate hearings started. If someone can locate the heir after some time, the probate attorney handles the rest. However, it is advisable not to let the inheritance get deposited in the county account. A reputable law firm can help out in the search of the heir or beneficiaries. The inheritance is public record and one can do a simple search and get the list of the unclaimed inheritance. If or when a deceased leaves an erroneous will, the documentation is rejected by probate court. This means the distribution of assets or estates is halted. Family members are advised to get a law firm that specializes in probate law to help get the process going. What if an executor can’t locate a beneficiary? Before the executor claims the missing beneficiary can’t be located entirely, it is advisable to fist hire private investigators. The deceased might not have left a lot of information to go with but the investigators can start with a genealogical search. The law is different in some states and if the inheritance happens to go to the county account, things might not be as smooth later. After a probate estate is opened and some heirs can’t be located, distribution of the assets must be halted. It is the personal responsibility of the administrator or personal representative to make all efforts to locate the missing heirs. In cases where the missing heirs and beneficiaries cannot be found, different states approach it differently. For example, in California, the amount owed to the missing heir is handed over to the County Controller. Alternatively, the probate lawyer asks the probate court to declare the missing heir dead. That is if the person is missing for five years or more. In such a case, the portion is distributed to the person’s heir or beneficiaries. If you have tried to locate missing heirs and beneficiaries in vain, there is the temptation to let the estate go to the state. The probate attorney advises the client to do their best and avoid the estate going to the state. This might make the inheritance get held up for a very long time. Inheritance is public records and a simple search in a database gives all the information there is about any held up estate. If the deceased had a trust for their beneficiary, the heir can be found though genealogical research. Assets can’t be distributed until everyone named in the will. The family is the first place to start according to the law #### Looking For Resources, Genealogist? Check Out a Library A genealogist is a browser – or at least one should be. Many a family history researcher will begin by looking for his or her names… the paternal, maternal, in-laws, possibly adopted… just to note a few. This RecordClick genealogist understands this because that is the way we need to begin our genealogy journey. But our families did not, usually, live on a deserted island or in an exclusive neighborhood of relatives. The residents came from someplace else and may have kept diaries or journals of their activities and business dealings. Or they may have written letters to friends and family. Who exactly did they associate with? What did they think? Are these materials online? Don’t bet on it. But they might be in a library! That is how this genealogist began browsing around the Library of Congress. It is, of course, one of the best repositories of information in this country. Available to the genealogists and to every genealogy researcher is the library’s vast collection of books, periodicals, photographs and maps. The National Archives are home to the government documents – census records, military records, and homestead records, just for starters. The Library of Congress (and other libraries and historical societies in this fair nation) houses personal records and organizational records for thousands of people and groups dating back to before the Revolutionary War. The variety of the records a genealogist may find at the Library of Congress boggles the mind. Examples include: Carl W. Ackerman; 1833-1970; 60,000 items. Ackerman was a journalist and dean of the Columbia School of Journalism. Library holdings include correspondence, diaries, speeches, writings, family papers and scrapbooks relating to his career. C.S. Draper; 1773-1978; 16,800 items. An engineer, inventor and educator, Draper was a professor of aeronautical engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Available to researchers are speeches, writings, family and personal papers dating back to 1773. T.H. Gallaudet and Edward Miner Gallaudet; 1806-1958; 2,700 items. Both are educators associated with the founding of Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. Holdings include correspondence, diaries, journals, genealogical information and resources on their founding rolls in the education of the deaf. National Urban League Records; 1900-1988; 616,000 items. Based in New York City with roots going back to the early 1900s, the nonpartisan civil rights organization was originally known as the “National League on Urban Conditions Among Negroes”. The Library of Congress is the care-taker of correspondence, scrapbooks, financial and legal records of the group. The Panama Collection; 1804-1977; 12,700 items. Information was collected by the Canal Zone Library – Museum in Balboa Heights and includes material concerning the planning and construction of the Panama Canal and business and cultural aspects of the Canal Zone. Correspondence, diaries, memoirs, financial and legal papers are part of the collection. Margaret Sanger; 1900-1966; 130,000 items. A nurse and author, Margaret Sanger is best known for being an early leader of the birth control movement. Holdings include correspondence, diaries (1914-1953), scrapbooks and memorabilia. Billy Taylor; 1942-2004; 150,000 items. Taylor was a jazz pianist, composer and educator. The Library of Congress is home to his musical manuscripts, correspondence, clippings and scripts. Joseph Meredith Toner; 1741-1896; 237,000 items. A physician, author and collector, Toner provides insight into the history and practice of medicine in the United States during the life and times of George Washington. Holdings include correspondence, a diary, notes and lists. Walt Whitman; Three collections (actually there are more, but I’m only listing the largest). Walt Whitman papers, 1837-1957, 150 items. This collection includes poet Walt Whitman’s correspondence, family papers, and letters exchanged with Abraham Leech, Whitman’s earliest known correspondence. Thomas Biggs Harned collection of Walt Whitman papers, 1842-1937, 3,000 items. Lawyer Harned was a literary executor of Whitman’s estate. The collection includes correspondence and material relating to various aspects of Whitman’s career. Walt Whitman papers in the Charles E. Feinberg collection, 1763-1985, 28,000 items. Feinberg was a collector amassing diaries, notes and notebooks of Whitman. Other individuals represented in the Feinberg collection include Richard Maurice Bucke, John H. Johnston, William Douglas O’Connor, and Horace and Anne Montgomerie Traubel. For the genealogist: to find an index of the personal papers of the Library of Congress, on the right-hand side of the home page click on Library of Congress Online Catalog. On the next screen, the genealogist should click on “Archival Finding Aids” and go from there. Many libraries and historical societies are the repositories of some type of personal papers or correspondence. Begin first with a library that makes geographical or professional sense, keeping in mind that, for whatever reason, the documents may wind up in a different place. Also, keep in mind that an ancestor may not be the subject of the item or article, but mentioned in passing. Perhaps he or she was a neighbor or had a shared interest. Many a genealogist, myself included, appreciates indexed materials. Legal documents are more likely to have an index. When searching through diaries and personal correspondence, don’t expect an index or a transcription. Do a happy dance if the item has either! The family history researcher can find out who an ancestor’s neighbors were and what happened to them. The genealogist can find out if they were members of a fraternal organization. The ideas a family history researcher can have in this library are limitless. Don’t be afraid to browse, but be prepared to spend some time reading old handwriting-- with no guarantee of success. Taking time to browse can be part of the research regimen for every expert genealogist at RecordClick. We develop research strategies to find illusive information. With family history researchers at a number of locations, we search for those special documents that create a unique and special family history for you. #### Lost Heirs: What's The Surest Way To Find Them Lost heirs can only be found by professional genealogists experienced in detailing bloodline connections. A genealogy report is admissible in a probate court and can provide a detailed account of the lost heir’s whereabouts. As a result, the probate court can make reliable conclusions about estate settlement and bring to rest the tedious process. Key Takeaways Searching for lost heirs from adoptions, multiple marriages, and blended families is what genealogists do best. If an heir is unknown or not accounted for, the probate court assigns an executor to make good-faith efforts to locate them. Consulting a professional genealogist saves the executor and probate court attorneys the risks and headaches. How To Search for Lost Heirs and Beneficiaries Heir search Searching for lost heirs is what genealogists do best, although modern family dynamics are becoming more complex.  The increase in adoptions, cohabitations, multiple marriages, and blended families means you need a professional to find accurate answers. No one bothers about lost relatives until they're possible heirs in intestacy succession or when they're named in a will. When the issue gets before the probate court, it halts the estate distribution process until all rightful beneficiaries or heirs are identified and their fate sealed. In this case, concerned parties will have to start with traditional methods of finding clues. The steps involve speaking to leads, searching family records, publishing a newspaper notice, etc. Remember, you still need a reliable report from a professional genealogist for the court to accept your findings. Who Oversees Heir Search in The Probate Process? Assets and Estate distribution An Executor or estate administrator must notify heirs-at-law of intestacy or name in the will. This notification signals the heirs to exercise their rights to object or participate in the probate proceedings. If an heir is unknown or not accounted for, the probate court assigns an executor to make good-faith efforts to locate them. While the court gives no specific instructions to the administrator, it expects them to do their best and act with due diligence. The court can determine whether an executor has fully met their obligation of locating a lost or unknown heir. It also has the final say on whether the administrator can spend the estate's funds to find the beneficiaries. Benefits of Hiring a Professional Genealogist to Locate Heirs attorneys, executors, and genealogists are bound by the law Conducting a diligent search and finding all the heirs to an estate can be a cumbersome responsibility for an administrator. The complexities in searching and gathering search resources are often underestimated, not to mention dealing with scattered relatives worldwide. The situation could get even more troublesome for intestate cases involving complicated family structures and missing relatives. For this reason, any attorney trying to unearth a complex genealogy link without the help of a professional genealogist is akin to the adage of a man who tries to be his own counsel. If you think conducting heir search yourself would save time and money than going for a genealogist, wait until the task gets complicated and the hours pile up. Consulting a professional genealogist saves the administrator and estate case attorneys the risks and headaches. Genealogy searches require a set of expertise and resources available only to experts. But even after the attorney has decided to hire a professional genealogist, they will likely err on choosing the right one. After all, hiring just any genealogist you encounter could be as big a mistake as assigning it to a novice. Instead, you should apply crucial metrics to size up the merits of the genealogy firms you consider. What Makes A Good Heir Searcher? Hidden treasures Your choice of genealogy firm should be reputable through its ratings and customer reviews. The firm should also have vast genealogy resources to prove they're worth their salt. Above all, check whether genealogists in your preferred firm can testify in court when needed. This may be necessary when a challenge arises in court against the discovered heir due to questionable records, name alterations, varying dates, missing documents, etc. Luckily, Record Click is a firm with a hard-to-beat record and top-rated service delivery. We give you the peace of mind and confidence that we'll conduct thorough research exploring possible surprises likely to pop up during the proceedings. READ MORE: Record Click’s Heir Research Services, Costs, And Expectations. Can Probate Proceed Without the Missing Heir? You need to join the dots and back information with concrete evidence The surrogate can decide to proceed with the case in the beneficiaries' absentia if it finds that the executor has exhausted all possible channels to trace the unknown or missing heir. However, the executor must file an affidavit detailing all their search attempts, petitioning the surrogate court to proceed or close that case. With a will and other beneficiaries, the court should guide how to handle the estate. If there's no beneficiary or will, the court consults the state law on proceeding. In most cases, courts allow a specific time for the heir to come forward, after which it presumes them dead and distributes the estate according to the will or the state's intestate laws. Alternatively, the court may hold the inheritance for the missing heir until they come forward. In this case, the court appoints a guardian ad Litem to oversee the assets. The last resort for unclaimed estate ends up escheated. Still, it is treated as a deposit to allow another chance for the lost beneficiaries. Unwind The Mystery If a close family member dies intestate, you need professional attorneys to guide you on the probate process. Contact us to schedule your free consultation and structure the proper way forward. #### Mayflower Society Genealogy - You May Qualify For Membership The 31 passengers aboard the small Speedwell, intended to be the sister ship of the Mayflower, must have felt panic rising in their throats as the little craft continued to take on water about 350 miles off the coast of Land’s End in Cornwall, England. The Old World probably seemed suddenly not so bad after all, and the New World must have seemed not so attractive to most. But 11 passengers from the Speedwell did join those aboard the Mayflower, while the remaining 20 returned to London, and the Mayflower headed alone across the stormy Atlantic, already several weeks behind schedule, and with the wild weather of autumn facing them instead of gentle summer breezes. The intrepid ship made the crossing after two months with only two deaths, and safely landed 151 pilgrims and crew at Plymouth Colony in November 1620. William Bradford, leader of the passengers, foresaw potential problems for this small group taking up residence in the New World. Thus was born the Mayflower Compact, signed by 41 of the ship’s passengers (women not being invited to participate) — a remarkable document establishing rules for self-governance in a land so far removed from European civilization. And so began the “Great Migration” from western Europe to the shores of America and the establishment of a new nation. 277 years later, families of 51 of those Mayflower pilgrims formed the General Society of Mayflower Descendants. (Not all passengers survived the harsh first winter.) Today, this lineage society is one of the best-known in the United States, and anyone with direct ancestral links to one of these passengers can apply for membership. The list includes some of the most famous names from our early colonial days: John Alden Peter Browne Samuel Fuller Henry Samson Bartholomew Allerton James Chilton Samuel Fuller (son of Edward) George Soule Isaac Allerton Mrs. James Chilton Constance Hopkins Myles Standish Mary (Norris) Allerton Mary Chilton Elizabeth (Fisher) Hopkins Elizabeth Tilley Mary Allerton Francis Cooke Giles Hopkins John Tilley Remember Allerton John Cooke Stephen Hopkins Joan (Hurst) Tilley Elinor Billington Edward Doty John Howland Richard Warren Francis Billington Francis Eaton Richard More Peregrine White John Billington Samuel Eaton Priscilla Mullins Resolved White William Bradford Sarah Eaton William Mullins Susanna White Love Brewster Moses Fletcher Degory Priest William White Mary Brewster Edward Fuller Joseph Rogers Edward Winslow William Brewster Mrs. Edward Fuller Thomas Rogers   According to the Mayflower Society website, there are "tens of millions of individuals descended from these brave souls." The primary goal of the Society is to bring "together people who share this heritage and to carry on the memory of the Pilgrim ancestors." If you descend from one of these pilgrims and would like to validate that lineage, your first step is to contact your state society; links can be found on the website. The state historian will provide you with a Preliminary Review Form, which you will fill out beginning with your Mayflower ancestor and working down to yourself. The form is then submitted along with a $20 evaluation fee, and you will receive back your form filled in with the documentation already on file with the Mayflower Society and a report outlining the documentation you will need to submit from the closest proven generation to you. Then you gather as many original source documents as possible: birth, marriage, and death certificates, or suitable substitutes such as baptism records, tombstone photographs, probate records, bible records, church records, town records, and the like. If these types of documents are not available, appropriately documented published genealogical works may be submitted for consideration by the verifying genealogist. Depending on the date of publication, Mayflower Society may request multiple sources. Both husband and wife at each generation must be fully documented, or statements of attempts to obtain such records that are not held by appropriate repositories (such as county courthouses) must be submitted. All generational links must be clearly proven. It may be necessary to write a clear analysis pulling together a variety of documents and reaching a sound genealogical conclusion. If one of your ancestors braved the storm-tossed waters of the Atlantic Ocean aboard the Mayflower, establishing that lineage for yourself and your descendants honors those brave souls. The professional genealogical researchers at RecordClick would be happy to help you navigate your personal voyage to membership in this historical lineage society. Queen Elizabeth I did her best to the reform the church after Henry the VIII split with the Roman Catholic faith in the 1530s. Church of England reformers, known as Puritans, wanted less ritual and more alignment with New Testament principles. A more radical faction of religious nonconformists, the Separatists, evolved and were viewed as a threat to the Church of England and its ruler, King James I. It was these Separatists who left the mother church to form new Protestant denominations, such as Baptists, Presbyterians, Congregationalists, and others. The Pilgrims, so called in the late 18th century by author William Bradford in Of Plymouth Plantation, were the first "little band of believers" who sneaked away from England in 1607. Source: Worrall, Simon. Smithsonian magazine, November 2006 (http://www.smithsonianmag.com/people-places/pilgrimsprogress.html : accessed 16 October 2013), "Pilgrims' Progress." #### Melungeon Mysteries Revealed With DNA Testing As a researcher and family historian, I was excited when a scientific study about Melungeon DNA recently surfaced on the Internet. I was intrigued by this study because, since the early 1800s, there have been many rumors about origins of this group of people. The study entitled Melungeons, A Multi-Ethnic Population by Roberta J. Estes (et al*) has provided insight into who some of the Melungeon people were, genetically speaking that is. The report also provides some genealogical detail about these families. Who Were the Melungeon People? There seems to be no exact definition of who the Melungeon people were. Some people refer to the Melungeons as a group of particular families with varying shades of skin tones that lived in the area of Newman’s Ridge in Eastern Tennessee. Others take a wider perspective. In her study, Estes defined Melungeons as “a clan of intermarried families who were individually referenced as Melungeons …and typically found in Hawkins and surrounding counties from about 1800 to about 1900.” It was from the male descendants of some of these lines that she was able to define the paternal origins of the following surnames: Bolin/Bowling Bolling/, Bunch, Denham, Gibson, Goins, Hopkins, Minor, Moore, Mullins, Perkins, Riddle/Ridley, Sizemore, and Williams. Myths Dispelled for Some Melungeons There has been much speculation about who the Melungeon people were, ethnically speaking. They have been described as Gypsies, Portuguese, Middle Eastern, African, Native American, Jewish, and European. Many Melungeons referred to themselves as Portuguese and Native American. What Y-DNA testing from the study revealed was that paternally the majority of the participants in the study had either Western European or Sub-Saharan African ancestry. (Y-DNA testing is used when you want clear proof of ancestry on your father’s side.) Only the Sizemore paternal line could be defined as Native American. Six women whose mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was tested revealed that their maternal lines were European. (Mitochondrial DNA testing traces your direct maternal line; this is the best test when you want clear proof of ancestry on your mother’s side.) However, the small sample size did not produce significant findings, particularly since it was clear that some of the Melungeon maternal lines were from women of color. DNA Testing Has Its Surprises! One recent surprising DNA testing revealed that President’s Obama’s mother had Sub-Saharan African ancestry. His family tree is quite interesting. Actor Blair Underwood found his distant cousins in Africa, and London Mayor Boris Johnson discovered he is related to the British royal family. What surprises could you find? If you are interested in DNA testing contact Record Click because we have genetic genealogists who can help you. * also: Jack H. Goins, Penny Ferguson, and Janent Lewis Crain. #### Memorial Day and War Correspondence: The Write Way for the Family History Researcher to Preserve Letters We family history researchers often inherit lots of letters. With email, it isn’t likely that this generation of family history researchers will have such boxes of handwritten papers to pass down to the next group of genealogy researchers.  But for those of us who are still finding letters in attics, shoeboxes and drawers, what should we family history researchers do with these ramblings? My mother, in her effort to de-clutter and downsize, began to hand them back to the people to whom her parents had sent the letters.  I, the genealogy researcher in the family, was abolutely furious. “Mom,” I told her. “I am the family history researcher.  I’m the one who needs those letters.” And I ordered her to never, ever, give away family letters without letting me see them first. Letters and correspondence are big time sources for the family history researcher.  They provide color, details, voice and more.   Andrew Carroll, editor of the New York Times best sellers War Letters and Behind the Lines recently donated an entire collection of 100,000 war letters to Chapman University in Orange, California.  He is still taking originals, photocopies and scans of letters from any conflict, including emails from Iraq and Afghanistan.  Memorial Day is a good time to think about the war letters that you, the family history researcher, may have discovered in your ancestor search. That’s how important correspondence is. Think of all the books that have been published with written conversations between famous people, writers, presidents and other notables.   Letters make for good reading.  They give historic details and perspective to a time and place.  They let us glimpse the personality of the writer. What do we do when we find letters, though?   And what do we do with a whole lot of them? Preserve them. Photocopy, digitize, scan and store them carefully. The family history researcher and genealogical archivist knows a few key things that will preserve the paper and ink, which are often fading, fragile and at risk for further age-related damage. Correspondence from ancestors is so important for the family history researcher. When a genealogy researcher preserves the paper, he or she will: Wash hands before touching any historic letters and limits the amount of handling. Remove rubber bands, staples and paper clips. Unfold the letters. Make a photo copy. Put the letters between two pieces of acid free and lignin free archival paper or folders. Or put the letters in clear sleeves ideally made of uncoated polyester, cellulose triacetate, polyethylene or polypropylene. (Polyester sleeves should not be used with flaking material, unfixed pastels, charcoal, or soft pencil.) Look for storage materials marked PAT (passed a photographic activit Organize them from largest on bottom to smallest on top. Store them in an acid free archival box, ideally front loading. Keep them out of the daylight and away from damp areas and radiators. Limit their exposure to humidity and monitor temperature. Never use adhesives or glue on or around them. Check regularly for and eliminates paper pests, including silver fish, “book lice” and others. The way family history researchers digitize letters is to: Photocopy each of the letters flat. Scan the letter one side at a time into a good quality scanner. Include scanning the envelope in the process. Use high resolution Write the dates carefully with No. 1 pencil, using square brackets [December 5, 1900], on the outside of the preserving material. (Square brackets are the preservationists' cue that the information was added later.) Genealogical researchers will highlight the letters and will: Have a copy (not the original which you have stored correctly) professionally framed with acid free mats. Display the carefully framed letter copy in a place that is not in regular direct light. Add to an archival quality scrapbook, making sure all paper and mounting is done with acid free, lignin free materials. Use no current-day adhesives and no tape. Not expose the letter paper to cleaning supplies, cardboard, fumes. Consider using UV-screening glass. RecordClick genealogy researchers will work with you on finding, understanding and preserving family correspondence.  We will find those who served in the military and ancestors who fought in wars.  We’ll also help you integrate the letters into your family tree research. #### Mental Incapacity In Probate Cases: Legal And Ethical Considerations Mental incapacity in probate cases means that a party cannot participate in the process or conduct critical activities like appointing an attorney or making a will. In this case, the process gets complicated, and legal and ethical considerations come into play. This guide explores the determinants of mental incapacity in estate settlement, victims' protection, and the principles of autonomy and best interest. Key Takeaways A person with mental incapacity cannot make decisions or perform certain acts like making a trust or will. Probate cases can get complicated when either the beneficiaries, heirs or the decedent has mental incapacity. In this case, the probate court determines proof of testamentary capacity. It could also appoint guardians or conservators to ensure the well-being and interest of the incapacitated individual. READ MORE: Record Click’s Heir Research Services, Costs, And Expectations. Mental Capacity When Making a Will or Trust The testator must be of sound mind A person writing a will must have testamentary capacity, which is a combination of legal and mental capacity. This capacity is critical in the probate process as it indicates that the will reflects the testators' true intentions and wishes. Besides, when testators have testamentary capacity, they are less likely to be influenced by external pressures when listing beneficiaries and heirs. The two most common legal indicators of mental capacity are; Signs of mental or brain impairment resulting from a health condition or external factors such as substance abuse. Inability to make specific decisions as needed. The person must also demonstrate exceptional mastery of the four elements involved in making a will or a trust, namely; Understanding the meaning and process of making a will and possible outcomes or challenges in a probate court. Having a clear recollection of their properties, including the liabilities and assets and their classification. Understanding and expressing genuine interest in inheritance, including all the beneficiaries and heirs and their relationships. Being free from threats, manipulation, coercion, deception, and any pressure to make a will in a way that does not reflect true intentions and wishes. The probate court can overturn a will if it is convinced that the process failed to apply any of the above-mentioned elements. One example is the 2018 Estate of Stoker case, where the Texas Court of Appeals overturned the will after it found that the testator lacked testamentary capacity when drafting the will. Some of the common factors that cause testamentary incapacity include age, illness, medication, alcohol, and stress. How To Ensure or Prove Testamentary Capacity Estate settlement should be done legally and ethically When drafting a will, it is imperative to prove that you have the testamentary capacity to do so to avoid disputes and conflicts among beneficiaries and heirs. The four common ways to prove your case include; Consulting An Attorney: A legal expert understands the legal requirement in your jurisdiction regarding proving testamentary capacity. Therefore, they are better placed to guide you in making your will valid and ensuring all the requirements and formalities are met. Obtain A Medical Report: A medical report details the diagnosis and prognosis of your mental state, confirming that you had a sound mind when writing your will. The report can serve as evidence to refute any allegations or doubts about your testamentary capacity when planning your estate. Record A Video: A video recording when making the will or trust can show or help verify your behavior, communication, appearance, and understanding. Besides, you can express your wishes through the recording to reiterate what's in the will. Have Witnesses: Having witnesses in your estate planning is another way to prove your mental capacity, as they can attest that you were of sound mind and faced no threats or pressure. Witnesses can also help clarify statements in your will and refute any claims of manipulation or incapacity. Ethical Considerations in Handling Mental Incapacity Cases Ethical And Legal Considerations Mental incapacity in probate cases raises a myriad of ethical dilemmas that affect the interests and rights of all the parties involved. Here are some of the common dilemmas that require crucial considerations: Respect For the Testator's Wishes and Protecting Their Welfare When a testator is deemed mentally unfit and creates a will that excludes their children and spouse, how should the probate court go? How does it determine whether the testator was genuine in his decision or was influenced by their condition or other players? In this case, the probate court faces an ethical dilemma on whether to respect the testator's wishes or protect their welfare. Intervene or Let Nature Take Course Another ethical dilemma is whether to help the mentally incapacitated testator or respect their refusal of treatment. For instance, if a testator suffers a mental health condition but has an advance directive that discourages treatment, should the directive be followed, or should there be an intervention to treat the condition and provide care and comfort? You should apply the following principles and guidelines to address these and other ethical considerations. Promote Autonomy and Dignity: Any intervention should be cognizant of the individual's inherent worth and value as a human being and, therefore, tailored to their preferences. Find A Balance Between Preferences and The Law: As you consider the best intervention for the individual's mental, spiritual, social, emotional, and physical well-being, be sure to also comply with relevant laws. Common laws that govern Probate and mental capacity matters include the Uniform Guardianship, Conservatorship, and Other Protective Arrangements Act. Respect the Client's Privacy: Professional intervention should not compromise your loyalty or judgment to the client. Above all, you should maintain client confidentiality and protect their personal data from unauthorized use or access. What Do Guardianship and Conservatorship Regulations Say? Guardians and conservators are bound by the law Guardianship And Conservatorship Regulations allow representation for an incapable person to ensure their rights are respected. A guardian is entitled to the ward's personal care and daily life needs, such as personal hygiene, food, and healthcare.  Similarly, a conservator manages the assets and financial affairs such as collecting income, paying bills, and filing taxes. Most importantly, the guardian and the conservator must act in the individual's best interests and wishes or court directives. Limitations On Guardians and Conservators' Authority Assets and Estate distribution While the guardians and conservators serve as personal assistants to mentally unfit individuals or minors, they are subject to specific codes of conduct, such as; They cannot violate the ward's fundamental liberties and civil rights. They must adhere to the ward's financial goals and estate plan. They must submit regular reports to the court about any expenditures, decisions, and activities on behalf of the ward. They should provide relevant documentation and information for audits. They must report any incidences or concerns about their roles, the ward, or other parties to the court. Ethics And The Law Mental incapacity is a sensitive and complex issue that could affect individuals and families. Therefore, you must understand the legal rights, responsibilities, and implications likely to occur in probate cases and how to maneuver the process. So, if you're facing a probate case involving mental incapacity, consider consulting a qualified lawyer to help with specific needs and situations. #### Methods of Researching Patriot Ancestors - An Interview with Susan Tillman Records were established for a reason, and it wasn't genealogy. The reason records were established was so they could be used in legal dealings. Know the legal statutes for the state you are researching. ~Susan Tillman If you think you have a Patriot ancestor, your first step will be to check your pedigree chart to see who you have far enough back in time that falls in the date range of either the Patriot in the American Revolution or the Patriot's child. Dates and service are most important. The service dates, with some exceptions, must fall between April 19, 1775 when the Battle of Lexington took place and November 26, 1783 when the British troops withdrew from New York. It is imperative that you match the right Patriot in the American Revolution to the right service. Remember this throughout your genealogy research. You need to know how many people with the same name lived where the Revolutionary ancestor lived. To determine that your patriot is matched with his/her service, you will use any number of resources - some of which are: court records, tax records, census records, vital records, church records, deeds, pensions, newspapers, etc. I will be discussing this in more detail later on. Age is an important guideline in determining if your ancestor fought in the American Revolution. Keep in mind: • Most soldiers in the militia were between 16 and 60 when they performed the Revolutionary military service. • Teenagers were rarely officers. • The youngest soldiers could travel to far places, but the oldest soldiers enlisted in their local militia units and protected the home front. • In most cases, men under the age of 21 years could own land but not sell it or witness other people's deeds. • For estimation, a man married at age 21 and his bride was 18. • Guardians were appointed for children under 14. • Children over 14 could choose their own guardian. Both parents did not have to be dead for guardianship to begin. • The age for majority could be older than 21. • For estimation, people serving apprenticeships were often young minors. • Men to be older than 21 to hold public office In regard to types of service, a Patriot in the American Revolution must have exhibited an unfailing loyalty to the cause of American Independence. Types of service may include (but are not limited to): military, civil, or patriotic. Patriotic service may have occurred as early as April 1774 if the Patriot was involved in committees of Inspection, Correspondence, or Safety. Involvement with Continental Congress, state conventions, and assemblies also suffice as patriotic service. It was a sacrifice to support the cause of the American Independence. The contributions that were made often depended upon the economic status of the person involved. Studying the economic status of men of the same name in a locality can often help to determine their Revolutionary service. The mandated ages for militia service for each state were established by state statute. The majority of states required that all able-bodied men between the ages of 16 and 60 be a part of the militia and to attend all militia musters. The exceptions to this age range include: • Delaware where the age range was from 17 to 50. • Pennsylvania required militia service from all men between the ages of 18 and 53. • Georgia where men between the ages of 16 and 60 were required to serve until 1778 when the age range was lowered to 16 to 50. • South Carolina also began the war requiring militia service from men aged 16 to 60, then lowering the upper age limit to 50 in 1782. • New Jersey began the war with an older militia force - all men 21 and older, but soon modified the age range to men between the ages of 16 and 50 beginning in 1777. A good rule of thumb when proving military service is to follow the money trail. Soldiers were paid, so you want to check muster rolls. Next step, check the Genealogy Research System (GRS) on the DAR website to see if the ancestor you're searching is already proven. If no one is listed that matches your family name, you must prove a new ancestor. This genealogy research process can be exciting, but it also takes a lot of thought and research. Proving a new ancestor is more than just proving the lineage and service - a Patriot's residence is of utmost importance. Methods of Searching Residence 1. Birth/Death records. If a Patriot was born and died in the same town/county, chances are he was a resident at the time of the Revolution. Also, if there is proof that the patriot was living in a county anytime before the Revolution, and he/she died there, we can assume that he/she has lived there continuously. 2. Birth/Death/Marriage records. If a Patriot was married and/or had children during the Revolution. Proof of place of marriage or place of birth of the children can be used. This category also includes death of a spouse or minor child. 3. Pensions. The Patriot applied for a pension. Most of the time, the pension indicates where the soldier enlisted. This is the ONLY time that the source for service can be used to verify residence. 4. Deed Transactions. The Patriot was the grantee, grantor, or witness in a deed transaction. 5. Church Memberships. There is proof of church membership. 6. Wills. The Patriot was a witness to a will. 7. Court records. You need to be careful because many court records describe an ancestor's civil service, in which case the record could not be used for both residence and service. 8. Tax records and early census records. Includes "First census of Virginia - 1790" [actually 1782-1785); personal property tax lists; tithe lists; poll tax (ages 16 or 21 depending on state - tax was assessed on person not property); ratable, which is not a tax, rather a qualification for a person to be taxed; and a supply tax list. 10. Land ownership. If the patriot was too young to own land during the Revolution, proof of residence of his father can be used, as the son was very likely living with him. 11. Officers. Does the proof of service include officers? Are they established? If they are all living in the same county, we can put our patriot there also using a "probably." 12. Newspaper accounts. 13. State census records (Maryland and Rhode Island). 14. Burned counties in Virginia. In a case where records were burned, you can use processing lists found in parish vestry books, which includes lists of landowners and the property bounds used to establish the bounds of a particular parish. Hanover County was a burned county, but processing lists are available. 15. Additional sources. Court records, tax records, census records, vital records, church records, deeds, etc. may document where the ancestor lived. If the ancestor is too young to have property, then prove the parent's residence, as well as the relationship between parent and child. The residence should be within the correct county, district (if the state had districts), and state. All designations should be historically correct. The distance and relationship between places is important, so look for service near where the ancestor lived. Don't forget to factor in religion, since it played an important role in a family's life during that time period. What a man and woman believed and how they reacted to the Revolution was often instilled and reinforced in their religious community. Susan Tillman has been a member of NSDAR for almost 25 years. She has served as Texas State Recording Secretary, National Membership Chairman, National Vice Chairman of the Chapter Development and Revitalization Commission, and National Advisor to the DAR Genealogy Preservation Committee. Thanks to Ms. Tillman's efforts, the public now has access to the DAR GRS link on the NSDAR website, which provides various genealogical information found in DAR applications. Any woman is eligible for membership in the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) if she is 18 years of age or older and can prove lineal, blood line descent from an ancestor who aided in achieving American independence. She must provide documentation for each statement of birth, marriage, and death. Admission to membership in the NSDAR is by invitation through a Chapter in your State Organization (or Unit Overseas). No Chapter may discriminate against an applicant on the basis of race or creed. #### Mexican Borders Crossing and Info that a Genealogy Services Provider Must Know This RecordClick genealogy services provider has been a fan of Ricardo Montalban since childhood. I always loved watching him as Mr. Rourke in television’s Mr. Rourke in Fantasy Island and as villain Khan Noonien Singhin in StarTrek . He was such a gentleman with just the right amount of that wonderful Spanish accent. When my genealogist mind ponders the life of Ricardo Montalban, I think about his Mexican heritage and then, I begin wondering about America’s border with Mexico. And here is the genealogy question: When did immigration records for individuals entering the United States develop? Let’s begin with this professional genealogist’s favorite. Ricardo Montalban was born in Mexico City in 1920, He entered the United States from Mexico in 1939. There. That’s the easy part of the story. To get the rest of the story, each and every genealogy services provider needs to understand something about immigration laws and practices and how they have changed over the years. Here is the National Archives timeline in its discussion of “Mexican Border Crossing Records”: 1819 – Legislation required the captain or master of a ship arriving from a foreign port to submit a list of passengers to the collector of customs. 1882- Congress passed the first federal law regulating immigration. It was administered by the Secretary of the Treasury. 1891 – The Office of Superintendent of Immigration in the Dept. of Treasury was established. 1903 – The Bureau became part of the Dept. of Commerce. 1906 – The name was changed to the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization. Records of arrivals began to be kept at the Mexican border. 1933 – The functions of the Bureau were transferred to the Dept. of Labor and became the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). 1940 – The INS was moved to the Dept. of Justice. The legislation required foreign nationals to register. 2003 – The INS was abolished and functions moved to the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services within the Dept. of Homeland Security. As you ancestry researchers likely know, this important U.S.-Mexican border is almost 2,000 miles long. It runs from Brownsville, Texas to Tijuana, Mexico. Ricardo Montalban first began his acting career in Mexico. He then decided to join an older brother, Carlos Montalban, in the U.S. Brother Carlos also had a long and productive acting career. Carlos’ film appearances ranged from Flying Down to Rio in 1933 to Woody Allen’s Bananas in 1971. Ricardo Montalban had a long a productive stage, film and television career, also. In 1949, he even played a border agent in the suspense drama Border Incident and starred opposite Shelley Winters in 1952's My Man and I as a Mexican immigrant. Border crossings are more difficult for a genealogy services provider to search because there are usually no ship or flight passenger lists. A card system was developed to obtain information for those individuals entering the U.S. on foot or by car. Immigration and Naturalization documents should, if possible, be a part of the work of every genealogy services provider. Often, finding the records and figuring out what it all means gets complicated. When seeking border-crossing information as part of your family history, the professional genealogists at RecordClick can help you. When you hire a genealogist from RecordClick, you will have an experienced genealogy professional who understands the immigration laws and regulations. You will be getting a genealogy services provider with the right set of tools. This way, your journey toward finding your family tree can become a reality and not just a trip to one of those fantasy islands. #### Mexican Family Trees Hispanics are the fastest-growing ethnic group in the United States, and most of them trace their origin in Mexico. As a result, their interest in researching their history has gained pace. Luckily, if you are one of the people with Mexican roots, you stand to benefit from the wealth of tools available physically and online. It makes it easier for you to search your family tree, especially when you combine the records with what is available at FamilySearch centers. Most of the data at FamilySearch include the 1930 census, registration, marriage records, and the Catholic Church records, which offer a significant portion of your Mexican Family tree's critical sources. However, the sheer volume of information could hamper your Mexican genealogy research, given that one reel holds months of records. Use this guide to conduct swift search through the bounty of documents available. 11 Mexico Genealogy Resources For Your Mexican Ancestry Identify a Common Name. In the first stages of tracing your family history and ancestors, you have to know who you are researching and where to find that information. There are plenty of clues to get from a name, but it might be confusing, especially if you are unfamiliar with Spanish traditions. Remember to include baptismal name, especially when checking on the church records, to avoid confusion. Note that accent marks in Spanish do not affect the alphabetization making it possible to encounter extra letters in the alphabet. So if you are an English-only speaker, it would be wise to consult a Spanish genealogist who understands the language and the dotted accent marks. Check all possible variations of the name you are searching, including the maiden names commonly used in the United States border crossings. If your family members migrated to North America it is important to note possible name variations that they could have adopted. Map your Mexican Genealogy Locating your ancestors' historical dwelling place is as important as identifying their name. Information about your Mexican ancestors' ethnicity and generational stories are important hints that you can use. If you have traceable relatives in Mexico or if your ancestors migrated recently, you can use the 1930 census at FamilySearch to locate their whereabouts on a map. The census was conducted to convey and record land ownership due to the distribution policy's development. Unfortunately, some of the census records for Mexico City are missing after destruction. Besides, Mexican surnames are similar, and you will need expert intervention to trace your family lines among other Lopezes and Gonzalezes. Civil Registration Records The first genealogical resource you should reach for is the civil registration office's records. The Registro Civil stores the vital information regarding marriage, birth, and death since it was formed in the 19th century. The data would offer clues unless your family left Mexico long ago. You can also combine the data you find from the documents with the parish records, especially in the dates before the restoration of the Mexican republic. The digitization of these details makes it easier to find crucial information on the family history library. For instance, the birth records contain the date and place of birth and the parents' names. They also include the name of the child and their gender. Record Collections If the parish records and the civil registration records do not offer the desired results, there are other resources you can try to trace your family history. Court Records The courthouses have been the preferred resource for most genealogists as they handle and store vital records that could help trace your ancestor. Most of the information you can find in courthouses include divorce, death, will, and land records.  The records have names and localities of all involved parties and help pinpoint lead in your research. Military Records Perusing through the Mexico military records would help you trace crucial details about your ancestors, especially if they served in the army. The military records comprise the Official Military Personnel File (OMPF), which records each service member's names, age, locality, and activities. The service members are also entitled to pension applied through the pension application file with names of the service members', beneficiaries and children. Mexico History Understanding Mexican history will help you understand major events and disasters in the past. Besides, you will better understand the place where your ancestors lived and the situations they endured in the country. Advanced technology has enabled the digitization of historical events to compile information from data sets accessible by surnames. Conducting genealogy research involves examining the available millions of family trees. You will also have to plan as you indulge in the research to ensure that you don't get lost the mid-way or confuse surnames of your Mexican ancestors . The most crucial step is to identify essential Mexican records that are most likely to offer insights into your Mexican ancestry.     #### Mexican Genealogy: How Ancient Social Groups Shape Your Heritage Do you have roots in Mexico and plan to detail your Mexican genealogy? Felicidades! Mexico is one of the countries with a wealth of civil and church records to aid your historical or genealogical research. Over 10% of the US population is Hispanic, meaning that chances of finding records of your origin and ancestry are high. Mexican history stretches back to ancient times, and the archeology sites across the country are a testament to the civilization before, during, and after the Europeans' arrival. A complete Mexican genealogy research requires understanding the cultural and political shifts and pinpointing the exact location where Mexican ancestry records may be found. This guide takes you through crucial Mexican history in genealogy and the necessary resources to create an informative and accurate Mexican family tree. Besides, we'll guide you on finding professional genealogists familiar with Mexican ancestry and a proven record of conducting and detailing everything you need about your heritage. Key Takeaways Ancient Mexico had four social classes mainly promoted by the Spanish rule when Cortes conquered the native Aztecs in the 16th century. The Mexican population has since grown exponentially, but a majority find themselves in one of these four social classes. If you have Mexican heritage and are concerned about crossing the border for information, we can help you narrow down the options and quickly determine your ancestors and their origin. Mexican Social Classes and Mexican Genealogy Understanding the colonial class structure is key in Mexican genealogy Ancient Mexico had four social classes mainly promoted by the Spanish rule when Cortes conquered the native Aztecs in the 16th century. Spanish Kings took over, renamed the territory "New Spain," and established settlements. The colony rapidly grew to cover some parts of the US, reigning to the first quarter of the 19th century when Mexico gained independence. Nonetheless, the affordable land attracted more Spanish settlers who soon blended into the social status. As a result, four distinct social classes emerged. Peninsulares The term Peninsulares refers to Spanish or Portuguese foreigners who relocated to Mexico. This was the ruling class in Mexico and was so protective of its status that members sent their pregnant women to Spain to give birth and retain Spanish social status by birth. Criollos The difference between the Peninsulares and the Criollos was that the latter consisted of people born in New Spain. However, they shared pure Spanish decency with the Peninsulares but had a lower social class because they were born in the colony. The unfair oppression caused Criollos to team up with other lower classes and rebel against colonial rule, which led to Mexico's independence. Mestizos This social class comprised people with mixed blood between the Spanish and the indigenous people, making up most of the people in Mexico today. Indigenas As the name suggests, the Indigenas are the indigenous people who didn't have Spanish blood or DNA. This was the lowest ranking group in Mexican social class and comprised of people with pure indigenous heritage and those with half-white, half-African ancestry, etc. The Mexican population has since grown exponentially, but a majority find themselves in one of these four social classes. Therefore, you must find out what social group your ancestors belonged to whenever you start detailing your Mexican genealogy. The next thing would be to know the name of the town, city, or Municipio where the ancestors lived. Mexico has 32 federal districts, locally called the Distrito Federal, comprised of Municipos just like counties in US states. So, identifying the exact municipal or district would help you quickly locate civil and church records stored locally. How To Research Your Mexican Genealogy Genealogy Research It would be a hassle to commute to all the archives from Mexico City to Cancun looking for records regarding your grandparents who lived in the early 90s. Instead, a comprehensive genealogy would identify even closer relatives who would better guide your lineage in Mexico. Tracking your Mexican ancestor involves detailing the full names of every person connected to you. The family tree has proven most effective in expanding your family details with you as the root. Download free Mexican family tree samples and make family research a study and a fun activity in your living room. Every space in the family tree should include the person's full name, special dates like birth and death, and other relevant information. If you don't have any reference material at your disposal, try websites and online databases for clues. Besides, you can visit the National Archives and General Registrar's office for all records from birth to census. RELATED: 11 Mexico Genealogy Resources For Your Mexican Ancestry Hire a Professional Genealogist for Mexican Genealogy Starting from scratch A genealogist specializes in the descents of persons and knows the checkmarks of finding a specific ancestor. Record Click Professional Genealogists will expedite the process of unearthing personal information and help you understand the historical contexts. Only a professional genealogist can perfectly navigate the national library and quickly track your story. They also come in handy when you want to ensure you get everything right during the Mexican citizenship application by descent. However, contacting your state's consulate general office is advisable for directions on the application process, especially regarding descent, application fee, and duration. Your first step in the citizenship application process should start with visiting the state's consulate with your genealogy information and records. Viva Mexico! If you have Mexican heritage and want to detail your genealogy, you don’t have to cross the border for information; we can help you narrow down the options and quickly determine your ancestors and their origin. Contact us and share with genealogy experts about which project fits your needs.       #### Military Genealogy: How to Trace Ancestors in the Armed Forces Military genealogy succeeds when you know the right places to look for clues, as well as suitable strategies to employ when faced with common complexities. Above all, you want the link between you and the ancestor in the armed forces to be beyond doubt. Luckily professional genealogists at RecordClick can help you unwind your personal intricacies and help you discover veteran ancestors. But to give you a sneak peek into the entire process, this guide highlights the most important aspects of military genealogy. Key Takeaways Military genealogy is such a sensitive affair because beyond finding names and dates it unearths the pivotal roles the ancestors played and how they shaped the world we live in today. The best way to start researching ancestors in the armed forces is by gathering readily available information, i.e., photographs, and stories before you go to archives and military records. Common Military Records Challenges include incomplete records, record loss, spelling variations, and language barrier. RELATED: Find a Genuine Genealogist for Accurate Ancestry What Makes Military Genealogy So Sensitive? Army veterans Military genealogy is such a sensitive affair because it goes beyond finding names and dates of your ancestors. This form of family history research unearths the pivotal roles the ancestors played and how they shaped the world we live in today. First, you want to know what motivated your ancestors' decision to serve in the armed forces when such an endeavor was not as lucrative as it may be today. Was it out of a commitment to protect generations? Was it a sense of duty? Or just a forced submission? Whether it's a distant relative who fought for independence or a great-grandfather who served in Revolutionary War, military genealogy can help untangle the threads and contribute to a larger tapestry. Conducting this research can also offer a trove of information on the ancestors' experiences and lives. Documents showing the assignments, their ranks, and some letters from the frontlines can create a vivid picture of their journey in the armed forces. This way, you recognize and pay tribute to your ancestors' honor, sacrifice, and courage and ensure the legacy lives on. How To Start Military Genealogy Research Photographs are crucial in Genealogy The best way to start researching ancestors in the armed forces is by gathering readily available information. Study all the existing documents, photographs, and stories before you go to archives and military records. Here is a step-to-step guide on how to start your military genealogy on the right footing. Detail What You Know: Make a basic family tree using the readily available information and insights from older relatives. Indicate Important Information: Document birthdates, locations, and manes of family members in the family tree, especially those who have served in the armed forces. Search for Historical Records: Ancestry research involves perusing certificates to get a timeline of significant events such as wars and conflicts. The types of crucial military records to search are detailed in the next section of this guide. Focus on Archives: Most military records are found in archives, so you can find information about the ancestors' enlistment, assignment, and more in institutions like National Archives. Seek Professional Assistance: A professional genealogist can help unravel obscured details in your research and help authenticate your findings at an affordable rate. What Key Records Do I Need in Military Genealogy? Records and letters in a library Some essential records you must find to complete your military genealogy include service, unit histories, and pension. You must understand the specific databases to check to save time and energy throughout your exploration. Here are the military records that can help paint a picture of your ancestor's life; Service Records A service record is a document in the armed forces with details about an individual's activity from enlistment to discharge. Getting your hands on this record can unravel your ancestor's enlistment dates, promotions, or any disciplinary action. The resources also provide a timeline that can help you track the ancestor's progress in the service through accomplished missions and ranks. Unit Histories As the name suggests, these unit histories expound on the larger context of the armed forces. Through these records, you can learn about the actions, engagements, and movements of the special unit within which your ancestor served. Unit histories are a rich source for insights into the challenges, battles, and victories associated with the ancestor. Medal Citations If your ancestor was one of the awarded officers, you can find more details in the citations. Here, you find the reason for the medal, which offers vivid snapshots of your ancestor's dedication, bravery, and contribution to service. Discharge Papers These documents are also known as separation documents or discharge certificates, marking the end of service. Crucial information in these documents includes the nature of the discharge, the ancestor's final assignment, conduct in service, and commendations or awards. Pension Records Officers are entitled to a pension once they retire like any other civil service. So, finding pension records can help you discover the post-service life of your ancestor, any medical condition, and the support received from the government. Personal Correspondence Find out if your ancestor had personal correspondence, diaries, and letters written during their service or retirement. These documents can provide insights into the emotional status of the ancestor during service and their interactions with colleagues. RELATED: A Family History Researcher Marches to Military Records and Finds More About George Clooney’s Family How To Access Official Military Genealogy Records Department of the Air Force Now that records have proved vital to uncover factual information about ancestors who served in the armed forces, you need to know where to look. Below is a list of places to find the necessary resources. Archives National and local archives are the go-to places for genealogists looking to unlock mysteries about ancestors. For example, the U.S. National Archives Records Administration (NARA) keeps all the necessary records highlighted in this guide. You can physically visit the archives or explore their online databases for your desired records. Online Databases Technological advancements and digital evolution have made military records more accessible. Websites like FamilySearch, Fold3, and Ancestry.com provide pension files and unit histories which you can view or download. Military Genealogy Libraries Libraries are the go-to places for military-specific reference materials, directories, and publications to guide your exploration. Besides, most libraries have an online subscription that provides access to a vast military record. Military Genealogy Museums A museum dedicated to the armed forces houses crucial records about battles and individual soldiers. This is a likely place to find diaries, letters, and photographs depicting the firsthand experience of your ancestors. Most importantly, museums are an educational resource that offers insight into the context of historical research. Genealogy Societies Historical organizations and genealogy societies are excellent starting points for military family history research. The societies provide the necessary genealogy expertise and a network of people with the same objective. Common Military Records Challenges and How to Overcome Military Genealogy The path is never smooth in military genealogy, as you will likely face many challenges, from scant resources to name variations. Below we highlight the quick fixes to common challenges you may face when tracing ancestors in the armed forces. Incomplete Records Most genealogy records have missing information due to recordkeeping practices and degradation. If the record lacks crucial information for your research, supplement it with other documents such as photographs and letters for hints. Record Loss If, unfortunately, military records were lost in fire, conflicts floods, etc., explore alternative information sources such as pension files, newspapers, and unit histories. The alternatives can provide crucial leads and context about your ancestor's service and lineage. Spelling Variations Variation in spelling is a common genealogy hurdle, especially when searching ranks or names. The variations risk obscuring your ancestor's identity or misleading the entire research. Crack this code by identifying local accents, nicknames, and phonetic spellings, which might have influenced the recordings. Language Barriers If the ancestor served in a foreign military, records may be written in an unfamiliar language, further complicating your research. Nonetheless, you can collaborate with translators and utilize online tools to unravel crucial information. Breaking The Brick Wall Most DIY genealogy research endeavors end up in a resilient brick wall that can only be broken by starting from scratch or abandoning the exploration. To avoid such an occurrence, you should start your research with the assistance or fellow researchers from genealogy societies, social media groups, forums, etc. Fellow researchers may have encountered a similar challenge and are better informed on the best techniques. This collective problem-solving can lead to valuable insights and exciting discoveries. RELATED: Our Genealogist Takes You Overseas to Military Cemeteries and Monuments Begin Your Military Genealogy Now When you engage in military genealogy, you pay homage to your ancestors' contribution and the influence it has today. However, the most critical thing is tracing this ancestor and correctly placing them in a complete family tree. So, you can't afford to be tactless, given the matter's sensitivity. Instead, take advantage of discounts when you hire an expert genealogist at RecordClick and expedite your accurate ancestry research.   #### Museum of Danish Immigrants In America & Genealogy Center Are Family Research Gems Photos courtesy of Museum of Danish America As a RecordClick genealogist, I like to explore resources that prove helpful to genealogical researchers. When looking for the best research resources, I can't help but think of a scene from the movie Doc Hollywood, when the mayor of a small town admonishes Dr. Ben Stone (played by Michael J. Fox) to "Get off the interstate, Ben Stone!" Recently I did just that, and I ended up finding a little genealogical jewel in Elk Horn, Iowa (pop. about 600). Elk Horn, incorporated in 1910 by Danish immigrants, is located less than an hour east of Omaha, Nebraska, on I-80, just a few miles north of the highway. In the late 1990s, area residents decided to honor their ancestors, and the idea of a museum was born. Home of the Museum of Danish America and Genealogy Center, the community is working hard to preserve its Danish heritage and be a resource for family historians researching their Danish heritage. The Museum of Danish America is on the west side of town surrounded by Iowa cornfields. Exhibits do an excellent job of explaining the immigration process. There are three floors of artifacts and narratives. A highlight is the first piano owned by Danish musician and comedian Victor Borge. In a poignant letter, Borge tells the history of the piano and alludes to some of the indignities the Danes had to suffer during World War II. And then there are the steamer trunks - those wonderful steamer trunks. Some are still showing the address of where the owner was going. Others are decorated with Danish designs. All had been filled with the few worldly possessions needed to start a new life in the United States or Canada. In a climate controlled room on the lower level of the museum, many examples of these kinds of possessions are neatly displayed on shelves. A Wall of Honor lists names, date of immigration, and the residence of a good number of Danish settlers. The grounds outside are landscaped in the style of Danish architect Jens Jensen. Jensen pioneered “The Prairie School” of landscape architecture using native plants. There are walking and bike paths, benches, and visiting circles enticing patrons to enjoy the out-of-doors. The Museum of Danish America, however, is just the beginning. In the small business district of the town is the Genealogy Center. Although modest looking on the outside, its goal is big – to assist Danish genealogy researchers seeking family information both in this country and the homeland, and to help find lost relatives, both living and dead. Its holdings include: Museum of Danish America’s Wall of Honor files Danish immigrant biographical files Danish-American obituary collection More than 800 volumes of family histories, biographies, and memoirs of Danish immigrants Danish maps, gazetteers, and local history materials Danish Brotherhood in America lodge membership records from 1881-1995 Several Danish newspapers Often overlooked is the fact that not all of the Danish immigrants were Lutheran. There is a Baptist presence in Denmark dating back to 1839 and a Mormon influence as well. According to the 2000 Census, more than 200,000 individuals in California claimed to be of Danish descent. Utah followed with almost 145,000, and Iowa came in third with about 67,000. The staff can assist genealogists in translating Danish documents, and the Center is affiliated with the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. Staff members have prepared a number of presentations for genealogical, historical, and ethnic societies. For more information visit Museum of Danish America online,  as well as the Genealogy Center Library. A good deal of Danish genealogical information has been placed online by the government. The expert genealogists and professional genealogical researchers at RecordClick can help you organize your information, assist you in your search, or create a video legacy of your family history. Share the history of your steamer trunk. #### MyHeritage.com Cost And Things To Know About Your Family Tree MyHeritage.com is a website that is all about family history discoveries and this article is about the MyHeritage.com cost and advantages. A majority of people have used the website as a way of reuniting with their relatives while others have found photos and momentous of their loves ones. If you are looking for the best ways to connect with your genealogical past, this is the best place to find all the answers that you need. Here is everything you need to know about MyHeritage.com. Getting Started MyHeritage.com is a site that is based on subscriptions. It comes with an affordable myheritage.com cost. Users can sign up for the basic non-paying option where they can build a family tree of 250 people with a limit storage space of 500MB. There is also a premium subscription that is billed annually and gives you access to a handful of information about your loved ones as well as your past. MyHeritage.com is a site that is based on subscriptions. Types of Family Trees on MyHeritage.com There are three types of family trees that you can have access to on this site. They include: Online tree - This tree can be started directly and can also be viewed and edited online. GEDCOM tree - This is online tree is not started from scratch. In fact, it is either imported from Family Tree Builder, a genealogy website or a GEDCOM file. Once imported to the site, the details on the tree can also be edited. Family tree builder tree - This tree is built using desktop software. By installing it on your computer, you can start building your family tree. Creating Your Family Tree Needless to say, myheritage.com is the world's fastest growing for family trees as well as sharing history. The platform will allow you to discover fascinating information about your ancestors. You can create your family tree in the following way: In your account, fill in details about your family members. Fill in relevant information about grandparents. It is best to add as many details as you know as this will bring up many fascinating discovers about your family. If you do not have the relevant information, click on the 'next' button and proceed. Add in details about your mother's and father's parents Click 'done' As you learn more about your family, you can always add information to your family tree. Record Search Tips for Creating Your Family Tree on MyHeritage.com Granted, there are many ways to build your family tree but doing it on MyHeritage.com is much more reliable. The site has a history of tried-and-tested genealogy advice that will always steer you in the right direction. These are the best tips for creating your family tree. Work backwards This simply means that you should use the information that you know and work back towards the unknown. Find out information from living relatives The best way to work back is by seeking information from family members that are still alive. By asking about your ancestors' lives and names, you can easily gather important information that will come in handy when building your family tree on Myheritage.com Be bold When it comes to asking questions, do not hold back. Instead, be bold and ask all the questions that come to mind. Do not end the discussion with a simple 'yes' or 'no' answer. Be interested in your last name Your last name can say a lot about you. It gives you a sense of origin as well as identity. In efforts to build your family tree, you should use your last name to find out where your family members were born and discover more about them. On a premium membership in Myheritage.com cost you will find the answers you are seeking. Refer to family photos A picture says a thousand words. By looking back at the photos of your relatives and finding out if any additional names or dates are written on them, you will easily fill all of the blank spaces that may remain on your family tree. Photos often stir up all kinds of forgotten memories. Do not judge your ancestors too harshly As you build family tree, you may get to find out different facts about your family members and the things that they indulged in. remember, your departed loved ones were mere human beings too. Also, times were different and they must have had reasons for the lives that they lead. Take a chance Genealogy is all about taking a chance on the past. Myheritage.com will walk you through the journey that led you to the person that you are today. On the affordable myheritage.com cost, be ready to unveil vast amounts of precious information as well as interesting, old family stories. Always keep on open mind As you dig through the lives of your descendants and the choices that they made, then you always need to keep an open mind. This is because you will find out things that contradict what you thought you knew or was told in the past. Be prepared to make discoveries that will surprise you! Do not jump to conclusions The worst thing to do when building your family tree on my heritage.com is to jump to conclusion. Do not rely on second-hand information, always counter check everything with all your other family members. Trust but verify Do not automatically believe in everything that you hear from others. Usually, people have different accounts of events that took place in the past. Although people connect individuals to their family tree, it is not always with the best of intentions. Listen to others but ensure that you can find documentation to support their claims. Double-check your dates The past is all about dates and timelines. Therefore, watch out for the date order during your research. Make sure that it appears in order to day/month or month/day. However, all the days should be reasonable. For instance, do not connect a 70 year old woman to a child who was just born. This dos not add up. Be patient and persistence Finding information about your ancestors requires patience and persistence, therefore, you should never gave up if you experience any roadblocks. In fact, Myheritage.com professionals are there to make all of the right clarifications for you. Genealogy is a never-ending process and you should not get frustrated if you do not make the intended breakthrough. You never know where your next level will come from. It may unveil new and exciting details. Bottom Line Myheritage.com acknowledges that finding answers to your pasts has many twists and turns. Despite this, the website is all about embracing your family heritage no matter what it turns out to be. Building your family tree is the first step to getting the truth. Everything from the exhaustive website to the affordable cost makes Myheritage.com a platform that is one of a kind. If you require any assistance with validating your family tree at myheritage.com then we are available for assistance. Our team of professional certified genealogists can make sure that all individuals on the tree are in-fact related to you. #### Nebraska's Diversity Makes Genealogy Research Interesting The motto for the State of Nebraska used to be: "Where the West Begins." The state now prides itself in the University of Nebraska and its athletic teams, two fine medical schools, and a world-class zoo - just for starters. But it is still a place where two cultures meet. There are the metropolitan areas of Omaha and Lincoln. Then there are the wide open spaces of the sand hills in the central and western part of the state. Finally, there is everything in between. It can make genealogical research interesting and challenging. I want to begin with some figures that will give a researcher some perspective. According to the 2000 Census, Nebraska had a population of 1,711,263. The most populous county in the state is Omaha’s Douglas County with just over 517,000 citizens. Located in the midst of the sand hills in the western part of the state, Arthur County had a 2010 population of 460. The largest county in area in the state is Cherry County. Just shy of 6,000 square miles, it is larger than the State of Connecticut. Connecticut has more than 3 million residents. Cherry County had a 2000 population of 6,148. The earliest counties were formed in the mid-1850s. Being close to rivers and water made the settling of Burt, Buffalo, Cass, Dakota, Dodge, Douglas, Gage, Johnson, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee, Richardson, Washington, and York Counties easier. Morrill County in 1908 and Deuel County in 1909 were the last to be organized. In the 1970s, just after the 1967 Nebraska centennial, counties were encouraged to start their own historical societies. Subsequently, genealogical societies have formed in a number of counties and areas. The size, population, and location of the area where your ancestors lived can make a difference in how to research. There is an old saying that genealogists often repeat: "Don't assume anything." Just because an ancestor lived in one place doesn’t mean that information can't be found somewhere else. After the Nebraska State Historical Society (NSHS), Douglas County is probably one of the best places to research. It has both a historical society and a genealogical society actively promoting history and research. The Douglas County Historical Society (DCHS) is located in the northern part of Omaha at Fort Omaha. Its archives' holdings include numerous area newspapers, including some high school newspapers. It also has birth, marriage, death, naturalization records and city directories. The Greater Omaha Genealogical Society uses the W. Dale Clark Library in downtown Omaha as a home base. The library has a number of old newspapers, including some for Council Bluffs, Iowa, on microfilm in its genealogy section. It also has birth listings and over 100,000 obituaries before 1977 on file. It has a marriage license index for Douglas County marriage records and marriage records for Hall and Dodge Counties. The Greater Omaha Genealogical Society has several ongoing projects including transcribing marriage indexes for Brown, Cass, Dodge, Hall, Rock, Sarpy, Thurston, and Wayne Counties. Note – Nebraska didn’t start keeping birth and death records until 1905. The state wasn't admitted to the registration area until 1920. That said, Lincoln and Omaha did start registering deaths before 1900. There may be something on file, or there may not be. The next group that needs to be mentioned is the Nebraska State Genealogical Society (NSGS). Its holdings, including family genealogies, are located at the Beatrice Public Library, which has an online catalog. The NSGS is working with ancestry.com on digitizing military outpost reports, the 1885 Nebraska Census, and state newspapers. Lincoln also has an active genealogical society, Lincoln-Lancaster County Genealogical Society (LLCGS) website has indexes for Lancaster County marriages, and old mortuary, naturalizations, and cemetery information. The group continues to work on naturalization and newspaper indexes, gathering obituaries, and they have started to index probate records. They have an 8,000-volume library in conjunction with the Ella Johnson Crandall Memorial Library at Union College located at 48th Street and Prescott. If family research is in other parts of the state, it can get interesting. The courthouses in the counties with the smallest populations have only a handful of employees – usually involving a treasurer, a clerk and recorder, and a court official. There may be a local historical or genealogical society. If there is a museum, it probably has very limited hours. Many counties and towns now have websites with local information that can be found using a search engine (such as Google or Bing). This may help in tracking down individuals who know what resource materials are available in the county and how they can be accessed. U.S. GenWeb is another good source for local information. Do not assume that small towns don't have libraries. Many towns with a population of 1,000 or so have libraries, often with a shelf or two of books relating to the county and a librarian willing to help. Areas with slightly larger populations, roughly more than 5,000, may very well have a genealogical society and a historical society. Frequently these organizations' participants may be a good source of information or know where information may be located. A number of the larger counties, with populations of approximately 10,000 or more, are hiring curators for their local museums. In addition to memorabilia from the county, the museum may also have local county, town, and family histories and collections; early school, court and business records; old newspapers; and photograph collections. The museums should have more regular hours and be more user-friendly. I, personally, enjoy visiting the smaller courthouses and historical museums. The staff has more time, and you never know what nugget is there waiting to be found. It might be local school yearbooks or an informal survey someone took. What is contained there also provides insight into the town or community. Although the various sources may contain some of the same information, they may also contain a unique item that the others do not. Don’t assume anything. I also encourage researchers, whether they live in the area or not, to join a local society. Most societies and museums rely heavily on volunteers. They publish newsletters to let members know what is going on and they strive to make their facility and its offerings the best they can, working to preserve the history and records of the area. Navigating the various areas of the State of Nebraska can be a challenge. Nebraska is a place where the West began. People had to adapt to where they lived. Experienced genealogists at RecordClick know the state and can help you develop a research strategy, look for a specific piece of information, or help you understand how things worked when your ancestor was living in Nebraska, whether it was in the city, the country, or someplace in between. Resources Douglas County Historical Society Greater Omaha Genealogical Society W. Dale Clark Library Nebraska State Genealogical Society Beatrice Public Library Lincoln-Lancaster County Genealogical Society Bennett Martin Public Library U.S. GenWeb #### Need Genealogical Help In Ireland? Check Out the Libraries for Irish Genealogy Professional genealogist explains how to tap the resources of libraries in Ireland for Irish Genealogy. Since the days of the Egyptians and the library at Alexandria, there have been repositories for books and other written materials. This RecordClick genealogist loves them, and for the thrifty researcher, many of resources are free whether they are in the United States, Eastern Europe, England, or Ireland. Some of the massively huge libraries, such as the Library of Congress or the main branch of the New York Public Library, can boggle the mind. Most libraries are modest, serving small towns and rural areas. If, however, that small town or rural area is where a special family lived, the library is a good place for a family history researcher to find out about where their ancestors lived. Even in some place, or especially in some place, like Ireland. One of the good things about using the library system in Ireland is that it is more organized than the United States. Here, libraries and their organization can vary a great deal among large cities and small towns. This can present some interesting and challenging experiences for a genealogist. Being smaller in size geographically, the library system in Ireland and Northern Ireland are a bit more structured. Administrators and librarians are aware of family historians seeking their Irish Genealogy heritage. The four websites of the most interest include: The National Library of Ireland Dublin City Public Libraries and Archive Ask About Ireland, Public Libraries Northern Ireland libraries The National Library of Ireland was established by the Dublin Science and Art Museum Act in 1877. The current institution was established in 2005 under the national Cultural Institutions Act in 1997. Located on Kildare Street in the center of Dublin, the facility is home to printed material, including books, periodicals, newspapers from all over the country, and maps. Its manuscripts division holds 1 million items spanning almost a thousand years. The photo collection of more than 5 million images spans subject matter from topographical views to studio portraits and early tourist photos. Dublin has a number of branch libraries. The Central Library is located at the Ilac Centre on Henry Street. A list of its holdings that might be of interest to genealogists can be found at Dublin Heritage. Databases include: Electoral Rolls, 1908 Electoral Lists, 1939-40 Directory of Dublin Graveyards Ancient Freemen of Dublin The library has Dublin parish records including baptisms, marriages and burials and a listing of local and family history associations. Seeking out Irish Genealogy ancestors outside of Dublin can be a bit challenging for a genealogist. While the libraries may or may not have unique resources, they are staffed by individuals who know the area and have knowledge of the governmental and religious entities. The Ask About Ireland website lists the libraries, but it can be a bit confusing at first. To find a library, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on library buildings. A drop down menu will appear listing all of the libraries. The history and location of the building and contact information are provided. Also included are: Date the library opened Its address, phone number, email, and URL The type of service and type of building housing the library with pictures Explanation of the computer and printing services available The Northern Ireland Libraries website is easy to navigate. All the libraries are listed from Antrim in County Antrim to Woodstock in County Down. There are pictures of many of the libraries along with a Google Map showing the location. Information includes services and facilities, hours, and an email address. When going through the list of libraries, keep an eye out for the term “Local Studies.” There are five Education and Library Boards in Northern Ireland covering different areas. Each maintains a Local Studies Service at one of the larger libraries. The facilities have a section on local history, genealogy, and local activities. Staff is available to assist researchers. The libraries include: Irish & Local Studies Library, Armagh Local Studies Ballymena Local Studies Downpatrick Belfast Central Library Mellon Centre for Migration Studies The Mellon Centre for Migration Studies may be of particular interest to genealogists. The library is located at the Ulster American Folk Park and is the home of The Irish Emigration Database (IED). The IED is a computerized collection of primary resource materials on Irish emigration to North America in the 18th and 19th centuries. It includes family papers and letters, government reports, shipping news and advertisements, passenger lists, and vital records. The IED is free to visitors of the Centre and at all branches of Libraries NI and at the Search Room of the Public Records Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI). Irish Genealogy. So you might be interested in doing genealogical research in Ireland or Northern Ireland, but you can’t make it to the library? RecordClick has a network of global professional genealogists who may be able to help you in your ancestor search. We can assist you in organizing your materials and help you determine what records are available to augment information or take you back a generation. #### New Jersey - A Destination Location for a Research Vacation New Jersey has really taken its share of punches when it comes to certain popular television shows - The Sopranos (HBO), Jersey Shore (MTV), and The Real Housewives of New Jersey (Bravo) definitely depict the Garden State in less than flattering terms. Don't let television interpret the reality of the State. The likes of Snooki, Tony Soprano, Jwowww!, or Teresa Giudice are entertaining characters, but they do not represent all of New Jersey by any stretch of the imagination. What trumps these characters – even more than The Donald's Taj Mahal Hotel Casino on the Atlantic City Boardwalk – is not only the incredible history of one of the first Colonies of America but the fact that its inhabitants have a passion for historic preservation and genealogy, as well as sharing their knowledge with visitors. Inhabitants and visitors know the State by a number of nicknames. "Garden State" is probably the most recognized – it's been on New Jersey license plates since the mid-1950s. What is interesting is the derivation of the nickname is not really known, since the state never officially recognized the slogan. Abraham Browning of Camden has been credited with coining the term when he referred to New Jersey as the "Garden State" in a public address he made during the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia in 1876. One thing we know for sure - there is nothing more delicious than garden-grown, garden-fresh Jersey produce, especially its sweet corn and tomatoes. Another moniker for New Jersey, the "Crossroads of the American Revolution," brings us home to our favorite subjects: history and genealogy. Five signers of the Declaration of Independence hailed from New Jersey: Abraham Clark, Francis Hopkinson, John Witherspoon, John Hart, and Richard Stockton. New Jersey soil soaked up the blood of an untold number of Continental Army and British troops during the hundreds of battles that raged throughout the Revolutionary War. Battles at Fort Mercer, Monmouth, Princeton, Fort Lee, and Trenton will always be synonymous with the birth of this Nation. Don't forget that General George Washington crossed the Delaware River north of Trenton, and his Army was headquartered in Morristown in 1777 and 1779-1780, giving that region the nickname "The Military Capital of the American Revolution." Morris County, also known as the Skylands Region, is home to many historical destinations. More than 200 years prior to the American Revolution, New Jersey's coastline was explored by Giovanni da Verrazano. Henry Hudson came 85 years later, sailing into Newark Bay and paving the way for the region's first settlement established in 1620 by the Dutch. New Jersey, which is home to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, has been instrumental in this Nation's birth and growth. For more information on Ellis Island, see Joan Shurtliff's blog Ellis Island - It Starts with a Name. If you are a genealogy or history buff, New Jersey is definitely a destination location for a research vacation. Each county boasts numerous historical or genealogical societies, museums, battlegrounds, farms, gardens, mills, churches, cemeteries, Underground Railroad stops, and a number of 18th and 19th-century homes. Several of these homes are owned or maintained by the New Jersey State Society Daughters of the American Revolution. For more information on NJDAR-affiliated properties, please read my blog New Jersey – A Garden of Delights For Genealogy and History Bear in mind, the state is chock-full of research resources, starting with the New Jersey State Archives. New Jersey Travel & Tourism offers a wonderful booklet titled Discover New Jersey History that lists the state's many historical destinations and interests. This booklet also lists many historical societies and libraries according to the county, which will make your search for birth, marriage, and death certificates, as well as Wills, probate, and property and land records, a lot easier. So whether your ancestors lived in the Dirty D, A City in Motion, the Irish Riviera, Brick City, or Havana on the Hudson, they were a part of New Jersey history. Lucky for you, Record Click is located in Denville, New Jersey - also known as the Hub of Morris County. If you hit a sandbar in your family research, consider giving Record Click a call; its expert genealogists can definitely help you with your New Jersey search. #### New Jersey Genealogy, A Fertile Territory For Ancestor Research? New Jersey – what a state! This RecordClick genealogist used to think it was just some place between New York and Pennsylvania with that little bit of Delaware thrown in for fun. Since I have done genealogical services in New Jersey, my perspective has changed. When I have commiserated on some of the frustrations of researching in New Jersey, I’ve had residents tell me it isn’t easy. There have been boundary changes as counties and townships come and go and lost census records – just to name a few things. But there are blossoms of hope for your ancestor search in the Garden State. A good family history researcher learns about the place where ancestors lived. One of the most important things for a genealogist to be aware of is the geography of the area including how and when land boundaries were created and changed. I usually don’t recommend reading material because there is so much available and every researcher has his or her own preferences.   However, “The Story of New Jersey’s Civil Boundaries, 1606-1968” by John P. Snyder is excellent. It was done for the Bureau of Geology and Topography; Trenton, NJ, 1969 and reprinted by the New Jersey Geological Survey in 2004 and may be accessed online. As the author states in his remarks: “This is hardly a book to cuddle up with.” It may not be good bedtime reading, but it does give insight into the settlement and evolution of governmental bodies in New Jersey – complete with maps. And it made me smile. Snyder’s chronologies helped me understand why finding ancestors and the repositories for their records can be so difficult… in New Jersey. Contained in the rest of this essay are some gleanings from the book that may be beneficial to the genealogical researcher. The history of European settlement in New Jersey goes back to 1609 when Henry Hudson landed on what are now the New Jersey shores. The earliest attempts at settling the state met with little success. Yet, eventually, the Dutch, Swedes and English, purchased, both fairly and deceptively, the land from the Native American tribes that had inhabited the land since before 6000 B.C. Here's a time line: • 1621 – The Dutch West India Company was formed in Holland to develop commerce with an eye on the New Jersey-Hudson River area. • 1638-1655 – Swedish and Finnish attempted to settle the area. • 1655 – Dutch Governor Peter Stuyvesant forced the final surrender of New Sweden and New Jersey became a part of New Netherland. • 1630 –The first successful European settlement began with the land purchase for what is now the Jersey City area. • 1664 – New Netherland became an English possession. • 1665-68 – Elizabeth-Town, Milford/Newark, and Bergan became areas populated with European settlers. • 1675 – Salem became the first permanent settlement in southern Jersey. The governmental entities of East Jersey and West Jersey were created. Boundaries were fuzzy. • 1676/77 – The division of West Jersey began by dividing the area into tenths. Burlington became the capital. • 1682/83 – Although they had vague boundaries, the four counties of Bergen, Essex, Middlesex and Monmouth were created. • 1693 – The designation of towns and townships in East Jersey was formalized. The capital was Perth Amboy. • 1702 – East Jersey and West Jersey are reunited. • 1720 – Settlement began in the area of what is now Trenton. • 1743 – A definitive line – the Lawrence Line – between East Jersey and West Jersey was surveyed. • 1746 – What is now Princeton University was founded in Elizabeth as the College of New Jersey. • 1773 – A law was passed ordering surveyors to put up markers along what had been determined to be the New Jersey-New York border. • 1783 – The Delaware River was declared the western border of New Jersey. • 1874 – The New Jersey – Delaware boundary was described by the State of Delaware in its Revised Statutes. A resurvey of the New Jersey-New York border found that the line in the 1774 survey was not straight, but made an arc around Greenwood Lake. New Jersey Genealogy detectives may have a challenge tracking ancestors with all of the boundary changes.  The only land border New Jersey has is on the north with New York. The Delaware River is the western boundary and the Atlantic Ocean and Hudson River are on the east. A number of court cases have been needed to settle the ownership of more than a few of islands in the rivers and water ways. Inland, borders changed quite frequently until after the Revolutionary War when patents, “letters patents” or royal charters (the formal documents from land grants given by Native American tribal chiefs to the white settlers) were sometimes unclear or contested. Even then, several counties were created in the 1800s, the last being Union County which was taken from Essex County in 1857 with Elizabeth designated the county seat. A genealogist in New Jersey also needs to keep in mind that New Jersey has many different types of municipalities: borough, city, town, township and village and the corresponding records may be found on those levels. Remember that municipalities have been formed and boundaries changed on a regular basis in this state. If an ancestor lived in an area for more than a couple of years, records may be found at more than one location. Are you still overwhelmed by this genealogical search work in New Jersey?  The professional genealogists at Recordclick can help. We can access records and maps to help pinpoint where your ancestors lived. We can help you organize your family history research or help you create your own family tree. #### New Jersey – A Garden of Delights For Genealogy and History In my blog New Jersey - A Destination Location for a Research Vacation, I gave you a teaser of the depth and breadth of New Jersey's rich past to tantalize Garden State historical and genealogical researchers and to offer helpful research resources. This time around, I am going to get a little more specific in regard to historical and genealogical societies and lineage organizations, all of which will enhance and enrich your family search path. Let me just say first of all – I support 1st Amendment rights, so while I believe programs such as The Sopranos (HBO), Jersey Shore (MTV), and The Real Housewives of New Jersey (Bravo) can and should be produced, I also believe they are one-sided, depicting an unbecoming and unseemly side of New Jersey that is not up to par with the State's venerable history. New Jersey dates back to the early 1500s. Its involvement as a prime location for which Patriots fought valiantly during the American Revolution, as well as the fact that it is one of the original Colonies in America, are what make New Jersey an extremely important state to the inception of our Nation. Snooki, Jwoww!, and Tony may reign supreme on the airwaves, but they are not much more than debris on the Atlantic City Boardwalk when compared to the rich history of their home state. When I started to research New Jersey and to absorb its significance to American history, I was struck by the many historical societies available in the state, as well as the plethora of historical locations that are open to the public -- museums, battlegrounds, farms, gardens, mills, churches, cemeteries, Underground Railroad stops, and a number of 18th and 19th century homes. I discovered that several of these homes are owned or maintained by the New Jersey State Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NJDAR), which is part of the National Society DAR [NSDAR]. In some cases, NJDAR owns the properties; in others, individual chapters within NJDAR are the owners and/or curators. The NSDAR was founded in 1890 to promote patriotism, preserve American history, and support better education for our nation's children. Its members are descended from the patriots who won American independence during the Revolutionary War. With more than 165,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide, DAR is one of the world's largest and most active service organizations. New Jersey is home to almost 50 individual chapters. Given the involvement of NJDAR in the preservation of New Jersey historical properties, I contacted NJDAR Regent Diane Argraves. I wasn't surprised to find that Mrs. Argraves has a strong passion for our nation's rich history and for protecting that history for generations to come, so much so that her State Regent fundraising event is Project Violet: Remembering our Patriot Heritage - Preserving Historic Landmarks. Following its passion for historic preservation, the NJDAR is headquartered in the Watson House, which was built in 1708 by Isaac Watson, the son of Quakers who came to this country from England in 1684. The NJDAR restored the house in 1964, as part of the New Jersey Tercentenary Celebration. Located in Hamilton, the Watson house is the oldest house in Mercer County. It is open to the public for docent-guided tours on certain Sundays, during specific months. Another of New Jersey's famous homes is the Schuyler-Hamilton House Museum, which was built by Jabez Campfield in 1760 in Morristown. Dr. John Cochran, the Surgeon General of the Continental Army and personal physician of George Washington, was quartered in the house during 1779 and 1780. Cochran's wife's niece, Betsy Schuyler, was courted by Alexander Hamilton in the residence. Morristown Chapter of the NJDAR owns and maintains the Schuyler-Hamilton House. The museum is open on Sunday afternoons; tours may be made by appointment. The DAR Van Bunschooten House was built in 1787 in Wantage and served as the manse for the Reverend Elias Van Bunschooten, a Dutch Reformed Minister. In 1971 a DAR member donated the house to the Chinkchewunska Chapter (a Native American word for "town on the side of a hill"), which set about to restore, refurbish, and redecorate the home. The house and outbuildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Sites and Places. The Bunschooten Museum is open on certain days between May and October. The James and Ann Whitall House is located on the Delaware River in northern Gloucester County. The Whitall family built the house in 1748 and lived there for 114 years. During the Revolution, the house was converted into a hospital where Ann Whitall tended wounded soldiers (from both sides) after the 1777 Continental victory at the Battle of Red Bank. A DAR chapter was named for Ann Whitall; it along with the Red Bank Chapter donated antiques, and continues to maintain rooms in the house and serve as docents. Last, but not least, the Buccleuch Mansion (also known as the White House Farm) was built around 1740 by Anthony White, and was occupied by the British during the war, due to its owners' sentiments. Following the Revolution, Colonel Charles Stewart owned the house and played host to such prominent visitors as George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, General Kosciusko, General Gates, and John Hancock. Jersey Blue Chapter maintains the interior and furnishings of the Museum. In addition to maintaining the furnishing of the Buccleuch Mansion, Jersey Blue Chapter is assisting the New Brunswick Free Public Library to locate descendants of the five New Jersey signers of the Declaration of Independence: Abraham Clark, Francis Hopkinson, John Witherspoon, John Hart, and Richard Stockton. For those who believe they are related to one of the five signers, the Jersey Blue Chapter has offered to assist with their research and to help complete the required paperwork to join DAR and Sons of the American Revolution (NSSAR) or Sons of the Revolution (SR), if they wish. Any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution, is eligible for membership. DAR defines a "patriot" as one who provided service or direct assistance in achieving America's independence. For those of you who are interested in tracing your lineage to a Revolutionary War Patriot, or just want to know more about your family with New Jersey ties, here is a list of research resources to help you start the process. While there are many more historical societies in New Jersey, I selected ones that include one or more research resources such as libraries, archives, genealogies, local histories, ledgers, and maps, etc. NJDAR Regent Diane Argraves' Favorite Pick! "My absolute all-time favorite source for lineage research in New Jersey is the Gloucester County Historical Society. You see, years ago Gloucester County encompassed mostly all of South Jersey. This is a must for anyone researching in South Jersey. I recall one instance when an individual called looking for a marriage record at Christ Church in Philadelphia, and for many years could not understand why the record was not there. I quickly suggested that it was probably Christ Church in Woodbury, Gloucester County, New Jersey, just on the other side of the river from Philadelphia. Case solved! Atlantic County Historical Society Avalon Museum and Historical Society (609) 967-0090 Beavertown Historical Society (973) 694-8059 Borough of Kinnelon Historical Commission (973) 838-6208 Denville Historical Society & Museum (973) 625-1165 Discover New Jersey History (pamphlet) Egg Harbor Historical Society Ellis Island Friends Meeting House & Cemetery Association of Randolph Township (973) 361-9427 Gloucester County Historical Society in Woodbury (State Regent's pick) (856) 845-4771 Jewish Historical Society of Metrowest Margate Historical Society (609) 822-6546 Monmouth County Historical Association Montville Historical Society & Museum (973) 334-3665 Newark Public Library (973) 733-7784 New Jersey Cemetery Records New Jersey Historical Society New Jersey Historical Commission New Jersey State Archives Ocean County Historical Society Museum Sussex County Historical Society (973) 383-6010 Vital Records in New Jersey Warren County Historical Society Museum (908) 475-4246 If you hit a stumbling block in your research, take heart – Record Click is headquartered in the heart of the Garden State. Record Click has expert genealogists who can help you through the lineage research process to attain important documentation you are seeking. #### New York Genealogical Research - How to Trace Your Ancestry Are you a genealogical researcher tracing ancestry in New York State? Before you delve into your ancestor research - Do you know what the difference is between a town and a town? Or, do you believe a town is a town is a town? Are you thoroughly confused? Let me try to explain this to you. A town is usually a town, at least for most locations in the United States, but in the case of New York State - maybe not. As a genealogist researching New York ancestors, it took me a while to understand New York's "town" concept, because in the Empire State, there are two types of towns. First, a town can be considered a village, a hamlet, or a community. How a town is viewed can differ throughout the United States. For example, in Nebraska where I live, only the two largest cities – Omaha and Lincoln – have more 200,000 people. All other cities and towns in the state have less than 100,000 people. Roughly stated, the entire population of Nebraska is about the same as one of the boroughs of New York City. Therefore, the definition of a "town" is relative to other populated areas in its state. What we in Nebraska might call a "city," New York genealogy researchers and residents would call a "town." All towns are not the same, but New York does have towns; in fact, New York has almost 1,700 organized municipalities. However, not all of them may be officially considered a "town" per se. Usually, a populated area is formally known as a village until a certain population is reached, whereupon it restructures its government and becomes a city. Second, there is a town – formally called a "township" in other states – that also is a repository for governmental and vital records. In states that used the rectangular survey method for recording land, the land description is recorded from small to large: section, township (often abbreviated as "town"), range. In New York, however, a town is a part of a county that has its own unit of government and collects taxes. Towns, like the counties they are a part of, were created when the population warranted them. When doing New York genealogy research, keep in mind that many counties have villages/cities and towns with the same name. In some instances, there may be a village, town, and city with the same name. Take, for example, Watertown in Jefferson County. Watertown the town was created in 1800. The Village of Watertown came into existence in 1816. The village was incorporated as a city in 1869. While land and Surrogate Court records are most likely found at the county level of government, vital and tax records are apt to be found at the town level. Villages and cities may also have tax records or other records unique to that governmental entity. As a rule of thumb, when researching, start with the more encompassing level of government and work to the smaller units. Confused? You have lots of company. Just keep in mind that these are the layers of government in New York: • County: taxes, land records and higher, including Surrogate, levels of court • Town: taxes, vital records beginning in about 1880, Civil War registers • Village/City: taxes, Civil War registers Some of the most interesting court records used in New York genealogy research have to do with lower court – Justice of the Peace or Magistrate. These records can be found at the town or village level. If they still exist, they can contain wonderful information about day-to-day happenings or neighborly disputes. The "if" is a big factor, however. In the early days, the judges often worked out of their houses, and the records stayed with the individual. They may be gone. There are two other genealogical research sources of interest to genealogists tracing ancestry in New York. First is the town and city registers of the men who served in the Civil War. If they still exist, they can be found at the New York State Archives in Albany or at the county or local level. Many Civil War records, however, are now available online. Second, in the late 1840s, legislation was passed mandating that school districts keep vital records. Compliance was inconsistent and the law was repealed in 1853. A check with a local historical or genealogical society may be helpful in locating any existing records. Keep in mind, however, that there are no strict rules for where a variety of records may wind up, especially at the lower levels of government. Where can records be found, if not in the most likely spot? The two most probable places are the New York State Archives in Albany or at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. Do not, however, dismiss university libraries such as the Cornell University Library in Ithaca or the main branch of the New York City Public Library (NYPL). A few New York counties – Rockland County, for example - have archives. They are definitely worth checking out. Other avenues of New York genealogy research may be through local historical and genealogical societies or libraries. Staff and volunteers at these establishments may have suggestions on where to look. We recognize the enjoyment that genealogical researchers get when they trace family history; however, if you hit a stumbling block, don't hesitate to contact a genealogy ancestry service to help you trace your ancestry. Record Click has professional genealogists on staff who are knowledgeable in New York genealogy research. They also have access to a variety of genealogical research repositories, including the New York State Archives and the New York City Public Library. If you need help with your ancestor search, reach out to RecordClick. Coming up: New York Genealogy and Religion - Finding the Answers #### New York Genealogy - You Can Get the Scoop Using Local Newspapers Genealogists need to bear in mind that the kind of news and the amount of news that may be found in vintage newspapers is going to depend on the historical time frame in which the periodical was published. Early newspapers were shorter and carried only limited news. As technology improved and population increased, so did the number of newspapers, and so did the amount of news that was printed. It wasn't until the early 1700s that America’s first continuously published newspaper began. The first New York newspapers were started between 1725 and 1735. Early newspaper production was very labor intensive and expensive because type had to be set by hand. The first news was printed on broadsides – sheets tacked to walls or hung in windows. By 1783, there were 43 newspapers in New York. In the early 1800s, that number increased to more than 300. Until the early 1900s, the number of newspapers printed was constantly on the increase. Because the printing process initially was very complex, there was little room dedicated to local news in the early days of printing; however, by the mid-1800s, improved typesetting methods and electricity to run the printing presses made the process easier, and more space was available for local news, which drew a larger readership. Publishers and editors saw the advantage to starting papers in smaller towns. Depending on the location of the newspaper, genealogists may find varying kinds of information. Some Eastern seaboard newspapers may have printed ship arrival and departures; other locations might have listed train arrivals and departures. In addition to newspapers, genealogical researchers also use legals. Even today, every city/county has to have a legal paper to publish meeting minutes, advertisements for bids, etc. A genealogist can speed up their research time if they know how the newspaper they are reading is laid out. Some papers will have an index on the front page, while others will require getting familiar with the way the news is ordered. A genealogical researcher should take the time at the beginning to read the paper and see the patterns. Another thing that genealogists should remember when researching newspapers is that the more specific the locale, the more likely that names of local residents can be found. There are a couple of caveats, however. First, people were more likely to make the paper if they were important or were in jail. Second, the longer someone stayed in a community the more likely they were to get involved with town activities and therefore be mentioned in the news. If they were in an area for only a short time, don't be surprised if they didn't make the news. Genealogists, using periodicals for New York genealogy research, need to set enough time aside when researching newspapers. In addition to vital records, such as births, deaths, and marriages, there is also church news, organization news, farm news, business news, legal news, and more from which genealogical researchers may glean important facts for their New York genealogy research. In the 1880s the linotype typesetting machine was patented, and it definitely sped up the printing process. Improved presses made it possible to print more pages, increasing the amount of information that could be included in a newspaper. Local editors took advantage of this. Instead of just stating that a slate of candidates were running for office, the editor may have included biographical material on the candidates. When a couple got married, rather than just their names being listed, a list of attendees and gifts may have also been included. One more thing for New York genealogists to remember: If you locate a newspaper with a complete run, cherish it. Most newspapers have gaps of some kind. Early on, the focus was on selling the newspaper, not keeping a copy for posterity; for this reason and others, extra papers were thrown away in many cases. These kinds of gaps can wreak havoc with your genealogy research, if no other vital records can be located. Genealogical researchers will tell you that the largest collection of New York newspapers on microfilm is located at the New York State Library in Albany. The Library has a page dedicated to New York State newspapers on microfilm and in print. As a certified genealogist, one of my favorite websites is compliments of the University of Pennsylvania Library: Historical Newspapers Online. It is updated on a regular basis and includes links to online historical newspapers and historical newspaper projects for every state. New York does have four Historic Newspaper online sites to aid genealogists in their search: • Hudson River Valley Historical Newspapers • Northern New York Historical Newspapers • Rochester Area Historic Newspaper Collection • Suffolk County Historic Newspaper Archive A somewhat whimsical site with more than 20 million pages is Old Fulton New York Postcards. The site is free, and there is a list of digitized newspapers. I suggest the search engine be used when looking for a specific name. There are a number of fee-based websites that have access to newspaper archives for genealogists to peruse, including Ancestry.com and GenealogyBank.com. I get frustrated with these genealogical services, however, partly because of the cost, but mostly because of the gaps in the online offerings. At one time Google started a project of digitizing newspapers and putting them online. When it was discovered what a massive project it would be, compounded by copyright issues, the project was halted. Google's efforts are still online at Google News. Libraries are a good source for genealogists to view local newspapers on microfilm. The New York Public Library has an extensive holding, as well. Check their website for an online catalog of newspapers. There are many old New York newspapers available online, allowing genealogists to find multiple years and locales for periodicals. There are just as many – or more – available on microfilm at local libraries or the State Library in Albany. Some may be obtainable through interlibrary loan, but even if you are a seasoned genealogical researcher, you may consider using an experienced RecordClick genealogist to help speed the process. #### New York Genealogy Research - Using Church Records This is the second in a series of New York genealogy resource tips for genealogists tracing ancestry in the Empire State. So far, we have delved into New York genealogy based on the location of ancestors through land records and deeds, taking care to avoid the pitfalls of town name changes and re-drawn county and state lines. I have good news for genealogists - another great resource to discover New York genealogy is through church records. Of the vast majority of New Yorkers who practiced a faith in 2000, 7.5 million were Catholics. They are followed by 1.6 million Jews, almost a half-million Methodists, a quarter-million Episcopalians, and less than a quarter-million Presbyterians and Evangelical Lutherans. This is far different from the 1600s when there were only 300 or so parishioners for the Dutch Reformed Church and the Church of England. That's because the Dutch and English were challenging each other for control of New Amsterdam, now known as New York. One thing the Dutch and English did have in common was a distaste for the Catholics. The Dutch were involved with the Protestant Reformation, and the English, compliments of Henry VIII, also had a number of issues with the hierarchy of the Catholic Church. So the first two prominent religions in New York/New Amsterdam were the Dutch Reformed and the Church of England/Anglican/Episcopalian. Jews also had a presence in New York in the mid-1600s, but their numbers were small, and the Dutch liked them about as much as they liked the Catholics. The Dutch controlled the area on and off from the early- to mid-1600s. New Amsterdam was ceded to the English in the 1670s. Until the mid-1700s, the two major religions in New York were the Dutch Reformed and Anglican. Please note that religions, like almost everything else in the world, have ebbs and flows and continually evolve. Presbyterians and Methodists can trace their roots back to the Church of England, and Evangelical Lutherans back to the Dutch. John Knox, founder of Presbyterianism, was a Scotsman who wound up having problems with both the Catholics and the Church of England. Knox lived in the 1600s. Presbyterians found their way to New York by the mid-1700s. John Wesley was an Anglican cleric who started the Methodist movement in a fashion similar to some of the evangelicals today. Wesley was born to a large family in the early 1700s. The Methodist movement began to take hold in England in the 1830s and began to have a presence in New York in the mid-1700s. As other nationalities began to settle in New York, other religions – notably the Catholics and Jews – began to take hold. Catholic numbers began to grow in the late 1700s, and the Diocese of New York was created in 1808. By 1822, there were two Catholic churches in New York City with other churches in Albany, Utica, Auburn, and Carthage on the Black River. The number of Jews increased to more than 10,000 by the mid-1800s, and after 1900, with the deluge of immigrants from eastern Europe, the number went up to more than one million. For New York genealogical researchers, there are a number of websites that may be of help with information about the different religions and current congregations in New York. Dutch Reformed Donna Speer Ristenbatt has a website, On the Trail of Our Ancestors, with a page explaining various aspects of the Dutch Reformed Church, dates for churches in New York and New Jersey, lists of available records, and where they may be found. The Holland Society of New York also has Year Books providing information on the Dutch Reformed Church. Catholic Christening, confirmation, marriage, and burial records should be found at the local church. When looking for a specific church, keep in mind the address and nationality of the ancestor being researched. They would have most likely gone to a church near where they lived and with other parishioners of the same nationality. The NYC Nuts genealogy website has put a book compiled by the WPA (Works Progress Administration) online entitled: Inventory of the Church Archives in New York City – The Roman Catholic Church – Archdiocese of New York – Vol. 2. The Archdiocese of New York will assist in locating churches in a given area. Jewish The Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives American Jewish Historical Society YIVO Institute for Jewish Research New York State Archives Anglican/Episcopalian Records should be at the local parish. Colonial Records: Churches that existed in the colonies prior to the establishment of the Protestant Episcopal Church in 1789 should be contacted directly for more information on parish registers and membership. Additional information on colonial churches is available from Lambeth Palace Library (Canterbury), which houses the records created while the colonies were still under the ecclesiastical aegis of the Church of England. Also visit the Episcopal Diocese of New York. Methodist Many of you genealogists probably already know that Methodists are not noted for their record keeping. However, local churches are now being encouraged to create their own histories, libraries, and archives including baptism, membership, marriage, and burial records. The History Center of the United Methodist Church is located on the campus of Drew University, in Madison, New Jersey. The majority of information contained in the center relates to church history, pastors, and missionaries. The Methodists have two Annual Conferences: Upper New York Annual Conference and New York Annual Conference. Information about local churches can be found on their websites. • The United Methodist Archives & History Center • Upper New York Annual Conference - The United Methodist Church • New York Annual Conference - The United Methodist Church Presbyterian Records should be at the local church. The Presbyterian Church of America Historical Center is located in St. Louis, Missouri, and most of its information relates to church history, ministers, and missionaries. At RecordClick, expert genealogists can offer advice with your New York genealogy challenges. If you need to locate a church or find the history of a church that no longer exists, we can check our resources. Consider tracing ancestry as a gift, not only for the holiday season, but for special events all year long. It's Up to You - New York New York. . .genealogists. #### New York Genealogy Research - Using Land Records and Deeds So, you are conducting New York genealogical research, but you have run out of avenues to search - you have hit the proverbial family search genealogy dead end. Where do you go next? Which way do you turn? The best thing you can do is get back on your path, check your bearings and start looking for benchmarks, baselines, and landmarks. Land records and deeds are a primary resource for family history researchers. Land records and deeds are a terrific way of enhancing your New York genealogy research experience; however, in order to be successful in working with them, you need to take several things into consideration: What is the method used for surveying the land: metes and bounds or rectangular survey Where do you find the records What are the various types of land records available How have the records evolved in their usage and language The original Colonies, including New York, used the metes and bounds method of surveying land. A seemingly permanent land feature, such as a rock or tree, was used as a starting point. Distances were measured in chains, rods, and links. A chain is 66 feet or four rods or 100 links. A rod is 16.5 feet and a link is .66 feet. An acre is about 10 square chains. Take heart, though, and be patient. As time went on, the language used in a deed evolved to meet the needs of both the people and the government. Arcane phrases were dropped and the deeds, in many cases, became shorter and more concise. Land descriptions also changed. The rocks were sometimes moved and trees died. Keep an eye out for land descriptions changing to include references to roads or a neighbor’s fence. Finally, the lots and parcels may have been assigned names and numbers. Land Records Doing New York genealogical research through land records can be a bit complicated because different types of records are located at different levels of government. Land records are located at the county court house. They are a good source of information because they are easily accessed in the county clerk’s office – there are no privacy laws restricting their use, and they are indexed usually by grantor/seller and grantee/buyer. Keep in mind that in Colonial days, deeds may or may not have been recorded, may have been recorded in an adjacent county if that courthouse was closer, or the land may have been leased. A number of land records can also be found at the New York State Archives in Albany, but many of these records have been microfilmed by the Family History Library (FHL) in Salt Lake City. FamilySearch.org has a page dedicated to New York Land and Property, which includes a list of resources available through FHL. Some of these include early land records, patents (served as the initial deed when the land was purchased from the government), surveys, Secretary of State's deeds and mortgages, deeds, mortgages, manorial records, military bounty land, and county land records. Indices including "Patents of the State of New York, 1649-1912" and "Deeds, 1659-1846" may be particularly helpful to you in your New York genealogy research. Deeds There are a number of different types of deeds, but the three most common are warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, and mortgage deeds. Warranty deeds are the most common, and they guarantee the purchaser that there are no encumbrances on the property. A Quit Claim deed indicates that there may be an issue concerning the land. It is an outright sale with no guarantees. Mortgage deeds are frequently used by farmers as a method of getting cash to pay for seed or livestock, with the land being the collateral. One last note regarding your New York genealogy research – other information may be included in a deed record besides the transfer of property. Frequently, land ownership was part of a probate record. If so, there should be a list of surviving heirs and possibly where they lived. If a congregation purchased property to build a church, a list of the board or congregation members purchasing the property may be included. If property was foreclosed on, that information may be ascertained from the deed. Genealogists at Record Click can help you with your New York genealogy research. Record Click's professional genealogical researchers have access to the land records in the New York State Archives in Albany and to the microfilm at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. They can help decipher old handwriting or assist in helping you determine the best place to look for your deeds and compile the information your deeds contain. Coming up: New York State of Mind: What is the difference between a town and a town? #### New York Genealogy Resources - Beating the Bushes When a New York genealogist really wants to find an answer, they will not hesitate to beat the bushes to find the best genealogical ancestry resource for their needs. What is a bit overwhelming is the amount of underbrush a genealogical researcher has to cut through to find a wellspring of genealogy research information. I am in awe at the amount of information that is available to genealogical researchers, thanks to advanced technology. It's amazing that the 1940 U.S. Census was available for viewing in less than six months. The number of websites dedicated to genealogical research and genealogy ancestry services is growing daily, with amateur and professional genealogists and ancestry researchers launching their own webpages and taking on a small corner of the genealogy world. I also know that as expansive as the Internet is, it can never post every possible resource. One extremely valuable resource to genealogical researchers is local newspapers. I wrote a recent blog titled New York Genealogy: You Can Get the Scoop Using Local Newspapers about using New York newspapers, in particular, as a genealogy research resource. Many newspapers are available online, but there are many more that are not. The New York Public Library has more than 300 different titles for newspapers that have been published in New York City alone. You can find a lot of information in newspapers, but it takes a great deal of time and perseverance to weed through all the reams of newsprint - you're going to have to shake the bushes a lot, and then beat, brush, and shake them again. The Internet is an excellent place for genealogical researchers to begin tracing their family history. But if you use this method, be prepared to dig even deeper, whether it is in New York State or another locale. Two of the best general genealogical resources include the New York State Archives and the New York Public Library. New York State Archives The New York State Archives has a plethora of records, with some dating back to Colonial times. Genealogists often use naturalization and probate records as genealogy research resources. The New York State Archives has two online tutorials to help genealogical researchers working in those areas. Its "Pathfinders" section covers Naturalization and Probate Records. The Naturalization Pathfinder explains how the naturalization process evolved from Colonial times to present day, and tells genealogical researchers where to find naturalization records. The Probate Pathfinder discusses how the probate process works, what probate records are available, and the information they can provide. It seems that 1787 is a defining date for probate records in New York State. More than likely, genealogists will find early probate records at the Archives, while later records are usually kept in county courthouses. The New York State Archives has many state newspapers on microfilm and has identified where copies of other newspapers can be found. Indexes at the Archives also include Auditor Certificates Submitted by Disabled Revolutionary War Veterans Claiming Pensions, as well as Attica Correctional Facility inmate case files. Additionally, it has a variety of military records, including an online Civil War database. Some of the information can be found online, but there is a great deal of information that is not online. To tap this valuable ancestry research information requires genealogical researchers to visit the New York State Archives in person, or hire a professional genealogical service to do the research for them. It might be cheaper in the long run to hire a professional genealogist to do the research for you. New York Public Library The New York Public Library (NYPL) is an amazing facility serving a city with a large, diverse population. Among the areas that might be of interest to genealogical researchers include: The DeWitt Wallace Periodical Room focuses on both national and international reading materials Irma and Paul Milstein Division of U.S. History, Local History and Genealogy Microforms Reading Room; in addition to the more than 300 New York City newspapers, it has a variety of newspapers from across the country Other Resources There are other genealogical and historical resources in New York. Ethnic and municipal groups include: The Holland Society of New York. They have a number of databases and resource lists on an on-site computer, but not online. Contact the Society for information. The Jewish Genealogical Society The Italian Genealogical Group. This website includes naturalization and vital record online indexes. The New York City Municipal Archives contains birth, marriage, and death records for all the boroughs. The years are listed online, but there is no online index. Many families - from those living in Colonial times to Ellis Island immigrants - have touched and been touched by New York State. Some genealogical ancestry resources are easy to tap, while other resources involve more exploring and investigating. Maybe you don’t need to beat the bushes, but if you shake the branches and peak underneath the genealogy research shrubbery, you just might just find that illusive clue that will lead you to the answer for which you are searching. For those more difficult genealogy projects, RecordClick's professional genealogy ancestry services are available to you. RecordClick's genealogical researchers know where to find the information you need, as well as how to access the documents quickly and efficiently. They can help you create a research strategy, and assist you in finding and identifying that illusive ancestor in your family tree. #### Newspapers Help Genealogical Researchers Get the Lede on Family History "Extra! Extra! Read all about it!" Don't be a genealogical researcher hack, take the lede and get the scoop on family history through newspapers. Don't rely on factoids and puff pieces, go straight to the historical rag. Alert the paparazzi, your ancestors may be in the news! Ah, the printed news. One of this RecordClick genealogist’s favorite resources is newspapers. Think of Pennsylvania and Benjamin Franklin and the Pennsylvania Gazette comes to mind. The paper, which Franklin purchased it in 1729, played a role in the formation of this country. Early newspapers definitely did more than just report political news. Content included shipping news, legal and court notices, and vital records – especially prominent marriages and deaths. They are most assuredly the kinds of resources that  Pennsylvania genealogical researchers and family historians should seek out. Two of my favorite family tidbits have come from the Columbia Spy (Columbia, Pennsylvania). The first is about my g-g-grandmother Clementine. The family story is that she and her mother came to the United States in the late 1820s when she was about four. Her mother died at sea, and Clementine was raised by a relative who was already living in the States. The 21 March 1846 edition of the Columbia Spy has a legal notice posted: “In The Matter of the intended application of Clementine Griffin, for license, to keep a tavern in the borough of Washington – it being an old stand…” This is the earliest record I have found for my g-g-grandmother Clementine. The second clipping from the Columbia Spy pertains to my g-grandmother Barbara. I knew her first two children were born out of wedlock, but I never knew the circumstances. In the 20 June 1868 edition: “Police Cases – Before Samuel Evans, Esq. Fornication and Bastardy - Barbara Kise, spinster, of Washington, b.c. charged Samuel G. Urban with being the father of a bastard child. Defendant bound over to answer at August session.” Barbara gave birth to a son 17 November 1868. A Little Newspaper History Don’t expect to find much genealogical information in the earliest newspapers. Printing was a very labor intensive process. Type was set, letter by letter, by hand. Format was limited and any images were carved by hand on wood. Ink had to be applied and then pressed onto a sheet of paper – one page at a time. The earliest news was printed on a broadsheet – a larger sheet of paper that could be tacked on a wall. Eventually a newspaper format developed with a printed matter on both sides of the paper, in columns and with advertising. The earliest papers were usually weeklies. By the mid-1800s, improved typesetting methods and bigger presses allowed newspapers to develop a larger circulation and to print with more frequency with a wider variety of reading matter. The linotype machine was invented in the 1880s. Its long metal galleys of type shortened the makeup and printing time of the newspaper and made it easier to read. As the printing and publishing process became easier, the number of newspapers and the amount of local news increased. In the 1700s, most newspapers were printed in the Philadelphia area. They included: American Weekly Mercury, Pennsylvania Journal, Pennsylvania Chronicle, Pennsylvania Ledger, and the Pennsylvania Packet. One of the earliest newspapers to be printed outside of Philadelphia was the Pennsylvania Herald & York General Advertiser in 1789 in York. After 1800, the number of printed newspapers increased – especially outside the Philadelphia area. They included: 1800 – Adams Centinel, Adams County 1801 – The Mifflin and Huntingdon Gazette, and Weekly Advertiser, Mifflintown 1802 – Norristown Herald, and Weekly Advertiser, Norristown 1803 – Lancaster Journal, Lancaster 1808 – Cumberland Register, Carlisle 1822 – Lancaster Intelligencer Journal, Lancaster 1822 – Germantown Telegraph, Germantown (Now Philadelphia) By the mid-1800s, enough presses were available that many smaller towns had newspapers. For genealogists, however, a smaller paper is usually better, because the smaller the community, the more likely local townspeople made it into the newspaper. The heyday of the small town newspaper came in the early 1900s; however, by the Depression in the 1930s, the rural population began to migrate to larger cities. The United States was moving from an agrarian to an industrialized society, and the jobs were in the cities. This was especially true with the steel mills in Pennsylvania. As the towns grew into cities, the newspapers expanded with them. More important news trumped lesser news, such as "Farmer Jones' cow got loose." A good number, but by no means all, of Pennsylvania newspapers have been digitized and are online. The family genealogical researcher needs to remember, however, that there may be gaps or a limited number of issues. One of my favorite websites for accessing online newspapers is the University of Pennsylvania Library’s guide to online newspapers. Updated frequently, it lists all the states and free newspaper websites. The website also links to Google Newspapers with an alphabetical listing, including the dates, of all the newspapers posted there. The State Library of Pennsylvania Historic Newspapers Collection (1826-1929), and do a search for "newspapers." Towns included are: Coudersport, Lancaster, Lewistown, Mansield, Marietta, and Milton. The Historical Society of Pennsylvania is located in Philadelphia. It has a large selection of Pennsylvania newspapers on microfilm. Be sure and check local, including college and university, libraries, historical, and genealogical societies for newspapers on microfilm. The Library of Congress has posted Pennsylvania newspapers from almost 50 communities on their Chronicling America website. They start in the mid-1800s and extend into the 1900s. The towns range from Bloomsburg and Clearfield to Scranton and Sunbury. Newspaper Archive is a paid website, offering an unlimited 3-day trial account for a minimal cost. It houses more than 200 Pennsylvania newspapers in its online archive, with  dates ranging from the 1700s to recent. Not all newspapers have been digitized, unfortunately, meaning you will either have to travel to Pennsylvania to look up an individual, or you can hire a genealogist through the family history services at RecordClick. Our holistic genealogical services approach allows you to be the genealogical detective for your family history research. The knowledgeable and professional genealogists at RecordClick can help. Our genealogical researchers can access newspapers or help you develop a research strategy. #### Noah Knew a Thing or Two About Protecting Family Content Assets Imagine hearing a voice that tells you to build an ark and get onboard, because it's going to rain for 40 days and 40 nights. What would you take with you, other than two of every sort of animal, male and female? If I were a bettin' gal, I would say the majority of you would pack up your family content assets, such as photo albums, audio and video recordings, slides, legal papers and certificates, real estate transactions and deeds, financial data, and other family memorabilia – all of those items that are difficult, or even impossible, to replace. Okay, let's say you manage to make it through this catastrophe, and you save your most important items this time around . . . who's going to assume the responsibility of protecting your family legacy after you make your departure to that Big Family Reunion in the Sky? Who in your family will keep the treasures in perpetuity for generations to come? Now, that's something to keep you awake at night worrying about. Noah didn't lose too much sleep on the subject because he had a decided advantage over people in the 21st Century. It appears there were a lot of historical reporters and genealogists making the rounds 7,000 years ago, chronicling accounts of floods, whales, and locust invasions. Given how early these chroniclers got their start, I often wonder if they preceded what has been historically considered the other "oldest profession" in the Bible. In addition to weather and other phenomena, more personal information was divulged by these early episodic reporters. In fact, given the scandals in print, these BC correspondents could be considered predecessors to today's gossip reporters and paparazzi. They were as tenacious as their AD counterparts, remaining hot on the trail of begetting, cleaving, beheading, consorting, and smiting, and then publishing it all in one of history's best-selling books. Biblical scandals pretty much trump TMZ, Access Hollywood, and Extra when it comes to salacious material. The Ethiopian eunuchs didn't have a chance keeping their secret. Did Cain really think he could marry his sister and get away with it? Foolish man; there was no hiding from those 5th Century BC news hounds. Believing such a thing would be tantamount to a driver in a high-speed chase thinking he can elude the Los Angeles Police Department. We all know he's going to get caught! One thing for which we can be thankful is that at least those early historians didn't have cameras; otherwise, we all would be blinded at the sight of our ancestors – Adam and Eve – enjoying their first night of carnal knowledge. Heaven forbid -- not your great grandparents! And so, we are brought back full circle to our initial question – how do we keep our family legacy protected for generations to come? Most every family has a point person for genealogy – some relative who keeps files and boxes of photos and family trees and family history. But let's face it, they won't be around forever, and with them may die a lot of important family information. Given we're not as lucky as early man to be dogged by over-zealous historical reporters and genealogists marking our every move, we have to find a better way to guard our family history. Good news is, perpetual archiving technology is here, and ironically the company that is touting its ability to offer consumer generational archiving services is called Gen-Ark. The company initially started as a technology services contractor to regional trusts, but soon realized the demand for digital estate archiving services that will continue into the future. Because so much information is digitized now – including scanned photos and audio/video files, as well as other sensitive and critical estate documents – these items, once converted to digital format, can be uploaded to Gen-Ark. What's more, Gen-Ark keeps its rendering (converting coded content to the required format for display or printing) and transcoding (converting data to better-supported or modern format) engines current, so as new technology is developed, it can be integrated seamlessly into Gen-Ark's architecture. This will keep content viewable no matter how the technology changes. Furthermore, this service, while typically controlled by a main family curator, can be made interactive among family members. Access rights can also be applied to certain accounts within the family archive. As the storm clouds converge, rest easy. . .you haven't missed the boat. Gen-Ark promises to keep your family business perpetual, organized, and secure, no matter how much rain falls. It's another great genealogist resource tool for that special family lineage point person in your family. To speak with a professional genealogist about protecting your family history information contact us. www.Gen-Ark.com #### Now That DAR Accepts DNA Testing - Will Genealogy Be Easier? Based on research conducted by the Registrar General's Office of the  National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), the national lineage society has announced that it will accept Y-DNA evidence in support of new member applications, starting January 1, 2014. This marks a major milestone in the policy of one of the most recognized and respected all-volunteer, non-profit women's service organizations in the United States. Will this policy change make the application process easier for genealogists? You decide. Lynn Forney Young, the newly elected President General of the DAR, released the news in a blog titled DNA Evidence for DAR Applications and Supplementals on October 5th. The announcement provoked a barrage of uninformed pundits to respond smugly, "Well it's about time!" These are the same critics of the DAR who have relentlessly accused the national lineage society of being "silly," "illogical," and just plain "ridiculous" for not jumping on the genetic testing bandwagon long ago. After reading some of the remarks, my first instinct was to hop online and hammer out a reply to the critics. Fortunately for me, I waited for cooler heads to prevail, which is exactly what the DAR has done over the last few years in regard to accepting DNA testing for lineage proof. It's true, genetic genealogy has made great strides over the last decade, both in research and popularity. The Registrar General's Office of the DAR has been monitoring advances in the science and interpretation of DNA testing, waiting for the science to reach a level of efficacy that would complement the Society's application process. The DAR's decision to accept Y-DNA test results as part of a recognized genealogical analysis of evidence was not based on a knee-jerk reaction to follow a popular trend, rather on scientific study. While DNA testing can be extremely helpful to lineage researchers, it is but one tool in the genealogist's toolbox for proving heritage. At this time, no single DNA test can prove that a living person is a patrilineal (male line) descendant of a Revolutionary War Patriot. Therefore, the DAR still requires other more traditional genealogical evidence to prove lineage. Genetic testing, however, can aid in a number of lineage-related questions that cannot be answered by conventional documentation, making it germane to the application process for the lineage-based society. It is, in part, for these reasons that the DAR will now accept DNA test results in a "limited manner within the context of traditional genealogical evidence," starting January 1, 2014. If you are asking, What's the point of submitting to genetic testing if it won't indisputably prove in one fell swoop that I am descended from a Revolutionary War Patriot? Remember this: DAR requires that an applicant prove a lineal blood line descent from an ancestor who aided in achieving American independence, by providing documentation for each statement of birth, marriage, and death. For some applicants, this can include more than 10 generations of research, and each step can present a possible pitfall to establishing the lineage history. Most applicants begin with themselves and move back in time, and this is where DNA testing can offer supporting evidence. Take into consideration that human relationships – biological, emotional, and alternative – are extremely complex by their very nature. This complexity sometimes translates itself into sexual encounters that occur outside of a "traditional" marriage bond. The offspring of these relationships may not have a cut-and-dry legacy on which to grasp. For example: In some cases, children may be adopted or raised by family members or friends. Some of these individuals may know or learn the "family secret," while others remain clueless as to what their true birthright is, until they set out to prove it. Additionally, given the variety of alternative family households today – single parents, two dads, two moms, adopted family members, anonymous sperm bank biological fathers, or children from multiple "baby daddies" – family history scenarios are limitless, complex, and mind boggling. These kinds of situations are not always answered by records or documents. So in these circumstances, Y-DNA testing can be useful, either proving or disproving biological connections. Bear in mind, even if genetic analysis can crack a case, it's not always easy to get appropriate male surrogates to undergo testing. Notice I said "male" – that's because at this time DAR only accepts Y-DNA testing, and there's a reason for that. Remember those complex human relationships I mentioned earlier? If you are tracing a matrilineal line, it is somewhat easier to document a Mother in connection to a birth event; concomitantly, it is more difficult to document who might have visited the Mother nine months earlier. If she is married, you can surmise that her husband is the Father, but can you prove it biologically beyond a shadow of a doubt? You might say that the DAR takes a leap of faith when it comes to accepting the Husband or Father listed as a valid ancestor in the patrilineal line based solely on a marriage or birth certificate. If they didn't, of course, they wouldn't have any members. DNA testing can definitely be beneficial in this regard for cases closer to this present generation, but it still has its limits. While we look to science and technology to make our daily lives easier, sometimes they can open a can of worms. The same is true for DNA testing. While not the be-all and end-all we would like it to be, genetic testing can and will indicate biological markers that no document nor word of mouth can prove. It is yet another tool in the holistic approach to ancestry research. RecordClick takes the holistic approach to trace family trees, by adding DNA testing kits as part of its comprehensive toolbox of genealogy research services. If you are interested in DNA testing to enhance your genealogy research,contact RecordClick. For more discussion on the topic of the DAR and DNA testing, read Revisiting Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings Now that DAR Accepts DNA Testing. Any woman is eligible for membership in the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) if she is 18 years of age or older and can prove lineal, blood line descent from an ancestor who aided in achieving American independence. She must provide documentation for each statement of birth, marriage, and death. Admission to membership in the NSDAR is by invitation through a Chapter in your State Organization (or Unit Overseas). No Chapter may discriminate against an applicant on the basis of race or creed. #### Nuevo Leon Mexico The Nuevo Leon state is one of the thirty-two states that make up Mexico. It is located in the northeastern part of the country and bordered to the north by Tamaulipas and San Luis Potosí  to the south. The Mexican state of Nuevo León borders the United States as it shares the U.S border with Texas. Notably, this state acquired its name from the Leon kingdom, a territory named after Leon's popular Kingdom in Spain. Currently, the state is divided into more than fifty municipalities, with Monterrey as its capital. The Monterrey metropolitan area comprises other important cities, including San Pedro Garza Garcia, San Nicolas de Los Garza, and Guadalupe. 11 Mexico Genealogy Resources For Your Mexican Ancestry: here A brief History of Nuevo Leon The formation of the Nuevo León was characterized by numerous conquerors' failures to settle and make proper establishments. One of the notable conquistadors, namely Alberto Del Canto, played a significant role in establishing and founding the state. However, most of these efforts were hampered by rebellion from the native settlers, especially the Chichimecas, who originated from the north, making it hard for Alberto to establish settlements in the region. Then came the Spanish and Portuguese settlers who attempted to establish settlements permitted by the Spaniards. They, too, failed after the rebellion from the natives became relentless. Although previous settlers had established the region as the New Kingdom of Leon, Diego De Montemayor made the region a permanent colony in the late 16th century. Since then, Nuevo Leon was considered one of the internal provinces of New Spain together with Texas, Nuevo Santander, and Coahuila. Today, Nuevo Leon's capital is the third-largest city in the country with notable modernity and affluence. Besides, Nuevo Leon is considered one of Mexico's most industrialized states. Nuevo Leon as a Sovereign State Nuevo Leon considers itself a sovereign state as it is independently governed through various state government arms that are interdependent for smooth functionality. Leon is headed by an executive governor who serves for a single term of six years. It also has legislature members, including a single house of deputies tasked with policy making. The legislature members are elected in three-year terms and are vocal in the implementation of the government plan. Leon state also comprises local governments who govern several municipalities, including a town, city, or village. The governor directly appoints the cabinet, which must undergo congress approval. Democracy has prevailed in the state as it became the first state in Mexico to elect an independent candidate as the governor despite massive influence from notable political parties. The Monterrey City Monterrey's entire metropolitan area is governed by a mayor or municipal president who is democratically elected to serve for a term of three years. Currently, the mayor of this city is Adrian De la Garza Santos. The capital of nuevo is geographically on the northern part and stands almost 1,800 ft above sea level. Over 90% of the state's population resides in de Monterrey, amounting to almost 5 million people of 5.7 million people in Nuevo. This population concentration makes the state capital the second most populous city in the country after the Mexican capital. The dense population in Monterrey is likely influenced by its economic development, given that it is a major industrial center in the northern part of the country with a GDP of US$123 billion rated as the best city in Latin America for entrepreneurship. Notably, it is through the capital city that the state runs its administrative and internal affairs. What Makes Nuevo León So Attractive? Nuevo Leon's incredible natural scenery contributes to its beauty and tranquility. The natural forests and mountain ranges surrounding the capital have canyons, roads, and trails that landmark Nuevo. The Garcia cave system is a prominent feature that makes the place so popular for local and international tourists. There is also an extensive network of roads that cross to other areas and through to the U. S, mostly through Texas. Besides, the railroads connect Leon with the capital, while Monterrey international airport enhances international travels and tourist arrivals. The VivaAerobus and the Volaris are some of the five airlines with operation bases here offering public transport to thousands of travelers to varied destinations locally and internationally. Other attractions for guests in the state include contemporary music, sports and food that demonstrate the Mexican culture and traditions. The features have contributed to the development of hotels with accommodation for guests where you can enjoy services and stories both in Spanish and English language at affordable prices. You can do numerous things in Nuevo Leon, such as rock climbing and visiting the numerous natural sites. These sites make the state favorite among tourists contributing to its status as an economic hub in Mexico. With this trend, Monterrey state seems to maintain its status and probably compete with Mexico City. #### O Say Can You See: The Genealogy & Origins Of The Star-Spangled Banner This genealogy researcher has been looking at September 13 of this year. That date marks the beginning of the Battle of Fort McHenry in 1814. It was one of the last battles in the War of 1812 and it is notable because it is the battle that inspired Francis Scott Key to pen the poem that became the national anthem of the United States: The Star-Spangled Banner. This year on September 13, it will be 200 years since that battle and Key's penning of the poem. This RecordClick professional genealogist thought it might be interesting to take a closer look at the genealogy of Francis Scott Key. He was a lawyer and an amateur poet and was being detained on a British warship during the British naval bombardment of Baltimore's Fort McHenry. When the bombardment subsided and Key witnessed that Fort McHenry was still flying its huge American flag, he began writing his poem. But, Francis Scott Key's genealogical information is very easily found. So instead, I decided to research the genealogy of his most famous work--our national anthem. It is common knowledge that the melody for The Star-Spangled Banner is a British drinking tune. As I began to delve into this genealogical research, I discovered that this British drinking tune was written by a church organist. For this family history researcher, that information sounds like family to me! A song has “parents”: the person who writes the music and the person who writes the words. Sometimes it is one person, sometimes two. A good genealogy researcher is a good tracker. And we genealogists like a good quest. My quest to track down the original words to The Star-Spangled Banner took me to a neat website: Poem of the Week archives at www.potw.org. The sources cited included an article, The Music of the ‘The Star-Spangled Banner,’ From Ludgate Hill to Capital Hill by William Lichtenwanger. It appeared in The Quarterly, the journal of the Library of Congress in July 1977 on pages 136-177. Normally, as a professional genealogist, I shy away from secondary sources such as this one. But I have found that as a genealogy researcher, there is always the possibility of an “it depends”. This piece is a well written, informative academic work that asks the questions, explains the research, and uses primary sources. It is also way easier to read and follow than a lot of academic works I’ve encountered. So, this genealogy researcher decided to use it as my source. When researching information that is genealogical, historical or otherwise, the genealogy researcher always needs to ask questions. In this case, some of the questions the genealogist would ask might be: Who was the article’s author? Was it William Lichtenwanger? Who wrote the words to the drinking song? Who composed the music to The Star Spangled Banner? How did a church organist come to write the music to a drinking song? How did the song make its way to the United States? How did the poem of Francis Scott Key end up being sung to the music of a drinking song? Here are some answers this professional genealogist has found: William Lichtenwanger earned both a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree in Musicology . He was head of the Music Reference Section of the Library of Congress for 34 years. (from The Herald-Mail newspaper; Sunday Dec. 17, 2000; Hagerstown, Maryland. I accessed his obituary through genealogybank.com.) In England, after 1750, a desire arose for more ways for men to socialize. To meet this need, Gentleman’s clubs were created. They focused on food (and wine), literature, science and music, among other things. One of these new clubs at that time was called the Anacreontic Society. It was named for the Greek poet Anacreon. Anacreon had lived in the 500s B.C. His poetry celebrates love and wine, Venus and Bacchus. This Anacreontic Society would meet a dozen times a year, usually in the winter months. The evening would begin with music and singing. A supper would be served at about 10 p.m. After eating, the members would enjoy more singing and music. Musicians and composers (including Haydn) visiting England from all over Europe would perform for the Society members. During his tenure as president of the Society, Ralph Tomlinson felt the organization should have a song. He wrote a poem with several verses, each verse ending with: “And besides I’ll instruct you like me to intwine The myrtle of Venus with Baccus’s vine." Tomlinson was born in 1744 in Cheshire and, in 1766, was admitted to the Society of Gentleman Practisers in the Courts of Law and Equity (the predecessor body of the Law Society, which was incorporated in 1826, and now deals with many aspects of regulating Solicitors.) He died rather suddenly in 1778 in London. There was a longstanding controversy over who wrote the music that went with Tomlinson's verses. It wasn’t until the early 1900s that experts researching the origins of The Star-Spangled Banner finally decided that the melody was penned by John Stafford Smith, a musician who had been involved with the Anacreontic Society. Smith was born in 1750 in Gloucester. He first studied music under his father and was a choirboy in the Gloucester Cathedral choir. He was sent to London to study organ and composition where he later became a chorister at the Chapel Royal. In 1784, John Stafford Smith was made a Gentleman of the Chapel Royal. He composed both secular and sacred music. Anacreontic Society President Tomlinson came to know him from the Society and that is how he came to ask Smith to write music to go with his poem’s words. The tune for the poem that came to be called Anacreon in Heaven was created. This song was published in England and made its way to the United States. A number of parodies were created, most notably Adams and Liberty by Robert Treat Paine, Jr. in 1798. In this way, Francis Scott Key became familiar with the melody. The rest, they say, is history. A timeline of this song’s genealogy is below: At the century mark of the national anthem's composition, our RecordClick genealogist researches the song's history. 1770s – Words and music to Anacreon in Heaven written and composed. 1798 – Parody Adams and Liberty created in the United States. 1814 – Francis Scott Key writes the words to The Star-Spangled Banner and they are put to the tune of Anacreon in Heaven. 1862-1865 – The Star-Spangled Banner becomes popular during the Civil War. 1889 – The Navy Department orders The Star-Spangled Banner played at morning colors and Hail Columbia at evening colors. 1893 – The Navy Department instructs The Star-Spangled Banner be played at both morning and evening colors. 1917 – By this time, all branches of the military have adopted The Star-Spangled Banner. 1931 – The Star-Spangled Banner is designated the national anthem with legislation signed by President Herbert Hoover. The staying power of The Star Spangled Banner is attributed to how well the music was crafted. Author Lichtenwanger noted on page 27 of the article: “…On December 22, 1837, George Templeton Strong (1820-1875) of New York wrote in his journal: ‘A lot of tipsy loafers are just going past, screaming out The Star-Spangled Banner at the top of their lungs, and in all sorts of diabolical discords. But it sounds gloriously. It’s a glorious thing altogether – words and music – no matter how it’s mangled.” Whether it is the story of the national anthem or of your family, a genealogist for hire at RecordClick will help solve your genealogy research mysteries. We search for the special tidbits of genealogical and historical information for your family’s special story. #### Of Nightingales and Genealogy On our honeymoon 38 years ago, my husband and I spent three fascinating hours in Galveston's old city cemetery. Seriously! We had only a long weekend to enjoy the Texas Coast and had booked a charter tour of the harbor, but a cold, damp, foggy weather system cancelled the tour, and we wound up in the cemetery, reading old stones. That should have been a clue that we would both later become avid genealogical researchers. With the advent of FindAGrave in 1998, the potential of world-wide tombstone images accessible online for free was born. Today alone, by 2:00 pm there were more than 7 million views on this amazing site, containing in excess of 102 million grave records. Even the newest of newbies quickly finds this database vital to their research. And although it may be your first stop when researching a line, it definitely should not be your last. For more than a hundred years, family historians have recognized the importance of recording our ancestors' gravestones. Unfortunately, those engravings are not permanent, and we owe a debt of gratitude to cemetery walkers and recorders of all types – individuals, genealogical societies, the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), and the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR). Many stones now unreadable have been saved by these early recorders. Sadly, with the wealth of FindAGrave so accessible, many of these earlier records and other contemporary records are neglected by researchers. If you can't find a specific tombstone on FindAGrave, it doesn't mean it hasn't been preserved, in words and perhaps images. Many local genealogical societies have their transcriptions online, and they are not necessarily also on FindAGrave. Check for local groups by Googling "(County Name) Genealogical Society." From the group's homepage, look for cemetery databases. A second source is the cemetery itself, as many have their grave listings online. And a third rich source is teafor2. com. The owner Allen Wheatley has photographed hundreds of thousands of tombstones in more than 30 states and posted them on the Internet. You need to know the cemetery's name, or at least location, but this is a vast database. If you don't know the cemetery's name, and if your ancestor died during the period of civil registration of deaths (generally 1907 and forward), death certificates are well worth the money if you can't find them for free online. Many researchers think buying death certificates isn't important if birth and death dates and parents' names are already known. But two of my favorite pieces of information on death certificates are cemetery and mortuary names. Obviously with the cemetery names, you can better utilize online databases; but the bigger prize here can well be the funeral home that handled your ancestor's service. Check to see if the company is still in business and call them if they are. Most people who work in mortuaries are extremely helpful. On a single funeral record, you can find your ancestor's life outline: birth date and place; names of parents, siblings, their spouses, children, their spouses; death information about spouses who pre-deceased your ancestor; surviving family's names and addresses; employment, religious, and military information; copies of the obituary. In one instance, a fairly bare-bones cemetery record led to the solution of a genealogical puzzle I had tried to crack for five years, because the name and address of the person being billed was included – a daughter of my 2nd-great-grandfather. I hadn't known about her, but researching her led to his birthplace and parents. Cemeteries can also have important records for the genealogical researcher. If the cemeteries you're interested in have an office, it's worth giving them a call. They can often connect one person with other family members also buried there. If the cemeteries or funeral homes are no longer in business, try to track down the location of their archived records. Other active cemeteries and mortuaries may know about these older records, and if they don't, city offices or state archives may. The searching can become extensive, but the results are worth the effort. Shortly before his death from tuberculosis in 1821, the English poet John Keats wrote the masterful Ode to a Nightingale, including the famous lines I have been half in love with easeful Death, Call'd him soft names in many a musèd rhyme . . . . Not nearly so elegantly, I tell my genealogy students, "If you're interested in genealogical research, you've gotta love death." They snicker uncomfortably at first. But it's true. The number of records surrounding a death can produce a bonanza for the genealogical researcher. If you'd like assistance in tracking down these elusive records, contact the professional genealogists at RecordClick, who can help you find and love the records of your deceased relatives. Photo courtesy of Patricia Dingwall Thompson #### Ohio, Maps and the Genealogy Researcher-- A Great Combination Okay, this RecordClick genealogist thinks about odd things such as…how many families have someone who spent some time in Ohio? How well do those families know the state’s geography and history? What should this mean for the family history researcher? So, this genealogy researcher is going to discuss some of these things about which I’ve been wondering… To begin with, people were trekking across Ohio long before it became a state in 1805. My ancestors began arriving there just before 1800. The Ohio River was a major route for settlers heading west. George Washington slept in Ohio, possibly. Ohio has a number of geographical features such as the Great Black Swamp. I had never heard of it until a cousin pointed it out to me. It was a swamp that encompassed land from just south of Toledo to northwest of Fort Wayne, Indiana. This Swamp happens to be where some of my ancestors thought it would be a good place to settle. The challenge was: How does one drain a swamp? For the genealogy researcher, what does this suggest? A genealogy researcher needs to learn about the land where ancestors lived and the history of that area and property. In 1787, the Northwest Ordinance was passed and the process of organizing began for what was to become Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin and part of Minnesota. People were eager settle new areas and to take on those challenges. Surveys and land descriptions were needed and Ohio became the place where metes and bounds gave way to the rectangular system of land description. At the beginning, Ohio didn’t have a capital. It was decided that the seat of the state government should be in the center of the state. Proposals were solicited. One notable offer was made to the legislature in about 1812 by Alexander McLaughlin, John Kerr, Lyne Starling and James Johnston to, according to the “Centennial History of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio”  “…lay out a town on their lands, situate on the east bank of the Scioto river, opposite Franklinton, in the county of Franklin, on parts of half sections numbers, nine, ten, eleven, twenty-five and twenty-six, for the purpose of having the permanent seat of government thereon established…” The author of the 1909 volume, William Alexander Taylor, goes into detail on the legal process of acquiring the land and the platting of Columbus. Notable is the fact the town was “laid out with streets crossing at right angles.” For the genealogy researcher and anyone going back in time to their ancestors’ whereabouts, maps are a good tool for learning about the land. The earliest map makers were most concerned with mountains, rivers and coastline, each of which was a barrier to routes for travel. The genealogy researcher will find that Plat maps show property layout and often include the names of property owners. Panoramic maps serve a pre-camera view for the genealogist detailing what a town or city looked like. By using a variety of maps, the industrious genealogy researcher may see many a town begin, grow or remain stable—or even fade back into the land. After a modest beginning, Columbus, Ohio thrived. Any genealogist may find that recent census records show it has a population of over 800,000 people and an outlook far grander than the founding proprietors McLaughlin, Kerr, Starling and Johnston could ever have imagined. The land map of Ohio made by George Washington. One of the favorite things about genealogy for this genealogy researcher is that every now and again, something extra special is located. Remember George Washington? How do I know he spent some time in Ohio – other than what a book says? He left a map. In the 1750s, Washington was sent to Ohio Country by the Ohio Company to survey some of the land. One of his maps is online at the Library of Congress web site. For this genealogy researcher, this is a wonderful find. Working with land records may be difficult for the family history researcher. Yet, the rewards are great. Even if your ancestor did not own land, just knowing about the land is helpful in understanding the ancestry story. If you get lost in the land records, an experienced genealogy researcher at RecordClick will help. From metes and bounds to the rectangular survey, RecordClick’s genealogists know where to look for deeds and how to interpret them to help you locate your ancestors. #### Old World Comes Alive for Family History Researchers at Folksbiene Gala For the family history researcher who has been doing an ancestor search in Russia, a genealogical search in Poland or Jewish genealogy in Europe, the world of your ancestors is being honored this month. The  National Yiddish Theatre--Folksbiene’s annual gala on June 9th will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Fiddler on the Roof , fete the musical’s creator Sheldon Harnick's 90th birthday and honor the Folksbiene’s centennial year. Is that an amazing celebration or what?! Hasn’t every family history researcher who has been doing his or her Jewish genealogy search had Fiddler’s fictional shtetl, Anatevka, in mind?  How could we not love the stories of writer Sholem Aleichem as they have been adapted for the stage? Fiddler’s vivid portrayal of the world of our ancestors has been cherished by generations.   Since it first debuted on Broadway fifty years ago,  Fiddler has been performed a record number of times, according to the history of the show and interview with its creator, Sheldon Harnick, recently published in the Jewish Standard. The Yiddish theatre is has historic meaning and info for all family history researchers doing Jewish genealogy The reason it has been such a hit with Jewish genealogists?  So many of us have a family tree member who came from the “old world”.  So, to have the world of our forefathers and foremothers shlep out of the Pale of Settlement, out of the shtetls of Eastern Europe, and come alive right in front of us—that’s always been a WOW. The show ‘s moving theatrics, poignant music and portrayal of the events of that time have had universal appeal— for anyone interested in family relationships and even more so for those who are doing genealogical research. This amazing Folksbiene event is almost like a Fiddler family reunion with many of the stars who have shined internationally over the decades in Fiddler.  And that means everybody! It will bring together Topol, the Golden Globe-winning, Oscar- and Tony-nominated star of the classic 1971 film, and world-renown violinist Grammy Award-winner Joshua Bell in what is billed as the largest-ever reunion of Fiddler alumni. The event's co-chairs are Harold Prince, Frank Rich, Harvey Fierstein.  Imagine, family history researcher, the creative brilliance RecordClick would find in the genealogical search for each of these cultural mensches! In the mid-1800s and through to WWII, Yiddish theatre flourished in Eastern and East Central Europe as well as in the larger cities of Berlin, London, Paris and New York City. The Folksbiene (the "People's Stage") is America’s preeminent Yiddish theatre. It is the longest continuously producing Yiddish theatre company in the world and one of only four international Yiddish theatre companies in operation today. Founded in 1915, the Folksbiene continues its mission to preserve, promote and develop Yiddish theatre for current and future generations and to enhance the understanding of Yiddish culture as a vital component of Jewish Life. The Folksbiene is the sole survivor of fifteen Yiddish companies that played to enthusiastic audiences on the Lower East Side in the Golden Age of Yiddish Theatre in the early 20th century. In New York City, Yiddish theatre was the immigrants' entertainment.  Second Avenue in New York City was one of the most important destinations for these witty, innovative shows that presented a full range of theatrical offerings-- from fun comedies to melodrama to Shakespeare—all in Yiddish. A main theatre on Second Avenue has been restored and is now a movie house. In the family of this family history researcher, my grandmother told stories of gathering with friends to go to shows on Second Avenue. It was their break from sweatshops and hard jobs. It was also a respite from the difficult English language which they labored to learn. Your family tree members who lived on the Lower East Side of New York City, upon first arrival from Europe and Russia, likely went to the Yiddish theatre for entertainment. When doing your Jewish genealogical research, ask your living relatives to talk about the shows they saw. Talk to the seniors in your family tree about what they recall from their parents' stories of the Yiddish actors and actresses. Take your relative to a current Folksbiene production and see if it jars his or her memory.  This family history researcher is sure that someone in your family tree has a dramatic recollection of a show or two. Information about these Yiddish companies is essential for the family history researcher doing Jewish genealogical research.  With so many theatre companies in New York City, there was a need for Yiddish actors, musicians, writers and theatre staff.  The family history researcher may uncover--through interviews, family stories and document research--ancestors who participated in this important part of American immigrant life. Documentation will come from the Forverts and other Yiddish newpapers of the time that had theatre ads, articles and reviews. Jewish genealogists may also use the transliterated Lexicon of the Yiddish Theatre done by the online Museum of Family History and found also on JewishGen. You may find materials at the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research. You can also use us at RecordClick to find documents and to translate and interpret them for you. So, Jewish genealogists and ancestry researchers, you may want to experience the world of the ancestors, once more, as the ultimate Fiddler on the Roof performance takes place on the New York City’s Town Hall stage next week. And you may want to have RecordClick genealogists for hire do your family tree searches for you—anywhere in the world. RecordClick's family history researchers stay on top of the latest developments in the world of your ancestors. #### One Good Deed Deserves Another - So Don't Forget Irish Land Records How often have I paused on every charm, The sheltered cot, the cultivated farm, The never-failing brook, the busy mill, The decent church that topt the neighbouring hill, The hawthorn bush, with seats beneath the shade, For talking age and whispering lovers made! The Deserted Village ~By Oliver Goldsmith, 1770 The scenery, the history of the Irish touches this RecordClick genealogist. There are some sheltered glens and other well defined fields facing the ocean’s winds. For the family historian seeking land records in Ireland, though, the scenery may not be so romantic. Land ownership in Ireland bears little resemblance to the United States, beginning with land descriptions. When working with land locations in any country, the one similarity is in the best process to follow - begin with the big and work to the small. In the U.S., the location is narrowed by state, county, and civil township. In Ireland, there are provinces, counties, baronies, parishes (don’t confuse civil and ecclesiastical), and townlands. The provinces are: Ulster, Leinster, Munster, and Connaught. The other land divisions can be a bit confusing: Counties. The first counties were created in the early 1200s. By the 1500s, there were 32, and that number remained until the Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898 was passed. The boundaries of Counties Galway, Clare, Mayo, Roscommon, Sligo, Waterford, Kilkenny, Meath, Louth and others were changed, and County Tipperary was divided into two regions: North Riding and South Riding. Areas of the cities of Belfast, Cork, Dublin, Limerick, Derry, and Waterford were carved from surrounding counties to become county boroughs. Baronies. These are based on Gaelic family land holdings. There are 325 baronies in all of Ireland, and they were turned into civil divisions by the English in the 1800s for the purpose of land valuation. Parishes. There are two types of parishes in Ireland: ecclesiastical and civil. The boundaries of the two do not coincide. The ecclesiastical parish is a smaller unit of land, and the civil parish is used for land valuation. Townlands. Smaller yet, these are located in a rural section of a parish. The average area is 350 acres, and there are more than 60,000 in all of Ireland. Irish research would be a lot easier for a genealogist if boundaries remained the same. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Between about 500-1100, Ireland was divided into little kingdoms with the normal turf disputes. When England invaded in about 1100, shires or counties were created. Even then, as needs changed, borders may have, as well. There are two important years you should remember when conducting Irish genealogy: 1898 - Local Government (Ireland) Act. A number of county lines were altered. 1920 - Government of Ireland Act. This act created a partition between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. To make Irish research even more challenging, the family genealogist needs to keep in mind that, because of the hierarchical nature of land ownership in Ireland, many individuals were not in a situation to own land. Instead, they had to lease their plot from the noble landowner. While a deed may or may not exist, there may still be a paper trail: Tithe Applotment Books. The Books comprise land surveys in each civil parish. The surveys, compiled between 1823 and 1838, were based on the average price of wheat and oats for the seven years up to 1823, which  determined the amount of tithes paid to the Church of Ireland. The tithes or taxes were resented by those not belonging to the Church and abolished in about 1869. The Books are a good way to determine land owners. Images are online at FamilySearch. Griffith’s Valuation. In response to the potato famine, Griffith’s Valuation determined the liability to pay Poor rate for the support of the poor and destitute. Carried out between 1848 and 1864, Griffith’s Valuation provides information on where people lived and the property they possessed. It is more comprehensive in the number of people it lists than the Title Applotment Books. The information has been digitized and is online at Ask About Ireland. The free website is a collaboration between Ask About Ireland and the Cultural Heritage Project, offering online publication of original, unusual, and unique material from Irish resources. Griffith’s Valuation is also available on Ancestry with a world explorer membership. Estate Papers. By far, the majority of the Irish population lived as tenant farmers on estates. They left documents in the form of leases and deeds, account books, and correspondence in the form of Estate Papers. Much of this information has found its way to the National Library of Ireland, the National Archives of Ireland, and the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI). If researching Irish land records leaves you a bit lost, consider hiring a professional genealogist at RecordClick. We have family historians in Ireland who can help you break through that moss-covered wall from County Antrim to County Wicklow. Our expert genealogists can assist in finding that one certain document or creating your Irish family tree. #### Online Search Assistance for Birth Parents Every child grows up looking at their parents and wondering “which parent do I look more like” and “which one’s personality is like mine”. For adopted children, answers to these questions aren’t always there because their birth parents most often are not in the picture. Yes, adoptive parents have tremendous influence on these children. That’s understood. Yet, for those who have been adopted, there is always the persistent desire to know about the DNA and understand the genetic roots of your personality. Professional genealogy services have many tools, techniques and resources available to assist in finding information on birth parents. Adopted children grow up and often begin searching on their own using the Internet. Then, they may try to find documentation. At this point, they often hit a brick wall. If the adopted child is searching because of a medical issue, this can be discouraging. If medical background information is needed or a critical piece of health information is sought to treat a specific condition, not being able to find information can be devastating. Experienced genealogists have the background and awareness as well as the sensitivity when doing this type of genealogical research. Professional genealogists also have access to information that most of the public does not. This allows these family history researchers to use methods that include forensics, investigation and DNA testing. Once the professional genealogy services staff gets working, they will get to the truth of one’s family history, then work to match it with the records and documentation available in many different archives. For those who are seeking family history information on their birth parents or adopted children, once this information has been found, it can be used as needed to make contact with different family members. Proof in hand about parentage that has been found by professional genealogy services can open the door to a new future. This is just one scenario where professional genealogy services are able to assist. If you are looking into your past out of curiosity, if you want to build a family tree or if you want to make a family history video, experienced genealogists are the way to go. If you need to establish heredity for inheritance purposes, then a reliable and professional genealogy service will help you. These technicians are trained to look for every detail. They are expert at bringing advanced technology and traditional techniques together so that clients receive accurate information and results. Go online today. Check out how this type of professional genealogy service will help you in your quest to find your birth parents and satisfy that internal desire to know where you have come from. #### Our Genealogist Loves Christmas and Crooner Andy Williams This RecordClick genealogist has survived Black Friday, Cyber Monday and newspaper ads galore… not to mention the celebration of holiday reruns on television. And now, the Christmas countdown is on. One of the venerable entertainers who has become part of holiday time in America for this genealogist is Andy Williams. He had a network variety show for a number of years in addition to Christmas specials. His relaxed style of singing makes the season slow down just a little bit and makes me want to sit by a fire with a cup of hot chocolate. Every now and again, he mentioned his small town beginnings in Wall Lake, Iowa. I thought it might be fun to dip our genealogist toes into Wall Lake to take a peek at his family.  Here is ancestry chart: Andy Williams b. 1927, Iowa d.2012, Missouri Jay Emerson Williams b. 1892, Iowa, m. 1916, Iowa d. 1976, California Gilbert Emerson Williams b. 1866, Iowa, m.1891, Iowa, d. 1941, Iowa George Williams Ellen Bailey Louisa Ripke b. 1869, Germany, d. 1928, Iowa August Ripke Elizabeth Woodruff Florence Belle Finley b. 1892, Iowa, d. 1979 , California Louise Jane Robinson b. 1857, Illinois, d, 1922, Iowa Samuel Robinson Margaret On various television programs, Andy Williams talked about how, when he was growing up in the 1930s, he and his brothers sang in the local Presbyterian Church. Sometimes, he mentioned how his parents took the brothers to area radio stations to entertain. The information he revealed isn’t a lot for a genealogist to work with.  But, in this case, it’s enough for this professional genealogist. Even though Wall Lake is small, it is still affected by national and world happenings. Between the Depression and the Dust Bowl, times were tough. In the 1920 U.S. Census, Williams’ father, Jay, was a railroad mail clerk. By 1930, Jay had a job handling the mail for the U.S. Post Office. Although the pay may not have been great, working for the post office provided a steady income. Jay, his wife, Florence, and sons, Robert, Donald, Richard and Howard (Andy) lived with Florence’s father, Andrew Finley. It must have been a lively household. Yet, to get a full understanding of the Williams family, the genealogist needs to look at their place: Wall Lake, Iowa. Iowa became a part of the United States in 1846. At that time, travel was either over land or by the Mississippi or Missouri Rivers.  Because of this, the state’s first organized counties were close to the rivers. Settlers came looking for new opportunities and, in 1851, Sac County was organized. The genealogy researcher will see that Sac County is located in the northwestern part of the state. There, farmers found the land fertile and good for crops. After the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869, transportation to the area improved and the train became the preferred method for westward movement. While the main line was being constructed, passenger service was available to take settlers to whatever was the end of the line. Soon after, companies formed to extend railroad tracks to rural areas. New towns were platted to take advantage of expanded railroad service and, in 1877, Wall Lake was established in Sac County, Iowa. By 1900, the town was a thriving agricultural community with a population of just over 600 people. The numbers increased to 750 in 1930 and about 800 in 2010. With invention of the automobile in the late 1800s, transportation changed again, as the genealogy researcher will see from national and local historical records. Roads were built and improved to accommodate the increased popularity of the automobile. By the 1930s, train ridership declined and passenger service to many rural communities ceased. Communities like Wall Lake took pride in taking every opportunity to promote their businesses, churches, schools and life style which leaves many records for the genealogist to review now. Beginning in the 1870s, weekly newspapers that reported on international, national and local activities were an integral part of small town life. Wall Lake had a newspaper beginning in 1878. The genealogist will see that Andy Williams’ ties to Iowa go back at least a generation beyond his parents. His grandfather, Gilbert Emerson Williams, was born in Iowa in about 1866. In the 1880 U.S. Census, Gilbert is listed with his parents, George and Ellen, and siblings Wesley and Cora in Marion County southeast of Des Moines. George was a coal dealer. Gilbert, 12, had finished his education and was working as a farm laborer. According to the 1900 U.S. Census, Andy Williams’ maternal grandparents, Andrew and Louise (Jane Robinson) Finley, moved to Iowa before 1890. The genealogy researcher will see that in the census, the family was living in Wall Lake and Andrew owned a livery barn. A genealogist researcher should know how important the FindAGrave website is. One of the reasons  this genealogist likes it is that, as a family history researcher, I never know what someone might have posted about  a deceased individual.  In this case, a number of obituaries were added to members of the Finley family. This genealogist found particular interest in a newspaper clipping that reported the death of Louise (Jane Robinson) Finley. On the FindAGrave site, the name of the newspaper isn’t cited, but because of the length and contents of the item listed, this genealogist would most certainly research and check the local newspaper first. There, the genealogy researcher has numerous details confirmed. Louise Finley, Andy Williams maternal great grandmother, died in 1922 and was considered an early settler of the area. The Finley family moved to Wall Lake, Iowa in 1881. Louise and husband, Andrew, remained in the area for decades. She was active in the Presbyterian Church. Her father and marriage information are also listed. A genealogist will see that the Williams family moved more frequently. Although Gilbert and Louisa (Ripke) were in Marion County in 1880, in 1910, they were living in Wall Lake operating a store. The census listing: Williams, Gilbert E.         Head     43           Merchant Williams, Louisa               Wife      41           Sales Lady Williams, Jay                      Son        18           Salesman Williams, Cornelia           Dau        14 Rasing, Anna                     Servant  23          Servant Williams, Mable               Cousin  24           Sales Lady A family history researcher would need to learn more about the business venture, but in 1920, Gilbert, Louisa and their youngest daughter, Cornelia, were living in Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa. Gilbert was a land company agent and Cornelia was a piano teacher. The genealogist may put together facts and history and note that there must have been some musical ability in the family. The Williams, however, lived in Wall Lake long enough for Jay Williams to meet Florence Finley and form a new family. Christmas memories bring Andy Williams, one of America's favorite singers, back to our hearts. That new family produced the singing Williams brothers who America came to know and love. At holiday time, that one brother—Andy Williams—remains in the heart of America and this genealogist. Every family is special and each has a story to tell. When you hire a genealogist at RecordClick, we find the details for you. Where did they live? What did they do for a living? Who were the members of the household? Did they own their home? Why might they have moved? There are lots of questions and a professional genealogist from RecordClick will help you answer them. Give the gift of your family’s history this holiday season. #### Our Genealogist Takes You Overseas to Military Cemeteries and Monuments When this genealogist thinks of military cemeteries overseas, the first one that comes to this RecordClick ancestry researcher’s mind is the Normandy American Cemetery not far from Bayeux, France.  This is the final resting place for 9,387 servicemen who gave their lives during World War II. The Normandy American Cemetery—on 172 acres-- is an impressive place. Yet, a genealogist and other researchers, historians, family members as well as the general public must remember that this cemetery isn’t the only overseas location where our American veterans rest. There are 25 permanent America military cemeteries on foreign soil where over 200,000 military personnel have found their final resting places. There are also 27 federal memorials, monuments and markers in overseas cities and towns where our soldiers and sailors are remembered. The job of caring for the graves and memorials is the responsibility of the American Battle Monuments Commission. It is also this Commission’s goal to remind us aboutn these individuals were and of the circumstances surrounding the deaths. The American Battle Monuments Commission website should be bookmarked by the genealogist. This web site is well organized for use by the genealogist. There is information on this Commission, its history and responsibilities here. Pictures and histories of the cemeteries and monuments are included. There is also the story behind the creation of each of these important burial and memorial locations. The categories on this website’s home page show the genealogist the important information that is accessible there: About Us Cemeteries and Memorials Search ABMC Burials News and Events Learning and Resources Multimedia For this genealogist, I will take the a brief look at the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery in France as an example. Located just east of the village of Romagne-sous-Montfaucon about 26 miles northwest of Verdun, this cemetery is near the site of 47 days of heavy fighting that began in September 1918.  The Meuse-Argonne Offensive was one of the most significant in American history. More than 14,000 Americans died in the conflict and are buried in the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery. On the the American Battle Monuments Commission website, information is provided about each serviceman who is buried here, including those listed on memorials as missing in action. The information that the genealogist will find includes: Name Rank Military information, branch and unit Entered the service from Service # Date of Death War or conflict. This can include Korea and Vietnam. Buried, cemetery and grave location Military awards The American Battle Monuments Commission website is good for the genealogist as well as the person who might be planning a trip to Europe.  Both will find military history and maps of the various major battle sites near the cemeteries and monuments. The many sites are well maintained and help visitors learn about the events and the people involved in these conflicts. Now that you know about the vast military information treasures, you can have a professional genealogist from RecordClick search the world’s military records, the National Archives and at the many repositories that house documents on your ancestors’ special stories. #### Our Genealogist Wonders if Father Knows Best and Searches for Actor Robert Young The family of this RecordClick genealogist was like every other family in the 1950s. In the evening, we’d gather around and watch TV. With two and then three networks and broadcasting in black and white, it was a simpler time. Television of the 1950s was a little corny. There were Lucille Ball with her zany antics and Ozzie and Harriet with their spotlighted son Ricky, who appealed to the younger set. Every week Jim Anderson, played by actor Robert Young, attempted to keep up with his wife, Margaret, and their three on-the-go kids in Father Knows Best. With Father’s Day here, this genealogist thought it might be interesting to see how that “Father” did. The genealogist needs to combine various resources for clues about this TV Dad. According to the Internet Movie Database, Robert George Young was born on February 22, 1907 in Chicago, Illinois. His parents were Thomas E., an Irish immigrant, and Margaret Young. While Robert was still a youth, his family moved to California. For a genealogist, this isn’t a lot to go on, but it is a beginning. When the family history researcher begins a search for a more common name, such as “Young”, care needs to be taken. As one often does, the genealogist will find that the census is a good place to start. In the 1940 census, the genealogist can see that Robert Young’s acting career was going well. His home was valued at $60,000 and in addition to a wife and two children, the household consisted of two nurses, a butler, and a cook. Robert, 33, was listed as being born in Illinois. His father was born in Ireland and his mother was born in Illinois. Two things the researching genealogist should note at this point: Frequently, someone with a rather common name will use a middle initial. Knowing the birthplaces and ages of the parents and siblings help in narrowing the numbers of families to follow. It is as important for the genealogist to determine which families are not the correct ones and as it to decide which family is correct. In 1930, Robert G. Young was living at 1111 N. Chicago St. in Los Angeles. The household consisted of: Young, Joseph T. Head                                     29           IL          IL        Actor, motion pictures Margaret                Mother of Head                  58           IL          Scot. Robert G.               Brother                                  23           IL          IL        Clerk, Bldg.&Loan Arnett                      Sister                                     19           WA       IL Questions the genealogist needs to ask: Where is Thomas E. Young? Is this the right family? Robert is the marker and, as odd as it may seem, there is only one individual in Los Angeles who fits his description at this time.  The genealogist should remember that although many people were moving to the area, Los Angeles, at that time, didn’t have the population that it has now. In 1920, Robert G. Young was living at 26 S. Michigan Ave. in Pasadena. The family consisted of: Young, Thomas E. Head     60        IA          Ire.    Builder, contractor Margaret C.           Wife      48          IL        Scot. Joseph I.                 Son        19         IL      IA        IL      Electrician Robert G.               Son        12          IL      IA        IL Arnett M.                                9          WA  IA        IL More questions for the family historian to ask: Was Thomas born in Ireland or Iowa? Could the census taker possibly have made an error? Robert is only 12. The 1920 Census was enumerated in January before most people had a birthday. Robert was born early in the year. Joseph’s middle initial is “T” in 1930 and “I” in 1920. In cursive handwriting, the two letters can be easily mistaken for one another. Arnett helps to distinguish the family. Her birth place helps us follow the family. In 1910, the Thomas E. Young household was living in Seattle, King County, Washington. Thomas was doing well enough in his business for the household to include a Swedish servant. The other members included: Young, Thomas E. Head   50   21    Imm. 1881   na    Ire.   Ire.   Ire.    Building Contractor Margaret       Wife    39   21   Children: 4-4         IL      Scot.Scot Allan                Son      17   s                                              IL      IL      IL Joseph           Son        9   s                                              IL      IL      IL Robert           Son        3   s                                              IL      IL      IL We don’t know how long the Young family lived in Seattle, but it was long enough to be in the 1910 Census and for Arnett to be born there. The Thomas E. Young family consisted of: Thomas E. Young, b. abt. 1860; m. abt. 1889; immigrated 1881 from Ireland; building contractor. Margaret C., wife, b. abt. 1871 in Illinois; m. abt. 1889. Allan, son, b. abt. 1893 in Illinois. Joseph, son, b. abt. 1901 in Illinois. Robert, son, b. abt. 1907 in Illinois. Arnett, daughter, b. abt. 1911 in Washington. So, genealogist and family historian, what was going on in 1930 and 1940? In the 1940 U.S. Census, Margaret C. Young, 68, married and born in Illinois was living in Pasadena. Thomas E. Young, 80, married and born in Northern Ireland, was living in Santa Monica. Several other individuals were living at the same address. Obviously, something was going on. Old age is not always kind. In the 1930 U.S. Census, Thomas E. Young is listed twice. That year, the census was enumerated in April. On April 12 and April 14, Thomas is in Santa Monica; married at age 29; born in Northern Ireland; Immigrated in 1883; and is a veteran of the Spanish American War. On April 21, he was enumerated in the Pacific Branch National Military Home: absent from records; 70; married; b. Ireland; Immigrated 1892; naturalized; Spanish War. Military Home records indicate that he had stomach /intestinal issues. On May 21, 1898, he enlisted in the army with the rank of corporal at Springfield, IL and was discharged in October of the same year. His nearest relative was Margaret at 1111 North Chicago Street. What happened to them? Actor Robert G. Young is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale. A check of the cemetery records finds in Plot: Graceland, Lot 5878, Space 1, Margaret Cairn Young, b. 1870, d. January 11, 1958; Space 2, Capt. Thomas E. Young, Father, b. 1859, d. February 11, 1941; Space 3, Maj. Thomas A. (Thomas Allan) Young, b. 1892, d. July 19, 1938. This genealogist is sure that there is more to the story. But it is to be left for another day. When you want to look into the life of your family, hire a genealogist from RecordClick. Our professional genealogists will find your family’s story and documents. #### Our Genealogy Researcher and Frankie Valli, Part 2: Immigration, Castle Garden, Some Italians and a Little Confusion A genealogy researcher knows to ask: Which way to the boat?  In the genealogy world, we all know that we came here from somewhere else. But, finding the year of immigration and the boat are an important part of the story for the family history researcher. As with so many aspects of genealogy, sometimes it’s easy and sometimes…well…it’s not. The ancestors of Frankie Valli of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons fame each have a story to tell about landing in America. Genealogy in New Jersey may include the Italian families like that of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons First, a little background: Frankie Valli started out life in 1934 as Francesco Stephen Castelluccio, son of Anthony Castelluccio and Mary Rinaldi. Anthony b.1911, d.1991 and Mary b.1913,d.1987 are buried in Glendale Cemetery, Bloomfield, Essex County, New Jersey. Anthony, one of probably seven children, was the son of Frank Castelluccio, b. about 1876 in Italy and d. after 1940, and Millie, b. about 1881 in Italy and d. before 1940.  Mary, one of eight children, was the daughter of Joseph Rinaldi, b. Feb. 1869 in Italy and d. after 1930, and Mary, b. Oct. 1872 in Italy and d. after 1930. Frank Castelluccio came to the United States between 1899 and 1902 and became a naturalized citizen. Joseph Rindaldi arrived in America in 1884 and became a naturalized citizen. The probable families: Frank and Millie Castelluccio: James, Josephina/Marie, Susan/Asernte, Anthony, Fred, William and Rose. The three oldest children were born in New York. Joseph and Mary Rinaldi: Andrew, Rosie, Joseph, Frank, Thomas, Angeline, Patrick and Carmel/Mary. The three oldest children were born in New York. The Castelluccios are a bit harder to follow because they seem to have moved around on a regular basis. The earliest census this professional genealogist has found them in is 1910, New York, Kings County, Borough of Brooklyn, Ward 26, ED 774, Sheet 8B, 345 Cleveland St., Lines 91-95: Line Last Name First Name Relation Age Status Birth 91 Castelluccio Millie Head 27 Widow Italy 92 James Son 5 S New York 93 Josephine Daughter 2 S New York 94 Susan Daughter 2/12 S New York 95 Rosalie Mother-in-Law 52 Widow Italy In the 1920 U.S. Census, this genealogy search has the family, including father Frank, living at 314 Sixth Street in Jersey City. By 1930, the Castelluccios had moved to Newark and were residing at 9 High Street. In 1940 they were at 202 8th Avenue. This professional genealogist is not sure what was going on in 1910, but in the 1920 U.S. Census, Rose is enumerated as the mother of Frank and Millie is no longer a widow, but the wife of Frank. As a note, Millie was a presser in a linen factory. In the later censuses, Frank was a barber. But nobody said the Italians were neat: This genealogy researcher hasn’t located immigration records for Frank that I am comfortable with. The Rinaldis, it seems,were a bit more stable. In the 1900 U.S. Census, they were in New York, Kings County, Borough of Brooklyn, Ward 19, ED 292, Sheet 28A, 438 Marcy Ave., Lines 26-31: Line Last Name First Name Relation Birth Date Age Marital Status Place of Birth Immigration 26 Rinaldio (sic) Joseph Head Feb. 1869 31 M6 Italy 1884 NA 27 Mary Wife Oct. 1872 27 M6 Italy 1885 28 Andrew Son Dec. 1894 5 S New York 29 Rose Daughter Jan. 1896 4 S New York 30 Joseph Son Mar. 1898 2 S New York 31 Frank Son May 1899 1 S Italy The family lived at 438 Marcy Ave and Joseph was a cloth presser. Not long after the 1900 census was taken, this genealogy researcher has found that the family moved to New Jersey and that is where the rest of the children were born. Keep in mind that this genealogy researcher has found that in the 1910 census, Frank was listed as being born in New Jersey and in the 1920 census he was again born in Italy. Joseph bought a house at 221 Montgomery Street in Jersey City and the family lived there until the 1920s. Joseph became a barber and, for a time around 1910, he and his son, Andrew, were in business together. But what about the immigration? A good genealogy researcher looks into the history of how things work-- and immigration is one of those things. Here is a short timeline: 1790 – The “Naturalization Act of 1790” set the first rules for naturalized citizenship. Other than the act of naturalization, the federal government had little involvement with immigration. Late 1850s – Castle Garden was opened in New York City to process immigrants. 1875 – The Page Act of 1875 banned the entry of immigrants deemed “undesirable”. 1890 – As the number of immigrants increased, the federal government felt a need to get involved and assumed control of immigration. Castle Garden closed. 1891 – The Act of 1891 established a Commissioner of Immigration in the Treasury Department. 1892 – Ellis Island opened to process immigrants. 1906 – The “Naturalization Act of 1906” standardized the naturalization process and created the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization. 1921 – The “Emergency Quota Act” of 1921 began setting number restrictions for immigrants. Many a genealogy researcher knows that millions of immigrants landed in New York before Ellis Island opened in1892. The local governments saw a need to find out who these people were and help them get on their way. Joseph Rinaldi came to the United States before Ellis Island opened. So, how does this genealogy researcher find him? Often overlooked by genealogists and family history researchers, Castle Garden was located near the dock where visitors and tourists now catch a ferry to Liberty Island and Ellis Island. Maintained by the National Park Service, Castle Garden, now has an online data base of immigrants who were processed through that facility. And thus, our genealogy research takes us to: On 17 May 1884, one Gius. Rinaldi, a 16 year-old laborer from Avigliano, Italy stepped off the ship Scotia to begin a new life in New York. Here, now, is a mini family tree chart for Frankie Valli: Frank Castelluccio b. @1876 in Italy Millie b. @1883 in Italy Anthony Castelluccio b. 1911 in NJ d. 1991 in NJ Joseph Rinaldi b. 1869 in Italy Mary b. 1872 in Italy Mary Rinaldi b. 1909-1913 in NJ d. 1987 in NJ Francesco Stephen Castelluccio (Frankie Valli) b. 1934 in NJ Searching for the immigration records of your family members? Let RecordClick’s genealogists for hire find all the documents for you. This is what we love to do! #### Our Genealogy Researcher Finds Historical Markers Are Everywhere A reminder from this RecordClick genealogist for every genealogy researcher: History is all around us. Our ancestors are intertwined with history. When the genealogy researcher does a little delving, the history lessons are there and easy to find. When this professional genealogist thinks of history, the National Park Service, the historical societies and the museums and all that they provide quickly come to mind. Old newspapers also give us amazing history resources for the genealogy researcher. AND this genealogist has another favorite: Historical Markers. These are the actual plaques or other markers, made sometimes of bronze, steel or stone, that are usually on or by buildings. They may be by the side of the road. They may be at the center of town. They are the instant history lesson that provides names and dates in addition to descriptions of historical events. They mark our history.  They mark our events. They mark the information that helps the genealogy researcher fill in ancestors’ history. They are everywhere. Because I don’t have time to walk and drive everywhere looking for historical markers, I’ve discovered an abundant resource: The Historical Marker Data Base. The Historical Marker Data Base was developed by publisher J.J. Prats. This resource for the genealogy researcher and its number of online pictures of these important markers has grown from 700 markers to over 67,000 markers since it debuted in 2006. Historical Markers are to be treasured. They tell stories of famous (and not so famous) events, places and people. They tell national stories and many local ones. They may be a recreational event--even turned into an evening walk. The oldest Historical Marker listed on The Historical Marker Data Base is about Revolutionary War General Enoch Poor. A genealogical find: the country's oldest Historical Marker in Hackensack N.J. This Historical Marker was erected in Hackensack, New Jersey in 1780, the year of General Poor’s death. It is within a few steps or shouting distance of additional markers for: The Huguenots; the Archibald Campbell Family; the Historic First Reformed Church; the Hackensack Soldier and Sailor Memorial; the Bergen County Court House /Bergen County Old Jail and the First Reformed Church. This small area in the northeast is an ancestor history gold mine for the genealogy researcher in New Jersey. For those genealogists who are doing genealogy research in New Jersey or the genealogy researcher looking into Revolutionary War ancestry, for the family history researcher in Bergen County or the Tri-state region, this wealth of Historical Markers is important. So now you can see that Historical Markers are a great way to find out a little bit about a geographical area, a historic time period, and some genealogical research— while getting some exercise at the same time! In The Historical Marker Data Base, topics range from Abolition & Underground to Waterways & Vessels. Historic Markers aren’t unique to the United States. There are Canada’s The Arctic Brotherhood in Dawson City, Yukon Territory, Canada and South Africa’s The Bible, in Grahamstown, East Cape, South Africa. For the genealogy researcher who can’t travel far and wide, The Historical Marker Data Base brings the markers right to you on your home computer. There are indexes organized by both topic and place. The web site is easy to navigate for any genealogist. It is complete with pictures of the Historical Markers. It takes the user off the beaten, and maybe intended, track. That is entirely acceptable. It is OK for the genealogy researcher to have a little fun. As this genealogy researcher is both the child and the parent, I have found Historical Markers to be a nice part of the family history travel experience. Historical Markers have provided many a break in our long drives. They’ve provided a family history researcher trip with a chuckle or two. They were a little lesson on a wall. They were the foundation or a marker in the middle of nowhere. The Historical Marker Data Base brings back memories of all of the travels of this genealogist and the historical information and stories that came along with us. There were a number of times when, as a teen, I’d roll my eyes and try to hide in the back seat of the car when my parents would dutifully stop at a road side Historical Marker and someone next to a window would read it aloud. RecordClick's professional genealogists will look off the beaten path for those great Historical Markers that help fill in your family history. Are you looking for genealogy research ideas? The genealogists for hire at RecordClick will help you develop research strategies. #### Our Genealogy Researcher Finds Swimmer Michael Phelps’ Ancestors Are Pooled in West Virginia When the genealogy researcher looks for ancestors, the search can go in unexpected directions. That is always one of the aspects of the family history researcher’s journey that makes it interesting for this RecordClick genealogist. Olympic athlete and multiple record holder Michael Fred Phelps has spent a good share of his life swimming. He has grown up learning the basics, practicing, traveling, and competing. When a genealogist searches for his family’s roots, however, one goes to a world far from the water--to a paper mill in Luke, Allegany County, Maryland. It is a world entirely different from the blue pools in an Olympic sports complex. This genealogist has found that early in Michael’s career, The Baltimore Sun (November 21, 2003) ran an article in which his parents described their backgrounds. According to this report found by this family researcher, both said they were from Allegany County in the western part of Maryland. His mother, Debbie, was from Westernport (2010 population: Approximately 1800) and his father, Michael Fred, was from a hamlet down the road called Luke (2010 population: 65). Both of these American towns were settled in the 1700s. In the early years, Luke had a saw mill that supplied ties for the construction of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Westernport was the western-most navigable port on the Potomac River. Photo Credit: Tom Jenkins The reports found by this genealogist show that Debbie and Michael Sr. attended Bruce High School in Westernport. They participated in a variety of activities, including sports, and were high school sweethearts. Debbie’s father had a contracting business. Michael Sr.’s father was a chemical engineer at the paper mill in Luke. That is a start for a genealogist. We have found out about the family. Here is a brief chart of the basics: Arthur Fred Phelps b. Apr. 1885, OH d. 2 Apr. 1941, WV m. Vera Humphreys b. 15 Aug. 1885, WV d. 9 Nov. 1976, WV John William Phelps b. 25 Dec. 1915, WV d. 28 Mar. 1945, WV                                      Michael Fred Phelps I                                                      Michael Fred Phelps II Robert Myers b. 1897, Wash., D.C. d. 14 Nov. 1944, MD m. Marie b. 16 May 1898, MD d. Aug. 1973, MD                               Roberta Marie Myers b. 15 Dec. 1919, MD d. July 1984, MD When a genealogist looks only at Michael Phelps’ paternal line, a search on FindAGrave in Allegany County, Maryland will find John William Phelps, born 24 December 1915 in Bluefield, Mercer County, West Virginia. He died on February 12, 1959 in Keyser, Mineral County, West Virginia. The son of A. Fred Phelps and Vera Humphreys, he worked at Westvaco, Luke Paper Mill as a chemical engineer. John Phelps, grandfather of swimmer Michael Phelps, married Roberta Marie Myers on 28 March 1945 at St. Albans, West Virginia. John, born in Bluefield, Mercer County, WV, was living in Westernport and Roberta, born in Luke, MD, was living in Piedmont, Mineral County, WV. The close proximity of Mineral County and Allegany County means a good deal of movement between the two places and the genealogist should keep this in mind when researching. At the time of this marriage, only Mrs. A.F. Phelps and Mrs. Marie Myers, the mothers of John and Roberta, were living. In the 1940 U.S. Census, Vera and Fred A. Phelps were living in Webster Springs, Webster County, West Virginia. The family history researcher will see that at this time, there were no children in the household. Fred was a superintendent of a coal mine. In this same census, Marie and Robert Myers were living in Luke, Allegany County, Maryland. Robert was in construction at the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company. Roberta was working in the same facility as a Labeler. This genealogist has not found John Phelps in the 1940 Census. The genealogy researcher needs to remember that in 1940, the depression was still impacting the livelihoods of many families. The demand for paper and paper products made the era easier for residents of Allegany County. The mill provided employment for John Phelps and Robert Myers. The situation in the coal mines was similar, although many mines were notorious for poor pay and terrible working conditions. A genealogist will look at the historical context and find that the fact that Fred Phelps was a superintendent would mean that financial burdens were likely eased for him during these times. In this area, economics were still an issue, but other areas of the country had it much worse. Both Fred Phelps and Robert Myers died at relatively young ages, according to the findings of this professional genealogist. Fred was 55 when he passed away on April 2, 1941 in Webster County, WV. Vera died on November 9, 1976. Both are buried in Raleigh County, WV. Robert was in his late 40s when he died on November 14, 1944. Marie never remarried and died in August 1973. John William Phelps died February 12, 1959. Roberta married Albert Stafford (b.1918-d.1980). Born December 15, 1919 and died in July 1984. The Myers and the younger Phelps are buried at Westernport, Maryland. As for the paper mill at Luke, WV, the genealogists will see that it is still in operation today as the NewPage Luke Paper Mill. It doesn’t have the number of employees it once did and it has gone through financial hardships, but this mill continues to provide employment opportunities and income for area residents. To get insight on the area at the time—in the 1940s--when Michael Phelps’ ancestors worked there, watch the You Tube Video. You might even get a genealogy researcher bonus and see a descendant of the Phelps or a long lost cousin of Michael’s. All sorts of resources are available to assist the genealogy researcher. The census and vital records are only the beginning. If you have hit a rough patch in researching, consider using an expert genealogist  at RecordClick. Our resources enhance a family history. We develop research strategies to make your family’s stories come alive. A RecordCick genealogist will make your document special. #### Part 1: An Introduction to Genetic Genealogy - Finding the 1% Solution Photo courtesy of Tim Janzen The science of genetics has changed dramatically in the past 60 years since James Watson and Francis Crick first discovered and described DNA in 1953. Genetics is increasingly being used to help people trace their family histories. The first major application of genetics to a family history puzzle was in 1998 when researchers established that a male Jefferson, either Thomas Jefferson or a close male relative, fathered at least one of Sally Hemings’ children. (Sally Hemings was a slave owned by Thomas Jefferson.) The first major company to utilize DNA for family history purposes was Family Tree DNA, which was founded by Bennett Greenspan in 2000. Initially the only types of testing that were done were Y chromosome and mitochondrial DNA testing. More recently, autosomal DNA testing has moved into a prominent role in genetic genealogy. 23andMe was the first company to offer autosomal DNA testing for genealogical purposes. Their "Relative Finder" feature was quite popular when it was introduced in 2009. This feature allowed people to discover genetic cousins they likely had never been in contact with previously. In 2010 Family Tree DNA introduced an autosomal DNA test called "Family Finder," which is a competing product to 23andMe’s test. Most recently, a third major autosomal DNA test was introduced by Ancestry.com, and it has been quite popular due to its low introductory price. Let’s take a closer look at the various types of DNA testing done for genealogical purposes and review them briefly. There are four major types of DNA that are used for genealogical purposes: 1) autosomal DNA, 2) the Y chromosome, 3) the X chromosome, and 4) mitochondrial DNA. Autosomal DNA comprises the bulk of our DNA. The human genome contains 46 chromosomes, of which 44 are autosomal chromosomes. In addition to the autosomal chromosomes, there are two sex chromosomes, the X and the Y chromosomes. The Y chromosome is only found in males and is passed down from father to son. Thus Y-chromosome testing may be used to trace the paternal line of descent. The X chromosome is found in both sexes, with females having two X chromosomes, whereas males only have one X chromosome. Fathers never pass their X chromosomes to their sons, but they do pass their X chromosome to their daughters. Mothers pass one of their X chromosomes to their sons, as well as one to their daughters. Thus males have both a Y chromosome and an X chromosome, but females have two X chromosomes. The final type of DNA is called mitochondrial DNA. This type of DNA is found in a small organelle called the mitochondria in each cell, separate from the 46 chromosomes of DNA found in the nucleus. Mitochondrial DNA is found in both males and females, but is passed down from mothers to their children. Fathers never pass their mitochondrial DNA on to their children. Thus mitochondrial DNA testing may be used to trace the maternal line of descent. Mitochondrial DNA is a circular form of DNA and has a much smaller genome than the DNA found in the nucleus. Mitochondria contain only 16,569 base pairs, whereas the nuclear DNA totals approximately 3.2 billion base pairs. Changes (or mutations) that have occurred in all forms of DNA over the millennia make the DNA in each person unique. While 99% of the DNA found in humans is the same, the 1% of DNA that is unique allows opportunity for genealogical study. You're only a click away from obtaining more information on genetic genealogy or arranging a consultation with Dr. Janzen. Contact Record Click. #### Part 2: Choosing the Right Autosomal DNA Testing Shouldn't Be a Random Process Photo courtesy of Tim Janzen There are currently three primary genetic genealogy companies that offer autosomal DNA testing for genealogical purposes: 23andMe, Family Tree DNA (FTDNA), and Ancestry.com. The tests offered by these companies are similar in that they all use "SNP chips" that test between 700,000 and 967,000 specific point mutations called SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms). 23andMe's test includes the most SNPs in its test. All three companies provide you with a list of closest matches in their databases. The number of matches that you will have depends on the number of people in the company’s database, the number of people with your ancestral background who have been tested, and the criteria that the company sets for what constitutes a match. Ancestry.com’s product, AncestryDNA, has the lowest criteria for a match, which results in more distantly related people showing up on your match list. 23andMe and Family Tree DNA’s product ("Family Finder"), both provide you with the information about the specific DNA segments that you share with your matches, including which chromosomes the matching segments are located on, the number of SNPs in the matching segment, and the start and stop positions on the chromosomes for each matching segment. This information is crucial for genetic genealogists who are trying to trace their family trees since the matching segment information allows you to map your chromosomes, which involves determining which ancestor or ancestral couple the matching segments were inherited from. However, Ancestry.com’s autosomal product, AncestryDNA, currently does not provide this information, which is a major disadvantage to this test. The only current advantages to Ancestry.com’s test include their introductory price, which is lower at $99 than that of its competitors, and the fact that Ancestry.com phases the data before the match list is generated, which reduces the number of false positive matches that appear on your match list. 23andMe's test is currently priced at $299 and Family Tree DNA's test is currently priced at $289. I estimate that 23andMe at this time has about 160,000 people in its database, FTDNA has about 40,000 people in its Family Finder database, and Ancestry.com has about 65,000 in its AncestryDNA database. 23andMe's test offers health-related information as part of the test, which is something that neither FTDNA's Family Finder nor AncestryDNA includes. A much higher proportion of the people who have taken 23andMe's test have done relatively limited genealogical research, which makes it more challenging when trying to contact your 23andMe matches. I believe that the most cost-effective approach for the average genetic genealogist is to do the 23andMe test first and then import the raw data file into the FTDNA Family Finder database, which currently costs $89. This saves about $200 as compared to ordering both tests separately. You have to be an Ancestry.com member in order to do the AncestryDNA test, and you must receive a personal email from Ancestry.com inviting you to do the test before you can order it. I believe that it is reasonable for Ancestry.com subscribers to do the AncestryDNA test, but people who do the test need to be aware that there are some significant disadvantages to the AncestryDNA test relative to the 23andMe and FTDNA Family Finder tests, since Ancestry.com doesn’t provide the raw data files to its customers and also doesn’t provide the matching segment data. For a more comprehensive analysis of the differences between these three autosomal DNA tests, I would suggest you consult the chart I created, which compares the features of the three tests in some depth. If you are interested in receiving a consultation with Dr. Janzen, please contact Record Click for more information. #### Part 3: Exploring the Use of Autosomal DNA for Genealogical Purposes Photo courtesy of Tim Janzen Let’s explore autosomal DNA in greater depth. As mentioned in my previous blog, the majority of our DNA is autosomal DNA. This DNA is found in 44 of our 46 chromosomes. Autosomal DNA is highly useful for genealogical purposes. As a general rule, the more autosomal DNA that you share in common with another person, the more closely related you are to that person. A child receives 50% of their autosomal DNA from each of their parents, and similarly on average a child receives a 25% contribution to their DNA from each of their four grandparents. So it goes as you go back through each generation until you reach a point about six to seven generations back where there is no guarantee that you will inherit a segment of DNA from each ancestor in your family tree at that level, due to the random nature in which individual blocks of autosomal DNA are passed down from parent to child. It is also important to have some understanding about the percentage of autosomal DNA that siblings, first cousins, and other more-closely related relatives share in common with one other. Generally speaking, siblings share 50% of their DNA, and first cousins share about 12.5% of their DNA, on average. However, these percentages can vary somewhat widely with some siblings sharing 60% or more of their DNA in common, while other siblings only share 40% or less. Similarly, first cousins can share as little as 7% of their autosomal DNA or as much as 15%. For more detail about the ranges and averages that are involved for each level of relationship, I would suggest you consult my reference charts. The exciting thing about autosomal DNA testing for genealogical purposes is that this type of testing can identify cousins that you have not previously known about. Many of these cousins are distantly related to you, but some may be closely related. If you carefully study the pedigree charts of your genetic cousins, in some cases you can identify surnames or ancestors that you share in common with these matches. If you can identify specific DNA segments that you share in common with two or more people, then careful review of those people’s pedigree charts can potentially help you identify shared surnames that can help you break through genealogical brick walls. There are currently three primary genetic genealogy companies that offer autosomal DNA testing for genealogical purposes: 23andMe, Family Tree DNA (FTDNA), and Ancestry.com. The tests offered by these companies are similar in that they all use "SNP chips" that test between 700,000 and 967,000 specific point mutations called SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms). 23andMe's test includes the most SNPs in its test. If you are interested in receiving a consultation with Dr. Janzen, please contact Record Click for more information. #### Part 3: Disasters May Help the Genealogy Researcher; Not So Welcomed by a Star like Bill Cosby We genealogists, know that disasters mean there is a record of the details. Whether it is a newspaper record, a police record, a court record, a death record, it is there for the genealogy researcher to find and is often much easier to locate. It is an odd way of helping further the details of one’s ancestry. For someone like William Henry Cosby, Jr., better known as “Bill”, the fame he has gained in the entertainment world does not erase the disasters that have happened to him along the way. Disaster #1: Father’s Alcoholism Anecdotal evidence will usually be the way the disease of alcoholism is documented. The genealogy researcher will likely have to do in-person interviews with friends and family members. There is always a possibility of hospital and police records. With Bill Cosby, whose father is reported to have descended into heavy drinking while Bill was a child, the records may come not only from a local medical or police report if there were any. Another way for the genealogist to locate records may be to look at the family’s living situation and how it changed. For the Cosby Family, which was living in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, financial troubles related to the father’s problems may actually be in the public record. They did move into nearby public housing for low-income families called the Richard Allen Homes. Records for those type of transactions may be searched for and found by an industrious genealogy researcher. Disaster #2: Death of a Sibling When he was 8 years old, Bill Cosby’s next oldest brother James died. This will most likely be detailed in death records, obituaries and perhaps a local newspaper report. The event was said to have been traumatic for the family. Of course, it would be. For those who know of the loss of a sibling, the genealogy researcher may need to go beyond the death certificate depending on the cause of death and the circumstances surrounding the event and do in-person interviews with family members. Sometimes, this type of disaster requires the genealogy researcher to do sensitive, important work. Disaster #3: Bill Cosby's Sons Death In 1977, Bill Cosby’s only son, Ennis William, age 27, a doctoral candidate at Columbia's Teachers College who had overcome dyslexia and was planning a career teaching special learners, was changing a tire after midnight in California along an isolated section of the freeway. He was shot and killed. The family was devastated. For such horrific events, the genealogy researcher can find records in formal death records as well as in the news reports surrounding such a great loss by a family. For those families who cannot find enough information, in-person interviews with people who either witnessed the event or with friends or relatives involved after the event may provide details for the family history researcher looking for more information. In an extreme case, the genealogy researcher could interview a person convicted of the crime such as the man convicted in Ennis's death, Mikhail Markhasev who is serving a life sentence in Corcoran State Prison. But usually disaster details are more readily available and such difficult interviews won't be a priority. Bill Cosby, his wife Camille and their family faced a disaster--both personal and genealogical--with the murder of only son Ennis, left, at age 27. Disaster #4: Paternity Suit While this was widely reported in the television and print media, there were legal documents and most likely, court filings. Records from courts can be helpful in the case of disastrous situations. If a case was settled, records from lawyers may be part of the genealogist’s research. Disaster #5: Criminal Allegations Bill Cosby is currently in the grips of a resurfacing scandal regarding rape allegations. In the case of such allegations, if lawsuits were filed, public records may be available to the genealogy researcher. If a case went to trial, court transcriptions could give the genealogy researcher sought-after information. Newspaper reports as well as letters, both legal and personal, will present a genealogy researcher with information on events that most families don’t like to reveal. With all of the harsh happenings that he has had in his life, this entertainer has left a legacy of television acting work, comedy and characters—including Fat Albert—and has sustained a marriage that on January 25, 2014, made it to 50 years. He and his wife have been supporters of many charities and institutions. Even though he is in the public eye, Bill Cosby hasn’t been immune to life’s disasters. No hurricanes or storms so to speak, but life’s lightning has struck numerous times. The genealogy researcher knows, however, that life's difficult situations and disasters provide a lot of details. Does your family have events that you want more information on? Hire a genealogist from our international pool of experienced genealogy researchers. We will get you a family history that is filled with people, places, dates and more than you know now! #### Pennsylvania Genealogical Research Can Be a Religious Experience Family historians researching in Pennsylvania need to take Sunday-Go-To-Meeting seriously. Many of the earliest residents did, and they make genealogical research in the state an interesting challenge. Like the Puritans in Massachusetts, a good number of the early settlers in Pennsylvania were religious outcasts. Unlike the Massachusetts Puritans, Pennsylvania's early residents, including the Quakers, Amish, and Moravians, were more tolerant. One of the basic tenets of the Quakers is tolerance, so many newcomers of different religions were welcomed. Less than 60 years after the first trading post was founded, Quaker William Penn received about 45,000 square miles in land holdings from Kings Charles II of England to settle a debt owed Penn’s father.  Around this time, the keeping of religious records was instituted. Volumes could be written about the religions in Pennsylvania, but this RecordClick genealogist is going to present a short timeline of when some denominations arrived and then list where records might be found. A good family history researcher is willing to get off the beaten track when researching, and religion often requires genealogists to take a different path of genealogical research. Many religious denominations have their own archives with information not found anywhere else. Timeline: 1640s – The first Presbyterians come to Pennsylvania. 1642 – “Instructions” were given by the administration of Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden to Governor Printz. 1682 – Quaker William Penn arrived in what is now Pennsylvania. 1683 – First Mennonites arrived settling in Germantown, Pennsylvania. 1687 – A Baptist congregation was started near Pennepek Creek. 1694 – German Lutherans arrived in Pennsylvania. 1695 – Merion Friends Meeting House was organized. Christ Church in Philadelphia was founded. The Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania was organized circa1787. 1706 – The Presbytery of Philadelphia was formed. Records of Presbyterians in Pennsylvania date back to the mid-1600s. Early 1700s – A group of Mennonites and Amish came to America with what became known as the Pennsylvania Dutch. They settled on the cheaper land of Lancaster County. 1733 – The first Catholic church, Old Saint Joseph’s, was built in Philadelphia. 1741 – Moravians established a permanent presence in Pennsylvania and founded Bethlehem. 1767 – A Methodist Society was organized in Philadelphia. Two years later St. George’s Church was purchased. 1808 – The Roman Catholic Diocese of Philadelphia was erected. Presbyterians – The first Presbyterians came to America with the Puritans. The Presbyterian Historical Society is located in Philadelphia. It has online information and links to a number of Presbyterian congregations in the northeast. Lutherans – Swedish and German Lutheran settlers were amongst the earliest in the State of Pennsylvania. The Lutheran Archives Center at Philadelphia  is the Northeast Regional Archives for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Located on the campus of the Philadelphia Seminary, it evolved from the Evangelical Lutheran Ministerium of Pennsylvania and Adjacent States founded in 1748 by Henry Melchoir Muhlenberg. Other Lutheran archives include: Central Pennsylvania, located in the A.R. Wentz Library, Lutheran Theological Seminary, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania; Western Pennsylvania found in the Tri-Synod Archives, Thiel College, Greensville, Pennsylvania; and Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod housed at Concordia Historical Institute, St. Louis, Missouri. In addition to papers of historical significance, the archives hold records of those congregations which have closed and those congregations that are open and choose to deposit their records there. Most congregations maintain their own baptism, confirmation, marriage, and burial records. Quakers – William Penn brought his religion with him to America in 1682. Members believe in religious freedom, democracy, and non-violence. Women are treated equally to men. The Merion Friends Meeting House organized in 1695, is the oldest church building in Pennsylvania. Its burial records are on the Lower Merion Historical Society website. Quaker records can be found at the Swarthmore College Friends Historical Library. Mennonites and Amish – Founded in the 1500s in an area that is now Germany and Switzerland, the Mennonites emphasize peace, justice, simplicity, community, service and mutual aid. A philosophical disagreement in the late 1500s led to the formation of the Amish sect. Both groups are Anabaptists, believing in adult baptism. Mennonites worship in meeting houses, while the Amish gather in members’ homes. When researching Amish, it is best to start with the Mennonites. The Lancaster Mennonite Historical Society is located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It is the official depository for records of the Atlantic Coast and Lancaster Conference of the Mennonite Church. Holdings include cemetery records, deeds, diaries, genealogical records, newspaper clippings, and wills. There will not be much in the way of recorded baptism, marriage, and burial records. You might be interested to read a nice little history of the Mennonite Church. Baptists – The Baptist denomination is one of faith rather than documentation. Baptism is usually as an older child or an adult. For the family historian, it is best to look for family members who might have been church leaders or missionaries. Minutes were kept recording activities. The American Baptist Historical Society contains records of American Baptist churches, USA (formerly Northern Baptist Convention), the Free Will Baptist General Conference, and the Danish Baptist General Conference of America. See the Baptist History Homepage for early records. Church of England/Episcopal – Information on individual parishes is listed on the Pennsylvania Episcopal Church website. The Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania Archives holdings include records of parishes that have closed, histories of parishes both open and closed, and publications of the Diocese including “Church News.” You can contact the archives email at archives@diopa.org. For records of active congregations, check the church. One example is Christ Church in Philadelphia. Founded in 1695, it is the oldest Episcopal congregation in Pennsylvania. Its website has online databases of baptisms, 1708-1843; marriages, 1708-1826; and burials, 1709-1808. Roman Catholic – Although the Catholics have a long history in Pennsylvania, the first known mass occurred in the early 1700s. The 1700s saw the number of congregants grow from less than 100 to almost 10,000. The Philadelphia Archdiocesan Historical Research Center has a good many records of interest to genealogists. They include: Catholic newspapers in Philadelphia and Parish Histories; baptismal, marriage and orphanage records; death, confirmation and school records; and Parish boundary maps. Dioceses for the rest of the State of Pennsylvania have changed over the years as the number of parishioners increased. Current dioceses are: Allentown, Altoona-Johnstown, Erie, Greensburg, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, and Scranton. The Diocese of Pittsburgh has an archive serving the rest of the state. The archives contain all sacramental records older than 70 years, beginning at the time the diocese was created. The diocese and the year they were created are: Pittsburgh, 1843; Erie, 1853; Harrisburg and Scranton, 1868; Altoona-Johnstown, 1901; Greensburg, 1951; Allenstown, 1961. Moravians – This Moravian denomination originated in what is now the Czech Republic in 1457. A group came to the colonies, first to Georgia where they tried unsuccessfully to settle. In 1741, they came to Pennsylvania and founded the community of Bethlehem. They are known for their missionary work and their musical heritage. The newly remodeled Moravian Archives is located in Bethlehem. Holdings include a number of personal papers and congregational records. United Methodist Church – The Methodist’s first presence in Pennsylvania came in the mid-1700s. Currently, the state has three conferences: Eastern, Western, and Susquehanna. The Susquehanna Conference Archives is at Lycoming College in Williamsport. The archives has files of historic documents for active churches, and contains records for churches that have closed. Baptism, confirmation, marriage, and burial records are the responsibility of the local church. Pennsylvania has a diverse religious history. If you need help locating church records or finding information about that illusive ancestor of yours, rely on the expert genealogists at RecordClick. We can help you with your ancestor search by breaking down that brick wall or helping you to write your family tree history. Photo: Interior of the interdenominational Heinz Chapel in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. #### Pennsylvania Genealogy Research - It May Be the Key to Your Ancestor Search "By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail." ~ Benjamin Franklin If there were two eastern states that could be called “Gateways to the Continent," I would select New York and Pennsylvania. Both have key accessible ports and provide water access to the interior of the country. Both have more than 300 years of history and paper trails for family historians to key into. This article will help prepare you for genealogical research in Pennsylvania - the Keystone State. Long before the white man landed on the shores of North America, there were the Native Americans already inhabiting the continent. Most of these native people in Pennsylvania belonged to the Delaware, Susquehannock, Iroquois, Erie and Shawnee tribes. Displacement of the  Indians started in the early to mid-1600s by the Dutch and English followed by the Swedish. Understanding the history of a state can help a genealogist know when court and church documentation began and where to look when conducting your ancestor search. Timelines help family researchers keep their search realistic and in perspective: 1624 – The Dutch established a trading post at Burlington Island in the Delaware River near what was to become Philadelphia. 1626 – The Dutch built a trading post at Fort Nassau, now Gloucester City, east across the Delaware River from what developed into Philadelphia. 1643 – The first Swedish settlement was constructed on Tinicum Island, near what is now Philadelphia International Airport. 1681 – Charles II of England granted the land now known as Pennsylvania to William Penn. Quakers settled in the area of what is now Philadelphia. 1682 – William Penn founded Philadelphia. The original counties of Bucks, Chester, and Philadelphia were created. 1683 – The first Germans arrived in Pennsylvania. 1695 – The religious presence increased in Philadelphia with the organization of the Baptists, Presbyterians, and the Church of England congregations. 1729 – Lancaster County was formed. Shortly thereafter, the first Amish arrived. 1749 – York County was created. 1750 – Cumberland County was founded. 1752 – Berks and Northampton Counties were formed. 1763 – The Treaty of Paris was ratified and France ceded its lands east of the Mississippi. 1763 – The Royal Proclamation of 1763 by George III allowed the British to begin organizing their holdings in North America. 1776 – The Declaration of Independence was signed. 1780 – A law was passed abolishing slavery in Pennsylvania. 1792 – The Pennsylvania General Assembly passed a general land act to promote settlement. 1850s – An early attempt was made to record vital records; this lasted only two or three years. 1857 – Saucoma Iron Company was founded. It was the forerunner of Bethlehem Steel. 1859 – Oil was discovered at Titusville. Industry became a major part of Pennsylvania’s economy. 1878 – Lackawanna was the last county created in Pennsylvania. Late 1880s – Pennsylvania, as well as New York, became a destination of immigrants. 1906 – The State of Pennsylvania began recording births and deaths. Philadelphia was one of the major cities in the early days of this country. Its population grew from about 2,500 in 1701 to more than 41,000 in 1800. By 1900, the city had swelled to in excess of 1 million residents. Pennsylvania has a number of rivers which made transportation easier during its founding and settlement. The Delaware River brought settlers and immigrants from the Atlantic Ocean to Philadelphia. The Susquehanna River was a route from the interior of the state to Chesapeake Bay and the Ohio River; it has its beginnings in the western part of the state - in Pittsburgh - at the confluence of the Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers. Finally, Erie, on Lake Erie, provided access both to the Atlantic Ocean and the Great Lakes. The map is the thing for researching in Pennsylvania, as the location of records is often tied to governmental entities or locations. Family historians need to remember that as cities became more populated, the amount of land needed increased, as well, and that as settlers moved inland, additional counties were created. Pennsylvania is a great example of this. The Western border wasn't set until the 1780s. The original three counties were Philadelphia, Bucks. and Chester. Located adjacent to each other, the borders then and now are very different. In 1729, Lancaster County was carved from the western portion of Chester County. The last county created was Lackawanna in 1878, not quite 200 years after the first counties were formed. A farm, school, or town may have been in two or three different townships or counties without moving. Early Pennsylvanians sought religious tolerance, and the state was also one of the first to embrace industrialization. Both brought new immigrants with new customs and ideas to the melting pot. This is what can make the search up the branches of the family tree fun and challenging. Helpful Websites for Your Search There are many websites that are helpful to Pennsylvania genealogical researchers. Among my favorites are: Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission. It is where birth certificates, 1906-07, and death certificates, 1906-1962 can be obtained. It has a good map showing and explaining county formation in the state. U.S. GenWeb. Each county has a web site with the county’s history, contact information, and localized data bases. The content varies from county to county. Online Death Records, Indexes & Obituaries. Specializing in death information, this web site lists online resources including newspaper obituaries. FamilySearch. Data bases on the web site include, Pennsylvania county marriages, Philadelphia passenger lists and naturalization records. Cyndi’s List. Internet links are a specialty of this web site and it can help the family historian find a variety of online information relating to Pennsylvania genealogy. For the genealogist, whether a professional or a family history researcher hobbyist, there are many records to seek out and a multitude of hidden corners to discover in Pennsylvania that will help you trace family history. There's a lot of history in Pennsylvania and a lot of history in your family. There are court records, land records, school records, church records, and family records. Pennsylvania is known as the Keystone State, because it was the middle colony of the original 13 colonies, but the genealogy research services of RecordClick are your key to a successful ancestor search. The results of a U.S. census indicated that 50% of U.S. indigenous peoples prefer the description "Native American," 37% prefer "American Indian," while others prefer simply "Indian." I have used the terms interchangeably in this article. #### Physical And Personality Traits That Run In Your Family Your physical and personality traits reflect not just you but generations of your ancestors. Those dimples or emerald eyes you share with your grandmother could be the tip of the iceberg. Moreover, research suggests that our genetic makeup contributes to about 40-60% of the variation in personality traits like extroversion, introversion, and conscientiousness. So, the next time you hear someone say, "stubbornness runs in our family," take their word for it. But how do you know what traits run in your family?              Does it really matter? Read on to find out. Key Takeaways Inherited traits are the unique characteristics and features you get from your family background. The gene combination can present different possibilities for physical and personality traits. To find common traits in your family, conduct an accurate genealogy and seek professional assistance when necessary. RELATED: How To Conduct Family History Research On A Budget How Do Physical and Personality Traits Pass from One Generation to The Next? Environment can also shape our personality The concept of generational physical and personality traits can be explained through Gregor Mendel's Law, which explains how human genetics convey traits across generations. Mendel initially focused on peas but later proved the concept true to humans, helping scientists unlock genetic secrets. Mendel noticed that traits like shape or flower color in his peas followed a predictable pattern down generations. He however noted that some traits were dominant and others recessive after a few generations down the line. In the same way, your generations down a family have a mix-and-match of genes that can combine differently and create endless possibilities. So, if your dad has curly hair and your mom has straight hair, you might end up somewhere in between Physical Traits You May Inherit from Your Ancestors You can inherit traits from your grandparents While genes can create endless possibilities, some common physical traits inherited in a family include height, hair texture, eye color, and dimples. Let's look at the 7 common physical traits inherited from ancestors. Freckles and Dimples: If an ancestor had those charming indentations and delightful specks of pigmentation, there's a good chance that they run down the family line. Eye Color: The genes you inherit from your parents can also determine the color of your eyes. However, this may not always be true, so be content with those brown eyes even if your mom's are blue: there may be a brown-eyed ancestor in your family tree. Hitchhiker's Thumb: The ability to bend the tip of your thumb backward at a sharp angle is another common physical trait shared among relatives. Hair Texture: Thick, thin, straight, or curly hair is also influenced by genetics and is likely to pass down familial generations. Genes from your parents form the hair shaft that determines whether your hair is curly, wavy, or straight. Left-handedness: Left-handedness also runs down family lines with high chances of having the traits in future generations if ancestors had the trait. Height: Genetic interplay is also a key determinant of family members' height. A person's final height can be influenced by genes from the paternal or maternal sides of their family tree. So, if you find yourself taller than anyone in your nuclear family, check your family tree for clues. Hair Curl Pattern: Hair curl depends on the shape of the hair follicle, which in turn depends on whether ancestors had waves or ringlets. If so, the captivating curl patterns may cascade down the family tree. RELATED: Family Health History: How To Prevent From Recurring Conditions How Your Personality Traits Connect with Your Ancestry Personality Traits The connection between your ancestry and personality traits is based on the intriguing nurture vs. nature factors. It is a fact that the environment can be an essential determinant of your personality, as is your genes. In this case, genetics is the nature that forms the biological foundation upon which you build your characteristics and traits. The DNA you inherit from your parents conveys the instructions on physical traits and disease susceptibility. On the other hand, nurture comprises life experiences, education, cultural influences, family dynamics, and upbringing. Despite being external, these factors also affect how your personality manifests. Nonetheless, the Minnesota Jim Twins study is a popular and compelling piece of evidence that underscores the influential role of genetics in shaping who we are. Despite separating two identical twins at birth, the study found striking similarities in intelligence, political beliefs, and personality when reunited at age 30. Such studies confirm that sharing genes can lead to similar personality traits even when nurtured differently. While pinpointing a single "personality gene" would be hard, certain variations can influence common traits. For example, any alterations in the serotonin transporter have been shown to influence emotional stability and mood. Other patterns of personality traits are also readily detectable in families when they recur across generations. It's common to hear families described as introverted, humorous, or somehow identical. With that said, the role of environmental factors cannot be underestimated. The interplay between nurture and nature is unique and intricate for every individual. How To Uncover Inherited Traits with DNA Testing DNA Test for Genealogy DNA testing is becoming the game changer when unraveling inherited physical and personality traits. Leading DNA testing companies like AncestryDNA and 23and Me have perfected the process and enhanced the reporting of genetic quirks that make you unique. You simply need to provide a small saliva sample containing your DNA, and the sites will match your markers with other users. Besides, the sites highlight your possibility of having specific inherited traits such as taste preferences, hair texture, eye color, and more. It is worth noting that DNA testing can yield surprises about your connections, and we have tips to help you handle the excitement or emotions. RELATED: Is It Worth Doing The 23andMe Or Ancestry Test? Understanding the traits that run down your family also helps you embrace your genetic legacy. For professional assistance in exploring your genealogy, contact Record Click. Our team of genealogists will guide you through the process and help you uncover the hidden traits in your heritage. #### Polish Genealogy - Starting Your Ancestor Search So you think you have Polish ancestors, and you are ready to embark on the genealogical research journey of your life . . . but you have no idea where to start. Take heart, you are not alone. There are almost 10 million Americans of Polish descent (AmPols) living in the United States, representing more than 3% of the population, which is the largest ethnic group of Slavic origin in the U.S. Many of your fellow AmPols have been and will be in the same position you are – beginning their Polish ancestor search. What would your Polish relatives say about your endeavor? Perhaps they might share a Polish proverb with you: Ucz sie ucz bo nauka to potegi klucz, which means, "Keep learning because knowledge is the key to power." Before you get started with your Polish genealogical research, it's wise to familiarize yourself with the history of the country, because the geographic boundaries of Poland have changed many times throughout its history. The geographic complexities can make Polish genealogy research rather difficult. Add to that the fact you will be dealing with a Latin-based language containing 32 letters that is chock full of diacritics, kreskas, kropkas, ogoneks, and strokes. That's another hurdle to cross, but we'll deal with that at a later time. Just keep in mind, Polish records written before 1918 may be in German, Russian, Latin, or Polish. For now, let's focus on those Polish genealogy resources that are in English. First and foremost – start your Polish genealogy research on United States soil. The U.S. Census shows that the states with the largest Polish American populations include New York, Illinois, and Michigan, as well as California, Florida, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. These states, along with the majority of U.S. states, support a number of local Polish genealogy libraries, Polish heritage societies, Polish cultural and educational centers, Polish cultural festivals and heritage days – all of which offer a plethora of activities and resources to entice AmPols to become more involved and educated in their heritage. Getting Started with Your Polish Genealogy Research There are a lot of Polish genealogical research resources available at your fingertips; one of which is your own family. The best way to start the genealogy research process is to interview your living relatives (immediate and extended) about your Polish ancestry. Listen to the stories and take notes, especially dates, towns, names, etc. Check what family documents and photographs you do have. Next, check U.S. civil and church records. Birth, marriage, and death records include important information that may help you link to your family in Poland. Search for newspaper articles or obituaries; naturalization records (after 1906); Declarations of Intention; alien registrations; passports; World War I U.S. draft registration forms; local histories; and ship manifests. All of these may include important facts about your ancestors. It is very important for you to know your ancestor's town, province, and parish before you begin your Polish genealogy research. That's because, in the late 1700s, Poland was partitioned by its three bordering countries: Prussia, Russia, and Austria. The Polish state didn't exist between 1795 and 1918, and its borders were further dismantled as a result of World Wars I and II. In 1975 Poland increased the number of its provinces from 22 to 49, and then rearranged in 1999 from 49 to 16. Regardless of the partitioning, the people in each area still considered themselves Poles, continuing to use the language and customs. However, once you start researching Polish genealogy, you will find that records, including those of the US. Immigration and Naturalization Service, may indicate your relatives were from Germany, Austria, or Russia – even though you know they are from Poland. The Polish Genealogical Society of America (PGSA) – Chicago, Illinois Simultaneous to interviewing your family, tap into the myriad of research tips and leads provided by the Polish Genealogical Society of America (PGSA). The site offers an extraordinary array of resources for Polish genealogical researchers at any level. Some of their databases include birth, marriage, death, immigration, and military service indices for U.S. areas heavily-populated by AmPols. It also has databases for Polish language newspapers and church records. For the most part, church records in Poland have been kept since the mid-1600s; however, in some cases, a few parishes have records dating from the 1590s. Though the Catholic churches were the first to keep vital records, Protestant churches started the same practice soon after. The PGSA site provides additional resource links, including Polish genealogical societies; libraries and archives with an emphasis on Polish genealogy research resources; information on Polish history and culture, and a calendar of events. FamilySearch The PGSA suggests the best starting point for a new researcher is the Family History Library (FHL) of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints (LDS). The FamilySearch website is the best online portal to the information available through the FHL, offering a database for parish names in Poland. Not all Polish parishes are on microfilm, especially those in Southern Poland, but it is worth a try by accessing the Polish Parish Finder. The Family Search Wiki also offers a lot of helpful information, including links to research tools, online databases and digitized records, and other Polish genealogy topics. One of the best genealogical research resources available to you is FamilySearch’s Research Outline for Poland. It is 115 pages jam-packed with easy-to-understand Polish genealogy research tips and Polish genealogy search strategies that will help you locate maps of Polish states and provinces past and present; church directories; records such as birth, death, marriage; and military papers; as well as Jewish files and documents. Polish State Archives Definitely peruse the Polish State Archives website. You can select the English language option at the top left of the page. The icon for databases is located on the right side of the page. In February 2013 the Polish State Archives signed a new agreement with Jewish Records Indexing (JRI) to continue indexing Jewish birth certificate registries based on copies of digital indices obtained from state archives. The database will be made available on the Internet, free of charge to the public. PolishOrigins – Polish Genealogy Databases The Polish Genealogy Databases link found on PolishOrigins allows you to access Polish genealogy resources in English. According to the site, Google and Google Translate are used to search and provide translations from Polish-language sites. JewishGen and Jewish Records Indexing – Poland (JRI Poland) Described as the "Home of Jewish Genealogy" (an affiliate of the Museum of Jewish heritage), JewishGen is a multiple database search facility, incorporating several databases. Its "All Poland Database" offers more than 5 million entries (new entries are being added regularly) for individuals living in areas now or formerly part of Poland. Its JRI Poland database includes more than 5 million Jewish birth, marriage, and death records from more than 500 Polish towns, including other indices from census records, legal notices, passports, and newspaper announcements, as well as vital records, voter lists, and passenger manifests. Additionally, you can access business directory pages for more than 34,000 locations in inter-war Poland. The number of databases will increase, given the recent agreement between JRI and the Polish State Archives to continue indexing Jewish birth records. Other Polish Genealogical Research Resources Ancestry - Check out the Polish Collections on Ancestry, many of which are free to access, such as Poland vital records, military records, immigration, pictures, schools, directories, tax records, land records, wills, maps, memories, and histories, etc. Rootsweb (an Ancestry company) hosts PolandGenWeb, which offers Help pages, and town locators. About.com for its Polish Genealogy & Family History Whether you are a polskiego pochodzenia (Polish-American male) or an Amerykanka polskiego pochodzenia (Polish-American female), it matters not; what's important is your personal Polish genealogy research journey. There is always something to learn, another database to search, a directory to peruse, and records to investigate. In this case, time is your friend, because more and more databases are being made available online on a regular basis for Polish genealogy research. In the coming weeks, we'll be posting Polish genealogy tips, best practices, special topics, and genealogical research resources for your Polish ancestor search? Some of your Polish genealogy research will be easy to access and some not so easy. Because RecordClick has the desire to help you with your ancestor search for Polish relatives, the professional genealogy research company is increasing its genealogy ancestry services in Poland and Germany, staffing more in-country professional genealogists to help you discover your Polish family history. With so many archives to deal with, language barriers, and the inevitable need to research in faraway locations, a professional genealogy researcher for hire who is experienced in Polish genealogy research may be your best bet. #### Population Genetics – Evolution, Natural Selection, and Genetics ". . . nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution." ~Theodosius Dobzhansky (1900-1975; Russian-American geneticist and one of the creators of the modern synthesis) When I was a freshman in high school, I read the Origin of Species (originally On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection) by Charles Darwin (published 1859), and I became instantly fascinated by the theory of evolution through natural selection. The fact that it was the 1970s made it cool to read controversial books, and Darwin's book was definitely controversial – more so in 1859, but the topic of evolution continues to be controversial even today. His scientific tome was definitely different from the more modern notorious books I was reading in the early 70s - Portnoy's Complaint (Random House, 1969) and Fire Island (Avon, 1970), both of which I managed to get my hands on and read in a single afternoon – but all of these books in their own way had drawn their share of controversy and therefore piqued my attention. Darwin clearly is a different class of writer from Philip Roth and Burt Hirschfeld, but his theories about the transmutation of species (to alter in form, appearance, or nature, usually to a higher level) managed to raise a lot of eyebrows more than 100 years before Roth and Hirschfeld came on the scene with their own stories about sexual selection and gene flow. When Charles Darwin published Origin of the Species in 1859, he didn't know anything about genetics and DNA, let alone genetic ancestry or DNA testing for ancestry – the words weren't even in existence - but he certainly started the ball rolling for a slew of scientists who would use his ideas and theories as a catalyst to arrive at modern genetics and ultimately DNA genealogy. Though Darwin's developmental theory of heredity – Pangenesis – was disproved, his theory of natural selection has become the basic mechanism of evolution. Darwin's theory of Pangenesis set forth the idea that the inheritance of traits was achieved by tiny particles known as pangenes (also "gemmules") formed in different parts of the body, which migrated to the reproductive cells (later known as "gametes"). A blend of pangenes from both parents brought about the mixed characteristics appearing in the offspring. His theory has since been disproven, but since Darwin knew nothing about DNA ancestry or genetic ancestry, it was an extraordinarily clever theory – a theory that would spur the interest in scientists to delve into genetic ancestry for hundreds of years to come. "The time will come, I believe, though I shall not live to see it, when we shall have fairly true genealogical trees of each great kingdom of Nature." (Written by Charles Darwin to his friend and colleague Thomas Henry Huxley in 1857.) Not until the late 1940s, however, did scientists finally agree (generally) that genetics was consistent with natural selection and evolution. The agreement was known as "modern synthesis," and it formed the basis of evolutionary biology. Evolution is now considered the central unifying concept in biology. At the very same time that Darwin was theorizing Pangenesis, Gregor Johann Mendel, a monk, was experimenting with pea pods in a monastery garden in Austria. Mendel published a rival theory of genetic inheritance in 1866 that set forth the idea of heredity units, which he called "factors" (later called "genes"). The monk theorized that offspring receive factors from each parent; some factors are dominant and some recessive. Mendel's First Law (the "Law of Segregation") stated that every individual possesses a pair of alternative forms of a factor (now known as "alleles"), and that each parent passes a random one of the alleles to its offspring. Mendel's Second Law (the "Law of Independent Assortment") states that traits are transmitted to offspring independently of one another. Neither Darwin nor Mendel knew of each other's studies. Had they known and were able to combine their findings, Population Genetics (or "Pop Gen") would have been born 150 years before its time. Population Genetics defines evolution as any change in the genetic composition of a population over time. It is based on four factors including: 1) natural selection, 2) mutation, 3) random genetic drift, and 4) migration into or out of the population. While Mendel's Laws remained relatively unknown to most of the scientific population for 35 years, three scientists revisited the Austrian monk's theories in 1900. Hugo de Vries (Dutch), Carl Correns (German), and Erich von Tschermak-Seysenegg (Austrian) were all working independently of one another, yet they simultaneously discovered that Mendel's Principles of Heredity (aka Mendelian Inheritance) were correct. Insofar as the birth of Population Genetics, it would not be until the 1920s and 1930s that three scientists - R.A. Fisher, J.B.S. Haldane, and Sewall Wright - would integrate the principles of Mendelian genetics with Darwinian natural selection to explain Population Genetics, which supports the belief that natural selection is one of the most important factors that can affect the genetic composition of a population. The first 50 years of the basic discoveries of evolution and DNA ancestry was a solid segment in the genetic ancestry journey leading to today's understanding of Population Genetics. It would take another 20 years before Mendel's theories were integrated with Thomas Hunt Morgan's Chromosome Theory Of Inheritance in 1915, and almost 50 years after that before James D. Watson and Francis Crick, along with Maurice Wilkins, would be awarded the Nobel Prize (1962) for their "discoveries concerning the molecular structure of nucleic acids and its significance for information transfer in living material." But that's for another article yet to come. For now, I just want to pique your interest and help you understand why, in today's age, DNA genealogy, especially family tree DNA testing, are so important to all of us. “I think the most significant aspect of DNA is the support it gives evolution by natural selection.” ~Francis Crick (Co-discoverer of the structure of DNA) You, too, can dive head first into the world of DNA genealogy by ordering a DNA testing kit from Record Click. As you discover your genetic ancestry, take a moment to think about the great scientists throughout the last 150 years who have brought the theory of heredity to your own front door. #### Power Of Attorney: Obligations To Family Members Explained When granted a power of attorney, you're expected to meet the obligations to family members without overriding the authority. Therefore, it would be best to understand the provisions guiding the attorney to prevent conflicts with your loved ones or violating any legal duty. This guide explores the power of attorney, showing you how to be effective and legally handle people abusing such authority. Key Takeaways A power of attorney is a legal procedure in which you (principal) sign documents to allow another person (agent or attorney-in-fact) to make decisions on your behalf. Abusing the power can lead to litigation, where you can be held personally liable and be stripped of the powers. You can avoid the stress related to the agents by hiring Record Click experts to help you smoothly work out the entire probate process. What Is a Power of Attorney? agents have a fiduciary duty A power of attorney is a legal procedure where you (the principal) allow another person (agent or attorney-in-fact) to make decisions on your behalf. It is common for property owners and business people to apply it as a precautionary measure for disaster or when they are away. The power of attorney will likely be for financial or medical reasons. So, the agents' rights and responsibilities mainly depend on the provisions of the grant. A durable power of attorney takes effect immediately. It remains effective for the principal's lifetime, while a springing power takes effect after the principal is incapacitated. What Are the Terms of The Power of Attorney? The terms of the grant mainly depend on the type of power of attorney. Principals may only require the agents' hand to manage their finances without interfering with any medical issues. Alternatively, other grant types allow the attorney-in-fact to feel free to provide guidelines in any aspect, especially if they're the principal's close relatives. It is worth noting that the fiduciary obligations match across the board and apply to every agent regardless of kinship with the principal. What Is the Financial Power of Attorney? attorneys may be fraudulent When you have the financial or general power of attorney (GPoA), you can act anytime on the issue of finance or law. This means paying bills and catering to everyday expenses while minimizing wastage and developing more assets. Here is a list of the most common rights of agents' financial powers: Access to bank accounts and personal documents. Making final legal and final decisions. Hiring assistants such as probate researchers assist with responsibilities. Handle investments and assets with utmost care. Free to use the investment or assets to benefit the principal. Charge a reasonable fee. The most common limitations of a financial power of attorney include: Invading personal boundaries beyond financial obligations. Misusing or neglecting assets. Risky investments or programs that jeopardize the principal's assets. Failure to take records or prove all transactions and engagements. Charging excessive fee. This is just an overview of what is likely to be in the power of attorney agreement, so it is wise to study your agreement with a lawyer. What Is the Medical Power of Attorney? Medical powers let them improve your well-being Medical or health power of attorney mainly handles the principal's medical issues, such as providing consent for treatment and guiding healthy living. A medical attorney-in-fact has the following rights: Ensuring the principal has medical treatment when necessary. Consent to medical procedures like surgeries on the principal's behalf. Guiding the principal on the appropriate medication. Choosing an assistant. Making medical claims. The most common limitations include: Interfering in legal or financial decisions. Withholding crucial treatment or care. Consenting to an abortion or electroconvulsive therapy on the principal's behalf. Most importantly, medical agents should keep neat records of every medical issue concerning the principal. So, if they want to switch agents, the neat records will help the new agents proceed seamlessly, minimizing the chances of the shift affecting the principal's health. If you're granted the medical power of attorney, it would be best to spend time with the principal to understand their needs and wishes and a picture of what to do in case they're incapacitated. Do I Need Probate If I Have Power of Attorney? Yes, you may need probate because you dealt with the principal's events in their lifetime. Still, the case is different when they die. Usually, after the principal's death, the estate is handled by the executor named in the Will. Nonetheless, the executor must go through the probate court to prove they have legal authority to handle the estate. The same happens for estate administrators the court chooses when the principal dies without a Will (intestate). How To Handle a Person Abusing Power of Attorney attorney-in-chief must follow the law Abusing the power of attorney is a serious issue for which legal action should be taken. So, the moment you sense that the agent or your sibling is abusing the power, consider consulting a power of attorney lawyer for the best way forward. Sometimes, siblings hesitate to speak out when their brother, sister, or relative misuses their power to avoid family conflicts. However, silence could jeopardize the principal's emotional, financial, and physical well-being. Below are the necessary steps to countering any abuse of power of attorney: Talk With the Agent Approaching the attorney-in-fact would be the first and best way to raise your concerns about how you think they're mishandling issues. Seek clarifications on issues of concern and request for records or evidence. While the approach may be daunting for a hostile power of attorney, it can help clarify any misunderstanding and save you the fees and time you'd take in court. Obtain Evidence or Clues It's always advisable to make your claim based on a valid claim, not baseless allegations that risk severing your relationship with the parties. The most important thing is obtaining hard evidence, such as records and clues, beyond a reasonable doubt. Sometimes, you may have to interact with the principal or access their home to look for the tell-tale signs. For example, lacking basic amenities and unpaid bills could signify neglect. At the same time, document forgery could be a tip of criminal activity. Contest The Power of Attorney The principal can revoke the power of attorney if they're competent. However, when they're incompetent, the only way to contest a power of attorney is by filing a court petition. The most important step before filing the petition is to consult a probate attorney and gather concrete evidence to prove that the agent is not worthy of proceeding with the role. Probate lawyers can help you draft and file the petition and make supporting arguments in court. Keep the Agents in Check A power of attorney helps businesses and families run smoothly regardless of the principal's input or health condition. However, beneficiaries, heirs, and other interested parties should observe the situation keenly to prevent the agents from misusing their authority. If you notice signs of abuse, it is crucial to move with haste and incorporate a skilled team of probate researchers and attorneys to stop the abuse in its tracks. You can avoid the stress related to the power of attorney by hiring Record Click experts to help you smoothly work out the entire probate process. Contact us today for a free consultation and kick-start the process. See Record Click's Heir Research Services, Costs, And Expectations.   #### Pre-1850 Research - The Hidden People Censuses Think of the missed opportunities — six times in 50 years, our government sent out enumerators to gather information about the U.S. population, but for some unfathomable reason, names, other than heads of households, were not deemed to be important. (It's enough to make a family historian want to reach through time, grab some public officials by their necks, and give them a good shaking.) The result is six censuses that too many genealogists ignore. Without all the names, how do we know who those hidden people are, represented simply by tally marks? If we have ancestors with fairly common names, how can we even be sure we are looking at the correct family? Worst of all, if the family moved, how do we find them? What we have, however, is better than nothing, and we should make the most of these early enumerations. 1790 doesn't offer much, just three age categories: males 16 and up, males under 16, total number of females, and slaves. But how exciting to see our ancestors counted in the first-ever United States census! To be confident we have found the correct family, we may need other sources such as church, town, probate, and tax records to corroborate the enumeration. Or, we may simply wind up with two or three good possibilities. By 1800 (and 1810, as the same form was used), we get additional age categories, making the family group more specific. And in 1820, although age categories are almost the same as in the previous two enumerations, important new questions were added. Don't fail to check out the four columns following the age fields: Foreigners Not Naturalized Persons Engaged in Agriculture Persons Engaged in Commerce Persons Engaged in Manufacture Some pages don't have the headings, so keep blank forms, readily available on the Internet, for each census year beside your computer, and then count over the columns to each tally mark, and use your blank to see what information has been recorded. By 1830, the government wanted to know more about the population (although not enough to ask for those coveted family names!), and ages are broken out by five-year groups. The same form was used in 1840, but it is important to know that both these enumerations have a Part 2. In 1830, this second part has information about slaves, with less specific age categories. Then, there are nine additional columns: for white people, five issues: deaf and dumb under 14, deaf and dumb 14-25, deaf and dumb 25 and up, blind, foreigners not naturalized (excuse the politically incorrect terminology). The remaining four columns ask the same questions of slaves, minus the "foreigners not naturalized." 1840 Part 2 is the best early enumeration. Specific questions, after the tallying of slaves by age and gender, go back to the 1820 focus on employment, adding new categories reflecting our growing nation: (1) Mining (2) Agriculture (3) Commerce (4) Manufacturing and Trades (5) Ocean Navigation (6) Canal, Lake, or River Navigation (7) Learned Professions and Engineers. The next two columns offer the first chance for a specific name other than head of the household, and a specific age. The focus is "Revolutionary or Military Service Pensioners in the Foregoing totals," requesting the individual’s name and age. That person might be head of the household, but generally not, due to advanced age. The remaining columns ask the disability questions seen on the 1830 form, plus categories for "Insane and Idiots" — whether living at private or public charge — and three final columns inquire about students in various schools, plus a final question asking the number of white people older than 20 who cannot read and write. Overall, wonderful specific information is hiding behind those innocuous tally marks, if you just take the time to locate Part 2. If you are researching on Ancestry, click the next image for all questions. Some information is transcribed on the initial page, but not all. Finally, if you are having trouble determining your correct family in the 1830 or 1840 enumerations, use a blank form to create a template of what the family group would have looked like, based on the 1850 census. My ancestor Alexander McMillen, his wife, and six children were living in Wisconsin in 1850, but I had not found them in 1840 when I knew they were living in New York, unfortunately along with many other Alexander McMillens. So, I subtracted 10 years from their 1850 ages and created an 1840 form that would represent the family then. I knew some children could have died or married, but at a minimum, those 1850 children and their parents should have been in the count. This way, I could eliminate other 1840 Alexander McMillens without the correct people in various age and gender groups, and voilà, I found them in Livingston County, New York. Detective work can be rewarding, especially when it involves your personal genealogy. Don't ignore these early censuses because of vague tally marks. If you reach a genealogical research obstacle, consider contacting a genealogy research service that can assist you in your ancestor search. The genealogists at RecordClick are ready to help you trace family history. These professional family history researchers will help turn hidden people into found treasures — your family! Photo courtesy Library of Congress - "Taking the Census" (sketch by Thomas Worth); published 1870 Harper's Weekly. #### Probate and Genealogy - Inheriting the Details for Your Ancestor Search Probate cases are death records that keep on giving. This RecordClick genealogist has quite a number of probate documents filed away because they provide insight into the life of the deceased and have helped me find living family members. Probate documents may be better than a death certificate. While a death certificate may provide information on a spouse and parents, probate documents list descendants and heirs. Found gold! Probate cases are typically found in lower courts, such as a county court. If an estate is complicated, or if there is a dispute of some kind, these records may be extensive. There are four basic steps in a probate case: Appointment of an administrator. This person will represent the deceased and the decedent's family in the handling of the estate paperwork. The listing of the assets of the deceased. Usually there is something of value involved, such as the ownership of property. In my work as a professional genealogist, I have also seen cases where livestock was the item of worth. The listing of the liabilities of the deceased. Taxes and bills must be paid before an estate is settled. It is likely that the deceased dealt with people that he or she knew, and these listed people may provide additional information for the genealogical researcher during the ancestor search.  The distribution of remaining property. This will include a list of descendants and/or heirs. This probate list often details the residence of these individuals. My g-g-uncle Frank Bachenberg had a simple probate case. He was married twice, and each wife died young. He had no offspring and died Intestate in November 1920. At the time of his death, Frank's most valuable asset was an 80-acre farm in Pawnee County, Nebraska. His brothers, George and John Bachenberg were appointed administrators in December 1920. At the time of their appointment as administrators, the heirs’ relationship to my g-g-uncle, as well as the heirs’ residences are listed. Handwritten notes from the administrators are included below in italics: Elizabeth Wischmeier, a sister of University Place, Nebraska (Miller, Neb) Philip Bachenberg, a brother, of Bisbee, Arizona (county farm) George Bachenberg, a brother, of Armour, Nebraska Mary Beck, a sister, of Danville, Iowa John Bachenberg, a brother, of Lewiston, Nebraska, and George Bachenberg, Walter Bachenberg, Sylvester Bachenberg and Arthur Bachenberg, nephews, the only children and descendants of William Bachenberg, deceased, who was a brother of the said Frank Bachenberg, deceased, and Eden Peter Bachenberg (Bur), Charlie Bachenberg (Lewiston), Fred L. Bachenberg (Pawnee), Alva Harold Bachenberg (Bur), Omer Glen Bachenberg (Lincoln), and Emma D.O. Bachenberg (Lincoln), nephews and niece, the only children and descendants of Peter Bachenberg, deceased, who was a brother of the said Frank Bachenberg, deceased. . . After the Assets and Liabilities had been ascertained, there was $4,876.68 to be distributed to the heirs of Frank Bachenberg. The decree of final settlement and distribution was filed in County Court of Pawnee County, Nebraska, in March of 1922. The list of heirs at law were: Elizabeth Wischmeier, a sister, of Miller, Nebraska Philip Bachenberg, a brother, of Bisbee, Arizona George Bachenberg, a brother, of Armour, Nebraska Mary Beck, a sister, of Danville, Iowa John Bachenberg, a brother, of Lewiston, Nebraska George Bachenberg, Walter Bachenberg, Sylvester Bachenberg, and Arthur Bachenberg, nephews, the only children and descendants of William Bachenberg, deceased, who was a brother of Frank Bachenberg, deceased Eden Peter Bachenberg, Charlie Bachenberg, Fred L. Bachenberg, Alva Harold Bachenberg, Omer Glen Bachenberg, and Emma D.O. Bachenberg, nephews and niece, the only children and descendants of Peter Bachenberg, deceased, who was a brother of Frank Bachenberg, deceased The probate documents give details of where the siblings of Frank Bachenberg lived in 1920 and 1922 and gives the married names of his sisters. A genealogical researcher can now go to the 1920 U.S. Census and then follow the family forward in the 1930 and 1940 censuses or trace family tree information backward from that year. The probate document indicates to the family history researcher that the Bachenbergs did not move often. All were living in the same location in both 1920 and 1922, except for Elizabeth Wischmeier. Because of a notation on the first list of heirs, the genealogist will see that she likely relocated from University Place, Nebraska, to Miller, Nebraska, shortly after Frank Bachenberg’s death. Probate documents help a genealogist by providing names, relationships, dates and places. This valuable information may be used to substantiate what is already known or indicate places for the family historian to trace family history. Death is not an end for a genealogist. It is a beginning. The genealogical researchers at RecordClick are ready to seek information for you that will break through your ancestor search barriers. We develop a family history research strategy to get you the desired family history documents. #### Probate Cost - So How Much Does it Cost? As much as we all love breathing, we all owe life a death, an inevitable death which at times comes without warning. Many people prepare a will in anticipation of their death, so that there won’t be any conflict between the heirs. Some people register themselves as sole owners of real estate assets. A probate is required before the properties of such people is transferred to their beneficiaries. The probate process involves gathering the deceased persons assets, settling debts and taxes they owed after which what’s left is distributed to their beneficiaries. So how much does it cost? The cost of filling for probate usually vary depending on the value of the estate. For instance, in the UK the fee charged for assets valued at more than £5000 is £215. Otherwise, an estate whose value is lower than £5000 won’t be charged any fees. On the other hand, In California, only properties whose value exceed $150,000 incur probate costs. The cost of filling a petition in California is $435. You'll also have to fork out another $435 for the distribution of the estates between the beneficiaries. On average, the costs for the probate probate process can be as high as 10 percent of the estate's value. Why is the probate expensive? Apart from the probate process being daunting and taking too much of your time, you’ll have to part away with a substantial portion of the estate in question in probate costs. Here is a look at some the costs incurred during this process: Court fees: Probate court requires that you pay a statutory fee to file the documents required for the probate process. The amount charged by the court is usually determined by state statutes. As such the fee you’ll pay will depend on where you reside the value of the estate in question. Attorney wages: In most cases the attorney's fees take is the most exorbitant in the expenses ranking. Attorney's fees are usually dependent on the individual attorneys wage rate, the complexity of the task at hand, and the estate's valuation. Some attorney charge their services on a per hour basis while others will quote their wages as percentage of the gross estates worth. A lawyers wage rate can be heightened by factors such as ownership wrangles amongst the inheritors. Executor fees: Most people include the stipend that should be paid to executors in the wills content. Nonetheless, suppose the figure was not quoted in the will, the states laws will determine the compensation awarded to the executor. This figure usually ranges between 3 to 4 percent of the estate value. The executors are usually paid after their administration of the will. Appraisal fee: There may be need to determine the worth of properties like artwork, jewelry, real estates, vehicles, and so on. You may have to part away with hundreds or even thousands of dollars in appraisal fees. Bond expenses: It is a requirement by most jurisdictions that a bond be posted by an executor before their appointment as personal representatives to the estate. This prerequisite is meant to protect the beneficiary fraudulent acts. The executor is reimbursed at the end of the probate proceedings. Accounting expenses: Accountants are needed to perform services like filing of income tax and estate tax returns, taking care of tax issues pertaining to the sale of property among other services. Accountants typically charge their fee depending on the complexity of the task and the value of the deceased persons estates.   Some other costs that you may incur include taxes, insurance, payment of debts owed to creditors, and other miscellaneous expense such as payment for the transfer of ownership of assets like vehicles. You can cut down on the costs incurred by your beneficiaries during probate by limiting the number of assets that go through the process during your estate planning process. Better still you can avoid the whole process. How to avoid probate Creation of a revocable living trust: Unlike in a probate court proceedings, a trust enables you to revoke or change the trust whenever you deem appropriate. Upon your death, your appointed beneficiary resumes its ownership. Use-on- transfer-on-death accounts: You can create these accounts with you bank of choosing. The contents of the accounts will be transferred to the person(s) you named when you die. Owning property jointly: Owning a property a property jointly gives your partner ownership rights. As such, the law bars your property from being subject to these procedure. Distribute your property in form of gifts before you die. As such you’ll be removing assets from your personal estate thereby avoiding probate as well as taxes given that gifts are tax free. The transfer of ownership can be very expensive. Avoid the court route by ensuring that your property are well accounted for such that your beneficiary incur little on no costs when you die. #### Probate Fraud: How To Counter It In Estate Settlement Probate fraud is immoral, but cases are still prevalent. While the death of a loved one makes people naturally upset, it may not be the case for everyone. Some see it as an opportunity to defraud the decedent or the beneficiaries soon before or after death. The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners recently reported probate fraud costs exceeding $185 million. Similarly, 50% of estate practitioners admitted to having encountered this crime. Anyone can plan to tamper with probate, including those you trust most, like professionals, friends, and family. In particular, the executors can misuse the power bestowed upon them to manipulate figures and benefit from the Estate unfairly. Therefore, the importance of vigilance can't be understated, especially as you come to terms with losing a loved one. Key Takeaways Probate fraud is any malpractice related to establishing a will or the distribution of the estate. Common examples that lead to litigation include undue influence in will execution, unauthorized transactions, and changes in beneficiary designation. Record Click is committed to providing exceptional genealogy services and helping you find the best attorney. What is Probate Fraud? Probate fraud Probate fraud is any malpractice related to the process of creating a will or administration and distribution of the decedent's estate. It can take different forms, from coercing will-creation to retitling or forging documents and accounts before or after the decedent's demise. Other common examples that lead to litigation include: Undue influence in will execution Unauthorized transactions Changes in beneficiary designation Accounting, trustee, or executor fraud. Some jurisdictions have a time frame within which you can file a dispute, and the deadline may vary with your notice type and the sensitivity of the raised issues. You must identify your situation among the following examples to initiate litigation. Will Contest When you want to challenge the validity of the presented Will. Executor Appointments There's little you can do when the will clearly designates an executor and is affirmed by the probate registrar. However, if the designated executor cannot take up the role for some reason or if the decedent dies intestate, disputes may arise on who best fits the role. In this case, having an experienced litigation attorney is vital to tell when someone lies or presents weak evidence. It's also worth noting that the registrar usually allocates a short time for the administration case, meaning that evidentiary failures and improper procedures may result in the wrong person being designated as the estate administrator. Executor Fraud When an estate executor commits fraud or overcharges an estate distribution task, an interested party may initiate litigation through a probate attorney. Executors and administrators may be fraudulent The professional can apply evidentiary rules and follow the procedures to convince the judge and prompt the executor to return fees. Formal Accountings When you think the administrator or executor has committed fraud, you can seek the attorney's help in gathering the evidence and proving the crime before a judge. Trustee Removal You can initiate litigation when you notice a trustee or beneficiary of an estate was included wrongfully. Spousal Elective Share Fraud In this case, a person falsely submits a claim of the estate share as the decedent's spouse. If you believe that someone's information was misrepresented or fraud occurred at any stage of the process, the first step should be to contact an attorney. Experienced attorneys will help you unearth crucial details to support your case, take over the litigation, and stop fraudsters. Even if your situation falls short of meeting fraudulent elements, an experienced attorney can help you receive what you deserve. How To Prove Probate Fraud in Court Probate Fraud Cases must provide substantial evidenece Proving fraud can be complex, especially when involving a series of fraudulent transactions. Therefore, gathering adequate evidence, including witness interviews, depositions, and subpoenaed documents, is vital. If, for example, you claim that the crime occurred when the testator was living, the court will need to understand the circumstances under which pressure was exerted and how it influenced the fraud. Most probate cases apply the "clear and convincing" standard of evidence, meaning there should be an extremely high probability of the presented facts being accurate. All this can be stressful when you want to prove you're an heir whom the administrator does not consider for unknown reasons. Luckily, professional genealogists can help you trace all the heirs of an estate and provide the testimony before a probate judge. Forensic genealogists at Record Click will help produce a clear and accurate family tree detailing several generations of living and deceased beneficiaries and relatives. With these details, the estate administrator can contact all beneficiaries and map out how they plan to distribute the estate as per the intestacy laws. How To Find the Best Firm for Probate Fraud Litigation attorneys, executors, and genealogists are bound by the law Unlike civil or other criminal litigations, probate fraud litigation is based on estate law and requires attorneys well-versed in the field. Therefore, when considering initiating a case, you must choose a firm with experienced attorneys ready to explain the laws and process clearly and concisely. Moreover, the legal professionals should make the process easy for you and help you win the case by making a top-notch representation that'll help reach best probate decisions for you and your relatives. Stand Up for Your Right The probate process is stressful and can worsen when faced with a fraud matter. At Record Click, we are committed to providing exceptional genealogy services to detail how you tie to the testator and present the information to a judge. Contact us to learn how we can help find the best probate attorney and take the heavy burden off your shoulders. READ MORE: Record Click’s Heir Research Services, Costs, And Expectations.     #### Probate Genealogist - A Match Made in Heaven Dealing with death can be grim stuff for the family of the deceased, but it is a fact of life - one with legal ramifications to boot. For survivors and heirs, probate allows for the dispersal of an estate, especially land, which back in the day when there weren't the savings accounts, retirement accounts, or pensions we have now, was the thing of value people could own. Probate also gives family historians insight into the life of the deceased.  Maybe that is why this RecordClick's probate genealogist like it so much. In one of my recent articles on probate - Using Probate In Genealogical Research: What Was The Family Really Like? - I wrote about the appointment of an administrator or personal representative and the role that individual plays in the settlement of an estate. In this article, however, I am going to address the probate process, which has several logical steps: Appointment of an administrator to oversee the probate process Conducting a property inventory to determine what needs to be dispersed (think assets) Paying debts and taxes (debits) Distributing the remaining property The process seems simple enough but, as someone quite wise once stated, "the devil is in the details."* These details are what provide information for the genealogical researcher. There are three things the probate genealogist needs to keep in mind. First, the law is not static – it has changed a great deal over the past several hundred years. This includes how an estate is dispersed. Second, there is a legal term called "Joint Tenants With Right of Survivorship (JTWROS for short)" that has been in existence since circa 1900. Basically, when a couple enters into a business venture, such as purchasing a house or starting a stock portfolio, they may sign a document agreeing that when one dies the other is the owner. In this case, for the first individual who dies there may not be a will or probate. Third, the probate genealogist process can be challenged at any stage. It isn’t over until it’s over and signed off by the judge. So what might be a situation for which a genealogist should search for a probate? Although there are many answers, one of the most common is when land or real estate is involved. Keep in mind that the banking industry one hundred or more years ago was not like it is now. There weren't the savings accounts, retirement accounts or pensions we have now. The land was the thing of value people could own. My g-g-uncle Frank didn’t have much when he died in 1920. He had been married twice, but both wives died. There were no children. What Frank did have was an 80-acre farm in Pawnee County, Nebraska; disposing of the property made probate necessary. Frank died in November. His brothers George and John were appointed administrators of the estate in December. The initial court document gave the estimated amount of the estate and listed the heirs, their relationship to Frank, and their residence. Listing of Assets While the first step in the probate process is the appointment of an administrator, the second step in the  process is the listing of assets. In Frank’s case it was: Personal estate of descendant – his clothes and furniture $179.00 The sale of his crop of oats, August 1921 43.95 The sale of 1921 wheat 108.83 Pasture rent for a portion of 1921 25.00 Pasture rent for the balance of 1921 to Jan. 1, 1922 50.00 Proceeds of the sale of the property 6500.00 For a total of $6906.78 Payment of Claims The third step is the payment of claims as allowed by the court. Included in this part are a loss on the corn crop, purchase of fence posts, payment of taxes and court costs, a list of people to whom Frank owed money and the amount each was paid and, finally, the cost of a tombstone and perpetual care of the grave: Loss on sale of corn $44.57 1921 expenses: fence posts, 1920 taxes, court costs 165.70 1922 expenses: Claims 869.00 Court costs 331.45 Abstract of title 9.00 1921 taxes 134.75 Monument & grave care 475.00 For a total of $2030.10 It should be remembered that the people Frank owed money to were most likely family members, friends, or business associates, and they may be of interest to the genealogist. Their records or papers may provide insight into Frank or information about his life. A doctor’s bill could tell us what Frank’s illness was. Funeral information might let us know where he was buried. The estate had $4876.68 to be dispersed. Next time, I’ll discuss what is usually the final step in a probate case – the settlement of the estate. Court records are some of the best sources for genealogists. A growing number of land records, wills, and probates are online. If you need help finding a court document; understanding a deed, will, or probate; or integrating new information into your family history, consider using one of the expert genealogists at RecordClick. Our network of researchers can help make the search a little easier. The origination of the idiom "the devil is in the details" is not known specifically; however, it has been attributed to various architects, writers, and poets - from Gustave Flaubert to Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. Photo courtesy of Joan Shurtliff #### Professional Ancestry Research Finds Lots of Names in the Family of Jerry Lewis It is the 90th birthday of comedian Jerry Lewis. Yes, March 16, 1926, he was born in Newark, New Jersey. The world famous comedian, director, fundraiser, star is known through the world as Jerry Lewis. As in the case of many stage names, it is somewhat related to his birth name. How? The initials are the same. Stage names run in his family. His father, also, had a stage name: Danny Lewis. And his was also nominally related to his birth name, too--by the initials. So begins the story of these two men and their real names. Daniel Levitch, the father and Jerome/Joseph Levitch, the son. Both were performers. The mother, Rae/Rachel Brodsky Lewis, was also a performer. She played the piano for the radio and was her husband’s musical director. The family spent time performing in the Catskills. Let’s look at Jerry Lewis’s father. According to the 1915 U.S. Census, Daniel Levitch was born in New York. His Social Security Death Index card lists him by his stage name, Danny Lewis, and has his birthday as April 11, 1907 and his date of death as November 1980. His last residence is listed as Las Vegas, Nevada. The 1915 U.S. Census gives the professional ancestry researcher some details including that Jerry Lewis’s paternal grandfather, Danny Lewis’s father-- Morris Levitch, is listed as age 42 and a peddler. The wife of Morris is listed as Hannah, age 38. Jerry’s father Daniel was just age 13 and had a sister Gertrude, age 9. They lived at 37 Grafton Street, Kings County (Brooklyn), New York City. When doing professional ancestry research, it is good to go back as far as you can. Here, going back five years, in the 1910 census, Morris is listed as a retail merchant—food. They were living on Grafton Street then, too. They had been in the U.S. nine years meaning they came to this country in around 1901. For someone doing professional ancestry research, the census can give more names than expected. Here in the 1910 census, the very exciting piece of information comes on the Levitch family’s last line. It notes that an Isaac Werstein is living with the family. Though the cover sheet says Merstein, close examination of the actual handwritten script indicates that it is a W not an M. Isaac Werstein is listed as age 76. He is a retail merchant—food, just as Morris Levitch is. Perhaps they were in business together. The really great piece of genealogical information is that he is listed as the father-in-law. So this is Hannah Levitch’s father. And now we have her maiden name: Werstein. We also have Jerry Lewis’s paternal great grandfather’s name. Fast forward and you’ll see in the 1940 census, Morris and Hannah are still alive and living at 124 Herzel Street, Kings County (Brooklyn).  The census says both are age 65. That doesn’t look accurate when compared to the earlier census. All of the census listings say Morris and Hannah Levitch were each born in Russia. He was educated through fifth grade. She went through seventh grade. When we look more for Jerry Lewis’s father, we can find his grave in Nevada. On the Find-a-Grave listing, Jerry Lewis’s mother/Danny Lewis’s spouse is listed as Rachel. When we go to her grave, we get a bit more information on Jerry Lewis’s mother. She was born in Poland on Dec 26, 1903 and she died in Las Vegas on Feb 18, 1983. Her place of birth is listed as Warsaw, Mazowieckie, Poland. We also get Rae/Rachel’s parents’ names: Joseph Brodsky (whose Hebrew name was Baruch Tzvi) who was born in about 1858 in Russia and died in the Bronx, New York, on December 7, 1922. We also learn that his wife, Sasha Brodsky died on May 16, 1941. Both of Jerry Lewis’s maternal grandparents are listed as buried in Newark, New Jersey in the Grove Street Cemetery. Digging a little bit further, we see that Sasha Brodsky died many years after Joseph. Notes by a relative on the Find A Grave entry give us some more information about her. When doing professional ancestry research, one must always pays attention to relatives’ recollections. They do provide lots of material that fills in the blanks. First, we find that her name was likely Sarah, her maiden name Kaufman and her father’s name Abraham or possibly Avram. She had a second husband, Sam Rothman. She had four daughters in total—Rose, Jean, Rachel/Rae, and Elizabeth. Relatives’ notes say that her first husband Joseph was a tailor who came to the U.S. first and then sent for Sasha/Sarah and their three daughters. Notes also say that she worked as a tailor in the U.S. and died during an operation on an ulcerated leg. According to the relative’s notes, Jerry Lewis’s grandmother Sasha/Sarah called Jerry Lewis “Joseph” after her first husband, his grandfather, who had passed away four years before Jerry was born. This is likely his Hebrew name with his legal name being Jerome. Names. Names. Names. Stage names. Given names. Hebrew names. These are the elements of professional ancestry research. So, this genealogist will say Happy Birthday to Jerry Lewis, Jerome Levtich, Yosef Levitch. Whatever his name is in the universe, we are glad he is still with us and wish him health to 120 years. When you hire a genealogist at RecordClick, you get professional ancestry research that will uncover the names, the places, and the people in your family tree. #### Professional Genealogist Shares Tips on British Genealogy Paul Revere’s call into the cold New England night echoes differently to the British genealogist - no longer a warning, but an invitation. Do those branches of your English family tree tempt you to book a flight, reserve some quaint bed-and-breakfast near your ancestral roots, and plan to bury yourself in genealogical research for several weeks? As Eliza Doolittle says in My Fair Lady, "Wouldn't it be loverly?" But the financial realities of such a genealogy-dream-come-true break that bubble rather quickly. The average genealogical researcher must find ways to pursue those British lines from the wwww (Wonderful World-Wide Web). Considering the main Internet sites as "Genealogy for Free" and "Genealogy for Fee," first we should exhaust the free sites. Therefore, when we do pay for research, we know as much as possible to utilize our budget on fee sites. For British genealogy, FamilySearch offers the most free information. This amazing site constantly uploads original documents and transcriptions. The site's search engine is excellent, bringing up close matches (more than a hundred variations for "Catherine"), and containing vast databases for the British genealogist. To access all their images, you need to sign up for a free account; otherwise, you can view only transcriptions. From their main search page, scroll to the bottom and click on "United Kingdom and Ireland." Here you will find more than 50 databases focusing specifically on England, and dozens more for other UK locations. Note the camera icons, indicating actual record images. The others are transcriptions, but offering a wide variety of information ranging from probate records to parish registers, marriage bonds, vital records indexes, and much more. To view some of the images, you will be directed to a fee "partner site" called Findmypast. There you will have to either pay for a subscription (recommended if you have numerous British lines), or buy credits to view actual documents on a one-by-one basis. Another aspect of the FamilySearch site is the rich Family History Library Catalog. If you have dreamed of a trip to the "Candy Store" in Salt Lake City, but live too far away, use this catalog and order microfilms that will be delivered to your local Family History Center. Begin by selecting the "Place Search" button found on the Family History Library Catalog website (link above). From researching the British censuses, you should have an idea of where your English ancestors were born. The Family History Library (FHL) parish record books stretch back into the 1500s. Imagine finding birth, marriage, and burial records for your family going back 500 years! Many families were born, married, and died in the same small parishes for dozens of generations. These records aren't totally free: microfilm rentals vary according to location, but generally cost $5.50 — what a bargain! The second significant free site is Find A Grave, which has recently changed its policy to allow photograph requests for foreign gravestones. If you don’t find the burial you are seeking, but know the cemetery name, enter an individual memorial page and click "Request a Photograph." This worldwide database currently has more than 100 million burials, and is growing daily. A third important free site for British genealogy is GENUKI. Organized by historic counties, this site provides an excellent compilation of references to search, organizations to contact, and general guidelines. After pursuing your British genealogical lines for free, it's time for the fee sites, the most important being Ancestry.com. Although some databases are free, you do pay for the majority, but compared to spending even two nights at that dream bed-and-breakfast, this is a bargain, offering document images and transcriptions in numbers unimaginable even ten years ago. Don't wait for the "shaking green leaf" suggesting various records. Actively seek the British genealogy databases. From the "Search" button on the home page, select "Search All Records," and scroll down to the U.S. map, above which is the "UK & Ireland" button. In the next screen with a map of the British Isles, find the "England" link in the lower left corner. That opens hundreds of databases devoted to British genealogy, containing tens of millions of records. You will find a wealth of resources that few Ancestry subscribers ever utilize. Without even knowing of his military service, I found an ancestor's actual citation for the Distinguished Medal received in World War I. These resources represent the high points for the British genealogy researcher, but if you find yourself in need of professional assistance from a genealogist, contact Record Click. Our British ancestors are waiting to be found by the dedicated family historian, and learning about their lives can be a "loverly" pursuit. Patricia Dingwall Thompson's articles can be found in the New England Historic Genealogical Society magazine American Ancestors (Spring 2012), on Everton's Genealogical Helper website, and serialized in the New Hampshire Genealogical Record. A number of her researched genealogies are housed in the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. Having taught high school Advanced Placement English for 38 years, Tricia now teaches genealogy classes through the Bozeman School District's Adult Education program, and serves as Registrar for the Mount Hyalite DAR Chapter. #### Professional Genealogist Tom MacEntee on Ancestry Research Photo courtesy of Thomas MacEntee This native Up-State New Yorker, who has quite literally taken the art and strategy of genealogy research to the air- and cyber-waves of electronic media, has really made the grade. Thomas MacEntee has achieved an impressive presence on Facebook, Twitter, BlogTalkRadio, and the blogosphere. He also lectures at genealogical societies and conferences throughout the U.S. In early 2012 almost 700 genealogists and family historians were polled by the Canada-based Anglo-Celtic Connections website to select the Top 10 Genealogy Rock Stars. Thomas MacEntee landed in the Top 5, and we are lucky to have him share his insight on how genealogy research is being impacted by new technology. RC: How important is social media to the world of genealogy? How has it helped? How has it hurt? TM: I think that the use of social media is very important to the world of genealogy and its impact will continue to grow in the next few years. Social media’s two main benefits to genealogists have been: a) enabling the expansion of the genealogy industry through increased awareness of family history by the general public and b) the ability to connect and collaborate with other genealogists. RC: In what ways do you think digitization of records is changing the field of genealogy and the genealogist's role? TM: Digitization of records is a blessing, but without proper stewardship from the genealogy community, could turn into a curse. Here’s what I mean: as Americans we are used to instant results and instant gratification. Having greater access to online records has helped many of us get access to documents that were heretofore only accessible in person at a repository or by ordering microfilms from a Family Search Center. At the same time, we’re seeing newcomers to the field harboring misconceptions as to online records availability and a sense of being "done" with one's research if it isn't online. This is where we need to become stewards for genealogy education and guide newcomers to the realities of research and records access. RC: If you could choose any database to be digitized next, which would you choose? Do you have any "favorite" digitized databases that maybe our readers don't know about? TM: My favorite database right now is the War of 1812 Pension Files which are being digitized at Fold3 and through the financial support of the genealogy community via the Preserve the Pensions project at the Federation of Genealogical Societies. The reason I feel this set is so important is that it helps provide information on our ancestors who aren't listed by name in the 1790 – 1850 US Census records. And folks need to understand the nature of these pension files! Don’t think that just because you didn't have a War of 1812 ancestor that you won’t find anything of value in the records. The truth is that the files are filled with witness statements and affidavits, even letters, from relatives and neighbors of the veteran or his widow and children petitioning for a pension. RC: What are your thoughts on DNA testing? Will it substantially change genealogy and the role of genealogists in the future? TM: I’m excited about DNA genealogy testing but also worried, more so about the privacy issues related the results (where are they stored, who has access, etc.). I've done several tests and I continue to be fascinated by the results. Over the next 10 years, I predict that not only will more genealogists start using DNA testing to prove or disprove research theories, but it will also help bring in new people to the field of family history. I don’t think DNA testing will change the fundamentals of genealogy research; however, it will function as a new tool to provide evidence during the research process. RC: What is your definition of forensic genealogy, and do you think this field of study will elevate genealogy to a more recognizable and important entity in investigations? TM: From my perspective, forensic genealogy relates to resolving legal issues such as relationships in a probate case, locating next of kin to claim a body at the county morgue, etc. But in essence, isn't all genealogy forensic in nature? I think that the field is going through a process of self-definition among its practitioners, and this will, in fact, not only elevate this sub-section of genealogy, but also make the entire field of genealogy more attractive. I've always said that genealogy was much like CSI work (and "without the icky bodies' like the television shows). Just as the criminology field has seen a big jump in younger people interested in this type of work, the forensic aspect of genealogy could do the same for our field. RC: Your involvement with ReelGenie seems to be a perfect match? Tell us more about the product and where you see it going. You referred to it as "The Genealogy Technology to Watch in 2013." Can you elaborate on this? TM: I can only say so much about ReelGenie right now, but I am so excited about this new product that it is difficult sometimes to contain myself. Here is what I can say: one of the growing challenges for family historians is what to do with all the research, the family photos, and the written narratives one has worked on over the years. Wouldn't it be great to transform these items into a compelling visual piece of media to share with family and friends? Think video, think "do-it-yourself" and think "storytelling." RC: You specialize in the use of technology and social media to improve genealogical research. What aspect of genealogy research do you believe can never be replaced by technology? What aspect of ancestry searches could be made better by technology? TM: Analysis and proof will never be replaced by technology, although tools will make it easier for genealogists to review all the evidence and make suggestions as to the components of the proof argument. We already have some of these: timeline apps and websites let us view an ancestor’s work life or migration patterns easily; the same for mapping programs where we can pin our research points and get a better picture of what happened where and when. But nothing will replace the "noggin" and thankfully so. If technology could do the analysis and proof for us, then wouldn't it not only take all the fun out of the "hunt," but also make genealogy less meaningful? RC: What do you think precipitated the recent interest in family history? Is it because more records are available on the Internet, or something else? TM: My theory on the increased interest in family history has to do with technology, actually. As we spend more time on the Internet, we become more isolated. We want to connect more with family, friends, and other like-minded individuals. We also want to know more about who we are and where we came from. Combine all that with a greater awareness as to family medical history, and then add the Baby Boomers who have a strong sense of nostalgia and are retiring in greater numbers every day, and BOOM! That's right . . . a Genealogy Boom! RC: How important is it to be a Certified Genealogist? Do you think it is necessary to be a CG to be taken seriously in the industry? TM: I think it is important to be the best possible person in terms of doing what you love. For some of us, that means attaining certain goals and meeting standards whether you are a professional genealogist or not. While I don’t think having a CG or any of the other certifications in the field is mandatory to be a good genealogist, it is something I personally intend to pursue. I don’t believe in doing anything half way. My plans are to work on my CG in 2013 and get "on the clock" very soon. If I succeed it will be a great accomplishment. If I fail, I know I will still have learned a great deal about my skills, my research habits, and about genealogy. RC: You said that you split your time among three areas: 50% consulting, 30% speaking engagements, 20% freelance writing assignments. Do you still do any genealogy research for clients or for yourself? TM: I am winding down on doing client research for the time being, but I do a few hours each week on my own projects to hone my skills and, of course, to solve those family mysteries. RC: What was your favorite genealogical research project? What was your most difficult? TM: My favorite project lately has been working on my MacEntee line and trying to connect it with the rather famous McEntee family of Ulster County, New York. This might be where DNA testing, as mentioned above, will be needed to solve the issues. RC: Do you have a favorite ancestor in your genealogy tree, perhaps one that is most like you? If so, who is it and why? TM: My favorite ancestor is Johannes Putman (1645-1680) who was my 9th great-grandfather. He arrived in Schenectady, New York, from Holland and was killed in the Schenectady Massacre of 1680 along with his wife and 24 others. His children were taken off to Canada and later escaped to return to New York. It was his story that first got me interested in genealogy over 20 years ago. RC: Have you hit a genealogy brick wall? How did you break through it? TM: I've hit many "brick walls," but I prefer to call them speed bumps on my genealogy highway. I don’t believe in barriers, and many times we construct our own brick walls through lack of proper research techniques or by not being able to stand back and look at the bigger picture. Also, I’m never afraid to ask for help! I don’t see it as a sign of weakness . . . in fact, often a second set of eyes will lend that perspective I need to make progress in my research. RC: Since you are a Top 10 Genealogy Rock Star, which iconic performer represents your style? TM: David Bowie. RC: Your blog profile says your favorite books are "coloring books." Do you like to color inside the lines or outside? Does your preference relate to the way you deal with your business? If so, how? TM: Outside the lines. In fact, I try not to see the lines. I don’t believe in barriers and thankfully I wasn't raised that way. I come from a long line of ancestors who refused to live within the confines that society dictated for them. When I started my genealogy business, if I had listened to all those who said I couldn't do what I was trying to do, I would probably have walked away. I see things differently than most people, and I have a different vision about genealogy than most. This doesn't mean my vision doesn't intersect and share qualities with the vision of others. I just tend to have a highly-defined vision with a look towards the future. This is why I name my business High-Definition Genealogy. Don't forget to visit Thomas MacEntee's Geneabloggers website, and take in the advice of a couple thousand genealogists and lineage researchers. Put the advice to work for you, but if you hit a genealogy brick wall and need the assistance of a professional genealogist, or you are ready to enter the world of DNA genealogy testing, contact Record Click. #### Professional Genealogy Research is an Occupation that Uses the Census Professional genealogy research usually includes work with the census. The professional ancestry research will focus on the vital records that provide details on birth, marriage, children and death. For this RecordClick genealogist, there is one section of every U.S. Census that has been around an awfully long time and is frequently overlooked. This is the column that provides insight for the family history researcher and can hint at some very good stories. The section: Occupation. The first census that looked at Occupation was in 1820. The census takers made it plain, simple and basic. The question on the census asked whether the individual was involved in Agriculture or Commerce. If the respondent listed Agriculture, he or she probably lived on a farm. Those who answered Commerce mostly likely lived in a town or city. The 1850 census was the first census to name all individuals in the household and, for each, the occupation was listed. This column on the census should be noted by every genealogist. Sometimes this professional genealogist feels like a broken record because I keep reminding family history researchers of the many clues in each census which lead to important information and insight. If the descendants of Charles A. Lindbergh were to hire a genealogist, they would be able to get lots of information from their family history researcher from the census records. Yes, the census records provide vague clues to Charles A. Lindbergh’s best known accomplishment, which as many a genealogy researcher may recall, was his solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean in the Spirit of St. Louis in 1927. Born in 1902, Lindbergh’s childhood consisted of his parents separating and attendance at a number of different schools. While he grew up, however, so did the aviation industry and his eyes turned toward the skies. In 1920, Charles Lindbergh was living with his mother in Morrison County, Minnesota. Although he was 18, no occupation is listed for him on the census for that time. In the 1920s, Lindbergh spent time studying the occupation that became his passion – aviation, although according to the 1940 U.S. Census, he is only listed as having one year of college. During this period, airplanes began to change war, community, and business. With World War I, planes and pilots changed the nature of warfare. Communities began to notice planes with excitement when a barnstormer flew in. Many young men of the era with mechanical talent learned how to build an airplane. And, in people’s lives and business, a system called “Air Mail” improved timing on movement of letters and packages from days to hours. For a time, Lindbergh was an Air Mail pilot—not noted on the census. He then set his sights on conquering the Atlantic. By 1930, he had more than made a name for himself and was an “aeronautical technical advisor”. On May 27, 1929, he married Anne Morrow (b. June 22, 1906, d. Feb 7, 2001), daughter of a businessman, ambassador and U.S. Senator Dwight Morrow and poet and women’s education advocate Elizabeth Cutter Morrow. She had received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Smith College the year before. Lindbergh’s flying successes insured his financial future. Anne set a straight course on her career as well. She was his copilot for many flights and combined parenthood and writing which was her Occupation in the 1940 census. As for Charles, his Occupation was simply Aviation. The couple was famous together and as also individually. Charles Lindbergh was the dashing pioneer whose occupation was AviatoAnne Morrow Lindbergh achieved much including becoming the first U.S. woman to get her glider pilot's license. Her Occupation included being a prolific writer of novels, poetry and inspirational volumes. Each Occupation listed for them on the periodic Census provides only a glimpse of who they each became. When you hire a genealogist, you will get someone whose job is to make your family’s stories come to life through research and insight. The professional genealogy research provided by the genealogists at RecordClick will help you learn who your relatives were and what they did. #### Professional Genealogy Research Turns up a Touch ‘o the Irish in Bing Crosby ‘Tis that time of the year again when just about everyone wants to do some professional genealogy research to find a bit of the green to claim as part of their heritage. This RecordClick genealogist has less than a pinch in my ancestry, so I’ve decided to go looking for someone with more. Who better than Father O’Malley of Going My Way fame – Bing Crosby? Bing Crosby’s Irish family – on his mother’s side – is a good example of not fitting a regular path of Irish immigrants. They didn’t leave Ireland because of the potato famine. Nor were they part of the teaming masses of Irish immigrants who entered the United States through Castle Garden and settled in New York City. When doing professional genealogy research, we genealogists know that every family’s story is different. Bing Crosby’s search, however, begins in the usual fashion with the 1920 U.S. Census. Just a reminder: when using the census, a genealogy researcher needs to look at more than one or two people and check more than one page. Bing (given name Harry L.) was born in May 1903 in the state of Washington. The 1920 U.S. Census was enumerated in January in Spokane. The Crosby family is found on two pages: At the bottom of the first page are parents Harry L., age 49, and Catharine, age 46, and the two oldest children Laurence and Everett. At the top of the next page are the remaining five children, Edward, Harry (Bing), Catharine, Mary Rose and Robert. Mother Catharine was born in Minnesota and her parents were born in Canada English. The children were all born in Washington. The oldest two children were born before 1900, so the family should be in that census. The Crosbys were living in Tacoma. Harry and Katherine are listed as being married six years with Katherine being born in February 1873. Note: This professional genealogist is using the spelling of the name Catherine/Katherine as it appears in the various documents. Now, when doing professional genealogy research, one needs to look for information in places other than the census. According to Washington marriage records, Harry Crosby and Catie H. Harrigan were married by a Catholic clergyman on January 4, 1894. A check of the Tacoma Daily News finds two items about the Crosby-Harrigan nuptials. The first, on January 4, announces that “Miss Kate Harrigan and Mr. Harry L. Crosby will be married… at St. Leo’s church.” The second, on January 6, informs the public that the two were married at the German Catholic church with Anna Harrigan, sister of the bride, as the bridesmaid. In the 1880 Census, Kate and Anne are part of the Dennis, age 50 and a carpenter, and Kate, age 43, Harrigan household in Stillwater, Washington County, MN. The family owns a boarding house and all the children from William, age 13, down to George, age 1 ½, are listed as being born in Minnesota. Both Dennis and Kate were born in New Brunswick, Canada of Irish parents. These are the mother and maternal grandparents of Bing Crosby. The 1900 U.S. Census is a good resource for professional genealogy research because of all the information, including immigration, which it contains. It seems that between 1880 and 1890, the Harrigans moved from Minnesota to Snohomish County, Washington. Dennis and Catharine Harrigan were married in about 1867. Dennis, born in October 1830, immigrated to the U.S. in 1859. Catharine is listed as coming here in 1867 about the same time as their oldest child was born in Minnesota. According to Minnesota marriage records, Dennis Harrigan married Catharine A. Haren on October 28, 1866 in Ramsey County (St. Paul), Minnesota. So how did young Kate Harrigan, Bing Crosby’s mother, wind up in Washington? How and why did Dennis Harrigan move to Minnesota? The pieces to the story are available. From this professional genealogy researcher’s viewpoint, here’s what happened: In the early 1800s, religion started becoming an issue in Ireland. The Church of Ireland (Protestant) was in need of financing and, in the early 1830s, a tithe was placed on citizens (including Catholics) for its support. This coupled with other issues, may have provided the incentive for the Harrigans to relocate to New Brunswick, Canada where Dennis, and possibly other siblings, was born. Catherine’s parents also relocated to New Brunswick where she was born. Being a rural, maritime area the timber industry was a major source of employment. Dennis became a carpenter. About 1860, he immigrated to the United States. The St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes provided the easiest route inland, no documentation needed. Minnesota became a state in 1858. The St. Croix River starts about 20 miles south of Lake Superior and, beginning in Pine County, forms the border between Minnesota and Wisconsin. With settlers coming into the area, there was a need for lumber and trees were readily available. Dennis could have known Catherine from New Brunswick and sent for her. St. Paul is less than twenty miles from Stillwater, Washington County, MN. Priests were in short supply, so a Catholic wedding there is within the realm of possibility. After starting their family, the Harrigans moved to Tacoma, Washington between 1880 and 1890. There timber was plentiful, the population was increasing and the climate more temperate than Minnesota. Dennis gained knowledge and skills enough to become a contractor. Young Catherine Harrigan met Harry L. Crosby and the rest is genealogical history. When you hire a genealogist for professional genealogy research from RecordClick, we find the special information in your family history. #### Proven Strategies For Aligning Corporate Culture With Family Ethics If Carly Fiorina had studied the intentions of the Hewlett and Packard families, she wouldn’t have made the blunder of misaligning the corporate culture with family ethics. The children of HP founders Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard gave Fiorina a hard time during her tenure after she "diluted the company's focus" by merging with Compaq, a company whose culture they alleged was incompatible with HP's. The founders’ or family’s true intentions for the business should take center stage in every aspect of leadership and decision-making. For this reason, most family businesses opt to have family members at the helm of their leadership to maintain the purpose and values intended by their forefathers. In other words, C-Suite executives can only thrive in family businesses if they understand family values and how to integrate them into the corporate culture successfully. Family ethics should guide you in crucial company processes such as onboarding, setting objectives, handling stakeholders, and reacting to issues that arise. This guide highlights the strategies for establishing top family ethics and aligning the corporate culture for long-term sustainability and success. Examples Of Top Companies That Have Aligned Corporate Culture With Family Value-driven businesses embody a legacy that not only keep in line with the will of the founders but also serves their customer base uniquely. While countless family businesses have their corporate culture aligned with family ethics, we have highlighted a few sticking on their course. 3. SC Johnson Company Sc Johnson's logo with its current chairman's image When Samuel Curtis Johnson founded SC Johnson in 1886, his mission was to “make life better and bearable for future generations.” The company manufactures household cleaning supplies and other consumer chemicals. The founder was a devout methodist and a philanthropist who believed in helping those in need and giving back to the community. Therefore, he ensured the new startup had a corporate culture driven by responsibility, teamwork, respect, and integrity. Johnson passed on these family ethics to his descendants, who would take up the roles for future generations. So far, five generations of the Johnson family have led the company, with the current CEO, Fisk Johnson, being the great-great-grandson of the founder. Some of the family ethics still evident in SC Johnson’s corporate culture include: Philanthropy SC Johnson SC Johnson is known for its extensive social responsibility and philanthropic history, which reflects the Johnson family heritage. Today, the company strives to improve people's lives through environmental awareness, health, education, entertainment, and more. The company's culture has been to donate to courses that bolster the community. For example, SC Johnson was among the leading companies to provide notable donations to fight the Covid menace. 2. Ford Motor Company Ford Motor Company Henry Ford founded the Ford Motor Company in 1903 to provide affordable and reliable cars while providing a friendly working environment for workers. Ford also pioneered social responsibility, innovation, and mass production and supported philanthropic causes in public health and education. The Ford family still holds a controlling stake in the company, with the current executive chairman, William Clay Ford Jr, being Henry’s great-grandson. The C-suite executives at Ford have continued Henry Ford’s legacy of social responsibility and ethical governance. For example, the company has a conduct handbook for employees at all levels that outlines the principles and values that should guide their decisions and actions. The handbook has become a an endearing aspect in the company’s numerous awards as the most ethical workplace. One of the most notable family ethics evident in Ford’s corporate culture today is innovation. Henry Ford, the founder, was an inventor who revolutionized the auto industry with his mass production of affordable cars. He established the Ford Foundation to promote social welfare while spearheading innovation in education and research. His descendants have remained true to this course by maintaining and improving the Ford Foundation for better results in reducing poverty and injustice, strengthening democratic values, and advancing human achievement. Moreover, Henry Ford's innovative values are evident in Ford Motor Company's investment in new technologies and exploring new markets and solutions. 1. McCain Foods Limited McCain Foods Limited was founded in 1957 by four brothers: Robert, Andrew, Wallace, and Harrison McCain. This multinational frozen food company specializes in French fries and other potato products. The four brothers grew up on their father's farm, acquiring first-hand experience in agriculture and entrepreneurship. As a result, they developed a passion for agricultural sustainability and food engineering. The McCain brothers instilled these family ethics in their descendants, who have continued to run the business for generations. The entrepreneurial spirit has been one of the most evident values of the frozen foods giant as it continuously invests in the research and development of new products in the market. Its new McCain Accelerator program seeks funding, mentorship, and resource access to startups with promising solutions in the food industry. Innovation McCain Foods Limited also focuses on its family value of innovation as it supports courses and practices geared towards innovations and meeting unique customer preferences. The launch of its first plant-based product, SureCrisp, in 2020 resulted from its innovative corporate culture that targeted vegans. The launch of McCain Foods' first plant-based product, SureCrisp, in 2020 resulted from its innovative corporate culture that targeted vegans. Similarly, McCain Foods Limited donated $1 million to the University of New Brunswick in 2021 to set up a food engineering course to bolster research and innovation in health practices and food sustainability. The list could go on and on for integrating family ethics into the corporate culture. However, you now have a glimpse of how family heritage matters in the corporate world. One of the most essential skills that have made these alignments a success is the ability of C-suite executives to understand the family itself. How To Identify the Best Family Ethics for Your Company The best family ethics for your company depends on the family and their compatibility with the corporate culture. So, with a clear picture of the founders' true intentions and the dynamics across generations, aligning the corporate culture with the family ethics would be easier. 1. Study The Family and The Business Founders Alice, Rob, and Jim Walton, children of Walmart founder Sam Walton Whether or not you are part of the family, you need time to understand the family history and traditions behind your company. You want to know the family's core values and ethical considerations in its approach to relationships and business. One of the easiest and quickest ways to understand the business and its founders is through comprehensive family history research. With a comprehensive family background, knowing the individuals down the lineage and the values passed down generations would be easy. Moreover, a comprehensive genealogy report conveys crucial family narratives and rituals highlighting fundamental family values and ethics. Other ways that genealogy can help understand family ethics include: You understand the family’s identity, belonging, and the values they share. You learn the achievements of ancestors and previous generations and find the need to preserve and honor that legacy. Establishing the collective and individual strengths and weaknesses across the family. Learn how to effectively resolve conflicts and dilemmas likely to arise in family businesses. Crafting a solid plan for the legacy succession for future generations. Besides understanding the family, you also want to know the founders' exact vision and mission when they established the firm. For example, in the case of the aforementioned HP CEO, it's clear that she didn't consider HP's innovative and collaborative culture when she negotiated the Compaq merger. The families of HP founders Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard knew Compaq's culture focused on cost-cutting and efficiency. They feared this misalignment could significantly dilute HP's ethos. They perceived commitment to excellence, integrity, and a pioneering spirit as foundational values to the company's success. For this reason, Compaq's emphasis on efficiency and cost control was seen as a cultural clash that would alter HP's commitment to its historical principles. 2. Identify Traditions and Rituals Like families, companies have traditions, rituals, and ceremonies that enhance their corporate culture and reflect the family heritage. Your comprehensive genealogy report's references, anecdotes, and statements will highlight critical family practices that reflect family ethics. The practices include: Family Philanthropy Companies make donations as part of their alignment of corporate culture with family ethics Check if the family engages in activities like volunteering for causes, donating to charities, sponsoring scholarships, etc. If yes, know that the family heritage may be centered around giving back to the community, helping those in need, and making a positive difference in the world. The aforementioned SC Johnson is an example of a company with family philanthropy aligned with its corporate culture. A similar practice in the company could be in the form of a corporate social responsibility (CSR) program where the company supports initiatives such as inclusion, sustainability, health, education, and more. In addition to fostering a culture of values and ethics, this alignment could boost the company’s brand, reputation, and loyalty. Family Rituals Family Reunion Family rituals, ceremonies, and events also hint at the ethics you can incorporate into the company. Events such as family gatherings, regular dinners, meetings, and anniversaries reflect the family's history and value, fostering a sense of continuity. Be sure to attend or take notes from regular family gatherings to observe the connection, loyalty, and heritage shared among family members. The reunions also serve as the best platform for the family to discuss values, goals, and the overall direction of the family and the company. Similarly, you could organize regular meetings at the workplace where all employees interact and share their work and non-work-related experiences. Such get-togethers have enhanced workplace communication, collaboration, and culture. Most importantly, regular meet-ups in the company foster a sense of identity, belonging, and pride. To get comprehensive family history research, we recommend contacting Record Click Professional Genealogists for customized research on the family background and its relation to the business. Our experts will structure the family hierarchy and provide details about key family events and rituals observed down the generations. Most importantly, genealogy reports include  key ethics that can enhance the corporate culture. Grab our free consultation today to discuss more about your case and kickstart your discovery of family ethics to align to the corporate culture. 3. Consult Key Players Seek Professional Support and Use due diligence To avoid ending up like the aforementioned ex HP CEO, consult the company founders or the key family representatives in the company to avoid making contradictory decisions at the top level. It’s also advisable to speak to employees and other partners who’ve worked closely with the family or the company to get their view of the family and its values. Also, review past documents, letters, and workplace handbooks to understand the ethics observed in the company and the approaches used by your predecessors on major decisions such as business mergers and conflict resolution. How To Craft a Corporate Culture Aligned with Family Ethics Family members and relatives can offer insights into their ethics As a C-suite executive, identifying the best family ethics is one thing, but aligning them with the corporate culture is another. You need to know what to take and what to drop, considering its compatibility with the corporate culture and the company's overall objectives. For a company guided by family ethics, CEOs and CFOs can make business decisions that look irrational to the outside world. They can forgo lucrative opportunities and instead invest in strategies that may not make economic sense on paper but are consistent with the company's values and long-term goals. However, with the pressures influencing business choices, it is more tempting for C-level executives to cut corners to remain competitive. It doesn't have to be the case with corporate cultures aligned with family ethics. Most of these corporate cultures have no pressure for crazy growth, so you'd instead build on the history of integrity, philanthropy, and meaningful rituals. For most of these companies, it's not just business; it's a legacy. Harvard Business School professor Clayton Christensen blames the failure of executives in aligning and fostering family ethics in the corporate culture on the trap of marginal thinking. In his book How Will You Measure Your Life? Clayton argues that one pitfall top executives make is failure to consider the big picture or long-term consequences. For these and other reasons, we have compiled critical steps that C-suite executives should take to align corporate culture with family ethics. 1. Consult Widely consult widely In the same way that C-suite executives should consult when trying to figure out the family ethics and the company's history, they should do the same when planning to effect any change in the corporate culture. One crucial aspect of a change management strategy is planning and collaboration with all stakeholders. An all-inclusive approach creates a sense of goodwill while bolstering trust among parties. Besides, synchronizing everyone prevents project delays or roadblocks likely arising from resistance or confusion. 2. Communicate Clearly and Consistently Symbol of togetherness Elaborate the family values and ethics to all stakeholders through convenient channels popular with everyone in the organization. The CEO should explain how the ethics align with the company's objectives. C-level executives should also ensure that the customers and community feel the alignment of corporate culture with family ethics. Therefore, they should offer quality products, services, and social initiatives while listening to their expectations and needs. For example, the CEO of Loblaw launched the PC Optimum Insiders program, focusing on customer feedback and recognition. 3. Lead By Example C-level executives, including CFOs and CEOs, serve as role models, and their actions and behavior set the tone for the company. Therefore, it's imperative to ensure that business decisions align with the established ethical principles and the family's long-term vision. 4. Establish A Code of Conduct Incorporating professional can help solve many puzzles A guidebook with family values would play a significant role in keeping stakeholders aligned with the updated corporate culture. A code of conduct helps create a shared understanding of what is expected in every department. Companies such as the Ford Motor Company that use conduct handbooks have achieved a milestone in advancing the standards of ethical business practices and earned global honors for the same. 5. Provide Ongoing Training Encourage regular training to reinforce existing and new family values and ethics. Regular workshops help instill changes in the employees' minds and help them understand the significance of these values in the company and daily activities. 6. Integrate Values into Performance Metrics Ethical And Legal Considerations Most CEOs and other C-level executives are hell-bent on professionalizing the business and topping the markets. However, for a corporate culture aligned with family ethics, performance should not only be determined by profits. Employees should feel appreciated not only for their output but also for their contribution to the company's overall purpose and values. 7. Integrate Events That Reflect the Family's History LG CEO William Cho has actively engaged with company employees through end -of-year F.U.N. Talk’ Events in a company make family ethics and heritage more evident. The type of events the CEO should incorporate into the corporate culture depends on the family itself and the identified practices that could enhance the corporate culture. For example, family history and values are explicit in events like anniversaries and milestone celebrations where all stakeholders gather for a common course or to mark a continuity. In the same way, incorporating philanthropy in the corporate culture reflects the family's commitment to social responsibility, creating a broader sense of purpose. It is, therefore, for this reason that all board meetings should have individuals from the family, especially those who have been with the company in the past to ensure that decisions align with family values. 8. Instill Values in Succession Planning Studying the policies and practices of each family business will help you understand the succession patterns in the company. For example, companies like Walmart and Ford have family members and descendants on the board of directors. Such observations and advice from key players can help you prepare the next generation of leaders and have them embrace the family's ethics and maintain long-term objectives. Benefits Of Aligning Corporate Culture with Family Ethics When the corporate culture is aligned with family ethics, it becomes a values-driven culture expressed in the vision, mission, actions, and goals. Some of the benefits that a values-driven culture can have on the business's long-term vision include: Incorporating the unique identity of the family gives the company a competitive advantage. Family values create stakeholders' sense of belonging, meaning, and purpose, fostering loyalty, trust, and commitment. Since values guide problem-solving and decision-making, the culture facilitates innovation, adaptation, flexibility, and creativity depending on the environment and available opportunities. How A Strong Corporate Culture Aids Smooth Leadership Transitions Enhancing generational transition The family's and company's goals, vision, and values reflect a solid corporate culture.  Here are the different ways that leadership transition gets to benefit from a strong corporate culture: It helps family members and all employees understand and commit to the business's long-term strategy. A value-driven corporate culture provides communication and education to C-suite executives, the general staff, and family members about their roles as business stewards. As a result, there will be qualified and motivated leaders who’ve internalized the culture and can carry on the legacy. A clear and robust corporate culture reduces potential disputes and conflicts among family members and stakeholders over the company's ownership, governance, or direction. Aligning corporate culture with family ethics helps prevent probate fights and inheritance woes, as the policies are clear on succession, estate planning, and wealth transfer. Having family ethics in the corporate culture also fosters a sense of responsibility and pride among heirs and family members for preserving and enhancing the family legacy. A solid corporate culture aids smooth leadership transitions by encouraging family collaboration and harmony through regular events, forums, and meetings that celebrate the heritage and achievement of the business. Align Corporate Culture with Family Ethics Aligning the corporate culture with family ethics is a game-changer for C-suite executives as it ensures that the true intentions of the business founders remain intact. Besides, a values-driven culture makes it easy to steer the company as the metrics differ with profit-driven businesses. However, the list of family ethics can be overwhelming, and not all will apply to the corporate culture. Therefore, CEOs should strive to study the company and family history associated with the business and identify areas in the corporate culture that need to be updated. One of the most effective ways is to hire a professional genealogist and have them highlight the family background, the company founders, and family rituals that could be more important to the family than profits. Having a professional handle that part will save you a boatload of precious time and avoid common mistakes in DIY family history research. Contact us today or schedule a call.   #### Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is – Discover Your Ancestry Through Genealogy DNA Testing The next time you open your mouth to insert a glazed doughnut, consider swabbing the inside of your cheek first. It's zero calories and infinitely more rewarding. I'm referring to the process of scraping buccal cells (found on cheek tissue inside your mouth) to obtain a sample for genealogy genetics testing. It's not just a trend . . . it's science, and it's available to you. You'll be able to break through that proverbial "brick wall" in your research process without breaking the bank. Genealogy DNA testing may be trending, but it's not a trend; it has been here for quite some time, and it is certainly not going to leave anytime soon. Don't worry, there's no loud-mouth pitchman in the wings preparing to extol the virtues of DNA testing; there's no need, DNA testing speaks for itself. Because Record Click recognizes the importance of genetic ancestry testing to the lineage research process, it now offers DNA testing kits to customers. Genealogy and anthropology DNA testing is different from medical DNA testing, which is equated with detecting hereditary diseases and conditions. Genealogy genetics has proven to be an invaluable resource for family lineage research by helping testing participants to solve genealogy puzzles. Depending on the test you take, you can discover the ancestry on your direct paternal (YDNA) or maternal (mitochondrial or mtDNA) lines. There is also autosomal testing, which uses the DNA from both the mother and father. Genetic DNA testing can tell you what the ethnic proportions are of your ancestry, e.g., are you descended from a particular group, such as Native American, Jewish, or African. Anthropology DNA reveals the history of ancient human migration. There are a number of companies that offer these kinds of testing services. No doubt, you already know some of them after watching the hit PBS show Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates Jr., as well as NBC's Who Do You Think You Are? The three that are used on the shows are 23andMe (named for the 23 pairs of chromosomes in a normal human cell), African Ancestry, and Family Tree DNA. Other companies offering in-home genetic testing include: Genebase (ancestry DNA) deCODEme (to detect medical conditions and traits) DNA Tribes (deep ancestry analysis using autosomal DNA) Navigenics (to detect medical conditions and traits) GeneTree (ancestry DNA testing), which was a subsidiary of non-profit Sorenson Molecular Genealogy Foundation (SMGF), was acquired along with SMGF's extensive collection of DNA assets by Ancestry in 2012. The acquisition led to the creation of AncestryDNA in spring 2012. For the purposes of this blog, I am going to zero in on one particular company – Family Tree DNA (FTDNA) – for a variety of reasons. No doubt you have heard of FTDNA, since it is one of the contributing commercial ancestry testing companies to Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates Jr. It is also the official sponsor of the DNA section of Who Do You Think You Are? Houston-based Family Tree DNA was started in 1999 by genealogy enthusiast and entrepreneur Bennett Greenspan. The company now touts the largest DNA genetic genealogy database in the world with more than 300,000 records. Mr. Greenspan has staffed FTDNA with Chief Scientist Mike Hammer, as well as a host of other population geneticists and molecular anthropologists. FTDNA test kits are processed at Arizona Research Laboratories (ARL). Family Tree DNA offers YDNA testing that traces the direct paternal line; this is the best test to use when you want clear proof of ancestry on your father's side. It also offers three types of mitochondrial DNA testing to trace the direct maternal line; this is the best test when you want clear proof of ancestry on your mother's side. FTDNA's autosomal (DNA inherited from mother and father) testing is called the "Family Finder," because it helps find family members. Additionally, autosomal testing gives biogeographical analysis that FTDNA markets as the "Population Finder." This particular tool finds ancestry from all of your lineages, as well as provides the percentages of your ethnic ancestry and the geographic origin of your ancestry. What sets FTDNA apart from the rest – in my humble opinion – is its ongoing involvement with the Genographic Project that was launched in 2005 to map the migrating history of humans. A research partnership was set up among the National Geographic Society, IBM researchers and scientists, and the Waitt Family Foundation, which is providing the funding for the project. Field scientists are collecting genetic samples, in order to analyze results and report on their findings. Literally hundreds of thousands of genotype codes are being analyzed for this project. Not only has FTDNA helped to provide public participation in the Genographic Project, but it has and will continue providing all of the genealogy-related tests to the Project. The good news for Record Click readers and customers is the fact that FTDNA and Record Click have become affiliates. Record Click already provides customers with a comprehensive offering of lineage research options. With its affiliate agreement with FTDNA, Record Click now offers DNA testing, utilizing FTDNA's DNA kits and processing. Whether you need help breaking through the proverbial "brick wall" in your research, or you want a deeper and more complete understanding of who you are and where you came from – Record Click offers you the expertise of genealogy researchers, as well as DNA testing. FTDNA tests can now be ordered through the Record Click website. All testing and results are the same as those for other FTDNA customers. Click here to read on and learn more about DNA Genealogy and order the DNA genealogical tests available from Record Click. To arrange for a free consult, or to hire a genetic genealogist for an expert DNA genealogy analysis. #### Random Acts of Genealogy Kindness – The Golden Rule of Successful Genealogy Researchers We are living in an era of trends and lists, especially when it comes to the Internet. No matter what your home page is, there's usually a couple of "Top 10 Lists" waiting for you – everything from "The 10 Top Foods That Give You Gas" to "The 10 Things You Should Not Talk About in a Job Interview," which probably includes a number of items from the first list. There are quite a few "Top 10 Genealogy Research Resources" lists out there, as well. Most of them include the customary: 1) census, 2) online records, 3) city directories, and so forth. However, the one genealogy research resource that trumps them all is a super powerful, knows-no-bounds search engine (no, it's not Mocavo) that each and every genealogist has in their possession – whether they know it or not. This remarkable resource is known as Random Acts of Genealogy Kindness (also referred to as Genealogy Karma) – be nice to others and it will come back to you. Whether lineage research is your profession or just an obsession, the one constant is that the process of finding ancestors is a human and oftentimes passionate undertaking. Having exhausted online search avenues, a shrewd family researcher will hit the highways that lead him/her to libraries, county clerk and other government offices, historical societies, lineage organizations, schools, and even hospitals, in pursuit of that missing link in their pedigree. An astute genealogist also knows to make friends with the people at these various locations, as they can prove to be cornucopias of information, not only in the present, but the future, too. Think of it as a kind of "you scratch my derivation and I'll scratch yours" relationship that can build over time. For example, I recently drove more than 200 miles to conduct genealogical research in a small West Texas county. I packed up all of the necessary research tools that I would need for the day, such as my laptop, reading and magnifying glasses, sticky notes, paper clips, as well as a thermos of coffee and a few dozen freshly baked cookies. While all of the items mentioned were used, none came in handier than the freshly baked cookies, which I delivered to the county clerk's office, the county library, and the county historical commission. I walked away with more than 100 documents pertaining to my search. It's amazing how far a bag of chocolate chips will take you when it comes to winning over the clerks who pull the documents you need or give you access to the microfiche you want to peruse. A stick of butter opens many a record vault, a dash of vanilla helps office workers remember you as a pleasant surprise of the day, and a cup of sugar makes them go the extra mile to help you find what you are looking for. If a clerk or volunteer is particularly helpful to you, remember them with a thank you note, a commendation to their boss, or a quid pro quo genealogy favor. Think of it this way: A genealogist bearing confections is like Baked Good Bribery – the researcher leaves an indelible and edible impression on the caretakers of the records they desire to copy or scan. Whichever way you look at it – Random Acts of Genealogy Kindness is a delicious endeavor. At zero calories, you won't gain weight – you'll gain your missing ancestors. #### Real Life Lessons For Lawyers: How To Solve Probate Puzzles Over half a century after Jimi Hendrix's death, his estate still suffers the probate process. It is a perfect example of the many prolonged estate settlement cases where probate lawyers' talent, resilience, and professionalism are put to task. Since the Hendrix estate case kicked off in the early 70s, probate disputes have continued to soar. Unsurprisingly, judgments and durations have differed depending on the complexities involved. Nonetheless, complex cases like Jimi Hendrix or the $156 million Prince estate have uncovered insights that lawyers can use to navigate probate challenges. Record Click sums this up with real-life stories from our experts to highlight key lessons for lawyers who want to expertly solve probate puzzles. Hendrix Estate Case: Lessons for Probate Lawyers The Hendrix case has become one of the most litigated and publicized Jimi Hendrix's estate cases started when he suddenly passed on in 1970 without a known wife, child, or Will. At the time of his death, Jimi had amassed a fortune through his successful music career. The entire estate moved to the parents since he had no offspring. Jimi's father, Al Hendrix, assumed the role of estate administrator until he died in 2002. To the surprise of many, Al allocated the entire $80 million estate to his adopted daughter Janie, leaving nothing for Jimi's brother, Leon. Since then, there have been countless agreements and recurring court battles. The most recent one was referred to London-based courts. As the battles continue, here are crucial takeaways for lawyers Encourage Estate Planning: It is regrettable when the family, probate court, and attorneys have to fight for reasons that a valid Will could have addressed. Therefore, lawyers should assist clients in creating and regularly updating their estate documents to ease the probate and distribution process. Become a Mediator: As a lawyer, you know the prospects of most cases even when the parties want to pursue their course. In this case, it would be wise to communicate the legal realities to your clients and other parties, highlighting the costs, uncertainties, and time wastage.Bring in neutral advisors to help the parties come to terms with the reality. Besides, guide the litigants on realistic and shared goals that lead to mutually acceptable solutions. Prince Estate Case: Lessons To Solve Probate Puzzles The Musician's Estate Case attracted enormous media coverage Prince Rogers Nelson passed on in 2016, leaving a vast legacy of music, royalty rights, intellectual property, unreleased recordings, and more in limbo. The renowned songwriter and multi-instrumentalist had accumulated substantial wealth since he started singing at 19. Unfortunately, like Jimi Hendrix, Prince didn't have a valid Will, meaning that the estate would have to undergo probate and the laws of intestacy. The closest surviving heirs to Prince's estate were his six half-siblings, who battled in courts for six years to get a verdict. What do we learn from the Prince Estate Case? The Prince estate case exposed the flaws committed by lawyers and the interventions that helped solve probate puzzles. Selecting Estate Administrator: The prominent bone of contention in the initial phases of the Prince estate case was the selection of an executor. Mistrust among the half-siblings made it challenging to agree on the right person to serve as the estate administrator. Lawyers should seize opportunities like these to educate clients on the administrator selection process, detailing their rights to remove an administrator for compelling reasons such as fraud. This way, it would be easier for parties to agree on an administrator and hold them into account. Valuation of Intellectual Property: Disagreements also emerged regarding the accurate valuation of the music catalog and the unreleased material that Prince had left behind. Lawyers waited until later to engage music rights and intellectual property specialists for accurate assessments. Had they involved the expert valuers in the initial stages, there probably would be little to contend about among the heirs. Incorporating professionals in real estate, intellectual property and document analysis can greatly help solve probate puzzles. Mediate and Manage Conflicts: Inheritance cases involving several siblings can get messy, so lawyers must proactively prevent incidences. Luckily for Prince's case, there wasn't much physical drama, but the sibling-split into two factions betrayed lawyers’ presumed mediation efforts. As a lawyer, the first step should be facilitating open communication and other potential dispute resolution mechanisms. Educate your client on the reality of the case and prospects to help save on time and reduce financial burdens. The lawyers would have saved much of the estate and time if they helped the siblings agree on an equal share as soon as the case was filed. Advise on Monetization and Legal Vigilance: Since Prince's estate has interests in business ventures, lawyers should help clients explore opportunities to preserve and enhance value. In the same way, attorneys should help clients make necessary arrangements to create a Will or Trust to ensure history does not repeat itself. How To Solve Probate Puzzles with Heir Search Reasons you should consider seeking heir search assistance Heir researchers and genealogists have also become a solid part of the probate process as they are, among other reasons, admissible in court and can present reliable evidence. Our experts at Record Click have been busy meeting the increasing demand. With their experience, they can dot the right path to a successful and easy probate process. Disclaimer: Although accurate in scope, we have changed or omitted all identifying information, such as names, dates, and locations, in order to protect the privacy of individuals. Record Click's Veteran Heir Researcher Nancy Uncovers Unknown Biological Heir A file image of a lawyer's joy after overcoming a probate puzzle A few months ago, a qualified probate attorney, Ann, leveraged the free consultation at Record Click to seek my counsel regarding a case she was handling. The case involved an uncle (Robert) who had died without a spouse, children, or a Will. Mary, Robert's niece, approached Ann after feeling obliged to raise concern over the over $20 million worth of estate. The primary concern for the niece was that a charity organization had emerged to claim Robert's estate and had a letter as proof of the transaction. Shocked by the discovery, Mary hired Ann to establish the authenticity of the charity organization and the best way forward. Ann set objectives to determine the validity of the charity's claim while searching for potential heirs to the estate to build on her case. After she signed up for services, I researched Robert and his lineage. Ann believed that Robert's relatives, friends, unknown spouses, or children could greatly help cast doubt on the letter's validity. Luckily, we had Mary as a niece and a valuable informant per se. Within 10 days, I discovered about a hundred Robert relatives and close friends. Moreover, I discovered a 25-year-old daughter named Abby, born out of wedlock when Robert was a teenager. Her mother had died several years ago. RELATED: Genealogy Research: How To Strengthen Bond With Your Relatives When I contacted Abby, she hesitated to speak, thinking I was a scammer fetching personal information or money. However, she was overwhelmed when I supplied her with copies of my credentials, Robert's documents, DNA test results, and descriptions. Abby was convinced to tell her story, indicating that her mother had left her a letter with crucial details about herself, including her biological father's name and picture. Although she never got to see her father, she knew his young face and the name Robert. When I handed the case back to Ann, it seemed Mary was unhappy with the discovery as she felt threatened and likely to lose his uncle’s fortune. However, Ann intervened with effective mediation and negotiation to see them win the case. Fast forward, the charity organization struggled to withstand Ann's strong defense given that someone was said to have helped Robert write the letter in his final days.  Besides, the said letter had no no witness, executor, or notarization. These circumstances raised suspicions of influence or duress. On the other hand, Ann had gathered sufficient forensic analyses, DNA results, and witnesses to support her case. After Abby's testimony, the jury was convinced that the estate should go to the family, not charity. The case looks easy, but you're sure I omitted a boatload of hurdles we encountered. Some of the most critical lessons for lawyers in this case are to leverage DNA testing, master negotiation skills, and involve an heir searcher at early stages. DNA Testing: DNA testing was a game-changer as it proved the biological relation between the decedent and Abby. Besides, the results conformed to the comprehensive genealogy report I presented. In our review of the best DNA test, we recommended using FTDNA for Y-DNA and mtDNA testing as one way to solve probate puzzles. Proven heirs are entitled to inherit too Mediate: Lawyers can quickly lose cases by letting parties disagree and pursue unrealistic goals. Mary wanted to drop the entire case, thinking Abby was a gold-digger. However, the attorney was categorical in her explanation that bringing Abby provided the best chance to win the case. Incorporate Heir Search to Solve Probate Puzzles: The timely discovery of a biological daughter was a lifeline for the attorney and the niece as it insulated them from potential future litigation. The comprehensive genealogy report also expedited the process and ensured fair estate distribution according to intestacy laws. Professional Genealogist Megan Reinstates a Disinherited Heir Being fraudulently disinherited from the estate can be stressful When Peter, a probate attorney, contacted Record Click, he needed help with a case where a son, Carlos, was disinherited through a Will. Carlos' mother had separated from his father, Donaldson, who later married Susan. Now Carlos believed his disinheritance from Donaldson's estate was a manipulation by his stepmother and not a reflection of his dad's true intentions. Peter faced a powerful law firm that Susan had hired to defend the Will, and it was up to him to prove the Will was fraudulent. He contacted Record Click to establish the kinship between the involved parties and other individuals of concern. My primary assignment from Peter was to document Donaldson's lineage and close friends who would testify about his intentions. Some individuals I traced included Donaldson's brother, Tom, who hinted at the existence of a previous Will. I also discovered Linda, Carlos' mother; and Dave, Donaldson's first cousin and close friend. RELATED: Contesting A Will: How To Win A Fair Estate Settlement Dave, also a lawyer, was the custodian of the original Will that had him as the appointed estate executor. He was dismayed by Susan's plot and refuted any claims of Donaldson having another Will. Luckily, the three agreed to testify and provide substantial evidence that reflected Donaldson's true intentions. In the end, Peter convinced the jury that Donaldson planned to leave his inheritance to his only son, Carlos.  While reinstating Carlos' heirship, the jury also cast doubt on Susan's motives and character, terming them pure fraud. Work With a Team of Genealogists, Investigators, And Researchers: While searching heirs is paramount, you also want an investigator who can study the decedent's immediate lifestyle and associates. The findings can help predict possible outcomes of your case and leverage information from the identified leads. Incorporating professional can help solve probate puzzles Incorporate Forensic Expertise: Peter's incorporation of certified forensic analysts and handwriting experts helped convince the jury that there was forgery in making the latest Will. It would have been challenging, if not impossible, to notice the forgery were it not for the veteran document analysts. Overcome Probate Puzzles The real-life examples could go on, but the probate challenges differ with each case. The last thing you'd want is a case with conflicts and unmanageable participants. Therefore, reviewing other cases lets you learn from the mistakes of others. Nonetheless, loopholes can be inconspicuous despite reviewing prominent cases. Therefore, you'd still need to consult probate experts at Record Click. Our team comprises professional genealogists who work with lawyers, administrators, executors, trustees, and bank and trust officers. These professionals will help you complete heir search, estate settlement, probate research, lineages, and other heir search services. We offer no-cost, no-obligation consultations, even if you are not planning to start a search right away. Feel free to reach out with any questions — we look forward to connecting. Contact us today or schedule a call. READ MORE: Record Click's Heir Research Services, Costs, And Expectations. #### Reality TV – A Genealogist's Journey May Begin on the Couch There is no shortage of reality TV shows that promote voyeurism into the sometimes vapid and predictable lives of the rich and famous; however, more and more of these reality shows are focusing on skills, talents, and especially passions, such as cooking, dancing, and singing. One of the biggest reality TV trends to take hold is genealogy. While the vast majority of the people showcased on these ancestry programs are of celebrity status, the ultimate message is that the world of genealogy is open to everyone – no matter your race, creed, color, notoriety, or paycheck – and that's what is so enticing to today's audiences. It has been 35 years since Alex Haley's acclaimed novel Roots: The Saga of an American Family made its debut as a miniseries on ABC. The show's finale, which remains the third highest-rated television program in U.S. history, ignited an interest among Americans, especially those of African descent, to map their own lineage. In fact, the Iron Chef of Genealogy in the world of reality TV is Henry Louis Gates Jr., a Harvard professor, historian, and researcher, who just happens to be an American of African descent (AmAf). Professor Gates' recipe for successful television viewing is a concoction of ingredients that delivers a delicious and satisfying product that delights family researchers' tastes. Now that decades have passed since Roots aired, television – this time reality TV – is once again playing a major role in spurring people of all colors and backgrounds to trace their family history. Henry Gates brings his skills, knowledge, and passion for lineage research to the forefront, not only for AmAfs, but for all American citizens (AmEurs, AmAsians, AmLats, et al) in this melting pot nation of ours. In addition to writing and presenting great genealogy programming, Professor Gates is also the Editor-in-Chief of The Root, as well as co-founder of AfricanDNA.com, which powers the genealogy section of The Root. Owned by the Washington Post Company, The Root is an online source of news and commentary from an Am-Af perspective. In 2006 and again in 2008 Professor Gates produced African American Lives 1 and African American Lives 2, respectively. The PBS miniseries traced the African and slave roots of celebrities (Oprah Winfrey, Whoopi Goldberg, Quincy Jones, and others) using traditional genealogy research methods, as well as DNA analyses provided by African Ancestry, which was formed in 2002 by black scientist Dr. Rick Kittles and black entrepreneur Gina Paige. African Ancestry has established an African database that is considered the largest and most comprehensive of its kind today, offering lineages from 30 African countries and 200 ethnic groups. The company uses DNA to pinpoint the African country of origin of its clients. Professor Gates works with two other DNA companies specializing in tracing African ancestry, including 23andMe (the name refers to the 23 pairs of chromosomes we all have) and Family Tree DNA. Of the more than 100,000 AmAFs tested by 23andME, not one of the participants was found to be 100% African. As discussed in a recent National Public Radio (NPR) interview, Professor Gates, who is referred to as African American or black, is actually 57% white. According to Gates, 35% of all black American males cannot trace their Y-DNA (tests a male along his direct paternal line) roots back to Africa, because their direct paternal lineage includes a white man (quite often a slave owner) and a black female slave, as is the case with Professor Gates, and additionally First Lady Michelle Obama (as reported by the New York Times). The search would have to be done through mitochondrial DNA, which tests a man or woman along their direct maternal line. After the phenomenal success of African American Lives 1 and 2, Professor Gates launched Faces of America With Henry Louis Gates Jr. on PBS in 2010. A year later, PBS aired Henry Louis Gates' Black in Latin America, which drives home the fact that of the 12.5 million slaves that were brought over from Africa between the 1500s and 1800s, less that 4% were brought to America; the other 11 million-plus ended up in the Caribbean and Latin America. Most AmAfs are descendants of approximately 400,000 black Africans brought to American in the 18th and 19th centuries. Faces of America mapped the genealogy of a dozen American celebrities of varying ethnic and religious backgrounds – including poet Elizabeth Alexander, journalist Malcolm Gladwell, as well as actress Meryl Streep, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and surgeon Mehmet Oz (aka Dr. Oz). Once again, genealogy and genetics played a part in finding the lineage profiles of the participants. Clearly Professor Gates has struck a chord with Americans who are interested in tracking their ancestry. A year after African American Lives 1 aired in 2006, Gates published Finding Oprah's Roots, Finding Your Own. In 2008 CNN launched its own series Black in America, and it continues to fuel the interests of family researchers by hosting an informational website. Canada jumped on the bandwagon to satiate the Canucks' appetite for family history research by producing its own genealogy series Ancestors in the Attic. Thanks to the impact of genealogy reality TV, online genealogy research websites have benefitted from the trend. Ancestry.com, considered the largest and most well known of the online websites, welcomed 800,000 new members between 2009 and 2011, which translates to an 80% increase in subscribers. New online research sites have popped up along the way, such as RecordClick.com, which specializes in smaller research projects, making it more affordable and accessible to non-celebrity family researchers. In Spring 2012 Professor Gates' 12th series Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates Jr. premiered on PBS. This time Gates doubled the number of his celebrity profiles, inviting Samuel L. Jackson, Branford Marsalis, and Condoleeza Rice, as well as Martha Stewart, Kevin Bacon, Margaret Cho, and Linda Chavez, et al, to take a journey back in time to visit their ancestors. The individual episodes of the 10-part series can be viewed on the Finding Your Roots website. PBS and CNN don't have a monopoly on genealogy programming. NBC's Who Do You Think You Are? (WDYTYA) is in its third season. WDYTYA has taken the likes of Reba McEntire, Blair Underwood, Spike Lee, Rob Lowe, and other celebrities on a journey of self-discovery to trace their family ancestry. Rob Lowe's episode was filmed in part in Washington, D.C. The first stop on the actor's journey was the DAR Library to find out information on his Revolutionary War ancestor. Located in the headquarters of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the DAR Library is one of the three largest genealogical research centers in the U.S., along with the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, and the National Archives (also in D.C.). Lowe and an independent genealogist used the online DAR Genealogical Research System (GRS). If you missed the episode, you can view the full episode on the WDYTYA website. Not content to settle for just network and cable TV programs, I scoured the Internet for other genealogy-related fare and stumbled onto The Generations Project, a terrific 38-episode series that is produced by BYUtv under the aegis of Brigham Young University Broadcasting. This series deals with mainstream Americans (of various racial and ethnic origins), delving into the deeper aspects of why a family member may decide to take the journey to research ancestry in the first place. Each episode chronicles the genealogy journeyman step by step, offering helpful research hints and resources, as well as imparting the individual's story, along the way. While The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a sponsoring affiliate, the episodes do not attempt to proselytize viewers to the Mormon faith. Episodes of The Generations Project are available through satellite and cable providers, and can be viewed via Internet streaming on the BYUTV website. Don't stop with the above-mentioned programs; take a moment to search your locations of interest to see if local historical societies may have video programs. The Larimer County (Colorado) Genealogical Society (LCGS), which was started by members of the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1974, now produces a series for its Genealogy Quest TV. An expert in the field of genealogy and family research is showcased each month, discussing the latest methods in locating and research ancestors. The LCGS has undertaken projects to index local records, including those for cemeteries, land, marriage, birth, death, and divorce, etc. You have heard it said that each journey begins with the first step. In this day-and-age of reality TV, your journey may very well begin on your couch. Whether you are an avid family history sleuth looking for new research resources, a person needing to address painful memories of a family member, or someone who loves delving into the lives of celebrities, there's a genealogy reality TV show for your tastes. Even if you think you have no interest in genealogy, beware . . . one of these reality TV episodes may just spur you to take your own journey back in time to understand better who you are today. For help with your ancestry research, speak to a professional genealogist today. #### Record Click's Book Review of "American Tapestry – The Story of the Black, White, and Multiracial Ancestors of Michelle Obama" I really didn't expect much when I decided to read American Tapestry – The Story of the Black, White, and Multiracial Ancestors of Michelle Obama. Knowing that the author Rachel Swarns is a New York Times reporter and not a professional genealogist, I didn't have much faith in her ability to bring specifics to a subject that is scantily supported by essential data. Having read the book, however, I can actually say I am impressed by the way the author tells the story by citing documented historical facts, as well as using DNA testing results, to bolster the very few genealogical specifics available on Michelle Obama's ancestors. Ms. Swarns is no genealogist, but she is a good writer, capable of taking raw statistics and historical research and creating a story that helps people understand the very complex relationships between whites and blacks during the volatile years of slavery – and even to present day. Where the book falls short is in its extended title - The Story of the Black, White, and Multiracial Ancestors of Michelle Obama - because it is not specifically a story about the ancestors of the First Lady. The subject matter cuts a wider swath than that. It is a story about understanding a particular aspect of slavery in the U.S. by visiting the subject through the interpersonal relationships among slaves and their owners. These stories were culled from slave narratives; military records; newspaper advertisements; Freedmen's Bureau records; and estate inventories and wills penned by the slave owners, who sometimes picked a "favorite" slave to receive property, be cared for, or to receive freedom. Rachel Swarns took these accounts and created possible and even probable scenarios for Michelle Obama's ancestors. In many cases, this is the only kind of information many descendants will ever have about their ancestors who were slaves. The reason why information about slaves is so scarce is because many owners thought of their slaves as property, not people, so they weren't referred to or written about in a personal sense. Also, slaves were not taught to read or write, so they were unable to keep written accounts of their lives. They weren't allowed to marry, so there were no marriage certificates. Much of the documentation that was available, was destroyed, damaged, or lost during to the Civil War. Ms. Swarns didn't just pull her supporting information out of thin air; she claims to have spent two years researching the paper trail across seven states and a dozen cities. The "Notes" and "Bibliography" sections of the book are loaded with documented references. The author also makes it very apparent in her writing that she is presenting a general reality based on documented historical facts. She is always careful to make it clear that she is describing the situation of the day, not necessarily the specific situation of the First Lady's ancestors. American Tapestry gives a glimpse of what it MIGHT have been like for Michelle Obama's ancestors, as well as others who were held in servitude. As I read online postings about the book, I am surprised at the angry reaction by many of those commenting (most of whom have clearly not read the book) that "junk" DNA testing was used to prove that Mrs. Obama has white ancestry. Her mother's maiden name is "Shields," and it is Henry Shields (actually his son Charles), a white slave owner in South Carolina, from whom Michelle Obama's maternal side is descended. A number of white and black ancestors of the Shields family were tested, and the results all point to Charles Shields as the patriarch of the black line of Shields. The DNA tests were conducted by Houston-based Family Tree DNA (FTDNA), with which Record Click has a partnership for ordering DNA Testing Kits. FTDNA has been made famous by its use on the popular reality genealogy programs Finding Your Roots and Who Do You Think You Are? It is important to note, the author of American Tapestry never touts genealogy DNA testing over hard-line research and documentation. Given there are so few documented facts available to map Mrs. Obama's ancestry, genealogy DNA testing was used to discover more information about the Shields' side of her family. It is important for those who view DNA testing as "junk," to realize that DNA testing can and will indicate whether a person is related to another person genetically, even if they are separated by many generations. If it did not, then our criminal investigation agencies and our legal system, which use DNA testing for paternity cases, forensics, immigration issues, adoption questions, etc., wouldn't have a legal leg to stand on. DNA is accurate, it is not junk. It is not for all cases, it is not meant to replace lineage research and documentation, but it can certainly offer a great deal of information regarding familial relationships, genetic diseases, and ethnicity, etc. If you are looking for a documented history of the First Lady's ancestry, this book is not for you. If you are interested in reading about a different aspect of slavery – interpersonal relationships between slaves and between slaves and owners – this book will be of interest to you. For those of you who are conducting lineage research for your ancestors of African descent, I definitely recommend that you look through the "Notes" and "Bibliography" sections at the back of the book to see some of the resources that were used to discover African American history and genealogy. Keep an open mind to DNA testing, knowing that it is yet another tool in the genealogist's toolbox of resources. If you would like to speak to a genealogist about the best DNA test for you, please contact us. #### Record Click's DNA Genetic Terminology Primer Allison Plowden said, "The laws of genetics apply even if you refuse to learn them." Clearly the late English historian and biographer, known for her popular non-fiction about women of the Tudor period, recognized that genetic terminology is a foreign language to many of us. Given genetics is the basis of all living organisms, I have put together a primer to help you understand the terms a little better. Think of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) as a human blueprint, because it holds the code for all genetic information. As early as 1952, the Hershey-Chase experiment showed that DNA is the molecule responsible for inheritance. The twisted ladder we have come to equate with DNA was discovered 1953 when James D. Watson and Francis Crick determined the structure of DNA, using X-ray crystallography. DNA has the appearance of a double-helix model, which looks like a twisted ladder, comprising two strands (the legs of the ladder) of DNA with nucleotides (a basic building block of DNA) pointing inward, each matching a complementary nucleotide on the other strand. A string of chemicals, or bases, form the "rungs" of the twisted ladder. The strands are made of sugar and phosphate molecules, while the bases are made of chemicals containing nitrogen. Human DNA with its genetic information is packaged within 23 pairs of chromosomes -- 22 of those pairs are known as autosomes. Autosomal DNA (preferred by genealogists) refers to the genetic material that is inherited from both parents, including random contributions from their parents, grandparents, and so on. Your autosomes essentially contain a complete genetic record. The 23rd chromosome is different from the autosomes because it consists of the chromosomes that determine sex, those being the X- and Y- chromosome. Females have two "X" chromosomes, while males have one "X" and one "Y" chromosome. The Y-chromosome is transmitted from fathers to sons only, and it has unique features that make it quite useful to genealogists. Genes are segments of DNA that carry the physical and inheritable characteristics of an organism. Humans have many thousands of genes spaced across the entire set of DNA. A gene is a specific sequence of DNA on a single chromosome that encodes a particular product. Genome refers to the entire set of genetic information across every one of the 23 chromosome pairs, including all genes, as well as gene-modifying sequences, and everything in between. Genetics refers to the study of genes and their roles in inheritance, i.e., the way that certain traits or conditions are passed from one generation to another. Genomics, an even newer study than genetics, describes the study of all of a person's genes (the genome). Genomics is a gateway to the scientific study of complex genetic diseases, which is giving way to new possibilities for diagnostic methods and therapies for these diseases. Through genetic testing, your haplogroup -- a group of similar genetic types that share a common ancestor -- can be determined. How this is possible is based on the fact that historically, all of the great human migrations involved large groups of people who split into smaller groups and went their separate to colonize the world. Each one of us belongs to a haplogroup; these haplogroups have been mapped to show the migration routes over many thousands of years. Genetic DNA testing is amazingly simple. It requires a buccal smear, which is nothing more than a swab of the inside of your cheek to gather DNA material. To see what is contained in the DNA testing kit, as well as a video of how to take the test, please see DNA Test Kit and Instructions. To arrange for a free consult, or to hire a genetic genealogist for an expert DNA genealogy analysis, contact us. #### RecordClick Offers ReelGenie’s New Digital Movie Making Product With literally hundreds of events occurring throughout a single day, and a rolling sea of tens of thousands of technorati ebbing and flowing throughout downtown Austin, Texas, it was a miracle that I was able to hook up with ReelGenie’s David Adelman at Austin’s 10-day music, film, and interactive conference and festival known to the world as South by Southwest (SXSW). SpaceX CEO and Chief Designer Elon Musk was keynoting a session shortly, so David and I only had a few minutes to catch up on his new online collaborative production process that features intuitive interfaces and seamless social media integration. In plain and simple terms, David has developed an easy way for people to create their own storytelling movies online. Out of hundreds of web-based product submissions to SXSW Interactive Accelerator - where the latest and most innovative online technologies are showcased - ReelGenie was selected to present in the "Social Technologies" category. Having had a sneak preview of the product, I am excited for people to discover the various and versatile features of this online production process that can be utilized for a number of creative outcomes, especially for family genealogy researchers who want to create family history documentaries or legacy films. RecordClick was fortunate to be a part of the trial phase for ReelGenie family history video. I worked as part of a collaborative effort, comprising RecordClick and one of its clients – Mr. Bauer – a gentleman in his mid-80s who is currently writing his memoirs. RecordClick approached Mr. Bauer and asked if he would be interested in encapsulating Chapter One of his life story into a seven-minute online movie. For someone who didn’t grow up in the digital age with smartphones, iPads, Kindles, and apps, Mr. Bauer entertained the prospect with gusto, recognizing it as the perfect gift to present his family in celebration of his 65th wedding anniversary. He views his family at the pinnacle of his life and success, and ReelGenie presented the perfect platform to tell his story. Thus began the process of utilizing ReelGenie’s online digital tools – which include professionally-designed ready-made templates, music library, storyboards, and high-definition photos, etc. – to render Mr. Bauer’s life journey into key elements of a legacy film. Making the film became a family project. Mr. Bauer located photographs of his early life in Europe, including one of him as a little boy. The other photos he chose included his parents and sisters, snapshots of his war-torn country after WWII, passport pages, and the lovely girl from his village whom he ultimately married. So what did the Bauer family think about the experience with making a storytelling movie? "It was a lineage project that involved young and old. The process rekindled the heart of the family through conversation and video storytelling," explains Mr. Bauer’s son, who helped his father with the narration. "The entire process, including the voice over and the scanning and uploading of photos, was completed online, without additional software or complicated programs to download." What thrills me most is that RecordClick will be offering ReelGenie's video storytelling technology as part of its comprehensive services available to its clients, who can now make movies focused on different genealogy-related areas, such as hitting a milestone in genealogy research. It's also great for any number of other occasions, including a birthday, anniversary, or family reunion. Elizabeth Khan, Founder and CEO of RecordClick.com is pleased to help clients turn their family history research into a multi-media film that has an emotional impact. RecordClick's genealogical researchers and writers are available to help customers trace family history, as well as assist in writing scripts. For more information, check out ReelGenie's blogsite. For help in creating your family history movie, contact RecordClick. As if genealogy isn't interesting enough, now there is a great new way to tell the story of your ancestors' lives that will withstand the test of time. #### Reliability of Famous Kin’s Work The idea you have a celebrity or infamous person in your family tree is one of the most intriguing aspects of making one's family history. And thanks to genealogy sites like famouskin.com, you no longer have to start from scratch to establish notable figures with whom you share ancestors. However, with the vast digital landscape of genealogical exploration, it can be hard to tell whether whatever is laid in the site is something to go by. Is this another fallacy to lift your moods, or can you believe what you find on famouskin.com and add it to your genealogy? This guide expounds on famouskin.com as a website, its reputation, data sources, and the extent to which you should rely on its genealogical data. Key Takeaways Famous Kin site offers a global portal of cultural icons, famous historical figures, and celebrities with the primary purpose of just making genealogy fun! Famouskin site makes the search process straightforward and quick to track an ancestor through features like a search tab, categorization, and share. The company does not guarantee the accuracy and reliability of its sources and advises users to consider links to their own family tree as a starting point for further research. What is Famouskin.com? Famous Kin is a free online site whose primary purpose is to make genealogy fun! The site has a global portal of connections across cultural icons, famous historical figures, and celebrities. It is fun tracing a tree in the site and discovering that you have a surprising link to an icon who left a mark on the world, such as presidents, the Magna Carta, politicians, businesses, and sportsmen, to name but a few. Whether you are an amateur genealogist or a seasoned family history enthusiast, the famouskin.com site offers an intuitive interface and a treasure of genealogical data to help you embark on a voyage of self-discovery. You can cite it the next time you tell a story about your relationship with an ancestor or a famous founder. You need to connect the dots among the thousands of famous people highlighted on the site and start a series of exciting discoveries about your haplogroups, ancestry, and ethnicity. Famouskin.com founder, Rich Hall, started working on the site in 2010 to ascertain the relationships between prominent people. Today, the site has incorporated advanced features and more famous people to help all users explore family history, create a family tree, and find close and famous relatives. Famouskin.com Features Users prefer genealogy sites with features that give an array of options for research or dealing with the information. Famouskin follows suit by making the search process straightforward and quick to track an ancestor and their lineage. Search Functionality One of the standout features is the powerful search functionality that helps you reveal hidden connections and have a glimpse of the intricate web of familial relationships. The search bar on top of the site can help you quickly explore your family history and discover notable figures with whom you share an ancestor. Initially, the search tab allowed users to search for their relatives on the site only by name, but it has now broadened the search criteria. You can also locate a famous person and their information by inputting the location or cemetery name. Categorization Although the famouskin.com site focuses mainly on famous people across ages, it still has a long way to bring everyone on board. In fact, data about the thousands of famous people already detailed on the site could be confusing were it not for the site's categorization. Clicking any category, such as presidents, governors, Magna Carta, Sports, and Mayflower, will direct you to a detailed list of famous people. For instance, Warren Buffett, Barack Obama, Dick Cheney, John Waters, Robert Duvall, Harry Truman, and the Duchess of Windsor all descended from a 17th-century Maryland colonist named Mareen Duvall (who could also be one of your ancestors). Ancestry Details In addition to listing famous people, famouskin.com provides an in-depth analysis of every individual. Once you click on your famous person of interest, a new page opens with personal details and ancestry records. First, the site details the person's full name, marital status, important dates, and accomplishments. Secondly, the site details other famous people linked with the person, including their birth and death dates and their relationship with the person of interest. The ancestry page also has the pedigree and ahnentafel charts to help you dig even deeper into the ancestry of your famous relative. User Contribution What makes famous.com even more fun is that you can submit your family tree and share information to build a comprehensive family tree and connect with more people on the site. This way, it would be easy to follow through with your lineage and understand how you relate to some notable figures. Once you establish a link to an ancestor, you can opt to receive notifications when a person is added to that genealogy. Share Ancestry Another exciting feature that contributes to genealogy fun on famouskin.com is the ability to share your discovery with friends on social media platforms and beyond. The site makes your ancestry data and names interactive so you can copy the links and share them across platforms if you want your friends to know your connection with a prominent veteran, fashionist, etc. Sharing your information across platforms can help you connect with unknown relatives and eventually build the famous.com database. Does Famouskin.com Use Credible Sources? Famouskin.com provides sources for every ancestry data on the site. However, the site clarifies that the ancestor reports are compiled from thousands of different sources, many over 100 years old, and only attached to each ancestor so you can personally judge their reliability. Famous kin advises users to consider links to their own family tree as a starting point for further research and cannot guarantee the accuracy and reliability of these sources. Primary Sources Having practiced genealogy for over a decade, Rich Hall has a knack for details regarding genealogy and historical records. Luckily, advanced technology and increased genealogy sites have made it easy to access archived documents and photos crucial in conducting genealogy. This helps Rich and his team easily access publicly available records such as census records and birth certificates and use the information to fill in gaps in a famous person's pedigree. Besides, Rich scrutinizes all the family trees and records that users contribute to the site when they want to conduct their own genealogy or connect to an ancestor. Online Databases In addition to the primary sources, the Famous Kin site also incorporates information from popular online databases focusing on genealogy. Some platforms that have proven beneficial to Rich Hall's site include Ancestry and FamilySearch.org. The latter is a free site, but the former charges users to access information and interact with the features. Nonetheless, it provides extensive family trees and additional historical records that help patch up information about the target individuals. Being one of the best platforms for revealing information about genetic traits, family history, and ethnic makeup, Ancestry.com opens a broad channel through which famouskin.com can include more individuals and expand its pedigree. Genealogical Societies Genealogical or family history societies allow members to collaborate on joint endeavors and share information about their discoveries. Besides, the societies have research seminars, libraries, and journals focusing on central genealogical themes. The famouskin.com site, through Rich Hall, relies on information from different genealogical societies to remain relevant and credible. Rich Hall is a New England Historic Genealogical Society member, which produces the Register, American Ancestors, a popular quarterly magazine, and 20-30 print and electronic books annually on various genealogical and historical topics. Hall is also a member of The General Society of Mayflower Descendants, commonly called the Mayflower Society, a hereditary organization of individuals who have documented their descent from at least one of the 102 passengers who arrived on the Mayflower in 1620 at what is now Plymouth, Massachusetts. Hall's membership in these societies helps him capture historical events and genealogical records on the site about a particular region or event uniquely. A Due Diligence Check Would Come in Handy Famouskin.com helps users establish relationships with famous and not-so-famous people and create family trees. The site has become an invaluable resource for users who want to understand their interconnections and lineage with ancestors. Its user-friendly layout and detailed analysis visually present users' heritage and help them appreciate genealogy stories. The founder, Rich Hall, makes the search easy to navigate and customizes the genealogy for current and future use. Besides, he uses several sources that millions of users rely on to establish the links between ancestors in their family trees. While everything from the data sources to the presentation looks reliable, verifying the information you come across on the site through multiple other sources is always a good idea. Remember that Famous kin advises users to consider links to their own family tree as a starting point for further research and cannot guarantee the accuracy and reliability of its sources.     #### Researching Close Families: Oh, What a Tangled Web There is a scene at the beginning of the movie Gone With the Wind when Scarlett O'Hara, who is eyeing Ashley Wilkes as a prospective beau, finds out that he is going to marry his (we don’t know how distant) cousin, Melanie. Thus begins a kinship web that family historians can relate to. It is also one of the reasons that researchers need to include siblings of ancestors in their search. As uncommon as it may seem, confusing relationships can happen fairly often and have in almost every family. I call it "being related twice" – once by blood and once by marriage, and it has happened in my family. I have mentioned in earlier blogs that my dad came from a close knit German community in Des Moines County, Iowa. Before railroads, travel wasn't easy, so families usually stayed fairly close to home. For a number of reasons families often had eight children or more. Lots of neighbors, lots of children and lots of marriages. My Family: Herman RIEPE and Anna ENGELBRECHT. They were married in Germany and came to the United States in about 1850. Their children: Anna Maria, b. 23 July 1853; m. 20 Dec. 1870, 1. John F. Roedel, d. 28 Nov. 1880; m. 7 Mar. 1885, 2. William Ernest Breuer Hannah Louisa, b. 15 May 1855; d. 15 Nov. 1883; m. 17 Dec. 1874, William Ernest Breuer Albert, b. 1857 Henry Herman, b. 5 September 1858 John Frederick, b. 10 August 1862; m. 16 Feb. 1887, Anna Rosetta Heitmeier Herman August, b. September 1863 Martha K., b. 3 November 1864 Edward Gotlieb, b. 14 August 1866; m. 24 Sept. 1895, Catherine I. Heitmeier August William, b. 1 August 1869 Julius, b. 1874; d. April 1906 in the San Francisco earthquake John Frederick William, b. 26 June 1875 Marriages can drive family historians a little bit crazy because simple family relationships get complicated in a hurry. When siblings of one family marry the siblings of another family, it can get confusing. If a marriage with children involves the death of a spouse, and there is a subsequent re-marriage, then blended families come into play – blended families are not a 20th Century invention – and diagrams may be needed. Take my family or example (see above). First, there are the Riepe brothers and the Heitmeier sisters. J. Frederick (John Frederick) Riepe married Anna Heitmeier on 16 Feb. 1887 and Edward Gotlieb Riepe married Catherine Heitmeier on 24 Sept. 1895: J. Fred Riepe m. Anna Heitmeier - 10 children Edward Riepe m. Catherine Heitmeier - 3 children So, the brothers (blood) became brothers-in-law (marriage) and the sisters (blood) became sisters-in-law (marriage). Their 13 children were double cousins – both families shared the same grandparents. The second scenario is not so simple. It involves two sisters, two spouse,s and three marriages. The oldest daughter of Herman Riepe, Anna Maria Riepe married John F. Roedel in 1870. Her sister, Hannah Louisa married William Ernest Breuer in 1874. John died in 1880 and Hannah died in 1883. Both families are found in the 1880 Census: State of Indiana; Posey County; Lynn Township; P. 10; ED99 Riddle (Roedel), John, 31 Annie M., 21 Josie, son, 2 George, son, 1 State of Iowa; Union County; City of Creston; P. 93; ED 222: Breuer, William, 29 Hannah, 25 William, 4 Nora, 3, Clara, 7/12 Anna and William – sister-in-law and brother-in-law – married in 1885. Both Anna and John and Hannah and William had children who were cousins, so when Anna and William married, the cousins also became step-siblings. Then came their children. From the 1900 U.S. Census for Clay Township, Lafayette County, Missouri: Breuer William, 49, head, b. Aug. 1850, m. 14 yrs Anna M., 46, wife, b. Jul. 1853, m. 14 yrs, 8 children, 7 living Clara, 21, dau., b. Nov. 1878 Albert, 19, son, b. Jan. 1881 (Hannah died in 1883.) Elizabeth, 13, dau., b. Nov. 1886 Joseph, 11, son, b. Apr. 1889 Mary, 8, dau., b. Jul 1891 Roedel, Godfrey, 23, step-son, b. Jul. 1876 Albert, 19, step-son, b. Aug. 1881 (John died in Nov. 1880) Some of the older children left home by the time the 1900 Census was taken. But from the dates and remaining family, we know that: Family A: William and Hannah had at least four children. Family B: Anna and John had at least four children (and probably more). Family C: William and Anna had three children. The Relationships: Family A children are: To Family B, cousins (by blood through sisters Hannah and Anna); To Family B, step-siblings (by marriage of their mother, Anna to William); To Family C, half-siblings (by blood through their father William); To Family C, half-siblings (by the marriage of William and Anna). Family B children are: To Family C, half-siblings (by the marriage of William and Anna). Hannah plays no role in these relationships. Often complex, genealogical relationships can help explain how family members interact with each other. If you are a researcher, family historian, or genealogist, and you need help with these complex familial relationships, contact RecordClick to help you through a difficult area of lineage research. Our experienced and professional genealogists can assist in determining relationships, helping research elusive relatives, trace family trees or family histories, both in the United States and overseas. We’re only a mouse click away and the initial consultation is free. Pictured: J. Frederick (John Frederick) Riepe, Anna Heitmeier Riepe, and family. Photo courtesy of Joan Shurtliff. #### Retirement Benefits: What Happens After You Die? The fate of your retirement benefits after your demise will depend on several factors, including your retirement plan, Legal developments, debt status, and more. In most cases, two significant assets people have by the time they approach or attain retirement age are a home and a retirement account. Whatever your case, this guide highlights diverse scenarios and provides the possible direction of your benefits. Key Takeaways Retirement benefits have been a lifeline for beneficiaries as they have provided a constant flow of income with minimal taxation. If a retirement plan has no beneficiaries, the funds go to the probate process, which is another tedious and costly process of establishing heirs and distributing assets. The major setback in retirement benefits is the SECURE Act of 2020, which restricted the duration of stretching payouts. Defined Retirement Benefit Plans The defined benefits plan is the traditional pension plan where employees forge a plan with their employer, annuity company, or union. In this case, the retirement payments abide by the agreed terms between you and the employer. Most of these plans have the payments stopping upon death. Still, a portion may continue reflecting when you have a surviving spouse or have specified in your plan what should happen. IRAs and 401(k)s Retirement Benefits Your retirement plan matters Another case involves people without the traditional pension but an employee-sponsored 403(b) or 401(k). This retirement plan mainly applies to people who've saved in Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA), work in the non-profit world, etc., This plan allows you to start withdrawing your retirement duty-free at age 59½. However, new federal laws passed in 2020, which set the appropriate age for withdrawing IRA, 403(b) and 401(k) to 72 years. Nonetheless, the amendment does not affect those who had turned 70½ before 2020. Notably, the distribution of retirement benefits gets complex in the 401(k) or IRA plan. Usually, the funds in these accounts go to people you've designated as beneficiaries with the plan administrator or the financial institution. If your plan lacks clear beneficiaries or the beneficiary dies before you, the funds automatically form part of your estate, which usually undergoes the probate process. In other words, an heir researcher must identify other heirs or potential beneficiaries either according to the Will or heir search. Tax Consequences for IRAs and 401(k)s Your children may be the most affected If you have an IRA or the 401(k) as your retirement plans, it is relatively straightforward what happens to your retirement when you die. The beneficiaries receive the funds as you indicated in the plan. Therefore, keeping the retirement plan updated is crucial to provide a new name in case your designated beneficiary dies before you. However, if you fail to update the beneficiaries, the retirement benefits go to the estate, through the probate court. While nothing is wrong with the process, how the beneficiaries or heirs receive the funds comes with confusion. It’s worth noting that one advantage of planning your retirement the IRA or 401(k) way is the tax deterrent. When you retire and qualify for the required minimum distributions (RMD), the government taxes the money at withdrawal. The same case applies even after the beneficiaries take control of the accounts. However, spouses have a lifeline as the law allows them to roll over their loved one’s plans into their own to continue the tax deferment. The Payout Stretching Technique Stretching out payouts ensures a steady income Also, note that the government taxes the funds you withdraw from the 401(k)s and IRA as income. Therefore, the tax agencies use the amount you receive in one year to determine your income bracket and the tax amount you should pay. So, from a tax standpoint, it's always advisable to stretch your withdrawals from these retirement accounts over many years. The only impediment to this wise idea is the new rules about how long you can distribute withdrawals from your 401(k) and IRA. The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act of late 2019 significantly alters the possibility of over-stretching your retirement benefits distributions. The Act restricted the people who could stretch the distribution of funds from these retirement accounts. Most noteworthy is the requirement that beneficiaries withdraw all funds in these accounts within 10 years of the holder's demise. What Are The 401(k) And IRA Withdrawal Rules? Heir search, estate settlement, and probate must follow the law Before the new rules that took effect in January 2020, beneficiaries of retirement funds in 401(k) and IRA accounts could distribute their payouts over many years. This plan created a steady income for them while keeping the tax rate in check. In the estate planning and financial planning corridors, that practice is called "stretching" due to the extensive number of years one could plan to receive payouts. The SECURE Act came to change that. Who is Affected by the SECURE Act? Luckily, only some beneficiaries are affected by the 10-year cap on retirement fund withdrawals. In addition to the account holder's surviving spouse, other beneficiaries not affected include a chronically ill or disabled beneficiary. Other exempted parties include a beneficiary whose age gap with the original account holder is less than 10 years or if the beneficiary is a minor. Nonetheless, the 10-year restriction may apply once the minor attains adult age. How The SECURE Act Affects Other Trusts The SECURE Act also applies to trusts that can be listed as beneficiaries of your 401(k) or IRA. If the trust is not in the exempted class, they must adhere to the 10-year cap of receiving the disbursements. Normally, retirement account holders listed trusts as estate beneficiaries to protect the assets from creditors and ensure the estate was distributed according to their wishes. If you already have a designated trust as a beneficiary, you may need to review and align with the new rules. Despite the need for review, you still have options to ensure your estate plan is executed per your wishes and keep the taxes in check for your beneficiaries and heirs. What if The Retirement Benefits Plan Has No Designated Beneficiary? The probate process is final If the beneficiary is missing or deceased, subjecting the funds to the probate process will be the only option. The process has become quicker and less complicated, thanks to advancements in legal and technological fields. Nonetheless, probate can be tedious and costly. What’s More? Failure to indicate beneficiaries in your retirement plans could see your hard-earned cash ending up in the non-intended hands. Consider Reviewing and Updating Your Plans The 401(k) and IRA retirement plans are ideal for long-term estate planning when you want to leave a substantial income for your family. However, the new SECURE Act has capped the duration your beneficiaries can receive payouts, calling for a need to review and update. Please email us or schedule a call for more customized advice about your estate plan, heir search, or assistance in the probate process. See Record Click’s Heir Research Services, Costs, And Expectations. #### Revisiting Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings Descendants Now that DAR Accepts DNA Testing On October 5th, Lynn Forney Young, the newly elected President General of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) posted an announcement titled DNA Evidence for DAR Applications and Supplementals on the Today's DAR website. It explains that "Genealogy staff members at the NSDAR have been studying the potential use of DNA in support of DAR applications and supplemental applications." While the Office of the Registrar General is "working diligently to finalize the guidelines and develop specific procedures for those wishing to submit DNA evidence," the main crux of the message is that the national lineage society will accept Y-DNA evidence in support of new member applications, starting January 1, 2014. This is indeed a major policy update for one of the most recognized and respected all-volunteer, non-profit women’s service organizations in the U.S. For more information on the DAR's decision to accept Y-DNA testing for their application process, please refer to my blog dated October 13th, titled Now That DAR Accepts DNA Testing – Will Genealogy Be Easier? Though some self-proclaimed pundits have been critical of the DAR for delaying its acceptance of DNA testing for lineage applications, the DAR has been taking a methodical and scientific approach to DNA testing for lineage proof. While the Society accepts genetic genealogy as a beneficial aid to solving some hard-to-answer lineage questions, it also recognizes the inability of chromosomal testing to definitively identify a specific ancestor in all cases. Therefore, the DAR will not accept Y-DNA evidence as "stand-alone proof of lineage because while it can be used as a tool point to a family, it cannot be used as absolute proof for an individual." To better understand this, consider the case of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings. In 1998, the journal Nature reported that Jefferson had a slave mistress with whom he fathered six children, basing the claim on a pairing of historical records with DNA evidence tracing Y-chromosomes. The genetic testing was conducted by Dr. Eugene Foster and a team of geneticists. Since Jefferson had no adult sons by his marriage to wife Martha, the team tested Y-chromosomal DNA samples from male-line descendants of Field Jefferson (Thomas Jefferson’s uncle); John Carr (grandfather of Jefferson’s Carr nephews); and Eston Hemings (born 1808), who was the last known child born to Sally Hemings. The results indicated a genetic link between the Jefferson and Hemings descendants. In response to the report, the Monticello Association – a lineage group of several hundred descendants of Thomas and Martha, along with other critics – raised the argument that Y-DNA testing results showed only that a Jefferson – not specifically Thomas Jefferson – fathered the Hemings offspring, noting that there were as many as 25 Jefferson men living in Virginia during that era. Additionally, Thomas had invited his younger brother Randolph to Monticello just before Eston was conceived; however, it is not known whether Randolph actually went or not. According to Monticello.org, soon after the Foster report was released in 1998, the Thomas Jefferson Foundation (TJF) formed its own TJF Research Committee; and in January 2000, it released the Thomas Jefferson Foundation (TJF) Research Committee Report on Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings. The research indicated that "the weight of all known evidence – from the DNA study, original documents, written and oral historical accounts, and statistical data – indicated a high probability that Thomas Jefferson was the father of Eston Hemings, and that he was likely the father of all six of Sally Hemings' children listed in Monticello records – Harriet (born 1795; died in infancy); son Beverly (born 1798); an unnamed daughter (born 1799; died in infancy); Harriet (born 1801); son Madison (born 1805); and son Eston (born 1808)." The battle still continued. While President Bush played host to the descendants of Hemings and Jefferson at the White House in 2001, in celebration of Thomas Jefferson's 258th birthday, the Thomas Jefferson Heritage Society announced the findings of its own paternity study. Worried that the integrity of Thomas Jefferson's name was being undermined, the Heritage Society stated that, "The allegation is by no means proven." The TJ Heritage Society saw Sally Hemings as "only a minor figure in Thomas Jefferson's life." The committee report (issued April 2001, revised 2011) suggested that Jefferson's younger brother Randolph (1755-1815) "was more likely the father of at least some of Sally Hemings' children." More than a decade after its own comprehensive report in 2000, TJF and most historians still believe that widower Thomas Jefferson fathered six children with Sally Hemings. While two babies died in infancy, four of the children - Beverly, Harriet, Madison, and Eston Hemings – survived and are mentioned in Jefferson's records. Thomas Jefferson freed Beverly and Harriet, who left Monticello in 1822, while Madison and Eston achieved their freedom as stipulated in Jefferson's 1826 will. Because of their light-skin, three of Sally Heming's children (daughter Harriet and sons Beverly and Eston) lived as members of white society, while Madison chose to remain in the black community. According to Madison, his mother Sally, who was also light-skinned, was the granddaughter of an African woman and English sea captain John Wayles, who happened to be Thomas Jefferson's father-in-law. Both sides of the family have honored the descendants of Thomas Jefferson's and Sally Hemings' union throughout the generations. One Jefferson-Hemings descendant, who happens to be a DAR member, was present at the White House fête in 2001. She explained to U.S. News & World Report that her 19th-century Hemings' kin changed their name to Jefferson and lived as whites. But despite all the scientific advancements in genetic testing, it's important for readers to understand that even though this DAR member's Y-chromosome testing results show definitively that she is a Jefferson descendant, it can not show definitively which Jefferson male was her great-great-great grandfather. Only in conjunction with other historical documentation can the assumption be made that she is indeed related to Thomas Jefferson. While we look to science and technology to make our daily lives easier, sometimes they can open a can of worms. The same is true for DNA testing. While not the be-all and end-all we would like it to be, genetic testing can and will indicate biological markers that no document nor word of mouth can prove. It is yet another tool in the holistic approach to ancestry research. RecordClick takes the holistic approach to trace family trees, by adding DNA testing kits as part of its comprehensive toolbox of genealogy research services. If you are interested in DNA testing to enhance your genealogy research, contact RecordClick today. Any woman is eligible for membership in the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) if she is 18 years of age or older and can prove lineal, blood line descent from an ancestor who aided in achieving American independence. She must provide documentation for each statement of birth, marriage, and death. Admission to membership in the NSDAR is by invitation through a Chapter in your State Organization (or Unit Overseas). No Chapter may discriminate against an applicant on the basis of race or creed. Sources: Foster, Eugene A., M. A. Jobling, P. G. Taylor, P. Donnelly, P. de Knijff, Rene Mieremet, T. Zerjal and C. Tyler-Smith. Nature - International Weekly Journal of Science (http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v396/n6706/abs/396027a0.html : accessed 12 October 2013), "Jefferson Fathered Slave's Last Child" Lord, Lewis. U.S. News & World Report (http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/010423/archive_001670.htm : posted 15 April 2001, accessed 12 October 2013), "Jefferson, Hemings - Again : A New Report, and More Questions about an Alleged Affair" Monticello (http://www.monticello.org/site/plantation-and-slavery/thomas-jefferson-and-sally-hemings-brief-account?page=1 : accessed 12 October 2013), "Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings: A Brief Account" Photo courtesy of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution #### Richard's Last Name May Be "Hill" – But His Quest to Find His Birth Parents May Just Hang You Off a Cliff Spoiler Alert! The blog you're about to read has a satisfying ending thanks to genealogy genetic testing, but . . . I'm NOT telling you who the real father is. However, I will tell you where to find the answer. What makes this quest a truly exciting adventure are the 26 years in between Richard Hill's question, "Who are my biological parents?" and his discovery of the truth. It's a story of patience, passion, and true tenacity. After writing my last blog, "Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is," I developed a ravenous appetite for anything on the subject of genealogy genetic testing; I started Googling the topic. I landed on an interesting website DNA Testing Adviser – The Independent Guide to DNA Testing. At first I thought it was just a website to list DNA testing resources and their efficacy, but I discovered that it is a whole lot more. The host of the website is retired scientist Richard Hill, and it is his story, his quest to find his biological parents that makes genetic genealogy testing understandable, exciting, and relevant to any family history researcher's pursuit of the truth. While DNA testing represents the nuts and bolts of technology, Richard Hill's story is the heart and soul of science. For those of you who do not know Richard's story, I'll provide you with a quick synopsis; however, don't deprive yourself -- read the 2009 Wall Street Journal (WSJ) article about Richard, study his website, and snag his book Finding Family - An Adopted Man's Search for Roots and the Secrets Revealed in His DNA – it's due out this Summer. Richard Hill was adopted at birth by Thelma and Harold Hill. Around the time of his father's death in 1978, Richard embarked on the journey to find his birth parents. His mother Jackie Hartzell proved fairly easy to find, as she was taken in by the Hill family during her pregnancy. Sadly, Jackie was killed in a car accident a year after Richard was born. The father remained unknown, until 26 years and a lot of genetic testing later. At the time the WSJ article was published in 2009, Richard believed his birth father was Douglas Richards, one of five sons, and the owner of a tavern in Michigan where Jackie Hartzell worked. The conception date worked out to be on or near August 14, 1945, which was V-J Day when the Japanese surrendered at the end of World War II. There was definitely a lot of celebrating going on. On his website and in his book, Richard discusses the four stages of genetic testing that he used over his 26-year search, noting that as time passed, technology improved, bringing him closer and closer to finding out the mystery. He started with 1) a simple paternity test, 2) advanced to a Y-DNA test, and then 3) tried a DNA sibling test, which he does NOT recommend. The Y-DNA test (referring to the Y chromosome carried by males) revealed his father’s surname was "Richards" (a huge breakthrough); the DNA sibling test pointed to Douglas Richards as the biological father, a finding that would be overturned several years later in 2010-2011, when autosomal DNA testing came into use. Instead of testing just 16 markers, autosomal testing looks at 700,000 markers to measure the amount of DNA two people have in common. In short, it's a heck of a lot more accurate. Because all five of the Richards brothers had sons, DNA was available to link any one of the five brothers to Richard's paternity. Richard paid for his cousins to undergo 4) autosomal DNA testing, which ruled out Douglas Richards as his biological father. And THAT is where I will leave you in this saga. I'm not going to be the one to spill the beans (in this case . . . the genes). Genealogists out there in cyberland, start your computer engines, and do your research. What's really great about Richard's story, is that he has taken 26 years of experience, research, and hard work and shared it all with his readers. So, when you are deciding what your Summer 2012 reading will be, consider selecting a book with sex, romance, intrigue, and mystery – grab a copy of Finding Family, along with your flip-flops and a Mojito, and head to beach. Click here to read on and learn more about DNA Genealogy and the DNA genealogical tests available from Record Click. To speak with a genetic genealogist to help find birth parents, or locate missing relatives, using cutting edge DNA genealogy, contact us. #### RootsTech Showcases New Technology to Help Genealogists (photo credit Joan Shurtliff 2013) Salt Lake City – a genealogist's Mecca – and I am here this week doing some research and attending the RootsTech Conference. I will leave with two things: the knowledge of what is new at the Family History Library, and what is cutting edge in genealogical research technology for the family genealogy researcher. I will carry home with me the enthusiasm of more than 7,000 Conference attendees who all converged at the Crossroads of the West for one main reason - their love of family genealogy and genealogical research. First, there is always something new at the Family History Library. I'll begin with a short story about me. In order to make things easier and save paper, I wore a flash drive on a lanyard to store information. There is no reason not to have a flash drive, and the staff seems to encourage it. Both copy machines and microfilm printers are flash drive compatible. I wore my flash drive around my neck like a badge of honor busily saving images on it. One afternoon it went somewhere, and I couldn't find it. I went to the place where I last used it, and a young volunteer laughed as he pointed out that the flash drive was in back. Shades of the lady who couldn't find her glasses because they were on top of her head. The Family History Library is also adding classrooms and speakers with genealogical specialties. I attended a session on German last names and how they developed. It was very informative. Plans are in the works for some major changes in the FamilySearch website in the near future, so keep an eye out for that. Visiting the Family History Library periodically is recommended for genealogical researchers. If nothing else, it is a good reminder that family search genealogy resources and technology continue to change. It is easy to get satisfied with the way things are. The thing is – if we want to attract new members to local societies, then we need to keep up with technology. Bottom line for genealogists - be prepared to change with the times. It will happen whether we want it to or not. I don't know about you, but personally, I don't want to go back to manual typewriters and carbon paper. And, in its own way, a major theme of the RootsTech Conference is change. It is a veritable hub of genealogy research technology and a great place to find out what new resources are available for genealogists. Family history is more than pedigree charts, genealogy trees, and family group sheets; it is also about stories – the stories of how our ancestors lived and, in their own small way, changed the world. I don't read as much fiction as I used to, because the stories of my ancestors are so much better. Most families have the "steady-as-she-goes" ancestors who made sure that needs were taken care of; they were the reliable ones. To balance things out, though, there are the characters in the genealogy tree who were anything but dull. It could have been an uncle who made moonshine and managed to keep one step ahead of the county sheriff, or a cousin who ran away to join the circus. That is one of the goals of RecordClick. Our experienced genealogists can help you discover who your ancestors were, but we can do more. We can help find the stories that make your family anestry special. Each family is unique and has a history worth sharing. We promise accuracy and documentation in our genealogical research. What is your family's story? Joan Shurtliff is a Board Certified Genealogist. She is a member of the South Dakota Genealogy Society (SDGS), where she received the Outstanding Member Award for 2011. She currently serves as a Quarterly Editor for the SDGS. Ms. Shurtliff has ties to several early settlers and 1870 Nebraska homesteaders. #### Russian Genealogy: Why You Need Professional Intervention If you want to trace your Russian roots, brace for numerous brick walls. Russian genealogy is one expedition marred with obstacles that hinder researchers from accessing crucial details about their ancestors. However, things are starting to get easy with readily available genealogists and advanced technology. Indeed, a few challenges remain in Russian genealogy research, mainly influenced by language barriers and political instability. The challenge might seem difficult to surmount, especially for US researchers used to fairly complete and easily accessible records. For Russian genealogy, you must apply the strategies discussed below to overcome the hurdles that threaten your success in getting accurate answers. Key Takeaways Conducting successful genealogy research is easier said than done. The first place to find this information is at your home and from relatives. If you have Russian heritage and are concerned about finding tangible information, we can help you narrow down the options and quickly determine your ancestors and their origin. RELATED: Ancestry Migration Patterns: How To Trace Your Roots Start Your Russian Genealogy with Readily Available Information Ask for Old Photos Before you think of your great-grandfather who resided in Saint Petersburg, you should start with information you have about your immediate relatives and parents. The first place to find this information is at your home. Look for deeds, medals, certificates, old passports, Wills, diplomas, old pictures, and other valuable items associated with your close ancestors to know their essential dates, rites of passage, etc. Once you have every crucial detail in your home, proceed to your aunt's or cousin's homes for the same. Once you're done accumulating documents from homes, consider conducting interviews to understand your family and its structure. The documents and the data you gather from the interviews will be crucial in recording repositories. If no relative or family member provides crucial details about your Russian genealogy, try interviewing old family friends or neighbors. Some of the information you should seek in such interviews include names of ancestors, names of the ancestral village in Russia, the local language, or any other recallable information that can serve as a lead in your Russian genealogy. While such information may not lead to a specific name or ancestor, it helps narrow down your research to a specific demography. The information can also be used by future generations seeking a broader understanding of the family history. So, note all the details in a preservable book and back it up on tapes, CDs, computer files, etc. You can look beyond Russia if you need more clarification. Start with your current country of residence. If you're in the US, try to get the exact address of the towns where your ancestors lived. Early Russian immigrants tended to settle along the West Coast, with large numbers arriving in the 1880s. This information can help you locate the church your ancestors attended and where to retract census records. The birth, marriage, and death records kept in churches can help you quickly track your lineage. Search for Vital Records Looking for clues and patterns The current Russian Federation has nine time zones that you must master for easy pinpointing of places to get ancestor records. You'll also want to familiarize yourself with Russian terms for the administrative divisions. The empire has long used provinces locally known as gubernias/oblasts, further divided into districts called uyezds. Archived documents are concentrated in the oblast order, so you'll need to know both the former and the current jurisdictions. Besides, some crucial documents are unavailable online, meaning you may need to travel to Russia for convenient and quick access. But before you plan that trip, check out the Russians to America Passenger Data File, 1834–1897, available via the National Archives and Records Administration’s (NARA) Access to Archival Databases. Just like the practice elsewhere in Europe, record-keeping was done mainly by the church before the authorities took over. Therefore, older parish registers have now become archives and civil registration offices. Grasp Russian History and Geography Russia is the largest country in the world, covering almost twice the territory of Canada. Its historical tribes comprise the Slavic, with Belarusians, Russians, and Ukrainians making up the East Slavs, Slovaks, Czechs, and Poles making up the West Slavs, and Slovenians, Macedonians Serb, Croats, and Bulgarians making up the South Slavs. Understanding the extensive Russian history from the Bolshevik Revolution, Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, and Union of Soviet Socialist Republics to the current Russian Federation requires a deep dig into libraries and online sources. Expedite Your Russia Genealogy Research You need to join the dots and back information with concrete evidence Extensive research across countries can be time-consuming and frustrating when you follow a false lead. Many have been researching their genealogy for years and still have more to discover. The urge to discover your Russian heritage sometimes comes across brick walls like a language barrier or obstacles that keep you stuck. Others have a clue that their ancestors migrated from Russia but need to learn more about that and wonder where to start. Luckily, we have a team of experts performing thousands of genealogy projects for decades. Our professional genealogists will give you a head start and help you overcome any obstacle holding you back from identifying your Russian heritage. It would be a hassle to commute to all the archives in Russia looking for records regarding your grandparents who lived back in the early 90s. Instead, a comprehensive genealogy would identify even closer relatives who would guide your lineage in Russia better. Tracking your Russian genealogy involves detailing the full names of every person connected to you. The family tree has proven most effective in expanding your family details with you as the root. Download free family tree samples and make family research a study and a fun activity in your living room. Every space in the family tree should include the person's full name, special dates like birth and death, and other relevant information. If you don't have any reference material at your disposal, try online searches for any clues. Besides, you can visit the National Archives and General Registrar's office for all records from birth to census. Professional genealogists specialize in the descents of persons and know the checkmarks of finding a specific ancestor. Record Click Professional Genealogists will expedite the process of unearthing personal information and help you understand the historical contexts. Only a professional genealogist can perfectly navigate the national library and quickly track your story. They also come in handy when you want to ensure you get everything right during the Russian citizenship application by descent. RELATED: Physical And Personality Traits That Run In Your Family Track Your Russian Heritage If you have Russian heritage and are concerned about traveling there for information, we can help you narrow down the options and quickly determine your ancestors and their origin. Contact us and share with genealogy experts about which project fits your needs.               #### Salt Lake City Genealogy: Then and Now Salt Lake City – the Mecca of genealogy. Home of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS) and the Family History Library, owned by the church that is the center of the Mormon faith. I have been making an almost annual trip to Salt Lake City for a fair number of years. While doing my research on these trips, I have also been noting changes in both the city and the library. From my corner of the genealogy world, I have some observations. As readers may have surmised by now, this RecordClick genealogy researcher loves genealogy and also has a love of history. But let me backtrack just a bit--something a good genealogy researcher needs to do every now and again. A few years ago, my husband and I were on holiday in Paris, France. We both find beauty in maps, including the panoramic maps so popular in the 1800s. My husband likes to check out the old print shops.  In one shop, among its treasures, was a panoramic map entitled: Panorama de la ville du grand lac Sale (cite des Saints), - Dessin de Ferogio d’apres MM. Burton et Stansbury. Roughly translated, we had found: Panorama of the Great Salt Lake (City of the Saints) Village, along with the name of the artist and printer of the map. On this beautiful print, which we ascertained was from the 1860s, there is a rendering of the Village that contains about seven streets leading the eyes of this genealogist and my husband from the basin toward the mountains. There is no image of any temple. Included with the print was a page out of something that might be called a travelogue.  At the time we found this map in Paris, we weren’t sure what it was because it wasn’t identified and it was in French.  As a good genealogy researcher does, I asked for help. A friend, who had taught French, translated for us some of the comments: “The fields are vast and numerous, but the Saints (the holies) are too busy to maintain them properly; the weeds swarm (pullulate) there; we see much – often more than corn. This year a late and very exceptional frost took place in the month of May, has created a lack of fruit, the peaches and the vines will not produce anything, there are beautiful apples in the orchard of the pontiff (bishop)…” “Two things surprise me; the English features which dominate although modified and the prodigious number of children (!) We disembark on the main path, at the population and business center where live the notable Mormons, where the Gentiles have their stores, a unique place of the town which was a single street in every sense of the word… Almost across from the post office on the corner situated above is a hotel for travelers, a two story building covered with a lean-to-roof, decorated with a long veranda supported by painted wooden pillars, as a sign, flying a flag at the end of a mast, indicated the Salt Lake House. It is the main, if not the only, establishment of this type that New Zion contains. I have seen nothing so magnificent for a long time in the Far West where we learned to demand little of the hotels…” “As for the service, it leaves much to be desired, the blacks from taken flight and it is necessary to wait for the arrival of the hand carts to get some new helpers. But our host, Mr. Townsend, a Mormon from Maine… is the most polite and obliging man in the world…”  “The day after our arrival, which is a Sunday, we went up the big street toward the north, we passed the point of Temple Square and we arrived at a big adobe house with a well-kept garden, and which is that of the governor of the United States, the honorable Alfred Cumming…” Salt Lake City and the LDS have come a long way since that French visitor arrived. The city was founded in 1847, with construction of the LDS temple beginning in 1853. It was completed almost 40 years later. The roots of the Family History Library date to 1894. The current library building was completed in 1985. The original (and still main) purpose for the LDS interest in genealogy has been for proxy baptism into the Mormon faith. This interest, however, has been expanding to include information on who the ancestors were and what their lives were like. Word in the ‘industry’ of the genealogy researcher has it that the Church Fathers are trying to figure out ways for the Church’s researchers to obtain information not currently available at the Family History Library. As many a genealogy researcher knows, the LDS Family History Library is open to researchers of any faith for no charge. Having been there very recently, this genealogy researcher is ready to write some current observations. NUMBERS It now seems that those who are in the executive branches of the LDS--perhaps the bishops and elders—have come to revel in numbers and marketing. When a genealogy researcher is in the LDS library, one may see that, on a regular schedule, there is an individual who walks up and down the aisles with a counter clicking a tally of the number of patrons at that moment. I attended a genealogy RootsTech conference a couple of years ago and each morning, the big news was the attendance numbers. Thousands were attending and online technology was allowing for even more participants. This genealogy researcher can now say that I have experienced a really big genealogy conference—and cross it off my bucket list. DIGITIZATION For the genealogy researcher who is planning a visit to the Family History Library, note that the microfilm readers are going away. More of the genealogical information is being digitized as computers have become the norm. With this, the genealogy researcher can access lots of information from home. At the actual LDS Family History Library facility, the bookshelves on the top floor are filled. Yet, for those books in lesser demand, they are going to compacted shelving on different floors. Now, computer stations with two computer screens have been set up on the American floor with experts available to assist the genealogy researcher. DEVELOPMENT How a city grows and is built reflects what is important to those in charge and its residents. In Rome, St. Peter’s Basilica is seen for miles. The same is true of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. In Salt Lake City, office buildings now hinder the view of the majestic Temple. This seems symbolic as this genealogist wonders if business has been overtaking the spiritual and welfare needs of the church’s members. When I was there so very recently, I was saddened by the empty stores in the Gateway Mall, the mall that had been constructed for the Salt Lake City Olympics in 2002. This fading mall contrasted with a new shiny one. Right there, across the street from Temple Square, a new mall, constructed more recently seems to be doing much better than the older one.  During this recent genealogy trip to Salt Lake City, I did notice that the number of panhandlers has increased. I could also see that the numerous hotels and businesses in the city couldn’t operate without service employees from foreign nations. Business and numbers have a place. But, I must ask how and where. As the genealogy researcher always must ask questions, I’ll ask my bigger ones: How much influence does the church have?  Is bigger necessarily better? When you work with our professional genealogists, you get answers to your questions and create documentation of your family’s unique history. We have genealogists in Europe as well the United States who specialize in everything from adoption to dual citizenship research and more. #### Scottish Heritage: How To Acquire Citizenship Through Genealogy If you have some Scottish heritage, you could qualify to apply for citizenship by descent. When the Scottish government released its White Paper outlining what an independent Scotland might look like, citizenship by descent was a minor but essential element. In most cases, people perturbed about the acquisition of Scottish citizenship need to familiarize themselves with the constitutional intricacies surrounding the whole issue and distinguish the terms Scottish and British. Similarly, the Scottish citizenship issues arise amid recent political events prompting England residents to plan to relocate to Scotland. All these people, including the Scottish-born Brits, are searching for reassurance, especially as the debate of independent referendum gains momentum. Most importantly, the Scotland diaspora needs to understand how the developments could impact their Scottish citizenship by descent or ancestry. Key Takeaways Currently, there is no such thing as Scottish citizenship as the territory is part of the UK. However, if Scotland ever becomes independent, you can seek citizenship by descent and ancestry. If you're one of the people with ancestral ties to Scotland, you can easily trace your clans, ancestors and relatives through in-depth genealogy research. Is There Scottish Citizenship?   The Granite Tartan Kilt Currently, there is no such thing as Scottish citizenship as the territory is part of the UK. As of now, the Nationality law is reserved for Westminster and Scotland residents use British citizenship, meaning that all you can do to come close to Scottish citizenship is acquire British citizenship. However, with prospects of Scottish Independence referendum, it is unrealistic to ignore Scottish independence. In 2014, the Scotland parliament released a draft titled "Scotland's Future" outlining its citizenship in the event of independence from Britain. Simply put, all British citizens born in Scotland, with a connection there, or who are habitual state residents will automatically acquire citizenship. Similarly, people of Scottish descent (parent or grandparent) can also qualify for Scottish citizenship. It's worth noting that all this remains speculative, and any referendum plans do not guarantee that Scotland will become independent of the UK. Having said that, Scotland may achieve independence and prompt an overhaul of the proposals in the White Paper. However, the available proposals in Scotland's Future report provide a crucial insight into the acquisition of Scottish citizenship if you have the state's heritage and bring the hope of acquiring citizenship, whatever the outcome. Tracking Your Scottish Heritage You need to join the dots and back information with concrete evidence Thanks to the internet and technology, tracing roots back to the village or glen has never been easier for Scotts. Scotland is among the leading states with ancestry records available online dating to the 16th century. Scotland's National Records keeps all these records, including birth, marriage, death certificates and all the census record. It created Scotland's People genealogical website in 1998, allowing everyone to access the more than 100 million records updated regularly. If you want to conduct a physical search in Scotland, you can visit Scotland's People Center in Edinburgh, which started operating in the early 50s. You can also try the National Library in the city, which has several publications of historical records like the Genealogical Index of the monumental inscriptions, old parochial records, and the Middle Ages. If you want government records, property registry, testaments, church, family, or business records, check the National Records of Scotland. In Glasgow, the Mitchell Library also keeps family histories, street directories, emigrant lists, graduation records, and voter's registries. How To Research Your Genealogy Family Tree Clearly demonstrating your Scottish heritage is crucial in acquiring the state’s citizenship. Therefore, you need to detail your clans, ancestors and relatives through in-depth genealogy research. It would be a hassle commuting to all the archives from Glasgow to Edinburg looking for records regarding your grandparents who lived back in the early 90s. Instead, a comprehensive genealogy would identify even closer relatives who would be better guidance to your lineage in Scotland. Tracking your Scottish ancestor involves detailing the full names of every person connected to you. The family tree has proven most effective in expanding your family detail with you as the root. Download free family tree samples and make family research a study and a fun activity in your living room. Every space in the family tree should include the person's full name, special dates like birth and death, and other relevant information. If you don't have any reference material at your disposal, try websites and online databases for any clues. Besides, you can visit the National Archives and General Registrar's office for all records from birth to census. How A Genealogist Comes in Handy Genealogists are bound by the law In theory, the process sounds easy, but piling up the paperwork and dealing with all the bureaucracy, can be a hassle. This is the point you need a professional genealogist. A genealogist specializes in the descents of persons and knows the checkmarks of finding a specific ancestor. Record Click Professional Genealogists will expedite the process of unearthing personal information and help you understand the historical contexts. Only a professional genealogist can perfectly navigate the national library and quickly track your story. They also come in handy when you want to ensure you get everything right during the Scottish citizenship application by descent. However, it's advisable to contact your state's consulate general office for directions on the application process, especially regarding descent, application fee, and duration. Of course, the first step in the citizenship application process starts by visiting the state's consulate with your genealogy information and records. RELATED: How To Conduct Family History Research On A Budget Leverage Your Scottish Heritage Now Scottish heritage is one qualification for automatically acquiring Scottish citizenship if the state becomes independent. However, you can only acquire citizenship only if your parents or grandparents are citizens. In addition to other means of acquiring citizenship, like naturalization, you can seek British citizenship now, and by the time Scotland becomes independent, you may qualify for citizenship provided you prove habitual residence, heritage, or birth in the state.   #### Searching Irish Church Records Needs More Than a Lilting Lullaby When thinking of doing Irish religious genealogical research, a picture of Bing Crosby as the "newcomer" parish priest in the movie Going My Way comes to this RecordClick genealogist’s mind. Who can forget Father O'Malley saving St. Dominic's parish by having the boy's choir sing "Swinging on a Star," which is overheard by a music executive who buys the rights to the song? Of course the proceeds were used to pay off the church mortgage. If only Irish genealogy were that simple. With the “Too Ra Loo Ra Loo Ral” lullaby out of the way, we need to remember that, while overwhelmingly Catholic, Ireland was the home to other religions, as well. They got along . . . like oil and water. My Timeline: 400s A.D. – St. Patrick brought the Catholic religion to Ireland. 1541 – Henry VIII was proclaimed King in the Irish Parliament. Abt. 1560 – The First Irish rebellion. Late 1500s – Two Irelands – Gaelic-speaking Catholic and English-speaking Protestant – were evolving. Elizabeth I consolidated English power in Ireland. 1740 – Protestant Householder Returns. The Irish House of Commons ordered a census of protestant households. 1766 – The Church of Ireland was responsible for a religious census. Early 1800s – Tithe Applotment Books were kept. They were the record of a survey to determine the amount of tithe payments to the established church – the Church of Ireland. Many Catholic parishes began keeping baptism, confirmation, marriage, and burial records. 1922 – The Public Records Office in the Four Courts building burned. Ireland was partitioned into the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Researching religious records is like researching land records. “Location, location, location” is most important. Ireland has 26 Catholic dioceses and approximately 2,500 parishes. Diocese borders do not, however, coincide with civil boundaries. The Catholic Ireland website lists the dioceses, parishes, and websites. The general location of each diocese is provided. The closer the family historian can place a family, the better the chance of finding the correct parish. Obituaries, naturalizations, correspondence, or a search of collateral lines may provide clues. Original records are kept at the parish. Some parishes began keeping baptismal, confirmation, marriage, and burial records in the late 1700s, but most started about 1820. Microfilm is available at the National Library of Ireland for the years prior to 1880. At one time, almost every family in Ireland had a member who became either a priest or a nun. The names and addresses of the clergy can be found in the annual Irish Catholic Directory (published annually since 1836). The Church of Ireland records also remain with the pertinent parish. Those for the pre-1870 period are public records and may be available on microfilm at the Representative Church Body Library in Dublin. Some of the listings are online at www.ireland.anglican.org. The Society of Friends (Quakers) also has a small (less than 2,000 member) presence in Ireland. It does, however, keep excellent records. The website lists meetings (houses of worship), history, and library/archives information. The Dublin Friends Historical Library serves as the archives for the country. It contains manuscripts and printed archives of Quakers in Ireland since their beginnings in Ireland in the 1600s. The Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht has a section devoted to church records. Online church records (transcribed) include Carlow (COI); Cork & Ross (RC); Dublin (COI)(PRESBY)(RC); and Kerry (COI)(RC). Northern Ireland Northern Ireland, also known as Ulster, has worked gathering religious records. Due to the nature of the country, many records are protestant. Most parochial registers for the northern counties of Ireland are available on microfilm at the Public Records Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI). Their microfilm records collections include: Church of Ireland, Quakers, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, Methodists, Moravian, Congregational and Baptist. Church of Ireland information can be found on their denomination website. The Presbyterian Historical Society is located in Belfast. Established in 1907 to house church records, it contains an online list of church history holdings. There is a membership fee to access online information. Presbyterian vital records are on microfilm at the PRONI. Other Data Bases Three other religious related resources may be of interest to genealogists. They are: 1) Protestant Household Returns (1740) The Irish House of Commons seemed to have ordered a census of Protestant Households in 1740 known as the  Protestant Householder Returns. The original returns were lost in 1922. Some transcripts made by antiquarian Tenison Groves survived. It appears the census was carried out by the Hearth Tax Collectors. The returns are lists of names of heads of households arranged usually by county, barony and parish. The returns are located at PRONI, and there is a search engine on the website. 2) Religious Census (1766) In March of 1766 the Church of Ireland clergy were ordered by the Irish House of Lords to compile complete returns of heads of households in their respective parishes. Although the original returns were lost in 1922, extensive transcriptions survive thanks to the efforts of Tenison Groves. The existing fragments are at PRONI and consist of approximately 30 parishes in Ulster and more than 30 parishes in what is now the Republic of Ireland. There is information on the surviving parishes and a search engine for the data base on the PRONI website. 3) Tithe Applotment Books (1814-1855) The Tithe Applotment Books were completed between 1823 and 1837 in order to determine the amount that residents, with agricultural holdings exceeding one acre, should pay in tithes to the Church of Ireland. Because the tithes were levied on agricultural land, urban areas are not included. The books provide only the names of the heads of family. The books have been digitized by the LDS. Images organized by county and a search engine can be found at FamilySearch. The books for Northern Ireland are held at PRONI, and for the Republic of Ireland at the National Archives of Ireland. If an Irish lullaby can’t take your mind off the Irish brick wall you keep bumping into, consider reaching out for the help of the expert genealogists at RecordClick. We are knowledgeable in Irish records and can help you develop a genealogical research strategy or assist you in trying to find and obtain those illusive documents. Photo courtesy of Joan Shurtliff #### Step By Step Guide On The Probate Court Process The probate court process can be lengthy and complex, thus requiring careful planning and preparation. Throughout my 15-year experience as a professional heir researcher, I have handled different cases and helped hundreds of clients navigate the system successfully. In this guide, I will break down the probate process, detailing all the legal requirements and the responsibilities bestowed upon the executor, heirs, and other interested parties. Key Takeaways The probate court process ensures that the estate is distributed according to the will and the law. Common steps and stages in the process include filing a petition, valuing assets, and notifying creditors and tax authorities. The lengthy and complex process requires the assistance and guidance of genealogists and attorneys to protect your interests and rights. What Is Probate and Why Is It Necessary? Probate Court Process Probate is the legal process of settling the decedent's property and belongings (estate). The process involves verifying any will, appointing an estate administrator or executor, clearing debts, and distributing assets fairly. The court oversees the process, ensuring all parties adhere to the law and the decedent's preferences. In addition to appointing an administrator, the court provides solutions to any arising matters. Therefore, the probate court process has three key parties, namely; The Executor or Administrator: Executors are named in a will by the decedent, while an administrator is appointed in a probate court if no one was named or no will was left behind (intestate). Beneficiaries: Any person entitled to inherit the estate either named in the will or established through state laws. The Creditors: Organizations or individuals who may have a claim against the estate to recover money owed by the decedent. Having A Will Can Make the Probate Process Easier A will can save time and resources in a probate process Having a will is the most essential aspect of the probate court process. A will is a legal statement that expresses the decedent's interest in their estate distribution. A will lets you give instructions for your estate, including who to execute them, and include trustees or guardians for minor children. As a result, its distributed as you wish, not to mention the seamless process due to clarity and reduced disputes and conflicts. However, dying without a will leaves the estate at the mercy of state laws of intestacy. Here, the decedent's preferences may not be reflected, and the court decides who to manage the assets or inherit. Dying intestate can also lead to protracted court battles, which result in delays, complications, and additional costs and fees. What Is the Probate Court Procedure? Probate cases The court procedure starts when a person passes on, leaving behind an estate and potential heirs. Here is a detailed look into the stages, from filing a petition to distributing the assets. Step 1: Gather the necessary documents and information about the decedent and their estate, including the will, death certificate, potential beneficiaries, and creditors. Step 2: File a petition in a probate court where the decedent lived or owned property. In essence, the petition seeks the court's guidance on the way forward and requests for an executor or administrator designation. The petition must include; Name and address of the petitioner-usually the executor or a decedent's relative. An updated will A list of known beneficiaries An estimate of the estate's value after listing the assets and liabilities. Fees for filing and processing the petition. Step 3: Informing all the interested parties, such as tax authorities, beneficiaries, and creditors, about the petition and the scheduled hearing date. The probate court listens to any disputes or challenges during the hearing before determining the petition. After that, the executor or administrator gets the letters of testamentary to serve as legal authorization to act on behalf of the estate. Step 4: The executor must search and document all the estate assets by searching safe deposit boxes, offshore accounts, homes, offices, and hidden assets. The search may involve contacting insurance companies, financial institutions, and other entities that manage or hold assets. Note that valuing certain assets, such as business interests and real estate, requires a professional appraiser's assistance. Step 5: The executor should pay all the debts and taxes owed by the estate or the testator, including medical bills, inheritance taxes, loans, mortgages, and other obligations. The administrator must verify the claims and pay or reject them according to their validity and order of preference. Similarly, they must obtain releases and receipts from each tax authority and creditor. Step 6: After accounting for the entire estate and clearing debt, the executor can distribute assets to beneficiaries and heirs according to will or intestacy laws. The executor must provide all the receipts and disbursements to the court. They must also obtain a nod from each beneficiary on the appropriate fees and a commission for their work. The transfer of benefits shall adhere to the will or court determination. What Is the Probate Court Process Timeline? The probate timeline varies with jurisdiction and may also be affected by disputes and the complexity of the estate. Some states have expedited or simplified options, especially when dealing with small or uncontested inheritance States like New York have two types of probate: administration proceedings and voluntary administration. The latter is a simplified probate process involving estates valued at less than $50,000. The administration proceeding follows the steps in this guide and typically takes 7 to 15 months but can take longer if disputes and complications arise. Factors That Can Affect the Duration of Probate Assets and Estate distribution The following factors can determine how quickly the process can get; Estate Value and Size: More valuable estates take longer to file and distribute than less valuable ones. Estate Type and Location: Bank accounts and cash are easier to deal with than business interests or real estate. Besides, offshore entities could require additional documentation and procedures. Beneficiaries: Many beneficiaries mean more potential disputes, consents, notices, and approvals. Similarly, uncooperative, missing, unknown, or incapacitated beneficiaries may lead to more work and delays in distribution. Presence of A Valid Will: An updated valid will make the probate process easier as the executor and beneficiaries are well-specified. However, an invalid or inadmissible will delays the process due to conflicts and uncertainties. The Executor or Administrator: A competent, trustworthy, and willing executor can expedite the process, but an inexperienced one can make the process harder and slower. The Probate Court Process: While the court process is critical in overseeing and approving estate management efficiency, workload and requirements may affect how long it takes to have assets distributed accordingly.The processing of claims from credits and tax authorities and working on lawyers' fees and submissions might impact the estate value and make the process even more tedious. You’re Almost There This guide provides only a sneak peek of the probate court process. So, if you need personalized help handling your heirship, I recommend contacting Record Click. We are a team of experienced and dedicated researchers and attorneys who can help trace an estate's rightful heirs and locate any hidden treasures. Above all, we generate legally binding genealogical reports, family trees, and other services crucial for probate and estate planning. READ MORE about RecordClick's heir research services, costs, and expectations.     #### Stories of Our Ancestors - The Lures of Genealogical Research Three years ago, I received a brief family history from a distant McMillan cousin—six handwritten pages covering over one hundred years from the family’s immigration to Colonial America and subsequent settlement. This history contained two amazing stories, which when combined made me wonder. The second one involved a War of 1812 incident. Ananias McMillan, a soldier stationed with his family at Detroit, along with his 12-year-old son Archibald, went to bring in their cow one evening when Ananias was suddenly shot and scalped by Indians, who then kidnapped Archie. Months later, the U.S. Army effected the release of the boy, returning him to his mother.* The account had sufficient names, dates, and places to research to determine its veracity. But that first story . . . . Sophia McMillan (1843-1909), author of the history, wrote just four sentences about her great-grandfather’s tragic arrival from Ireland: "Started to this Country with his widowed Mother and her Infant babe, when he was 14 years old. They were shipwrecked on the way. His mother mother-like grasping the situation, gave her chance of life to her son, tossed her Purse to him, Bade him God Speed should he reach this country: A few moments later he saw two Pieces of the Ship come together, Crushing Mother and Babe, and sink to rise no more. I have heard his Daughter — my grandmother — say he always saw that sight when he closed his eyes, and the Oceans roar was ever in his ears." That horrific scene, coupled with the Indian scalping and kidnapping, caused me to dismiss these stories as family myths told around the fireplace for evening entertainment. But after verifying the Detroit story with city and county histories, my mind returned to that shipwreck. Unlike the second account, this first one seemed to lack sufficient detail to research. No date, no ship's name, no location of the disaster. But the age of 14 proved to be the key. Knowing the death date and age of Sophia’s great-grandfather Jonathan, I could fix the shipwreck at approximately 1737, and certainly the location had to be off the coast of New England, since Jonathan had survived and wound up in Maine. AmericanAncestors offers an external database of early American newspapers, including The Boston News-Letter and The Boston Evening-Post. Within 10 years of 1737, only one shipwreck off the New England shores was reported: the loss of the snow** Catherine. Sailing from Port Rush in Ireland on June 4, 1737, the Catherine was about a mile off the coast of Nova Scotia’s uninhabited Sable Island around 1:00 in the morning of July 17, in thick weather, with high winds and waves. After the tiller was smashed, the sea washed over her and broke apart the entire vessel. Passengers were cast into the stormy water among pieces of the broken ship, and 98 drowned. The surf washed 104 survivors ashore, where another four died from being battered by pieces of wreckage. In the morning, they buried their dead and began repairing the badly damaged longboat. Three days later, the ship’s captain and six other men set out in the longboat, headed for Canse, Nova Scotia, 110 miles distant. They survived the journey and assembled a rescue team, which arrived back at Sable Island six days later. This had to be the shipwreck Sophia had written about, an event that occurred 106 years before she was born! But the details that came through the generations — the origin of the journey, the age of her great-grandfather, the breaking apart of the ship, casting passengers into the water — all enabled this incredible occurrence to be verified as family history, not merely an entertaining tale for winter evenings. And what a remarkable event: elements of the Titanic disaster coupled with the Shackleton Expedition stranding and ultimate salvation. I have to wonder at the tenacity of these people, so determined to make a better life for their descendants. I cry for the Mother and her baby crushed by the wreckage, marvel at the courage of the men who set out to row across 110 miles of open ocean, and wonder about the terror of the survivors left behind on Sable Island, speculating about their chances for rescue. Knowing the stories of our ancestors makes them come vividly to life for us. Isn't this one of the greatest lures of genealogical research? They tug at our imagination and inspire our admiration: for without their unbelievable courage, we would not be who we are. Researching family genealogy is not just for professional genealogists, but sometimes a genealogist for hire can really help to trace your ancestry. If you need the assistance of a genealogy ancestry service to enhance or expand your genealogical research - to determine if the stories are family history or family legend - consider contacting a professional genealogical service, such as Record Click. Trained and experienced genealogists can help you with ancestry searches and confirm fact vs. fiction. *A full examination of this story and the steps that led to its confirmation can be found in the Spring 2012 issue of American Ancestors, “From Family Myth to Historical Account: The McMillan Incident in 1814 Detroit.” **A type of square-rigged vessel, similar to a brig but having a tri-sail behind the main mast. A professional genealogist and expert genealogy writer, Patricia ("Tricia") Dingwall Thompson's articles can be found in the New England Historic Genealogical Society magazine "American Ancestors" (Spring 2012), on Everton's Genealogical Helper website, and serialized in the "New Hampshire Genealogical Record." A number of her researched genealogies are housed in the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. Having taught high school Advanced Placement English for 38 years, Tricia now teaches genealogy classes through the Bozeman School District's Adult Education program, and serves as Registrar for the Mount Hyalite Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. #### Table Of Consanguinity: How To Determine Heirship The table of consanguinity is a critical tool for deciding what happens to a person’s estate when they die without a will. Professional genealogists and attorneys rely on it to establish the degree of consanguinity for every potential heir of estates from the over 60% of Americans that die intestate. This guide explains the table of consanguinity and how it applies in estate settlement. Key Takeaways If a decedent dies intestate, the probate court applies the respective laws in their place of jurisdiction. If there's no spouse or issue, then probate follows the consanguinity path per the state's laws of inheritance and distribution. Understanding the consanguinity table would help you easily track possible heirs and prepare for a probate case. What Is Intestacy Succession? Probate Court Process Intestate is dying without a valid will. In this case, the probate applies the respective laws in their place of jurisdiction. About nine states, including Texas and Washington, apply the community property inheritance law where half of their estate goes to the partner. However, most states apply the common law, which places the estate's ownership to beneficiaries included in a will. Normally when a person dies intestate, the estate is distributed according to the relationship with the decedent. The pattern starts with spouse, children, grandchildren, and so on. But what if the decedent didn’t have a family? What if they were an orphan with no spouse or kids? This is where the table of consanguinity comes in handy. What is Consanguinity? Understand the table of Consanguinity The term consanguinity has social and scientific meanings but legally refers to kinship. Typically, genealogists use the table of consanguinity to determine how a person relates to the decedent on a family tree. The original meaning of consanguinity stipulates people’s relation by blood or descending from a common ancestor, for example, cousins, parents, and siblings. The best way to depict this extension is through a table where relations do not overlap. As you can see from the image above, the table of consanguinity starts with you and family links spreading out. Please take note of numbers showing relationship level. The first degree of consanguinity comprises the children and parents while the second has siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren. Aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, and great-grandparents comprise the third degree. Who To Include in The Table of Consanguinity You include relatives in the Table of Consanguinity It’s worth noting that any person related by adoption or second marriage should fall in their position on the table and share the same relationship as if related by blood. This antique area of law has evolved to adapt to the changing familial and social norms. As a result, half-blood relatives are considered consanguineous descendants of their adoptive parents, and anyone conceived posthumously can also count. Below are some apparent assumptions in this statutory. The estate should benefit the family. Closer relatives are prioritized over distant ones. Spouses are the priority despite not being related by blood. Spouses for other family members don’t rank. Children and other issues deserve a portion of the estate. Older relatives may be prioritized in some cases. Relatives sharing a degree of consanguinity are entitled to equal estate share. The first five assumptions sit well in probate cases, but the last two may attract opposition given that they allow parents to inherit over a sibling. An estate benefiting an older relative is rare and mainly deemed unnecessary and impractical, and most families don't borrow that, especially when many descendants are involved. How Does Consanguinity Help Determine Heirship? Consanguinity table is in heir search If a decedent dies intestate, their spouse or issue becomes the rightful heir. However, if there's no spouse or issue, then probate follows the consanguinity path under the state's laws of inheritance and distribution. Usually, the process involves searching for heirs in the lineal descendants, Level 1, 2, and 3 Heirs. The lineal descendants consist of the spouse, children, grandchildren, and so on. If the decedent has no spouse, then level 1 heirs must be established, and they comprise the decedent's parents and children. If no relative from level 1 exists, level 2 heirs must be established, and they comprise grandparents, grandchildren, brothers, and sisters. The process continues until the furthest level 3, consisting of uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, great-grandparents, and so on. See our Heir Research Services, Costs, And Expectations. How Genealogy Helps Navigate Consanguinity family history requires accurate genealogy Understanding the consanguinity table is one thing and conducting your genealogy is another. In fact, an inaccurate genealogy report would mislead your research no matter how well you understood the table. Therefore, even as you clam the layout on the table, you need to get your data right. You want accurate names, locations, and dates of that niece who appears as the closest relative and potential heir in intestate succession. Luckily, experts at Record Click can help navigate the intricacies of family history research. Besides perfecting genealogy research, they clearly understand what is required by law. Simply put, our forensic genealogists help clients fulfill their fiduciary duty with detailed and factual information. When conducting the level 1 search, we consider the stirpes or per capita basis. Similarly, the level 2 heir search involves two concurrent searches for the maternal and paternal grandparents. It's worth noting that most complicated cases we've handled end at level 2 search, but if need be, we have the expertise to establish heirs no matter how far it takes us. Prove Your Familial Blood Link If you're a fiduciary professional seeking answers on heirship and data presentation in court, Record Click can help. We also offer free consultation if you need more time to start searching. Estate planning is inherently personal, and the legislative solutions may not conform to your circumstances. Therefore, the best advice is to plan now, and we can help with that, too. Contact us now! #### Technology in Probate Search: How To Save Time And Money During Probate LegalTech has become the norm in the legal industry, and one area that has particularly benefitted from this technological advancement is heir search services. Traditionally, heir search involved laborious efforts to trace missing heirs, unclaimed assets, and Wills. However, with the power of technology in heir search, the process has become more accurate, efficient, and cost-effective. Nonetheless, the human touch remains essential in verifying intricate scenarios and helping probate attorneys prevent potential data breaches. You want a forensic genealogist who not only leverages technology but also adheres to strict regulations like the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct. With such expertise, it becomes second nature for a forensic genealogist to use cutting-edge technology like Artificial Intelligence, automation, data mining, Optical Character Recognition (OCR), DNA, and more. Such a quick and uninterrupted process could mean just a few months to finalize the probate process. Moreover, the use of technology in heir search brings substantial thoroughness to the process, not to mention consistency and efficiency. Today, forensic genealogists find it easier to access vast databases, establish patterns, and present an accurate and credible report than ever. This guide delves deeper into the use of advanced technology in heir search and the impact on the probate process. Benefits of Technology in Heir Search Technology can expedite finding unknown heirs and the entire process. Heir search leverages forensic genealogy to identify heirs or beneficiaries of an estate, starting with the decedent to the living heirs. Probate heirs search service providers identify and locate heirs guided by state laws. They also generate detailed reports, including exhibits and affidavits, to facilitate estate distribution. Their exclusive access to vital records and societies can help validate and expedite the process. Moreover, the search may cross beyond borders, requiring a solid understanding of international laws, languages, cultural norms, and politics. Such roadblocks are the reasons you may need the assistance of a professional heir searcher. Note that your choice of researcher must be certified, insured, and licensed. In addition to skills and access to records and databases, heir search services leverage advanced methodologies like DNA to detect fraud and verify heirship. Here s a more detailed look of the benefits probate attorneys are likely to reap from technology in heir search: 1. Improved Efficiency Technology enhances efficiency Technology helps genealogy researchers speed-up routine tasks such as data collection, analysis, and presentation, reducing the time and resources required. Such efficiency allows the heir researcher and the probate attorney to cover more tasks within a short time, expediting the entire probate process and making it more reliable. 2. Cost Saving Technology can thrash the bills significantly Technology in heir search thrashes the high costs you would pay for research or even probate attorney services. The automation and credibility significantly reduce operational costs and allow ample time for other tasks. In addition to ensuring better utilization of resources, having few bills to pay and expediting the turnaround is proof of good-faith effort. 3. Increased Accuracy Data analytics and advanced algorithms technology reduce the risk of human error when collecting, analyzing, or documenting heir search data. As a result, reports from forensic genealogists become more reliable and credible, which is crucial when probate attorneys want to enhance the probate process, especially the intricate ones. 4. Access to Information Most services are offered online now. Legal tech has enabled heir researchers to uncover information that might otherwise gone unnoticed. The probate process may involve hidden assets, unknown beneficiaries, or missing heirs, which requires the application of advanced technology to align the estate settlement process and account for every asset and heir. Moreover, technology comes with consistent application of criteria and methodologies, preventing inconsistencies that may arise with manual processes. 5. Time-Saving Tech can save time Identifying heirs means having all the names, dates, and links well-detailed, which would be a hassle without technology. The list of ways tech saves time can be overwhelming, but you must be sure of having every repetitive task well taken care of. That leaves the researcher with ample time to scrutinize any complicated scenario and conduct the proper legal analysis. Most importantly, the professionals have more time to communicate and collaborate, eventually expediting the process. 6. Adoption and Adaptation Virtual court room is now standard practice The world has experienced a collective mindset shift and adaptation to new technologies in the last decade, with the peak being during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the use of AI, cloud computing, and Blockchain has soared significantly among law firms. Holding video conferences with interested parties, fellow professionals, and judges has become a norm. So, with the proper application of technology, the systems favor you and make expeditious research and estate settlement a reality. How Technology in Heir Search Helps Save Money and Time During Probate Technology in heir research is crucial when you want to streamline the probate process. If you must find hidden assets, unclaimed assets, and potential beneficiaries, having technology in heir search becomes a necessity. Below are the several areas where technology in heir search enhances the probate process. 1. Data Collection Technology in heir search enhances data entry After seeking heir search services, data collection commences, and the forensic genealogist extracts information about the decedent and potential heirs from online databases, historical documents, public records, etc. Automated genealogy software like the Gramps and Evidentia have helped genealogists speed up data collection from different sources, ensuring minimal errors. This information is then added to the intestacy management software like EstateWorks and ProbatePlus to help the probate attorney automate and manage the process. 2. Legal Research Use of NLP technology in heir search enhances legal research Like probate attorneys, the researcher utilizes tools like Docassemble and LexNLP, which use natural language processing (NLP) to analyze legal documents and extract relevant information. Using technology in heir search can help save time and reduce errors in the analysis of legal documents. Besides, it ensures efficient review of trusts, Wills, probate records, and heir searches in accordance with the jurisdiction's law. Overall, integrating these tools from heir research into the probate process improves the efficiency of information extraction and interpretation for the probate process. 3. Data Analysis DNA test can help uncover genetic traits Forensic genealogists need to analyze family trees, relationships, and historical data. In families with intricate structures, the genealogist creates or updates the family trees with the help of data mining analysis technologies. Machine Learning Algorithms (MLA) can help analyze large amounts of data in a way that human researchers find overwhelming. Besides, they enhance the accuracy of identifying relationships, predicting potential heirs, and optimizing search algorithms based on historical data. The genealogists also use DNA testing and compare the results with readily available information to identify unknown heirs, reconstruct family tees, and provide credible reports on heirships. Using such technologies in heir search data analysis makes a strong case for the probate attorney, not to mention the quick turnaround. 4. Documentation and Reporting OCR tools make documenting and reporting straightforward. Probate attorneys need a well-documented forensic genealogy report indicating the rightful heirs, their relationships, and the estate inventory to be distributed. Therefore, forensic heir hunters must document every detail and compile a comprehensive heirship report with substantial evidence. With OCR tools like Adobe Acrobat, converting docs, PDFs, or scanned papers into searchable and editable data becomes straightforward. As a result, data from crucial resources, including handwritten records, newspapers, and historical documents, becomes readily available. Other document management systems like SharePoint and OneDrive help document the entire heir search process, compile a report with supporting documentation, and organize information. Cloud computing has also been shown to effectively let probate attorneys, forensic genealogists, and other professionals collaborate, share data, and access databases remotely. 5. Court Presentation Virtual court proceeding Forensic genealogists make up a crucial part of probate when the attorney presents a report of all the beneficiaries and assets. The genealogy report is the evidence of the attorney's conclusion and findings about the heirship. Genealogists can use case management software like PracticePanther and MyCase to collaborate with the attorney regarding the findings, documentation, and case presentation. Suppose the genealogist is required to testify as an expert witness. In that case, they may use software like Prezi, Google Slides, or Microsoft PowerPoint for a professional and clear presentation of findings in court with visual aids and supporting documents. Virtual and Augmented reality technologies in heir search can also help the genealogist immerse parties in a visualizing family connection, enhancing the probate process. Legal technology is proving to be a transformative force in the heir search and probate industry. It has revolutionized the process of searching for heirs and assets through automation, data analysis, and integration. Probate attorneys and heir researchers who embrace these technologies can better navigate the intricacies of probate and make the process accurate, accessible, and efficient. Besides, the integration ensures that beneficiaries receive their inheritance on time, fulfilling the decedent's intended wishes. How Does Record Click Heir Search Specialists Help Probate Attorneys? Reasons you should consider seeking RecordClick's services RecordClick specialists will integrate relevant technology in heir search to unravel intricate family structures and streamline the probate process. You get to enjoy in-depth local and international forensic research, non-percentage flat-rate fees, over 98% success rate, and well-documented court-ready reports. Plus, if needed, we can appear in court for testimonies. Our professional genealogical researchers have completed tens of thousands of searches traversing various cultures, languages, and legal intricacies. Here's what to expect with Record Click’s heir search service: Record Click's heirline researchers work with and assist the attorney in finding the missing heirs to an estate. We document the evidence to validate the locating of missing heirs to an estate and provide the attorney with the necessary documents. 1. Heir Search When Estate Beneficiaries are Unknown We can help when the estate beneficiaries are unknown, need to be located, or need proof of the relationship. We provide a simple hourly rate and do not expect or require a percentage of the estate. 2. Heir Search Experience & Credentials We have experienced, credentialed researchers all over the USA, including in Salt Lake City, UT, the world-famous Family History Library, and international genealogical search expertise. Our researchers also have access to the constantly growing world of subscription internet services. After your research, your report and all your records will be provided in an attractive binder. 3. Customize Based on Your Heir Search Needs Our experts can customize your heir search for the genealogical research you need for your firm, your time frame, and your budget. Contact us today to get started on your estate settlement. For local and international services or heir searches, firms, attorneys, and trust officers rely on Record Click for their work. Our team of 45+ experts includes a former CIA agent, in-house DNA experts, researchers in all states, and researchers in all parts of Europe. Services included: heir German, heir search, search for heirs, heir searches, heir finders, heir finder, heir in German. Save time and money with RecordClick heir search Save money and time; we have the best pricing in the industry, and we're available to start today. We'll help you solve the unknown in your case. Please reach out to us today for more information. We offer free, no-obligation consultations, even if you are not planning to start a search immediately. Feel free to ask any questions — we look forward to connecting. Contact Record Click today or schedule a call. READ MORE: Record Click’s Heir Research Services, Costs, And Expectations. #### Ten Website Sources for Virginia Genealogy Research Many genealogy researchers can trace their early ancestors back through one of the colonial states.  Virginia, as one of the original thirteen colonies, was inhabited by Europeans as early as 1607.  It is a state that hosted landing parties of immigrants on its shores.  Groups of settlers and explorers moved inland from the tidewater area and traversed the mountain and valley paths and roads. In addition to your Virginia genealogy research efforts on well known sites such as Ancestry.com, GenealogyBank.com, or Archives.com, it can be very beneficial to explore Virginia based repositories. I’m sharing some of my favorite website addresses to help you in your family history search for your Virginia ancestors. The Library of Virginia, 800 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia  23219    Phone:  804.692.3500 http://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/guides/time.htm - This address on The Library of Virginia website contains a chart that shows different time periods in Virginia history and correlated sources for Virginia research. http://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/guides/bibguides.htm - Contains links to research guides, research notes, and bibliography lists. http://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/guides/opac/lonnabout.htm  - Great information about Virginia Land Office Patents and Northern Neck Patents and Surveys and other Virginia Land Grants. The University of Virginia Library, PO Box 400113, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4113 Phone:  434. 924.3021     library@virginia.edu http://www2.lib.virginia.edu/genealogy/virginia - Provides list of links of various research resources in Virginia including family histories, bibliographies, Virginia history, general and military records, as well as map references. Earl Gregg Swem Library at The College of William and Mary, 1 Landrum Drive, Williamsburg, VA 23187-8794. http://guides.swem.wm.edu/genealogy - This link directs to web pages providing details of genealogical resources available at the library. Virginia Historical Society, 428 North Boulevard, Richmond, VA 23220 | Mail: P.O. Box 7311, Richmond, VA 23221-0311 | Phone: 804.358.4901 http://www.vahistorical.org/research/main.htm  - Searching the collections of the Virginia Historical Society may turn up clues to your Virginia past. USGenWeb Archives Project for Virginia – County Indexes http://www.usgwarchives.org/va/vafiles2.htm - Provides a chart with links to information on various Virginia counties, cities, and “defunct Virginia counties”.  These defunct counties are counties that were once in Virginia, but now are in West Virginia and Kentucky.   Hope you can find the missing clues that you need in your ancestor hunt! To speak with one of our professional genealogists about help with your Virginia genealogy research contact us. #### The 90-Year Old YouTube Dancer: A Genealogy Researcher Finds Swing Dancer Jean Phelps Veloz and Her Family History This genealogy researcher knows that booming towns can lead to swinging times. The YouTube sensation, 90-year old Dancer Jean Phelps Veloz, is proof of that. To understand what dancing means to Jean, view the YouTube video. This RecordClick genealogist enjoys a good story and Jean’s is certainly an entertaining one. As with all genealogy, there is history. In this case, this genealogy researcher will take a quick look at the history, family and culture that has shaped Jean’s life. First, a genealogy researcher needs to know the history of the family. Jean was born March 1, 1924 in Los Angeles to Lyndon Phelps and Marie Grinnell. Lyndon had both old and new ties to the state. Lyndon’s mother, Katie Jones, was born in California in 1874. His father, Charles L. Phelps, was born in Iowa in 1869. Jean’s mother, Marie Grinnell was new to California. Marie had been born in Iowa and her own parents, Arthur Grinnell and Lillian Burlingame were born in Wisconsin. Widowed at a young age, Jean’s maternal grandmother, Lillian, had moved with her three children to Los Angeles in somewhere between 1910 and 1920. At the time of Jean’s grandmother’s move to Los Angeles, the place was booming. Founded in 1781, Los Angeles had spent most of its first 100 years as a sleepy Mexican village. When researching a city, it is always good for the genealogy researcher to get a sense of the place's history.  Here are some dates that give historical context to Los Angeles: 1835 – The Mexican Congress declared Los Angeles a city. 1840 – The wine export industry began. 1848 – California was ceded to the United States and the gold rush began. 1850 – Los Angeles was incorporated as a U.S. City and California was admitted to the Union. 1885 – The Santa Fe railroad completed a line from Chicago to Los Angeles. 1892 – Oil was discovered in the Los Angeles area. 1903 – The City of Hollywood was incorporated. 1910 – Hollywood merged with Los Angeles. “In Old California” was the first movie shot in Hollywood. New residents came to Los Angeles by the thousands. The 1880 population of 12,500 grew to 170,000 by 1900. It mushroomed to 500,000 in 1910 and almost doubled to 930,000 by 1920. In 1930, A genealogy researcher will find that over 2,200,000 people called Los Angeles home.  For those who moved there at that time, work could be found in both agricultural and industrial fields. The 1920 U.S. Census, enumerated in January, finds Jean’s dad, Lyndon, 28, working as a mill man and living in Inyo County near Yosemite National Park. Jean’s mom, Ada M. Grinnell, 26, was living in Los Angeles with her mother and two siblings. Ada and her sister were working as stenographers. This genealogy researcher has found that the couple was married on the March 1, 1920 in Los Angeles. On their marriage record, both are listed as living in Los Angeles. By then, Lyndon J. Phelps was a machinist and Marie Ada Grinnell was listed as being in the clerical field. (Note the name of Jean’s mom, which this genealogy researcher thinks was now her middle name and first name transposed.) By 1930, the Phelps had three children: Robert, Jean and Raymond. By 1940, the couple had divorced. Marie and the children moved to Santa Barbara County, just up the coast from Los Angeles. There, Marie Ada found work as a telephone operator. The 1920s was a decade of change in the United States. On one hand, prohibition became the law of the land. On the other hand, a new up-tempo kind of music called Swing or Big Band gained a foothold. With roots in jazz, Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Benny Goodman, Harry James, Les Brown, to name just a few, created bands that toured the country and celebrated their sound on the newest medium – radio. This is the music Jean Phelps grew up on. Jean Phelps Veloz was a Swing dancer early on. Here, she is dancing with her brother, Raymond. Young Jean Phelps won a dance contest and began a film career. Good music is great listening, but the energy of Swing and Big Band needed something else and the young people complied with new dances. Hollywood and the movies began recording it. Jean, with the encouragement of her mother, began dancing. One of her early partners was her brother, Raymond. Another partner was dancer Arthur Walsh. Jean and Arthur entered a dancing contest and won. The prize: An appearance in the movie Swing Fever in 1943. With that, Jean received her Screen Actors Guild card. Following this, she appeared in a number of movies including The Horn Blows at Midnight with Jack Benny; Groovie Movie; Swingin’ On a Tea Garden Gate with Peter Lawford and Jive Junction. In 1947, Jean’s career took a turn when she was selected by ballroom dancer Frank Veloz to be his new partner. Frank’s career had begun in the 1920s and included live performances, several Broadway productions and the movies. According to the Internet Broadway Data Base, Frank's Broadway shows included The Love Call, Pleasure Bound and Hot-Cha! The interest in each other became personal and the couple married in 1963. They opened several dance studios and continued to teach dancing. For a time, Frank and Jean had a dance program on a local Los Angeles television network. After Frank died in 1981, Jean hung up her dancing shoes. But it wasn’t for too long. She soon discovered that there was still interest in Swing Dancing and fans still remembered her. Jean Veloz was inducted into the prestigious California Swing Dance Hall of Fame in 1996. Jean Phelps Veloz at 90 is a dancing treasure. So at 90, there is Jean Phelps Veloz  on Youtube looking fit, trim and wonderful. She is still dancing, has her own website and is doing a better Lindy than most younger folks. Having a special birthday or event? Hire a genealogist at RecordClick to find the gift of your family’s history. A RecordClick genealogy researcher will dig deep into your ancestor’s records and create your family’s special story. #### The Ancestry Researcher, Tony Awards, Genealogy, Census Records and Antoinette Perry--Part 2 When the Tony Awards are given out this time, some of us ancestry researchers will be thinking about Antoinette Perry, in whose honor the awards are named. She had a fine time in the theater as a young actress, a director, a producer and a supporter. When her husband died and left her a small fortune, she used it generously in the theater world. Her relatives on her mother’s side had been troupers. She’d traveled a bit with them as a young girl. As we trace her ancestry, we see her parents were divorced. The lineage of Antoinette Perry’s mother’s side is extensive and interesting for the ancestry researcher. From the earlier piece RecordClick has posted on Antoinette Perry, we noted that there is a lot for the ancestry researcher to find on her mother’s side of the family—going as far back to the American Revolution. Now, this RecordClick ancestry researcher can even trace Antoinette Perry’s genealogy back to the Mayflower. In the History of Colorado, Volume IV, published in 1910, Antoinette’s mother’s family had been pioneers in Iowa and then, in Colorado. Her mother’s father, Charles L. Hall, had Mayflower lineage. The ancestry researcher will find Antoinette Perry descends on her mother’s side from Mrs. John Filley John And Elizabeth Howland all of whom are reported to have arrived in America on the Mayflower in 1620. Antoinette’s grandfather, Charles L. Hall, was brought to Iowa when he was 9. Later, he moved to Colorado, began and sold a cattle ranch and then he prospected for gold. The written stories of his prospecting days detail great feats of survival. Ultimately, he had success starting the Colorado Salt Mines and married Mary Melissa Hill Nye (b. 1838) in Denver after she had come West with her family from Genesco County, New York. These were the parents of Minnie B. Hall, mother of Antoinette Perry. Antoinette’s mother married three times: William R. Perry on September 7, 1887, Edward Roberts Murphy on May 19, 1910, and Emilio D. De Soto on November 22, 1930. While her ancestors had been true land pioneers in Colorado, Antoinette’s mother was a pioneer in bringing the Christian Science religion to Colorado. Church lore on the website has it that Antoinette’s given first name, Mary, was in honor of Mary Baker Eddy, founder of Christian Science. It may also have been that she was named in honor of her father's mother, Mary. Her father’s side is fascinating for the ancestry researcher in other ways. Antoinette’s father, William Russell Perry (b. 1859, d. 1911) was born in New York or Kansas (depending on what census record you look at) and died in Denver. Or maybe, he died in Kansas. We do know for sure that he was married to Minnie Betsey Hall (b. 1863) in 1887. They had Antoinette in 1888. By 1900, they had been divorced. Is this the correct Perry?There are two William R. Perrys and the ancestry researcher can dig to find which is the father of Tony Awards namesake Antoinette Perry. Where might the ancestry researcher find the divorce papers? Perhaps, the genealogist could find them in the local archives. Maybe, a diligent genealogy researcher will find them in a local religious institution’s records. In person interviews with a family history researcher with Antoinette Perry’s descendants may likely turn up the family’s stories about the why and how of the divorce. For now, we can verify by the census records that in 1900 that he was a divorced man. In the 1900 census, in Colorado, we find William R. Perry, age 41, living with his widowed mother, Mary A. Perry, age 64 and his brother, John A. Perry, age 42. He was working as a bookkeeper. His brother is working as a lawyer. They are living with a servant Carrie Schaefer, age 32, from Germany. Mary A. Perry, 64, widow, Landlady John A. Perry, 42, lawyer William R. Perry, 41, bookkeeper Carrie Schaefer, 32, servant By the 1910 census, the brothers are still living with their mother. Mary A. Perry, age 73 John A. Perry, age 52 William R. Perry, age 41 Minarie Sauer, age 20 The older brother is listed as an attorney. William R. Perry is listed as having his “Own Income”. The ancestry researcher wonders what that means!  The servant is now Minarie Sauer, age 20, from Germany. An interesting note found on the census record is that Mary A. Perry is listed as having had 4 children, with two surviving.  In both the 1900 and 1910 censuses, the sons list their mother, Mary A. Perry, as being born in Ireland, although in the 1910, census it says Ireland/English. The 1900 census lists their father as coming from Georgia. In the 1910 census, they their father’s nationality is listed as Canadian/English. Just something for the ancestry researcher to note.  As always, the ancestry researcher must double and triple check with records and interview and archival material. Sometimes, as in the case, the genealogist must become a Perry Mason! Let’s keep going backwards, as many an ancestry researcher likes to do. In the 1870 census, there is Mary A. Perry, a widow, living with her two sons, ages 11 and 10 and what looks like five boarders. Her profession is listed as Boarding House Keeper. Her place of birth is listed as New York. Her sons are listed as having been born in Ohio. Genealogists note that in the 1900 census, they noted they were born in Kansas and that she was from Ireland.  Interesting, no? Might not be the same people. And might be the same people. More for the ancestry researcher to verify. In the 1880 census, William Perry, age 22, is listed as Single, from Kansas and with a father born in New York! His mother, Mary, age 43, is living with him and she is listed as coming from Ireland. When searching for the ancestry records of anyone, the genealogist must compare, contrast and think about the information presented from decade to decade. There are often discrepancies in the census documents that need to be verified and confirmed with other records. Often, a genealogy researcher will find that there are two people with the same name and same birth year. There are death records for William R. Perry, (b. 1859, d. 1940) buried in Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas. Then there is also a death record for William R. Perry (b. 1858, d. 1911) buried in Denver, Denver County, Colorado. Which is our Antoinette’s father? In the case of Antoinette Perry, her father’s family has some confusing information on birth places and origins. The ancestry researcher can easily check and clear up these items. Want your ancestry and family information to be clear? Our professional genealogists will find the right information for your family tree. #### The Benefits of Hiring a Local Genealogist for Your Family History Research Are you curious about your family's history, eager to trace your ancestral roots, and discover the stories of those who came before you? Embarking on a journey to uncover your family history can be an exciting and rewarding experience. However, navigating through historical records, deciphering complex lineage connections, and conducting thorough research can be a daunting task. This is where a local genealogist near you can play a vital role, bringing their expertise and knowledge to help you unravel the mysteries of your family tree.   Why Choose a Local Genealogist? When it comes to family history research, hiring a local genealogist offers several significant advantages. Here are some compelling reasons to consider working with a genealogist near you: 1. In-depth Knowledge of Local Records and Resources Local genealogists possess a deep understanding of the regional history, archives, and resources specific to your area. They are familiar with local records, including birth, marriage, and death certificates, census data, land deeds, and more. This expertise allows them to efficiently navigate through these resources and locate valuable information about your ancestors. 2. Access to Local Networks and Contacts Genealogists who specialize in local research have established networks and contacts within the community, including historical societies, libraries, and other professionals. These connections provide them with access to additional resources, unpublished records, and local experts who can contribute valuable insights to your family history. 3. Personalized Assistance and Guidance Working with a local genealogist offers a personalized and tailored experience. They can guide you through each step of the research process, helping you formulate research goals, organize your findings, and interpret complex information. Their expertise ensures that you receive accurate and reliable research results. 4. Local Context and Cultural Understanding A local genealogist brings a deeper understanding of the local context and cultural nuances surrounding your family's history. They can provide insights into the historical events, customs, and traditions that shaped your ancestors' lives, offering a more comprehensive picture of your family's story. 5. Save Time and Effort Genealogical research requires patience, persistence, and meticulous attention to detail. Hiring a local genealogist allows you to save significant time and effort. They have honed their research skills and techniques, streamlining the process and efficiently uncovering information that might have otherwise remained hidden. Frequently Asked Questions about Hiring a Local Genealogist Q: How much does it cost to hire a genealogist near me? A: The cost of hiring a genealogist can vary depending on factors such as the scope of the research, the complexity of the project, and the genealogist's level of expertise. For specific pricing information, you can visit RecordClick's guide on the cost to hire a genealogist near me. Q: How long does it take to complete a family history research project with a genealogist? A: The duration of a family history research project depends on various factors, including the scope of the research, the availability of records, and the complexity of the lineage. A local genealogist can provide an estimated timeline based on your specific project requirements. Q: Can a local genealogist help with international research? A: Yes, many genealogists specialize in international research and can assist with tracing ancestors from different countries. They have expertise in navigating international records, understanding immigration patterns, and working with foreign archives. Embrace Your Family's Legacy with a Local Genealogist Near You Hiring a local genealogist offers numerous benefits for your family history research. Their in-depth knowledge of local records, access to regional networks, personalized assistance, and understanding of the local context can significantly enhance your research journey. By working with a genealogist near you, you can uncover the captivating stories of your ancestors, create a meaningful family tree, and pass down your family's legacy to future generations. If you're ready to embark on this enriching journey, find a genealogist near you and unlock the secrets of your family's past. Remember, your family's history is waiting to be discovered – let a local genealogist guide you along the way. #### The Blogsphere Part One: Five Legendary Genealogy Blogs I was going to title this blog “My Top Five Favorite Legendary Genealogy Blogs,” but after reading Nancy’s May 1st blog titled "Random Acts of Genealogy Kindness," where she started out with a parody of “top ten lists,” I was a little hesitant to share my blog this week. In the end I decided just to change the title and hoped Nancy wouldn’t notice my blog out of fear she may parody me – lol. Nancy is so tremendously witty that I have to read all her blogs. This brings me to the point of this post -- genealogy blogs are a fun and fantastic way to do family history research, gather data, learn tips and tricks, or study the history of a heritage group. Grab a cup of coffee, fire up your computer and journey into the hearts and minds of professional genealogists and novice family historians as they share fascinating narratives and provide the know-how to move your genealogy forward. Below I have described five legendary blogs. Genea-Musings Randy Seaver’s Gena-Musing blog is one of the most popular genealogy blogs online. His blog is a rich tapestry of genealogical information and personal reflections. On his blog site you will find genealogy news; reports on his research processes and outcomes, including both successes and failures; an analysis of information; and a fantastic list of links! Randy blogs prolifically but don’t worry, he has index labels to the right of his blog so you can search for the topic of your choice. Randy has a personable writing style that draws people into his blog and keeps them coming back, so it is no wonder he has had over a million page views! Acadian Ancestral Home Lucie Le Blanc Consentino’s Acadian Ancestral Home blog weaves together Acadian genealogy and history, her research findings, documents, and personal stories related to the topic. Her blog was selected by Family Tree Magazine as one of the top 40 genealogy blogs in 2011. Lucie’s blog has been described as "an absolute treasure trove of information for Acadian genealogy" and I agree! Lucie has a strong sense of genealogy ethics, so you can count on her to present reliable, well documented information. Lucie also founded the Acadian and French-Canadian Ancestral Home, the Mothers of Acadia mtDNA project, and is the host of the Acadian GenWeb Project. As an Acadian I have spent hours on her sites and can say that they are all incredible sources of information. Best of all, in reading her blogs and other postings, you can see that Lucie truly embodies the Acadian spirit.  The Genetic Genealogist The Genetic Genealogist is written by Blaine Bettinger, a family historian who just happens to have a doctoral degree in biochemistry. Blaine helps his readers understand in laymen’s terms, the genetics in genealogy. He reports on recent advances in the field of personal genomics, reviews DNA testing companies, and offers insightful posts and analyses on the intersection of genetics and ancestry. Blaine’s blog has an archive, a featured article section of his most popular blogs, and a search function with a drop down menu to help you navigate his site. To know more about genetic genealogy go and explore Blaine’s site. African-Native American Genealogy Blog Angela Walton-Raji is an African-Native American genealogist and author that has a remarkable blog that focus on the genealogy and socio-historic context of blended Afro-Native people. Angela freely shares photographs, documents, and data, making her blog the most significant in the African-Native genera. Even if you don’t have an African-Native American connection in your family, you will enjoy her reflective, poignant blogs. Her site offers an archive, a live traffic feed, podcasts, and some interesting links. Angela also has a website dedicated to the African-Native American Genealogy and an African-American genealogy blog. Visit Angela’s site to know more about African-Native genealogy, or if you are just a history buff interested in contextualized history. Family Oral History Using Digital Tools Susan Kitchens’ blog provides tips on how to electronically capture and preserve family history and the memories of the family members. Susan provides insight and advice based on her own experience as a family oral historian. Susan uses a variety of media to complement her blog and teaches her readers through pod casts with experts in the fields of genealogy and oral history. Her site also provides news, interesting articles to read, and an online store where you can purchase equipment to carry out your own family oral history project. I hoped you enjoyed the links. Check my blog out next week for part two of the blogosphere where I will reveal the best kept secrets - relatively unknown genealogy blogs that are just amazing! #### The Blogsphere Part Two: Genealogy Blogs that are Hidden Gems It has been a few weeks since I blogged anything - but I have been tremendously busy with the passing of my "old" life and the emergence of my "new" one. As new life patterns and ways of being unfold, one of the few things that remains constant is my passion for family history and helping others unravel theirs. I genuinely and thoroughly enjoy each family history project I work on. I become immersed in the lives of the ancestors, and how those lives impact a client’s modern family. I have traced families from Canada and America back to France, Russia, Germany, England, Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands. I have followed the footsteps of a Huguenot family that traveled from France, to the Netherlands, to South Africa, and finally to their home in Zimbabwe. I took a genealogy voyage with a family that left France and moved to Acadia in the early 1600s, and then later down the road were expelled to France, immigrated to Louisiana, went back to Acadia, and then ventured on to California in the 1980s. I watched one brave family over their lifetime move back and forth between Ireland, the United States, and Scotland, all the while struggling to survive and keep their family intact. I find myself reflecting on how one historical event, even one that is seemingly insignificant, impacts our lives today. Each time I have a new family to research I feel enriched by the experience - knowing I have gained some insight and found some hidden gems of information. That is what this blog is about, hidden gems. Hidden gems in the form of blogs. When searching for the "best kept secret" genealogy blogs, I found that there were many gems out there and therefore had to set some selection criteria. The criteria I decided on were that the blog had to: 1. Contain present relevant information, 2. Be well organized, 3. Provide easy access to information via labels and archives, 4. Offer useful links, 5. Have limited advertisements, 6. Be user friendly, 7. Have a design that did not distract the reader from the text, and 8. Not appear on any existing "Top 10" blog list I had previously seen. I had no idea when I selected the criteria that it would be difficult to find blogs that met them all. I browsed through more than 50 blogs to come up with this list of five. Because I selected blogs with little or no advertising, the ones I found tended to be personal, specialty blogs. I believe that each reader will find one or more blogs below that they will refer to time and again. Genealogy Roots I am not sure if this counts as one or two blogs, because Joe Beine Genealogy Roots Blog has two sites, and I feel that I cannot include one without the other -- they are like a matched set. Genealogy Roots Blog is for “finding online genealogy databases, records and resources.” Though most of his sources are American, Joe also has some Canadian and European source links, as well. Additionally included are occasional tidbits of personal stories, genealogy news, and other useful information and tips. This blog will definitely help you with your genealogy research! Joe’s second site is titled Cemeteries and Cemetery Symbols. This was the first time I visited this site, and I learned a lot about cemetery symbols. Thanks to Joe, the next time I go to a cemetery it will be with "new eyes" and an appreciation for cemetery art and symbols. An understanding of the symbolism helps place a family in their socio-historical context and can be a clue to their ethnic heritage. Genealogy Adventures Brian Sheffey's Genealogy Adventures blog addresses genealogical topics related to African American families; however, you don’t have to be a family historian or an African American to appreciate this blog. Post titles such as "I'm white, your family is black. We can't be related!", "Passing for white: ancestors who jumped the color line," and "Crockett Sheffey – Buffalo Soldier" draw readers of all colors and walks of life to his blog. Brian's thoughtful postings provide adventures into both genealogy and the social fabric of a nation. Brian proves that "strangers can sometimes be connected in surprising ways." Malo Family Genealogy Since I also blog for the Malo Family Genealogy site, my opinion may be somewhat biased, but I do think this is a blog that Malo family descendants and those doing French Canadian and French American genealogy should not miss. This blog tracks the branches of the Malo and associated families that emigrated from Quebec to New England in the 1800s. Besides covering many French Canadian families, it has videos of historic events in Quebec and a solid set of links to genealogical resources in Canada, the United States, and in France. The site has a translation function so the reader can view the blog in French or English. Included are valuable documents that relate to the blog posting. It is the only blog I found that traces the extended family from an original ancestor in the 1600s, following all the lines of immigration of the extended family into a particular region of another country up to modern times. Genealogy New Zealand Though I have no New Zealand links, I found it hard to leave the Genealogy New Zealand blog behind and move on to the next one. I liked the simplicity of Lyn Dear’s writing. Click on any label or archived posting and something informative and interesting comes up that usually includes pictures or documents to complement the text. The posting are generally short, but provided useful information on a given topic. After reading so many blogs, I was glad not to have to wade through a lot of text before the writer got to the point. Besides engaging in Lyn’s personal stories about her genealogy adventures, I found myself immersed in the development of the blog (and Lyn’s genealogical perspective) from an exploration into personal family history, to a passion for New Zealand genealogy and history. I felt compelled to go visit her companion Facebook site to see if it was as absorbing as the blog, and it was. Site members share information and help one another break through their brick walls. This is a must-see blog and Facebook site for those with genealogy links to New Zealand. Czech Genealogy for Beginners Czech Genealogy for Beginners is an amazing blog by Blanka Lednicka is a treasure for those researching Czechoslovakian roots, particularly for those who have ancestors in Bohemia, Moravia, and Silesia. No language barriers here as Blanka uses impeccable English. Furthermore, her blog has several dictionaries that will assist in interpreting Czechoslovakian genealogical documents. The blogger keeps her postings interesting by sharing not only information, but her personal joys related to family research. Blanka also addresses barriers she has run into and how she overcame them. To keep you coming back for more, she has something I have not seen on other blogs, a list of future blogs she will be posting. Blanka is also on twitter so giver her a "shout out" and let her know how much you appreciate her blog - even if you have no Czech roots. Well I hope you enjoyed this long-awaited blog. For help with researching your family tree, speak to a professional genealogist today. #### The Challenge for the Genealogy Researcher: That Box Marked Miscellaneous This RecordClick genealogist wants to be a little lazy. It’s summer. It would be so nice just to find the family tree of another family history researcher – the person who has done the work for me – copy it and be good to go. But somehow, somehow, that just won’t do it for me. Once in a while, I do find a tidbit of genealogy information, but then I need to double (or triple) check to be sure the data matches mine. No time, no time. I can check the online genealogy indexes. If it is not indexed, I just don’t want to deal with it. I have places to go, things to see, people to meet and chores to do. That odd file of this this genealogical researcher labeled Miscellaneous is just going to have to wait. There can’t be anything of value in that. It is just too much trouble. Genealogists find the darndest things in those old boxes hidden away and suddenly found. Yet, a good family history researcher cannot afford to be lazy. A while back, this professional genealogist got an email from the Nebraska State Historical Society. Once a month or so there’s a brown bag lunch with a presentation given by a staff member or guest speaker. When I got that email, what piqued my interest? Gayla Koertig, Curator of Government Records, was giving a talk entitled “York County Progress, 1870-1900: The Dream Unfolds”. In the State of Nebraska, county offices are being encouraged to send their old records to the State Historical Society which has an active digitization program. Amongst the York County holdings, there were a couple of boxes marked, of course, Miscellaneous.  They contained documents from 1870-1930. These boxes were, of course, on the top shelf and a bit dusty. My professional genealogist ears perked right up. Dr. Koertig described the boxes. They were rather non-descript. The papers on the inside were rolled up with very old rubber bands, or what was left of rubber bands. She thought it would only take a couple of weeks to go through them. Well, she thought wrong, and I was glad I went to the brown bag lunch. Genealogy researchers can glean information from any of a number of resources. Conferences are good places for genealogists to get ideas. Dusty nooks and crannies and, yes, top shelves are perfect spots, too, to look for those odd records which may contain that one missing piece of information for a genealogy researcher to get a new piece in the family history puzzle. Among the items Dr. Koertig found: •An 1879 Statistical Census. No names were listed, but occupations and causes of death were. It may be difficult, but sometimes names can be extrapolated from the information. •Early lists of Fire Department members. •Teacher applications from 1882-1900. In some areas, there was no formal application. Individuals desiring a job wrote down their information on a sheet of paper. There were many, many school districts and often teachers changed schools every couple of years. The curator was anxious to get these digitized because some of the applications were on paper that was crumbling. •A year or two of property tax protests. Things haven’t changed much in the past 120-plus years. Life goes rolling merrily along and then a property tax increase happens and folks get upset. Their recourse is to file a protest. It makes for interesting reading. •Courthouse construction documents. There were some issues. Rarely does construction go completely as planned. There are names in the documents. •Drought relief. Potatoes were distributed to those in need during a drought and the recipients' names are listed. •Poor Farm documents. The county had a Poor Farm from the 1890s to the 1940s and had contracts with those individuals operating the facility. Many of these documents would be of interest to the family history researcher. Yet, they were in boxes marked Miscellaneous and were easy to overlook. Dr. Koertig planned to spend two or three weeks going through these boxes. Instead, it took her a couple of months. No time? Often a genealogy researcher has to make time. Can I guarantee that something wonderful will be found in that box or envelope marked Miscellaneous? No. The process takes time--with no certainty of what may be discovered. By the way, this professional genealogist has a list a mile long of people to be thanked for creating records and indexes that are valuable to me. There are genealogy researchers, historians, curators, volunteers and, possibly, someone applying for a teaching position or protesting a property tax increase in York County, Nebraska. And those Miscellaneous boxes and envelopes? They have made my genealogy research life a lot more fun. Do you need help finding that one piece of information? Hire a genealogist at RecordClick to thoroughly research and create your special family history. #### The DAR Library Offers Genealogical Research Resources Online Pictured: The DAR Library Interior; Washington, D.C. Photo courtesy of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. The 1850 census! Family genealogy researchers breathe a sigh of relief if their early American ancestors lived long enough to be included in this first all-name enumeration. There is so much frustration with those first six censuses, listing just the head of the household, followed by nameless numbers representing the rest of the family. But you may find significant help from the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). If you think the DAR is not relevant to your genealogical research, you are not utilizing the DAR Library, which houses a vast online database actually pertinent to millions of people tracing ancestry, whether or not they believe they descend from an American patriot. The DAR in 2013 is definitely not your great-grandmother’s society, although it owes so much to those dedicated women who diligently copied family Bibles, recorded tombstone inscriptions, and preserved civic records. But today, DAR genealogical research resources can help family historians whose known ancestors may not even have immigrated to this country until long after General Cornwallis surrendered to General Washington at Yorktown. Perhaps you have leafed through the old Patriot Index volumes, looking for ancestors who may have served in the Revolutionary War. Now, those books have been replaced by the ever-growing DAR Genealogical Research System (GRS), which is fully searchable for free. Much more than a listing of those who served in the American Revolution, this database includes an amazing list of generationally linked descendants, millions of whom lived well into the 20th Century. So, you can search for someone who married into one of your many immigrant lines and discover a new branch that does indeed lead back to Colonial America. To start the ancestor search process, select the "Ancestor" tab at the top of the GRS home page. This will take you to the Ancestor Search page, where you can then access the descendancy of that newly discovered ancestor, including names, dates, and places, simply by clicking the "See Ancestor Record" icon. Additionally, for only $10, in just minutes you can download to your desktop a Record Copy of the application that includes your ancestor for even more information. You will have the sources used to compile that application, and often names of the patriot’s other children, more details about service, and additional marriages. For privacy reasons, you won’t get the first three generations on newer applications, but generally those are not the ones for which you need the most help. Another useful free resource for genealogists at the DAR site is the Analytical Index Cards collection, created from 1910 to 1970. Next, click the initial letter to get a further division of the alphabet, and use the arrows to advance or reverse the listings. Here you will find a series of cards naming husbands and wives, plus locations, along with source titles for that couple. Sometimes you can locate these sources free online or available for ordering on microfilm from the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. Previously, I wrote about untangling three McMillen families from New Boston, New Hampshire, using land records. (See Oh give me land, lots of land – with Genealogical Treasures!) Once I had the families sorted out, I returned to the DAR databases, which I had banged my head against for years using the old Patriot Indexes. It is important to understand that recently, genealogical proof standards have been raised significantly. When the Daughters formed their society in 1890, the information prospective members provided about their patriot could easily have concerned their grandfather’s service. Little documentation was requested or provided. But today’s standards require proof of each generation’s link to the previous one, as well as the majority of dates and locations for births, marriages, and deaths. I had three old DAR applications, all submitted before 1910, for the "John McMillen" I knew to be my ancestor. They correctly identified his wife as Rachel Steele, but his birth and death dates were so far off, I was stymied. They indicated he had been born in 1704 and died in 1797. I had military and town records proving this man had marched from New Boston to the Siege of Rhode Island in 1778, a distance of over 100 miles. He would have been 74 years old, and then he would have been 82 at the birth of his daughter Rachel, the descendant in the old applications. After supplying land, town, military, and probate documents proving that this John McMillen was born about 1741 and died in 1835, I was able to set the record straight for my 5th-great-grandfather, and for any of his descendants who want to know their own true genealogy. Now, that information can be accessed worldwide, because DAR has uploaded their amazing database, and it grows with every new verified application. If your early American ancestors lead you to a brickwall, try the DAR site. Older research can be indeed complicated to break through. When you find the need to hire a professional genealogist to assist you in researching your family genealogy, contact RecordClick. The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is the largest lineage society in America with about 175,000 members. In 1896 the National Society DAR established its library. It took up residence in the auditorium of DAR's Memorial Continental Hall in 1949. Gen. Edward Pearce Casey, who also designed the interior of the Library of Congress, designed the Hall in the classical revival style of the beaux-arts in 1905. Starting with just 600 books in 1896, the DAR Library now boasts 180,000 American genealogical and historical manuscripts and publications (including 30,000 family histories/genealogies and personal letters); 300,000 files of genealogical documentation; and 15,000 volumes of unpublished genealogical records (including Bible records and cemetery transcripts). For more information, see Genealogy Research Centers – Where Genealogists Do It in the Stacks. Also view The DAR Library videos on YouTube. A professional genealogist and expert genealogy writer, Patricia ("Tricia") Dingwall Thompson's articles can be found in the New England Historic Genealogical Society magazine "American Ancestors" (Spring 2012), on Everton's Genealogical Helper website, and serialized in the "New Hampshire Genealogical Record." A number of her researched genealogies are housed in the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. Having taught high school Advanced Placement English for 38 years, Tricia now teaches genealogy classes through the Bozeman School District's Adult Education program, and serves as Registrar for the Mount Hyalite Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. #### The End Is the Beginning Is the End – Genealogy Is More than Just a Song Title from The Smashing Pumpkins Though Webster's Dictionary defines death as “a permanent cessation of all vital functions . . . the end of life,” genealogists have a different take on the matter. When vital functions end, vital records take over. To family history researchers, "The End Is the Beginning Is the End." More than a song title from the alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins, this saying is the mantra for genealogical researchers throughout their journey to trace family history. What do these intrepid genealogy researchers pack first in their ancestry search suitcase? Why, the handy death certificate, of course, because death certificates hold a wealth of information for the living. Join me on my trek as I analyze three death certificates from three different decades. Primary Information vs. Secondary Information Before we begin, it is important for you to understand the difference between primary and secondary information, which is the way genealogists classify data in broad terms. Primary information is information that is witnessed and recorded close to the event. For example: a death certificate may include the time and cause of death as witnessed by a doctor, and subsequently recorded at the time. This is considered to be primary information. Secondary information is based on someone’s memory or recollection. For instance, a family member may be asked for the names of the decedent's parents. The information the family member gives is to the best of their recollection, but is it always correct? This information is considered to be secondary information. It may or may not be accurate. That's why it is best to follow up secondary information with further research to show proof. A Little History on Death Certificates The 1880s were the beginning of a more uniform registration of vital records. Many states recorded deaths earlier than the 1880s, but the information was spotty and varied. It wasn’t until the early 1900s that death records became more standardized. Case #1 Analyzing an 1890 Huntington County, Indiana, death certificate for Thomas J. Hutsell, I found that a very limited amount of primary information was recorded. For example, Thomas Hutsell's age was reported to be 59 years, and he was listed as "married." This particular data – age and marital status – is considered secondary information, because it was not reported by Thomas, rather by another source. Chances are, Thomas's wife provided the information, but the record does not indicate from whom the information was gathered – in other words, the identity of the "informant" is unknown. The death certificate also reports that Thomas was a "male" who died at Warren, Indiana, on February 10, 1890 from an accidental broken neck. It was signed by a doctor, who probably diagnosed the cause of death and recorded the information soon after the event. The doctor, therefore, is a primary source, because he could testify to the accuracy of the information on the death certificate. What is missing from the certificate, however, is the funeral and cemetery information. Case #2 By 1915, the majority of forms generated by departments of health included more genealogical information, which is a boon to the family genealogist today. However, bear in mind, the new information included is considered secondary information, so the family genealogist must analyze this information for accuracy. For example, on the 1915 death certificate for my g-g-grandfather Daniel Folk from Huntington County, Indiana, his name was spelled incorrectly as "Falk." Apart from that error, at least the location of burial was noted as “St. John Cemetery.” This additional information is considered secondary. For it to be primary, a trip to the cemetery is required to confirm this data. Daniel’s age was recorded as 59 years, 10 months, and 15 days, which is more exact, but not necessarily more accurate. The March 14, 1834 birth date and the listing of Ohio as the birth state are confirmed by a primary source – an entry in the family bible. Because names and dates in a family bible are usually recorded shortly after events, it is considered a primary source of information. Another big addition to the 1915 death certificate was the inclusion of Daniel's spouse's name. In the case of my g-g-grandfather's death certificate, his wife's name was also misspelled as Catherine "Falk," instead of "Folk." The listing of her name would would have been initially considered as secondary information; however, based on my additional research and personal knowledge of my g-g- grandmother - proving that her name should have been spelled "Folk" - this information is now primary evidence. Catherine was also listed as "wife," (which is secondary information), but the information was subsequently confirmed by a marriage record (considered primary information). Case #3 Starting in the early 1990s, death certificates included more detailed information. I analyzed a 1992 death certificate for Marvin Hutsell from the Indiana State Board of Health in Indianapolis, Indiana. Box 1 states the decedents’ name, which was probably supplied by the decedent prior to death, and would be considered primary information. Boxes 2, 3a and b, (sex, time, and date of death) were witnessed by the doctor and considered to be primary evidence. Box 4 is the social security number which can be verified with the social security death index, also considered primary information. Boxes 5a, 6, 7 and 8 (age, birth information and military questions) were probably provided by the decedent prior to death, which would make it primary information; however, box 20a lists the informant as "Alta," who is the same person listed in Box 11 as the surviving spouse. While Alta may very well have had such knowledge, the information she offered is still considered secondary. Box 9 gives the place of death and the address, which were witnessed by the informant Alta, who would also have personal knowledge of the information in Boxes 10 through 17 (marital status, occupation, residence, citizenship, nationality, race and education.) Though normally this information would be considered secondary evidence, Alta actually witnessed these events and could testify to them, thereby making it primary evidence. The next two boxes concern Daniel's parents' names and birth places. As informant, Alta provided the information based on her memory. In this case, Alta's recollection of her in-laws' names and birth places would be considered secondary information. Even though Alta had personal knowledge of her in-laws, the information should be double-checked. If a present-day family genealogist did not witness the events, and the decedent's wife provided the information, then the genealogist must find a primary source for the information – in this case, the bible and marriage records serve as primary proof. If the decedent had died without survivors to act as informants, and this information had not been supplied by the decedent prior to death, then the boxes would have been left blank. Boxes 21 through 25 are primary information supplied by the funeral home. The remaining information on the death certificate is primary data directly linked to the death and could be testified to by the doctor. The death certificate can tell a story about a decedent, but it is only as good as the storyteller. For the rest of the story, RecordClick can help you fill in the blanks. The professional family history researchers at RecordClick provide genealogy research services that will help you solve your ancestor search questions. #### The Essential Role of Genealogists in Tracing Our Roots In the labyrinth of human history, a special kind of detective works diligently to uncover the past: a genealogist. They are the custodians of our ancestry, holding the key to unlock the doors to our family histories. But who are these unsung heroes, and what do they do exactly? Genealogists are researchers who specialize in the study of families, tracing their lineages, and constructing family trees. They carefully sift through historical records, scrutinize old photographs, analyze genetic data, and sometimes even conduct interviews to piece together the intricate tapestry of family heritage. Their role is like solving a complex puzzle; each piece of information represents a small fraction of the complete image. When these pieces fit together correctly, the genealogist can reveal the history, relationships, and stories that form the foundation of our identity. The work of a genealogist is often rigorous, meticulous, and time-consuming. It requires a keen understanding of various historical periods, cultures, and languages. They need to be proficient in interpreting old handwriting styles, deciphering ancient documents, and navigating the complex system of public records and archives. Genealogists work with a diverse range of sources. They examine birth, marriage, and death certificates, census records, military and immigration documents, wills, and estate records, to name a few. In recent years, advances in DNA testing have added an exciting new dimension to their work. With this technology, genealogists can unravel genetic ties and explore relationships beyond what written records can tell. Understanding one's genealogy can bring a profound sense of connection and self-awareness. It allows us to appreciate the struggles and triumphs of our ancestors, and how they shaped the world we live in today. Moreover, genealogy provides insight into genetic diseases, helping us make informed health decisions. Now, you may be thinking, "Where can I find a professional genealogist to help me unravel my family history?" The answer is closer than you think. With the rise of the internet and digital archives, finding a genealogist near you has become easier than ever. One thing to consider when hiring a genealogist is cost. The price for these services can vary greatly, depending on the complexity of the research, the availability of records, and the specific expertise required. Don't be shy to ask for estimates and ensure that you understand what services are included. Another factor to consider is the genealogist's expertise. Genealogy research can be quite specialized, focusing on specific ethnic groups, geographic areas, or time periods. Ensure that the professional you're considering is well-versed in the particular area of your interest. Finally, consider the genealogist's credentials. Many professional genealogists have certifications from organizations such as the Board for Certification of Genealogists or the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists. These certifications indicate that the genealogist adheres to high professional standards. Working with a professional genealogist can be a fascinating and rewarding experience. They not only provide the skills and knowledge necessary to uncover your family history but also guide you through the often emotional journey of discovering your roots. In conclusion, genealogists are the unsung heroes of our past. They delve into the depths of our history, shedding light on our ancestors' stories that shape who we are today. Their work reminds us that we are part of something bigger than ourselves - a long line of human lives and experiences reaching back through the centuries. By understanding where we come from, we gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and our place in the world. As you venture into the world of genealogy, remember to appreciate the painstaking work and dedication that goes into every family tree. And when you're ready to take the leap into exploring your ancestry, a professional genealogist near you is ready to guide you through the journey. It is a journey that promises not just knowledge, but a new perspective on who you are and where you come from. And that is a journey worth taking. #### The Family History Library - Genealogy on the Move Salt Lake City is an interesting place, especially the Family History Library. As a professional genealogist, I usually visit the Library once a year, and I encourage the trip for every family historian. The city and the Library are always changing. I'll start with Salt Lake City. The city fathers emphasize public transportation more than many metropolitan areas. I've grown accustomed to free light rail around the downtown area with a stop conveniently located one-half block from the Family History Library. So what's new? The light rail has been extended to Salt Lake International Airport. Genealogical researchers can board the train at Terminal One and be whisked to the downtown area, with stops near a number of hotels and the Family History Library. The cost is a fraction of a cab ride and much cheaper than renting a car. When visiting Salt Lake City, however, be prepared for conventions and conferences. I spent a week there in October, and I had to deal with a large international skin care product conference. During the winter there are also snow skiers and Utah Jazz basketball games to add life and color to the place. If recreation and sports aren't favorite diversions, there are two major shopping areas downtown. City Creek Center is new and located just south of Temple Square. The other one (built for the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics) is the Gateway Mall. Both have a variety of shops and restaurants. Want to know a secret? October is a good time to do research at the Family History Library. The weather is usually ideal. The summer tourists have left, and there isn't quite enough snow on the mountains for the winter sports enthusiasts. Genealogical researchers need to know, however, that things are always changing at the Library. When I first came to the Family History Library a number of years ago, microfilm readers were at a premium. There were lots of researchers saying "pardon me" as they walked up and down the aisles to get to their carrels. A constant swish of microfilm being cranked through the reader whispered over the floor. Patrons headed for the newest rolls of microfilm hoping to find that special bit of information to break down the proverbial lineage research brick wall. Now most of the microfilm readers stand silent, and I wouldn't be surprised to start seeing them disappear. The computer age has arrived. The LDS no longer microfilms resource material. Just as digital images have replaced film and photographs, so it is with the Family History Library. More computers have been added. Visitors study the information on computer screens with much crisper images than the microfilm readers. Volunteers and cheat sheets assist researchers with cropping and downloading images to flash drives. Even the copy machines are flash-drive compatible. Both the FamilySearch website and Ancestry.com have recently announced cooperation with or purchases of genealogy websites. A researcher shouldn't be surprised if a database links with an outside source. I was looking for some West Virginia vital records and FamilySearch linked me with the West Virginia vital records website. The best part is that finding the information was simpler on FamilySearch than on the vital records website. A number of pay websites can also be accessed for free at the Family History Library or local Family History Centers. The Family History Library is also adjusting staffing. The week I was there was a transition week for the LDS, with new volunteers coming and other volunteers leaving, so there was an overlap. Time is spent training the volunteers to help family researchers with computers, so even genealogists with fewer skills can accomplish their goals. The Library has a variety of specialists to help with national or international genealogy cases, as well. So what do I miss? I miss the long line forming at the front door waiting for the 8 a.m. opening. I miss the suitcases on rollers filled with file folders and papers. I miss the gathering around the copy machine. How much do I miss these things? Not enough to want to go back to them. Every genealogist would love to have a Family History Library in their backyard, but they know that it isn't feasible. Do you have a genealogy research problem? Is it hard for you to get to the Family History Library? RecordClick has expert genealogists who can access all of the resources of the Family History Library. Whether it's getting a look-up from a special book, accessing microfilm, or seeking out records from across the pond, our professional genealogists can help you. We can also help you with special family history Christmas gifts or organizing your records. #### The French Prairie - A Hidden Piece of Oregon History I was working on a family tree with roots in Oregon last month, and I came across a Malo family while searching through the 1895 Oregon census. I was a bit surprised because the various Malo branches that left Quebec generally immigrated to New England. Being a Malo family researcher, I just had to find out how Eugene Malo wound up in Gervais, Oregon, living on the French Prairie. I wondered who his parents were and if I could create a genealogy for him. Anyone who has studied American history knows about the Oregon Trail. Did you know that before the pioneers came to Oregon via the Oregon Trail, there was already a settlement in the Willamette Valley known as the French Prairie? Even the State of Oregon on their Oregon History website that begins with prehistory of Oregon, had failed to mention this community except as two small blurbs. No mention of the people of the French Prairie, who they were, or the role they played in Oregon history. I just had to find out! The original European settlement on the French Prairie was populated by French Canadians, Acadians, and Metis people from Quebec and the Red River Valley. While the Americans were busy with the War of 1812, the North West Company brought them there in 1813 as fur trappers under the auspices of the Willamette Trading Post. By 1821 the Hudson Bay Company (HBC) absorbed the North West Company and took over the Willamette Trading Post. If you had ancestors that lived in the French Prairie community, you may find records about them in the Manitoba archives as the HBC donated their records to the province of Manitoba. I can't help wonder why this important part of history -- the original French Prairie settlement -- is all but omitted from the Oregon History website. As a descendant of the Red River Valley community, Acadians and Amerindians, I feel compelled to advocate for my ancestors buried there on the French Prairie, so far away from home and loved ones. The critical role they played in the history of Oregon should not be swept away for the more quixotic notion of pioneers and wagon trains. These pioneers were amazing and courageous, but none more so than the settlers in the French Prairie community. These French Canadian and Metis settlers paved the way for the pioneers. To know more about the French Prairie visit the website of the St. Paul Mission Historical Society. Why Eugene Malo came to Oregon is still a mystery to me. Maybe if I dig a bit deeper I will find out. What I do know is that he is my 5th cousin. Genealogical records indicate that he first arrived in Oregon at the age of 17 in 1876, he is back with his family in Quebec in 1881, he arrived in Oregon again in 1882 at the age of 22 and also in 1888 at the age of 29. He married Eulalie Foisy, who was born on the French Prairie, daughter of Medard Godard Foisy b. 1816 in Quebec d. 1880 on the French Prairie, and Marie Anne Delard 1833 – 1908, born and died on the French Prairie. Eugene and Eulalie had nine children. I found his obituary and a photo of his headstone on the Find-A-Grave website. I posted his genealogy below. Line of descendancy from Gilles Hayet b. and d. in France, perhaps in the area of St Malo, to Eugene Malo 1-Gilles Hayet (1610 – ) +Jeanne Héreault (1615 - 1669) . . . . 2-Jean Hayet dit St. Malo  (1639 - 1721) . . . . +Catherine Galbrun (1667 - 1744) . . . . . . . . 3-Louis Hayet dit St Malo (1691 - 1770) . . . . . . . . +Marie Madeleine Emery dit Coderre (1698 - 1753) . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-Michel Ayet Malo (1733 - 1791) . . . . . . . . . . . . +Marie Cecile Petit (1737 - 1771) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-Joseph Ayet Malo (abt. 1766 -) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +Rose Mabriand (-) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-Joseph Ayet Malo (16 August 1791 - 7 March 1857) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +Marie-Anne Gravel (21 July 1801 -) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-Jean Baptiste Malo (about 1828 - 8 December 1906) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +Délima Pelletier (15 July 1836 - 26 October 1867) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-Eugene Malo (1859 - 6 January 1920) For expert help with your Oregon genealogy, talk to one of our genealogists today. #### The Genealogist and B.B. King: A Little Riff on Census Records The genealogist who searches census records must always check the actual pages. That’s because the abstracts are not always correct. In the case of guitar legend B.B. King’s genealogy, the census records yield a lot of information for the genealogy researcher. But some of that information is confusing. This leaves the genealogist who looks at the records with a lot of correcting to do. From published reports, the genealogist will find the basics pretty easily. B.B.King, was born Riley B. King, September 16, 1925, in Itta Bena, Mississippi. He was the son of Albert and Nora Ella King (b. 1910, d. 1935). They were farmers who rented their home. Some reports say they were sharecroppers living on a plantation. The census reports for King’s ancestors indicate only that they were farmers, renting their homes. It is reported that Riley B. was named for his father Albert’s brother. When he was 4, his mother left. When he was 10, it is reported that she died. He then went to live with his mother’s mother, Elnora Farr. She appears as Elnora, Elna, and Lenora in different Census versions. But did he really live with his Grandmother? Or was she his Great Grandmother? The music legend B.B. King has interesting genealogical information in his family's census records. That’s where the census records are very interesting—leaving some questions for the genealogy researcher. Let’s take a look at the genealogy of B.B. King’s mom and her family. His mom, Nora Ella, first appears in the 1910 Census as Dora Ella Pulley, age 2, and it says she was born about 1908. Her mother is Elnora Pulley and father is Jasper Pulley. That’s what the extract says.  Looking at the actual page, we see: Jasper Dulley     22            can read/write    farmer Elnora Pulley     22             cannot read/write Wm Pulley           3 Nora Ella Pulley  2 In the 1920 Census, Nora Ella Pulley (b. about 1909 in Mississippi) is listed as Mulatto (Black) and as a granddaughter in the household. BING!  Save that info. When we look at the actual Census page, we see the family: Romie Farr   35 Head Elna Farr       27 Wife Ora Lee Farr 13 Vernia Farr   11 (The abstract indicates perhaps this is a 17. But verification on the actual page indicates 11.) Milton Farr   10 Edword Farr   8 Flora M.          6 Noralem Pulley 11 Granddaughter Neviater Pulley  9   Granddaughter (Neviater later appears as Nevada in the 1940 Census indicating that the 1920 writing was likely illegible.) This family was living in Sparta, Chicksaw, Mississippi. Elna Farr was listed as Mulatto/(Black) By the 1930 Census, Elnora Farr (here it says b. 1890) was 40, a widow, a renter and working on her own account. Then in the 1940 Census, Elnora Farr (here it says b. about 1881) was a widow, that she still lived on a farm and that she rented. We can delve further into these census records, but when we find something like this, it makes the work of the family history researcher just so  interesting. We become the genealogy researcher-detective! The questions to be answered include deciphering the Grandchildren designation. Were they children of one of Romie and Elna’s children or were they Elna’s children from a prior marriage or is it a mistake. Lots to search for! As B.B. King recovers from his recent hospital stay, we wish him well and let him know that his family history uncovered by the genealogy researcher from RecordClick is fascinating! When you hire a genealogist from RecordClick, you get interesting family history from your family tree. #### The Genealogist Can Draw a Picture of Family Art Talent Finding displays of family artistry can be the handiwork of a talented genealogist! Take note, genealogy researchers! Sometimes hidden in the Census document finds of a genealogist are job entries like “sign painter”. Why is this special? Because, at the turn of the last century--from the 1800s going into the early 1900s—this was a job that many a talented artist in the family tree took to feed the family. You may uncover information such as this in Census records--or in personal family letters and stories. How does the genealogist track generational artistic talent? Indications that your ancestor in a search was artistic may come in subtle ways. It may be listed as we noted in the traditional records such as the Census job column as a sign painter job or even as a seamstress position. Yet, it also may be in the talent shown in the homemaker’s daily crafts which have been knitted, sewed, crocheted or quilted. Has the genealogy researcher found doilies hand made of lace that are passed down from generation to generation? Is there a sampler sewn of the family tree? It may be in these tender crafts that details sought by the genealogy researcher emerge. As for the genealogist,  whose own artist’s eye doesn’t miss a thing, have there been any doodles on the margins of letters, family documents or old papers? These are some genealogical resources that may help uncover artistic talent in the family tree: Family Heirlooms Handcrafts such as samplers, lacework Letters School records. Interviews with living relatives to uncover the family stories Local newspaper reports on poster and other art contests Hand drawn cards Sketchbooks Furniture or built items Our Aunt Hilda was an artistic genius. She never had a gallery show. She never got paid. But she definitely had our family’s artistic gene which is displayed all over the family tree with a painter, a decorator, a cake artist, a jewelry designer, a dressmaker, and most likely a famous graphic artist. Aunt Hilda’s expression of this gene was through her knitting and crocheting. She crocheted a full size America Flag. And I recently inherited from her an original designer cape, knitted of the finest bright red wool. There is most certainly no other one like it! A family heirloom such as a quilt may uncover genealogy details as well as ancestry information. CREDIT: Lynette Anderson Samplers of cross stitch from the 1700s show the dexterity of girls as well as their talents. Colonial quilts display the creativity and craft of homemakers whose talents could only peek out from under such blankets. Is there creativity in your family? Let the professional genealogists from RecordClick trace it, document the relatives and design your family tree for you. #### The Genealogist Finds Family Trees with the Salt Mortons Where this RecordClick genealogist grew up, there’s an oak tree in the backyard of the house. It began as an acorn from a tree in my grandmother’s yard. I do believe that tree started out as an acorn from an oak tree that my great-grandfather had planted. When the ancestors of this genealogist settled in Nebraska, trees were to be cherished. Most of the land was prairie grass and the sod had to be broken for planting. Trees are not to be taken for granted in this state. This is the reason that J. Sterling Morton conceived of the idea of Arbor Day and why Nebraska is the home of this special day. For a genealogist, his story is a good one about how a family moves, influences the area where they live, and then moves on. The genealogist will find that the history of the Morton family in America goes back to colonial times. J. Sterling Morton was born in New York in 1832. At an early age, he moved with his family to Detroit, Michigan. It was there that he received the majority of his education. He attended the state university at Ann Arbor and received his degree in 1854 from Union College in Schenectady, New York. Later that year, he married his childhood sweetheart Caroline Joy French and, on the day of their wedding, the couple moved to Nebraska. When the genealogist explores records, it is important to pay attention to all the activities of the person in your ancestor search. Although Morton was listed as a farmer, he did a lot more. He also served in the territorial legislature and was a newspaper editor in Nebraska City. He was a father, too, and his family grew to include four sons. Here is the family in the 1870 U.S. Census: Morton, JS 38           Farmer                 NY Morton, CA 36           Keep house        Maine Morton, J 14           At school             Michigan Morton, P 13           At school             Michigan Morton, M 11           At school Morton, C 5 As the genealogist will see, Morton’s activity in civic affairs meant that he had a high profile in the state. Trees were a passion of his and with his wife Caroline, he planted many varieties around their Nebraska home, known today as Arbor Lodge. In January of 1872, he introduced a resolution to the Nebraska state Board of Agriculture requesting that a day be set aside in April for the planting of trees. With support from the board members, the resolution was passed and the first Arbor Day was celebrated in April 1872. About one million trees were planted in Nebraska that year and again in 1873, almost the same number of trees were planted. The state tradition was born. The genealogist can follow the documentation of the Nebraska development of Arbor day and this can provide historic as well as ancestral insight into the process of the special day’s creation. As time passed, the Morton sons began to branch out, but in 1880, they were listed together in one more census. In the 1880 U.S. Census of Otoe County, Nebraska the Morton household consisted of: Morton, Sterling          48                           Farmer                 NY          VT           NY Caroline                          46           Wife      Keep House         ME         ME         ME Joy                                   24            Son        Merchant             MI          NY          ME Paul                                  23           Son        RR Freight Agt   MI          NY          ME Mark                                21            Son        RR Freight Agt   NE          NY          ME Carl                                   15           Son        Student                NE          NY          ME As the genealogist knows, life has a way of creating stayers and goers. Some family members remain close to their roots. Others move on to other ventures. J. Sterling Morton’s oldest son, Joy, chose to move on. According to Joy’s obituary in the May 10, 1934 edition of the Omaha World-Herald, the genealogist will find that Joy relocated to Chicago in 1879 and entered the salt business with the firm of E.I. Wheeler & Co. In 1885, Joy gained control of the business and the name was changed to Joy Morton & Co. It is now known as the Morton Salt Company. Joy died in the Chicago area in May 1934 and is buried there. The genealogist can see that he never forgot his Nebraska trees and his family’s devotion to Arbor Day. During his lifetime, he honored his father by creating an arboretum in the Chicago area. In an 1882 illustration, trees are planted for Arbor Day. CREDIT:Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper Back to J. Sterling Morton, Joy’s dad. J. Sterling had continued serving the public and caught the attention of Grover Cleveland. Cleveland tapped Morton to serve as United States Secretary of Agriculture from 1893-97. While serving in that position, Morton requested that a merit system be implemented to get qualified employees working in the bureau of the animal industry. The genealogist will see that Morton was instrumental in the development of this system that came to be known as the Civil Service. This important governmental development was way for the country to move away from a crony system of government employment. Morton died in 1902 and is buried in Nebraska City. The genealogist needs always to remember that life, even for our ancestors, was ever changing. J. Sterling Morton changed the American landscape, literally. He did this by encouraging the planting of trees and by altering the hiring practices in at least one area of the federal government. His son, Joy, set a different course. If you need help following the varied paths of a family, hire a genealogist with RecordClick. #### The Genealogist Gets An Oscar - From Darryl F. Zanuck Hey Genealogist! It’s that time of year again. The red carpet was rolled out. Glitz and glamour will took over for the night. Every genealogist (and millions of other viewers) heard family and fellow professionals in the entertainment industry thanked by the winners of that special gold statue – Oscar. Few people can say they have seen one up close – but this genealogist has. And it’s neither been in Hollywood nor in some well-known repository. I’ve seen it in the unassuming Saunders County Museum in Wahoo, Nebraska. There, Oscar is well taken care of and protected.  But who would have thought? How might such an important award wind up in such a small place? (The population of Wahoo is less than 5,000, after all.) This story is a good one.  For the genealogist, it’s a wonderful tale in support of looking beyond the obvious. The Oscar in the Saunders County Museum is one of three won by film producer and studio executive Darryl F. Zanuck. Born in 1902 in Wahoo, Nebraska, Zanuck won Oscars for: 1941, “How Green Was My Valley” 1947, “Gentleman’s Agreement” 1950, “All About Eve” As a good genealogist knows, the story begins with a family. Darryl Zanuck’s parents were Francis H. “Frank” Zanuck and Sarah Louisa “Louise” Torpin. Both were born in Iowa, although Louise’s family lived for a time in Illinois. In the 1870 U.S. Census, Frank is 9 and is the third child in the Dubuque, Iowa, household of Jacob and Agnes Zeunck. In the 1880 U.S. Census, Sarah L. is the second and youngest child in the Rock Island County, Illinois household of Henry and Anna Torpin. Both families moved and, at some point, Frank and Louise met and married. By 1900, the Frank and Louise as a couple had moved to Elgin, Antelope County in the northeastern portion of the State of Nebraska: Zanuck, Frank H.Head   b. Feb. 1862        38 years old        m. 7 yrs               IA            Switz     Ger Louise                   Wife      b. June 1870       29                        m. 7 yrs 1-1         IA            Penn     Penn Donald                  Son        b. Feb. 1894        6                                                        Dacota    IA            IA   Frank was a clerk in a grain office. Louise’s parents, Henry and Anna were living in Oakland which is some ten miles away where Henry was a grain dealer. Conveniently, there was a train between Elgin and Oakland. By the time Darryl was born in September of 1902, the family had relocated, yet again. Home was now Wahoo, Nebraska , and Frank worked as a clerk in a hotel. Louise seemed to desire a life somewhere other than Nebraska. In 1910, she and Darryl were in Los Angeles – without Frank: Zanuck, Louise T.              Head     33           m1. 17 2-1           Iowa      Penn     Penn Darryl F.                              Son        7                                           Neb       Iowa      Iowa One of the questions a genealogist should be asking about now is: What happened to Donald? The grave of Donald Torpin Zanuck, b. 1893, d. Jan. 6, 1903 is found in Oakdale Cemetery, Antelope County, Nebraska. It’s not far from where the Zanucks were living in 1900. Never a large place, Oakdale had a population of 585 in 1900. It was, however, large enough to have a weekly newspaper. A headline on the front page of the January 10, 1903 edition of The Oakdale Sentinel reads: “Little Donald Zanuck Is Dead”. This genealogist loves small town weeklies – so many of which are not online. Here is the article: “Died: On the night of Monday, January 5, 1903 at El Paso, Texas, Donald Zanuck, aged 8 years and 11 months. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, January 11, 1903 at Wahoo, Neb. “Between two and three months ago Donald suffered from an attack of whooping cough. Later pneumonia developed, and it was to this disease and its complications that our dear little friend finally succumbed. About two weeks ago, by the advice of his physicians who held this out as the last, forlorn hope, the little wasted form, clinging so tenaciously to life, was removed to El Paso, Texas, but death was there to claim its victim. “Donald was raised in Oakdale. Here nearly everyone knew him, and all who knew him were drawn to him by his bright, vivacious mind and affectionate disposition. His death brings an overflowing cup of agony not only to the father and mother, but to the grandparents, Henry Torpin and wife, to whom he was light and life…” Also buried in the Oakdale Cemetery are Donald’s (and Darryl’s) grandparents and Louise’s parents, Henry and (Anna) Maurine Torpin. Sometime between 1900 and 1902, Frank and Louise Zanuck relocated from Antelope County to Wahoo in Saunders County, Nebraska. The family became a part of the community – in 1900, Wahoo had a population of 2100. Darryl became a favorite son of Wahoo, even after the Zanuck’s settled for the last time in California and he had found fame and wealth in the entertainment industry.  The Zanuck family remembered their roots and presented one of Darryl’s Oscars to the Saunders County Museum in Wahoo. The genealogist and family history researcher takes us to places where we find unexpected treasures. RecordClick’s staff of professional  genealogists develop research strategies and find the stories of your life. #### The Genealogist Knows That When the Frost Is On The Punpkin’, It’s Time For Genealogy… This RecordClick genealogist knows that Autumn is in the air. Mornings are getting brisk. Animals are transitioning into winter mode. Days are shorter. For this professional genealogist, the gentle poetry of James Whitcomb Riley expresses the season perfectly: When the frost is on the punkin’ and the fodder’s in the shock,  And you hear the kyouck and gobble of the struttin’ turkey-cock… Many long years ago, when I was still in school and before I got interested in genealogy research, my grandmother gave me a set of James Whitcomb Riley poems and When the Frost is on the Punkin' is one of my favorites. So, dear genealogy researcher, who was the writer of my favorite poem? Who was this James Whitcomb Riley? This genealogist can and will now answer that. He was a native and favorite son of Indiana and a good deal is known about him. Riley’s parents were Reuben Riley and Elizabeth Marine. Dad Reuben was a well-known local attorney in Greenfield, Hancock County, Indiana who dabbled a bit in politics. Elizabeth enjoyed literature and James inherited his mother’s love of language. Young James, born in October 1849, did not get along well with his father and sooner rather than later struck out on his own. It is easy for a genealogist to be satisfied with finding the typical information such as vital statistics and church membership. But by pursuing other areas of interest, the genealogy researcher can learn a lot more about a family’s dynamics. Our RecordClick Genealogist has found new family info in a favorite book of poems. The genealogist often can choose to look at an aspect of a person that highlight the person’s life interests. When the genealogy researcher is creative in this way, lots more information becomes available to you. Currently, we are in the campaign season, here, so this genealogist thought it might be enlightening to discover more about that aspect of the poet’s life. Let’s take a look at the politics of James Whitcomb Riley’s father, Reuben. Reuben Alexander Riley (1819-1893) held several political offices from Mayor to State Legislator. In 1884, he was a candidate on the Greenback ticket (Elkhart Daily Review; Monday, Dec. 8, 1884, p. 2). A genealogist can see from the historic research that the active political parties and movements in that election were the Republicans, Democrats, Greenbacks and Prohibitionists. Political party membership is another avenue for genealogical research. This genealogy researcher has found that the Greenback Party grew out of the financing of the Civil War. Before that time, currency was backed by gold or silver. During the Civil War, financing the war took an amount of cash that was greater than the amount of precious metals available to back it up. So, the genealogist will find that as in most issues, there are two sides to this situation. Some politicians wanted to stay with the system of using only dollars backed by gold and silver but felt it would reduce the amount of money in circulation. This would affect those with debt. Other politicians wanted to begin printing money without gold and silver to back it up. But many felt that doing this could lead to inflation. What have we found with our Riley family politics? Our poet’s father, Reuben, was for taking a chance and doing away with the gold standard. This type of thinking was considered more progressive in that time.  When the genealogist sees this type of thinking, it likely is an indicator of how the family was thinking. In the late 1880s, Prohibition was also playing a role in politics. The genealogy researcher will see that this anti-drinking crusade began in the 1860s and continued until 1919 when the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified. The genealogist will find many political ideas, movements and parties. Over the years, some were taken on by mainstream parties, while others faded away. The genealogist will see that politics were, and are, the focus of many news reports in local, regional and national newspapers, magazines and other periodicals. When the genealogist understands the politics of a family, the family historian might find evidence of how and why the family members made certain decisions in their lives. As for our poet, James Whitcomb Riley, he had an interest in politics, too. This genealogist has found that he did some campaigning for Presidential candidate Benjamin Harrison. Ultimately, political activity wasn’t his strong suit and he found more satisfaction in writing poetry. (This genealogist is happy for that!) Genealogy is serendipity. Most any family history researcher will tell you that. The set of James Whitcomb Riley’s books of poems that has followed this genealogist from place to place still has a special place on my bookshelf. When I recently opened the first volume of his poems, I recognized my grandmother’s handwriting immediately. She had signed the book with her maiden name and the address of the Army camp where she served as a nurse for a year during World War I. I now know where and when she got the books! What a pleasant surprise and treat for a genealogist! And there was even more. On the inside of one volume, neatly tucked in between the cover and the flyleaf, there was a program for the Eighteenth Annual Convention of the Nebraska Federation of Post Office Clerks held in Superior, Nebraska in 1935. My grandfather was a postal clerk for many years. According to the program, there was a picture taken. For any genealogist, in particular, this one, that would be fun to find. Genealogy research is challenging. There are always many different resources worth investigating. The genealogist may find it difficult to decide what information to look for and where to find it. A RecordClick genealogist can always help. Our genealogists for hire are knowledgeable about the resources available and we always locate amazing information for your family history. #### The Genealogist Learns From New Language and Unexpected Directions In short, for the family history researcher, genealogy research is learning – all kinds of learning – and making sense of the learning and the people involved. Words and phrases. Words communicate information. Making sense of the words and information has been a major part of the life of this RecordClick genealogist. One of the interesting aspects, of genealogy, to me, is the information. It is history, law, science, religion, military, sociology, psychology, drama, humor, logic and the list goes on. Phrases, including “forensic genealogy” and “genealogy proof standard”, have evolved in an attempt to describe different aspects of genealogy… for whatever reason. To me, mention “forensics” and I think of the high school debate team. It is more than that, but forensics is the skilled use of language to explain, discuss, analyze and, yes, debate any of a variety of topics in order to arrive at a logical conclusion. Say “proof standard” and I think first of math and science. Proofs in geometry drove me a little crazy in school. But there are also proofs in a court of law: organizing facts of a case in order to, again, reach a logical conclusion. So what does this mean to the family researcher? Professional Genealogists Have Terms and Phrases That May Be Learned When I was in college, those many years ago, I ran into this thing called Bloom’s Taxonomy. Bloom was educator Benjamin Bloom who, in the 1950s, helped create a listing of educational goals. Since then, his listing has taken on a number of different forms. Essentially, in simple terms, Bloom’s Taxonomy describes different types of learning: Knowledge – learning basic facts Comprehension – the understanding of those basic facts Application – putting those basic facts to use Analysis – separating those basic facts into parts for further study Synthesis – combining those different parts Evaluation – assessing the worth of those facts Most family history researchers are knowledgeable about their family tree search and their ancestral history. Genealogists understand who the different family members are. They create family trees or pedigree charts. This is the easy part of learning about our forebears. It is the analysis, synthesis and evaluation that transforms a casual chronicler of family lore into a true genealogist. Analysis requires taking a closer look at the facts. Remember the debate team? A good debate team takes a topic and analyzes it every way they can. At one meet, they may argue one side of a topic. At the next competition, they are proponents for the other side. Family history researchers need to look at the facts they have gathered and study them for accuracy, insight and new information which may previously have been missed. There is value in a good discussion between family members about gathered data. After analyzing the information, with synthesis, the family history could very well change and take on new dimensions. The genealogist will find that the information becomes more than names, dates and begats.   The information can turn into something unexpected. And that aspect for the genealogy researcher is productive. Finally, there is evaluation. What is the value of the genealogical information? Is it accurate? Does it make sense? Does it have enough worth to be the springboard for further research? Recently, I was looking for information on an ancestor, Sophia Jenkins who was married to James, and who lived in southern New York between 1800 and 1860. I have found her in a couple of censuses and obituaries (not her own), but haven't seen much else. Out of curiosity, I checked some online family trees. A bit of the information in the online tree fit with what I have. My Sophia Jenkins’ life was neatly tied into a genealogy research package with a bow. Or was it? There was a picture of a tombstone with her name and some dates on it. That would be good news because I didn’t have a date of birth or death or place of burial for her. And then the unexpected happened for this professional genealogist. The genealogy research ribbon began to unravel. Her husband’s name, Robert, was also on the tombstone. A check of an earlier census showed that she was married to a minister with a couple of kids. My Sophia Jenkins was married to James and had close to a dozen children. So, there were two Sophia Jenkins and a family tree that didn’t quite make sense. At first, this family history researcher hadn’t taken the time or didn’t realize the need to go past knowledge, comprehension and application.  This unexpected turn changed the genealogy route and made the family history research more accurate and complete. The family history researchers and professional genealogists for hire at RecordClick are experts at exploring information and getting your family history just right. We find,verify and organize the facts to make sure your family history research has uncovered the unexpected. If you come to a brick wall, we access records that get through it and provide that springboard for further research. #### The Genealogist Researching Kirk Douglas at 99: The Time is Right This RecordClick genealogist thought it might be a good time to remind family historians that time is a concept. This note comes as the last day of 2015 is being crossed off my Gregorian calendar. Ancestry researchers know that there are many ways of keeping track of time--from a sun dial to sand in an hour glass to an atomic clock. Yet, what family history researcher doesn't know that the method of keeping track of time can make a difference to every project. Today,  I’m borrowing the parents of 99-year-old actor Kirk Douglas to explain. Douglas was born on December 9, 1916 (Gregorian calendar) to Herschel/Harry Danielovich Demsky and Bryna/Bertha Sanglel Danielovich Demsky. Harry’s original name was Danielovich, but it was changed to Demsky. Name changing was not uncommon in immigrant households in the U.S. in the early 1900s. In the 1930 U.S. Census, the family lived in Amsterdam, Montgomery County, New York and consisted of: Demsky, Harry  44           M. at age 22       B. Russia              Spoke Jewish     Imm. 1905 Bertha                  45          M. at age 23       B. Russia              Spoke Jewish     Imm. 1910 Bessie                   19          Dau., sing.           B. NY Katherine            17          Dau., sing.           B. NY Mary                     15          Dau., sing.           B. NY Isadore                 13          Son,  sing.            B. NY                     (Became Kirk Douglas) Ida                          11          Dau., sing.           B. NY Freda                    11          Dau., sing.           B. NY Ruth                      7             Dau., sing.           B. NY According to the census, Harry owned his home on Eagle Street and it was valued at $2,000. Although a couple of other homes in the neighborhood were owned, more were listed in the census as being rented. Harry was a rag picker in a junk shop and the oldest daughter, Bessie, worked as a clerk in a dry goods store. Although Harry and Bertha spoke Jewish (Yiddish), all of the family members are recorded as speaking English. There was another family living in the same dwelling that was paying $18 a month in rent. That extra income most likely helped this large family with expenses. Kirk Douglas, known in his younger years as Issur, Isadore or “Izzy”, went on to become the well-known and respected actor who received a Golden Globe Award, three Academy Award nominations, an Oscar for Lifetime Achievement and the Medal of Freedom. He has written a good deal about his life, including his childhood. His parents, Harry and Bertha, lived modestly and remained in upstate New York. Harry died in 1954 and is buried at the Congregation Sons of Israel Cemetery in Amsterdam. The inscription (From FindAGrave) on his tombstone: My dear husband and our dear father Tevi bar Issur 9 Nissan 5714” With this inscription, one can see Harry’s Hebrew name (Tevi) and Harry’s father’s Hebrew name (Issur).  As the tradition has it, Ashkenazi Jews will often name their children for dear relatives who have died. And it seems here that Harry’s son may was likely named for Harry’s father as Issur is Isadore/Kirk’s Hebrew name. Bertha died in 1958 in Albany County. She is buried in Beth Abraham-Jacob Cemetery. Her inscription reads: Bryne bas Shalom Yitschok 1 Tevet 5719” What else does the information on the graves mean to the research genealogist? It means the genealogist will find that all calendars are not the same. Harry died in 5714 and Bertha is 5719. The Hebrew calendar is far different than the Gregorian one used by many nations of today’s world. Both calendars follow the cycles of the moon to determine the months. The Gregorian calendar begins with the calculated date of the nativity. The Hebrew calendar begins with the calculated “year of the world” – the time life began. The current year in the Hebrew calendar is 5776 which began on the related Gregorian date of September 13, 2015. It will end at sunset on October 2,2016. The Hebrew year is more complicated than the simpler twelve month Gregorian calendar  that most family historians use. Those following the Hebrew calendar add a month every few years instead of adding one day every four years as the Gregorian calendar does. The Hebrew months are: Nisan, Iyar, Sivan, Tammuz, Av, Elul, Tishrei, Marcheshvan/Cheshvan, Kislev, Tevet, Shevat and Adar. The days of the week are: Yom Rishon (Sunday), Yom Sheni (Monday), Yom Shlishi (Tuesday), Yom Revi’I (Wednesday), Yom Chamishi (Thursday), Yom Shishi (Friday), and Yom Shabbat (Saturday), the Sabbath and rest day. For the genealogist, according to newspaper accounts, Harry Demsky died in April 1954. That year Nissan/Nisan coincided with the Gregorian month of April. Bertha died during December 1958. In 1958, the month of Tevet was approximately the same time as December. When researching, every genealogist needs to remember that there are a variety of methods for calculating time around the globe. Part of being a good genealogist is being able to place our ancestors in the correct time and place-- no matter which calendar is used. The experienced genealogists at RecordClick understand the many factors that influence family history research. #### The Genealogy Name Game Part One: Spelling Variations Greetings Family Historians & Genealogists! I never had the pleasure of meeting my great grandfather Louis Malo. However, he has taught me a thing or two about genealogy ! The biggest lesson I learned from him was about name variations and how to work around them when building a family genealogy. The Malo surname went through a number of modifications in both Canada and United States. Mollo, Moleau, Malh, Mello, Milo, Melo, Maylow, Mahlo, Maughlo, Male, Mallow, Milly, Miles, Mehl, Mahle, Mal, Mall, Matos Nalow, and Calo are just some of the Malo variations I found when researching the branches of this family tree. These variations created brick walls that I learned to work-around so I wanted to share with how I managed to break through the name game. Why Variations Exist in our Ancestors Names Until the about the 1800’s the majority of people around the world were illiterate, so many people did not know how to spell their names and may have relied on others to do so. Some ancestors may have had an idea of how to spell their name, but they may have changed the spelling from one document to the next, and sometimes even within the same document! When ancestors gave their names to officials such as census takers, the name may have been spelled out phonetically. For example, the French surname “Daigneau” may become “Deno” to an English speaking census taker. Name variations were also created through typos and the misinterpretation of handwriting. Many genealogical  records found on the Internet, including those on well-known genealogy sites, have been transcribed. This transcription may have inadvertently created name variations. The use of initials, nicknames, middle names, and dit names by our ancestors can also create naming variations that can be challenging for genealogy researchers. Immigration and colonization created untold name variations and changes. Work-arounds for Name Variations When faced with name variations, genealogy research can be a challenge! However, there are some work- arounds you can utilize that may help you chip at or break through a brick wall. Keep a list of all the variations you have tried and the outcomes of the search so you don’t waste time later on searching for the same variations. Some databases allow you to search using a soundex system. Soundex searches by grouping similar sounds together and gives results based on similar sounding names. The National Archives uses this system with census records from 1880 onward. Family Search and Ancestry.com have applied the soundex system to many of their databases. To use this feature make sure “Match all terms exactly” (ancestry.com advanced search option) or “Match All Exactly” box (Family Search) is not ticked/checked. BehindTheName.com teamed up with WeRelate.org and Ancestry.com to develop a free open-source database of name variants. You can search for and/or add variants you have found. If the name variant data bases mentioned above do not turn anything up, spell out phonetically the name in question and use that variation to run a search. Search using a previous variation. For example, if Malo is spelled Maylow in one document, search for the surname “Maylow” because the name may have been spelled the same way more than once. For immigrant families, try searching for the name equivalent in the new country. For example one name written in Greek becomes “Fox” in English. When searching records from the country of origin, do the opposite. If you have enough detail about the ancestor, or just unique names, you can search genealogy databases using only a first or last name, or even initials. Use “Wildcards” and Boolean searches in data bases that offer them. If you have a silent letter in a name, search with and without the silent letter. For example, Christopher and Cristopher. Names that start with vowels may start off spelled with another vowel, for example Engel may be spelled Ingel. If you are still stuck after using these tips and tricks, Record Click has a professional genealogist that is a specialist in your  that can help you out. Part Two of The Name Game will focus on dit names, so stayed tuned. Helpful Links: WeRelate Name Conveter http://www.werelate.org/wiki/Special:Names?type=s&name RootsWeb's Soundex Converter http://resources.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/soundexconverter Census Records of the National Archives of the United States http://www.archives.gov/research/census/ Now What?: Find Ancestors Online With Search Wildcards http://www.familytreemagazine.com/article/Now-What-Online-Search-Wildcards/ How to Properly Use a Search Engine for Genealogy http://www.leathersfamilygenealogy.com/basicp.html Boolean Search: Make Your Searches Smarter http://websearch.about.com/od/internetresearch/a/boolean.htm To speak with a professional genealogist about your family tree research contact us. #### The Genealogy of the Tony Awards and Antoinette Perry When this genealogy researcher watches the Tony Awards this week, the person for whom the highest awards for theater work are named will be on my mind. That’s because the family history of Mary Antoinette Perry Frueauff, known in the profession as Antoinette Perry, is fascinating. It is a real Broadway family tree story. The genealogy researcher can simply look  the list of who the pall bearers were at her funeral that was reported in The New York Times on July 3, 1946: Frank L. Blackburn Frank Fay John Golden Sidney R. Fleisher Vinton Freedley Thomas Kilpatrick Oscar Hammerstein 2nd Taylor Holmes Marcus Heiman Arthur Hopkins Lawrence Langner Louis Lotito Bert Lytell Burns Mantle Murdock Pemberton Jack Pulaski Richard Rodgers Vincent Sardi Lee Shubert Deems Taylor Dwight Deere Wiman James F. Reilly Sam Zolotow Any genealogy researcher will recognize some of these big names. It is an impressive Broadway genealogy list that includes Perry’s co-producers, stars, friends and colleagues.  Five hundred people came to her funeral, it was reported. For the genealogy researcher, this is a terrific example of the power of obituaries and newspaper articles. One finds amazing names, details and color in these small reports. Now, let’s get to the genealogy details of our Tony/Toni/Antoinette. Mary Antoinette Perry Frueauff (b. 1888, d. 1946) was born in Colorado and, in 1909, married Frank Wheatcroft Frueauff (b. approx. 1873, d. 1922) a Pennsylvania native who was living in Colorado at the time. She was 18 when she married but she had already had a blossoming career in the theater. Antoinette Perry had gravitated to the theater very early in life. She is reported to have traveled with her Aunt and Uncle who were working on the theater circuit. Her uncle, George Wessells, was known to specialize in Shakespeare.  Antoinette made her actual stage debut at age 15. By the 1910 census, our Antoinette was living in her mother’s house and had been married for five months. Minnee (sic) B. Perry, 40,head, Mildred H. Wessells, 40, widowed Tora Aronson, 24,servant Frank D. Frueauff, 36,son-in-law Antoinette, 21, wife Minnee B. Perry, Antoinette’s mother, was head of the household and was working as a Teacher employed by Christian Science. Minnee’s sister, Mildred H. Wessells was widowed and Minnee’s son-in-law, Frank, was working as a Manager. Her daughter, Antoinette, was newly married. Frank and Antoinette had been married for five months at the time. The genealogy researcher might note two interesting items on this census find: 1) Frank was fifteen years older than Antoinette. 2) Antoinette’s mother was divorced. Searching further back, the Lineage Books of the Daughters of the American Revolution show results for Mary Antoinette Perry Frueauff.  In volume 148, page 263, she is listed as a Descendant of Captain Nathanial Hall, John Arnold and Ephraim Wood. Her father was William Russell Perry (b. 1859, d 1911) and married her mother Minnie Betsey Hall (b. 1863) in 1887, according to the Lineage Book. On Antoinette’s mother’s side, the Hall genealogy may be traced to: Nathanial Hall (b. 1724, d. 1816) who was a commander of a company of Connecticut Troops from 1777-1781. Hall was born in Mansfield, Connecticut and died in New Haven. John Arnold (b. 1726, d. 1807) served as a private at the Lexington Alarm and was born and died in Mansfield, Connecticut. Ephraim Wood (b. ?, d. 1831) served as a private in the Massachusetts troops was born in Middleboro Massachusetts and died in Middlebury, Vermont. Frank and Antoinette went on to have three children. Elaine Storrs Frueauff/aka Elaine Perry (b. 1921, 3. 1986) Margaret Perry Fanning Hall/aka Margaret Perry (b. 1913, d. 2007) Virginia Day (b. 1918, d. 1918) Their two daughters who survived worked in the theater, also.  They took their mother’s stage name, Perry, which was recognized in the theater world. Her husband died young and left Antoinette with a $12 million estate. With it, she began to support theater ventures in varied ways. She was the co-founder of the Theater Wing of the Allied Relief, later known as the American Theater Wing. This group operated the famous Stage Door Canteens where troops were entertained. Antoinette was chair of the Theater Wing from 1941-1944. The Tony Awards are named for Antoinette Perry who is buried in the famous Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, New York. A year after her death in 1946, from a heart condition that was said to have been untreated due to her Christian Science religious beliefs, the awards named in honor of the accomplishments of  Antoinette Perry  were established. Want to win the rewards of a genealogy search, too? This is how: Hire a genealogy researcher from RecordClick. Our professional genealogists will trace your lineage, find your relatives and get the drama behind the people in your family. #### The Genealogy of Wills and Probates Made Understandable: Looking at the Will of Frederick Douglass Genealogy buffs legal research would be so much easier if everyone did the same thing the same way… all the time… no exceptions. Right? Solving genealogy problems would be so much simpler for this professional genealogist. We would all be alike and have the same experiences. That would be so great. Except for one minor detail – life (and death) just isn’t like that! We genealogists for hire regularly delve into a good will and probate for family history research answers. Yet, we need to be aware of how different cases--in different time frames, in different circumstances--are handled. So I will now ask all the genealogy researchers out there who may want to know: What is probate and why does it exist? Simple answer: Wills and probate are the settling of assets and debts when a person dies. If the individual became sick and the doctor came to visit before the death, then the doctor is owed his or her fees--even if the patient died! The court is the third party that makes sure all is handled fairly and according to the law. Next, question for the family history researcher:  What is the name of the court where wills and probate are handled? Simple answer:  It depends. In Alabama, wills and probates can be found in the Office of the Probate Judge. Probate records can be found in the Orphan’s Court in Delaware. In Iowa, go to the clerk of the County District Court. In Oregon, check the County or Circuit Courts. This professional genealogist doesn't recommend too many books, but I'll recommend one now. Every genealogy researcher should have a copy of The Researcher’s Guide to American Genealogy by Val D. Greenwood. The third edition, copyright 2000, is published by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc. This book explains a lot. The genealogy researcher can even find when the various states started keeping vital records and where probate records can be located in each of those states. Don’t feel the need to read it cover to cover. Look up what is of interest to you in your genealogy research project. Since the family history researcher usually is looking at many decades and even centuries in an ancestor search, a thorough genealogist needs to find out how things were done during many different time periods. The intricacies of wills and probates can – and do – vary from time to time and place to place. Genealogy researcher will find that the historical practices and current laws show many changes. A good genealogist has to find out how things were done at all of these different times. This professional genealogist thought it might be interesting to see how the will of someone who lived through in an entirely different set of circumstances was probated. And who better for the genealogy researcher to study than Frederick Douglass! He was born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey in Maryland, in about 1820, to parents who were slaves. At an early age, he realized that his ability to read was the key to freedom. He determined to learn how to read and write. He went on to escape from slavery, teach, publish his own newspapers and periodicals and became a celebrated orator and statesman. He was an abolitionist, human rights and women's rights activist, orator, author, journalist, publisher, and social reformer. Douglass served as an advisor to presidents. Abraham Lincoln referred to him as the most meritorious man of the nineteenth century. Most agree that he was the father of the civil rights movement. The genealogy researcher will see that Douglass lived a very full life that ended in February 1895 in Washington, D.C. A brilliant statesman, orator, writer--Douglass also made sure to have a will. Douglass was a wise man in so many ways. He was also wise in that he prepared a plan for the disposal of his estate after his death. Several years before his death, he prepared a will with four stipulations: 1)      “First, I give and bequeath to my dear devoted wife, Helen Douglass, my house and fifteen acres of land situated Anacostia, D.C. with all outbuildings and appurtenances… 2)      “Second, I give and bequeath to the said Helen Douglass, all my writings, books, papers, pictures, paintings, horses, carriages, harnesses… 3)      “Third, I give and bequeath to the said Helen Douglass, ten thousand dollars in registered United States Bonds, and ten thousand dollars in lawful money… 4)      “Fourth, I give and bequeath to my daughter Rosetta D. Sprague, and to my three sons, Lewis, Frederick and Charles the remainder of all property of which I shall be possessed at my death…” (Monroe County, New York, Book of Wills, vol. 57, p. 178) Was Frederick Douglass writing his will here? The Frederick Douglass estate was not an easy one to probate after his death in 1895. He owned property in both places--Anacostia, Washington, D.C. and Monroe County, N.Y. However, he lived the longest amount of time, some 25 years, in Rochester, Monroe County, New York. So how was his estate probated? “…that at the time of his death he was a resident of said City of Washington, and that the time of his death he was the owner of two parcels of land in the City of Rochester, Monroe County, New York… and that the said Frederick Douglass, deceased, left a last Will and Testament, and that the same was on the 22nd day of April, 1895, duly admitted to probate in the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia…” (Monroe County, New York, Book of Wills, vol. 57, p. 179) In this case, the genealogist will see that part of the probate was done in Washington, D.C. and part in Monroe County, New York. One of the main things for any genealogy researcher to remember is that in order to have an estate to probate, an individual usually had to own something of value. The term “value” is not specific. A sharecropper who owns no land, lives in a very basic of house with few possessions is not likely to have had a will or an estate that needed to be probated. Yet, this professional genealogist has run across some interesting situations.  One of them was the probate of a Kansas cowboy who owned a good horse and saddle. He had an estate--the horse and saddle. When the county wanted to recover burial expenses, there was a probate which performed an accounting of the estate’s holdings—the horse and saddle. Question for the genealogy researcher: What is the threshold for an estate to be probated? This professional genealogist will answer: It all depends. For any genealogy researcher to determine whether an individual had a will and/or probate, here are some quick and basic tips for the family history researcher to use: 1) Learn about the people in the family and what they did and how they lived. A probate indicates that an individual owned something that had monetary value. Were they just eking out a living? Did they live on a few acres of rented land? Were they tycoons? Were they somewhere in between? 2) Review the laws for the time and place where probate may have occurred. This will help in determining whether there was a will or probate and how it was handled. 3) Check the place where the family tree member died and locate the appropriate court. Keep in mind that there is a chance the estate may have been probated somewhere else. Need more information about wills and probates? Let the professional genealogists at RecordClick help you and your family. We know the process. We have access to courthouse resources and will find the answers to your family’s genealogy questions. #### The Genealogy Researcher and Moving Picture Families: Olivia de Havilland  at 99 Every genealogy researcher will find that many families are on the move. When it comes to ancestry research, you’ll see some ancestors are temporarily relocated and others are always on the go. This RecordClick genealogy researcher has found that it is a challenge when families relocate often. So, when it comes to moving around, this genealogist is going to borrow one of the old Hollywood celebrity families. This week, your avid genealogy researcher will look at the family of the film industry award-winning sisters Olivia de Havilland and Joan Fontaine. Olivia de Havilland, now 99, lives in France. Joan Fontaine passed away at the age of 96 in California. But, in their long lives, these locations are not the only places they have been. The heritage of Olivia and Joan is English, by way of Japan. The information derived from various documents is interesting and revealing. As many a genealogy researcher will find, there are far more questions and many more stories to be told once one begins this focused work. Each sister was a talented, multi-award-winning actress on her own. Their film careers began in the 1930s. By the next decade, both had gleaned Academy Awards. Olivia de Havilland was awarded with two Oscars. The first was in 1946 for To Each His Own and the second one came in 1949 for The Heiress.  Her film legacy, as a genealogy researcher may know instantly, is highlighted by her role as Melanie Wilkes in Gone with the Wind. Highest movie honors went to Olivia de Havilland. Her sister also won an award in the industry. photo credit: rex Joan Fontaine made a name for herself in Rebecca, in 1940, and by the next year, she had been awarded her Oscar at the 1941 Academy Awards for Suspicion. These talented sisters were born in Japan to patent attorney Walter Augustus de Havilland and Lilian Augusta Ruse. Olivia was born in July 1916. Joan followed in October 1917. Health issues with the girls caused the parents to start back to England. They got as far as San Francisco, in February 1919, according to the passenger list for the ship “Siberia Maru”. As the genealogy researcher will see, at that time, Walter was 47 and Lilian was 32. A combination of ship’s passenger lists, U.S. Census records and the ability of the genealogy researcher to find more salient details all add to this genealogy story. Walter, it seems, may have had a wondering eye. He did not stay with the family and returned to Japan. The 1920 U.S. Census lists Lilian, Olivia and Joan as living on Sutter Street in San Francisco. Lilian states her occupation is actress. After the couple divorced, Walter married a woman, named Yoki, in Japan and Lilian married George M. Fontaine in California. The natural next step for the genealogy researcher to take in this moving story is to find out more about Walter and Lilian. Olivia and Joan’s father, Walter, entered the U.S. through Ellis Island on March 7, 1908. He was 35 years old. No record has been found of when Lilian arrived. The parental couple, Walter and Lillian, was married in Manhattan on November 30, 1914. Soon after, the couple relocated to Japan. The marriage record lists Walter’s parents as Charles and Margaret L. Molesworth and Lilian’s parents as Alfred and Mary Flocking. The more this genealogy researcher learns about Walter, the more interesting he becomes.  So many questions come to the genealogist including: What firm did he work for in New York City? What did a patent attorney work on in those days? Why would he relocate to Japan? And, a very important one: What happened to the marriage of Walter and Lilian? Newspapers may provide valuable clues for genealogy researcher. The actresses’ mother, Lilian, died in February 1975. An obituary in the San Diego Union on February 22, 1975, says she had moved back to New York and had taught theater in Saratoga, New York. Lillian, it was reported, returned to California in 1971 and that is where she died at the age of 88. The sisters’ father, Walter, made a number of trips from Japan to San Francisco in the 1920s and early 1930s. On occasion, he was accompanied by his second wife, Yoki. In May 1941, Walter and Yoki came to the United States, again, leaving Japan just as the activities leading up to World War II were getting serious. A news item in the San Diego Union reports that they intended to reside in Mexico. Walter died in British Columbia in May 1968 at age 95. His death registration lists his trade as a lawyer and the genealogy researcher will see that it notes that he last worked in 1940. His parents are Charles Richard De Havilland and Margaret Letitia Molesworth. He was born in Lewisham, Kent, England. Now, here is a bit of a side trip for the genealogy researcher.  At that time, his wife was listed as Mary Eliza Conner. There are some inconsistencies on his death registration which, of course, lead the genealogy researcher to more questions. This genealogy researcher wants to know what happened to second wife, Yoki, and when did he meet and marry Mary? Another moving mystery is:  how did Walter get to British Columbia? The genealogy researcher will have to travel through more documents. And this genealogist thinks the stories that will be uncovered will be both dramatic and highly entertaining. Every family has happenings that family members think could win Academy Awards for best story. The experienced genealogists at RecordClick will use online resources and find solid documentation of your family’s dramas, moves and fascinating details. #### The Genealogy Researcher Celebrates National Rose Month with Marshall Rose You want to know why this genealogy researcher loves autobiographies?  Because you get lots of details for family history research. You get color. You get ancestry. Often, you get some secrets. This genealogist always comes away from an autobiography with wider eyes, sparkling details, and that sense of wonder. Take Mae West’s autobiography. This genealogist thought it was very interesting, especially in its wealth of genealogical detail. Yet, when this ancestry researcher kept at it, I found that some of those details may or may not have been so accurate. But boy where they sure fun to read! Actress Candice Bergen has been on the circuit recently with a second installment of her autobiography. Don’t you just love her! This is the girl whose first autobiography told secrets of being raised by her star father, Edgar Bergen. It was an odd moment for the genealogy researcher to learn of Edgar Bergen’s success, or lack of it, when it came to his parenting style. It was a strange genealogical detail to learn of the imposed sibling rivalry with her father’s favorite dummy, Charlie McCarthy.  New kind of  family tree branch, no? Now, Candice Bergen has so moved on.  She has found love, peace, maturity and self -acceptance. Her family tree is growing this month as her daughter Chloe Malle gets married. And some of her current serenity is attributed to the man in her life—Marshall Rose. She tells how she met him. She tells about the differences between them. She notes a few nice things about him. But the genealogy researcher always is curious about stories. And when an ancestry specialist hears of that Candice’s husband since 2000 is an elegant guy from Brooklyn, the questions start flooding the genealogy brain. So, let’s dig a little. Why not? June is National Rose Month, anyway. From business directories, the genealogy research will find some of Marshall Rose’s real estate business genealogy : 1959 REIT Arlen Realty with Arthur G. Cohen, Arthur N. Levien, Marshall Rose 1978 Georgetown Company From old phone books, the genealogy researcher will see that Marshall Rose lived at 1040 Fifth Avenue, Apartment 16A from at least 1985-2002. One can even find his phone number. That’s all just fluff. A Rose is a Rose by any other name. There are many Marshall Roses. Let’s prune this one and get to the real stuff. A curious genealogy researcher will see that in the 1940 Census our Marshall, age 3 in South Midwood on 149 Beaumont Street.  The family looks like this: Jack Rose age 36 (born about 1904) Jean Rose age 32 Robert Rose age 9 Marshall Rose age 3 Jack is a naturalized Citizen, originally from England. He is a salesman for a Fur Manufacturer who wrosk 44 hours a week and has other sources of income. He didn’t attend school or college. Jean Rose was born in New York. A genealogy researcher always likes to go backwards a bit. So, let’s go to the 1930 Census, where we see the family was in the Bronx at 1251 Boynton Avenue. Jack Rose is 28. He is listed as having been married at age 25. He was born in London, England and arrived in the U.S. in 1907. He is a cutter for a fur manufacturer. His mother and father are listed as coming from Austria. Jack’s wife in 1930 is listed as Jenny Rose who is age 22. It says she was married at 21 and was born in New York. Her mother and father are listed as coming from Russia. This is most likely the same person as the woman listed in 1940 as Jean. The ages work--so perhaps Jenny has Americanized her name? Now let’s look at Jenny’s family. In the 1930 census there is Frank Klein  60 Mirna Klein 51 Ida                25 Max              21 Jack              22 Jenny           22   Step-daughter The profession of Frank Klein was builder in the building trade and he was a veteran.  The value of his home at the time was 18. He was a Naturalized Citizen who arrived in the U.S. in 1904.  Mirna Klein, his wife, arrived in 1906 and had alien status. Son Max Klein was a Blocker in the Millinery trade. Look what we now know—Marshall Rose’s mother had some event  that lead her to have a step-parent. We family tree researchers also know that she was born in New York and had some variations on her name. We also know that Marshall Rose’s grandfather was in the real estate business. Interesting, right!? Of course, there happen to be a zillion other people named Marshall Rose that bloomed on the computer screen while this genealogy researcher was looking at the internet garden of Roses. There was the Marshall Rose who, with his wife Joyce, may have been from Alcatraz Island, California (!) and who took a Pan Am flight 1010/30 from London to New York on April 30, 1951. There was the Marshall Rose, b. June 18, 1891 in Pall Mall, London, who was a US Citizen at the time of he and his wife, Violet Rose, b. October 6, 1892, sailed from Southampton, England to New York via the United States Lines S.S. America on September 13, 1960. There were divorces and marriages of some Marshall Roses in the Midwest and Texas. But that’s not Candice’s Brooklyn Rose. Nope. He is still in New York. And she is doing just fine blooming where she is planted. Want to see your family tree grow? Hire a genealogist from RecordClick where a professional genealogy researcher will get your family’s documents, details and history for you. #### The Genealogy Researcher Goes to Jail: The Records Are A Good Resource For the genealogy researcher, when it comes to family history research, good guys (and gals) and bad guys (and gals) are most likely to be found in public records. The bad guys (and gals) are also becoming known in media and genealogy circles. General researchers may now refer to themselves as “forensic genealogists” when they have simply attended a CSI genealogy conference and combined it with going the extra in their own family history research. We professional genealogists know all about the upstanding citizens who did their civic duty and went to church every week. But what about those ancestors who had a run in with the law? They may have been scoundrels – or not. Every genealogy researcher can find at least one or two in the family tree who were perfect and planted in Mayberry.  And then the family history researcher might just locate a few ancestors who had a relationship with the local constabulary somewhere else. This professional genealogist found it so interesting to see the recent episode of the current American genealogy TV show Who Do You Think You Are (WDYTHY) actress Cynthia Nixon’s ancestors. It was absolutely intriguing and informative to see that the genealogy researchers uncovered the facts of Nixon’s great grandmother’s conviction and prison sentence for the murder of her spouse. I also recently watched an episode of the BBC’s version of WDYTYA (on YouTube) that looked at actor Jeremy Irons’ ancestry. The professional genealogy researchers found that he, too, had a great grandparent who spent time in prison. (Jeremy Iron’s relative was in for political reasons.) So, what criminal records are available to the genealogy researcher and where are these records located? The first part of the question is easy to answer. Unless there is a mitigating circumstance, all available criminal records are open to the public. Most criminal offenses are minor and so the cases are handled by lower courts. These cases may have been for such crimes as disturbing the peace. Even major crimes, such as murder, begin in a lower court, usually. At the lower levels, a preliminary hearing is held to determine that 1) A crime has been committed and  2) There is reason to believe that the suspect committed the crime. If the lower court deems there is support for these two elements, the case will then be passed on to a higher court. Good news for the genealogy researcher: Records have been kept at every level! Genealogy research can take you to court! The records are amazing for ancestor searches. Depending on the situation, the local newspapers also may have carried a record of the events with stories that follow and detail the case. The second part of this question about locating criminal records is a bit harder to answer because of changes in governmental structures, laws and population matters. To help out here, a genealogy researcher needs to discover some history of the place where the ancestor lived. A family history researcher can do this by asking questions like: Was it a rural area? Was it a small town like the iconic Mayberry R.F.D.? Or was it a larger metropolitan area such as New York, Chicago or New Orleans? A third thing for the genealogy researcher to keep in mind when trying to locate criminal records, is that, as transportation changed from horses to automobiles, states created additional levels of law enforcement. Highway patrols are a good example. These additional levels of law enforcement give the genealogy researcher another source for records to search. Let’s take our own quick criminal records search right now. This professional genealogist will detail a few locations. New York City is a good place to start. New York’s been around a long time as the genealogy researcher knows. Its historic police force evolved from a simple whipping post erected in 1632 to…. In a history entitled Our Police Protectors: History of the New York Police from the Earliest Period to the Present, author Augustine E. Costello provides some good background information. This history can be found online at the Internet Archive web site that is part of American Libraries, Seymour B. Durst Old York Library Collection. Another good source for information on the New York Police Department is the Lloyd Sealy Library of the John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Archive.org has a number of annual Department of Police reports from across the country. Ancestry.com also has some criminal and court records. Chicago has a rich law enforcement history dating back to 1835 when Orsemus Morrison was elected the first constable. He was assisted by Luther Nichols and John Shrigley. A portion of the Chicago Police Department website contains a timeline of the growth and changes in the department. Four websites of interest are: Chicago Police Department, http://portal.chicagopolice.org Early History of Chicago Police Department, http://chicagology.com/chicagopolice Forgotten Chicago: Disused police stations by Jacob Kaplan, http://forgottenchicago.com/disused-police-stations/ Chicago Police Department Homicide Record, 1870-1938, compiled by the Illinois Regional Archives Depository system. Northeastern Illinois University, http://www.ilsos.gov/isairad/chicagohomicidesrch.jsp The New Orleans Police Department has its roots in the era when the city was under Spanish rule. In the 1790s, Spanish Colonial Governor Baron de Carondelet saw the need for law enforcement. A short history can be found at New Orleans Online.com. The New Orleans Public Library has an excellent online exhibit, Hidden from History – Unknown New Orleanians, curated by Emily Epstein Landau with materials in the City Archives. It discusses some of the records, including police records, available for those residents of the city who preferred to stay out of the limelight. The City Archives is part of the New Orleans Public Library and, among other things, holds on deposit the pre-1927 records of the civil courts and the pre-1932 records of criminal courts of Orleans Parish. For the genealogy researcher whose ancestors lived in smaller towns, there is hope--but it may take some digging. The towns usually had some kind of police force and, if there was some kind of a disturbance, even as mundane as a barking dog, a complaint had to be lodged and action recorded. Municipal records were often kept at the city hall. Staff of a local museum may have information on the whereabouts of these records. The staffers may even be able to help the researcher find out when the police or sheriff’s office was organized and who served on the force. Information may also be available online on a city or county government website. With the advent of automobiles and improved roads in the early 1900s, law enforcement changed. States began to see the need for an organization to enforce traffic regulations. Called Highway Patrol, State Troopers or State Police, the jurisdiction of these forces crosses city limits and county lines. The Official Directory of State Patrol and Police web site, founded by Terrance Martin, has links to state patrols. Many of the web sites include a history of the organization and memorials to fallen officers. The challenge of finding criminal court records may be a bit daunting for the family history researcher. There are many avenues for the genealogy researcher to explore… City offices County offices Archives and museums Newspapers The professional genealogists at Record Click are available to help you find information on the family history. We work with these repositories and have experience finding that piece of information that will break you free from brick walls. #### The Genealogy Researcher Needs a Fairy Godmother When Searching for Cinderella This genealogy researcher loves every Cinderella show and movie. But none more than the 1965 version with the true Princess in every young girl’s eyes: Lesley Anne Warren, the multi-nominated movie star, who was Cinderella in the TV special that year. Generations later, the genealogy researcher sees today that Disney’s recently released Cinderella movie is a newer movie version with Brits playing the parts. Or, we could say that today’s Cinderella is the on-screen Hollywood descendant of our American Cinderella. When the genealogy researcher is looking for ancestry and family history facts, POOF! Some come forward in an instant. Some disappear in a snap. Some are clear. Some float like a bubble, up and away. Lesley Ann Warren was every girl's princess in the 1960s. Lesley Anne Warren is generally reported as being born on August 16, 1946. But this is Hollywood, so who really knows? She is also said to have been born in New York. Well, this genealogy researcher  has found a Leslie A. Warren who was born in Fishkill, NY floating around. And that person’s name is spelled Leslie and the birthdate is July 17, 1944. This genealogy researcher hasn’t verified that this is the same person, but Fishkill isn’t so far from where our Lesley Ann’s father’s family seems to have lived. POOF! Instantly, more verification and search work for the genealogy researcher. It does say in Lesley Ann Warren’s known history that her mother was a Margot Verblow who was a “cabaret singer” before she married Lesley’s dad, William Warren, formerly William Woronoff, a real estate agent. This genealogist has found a record of a Margot Dorthea Verblow, age 22, born in England, perhaps in Eastborne, whose nationality was listed as Canadian. She sailed on the ship the American Farmer to  America on June 5, 1939. She traveled with Kathleen Verblow, listed as a housewife born in Moleiv (sp) Russia who was age 40 at the time of their trip. Margot Dorthea Verblow was listed as something that is crossed off and replaced, in handwriting. POOF! Look closer and we see the penned in word:  actress. A genealogy researcher always finds nice surprises! And the family history researcher always has to look at other records for date, name and detail verification. There are a few different ships records for each of these women. And it looks like Kathleen Verblow became a naturalized American citizen on December 29, 1949. Unless there are other Kathleen Verblows, Kathleen’s birthdate is different in every record. It is listed as 1899, 1894 and 1898. POOF! This genealogy researcher has found a second record that lists 1899, so we’re going with that one, for now. Want to have your own genealogy researcher to do family history magic? Contact the professional genealogists at RecordClick. When you hire a genealogist, POOF!, RecordClick will find your family’s story. #### The Genealogy Services Provider Celebrates America with Lawrence Welk and his Homestead Story The town where this genealogy service provider now lives has a bang-up July Fourth festival  and celebration. Fourth of July. Summer.  All kinds of festivals. There even is a tomato festival in the Pennsylvania town where the grandmother of this RecordClick professional genealogist grew up.  In this area where I live, we also have nationality festivals--with several Czech celebrations. For an outing last weekend, I attended Homesteader Days at the Homestead National Monument in Beatrice (Bee-At’-Ris), Nebraska. Along the wall, there were banners of notable people with homestead roots-- including Lawrence Welk, the down-to-earth Polka King. His story is a good one and his youth was typical for a member of a homesteading family. The genealogy service provider should be aware of the impact homesteading may have had on a family. The Homestead Act of 1862 did a couple of things. First, it gave people a chance to own property. Many of those impacted by this act may not have had the opportunity, otherwise, to own property. Secondly, the Homestead Act of 1862 was a source of revenue for the federal government. There was an option called “Cash Sale” where an individual could obtain the property after six months for $1.25 an acre. Homesteaders paid only a modest filing fee. Finally, there was a program in which military veterans could purchase property with military scrip. Lawrence Welk’s father, Ludwig, belonged in the first category. He was someone who might not have otherwise owned property here. I’m going to throw out some numbers concerning homesteaders that the National Park Service has assembled. These should be of interest to every genealogy service provider. The Homestead Act was in effect 123 years from 1863 to 1986. States with homesteads include: Florida, Louisiana, Arizona, Alaska, Ohio and Lawrence Welk’s home state of North Dakota. About 4 million claims were made under the Homestead Act of 1862. 270 million acres of land were distributed by the Homestead Act. About 93 million homesteader descendants are alive today. The most Final Patents were received from 1901-1910 (372,000) and 1911-1920 (439,000) This genealogist thinks that this is a lot of land and a lot of people. The homestead area of the Welk Family When the genealogy researcher looks at the Welk family, we see that passenger and census records show Ludwig and his wife, Christina to be German-speaking Russians who married in approximately 1891. They arrived in New York on April 11, 1893 with political instability in Europe as a major factor in their decision to come here. They traveled in third class and each had one piece of luggage. The genealogist will see that this couple made their way to North Dakota and settled in the German- speaking community of Strasburg. Ludwig Welk filed for an 80-acre homestead and proved up on the farm in Emmons County in south central North Dakota in December 1903-- the year that Lawrence was born. Life on the homestead wasn’t easy. Lawrence Welk had seven siblings and all were expected to help out. German was spoken in the household, so Lawrence learned to speak English when he was older. He had to work on the farm to repay the cost of the accordion that was his ticket to a different life. By 1929, he and his “America’s Biggest Little Band” were making a name for themselves in the region. By the 1930s, he headed west to California, as so many others from the Great Plains did at the time. His journey led to television and to national fame. Wide audiences enjoyed his music. It was easy to dance to and had a hometown “festival” sort of feeling. And just as genealogy endures, so has the bubbly, festival-like music of Lawrence Welk. It has lasted for decades with some public television stations still rerunning Lawrence Welk’s musical variety program. Homesteading had a big impact on the American story and because of that, this research should be in the bag of tools used by any genealogy services provider. The original homestead packets are located in the National Archives. A few states homestead records have been digitized and are online. The BLM – GLO web site lists individuals, including homesteaders, granted land patents. These records provide fertile information for cultivating a family history. When you hire a genealogist from RecordClick, you will get professional ancestry researcher who know how to locate records, including those homestead-related documents. Our genealogy service provider will be able to provide information on the land and its impact on the family story. #### The Name Game Part Two: Dit Names Many family historians with French ancestry hit brick walls when researching their genealogy because of "dit" names. A dit name can be thought of as an embellished surname that the ancestor is known by. The original surname may be modified or replaced overtime by a dit name, so as you can imagine, this can make it difficult to find your ancestors in genealogical materials. For example: Jacques Bruneau becomes Jacques Bruneau dit St. Anne. Some generations later, Jacques’ descendant, Marguerite, decided to simplify the surname and settled for “St. Anne” as her surname. Since the records may not mention the dit name you may find yourself stuck! Envisage yourself searching for Marguerite St Anne, yet most of her records state her name as “Marguerite Bruneau!” The dit name may not appear in the documents. On the other hand, the dit name may be in some of the documents, but whoever indexed the documents on the website you are searching did not index the dit name, so when you search you do not find it. To make the genealogical puzzle more confusing, a given surname such as “Samson” may have multiple dit names attached to it. Siblings may have each adopted a different dit names to avoid confusion among their family branches. Conversely, the use of the same dit name does not necessarily imply a genetic relationship. Rene Boudrot dit Alunay may have no genetic relationship to Evangeline Marchand dit Alunay. To pile on the confusion, a dit name in French may be changed into the equivalent language of where a family member emigrated to. For example, the surname “Chagnon dit forêt” may become the surname “Forest” in an English speaking country. Dit names seem to have come into usage in the the late 1500's. Though a French custom, the use of dit names can be found in other European countries. One reason being was the fleeing of the Huguenots from France, mainly to the Netherlands and from there on to the “New World” and even as far away as South Africa. France also colonized many countries spreading around the use of dit names. The Grand d'Arrangement forced Acadians from Canada and many wound up in the United States. Reasons for the use of Dit Names Dit names were used for a variety of reasons. For example, dit names may be used to: identify a place of origin or land occupied by an      ancestor distinguish between parents and children that have the      same name provide a “warrior” name in times of battle (nom de guerre) describe a physical characteristic pay respect to a mentor honor a      religious figure Dit names can make your genealogy search time consuming and even difficult to carry out as your family line seems to suddenly come to an end. The links below may help up you get around the dit name hurdles. They provide general information about dit names, some list common dit names and the surnames they are associated with, and some of the sites may have other information about French naming practices and French family history. If you find you cannot get around the hurdle, Record Click has a professional genealogist who is experienced in French, Franco-American, Acadian, French-Canadian, and Cajun genealogy who can help you with your family tree. Dit Names Links American-French Genealogical Society http://www.afgs.org/termphra.html The Dits Names http://www.francogene.com/quebec/ditnames.php Understanding Dit Names http://genealogy.about.com/b/2010/07/08/understanding-dit-names.htm French Dit Names http://www.genealogyforum.com/gfaol/resource/Canada/dit.htm French Dit names and other French naming Variations. http://www.afgs.org/ditnames/index1.html Acadian Names and Dit Names http://www.eogen.com/AcadianDitNames Acadian Family Home http://www.acadian-home.org/names-acadian.html French Names in the 1850 US Census of Aroostook County, Maine http://www.upperstjohn.com/1850/frenchnames.htm General information on first and last French names from the University of Montréal http://www.genealogie.umontreal.ca/en/nomsPrenoms.htm Acadian-Cajun Surnames http://www.acadian-cajun.com/surnamr.htm List of French Genealogy and Family History Links http://genealogy.about.com/od/france/French_Genealogy_Family_History.htm For help locating your French ancestry, speak to one of our professional genealogists today! #### The Naturalization Oath By Any Other Name Spells A-l-l-e-g-i-a-n-c-e "I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God." ~ Naturalization Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America. These are the words recited during the naturalization ceremony. It is the ideal for which most immigrants are striving. Almost every genealogist in the United States can trace their ancestry to an immigrant ancestor who made the monumental decision to come to the United States. The reasons for leaving their homeland were innumerable and the hardships they faced were unimaginable. Immigrants faced many challenges, including a long voyage that could last up to three months in rough water, as well as the challenge of starting a new life in the United States - usually with meager resources. Your immigrant ancestor has a story to tell and naturalization is a part of that story. Understanding the Naturalization Process As it is with any genealogical search the genealogist needs to understand the process that led to your immigrant ancestors’ decision to become a United States citizen. Federal naturalization laws were enacted in 1790, which stipulated that any court could perform the naturalization process. It wasn’t until 1906 when the United States Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization (renamed Immigration and Naturalization Service) provided standard forms to the courts. The United States Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) has duplicate copies of the naturalization documents filed after 1906. The National Archives also has many of these documents. The naturalization process historically comprised five steps: 1. Registry – Between 1798 and 1828 immigrants who wished to become United States citizens were required to register with the court upon arrival. By the late 1820s the registry step was combined with the next step, The Declaration of Intent. By 1928 the Registry was repealed. 2. Declaration of Intent The Declaration of Intent provides some genealogical information, such as name of the immigrant, age, birth date and birthplace, nativity, name of monarch to whom the he/she served allegiance, port of departure and arrival, and signature or mark of the immigrant. Between 1828 and 1838, many courts opted to use a shorter form that limited the amount of genealogical information gathered. After 1906, the forms requested more details, such as name, occupation, description of the immigrant, birthplace, birth date, current residence, foreign residence, and other immigration information. 3. Petition for Naturalization Prior to 1906, the Petition for Naturalization did not contain any genealogical information. It stated the date and court where the applicant was scheduled to appear, a statement of the immigrant’s desire to become a citizen, an affidavit testifying to the immigrant’s moral character, date and signature or mark of immigrant. After 1906, more genealogical information was requested from the immigrant in addition to affidavits of the immigrant and witnesses. With this information, a copy of the Declaration of Intent, proof of a five-year residency in the United States and a copy of the petition for naturalization, the immigrant could walk into any court in the country and request full citizenship. 4. Order Granting Citizenship If the previous obligations were fulfilled, the Oath of Allegiance was administered in a ceremony. 5. Certificate of Citizenship A certificate was issued to the new citizen. The court did not retain a copy of the certificate. An immigrant could buy or sell property, work, marry, or anything of a personal or social nature, but to vote and to participate in the political process required that the immigrant first become a citizen of the United States. Oddly enough, many immigrants never started or completed the naturalization process. Women automatically became citizens when they married a native-born or naturalized citizen; however, after 1922 a married female immigrant had to naturalize also. Minor children became citizens if the parents were naturalized. Searching for Naturalization Records Often the first clue as to when their ancestor immigrated to the United States and naturalized may be found in the United States census schedule. Starting in 1900 the census bureau asked questions about immigration status, such as the date of naturalization and nativity. Several websites hold immigration records including: National Archives Fee-based, but with some online access. Duplicates of court records after 1906 from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service. Some immigration records prior to 1906 that were donated. Family Search Free to all genealogists. Partnership with the National Archives and other genealogy companies to gather immigration records. Fold 3 Subscription based, but do have a free basic membership. Partnership with the National Archives and Family History. United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) Fee based. Duplicates of court records after 1906 and additional records. USCIS searches five agencies: 1. Naturalization Certification Files between 1906-1956. 2. Alien Registrations between 1940-1944. 3. Visa Files between 1924-1944. 4. Registry Files between 1929-1944. 5. A-Files between 1944-1951. For pre-1906 records, I would suggest searching the county court records where your immigrant ancestor lived. Our immigrant ancestors took a risk coming to the United States, and their stories are valuable not only to their descendants, but to American history as a whole. Let the professional genealogists at RecordClick help help you find your immigrant ancestor. #### The Single Soldier is a Reminder for the Genealogist and All This RecordClick genealogist has lost count of how many I’ve seen. They grace parks, cemeteries and on courthouse squares across this country. Sometimes called “Single Soldier” or “Silent Sentinels,” they are the most common statues. The soldier statues may represent either the Confederacy or the Union. Some are large. Others are smaller. Some depict young men. Others are older soldiers. There may be some symbolism in what the soldier is wearing or in his stance depicted. The positions may vary, but the soldiers stand with a rifle and ready, watching, watching. From the research files of this genealogist, I have found that they started watching soon after the Civil War hostilities ceased. Cities and towns wanted to honor those who fought, and died, for the land that they called home. The people needed to remember. On the base of the statue on the courthouse square of this genealogist are the words: “Antitem, Chanchellorsville, Gettysburg, Shiloh” as well as “Dedicated to the memory of the soldiers of 1861-1865”. Other memorials may have other inscriptions. The soldiers were a blank slate waiting to serve the village or city. The veterans kept watch over each other after the war. Many helped bury their comrades-in-arms years later with the act noted in newspaper obituaries. As time has passed, each sentinel has become unique. Many have acquired plaques and memorials for other wars – World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan. The people needed to remember then. We need to remember now. This holiday weekend, take time and make time to find a moment. Remember the Single Soldier. He is  there watching… When you work with a professional genealogist from RecordClick, we serve you and fill in the blanks you may have today with your family history. Every genealogist working with us knows how to find the heros, the veterans, the ancestors who have served. #### The Thrill of the Genealogy Hunt – Let a Record Click Expert Review Be Your Guide What makes Record Click unique from other genealogy research firms is our understanding that the "hunt" is part of the thrill of a genealogy "find." While Record Click offers full genealogy research services, some of our clients, upon hitting a brick wall, just need a new strategy to get them back on track. That's why Record Click offers its warrior genealogists a different kind of service with its Strategy Session plan. Next time you hit an impasse, let Record Click pair you up with one of our professional lineage researchers, who will review your case, and offer you alternative, concrete ways to reach your goal. If it can be found, our researchers will help you find it. Record Click posted a call-out in July for brickwall cases to be submitted by our readers. Of the many great submissions we received, our staff selected a case sent in by JP, an avid genealogist from Austin, Texas. JP had mapped her ancestry to a 3rd great grandfather, Uriah Frazier, but was stymied in verifying Uriah's father, who was believed to be William Frazier. One of JP's relatives had engaged the services of Brent Holcomb, a well-known professional researcher and prolific author of Southern history. Mr. Holcomb located documents involving the two Frazier men and wrote about the family in one of his many books. Unfortunately, JP's relative misplaced Holcomb's report, and JP had no clue how to relocate the information, short of contacting Brent Holcomb and starting all over again. Record Click selected one of its Accredited Genealogists (AG) based in Salt Lake City to perform the Expert Review for JP's query. Our AG went to the Family History Library and began her search by combing through Brent Holcomb's books – a "time consuming search" in her words – focusing primarily on his research of the Lexington-Fairfield-Orangeburgh areas in South Carolina. JP's relative was under the assumption that after the death of William Frazier, his children (including Uriah) sued their stepmother, Catharine Frazier, the William's widow. While there was indeed a lawsuit in 1840, Record Click's AG discovered in "Some South Carolina County Records - Vol 1" compiled by Brent Holcomb in 1976, that the facts were different from those relayed by JP's relative. It turns out Catharine Frazier, after the death of her husband William, filed a petition in November 1840 in the Court of Ordinary for Lexington District against her husband's children, including Uriah and his siblings. It seems William Frazier had died intestate and left a tract of land, which the Court decreed be sold in public sale, and which was purchased by Catharine Frazier. From the information found in Brent Holcomb's book (which was clearly noted for source), JP contacted the State Archives of South Carolina and asked about acquiring a copy of the record. The archivist referred to the Lexington County Courthouse fires, stating that only scattered records were available for pre-1839; however, JP pursued it, explaining that Brent Holcomb had written about the case in a 1976 publication. She shared the source information listed in the Expert Review, and that was the clue the archivist needed to know that the information was contained in the Lexington County Deed Book, which he located. He is sending a copy of Catharine Frazier's petition to JP. Now, we play the waiting game. Will the record identify Catharine's husband as William? If so, JP will have solved the mystery: "Who is Uriah's father?" If not, then it's back to the drawing board. We will be updating you all as this genealogy research project unfolds. In the meantime, Record Click's AG offered additional verification to JP in regard to Uriah's siblings and their spouse's names, all of which is important to expanding the family's pedigree. Don't miss out on Record Click's insightful interview with Brent Holcomb. To hire an professional genealogist for your expert genealogy analysis, contact us. #### The War To End All Wars - How History Can Touch The Genealogist RecordClick's family of genealogists wishes to take this opportunity to express their appreciation to all the brave men and women who have served our Country. We all owe you a debt of gratitude. Thank you for your service. Photo by Daniel Shurtliff Genealogy is so much more than names and dates. It is history personified. Around Veteran’s Day, this RecordClick genealogist makes time to remember family members who served in World War I - The War To End All Wars. With later wars and conflicts – World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iran, Afghanistan, and other skirmishes around the world – we have a tendency to forget about World War I and the impact it had on our young men and their families and friends. This story is not my story, but the story of my husband wanting to find out about a great uncle he never knew – Francis J. Gallagher. Francis was born in March of 1897 and grew up in the small Minnesota town of Sauk Center. His father was Thomas Gallagher, an Irish immigrant who earned his livelihood farming in Pope and Stearns counties. Francis grew to be a strong young man about 5'5" tall with light hair and blue eyes who loved the outdoors. In February of 1917, when Francis was 19, he was the object of some admiration. The St. Paul Winter Carnival – which continues to be celebrated during the coldest and shortest days of the year – held its first Red River to St. Paul Sports Carnival Derby. A number of local newspapers covered the 500-mile dog sled race. The event took place over more than a week with a trail from Manitoba, Canada, through North Dakota to the celebration city. Eleven sled drivers were entered. One was Fred Hartman of Troy, New York. Although not a favorite, Hartman was known for his tenacity. Temperatures hovered in the double digits below zero. Many inches of snow blanketed the ground. Winds compounded the difficulties for both drivers and dogs. When Hartman reached Sauk Centre, his dogs were suffering. Francis and a friend, Earl Norgren, wanting to help (and possibly seeking a little glory), volunteered to break a trail through the snow for Hartman for the final 75 miles to the race’s end. Hartman did not win the race, but was a favorite of the crowd. Francis and Earl even got to go on the stage with Hartman. The glory was short lived. On April 1, 1917, Francis enlisted in the army listing his occupation as a mechanic. He took his training at Camp Cody in Deming, New Mexico. Quite often, letters home were printed in the local newspaper. From the Sauk Centre Herald, November 1, 1917: "Deming, NM, October 17, 1917 Dear Mother and all, Well, we arrived at our new home last Tuesday night and am feeling fine after the long trip, which took six days and nights. I just got through with mess, so will write you a few lines and tell you about the South. To begin with, it’s about 2,105 miles from a city called Sauk Centre, Minn. We are about two miles from Deming and there are about 75,000 soldiers camped here. It is right in a large desert and is very hot in the day and cool at night… We sure saw some nice country coming down… we came through Iowa, Kansas, Arkansas, Missouri, Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma and Mexico, so you see we took in quite a territory on our trip… Now Mother, don’t worry about me for everything will be o.k…. I went down to get a haircut last night and they charged me 30 (?) cents, so you can see things are high down here. I bought some apples and they charged me 20 cents apiece so if you wish you can send me some sweets. It would taste pretty good to get some of your cooking, for the army eats are nothing extra… With Love, Francis" Francis went on to serve in France, reaching the rank of corporal and acting as a dispatch bearer. During his military service in Europe, he was gassed*. The chemicals were extremely toxic and took a toll on his health. He would suffer from their ill affects until the day he died. On August 11, 1919, he was discharged at Camp Grant in Illinois. *During World War I, both the French and Germans used chemical warfare as early as 1914. The French used xylyl bromide, and the Germans used a chemical that caused violent sneezing fits - but the gasses were not deadly, rather just an irritant. However, in April 1915 the Germans used poison gas for the first time at the Second Battle of Ypres. Pressurized cylinders delivered chlorine gas that created a yellow-green cloud, blanketing the trenches of the opposing forces and allowing the Germans to advance unhindered. The Allied nations responded when Britain deployed chlorine gas at the attack at Loos. Unfortunately, the wind changed, causing the gas to blow back onto the Allied troops. In addition to chlorine gas, phosgene and mustard gas were used in battle. Phosgene works slowing, imbedding itself in the respiratory organs, while mustard gas causes internal and external blisters, causing damage to the lungs and other internal organs, as well as blindness. Francis was a charter member of American Legion Post No. 67 in Sauk Centre. He applied for a Minnesota soldier bonus in February of 1920, and in November received a check for $420 from the Minnesota Soldier’s Bonus fund. He worked as a mechanic, but his health continued to fail. He lived with relatives in Oregon for a couple of years. Sometime in the middle of 1927, he checked into the Mayo Clinic. The news was not good, and he went to be with his brother, Edward Gallagher, in Glasgow, Montana. He died at the age of 30 on November 27, 1927 and was buried in Glasgow Highland Cemetery. From a local newspaper clipping regarding his passing: "There [in service] he underwent experiences which destroyed his health and which eventually resulted in his death." Finding World War I Army records can be difficult for family historians to locate because most of the files were destroyed in a fire at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis in 1973. The State of Minnesota, however, is unique in that it had a State Soldier’s Bonus in addition to the U.S. government programs. Discharge papers were needed to get the bonus, and they are on file at the Minnesota State Archives in St. Paul. Other states may have had programs for World War I veterans. The first place a family genealogist should check is the state archives. County historical societies may also have some kind of World War I records for the local young men who served. The professional genealogists at RecordClick are here to help you with the search for military records from the Revolutionary War to Vietnam. Each individual who has served in the military has a story to tell. #### This Family History Researcher Gets the Story Behind Those Unknown Photos and Finds a Living Relative Every family history researcher knows that before there were selfies and belfies, there were ambrotypes and tintypes. Before everyone owned at least one camera, photos were left to the professional skilled photographer. Capturing images was usually reserved for special occasions such as weddings. Early photography was expensive and photographers were rare. A photograph is a rare glimpse into a moment in time. It should be analyzed, preserved and shared with a living relative. But because every family history researcher has at least one image where a person is unidentified, we need to look at how to solve this problem. To help the family history researcher learn how to solve the mystery of unidentified photos, this RecordClick genealogist has chosen a pair of images from the personal family tree to analyze, preserve and share. To paraphrase detectives, this first thing this family history researcher will ask is: To create such a valuable heirloom, Who had the means? Who had the opportunity? Who had the motivation? In my genealogical search, I have found that the photographs we will discuss here were in my maternal grandparents’ home.  This genealogical search information narrows the possibilities to four family lines: Thrasher Wilson Rasor Juday. From my ancestor search files, let’s see what else I can glean from the photos. For a family history researcher to analyze an object, you need to record your observations and use these observations to date the photograph. Here are my preliminary Observations: 1)      The size of the photos are 2 x 2 inches. 2)      The photos are of a man and a woman. 3)      They are set in a case that is a) small b) black c) hinged d) plastic and each picture has a gold mat. 4)      Upon removing the pictures from the case, I noted the woman is a tintype and the man is in an ambrotype. 5)      According to the information search of this family history researcher, I have found that Ambrotypes were taken only for ten years, between 1855-1865, and that tintypes were made from 1856 into the 1900s. 6)      I did not observe any markings on the photos or any indication of who the photographer was. 7)      The only inscription in the case was: Littlefield, Parsons & Co. Again, this family history researcher has found information that shows this company to have been a manufacturer of Daguerreotype cases. Patented 1856 and 1857. In my genealogical research I have also found that they cost $1.56. Here is the family history researcher information on the Dating of the images: 1)      The fashions in which the subjects appear often will lead the family history researcher to ascertain a time period. 2)      The woman in my genealogical search example is wearing a 1860s style dress that is in a style that was popular in the 1860s. The man is wearing a suit that is reminiscent of the style popular in the 1860s, also. 3)      The woman appears to be posed in a seated position with her left hand displayed in the forefront and is displaying a ring. These are the genealogical search Detective Questions: Who had the Means: Who had the money to purchase an expensive photo? The 1850 and 1860 U.S Census can give the family genealogist an important clue into your ancestor's financials. Who had the Opportunity: Who had access to a photographer? A city directory of the location where your ancestors lived could lead to valuable clues. Who had the Motivation: What was the probable occasion? Based on the woman's pose, this family history researcher is concluding that these images were from a marriage event. The conclusion summary of this family history researcher: Everyone has some photos in which the people have no names. You can find out who they are. Based on my Observations: I would date these photos about 1860s. I believe the occasion was a wedding. After researching the four possible lines for marriage dates, I eliminated the Thrasher family line. The Wilson family line is a possibility because this genealogical researcher’s ancestor married twice and the second marriage was 1866 which could explain the two different types of photographs. The ancestors in the Rasor family line married in 1858 and the ancestors in the Juday family line married in 1865. How this family history researcher plans to Preserve the image: This family history researcher scanned the originals photos using the tiff format and saved it to a removable storage device, such as a USB flash drive or DVD. The tiff image format has been chosen by this family history researcher because it is used to preserve high quality pictures resulting in a large file size. Tiff images can be converted to a smaller format for printing or manipulation. Now that this RecordClick genealogist has analyzed the photographs and preserved the originals, it is time to open my toolbox and find someone with whom I may share these wonderful genealogical search findings. Since I haven't conclusively narrowed down the families, this family history researcher will look for living relatives from all the family lines. Finding A Living Relative 1) Census The U.S. Census is taken every 10 years and is a good way to skip through time. For example the Juday family ancestors, one of my probable lines, were in Elkhart County, Indiana in 1860. Skipping through the decades to 1900, I found the family in Kosciusko County, Indiana with three children. One of the daughters, Clara Juday married a man named Roop and had two children. In the 1940 census, which is the latest available census, I found the household of Raymond Roop in Kalamazoo, Michigan with two children: Richard and Marilyn. 2) Marriage According to my genealogical search information, Marilyn married William Bennett. 3) Obituary A search for her obituary revealed that Marilyn died in 2001 in Michigan. It listed several survivors. This obituary lists the survivors, the relationship and a location at that time. For example, Nathan Bennett was listed as a grandchild living in Mackinaw City, Michigan. 4) People Smart Armed with this information, I entered the name and the location into PeopleSmart, a free people search database and public records website. I learned that Nathan Bennett is 26 living in Mackinaw City and William Bennett is listed as a possible relative. 5) Switchboard One of the many online phone directories, confirmed that he is living in Mackinaw City, Michigan and gave me a phone number and an address. The RecordClick professional family history researchers will work with you to analyze and preserve your family images.  We will locate living relatives to identify images with you. #### This Genealogist Loves July Fourth, George Washington and Letters This professional genealogist celebrates Fourth of July because the Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776. So what else about the holiday might be of interest to a genealogy services provider? The personal descriptions of the time. This portrait from the National Portrait Gallery shows George Washington near his quill. This RecordClick genealogist relishes finding personal papers because they can put a person in a specific place at a specific time. For the genealogy services provider, letters will tell a story that includes all sorts of people – some of them famous. A good deal of what a genealogist knows about the Revolutionary War comes from letters written by George Washington. Over the course of his lifetime, Washington wrote so many letters, enough to fill several published volumes. Let’s take a look at General George Washington of the Continental Army and his concerns 240 years ago. First of all, here is a brief timeline for the Declaration of Independence: March 17, 1776: Siege of Boston. Washington and his forces won. June 1776: George Washington was in New York watching British forces massing for battle. July 4, 1776: The Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence and it was sent to the printer. July 8, 1776: The Declaration of Independence was read publicly. August 27, 1776: Battle of Long Island/Battle of Brooklyn/Battle of Brooklyn Heights. Washington and his forces were defeated. Next, what was General Washington doing? His correspondence was published in the mid-1850s and it tells the genealogist that the leader of the Continental Army was very busy. There was the issue of what to do with Gov. William Franklin – the illegitimate son of patriot Benjamin Franklin – and the anticipation of the British sailing into New York harbor. Gov. William Franklin was the last colonial governor of New Jersey. He was also loyal to the British Crown. In late June of 1776 he was captured by the Continental Army. Washington wrote: To the Captain of Governor Franklin’s Guard Head-Quarters, New York 30 June 1776  Sir, I understand that the Convention of New Jersey resolved, that Governor Franklin was an enemy to the liberties of America, and that he should be conducted under a safeguard into Connecticut, and for that purpose he was committed to your charge. I have this morning received information, that you have halted with him at Hackinsac (sic). I would enjoin it upon you to set off immediately, and carry the resolve of the Convention into execution… On the same day Washington penned another letter: To the Committee of Essex County, New Jersey New York, 30 June 1776  Gentlemen, I received your favor by Mr. Treat, and cannot but consider the officer of Mr. Franklin’s guard extremely blamable for his conduct. It is certainly his indispensable duty to conduct Mr. Franklin to the place the Convention have ordered, without delay. The circumstances you represent, his letter to his lady, and the whole complexion of the case, afford a strong presumption, nay, much more, full evidence, that he means to escape if possible…  In short, Gov. Franklin was a problem for the New Jersey colonists and the governing bodies felt the best way to resolve the situation was to arrest him and take him to Connecticut. The times being what they were, however, he had to be handled carefully, but he could not be allowed to escape. Then there was the matter of the British: To the President of Congress New York, 4 July 1776 Sir, I have this moment received a letter from General Greene… the intelligence it contains is of the most important nature… The expectation of the fleet under Admiral Howe is certainly the reason why the army come has not begun its hostile operations… It behooves us to be prepared in the best manner… And then on July 9th: To Major-General Ward New York, 9 July, 1776 Sir, The enclosed Declaration will show you, that Congress at length, impelled by necessity, have dissolved the connexion (sic) between the American Colonies and Great Britain, and declared them Free and Independent States… and in compliance with their order I am to request, that you will cause the Declaration to be immediately proclaimed at the head of the Continental regiments in the Massachusetts Bay… Letters are wonderful things for the genealogist looking into family histories. Letters provide a sense of immediacy not found in many history books and they can help make sense of the roles that our ancestors may have played in an historical event. Many officials have had their correspondence published. Unpublished documents from presidential memos to soldiers’ letters home fill boxes upon boxes at the National Archives, and numerous libraries, archives, genealogical and historical societies. Knowing where to look can be a challenge. But a professional genealogist can help with that. When you hire a genealogist from RecordClick, the professional genealogy service providers have strategies that help your family history search. #### This Memorial Day - Genealogists Remember Civil War Veterans Photo courtesy: Joan Shurtliff There are two holidays that have a special meaning to the family history researcher in me: Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day. I’ll save Veteran’s Day for another time, but Memorial Day marks so much more than the beginning of Summer. It has its roots in the Civil War and the remembrance of the more than 4 million who served and the 1 million who died in that conflict. That constitutes a lot of stories for genealogists and family history researchers. I have several Civil War veterans in my family, including my great great grandfather Luke Nicholas Teachman. There are no brave deeds or heroic tales in regard to his military service, because, in a lot of ways, I think he just wanted to go home. His military records help bring him to life. Luke N. Teachman was an average man. According to his Company Descriptive Book, he was 5' 8" tall with a dark complexion, brown eyes, and black hair. He listed his occupation as "carpenter." His less than illustrious military career began with his enlistment on August 15, 1861 in Hancock, Pennsylvania, and ended just a little more than seven months later on March 26, 1862. The military and its records can be confusing at times. In a couple of places Luke is listed as Luke M., musician, Co. F, 50 Reg't N.Y. Infantry. On other records, he is listed as Luke N. Teachman, Co. F, Stuart's Indept. Reg't N.Y. Infantry. He was 42 when he enlisted, and his being a musician sounds rather safe. The military, however, sometimes has a mind of its own. In July of 1861, Col. C.B. Stuart received authority to recruit a regiment of infantry. It was organized in September 1861 at Elmira, New York. The 850 members of the unit relocated to Washington, D.C. In October 1861, Stuart's Independents was converted into and designated as the 50th Regiment of Engineers, with new duties assigned. In March of 1862, the 50th Regiment moved to Yorktown. At about the same time the unit was relocating to Yorktown, Luke N. Teachman received a Certificate of Disability for Discharge. The information on the discharge certificate reveals a good deal of information: Enlisted at Hancock, NY, 15 August 1861 (Note: In spite of what military records say, Luke N. Teachman and his family were living in Hancock, NY, at the beginning of the Civil War. He did have an individual, who I believe was his brother, who lived across the Delaware River in Honesdale, Wayne Co., PA.) Born Orange County, NY Age, 42; 5' 8" tall; dark complexion; brown eyes; black hair; carpenter "He has done but very little duty since his enlistment, has no constitution & can be of no service in the regiment.” Station: Camp Lesley, Washington, D.C. Company surgeon’s note: "old age and a broken constitution. He has been unfit for duty several weeks." This could be the end of the story, but in January of 1870, Luke decided to apply for a Civil War Veteran’s pension. He was living in Lawrence, Schuyler County, New Yrok at the time. In testifying on his own behalf he stated that "he was atacked (sic) by a fever while serving at Camp Leslie near Washington City on or about the 1st of January in the year 1862 and when he recovered from the same this sickness had nearly made him blind and from that time to this his eye sight has been very bad…" The application was denied. In June of 1879, Luke decided to try again to apply for a Civil War pension. A lot had happened to him in the interim. In May of 1870, the family relocated to Nebraska to homestead. After the homestead process was complete, Luke and his wife, Margaret, separated and Luke moved to Lincoln, Nebraska. A form from the War Department Adjutant General’s Office states: “Musician, appears to be present in Jan’y & Febr’y 1862, 'Discharged on Surg. Certif. of Disability March 26, 1862'." No pension. Not to be deterred, Luke tried again. In a Supplemental Declaration for Original Invalid Pension dated 6 June 1885, Luke states that he served at Camp Leslie in the State of Maryland and he was stricken down with Typhoid Pneumonia that subsequently caused him to have "disease of kidneys, torpidity of liver, dropsy, weak back, sore and weak eyes and general debility… He was in hospital at Camp Leslie (a farm house being used for hospital)." He resided at Hancock, New York, from April 1862 to fall of 1863, then near the town of Smith Valley, New York from 1863 to 1870. Still nothing. Luke continued to seek out his pension with less than satisfactory results. Not to be dissuaded, on 3 April 1889, Luke filed yet another General Affidavit seeking his Civil War pension. This time he stated: "I think the action of the Pension Department in rejecting my claim on Sept. 15, 1887 was an error and that afterwards on April 20th 1888 to adhere to the rejection of Sept. 15th 1887 and not to reopen the claim was another error…" He restated his case and his reasoning. The pension was granted. Next in Luke's file is his death certificate. This was a neat find because the State of Nebraska did not start registering births and deaths until 1905 [and was not admitted to the registration area until 1920.] However, Lincoln and Omaha began registering deaths earlier. He died on January 12, 1894. From the Nebraska State Journal, January 13, 1894: "Luke N. Teachman died yesterday morning at his home, Third and H streets, aged 78. The funeral will be held this afternoon at 2 o'clock from the house. Interment will take place under the auspices of the G.A.R." Luke’s final resting place, complete with military tombstone, is in the Civil War Circle at Wyuka Cemetery in Lincoln, Nebraska. I find humor in the surgeon’s note on Luke's Certificate of Disability for Discharge. After all the effort and almost 20 years to get the pension, "old age and a broken constitution" just don’t seem to fit. Maybe Luke was something of an actor as well. The Civil War records for Luke came from the National Archives. If the file is a big one, a special request may be needed to receive all of the records. There are many, many Civil War-related websites that can be of help for a family historian. If you have a New York soldier, for example, the New York State Military Museum, can provide background information on a specific unit. Do you have an ancestor who served in the military during the Civil War? Would you like more information? The professional genealogists at RecordClick will be able to help find information on the individual or his military unit. The professional genealogists at RecordClick can also sort through the information to help supply insight into the individual and his military career. And this Memorial Day, amongst the picnics and parades, take a moment to remember all those who have served this country from then to now. Sources National Archives, Civil War military record for Luke N. Teachman. New York State Military Museum: New York in the War of the Rebellion, 3rd Ed., Frederick Phisterer, Albany: J.B. Lyon Company, 1912. The Union Army: a history of military affairs in the loyal states, 1861-65 – records of the regiments in the Unions Army – cyclopedia of battles – memoirs of commanders and soldiers, Madison, WI; Federal Pub. Co., 1908, Vol. II. Eleventh Census (1890) of the United States, Special Schedule, Surviving soldiers, etc. of the Civil War; ED 155, State of Nebraska, Lancaster Co., Lincoln, House 50, Family 50. Memorial Day was originally known as "Decoration Day." It was proclaimed officially in 1868, with its observance set for May 30th. The graves of Union and Confederate soldiers were decorated, but the recognition now extends to all of those who served their country. New York was the first state in 1873 to recognize the holiday officially. #### Time For the Genealogist To Plow Into Research with John Deere The genealogist sees that the calendar says spring. Flowers are coming up and trees leafing out. Farmers are working the fields preparing the soil and planting. A familiar sight in my part of the country is the green and yellow of the John Deere tractor. Time for the genealogist to bloom: Yes, there really was a John Deere. He changed farming. It started with an idea, a plan and a patent. Although patents aren’t the first thing that come to mind when it working with family history, this genealogist finds that patents should be an item on the genealogy researcher’s check list. This professional genealogist had a 2x great grandfather who patented a contraption for protecting fence posts. Lots of people – not just Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell – have ideas. John Deere was one of those people, too. He had an idea. For any genealogist, the stage needs to be set. John Deere was born in Rutland County, Vermont in the early 1800s. His father disappeared from the family when the John was small. John Deere received a basic education and apprenticed himself out as a blacksmith when he was a young man. He wound up living near or with the William Lamb family in Addison County, Vermont. Before 1830, he married one of the Lamb daughters, Demarius. By 1830, the John and Demarius had two children. Financial problems then forced the family to Illinois before 1840. It was there that Deere began working on his idea of building a better plow. In 1850, this genealogist has found that the Deere family was living in Rock Island County, Illinois. John listed his occupation as “plow maker”. The family consisted of: John, 47 Demaraia, 46 J., 20 A., 18 F., 16 C., 13 E., 10 A., 6 A family man in every sense, John Deere involved members in his plow business as it continued to grow. In the 1860 Census, the family was living in Moline, Illinois with easy access to railroads and the Mississippi River for transportation. The household members were: John Deere       56           Plow Manufacturer          VT      Real Estate 20,000            Personal 2,000 Demis                 55          Wife                                     VT Charles H.         23           Plow Manufacturer           VT      Real Estate 15,000            Personal 3,000 Alice                   16            At Home                              IL Stephen Velie   30           Accountant                         NY Emma C. Velie 20           Wife                                      IL Emma was John Deere’s daughter (G.E. in the 1850 Census). Charles went on to run the business. By looking at the ages and places of birth, John and Demarius moved from Vermont to Illinois between 1837 and 1840. John Deere’s idea for the improved plow began in the 1840s. The soil of Illinois contained less sand and more loam and clay that would stick to cast iron plows. He began working with materials and designs that required less cleaning for the farmers. Helping his endeavor, was a patent taken out by Englishman Henry Bessemer in the mid-1850s for an inexpensive industrial process for the mass production of steel. This is a current John Deere tractor. For decades, these machines have helped the farmer dig up dirt. Now the genealogist can dig in John Deere's backyard, too! In the 1864 Report of the Commissioner of Patents, Deere obtained two patents for moulds (sic) for casting steel. It was followed in 1865 by a patent for a plough (sic) and then in 1867 by a patent for a method of making plows.  They were the first of many patents. The family fortune was created as noted in the U.S. Census. 1870 U.S. Census Moline, Rock Island County, Illinois John Deere      65           Plow Manf.         VT           Real Est. 100,000              Personal Est. 175,000 Charles Deere 33           Plow Manf.         VT           Real Est. 10,000                 Personal Est. 100,000 A number of web sites have historical documents including Reports of the Commission of Patents listing individuals, the number of the patent, and the intended purpose of the patent. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has more detailed records available of patents from 1790 to the current year. It includes strategies for researching patents in both the U.S. and Europe. The process can get a bit complicated. Patents are just one of the many innovative areas that a Recordclick genealogist uses for family history research. Contact a genealogist for hire so that we can create that special family history for you and your ancestors. – family history. #### Time Moves in One Direction, Memory in Another - Timelines Join the Two Author William Gibson once said, "Time moves in one direction, memory in another." While the discussion of "time" lends itself to a myriad of deep-meaning quotes, I can't help but think Gibson had an insight into genealogy and the importance of timelines to genealogical researchers. When I first started exploring the internet – low those many years ago now – I had a "getting-lost" problem. I'd start with one goal in mind, see something else I was interested in and go after that, and then wind up lost in the World Wide Web. I definitely needed something to keep me on track. I've found timelines can do that and so much more. Three things a timeline can do for the family historian: Act as an outline Give perspective to a family's activities Allow a genealogist to put a family's activities in historical context First, we’ll look at a timeline as an outline. Typically, when the genealogist wants to write an article or trace family history, the best place to start is with a list of names and dates in chronological order. I'll use my grandparents, Ray and Nellie, as an example: 18 Aug. 1893: Ray born in Des Moines Co., IA. (IA birth certificate) 13 Sep. 1895: Nellie born in Des Moines Co., IA. (NE death certificate) 28 Nov. 1914: Ray and Nellie married in Des Moines Co., IA. (Des Moines Co., IA marriage license) 29 Mar. 1917: Nellie and Ray have their first child, Carl, b. Grand Forks Co., ND. (Carl, NE death certificate) 15 Aug. 1923: Nellie and Ray have their second son in Pawnee Co., NE: "A baby boy was born… and was laid away in the village cemetery the same day." (Pawnee Republican, 20 Aug. 1923) 12 June 1925: Nellie and Ray have their third son, Howard, b. Lancaster Co., NE. (Information from Howard's wife and SSDI) When I was growing up there was a family story about Nellie and Ray having a baby boy that died. I asked my dad, Carl, about it and he had no memories of another brother. Ray farmed, but didn't own any property, and the family didn't have a lot of money. Ray and Nellie moved around a fair amount before settling down in Lancaster Co., Nebraska. Second, many genealogical researchers want to add dimension to their family's history, but find it difficult. A more detailed timeline focusing on the various family members and their activities can do this. Ray and Nellie provide another example: 1920 U.S. Census: Ray and Nellie are living in Pawnee Co., NE. Ray is farming. 23 Sep. 1923: Ray’s mother, Lydia, dies in a hospital in Gage Co., NE. (Lydia’s death certificate) 12 May 1924: Ray’s grandmother (and Lydia’s mother) Mary, dies in Des Moines Co., IA. (Newspaper clipping and FindAGrave) July 1924: Ray & Nellie are living in Pawnee Co., NE. (Postcard postmark and address from Nellie’s postcard collection in possession of Joan Shurtliff.) 12 June 1925: Ray and Nellie's son Howard is born in Lancaster Co., NE. (Information from Howard's wife.) 23 June 1925: Ray is paid $611.22 from Mary’s estate. (Mary’s probate, Des Moines Co., IA) 14 July 1925: Ray and Nellie receive the results of a title search for a house in Lancaster Co., NE. (Letter in possession of Joan Shurtliff) 2 April 1926: Ray and Nellie take out a mortgage for $850 for a house in Lancaster Co., NE. (Document in possession of Joan Shurtliff) 1930 U.S. Census: Ray and Nellie and family are living in Lancaster Co., NE in a house valued at $1500. What exactly does this tell us? When Ray's Grandmother Mary died, she had an estate to leave to her descendants. Since Ray’s mother, Lydia, predeceased (died before) her mother, Mary, Ray was entitled to a portion of Mary's estate. In 1924/25, Ray and Nellie decided to move from rural Pawnee County to urban Lancaster County and used the inheritance to help purchase a house. Third, a family historian might help to put a family's activities into an historical context. Again, as genealogical researchers, we can look at Ray and Nellie. Why did they decide to move from the Pawnee County farm to the Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska area? 1908-1927: The Model T was in production. (Wikipedia) 1920: Pawnee County, NE population, 9578 (U.S. Census Bureau) 1920: Lancaster County, NE population, 85,902 (U.S. Census Bureau) 1920: The design for a new Nebraska state capitol building was chosen. (Virtual Nebraska, www.casde.unl.edu) 1922-1932: The new Nebraska state capitol building was constructed. (Virtual Nebraska) 1925: Ray, Nellie and their sons are living in Lancaster County. (Letter in possession of Joan Shurtliff) 1930: Pawnee County, NE population, 9423. (U.S. Census Bureau) 1930: Lancaster County, NE population, 100,324. (U.S. Census Bureau) 1930 U.S. Census: Ray and Nellie were living in Lancaster Co., NE and Ray was working as a mechanic in a garage. Historically, the 1920s saw a major population shift from the rural to the city. Roads and transportation were improving, and the agricultural industry was becoming more mechanized. The United States was becoming an industrialized nation. Ray and Nellie were by no means unique in their decision. Farming was becoming an expensive livelihood, with land and equipment to be purchased or rented and maintained, not to mention the long hours of work with no guarantee of a crop that could be sold. Lincoln, about 50 miles away in Lancaster County, was booming and there were job opportunities. Ray and Nellie decided that Lincoln was where their future lay, and Ray's inheritance helped make the move possible. The professional genealogists here at RecordClick can help you gather, organize, and make sense of your family history information. Whether it is a specific piece of family tree information, a timeline, or a complete family history, our goal is to assist you in your ancestor search endeavors. #### Tips to build a Family Tree. Building your Tree To build your family tree you need information, so in starting your search “there is no place like home!” Collect all information that your family and extended family has on your family history. Gather up names, dates, and places and ask family members about letters; scrapbooks; photographs; religious cards and books; certificates of accomplishments; land deeds; birth, marriage, death, and immigration records; occasion books (e.g. baby books); memorials, wills, and obituaries. Document family heirlooms as these special items add richness and life to your family story! Make sure you photograph or photocopy all items and create a note for each item. Family stories and other personal information are terrific resources on family experience, lore, traditions, and culture. Over time some of these stories may have lost or gained content, but most family stories do have elements of truth to them. These stories contextualize your family, and make your genealogy more than a just an attractive diagram or family book. These stories offer a vibrant understanding of your family history. When collecting family information, plan the “interview” out and write down key questions to ask family members. Include “open ended questions” to bring out rich detail. Record the interview and have someone else take notes on the emotional experience of the speaker and listeners. If you don’t have a recording device get a couple of family members to write down the responses to questions. Even if you are using an electronic recorder, it is still a good idea to have a note taker. Type the information up as soon as possible after the interview so that points are not left out and the experience itself can be recorded with clarity. Besides having interviews with family members, historical societies, heritage centers, city halls, court houses, archives, and the Internet may have information on your ancestors. Use a genealogy software program to enter and store data and print out family trees, reports, and other information. If you don’t have a genealogy program, there are free forms on the Internet you can use to write or type in information and create family trees. See the links at the end of the blog for free forms and genealogy software. Organizing Information How you organize and record the information you find is the key to yours, and future generations, understanding and accessing the information. Keep and maintain hard copies of all documents and store them in a secure place. You can organize your documents, for example, by surname, in labeled binders, folders, file boxes or file cabinets. For easy access, organize electronic files in a similar way as the hard copies. Obtain professional advice on the best way to store original and historical documents and family heirlooms. Make a table of contents for each file/folder and list sources. You may want to break the table of contents down by each person and what documents and sources you have for the person. List all the sources information even if you don’t have a document. For example the source of information may have been a library book. Some genealogy programs may let you print out a source list which makes process faster and easy to update. Keep a “map” of all your documents by collecting all the table of contents into one place and include other information that needs to be logged, such as correspondence and the location of all documents and resources. A research record can be used to log what you have researched, the results of the search, and what still needs to be done or documented. Share this map with your family members and as much as possible include them in the research process. Make this a fun filled family activity! Free Genealogy Organizing Tools Below are links to sources of free forms and software to help you organize your family information. Keep in mind that paid versions may have more “bells and whistles” then free versions, but these are great starting points! Genealogy spread sheets/logs http://www.ehow.com/how_6014216_download-genealogy-spreadsheets.html Family Tree Templates http://www.uftree.com/family_tree_template.asp Relationship Chart http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~armpgs/family_relationship_chart.htm Designing your family tree http://www.ehow.com/how_5172503_design-family-tree.html Family Tree Builder software http://www.myheritage.com/family-tree-builder?trn=ppc_google&trp=USA_EN_FTB_DCO&trl=Text_Ads&gclid=CPWr3pT0y68CFQQbQgod6Unaag To speak with one of our professional genealogists and obtain help to build a family tree contact us. #### To Do Genealogy Research, One Should Like Lists Sometimes this RecordClick genealogy researcher likes to drive herself just a little crazy. It’s not intentional. It is that there’s a challenge in cross referencing information. Doesn’t the genealogical researcher know how the federal government is a wealth of information! Recently I’ve been working with post offices and postmasters. Probably one of the most famous postmasters was Abraham Lincoln. He was charged with handling the mail in New Salem, Pike County, Illinois from May 1833 to May 1836, when that post office closed. Postal Records show Lincoln as Post Master United States Post Office records are something a genealogy researcher should not overlook. Since the federal government began keeping track of employees in approximately 1816, there have been thousands of post offices and postmasters. This genealogy researcher’s husband’s grandfather took pride in the fact that he never worked for anyone – except for the year or two he was the postmaster for a small town in Wisconsin. The surprise came when my husband discovered that his great-grandfather was the postmaster after his grandfather. Lists of post offices and postmasters may be found in two different sources. Printed every two years, the first is the Official Register of the United States. The title page pretty much explains it: “…containing a list of Officers and Employees in the Civil, Military and Naval Services.” Basically, the volume(s) name every employee of the federal government. By 1881, this publication had grown into two volumes. The second volume contained information specifically on post offices and postmasters. This partial Nebraska listing from 1871 provides insight into what the genealogist might expect: The listings in this tome are alphabetical by post office, county, postmaster and salary. Official Registers may be found on various web sites, but the most complete set that I have found is online at Internet Archives. For the most part, earlier years were published by the U.S. Civil Service Commission and, beginning in the 1900s, the Bureau of the Census. Internet Archives includes listings through the 1950s. The good part is that they are online. The not so good part is that many of them aren’t listed with years, so the ambitious genealogy researcher has to do some looking. At times, this may become difficult to figure out or keep track of what has been viewed. Because of the enormity of the volumes, typos are to be expected. It is, however, a good source for genealogy researchers. The second source is Appointments of U.S. Postmasters, 1832-1971.  This is a National Archives document and it has posted online in cooperation with Ancestry.com. As is the way with Ancestry, if it’s not easy it has a tendency to get a bit buried. To find it, go to “search”, click the card catalog and type in “Appointments of U.S. Postmasters”. Once found, names will be able to be searched. It has also been indexed by state, county and postmaster. The hand written original records list post offices, postmasters, and their dates of appointment. This professional  genealogy researcher also like it because there are notes in the margins. The above two clips cover the same time period for the villages of Beaver Crossing and Bee in Seward County, NE. If a post office is discontinued, this is notated. There may also be information about the post office covering the area or whether an appointment was accepted or declined. Harry Truman was appointed a postmaster in December 1914 (below-- and he declined the post: Postal Records show Truman's documents regarding being a Post Master Both the Official Register of the United States and Appointments of U.S. Postmasters, 1832-1971 provide good information for the genealogy researcher.  Each compendium covers a different time frame. The Official Register was published every two years, while each volume of Appointments of U.S. Postmasters can cover 30 years or more. The Official Register is in book form with the post offices arranged by state. The Appointments of U.S. Postmasters is handwritten, arranged by state and county, and with each post office usually listed alphabetically. If the genealogy researcher is unaccustomed to working with these types of records, the quest may be overwhelming. When you work with an experienced genealogy researcher from RecordClick the search becomes easier. Our genealogy professionals are accustomed to dealing with a variety documents from courthouse records to lists of government employees. These documents may help tell the story of your family. #### To Find Your Family, Search First for Good Genealogy Companies There are many ways to search for genealogy information. You may ask family members or friends about the events in your family history. You may use the Internet to try locating documents and details about your ancestry. You may hire a private detective to track down relatives. And you may look for genealogy companies that will do all of the above. When it comes to learning more about your family tree, using only a private detective may not be as helpful as using a combination of the other options we just mentioned. Most people will begin their genealogy research by asking questions of family members and then using the Internet to do some online searches. Then, after those initial attempts, people will try working with an experienced genealogist. While there is nothing wrong with this process, it may just be easier and more effective if you began with the professionals--first. The experts employed at genealogy companies are trained and certified. These professional genealogists understand the personal questions that individuals have. These genealogy researchers know where to begin looking and how to do historical searches. They also find the details that families are looking for. When looking online, you will find that there are many genealogy options available. It is important to choose the right genealogy company. You want to look at genealogy companies with a reputation for providing answers, qualified personnel and reasonable pricing. The family history research service you choose should offer a wide range of genealogy services including DNA testing, videography, and family tree chart assembly. The genealogy companies should also be able to access historical records that you could not find or get to. Every search for relatives means looking at documents such as birth and death certificates, land deeds, travel records and wills. We find information on the history and movements in a time period. Very few individuals are experts in all of this. When doing a search, the everyday family history researcher will ultimately hit a roadblock. That is why one uses genealogy companies with professionals who investigate every source leaving no stone unturned or any document unexamined. When you work with expert genealogists, you get answers and peace of mind about your family’s legacy. The first step in finding genealogy companies is to go online and search for this feature. Next, review the websites so you can analyze what service options they offer. Once you have narrowed down the list, you can speak with a representative to ask more detailed questions or allow the genealogy companies to provide recommendations and guidance if you aren’t sure where to begin. Include genealogy companies on your quest and your family members will get the priceless gift of clarity and knowledge about who lived before you and from where you came. #### Tracing your Jewish Genealogy Family Tree Shalom! In this blog I want to share resources that I hope will help you build your Jewish genealogy tree. Because many Jewish families’ kinship links were fragmented by immigration and the Holocaust, it can be difficult to uncover Jewish ancestors. Moreover, obstacles such as name changes, towns that no longer exist, and shifting national boundaries have created barriers to tracing Jewish genealogy and family history. There is good news though! There are more resources available now than were in the past. Previously closed archives, such as some in the former Soviet Union, have recently made their holdings public. Many genealogical and historical societies, whose interests are focused on Jewish genealogy and history as well as family roots, have indexed and posted historical documents online. Jewish genealogy resources have become more organized and available so more professional genealogists are knowledgeable about Jewish family history. Many family historians will now be able to take their trees back two or more generations than was possible five years ago. If you are a first-time genealogist, or stuck someplace on your family tree, these links will help you in your search for your Jewish roots. JewishGen JewishGen is one of the best all-around resources for tracing Jewish genealogy. It has multiple data bases and over 20 million records that can be accessed for free! In one of their data bases, Family Finder, there are over 90,000 researchers you can link with and 450,000 entries. There are also discussion forums where you can interact and with other family historians on specific topics. On this site almost everyone will find something relevant to their family Jewish genealogy. There is so much information on the JewishGen website that it can be overwhelming, but don’t worry, there is a Get Started menu where you can learn how to use the site to your best advantage. Lithuanian-Jewish Family History Resources There are several good resources for family historians whose family links trace back to Lithuania. LitvakSIG has a free searchable database with more than 1.1 million. You can take a membership out for $36.00/year and access considerably more information such as historical documents, archived materials, maps, an image library, and a digest and scholarly journal. The Jewish Family History website focuses on Jewish families who lived in Poland-Lithuania during the 17th and 18th centuries. The research group translates documents and provides maps, photos, town lists, and surnames. One of the valuable features of this site you can determine what the names of towns were in the past and what the towns are now called. The same applies to surnames. Though not a lot of documents such as census, this website has valuable information that will help you identify your family roots in Lithuania. The Lithuanian Jewish Family History Research Guide from the Ackman & Ziff Family Genealogy Institute provides four pages of useful resource links. The LITHUANIA-JEWISH-L is a listserv and is another good resource for family genealogists tracing their 18th century Jewish roots in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Yad Vashem It is sad to think that most Jewish people living today had one or more relatives that died during the Holocaust. Yad Vashem is the main center for Holocaust education, remembrance, research, and documentation. Yad Vashem’s online site contains a list and biography of two-thirds of the six million Jews who died as a result of the Holocaust, a photo archive, exhibitions, untold stories section, and many other resources of interest to family historians. Jewish Genealogical Society The Jewish Genealogical Society is based in New York City but has members throughout the world who access its genealogical services, including information and resources, much of which is online. There is a members' fee but they do offer much in return: field trips, annual summer seminars held across the United States and worldwide, an annual conference, a library, archives, podcasts, access to more than 500,000 records, and exclusive databases. Additionally, members have free to access to the Jewishdata.org database. Sephardicgen Genealogical researcher Jeffrey Malka, an expert in Sephardic genealogy, has a website where he shares vital genealogical resources for those interested in Sephardic family history. His site at sephardicgen.com contains 27 databases and links to many offsite databases. You will also find on this site Sephardic history, archives, a gazetteer, family trees, and many other useful resources. For more information on Jeffrey Malka, visit Kim Richards' blog Dr. Jeffrey Malka – Author of “Sephardic Genealogy” – Shares Important Research Tips for Jewish Genealogy. Yasher Ko'ach – well done in tracing your genealogy tree, stay the path because it is a good act of remembrance, a path to learning who you are and a family treasure! For help with your Jewish genealogy and Jewish family history search, consider the assistance of a genealogy ancestry service. You can speak to a professional genealogist well versed in Jewish genealogy today at recordclick.com. #### Tracing Your Polish Ancestry - Geography May Hold the Answer “To know that we know what we know, and to know that we do not know what we do not know, that is true knowledge.” ~ Copernicus (Polish Astronomer, 1473-1543) If only researching genealogy in the region now known as "Poland" were as easy as Googling "Polish Ancestry," we'd be in luck; but alas, it is not. Conducting any ancestor search in Europe, especially Eastern Europe, is a complicated task, compounded by the fact that borders have changed so many times, several different languages are spoken, valuable documents have been destroyed during war, and religions and church records are vast and varied. Sadly, there are no centralized records in Poland, such as censuses or vital records. That is why it is crucial for a genealogist or family history researcher to know their ancestor's hometown. With that information, a search can be narrowed down, giving an ancestry researcher a better chance of locating documents that can help trace family history. My blog Polish Genealogy – Starting Your Ancestor Search, posted August 4th, gives an overview of Polish ancestry search and lists a number of helpful genealogy research resources. Possibly the most important item of information you need to know first and foremost is in what region your ancestor lived. The only way you can ascertain that information is to know the time frame with which you are dealing. In this blog, I will address the major repartitioning dates for the Polish region to help you narrow down the locale of your ancestor. Your Polish genealogy research hinges on when and where your ancestor lived before coming to America. Keep in mind, of the 10 million Polish Americans reported in the U.S. Census, only a certain portion consider themselves of Polish ancestry – others identify themselves as German, Austrian, or Russian. That's because the borders of what is now Poland have changed so much. Between 1795 and 1917, it was occupied at different times by Germany, Austria, and Russia. Poland didn't become an independent nation until 1918, as a result of World War I. After World War II, Poland's borders shifted again considerably when the Soviet Union took territory in the east, and Poland gained territory from Germany in the west. Adding even more confusion to the process, in 1975 Poland increased its number of provinces from 22 to 49, and then reduced the number in 1999 from 49 to 16. Administrative districts have been reorganized and local place names and boundaries have changed, so you need to determine previous boundaries and jurisdictions in order to locate your ancestors' records, because most records refer to the older provinces and place names. Poland Geography Today Poland, which is roughly the size of New Mexico, is located in north-central Europe. It shares borders with Belarus, Czech Republic, Germany, Lithuania, Russia, Slovakia, and Ukraine. It also has 273 miles of coastline on the Baltic Sea. Poland's Geographical History In 1386, Queen Jadwiga of Poland married Wladyslaw Jagiello, the Grand Duke of Lithuania, making Poland a strong Polish-Lithuanian state. During this time, Poland expanded its territory, economy, culture, and political development. Once the last Jigiellonian monarch died in 1572, the Polish empire began to decline. Foreign monarchs were elected and rivalries erupted among nobles. Additionally, wars with Turkey took their toll, Ukraine rebelled in 1548, and Sweden gained control of the Baltic region during the 17th and 18th centuries. Russia, Prussia, and Austria again divided the country several times in the 1700s, which makes this period of time very important to genealogists and family history researchers when searching for Polish ancestors. Jeopardy Answer: It was a German kingdom in existence from 1525 until 1945 when the Allied Forces absolved it. Located along the Baltic Sea, it covered an area of approximately 135,000 square miles. After WWII the bulk of its territory became part of Poland, while the remainder was divided among Germany, Russia, Lithuania, Denmark, Belgium, Czech Republic, and The Netherlands. Its official language is German. Question: "What and Where Is Prussia?" Though East and West Prussia were united as one province in 1824, they were once again divided into East and West in 1878. In 1945 Prussia's territories were split between Poland and Russia. Thus began the systematic campaign to cleanse the area of Germans, forcing 12 million refugees to seek a new home. Partitions of Poland The late 1700s is a highly significant period for genealogists in regard to geography, because there were three partitions of Poland. If you are researching your Polish ancestors during this period, you will want to refer to the specific maps relating to the specific time period. Rootsweb has a page dedicated to the historical geography of Poland, with links to the maps for all three partitions. 1772 / Partition I - Poland lost approximately one-third of its territory to Austria, Russia, and Prussia. 1793 / Partition II - Prussia and Russia took control of additional land from Poland. General Thaddeus Kosciuszko led an uprising in 1794 against Russia and Prussia in an attempt to regain lost land. Though Kosciuszko was defeated, he went on to become a hero in the American Revolutionary War . 1795 / Partition III - Prussia, Russia, and Austria divided what was left of Poland in 1795. Poland no longer existed as an independent country. Four Primary Regions Another way that geography can help your genealogy research in Poland is to locate the area from which your ancestor emigrated. There are four primary regions from which Polish ancestors migrated during the 1800s. 1) East Prussia (Ostpreussen in German) East Prussia was located on the southeastern Baltic Coast and was the main part of the region of Prussia. In 1875 the population comprised Germans (73%), Poles (18%), and Lithuanians (8%). After WWII the bulk of East Prussia became part of Poland, the rest went to Russia. East Prussia lost all of its German population after 1945 due to ethnic cleansing, as Poland and the Soviet Union absorbed its territory. Today, Poles, Lithuanians, and Germans live in East Prussia. For more information, view the East Prussian webpage on the Germanic Genealogy Society website. 2) West Prussia (Westpreussen in German) West Prussia was a province of the Kingdom of Prussia between 1773 and 1824, and then again between 1878 and c. 1919. After Germany was defeated in WWI, West Prussia's central parts became the Polish Corridor, known today as Poland's Pomeranian Voivodeship, with Danzig as the capital. For more information, view the West Prussian webpage on the Germanic Genealogy Society website. Also see Family Search. 3) Galicia (Galizien in German, Halychyna in Ukrainian, Galicja in Polish) Galicia was a northeastern province of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and is today part of eastern Poland and southwestern Ukraine. Its major cities include Lviv and Ternopil. In 1945 the eastern part of what had been the Austrian province of Galicia became part of Ukraine. For more information visit the Gersher Galicia website. Gesher Galicia is a non-profit organization that promotes and conducts Jewish historical and genealogical research for Galicia. Its major research initiative is The Galician Archival Records Project, which offers indices for property, school, voter, tax, and magnate records for Galicia. Though its primary focus is on the research of Jewish roots in Galicia, its databases of community records span all ethnic and religious groups that once lived in the region. Also see Galician Genealogy Resources. 4) Silesia (Schlesia in Polish, Slezski in Czech) Silesia became part of Prussia in 1742. This area borders the Czech Republic and Slovakia, extending along the banks of the Oder River. In 1945 all of Silesia, except for a couple of western counties, was given to Poland; the portion is now called Zgorzelec. A small portion of southern Silesia is now in the Czech Republic. For additional information, view the Silesia webpage on the Germanic Genealogy Society website. Also see the Silesia Family Search Wiki. Silesian genealogy is different from Pomeranian genealogy. For Pomerania research resources, check the Pomerania regional webpage on the Germanic Genealogy Society website. Searching for ancestors in Poland is not an easy task. Don't let a genealogy brick wall keep you from finding your Polish ancestors. Consider contacting a professional genealogy service. RecordClick staffs professional genealogists, in Poland and Germany, who are able to handle language barriers, and are trained to know what archives and records need to be examined to find the answers to your genealogical questions. #### Tracing Your Roots with a Professional Genealogist in Australia Tracing your European and North American roots with a professional genealogist in Australia is not difficult at all. If you are just gaining interest in your heritage and are looking to explore how far your roots may go, you may be surprised by how global your history truly is. While it may sound easy to look up relevant information about your ancestry on various online platforms, a professional genealogist in Australia will conduct local and international research to find out more about your past. It does not matter how challenging you think the task may be, a professional will always go out of their comfort zone to find the answers that you need. The Role of a Professional Genealogist While it is easy to make assumptions about our past and who we are, it is best to confirm everything we have heard about our descendants as we grew up. Although our relatives may embellish or exaggerate certain stories, a genealogist will always put emphasis on true facts that have been documented. Remember, your ancestors in North America and Europe had occupations that were connected to agriculture. To make the process easier, it is best to start from the known to the unknown. Decide on the Genealogy That You Want To Trace As early on as you can in your family history research, try to determine whether you want to trace just your father’s ancestors, or perhaps a maternal line, or all your ancestors. This will make it easy for the professional to take on the project in a specific sense. Here are a few other ways to ensure that you trace your family roots accurately: Research Your Family Tree Online In tracing your European or North American roots, the first logical thing for the professional genealogist in Australia to do is to research your family tree online. This will give the best clues about your ancestors as well as where you are from. By plugging in the information that you already have about your family, you will be able to find out much more about your origin. This way, it is also easy to track down your family lineage and find out an ancestral family member’s location. The professional will provide a clear idea of who you may be related to and where your ancestors resided. Make a Genealogy Plan The information on your family tree will lead the professional genealogist in Australia to the furthest corner of Europe or North America. The thought of visiting a new town or country and spending time with possible relatives is an intensive undertaking. Therefore, it is best to first discover the answers that may lie there and determine whether you want to explore further. While a genealogist provides all the relevant information, you are free to decide whether you want to take the next step and make a connection. Pick a Trip Approach It is becoming more common for people to venture out into foreign countries in order to piece together the missing parts of their lives. You can work together with the genealogist in picking a trip approach. This will make it easy to decide what you would like to do either in Europe or North America and what their place of residence meant to them. Needless to say, having this connection is thrilling. Keep Track of Your Trip If you choose to embark on a self-discovery journey once the professional genealogist in Australia has made his or her findings then do not lose track of the things that you will come across on your trip. It's best to have a variety of tools that will help you record information that will assist in later searches. Pay special attention to important names, dates, and locations. Also record any new findings that you may make including birth records, various certificates, and medical information and so on. Tracing Your Genealogy Tracing Your Genealogy in Barcelona In the past century, a majority of people hailed from Barcelona and your ancestors could be among them. There are many established resources that will give you general information about these individuals and assist you in making important discoveries about the past. There are also copies of birth, marriage and death records that will help you in tracing your roots. The churches in the areas where your ancestors lived will also let you know where they were buried. This is the first step in tracing your North American or European roots. Tracing Your Genealogy in London The National and the Metropolitan are two of the best places to source information about your ancestry. They are must-use resources that will take you back to the middle ages in the most brilliant ways. Through them, a professional genealogist in Australia can get important ancestry information that directly pertains to you. This will let you know all that you need to about your genealogy. Any of these sources could contain important information about your descendants. Religion was also a big part of life in early centuries, therefore, there are numerous church records that hold the information that you need. Tracing Your Genealogy Through Slave Ancestral Research If you think your ancestor ended up in Europe or North America as a result of slavery, then it is best to consult the 1870 U.S. Census. However, not all slaves took the names of their owners, therefore, your ancestors may have retained their own names. A professional genealogist from Australia will always offer relevant assistance in finding information to ensure that you do not hit a brick wall. To research your enslaved ancestors, review their surname and determine whether it is unusual for their nationality. On the other hand, if your ancestors were listed in the 1860 U.S. census, they were not enslaved. Conclusion for Professional Genealogist in Australia Whether you want to know more about your background, want to form a connection with your remaining family members or simply want to learn more about the histories of your deceased family, genealogy research has been proven as a reliable way of uncovering the truth. A professional genealogist will always lead you on the right path. #### Types of Genealogy Research Services: Which One Do You Need? What Kind of Genealogy Research Service Do You Actually Need? At first, genealogy research sounds simple. You want to learn about your family, so you hire a genealogy researcher. But it doesn't take long to discover that not every researcher does the same kind of work. When broken down further, genealogy services take at least four different forms and shapes, and so do the practitioners. Learn about these four types of genealogy services. This will help you decide which genealogy research service you need. U.S. Record Research: The Starting Point for Most Family Trees Tracing a family tree back to an old-world village is an exciting goal, but the reality is that you cannot cross the ocean until you have fully exhausted the paper trail your ancestors left behind right here in the States. This domestic phase of research is about gathering the puzzle pieces that everyday life left behind. It means looking at the specific details hidden in federal census pages, checking the margins of state birth and death certificates, pulling dusty courthouse files, and tracking down formal immigration and naturalization records. Starting locally is the most practical way to avoid hitting an immediate brick wall overseas. General genealogy research might show that an ancestor came from "Germany" or "Ireland," but European archives require a specific town or parish before you can open a single book. The clues to finding that exact hometown are almost always buried in American records. Perhaps a specific witness name on a naturalization paper, an exact birth date on a local death certificate, or an unexpected relative living next door in a 1910 census entry. The challenge is that a massive amount of this crucial data never makes it onto the major genealogy websites. When digital search bars turn up empty, progress requires a clear understanding of the federal and state record systems to find the physical paper. This is exactly where RecordClick.com fits into the process. Rather than relying solely on automated online algorithms, our researchers know how to navigate the eccentricities of local county clerks and pull physical records directly from state archives. Working with a dedicated domestic specialist ensures you have a verified, accurate foundation for your family's American journey before you spend time and money looking across the Atlantic. When Your Family Story Leads Overseas If the family history research crosses national borders, you are working in a completely different language, culture, and record system. When you want to find the right Irish townland where your ancestors lived, services like IrishResearchers.com specialize in exactly that. If the paperwork for your Italian family roots won't cooperate, the Irish specialist may not help. Service providers like ItalianResearchers.com may be the only ones to break beyond that brick wall. When it comes to your German roots, you have to change strategy and look for a site like GermanResearchers.com. The best service here is one that specializes in that specific country. While hiring a localized foreign researcher is essential for overseas archives, their success depends entirely on the quality of your U.S.-based research. So before starting on your Irish, German, or Italian research, be sure to exhaust all American records first. U.S. genealogy records give your overseas researcher the exact town, dates, and variant spellings necessary for a foreign specialist to proceed in their country's archives. There are two reasons you may be interested in exploring your ancestors beyond the U.S. One is to learn more about your heritage. The second is to see if you qualify for citizenship by descent. Dual Citizenship Documentation If you're exploring your ancestors beyond U.S. genealogy records to see if you qualify for citizenship by descent, the specialized researcher you work with must also be accomplished in that area. Your choice of researcher can make or break the deal. They should not only track down the required death certificate, but also help you use it to pursue dual citizenship by descent. Check or ask whether the genealogy research service you're considering also includes help with a dual citizenship application for that country. Heir Search and Probate Research When it comes to heir search, this is no longer about your personal journey. This is a strict legal process where an attorney must identify legal heirs to an estate. Heir search is a critical step for estate administrators, executors, and estate attorneys who must identify and notify all heirs before an estate is distributed. Consumer genealogy research asks, "Can I find my ancestors and where did they live?" Probate research asks a different question entirely: "Who is legally entitled to inherit from this estate?" It has nothing to do with decorating your family tree or finding out where your great-grandparents lived. The records involved are somewhat similar, but the focus is only on potential heirs of an estate, with the decedent at the center of it all. Heir research firms are skilled at genealogy, but their real asset is a deep understanding of the probate process. They know exactly how to format affidavits so they are immediately admissible, saving you from costly legal delays. Firms like HeirPros.com specialize entirely in this field, helping attorneys locate legal heirs, verify the relationships, and provide the exact documentation a judge expects for a correct estate distribution. Which One Is Right for You? The answer depends on what you're hoping to accomplish. If you're an attorney handling heirship issues at the probate court, look for an heir search firm. If you're gathering documents for a dual citizenship application, work with a firm that specializes in citizenship documentation. They know how to get critical government stamps and compile paperwork that proves your lineage. If the evidence is located locally, a U.S. genealogy research service provider can help you fill in the missing branches and learn more about your relatives who lived in the U.S. If the search leads to Germany, Italy, Ireland, or any other country, it makes sense to work with someone familiar with the local history and archives of that region. Once you know exactly what kind of help you need, the pieces usually fall into place much faster. If you are ready to start exploring your American family history, RecordClick has been helping families find their story for over a decade. Visit our services page to see how we can help you uncover the names and places in your family tree. #### Uncover Your Family History with the Help of a Genealogist Are you eager to learn more about your family history, trace your ancestors, and unravel the stories of your past? Hiring a professional genealogist can be a valuable investment in discovering your roots and building a comprehensive family tree. In this blog post, we will guide you through the process of finding the best expert genealogist near you. Whether you are a beginner or have already begun your genealogical journey, this guide will provide you with the necessary tools and insights to make an informed decision. Why Hire a Genealogist? Genealogists are skilled professionals who specialize in researching and documenting family history. They possess a deep understanding of genealogical records, resources, and techniques, enabling them to uncover hidden details and connect the dots in your family tree. Here are a few reasons why hiring a genealogist can be beneficial: Expertise and Experience: Genealogists have extensive knowledge of archival sources, historical records, and research methodologies. They know where to look, how to analyze data, and how to verify the accuracy of information. Access to Resources: Genealogists have access to a wide range of genealogical databases, archives, libraries, and online platforms. They can navigate these resources efficiently, saving you time and effort. Breaking Through Brick Walls: If you have hit a roadblock or "brick wall" in your research, a genealogist can help you overcome it. Their expertise and fresh perspective can uncover new leads and perspectives, enabling you to make breakthroughs in your family history journey. Detailed Research Reports: Genealogists provide detailed research reports, documenting their findings and providing valuable insights into your family's past. These reports serve as a permanent record of your research and can be shared with future generations. Finding the Best Expert Genealogist Near You When searching for a genealogist, it is crucial to find someone who possesses the necessary expertise, experience, and a track record of success. Here are some steps to help you find the best expert genealogist near you: Step 1: Define Your Goals and Budget Before embarking on your search, define your genealogical goals and determine your budget. Clarify the scope of research you require, such as tracing specific family lines, investigating a particular era, or validating existing research. Having a clear understanding of your objectives will help you communicate effectively with potential genealogists and make an informed decision. Step 2: Research and Compare Genealogists Conduct thorough research to identify genealogists in your area or those who offer remote research services. Utilize search engines, genealogy directories, and online platforms to compile a list of potential candidates. Look for genealogists with relevant qualifications, certifications, memberships in professional associations, and positive client testimonials. Step 3: Evaluate Their Expertise Review the websites and online profiles of the genealogists on your list. Pay attention to their expertise, areas of specialization, and the extent of their experience. Look for indications of their commitment to ongoing professional development, such as attending conferences or participating in genealogy societies. Step 4: Assess Their Track Record Evaluate the genealogists' track records by examining their portfolios, sample research reports, and case studies. Assess the depth and accuracy of their research, their ability to provide well-documented sources, and the quality of their written reports. This information will give you insights into their level of professionalism and attention to detail. Step 5: Arrange Consultations Contact the genealogists you are interested in and arrange consultations or initial discussions. During these meetings, discuss your research goals, budget, and any specific requirements you may have. Pay attention to their communication style, responsiveness, and their ability to understand and address your needs. Step 6: Consider Pricing and Services Discuss the pricing structure and services offered by each genealogist. Some may charge an hourly rate, while others may offer research packages. Inquire about the estimated time frame for completing the research, as well as any additional costs for obtaining records or travel expenses if required. Step 7: Review Client Testimonials and References Request client testimonials or references from previous clients. Reading about others' experiences with the genealogist can provide valuable insights into their professionalism, communication skills, and the quality of their work. Step 8: Make an Informed Decision Carefully evaluate all the information you have gathered and make an informed decision based on the genealogist's expertise, track record, pricing, and your personal rapport with them. Remember, it's essential to find a genealogist who aligns with your research goals and makes you feel confident in their abilities. Conclusion: Unveil Your Family's Legacy with the Help of an Expert Genealogist Hiring an expert genealogist can unlock the mysteries of your family's past, connect generations, and create a lasting legacy for future descendants. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can find the best genealogist near you who possesses the necessary expertise, experience, and passion for unraveling your family history. Begin your journey today and embark on an exciting exploration of your roots. FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions Q: How much does it cost to hire a genealogist near me? A: The cost of hiring a genealogist varies depending on factors such as the scope of research, experience of the genealogist, and the geographic location. To get a better understanding of pricing, visit this page, which provides insights into the average costs associated with hiring a genealogist. Q: Can a genealogist help me with international research? A: Yes, many genealogists specialize in international research and have expertise in navigating the unique challenges of tracing ancestry across different countries and cultures. When selecting a genealogist, inquire about their experience and success in international research projects. Q: How long does it take to complete a genealogical research project? A: The duration of a genealogical research project depends on several factors, including the complexity of the research, availability of records, and the extent of the desired research scope. Genealogists can provide estimated time frames based on the specific requirements of your project. Q: Can I conduct my own genealogical research without hiring a professional? A: Absolutely! Many individuals enjoy conducting their own genealogical research as a rewarding and fulfilling hobby. However, if you encounter challenges or wish to delve deeper into your family history, hiring a professional genealogist can provide valuable expertise and assistance. #### Use German Genealogists to Trace German Ancestors The United States isn't called the Melting Pot for nothing. We are a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States – each one a home to a citizenry comprising every race, creed, color, national origin, and ethnicity on the planet. The only people indigenous to North America are Native Americans (aka American Indians). The rest of us are immigrants, having migrated to the New World in various ways: by land, sea, or air. Meaning – we all come from some other place. It's no wonder that family search genealogy is on the rise. What else is on the rise is tracing ancestry among certain ancestral groups, some of which are showing a marked spike in interest for genealogy research and genealogy services. Ireland's Diaspora claimed the #1 spot for ancestral groups in the United States in the latter part of the 19th Century (see Erin Genealogy Go Bragh – Irish Ancestry Research Forever). However, even with almost 35 million Americans claiming Irish ancestry, the group is now #2, ceding their top position to Americans of German descent, who now number 50 million (according to the 2010 U.S. Census). This makes our German-descended population the largest ancestry group ahead of the Irish, Africans, and English. As the 2010 United States Census results were released, the interest in genealogical research began shifting accordingly. Given our demographics, it's no surprise that we are seeing more family genealogy researchers tracing their Germany ancestry. According to RecordClick's Founder and CEO, "We have been swamped with German genealogy inquires, and we are answering the demand by finding the best and brightest German genealogists to help our clients with their ancestor search." Germans form a solid foundation in American history, first arriving in the Colonies as early as 1670. "Germans have been immigrating in significant numbers to the U.S. since the 1680s, when they settled in New York and Pennsylvania," writes Frank Bass, a reporter for Bloomberg. "The bulk of German immigrants arrived in the mid- 19th century; they’ve been the nation’s predominant ethnic group since at least the 1980 census." The 1700s saw a migratory influx of Protestant Germans (known as Palatines), which represented the largest single immigration to America during the Colonial period. The reasons for immigrating were varied, but many came to escape religious and political oppression. During the 19th Century, almost 8 million Germans came to America. German settlements sprang up on the East Coast, in the Midwest, as well as in Southern states. In fact, the first Anglo-American settlement in Texas comprised 300 families from Germany. The Mexican government granted permission in 1821 for Stephen F. Austin (known as "The Father of Texas") to establish a colony in what is known as the Hill Country of Texas. Germans fought in the American Revolution – on both sides. They fought during the Civil War – on both sides. In face, 176,000 German-born soldiers fought in Civil War battles, making them the largest immigrant group to participate. They also served as part of the Allied Forces during World War I and World War II, fighting against the Fatherland. With this amount of history, genealogical researchers have a lot to keep them busy – especially if they are looking to join lineage organizations such as the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, the Sons of the American Revolution, United Daughters of the Confederacy, or Sons of Union Veterans, etc. But a lot of family genealogists don't just stop tracing ancestry on American soil, opting to continue their genealogical research in the countries of their ancestral origin. While not impossible, German genealogy can be challenging because its states, provinces, and counties have changed many times. The language barrier may also be a deterrent. When searching localities, bear in mind that once-German territories are now part of France, Belgium, Denmark, Lithuania, Poland, and Russia. The German Empire of 1871-1918 is vastly different from Modern Germany, with many territories ceded after World Wars I (1918) and II (1945). Because of all the territorial changes, archives are wide-spread, and a German genealogy researcher may have a hard time determining which of the many archives has the particular records they need. According to FamilySearch there are six major types of genealogical repositories for German records: State archives German Center for Genealogy Archives outside of Germany Civil registration offices and town archives Church parish offices Historical and genealogical societies The processes for tapping genealogical research data varies from resource to resource. While the Family History Library has captured some of the German archive collections on microfilm, the majority of documentation is still located outside of the U.S. One of the best genealogical research resources available to you is FamilySearch's Research Outline for Germany. It is 60 pages jam-packed with easy-to-understand German genealogy research tips that cover German search strategies; maps of German states and provinces "then" and "now;" church directories; records such as birth, death, marriage; and military papers; as well as Jewish files and documents. If you are searching for documents supporting your German genealogy, you may have to tap records found in neighboring countries. The Family History Library has records from many provinces that were once part of Germany, but now belong to a neighboring country - such as the provinces of Alsace-Lorraine (now part of France); the eastern provinces that are now part of Poland, Lithuania, and Russia; and records from the northern portion, which is currently a part of Denmark. If you are of Polish ancestry, you are one of approximately 9.5 million Americans of Polish descent living in the U.S. If you trace your ancestry, you will find that you may be either a German Pole, an Austrian Pole, or a Russian Pole, because these nations occupied Poland between 1795 and 1917. Poland did not exist during this time, and its borders were further dismantled during World Wars I and II. Polish immigration to the U.S. began in 1608, when the first Polish settlers arrived at the Virginia Colony. Fighting valiantly for the Patriot cause, Polish immigrants, Kazimierz Pulaski and Tadeusz Kosciuszko, are considered American heroes for leading Rebel armies in the Revolutionary War. A subsequent Polish mass migration "for bread" (za chlebem) occurred between the mid-1800s and 1914, bringing about 2.5 million ethnic Poles to U.S. soil. The second wave of Polish immigration happened after World War II. The third influx was in the early 1980s as Polish immigrants fled their country for political and economic reasons. So where does that leave German genealogy and Polish genealogy researchers? With a whole lot of research to comb through – some easy to access and some not so easy. Because RecordClick recognizes research trends, and has the desire to help you find your ancestors, they are increasing their genealogy ancestry services in Germany and Poland, staffing more in-country professional genealogists, to help you with your ancestor search. With so many archives to deal with, language barriers, and the inevitable need to research in faraway locations, a German genealogist for hire may be your best bet. #### Using Probate In Genealogical Research: What Was The Family Really Like? Wills and probates are among the best tools a family history researcher can use in his/her research. This RecordClick genealogist finds them both helpful and enlightening. A will can be a plus in helping you find out more about a family, but if a will or probate doesn’t exist (the individual died intestate) that is entirely okay. To understand the difference between the two: 1) the will states how the deceased wanted the estate disposed; 2) the probate, which is the process of settling an estate, is extremely helpful because it explains what actually happened. When my mother died, she left a rather standard will stating that her goods and property were to be sold with the proceeds divided equally among my siblings and me. While my family worked together harmoniously, I have seen some close families disintegrate during the process of deciding who gets what. Others families handle the loss of a loved one and settle the estate with little more than impatience with the court system. Whatever the probate experience, all the particulars are made available in the probate files, and those are as good as gold to family genealogists. In working with wills and probates, genealogical researchers can find out when an individual died, what the individual owned, who the family members were, who were alive and who were dead, the last names of married females, possibly the names of grandchildren, and where families lived. All of this information, especially the names and the places, can lead to finding living relatives. As family historians know only too well, sometimes there is neither a will nor probate for reference. In order to probate an estate, there has to be something of value to be passed on. Quite often the key to having an estate is land ownership, but bear in mind that laws vary on how land ownership is handled in a probate, especially based on what state you're in and what time period you are dealing with. However, there are some steps to probating an estate that fit almost all situations. One of the first steps in probating an estate is the appointment of an administrator. I’m going to use one of my g-g-g-grandfathers as an example. His probate was No. 11 in Saunders County, Nebraska: “In the County Court of Saunders County, Nebraska. “Your petitioner, J.C. Biggerstaff, the son of said Samuel Biggerstaff late of said County, deceased, respectfully states that said Samuel Biggerstaff departed this life on the 30th day of January 1889; that he was, immediately preceeding his death, a resident of said County. Your petitioner furthers shows that no last will and testament of said deceased has been discovered, nor is your petitioner aware of the existence of any such instrument, and your petitioner believes that said Samuel Biggerstaff died intestate leaving Real estate in said county to be administered, valued at about $2500. The heirs at law of deceased are Anna Biggerstaff, widow of deceased; Aliso (sic) Biggerstaff, William Biggerstaff, Menerva (sic) Miller, J.C. Biggerstaff, Mary Smith, Samuel Biggerstaff Junior, Clarenda Kaizer (sic), sons and daughters of said deceased. “Wherefore petitioner prays that letters of administration may be granted to Elija (sic) Biggerstaff up the goods, chattels, rights, credits of said Samuel Biggerstaff, deceased.” This document holds a wealth of information. Just look what we can glean from the passage above: Name of the deceased Date of death Residence There was no known will What Samuel Biggerstaff had of value to be probated and its estimated worth Names of his surviving family members Resolving a probate case can take anywhere from a few months to many years. With all that has to be handled, don’t be surprised if you find more than one list of family members and residences. Working with wills and probates has its pluses and minuses for genealogical researchers. The plus side is that probates are court records and are usually open to the public. In most cases, they are indexed with a good many having been filmed or digitized. The records are frequently dated, which place family members in a specific place on a specific date. To begin a search, first check FamilySearch. More than half of the states have at least some probate record images online. The Family History Library has microfilmed copies of probates, and these microfilms can be loaned to local Family History Centers for viewing. On the minus side, if the probate has not been filmed or digitized, the family history researcher will have to make a trip to the courthouse, or find someone to make the trip to do the research. In more populated counties, the court (often County Court) where probates are handled can be busy. In less populated areas, there may be a regular court day when the judge is present, and things are more active. I like to visit courthouses on slower days. Don’t expect to get all the information in 10 or 15 minutes. Some probates are simple while others can be quite complicated. Are you interested in checking to see if there might be probates in your family that can help break down that ancestor search brick wall, or help you find a long lost cousin? Does the research seem a bit more complicated than you thought? Are you unable to travel to the county courthouse where the probate is filed? The expert genealogists at RecordClick can help. We have a network of genealogical researchers across the United States ready to assist you. We can check the online images at FamilySearch or possibly organize a courthouse visit. Don't miss Joan's upcoming article that continues to explore the value of probates to the genealogist - Probate and the Genealogist: A Match Made in Heaven. #### Using the School Census for Genealogy Research - It's Back to School Time! As I was driving past the local high school this morning, I saw a sure sign that school is going to start soon. The marching band was outside practicing. There were no fancy uniforms – mostly tee shirts and blue jeans. The seasons are changing. It also brought to mind an underused resource for genealogical researchers – the school census. Schools and education have played an important role in the development of this country since colonial times. The first schools were founded in New England, and the need for public education was considered vital to the growth of the country. There are some dates pertaining education a family historian should remember: 1635 – Boston Latin School, the first public school in the colonies, was founded. 1650 – Harvard received its corporate charter. 1693 – William and Mary College in Virginia was founded. 1821 – Boston started the first public high school. 1870 – All states had free elementary schools. 1910 – More than 70% of American children attended school. 1940 – Half of the young adults in the United States earned high school diplomas. Most researchers know how important school yearbooks, programs, and newspaper articles can be. Often overlooked, because they may be harder to locate, are school attendance and census records. Students usually had a personal file as well, but they may not be accessible. However, keep an eye out for attendance and school census records. The education system has not always been as it is now. In the earliest days, only the elite could afford to send their children to school – often held in the instructor’s home. Most families could not afford the tuition. As the necessity of an education became apparent, public schools evolved. City schools were neighborhood-oriented. Churches may have had a school. In less populated areas, a town school was a hub of activity, and country schools were centers of community gatherings. There were fewer regulations regarding the number of days in a school year and the number of students in a classroom. Emphasis was placed on reading, writing, arithmetic, spelling, history, and science because, until the late 1800s, a child receiving only three or four years of schooling was common. In the late 1800s, an eighth-grade education became the standard. In the early 1900s, a high school diploma became more desirable. Of course, the students left a paper trail. School teachers kept attendance records. Primarily, the records can tell the genealogist who attended school, when they attended, if days were missed, and when a student moved into or out of a school district. Once every year, though, a school census was taken. It provided much more information about a family. The school census listing for my grandfather’s family in Lancaster County, Nebraska, District 121, 1910, lists the name of the father, the names and ages of all the children in the household under the age of 21 who are not married, and the birth dates of those children attending school. One other item of note – the family lived in a different county from the school the children attended. I have seen instances of students attending school in a different state, if that school was closest to the home. Different censuses contain different information. For example, a school census from Ravalli County, Montana, 1919, lists name, age, birthday, sex, name of father, name of mother, and residence. It also lists the maternal grandmother as "deceased." Keep in mind that school district boundaries can change. In some areas, as soon as one district was created, another district’s school may have closed. In the early 1900s, a good number of rural school districts began the consolidation process. As helpful as school census reports may be, they are not always easy to find, or they may have been destroyed. If the school district still exists, start there. If the school was rural, the administrator may have been a County Superintendent of Schools, and the records may be at the courthouse, possibly in an attic or basement. Start by asking the County Clerk. Check archives, in addition to historical or genealogical societies. I found my grandfather on microfilm at the Nebraska State Historical Society. It, however, has very limited holdings for school censuses. Holdings vary from state to state. The Family History Library staff has made an effort to microfilm or digitize school records they may locate. A portion of the school census records for the State of South Dakota is online at FamilySearch. A number of states have had school census records microfilmed. Check the card catalog for "microfilm." If you would like help or need help with your genealogical research, look to the expert genealogists at Record Click. We are knowledgeable in the various sources – including school attendance and census records – available to the family historian. We can do a search for information or help you organize and write your family history. We are just a mouse click away, and the initial consultation is free. Photo courtesy of Joan Shurtliff #### Verdict Is In - Don't Dismiss Court Records! I Swear They May Help Solve Your Genealogy Research Case There are one or more characters in every family history - you know, the "free spirits" who did things differently and weren't afraid to push the limits. They are the ones I have the most fun researching. My g-g-g-g-grandfather Calvin Leezen was one of those free spirits. Calvin and his wife, Clarinda, were married in New York in the early 1800s and then decided to move to Ohio. They settled in the area of Fremont, in Sandusky County. Calvin purchased acreage containing a garden yard, outhouse, barn, and tavern. The couple had three children: Eliza, Luther, and Susan. It is hard to imagine present-day Ohio as a rough and tumble place, but the state was the early frontier from its beginnings in the Northwest Territory in 1787 to its statehood in 1803. Early vital records are sparse, but in in my g-g-g-g-grandfather's case, a wonderful paper trail was left. Calvin was the proprietor of a tavern, and he liked to mix it up with patrons, associates, or anyone who had financial dealings with him, which generated some great paperwork and records. Calvin and his family moved to Sandusky County around 1821; soon thereafter, Calvin started showing up in the Court of Common Pleas, one of the lower courts in the State of Ohio. Let me preface by saying that Calvin wasn't a murderer or bank robber. He didn't commit any major crimes that I know of; he just kept winding up in the Court of Common Pleas. The best part of the lower court records is that they involve more of the day-to-day disagreements, such as misdemeanors, as opposed to felonies, in today’s terms. The first of Calvin's Common Pleas cases was Leezen vs H B Company, 1821, but it didn't stop there. His court appearances would continue, and as time passed, Calvin would find himself as the defendant in most of the cases. In one of my favorite cases - Levi Kimball vs Calvin Leezen, 1824 (Court of Common Pleas) - Calvin was charged with unlawfully taking "four fancy chairs, one shovel and tongs, one set of hand irons, one toasting fork, one small iron kettle, one basket, one coffee mill, one bag of feathers, one pillow, two pounds of flax, half ball of wick yarn, one wash tub, one handkerchief and one pound of wool;" all of which was valued at about $50. Calvin, being Calvin, often presented counter claims, and the results generated some interesting and entertaining reading. Most of the court cases seemed to involve the settlement of a debt; although a couple of times, Calvin was charged by the state for selling liquor to the Indians. All in all, the impression I get of Calvin is that he was by no means a pillar of the community, and he was probably not all that well liked - but he was a part of the community. Calvin was about 28 when he met an untimely death in June of 1828. Although the cause of his demise is not known, probate records show he was attended by a surgeon from 2 June through 19 June of that year. Even after his death, there were money issues to be resolved and the guardianship of the children to be settled. The process took several years, yielding more court records that included some interesting family information. Calvin and my other Sandusky County ancestors led me to a wonderful area resource with a very unlikely name: the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center Library, in Fremont, Ohio. Adjacent to the presidential home, the library contains a plethora of local historical information, including Calvin’s court cases. Staff and volunteers have spent many hours creating a local obituary online index with more than two million entries. Starting in 2001, data from other area libraries was combined within the index. If you are a genealogical researcher in Northwest Ohio, this is a must-stop spot for you. Family historians need to bear in mind that people haven't been getting along since Cain and Abel. The court system evolved to help settle disputes in a civil manner. Then as now, most citizens don't go to court for major offenses. Remember the parking ticket a couple of years ago? Except in rare instances, court records are open to the public, and there is a standard procedure for handling these sorts of cases, so it is not terribly difficult to get the gist of what is going on. The names for the lower courts vary from state to state. They can be City Courts, County Courts, Courts of Common Pleas, Surrogate Courts, Justice Courts, and more. These records can provide wonderful insight into an ancestor. Genealogical researchers need to check courthouses, libraries, and local and state historical and genealogical societies. For help in your ancestor search, contact us at RecordClick. We are here to assist with your ancestor search. Our experienced genealogists know many repositories of historical information and can help you negotiate court records. Hit a brick wall? We can help you through it. Our genealogical researchers can also assist you in devising a research strategy, finding documentation, or creating your own special family history. Sandusky County Courthouse; Carl F. Waite, photographer, April 1934; Library of Congress #### Vetting Your Vets - Using Military Databases for Genealogy Research Amid the patriotic parades and picnics used to honor our veterans, war seems to impact almost everyone - from little kids playing war games with toy guns to parade watchers waving the American flag. Wars come and go, but luckily for genealogical researchers, the records are here to stay, and they are preserved in the National Archives and Records Administration. Analyzing these records is one way genealogists honor their military ancestors and bring their stories to life. The National Archives, known as "the nation’s record keeper," is the ultimate location for all military records; but in recent years, many online sites have cropped up to aid the genealogical researcher by offering their own databases. One such site is Fold3. Billed as the premier site of military records for amateur and professional genealogists and historians, Fold3 is a subscription-based site with a partnership to digitize many of the indices, and in some cases the original records, from the National Archives - for the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Mexican and Indian Wars, the Civil War, World War I and II, and the Vietnam War. A free, basic membership allows a genealogy researcher to search the entire site, but restricts the view of the premium records; however there are more than 40 free databases available to genealogists - for example, the pension records from the War of 1812. Some of the other records that are available at Fold3 are naturalizations, city directories, U.S. Census, Native American records, historical photographs, and homestead records. These are also available in the free membership; however the views might be restricted. In both the free and subscription memberships, genealogists have the ability to create memorial pages, spotlights, and to annotate records. Recently, I registered for a free, basic membership and entered the name of my Civil War ancestor – Stephen Thrasher. There are several ways to search; either the genealogist can enter a name in the search box or browse the records by category. I opted to do a hybrid search by clicking on the category – "Civil War" – and then entering the name. My search turned up the "Index to Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers." The view of the document was obscured, but from the source citation at the side, I learned that Stephen served in the Union Army from the Indiana Infantry, 15th Regiment, Company K; and with this information, I was able to order the pension records from the National Archives. In the meantime, I discovered another site that confirmed Stephen's service. The Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System (CWSS) found on the National Park Service website is a good site for the family history researcher to research background information on the service units. It turned out Stephen's regiment was organized at West Lafayette, Indiana, then reorganized and moved to Indianapolis. The history also lists the battles, campaigns, and the dates the regiment fought. When Stephen applied for his pension, I don’t imagine that he ever thought that his great-great-niece would be ordering the same records from the National Archives almost 150 years later. Like many Civil War soldiers, Stephen contracted some disabilities while in military service. He contracted rheumatism September 1861 during the battles of Cheat Mountain and Greenbrier, Virginia, in October 1861. He received treatment at Louisville, Kentucky, in 1861 and again in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1862. This is confirmed by the history of the 15th Regiment of the Indiana Infantry, found on the Soldiers and Sailors' website, which reports the regiment was at Cheat Mountain from September 11-17, 1861 and later at Greenbrier, Virginia, in October. The regiment was ordered to Louisville in November and then marched to Nashville, Tennessee, in 1862. Stephen also suffered a double hernia while in northern Alabama. According to the National Park Site, the regiment fought in Buell’s Campaign in northern Alabama and middle Tennessee from June to August 1862. The pension packet includes such genealogical gems for the family genealogy researcher as a description and address of the soldier before and after the service, dates of service, disabilities, marriages, and death certificate. Of course, the type and amount of genealogical information varies among soldiers. In Stephen's case, his pension packet revealed that he was a farmer and carpenter from northern Indiana who entered Company K, the 15th Regiment of the Indiana Volunteer Infantry, in June 1861 at Indianapolis. He was honorably discharged in June 1864 at Indianapolis, Indiana. This 5' 8" farm boy returned to northern Indiana to marry twice. Disabilities contracted in service kept him from returning to farming or carpentry, which was confirmed by the many affidavits from surgeons and witnesses testifying to his infirmities. A death certificate in the packet indicated that he died 7 March 1918. What started out as just a name on a pedigree chart became a living breathing person with the help of three websites. The records in Fold3 revealed Stephen's service in the Civil War and afforded enough information to send for his pension information from the National Archives, which divulged many genealogical aspects of his life. From the Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System database through the National Park Service, I discovered the history of the regiment. So, the next time a patriotic parade marches by, I will wave my flag just a little higher for the Civil War hero from a northern Indiana farm, and regale everyone at the picnic with my new discoveries. If you are conducting an ancestor search for an family member who fought in the Civil War or other U.S. military engagement, and you are having difficulty locating the information you need, consider contacting a genealogy research service. The professional genealogists at RecordClick can help locate hard-to-find information using a number of research avenues. RecordClick can also sort through the information to help supply insight not only into the individual and their military career, but also into their personal life. Image courtesy of Nancy Siddons-Daniels #### Virginia Genealogy - Researching the Old Dominion Several decades ago, the Virginia Tourism Corporation adopted the slogan “Virginia Is for Lovers,” and indeed, what’s not to love about Virginia (also known as "Old Dominion") with its remarkable beauty, warm Southern hospitality, and rich historical past? Thirteen years before the Mayflower sailed from London, there was Jamestown, the first permanent settlement in North America.  Although the small colony had a rocky beginning, with a brief abandonment in 1610, and the infamous lost outpost colony at Roanoke, Europeans saw opportunities in Virginia not possible in the Old World, and they endured incredible hardships to make Virginia a viable new home. And where there were people over 400 years ago, there are family historians today hoping for records of those early settlers. The most thorough compilation of genealogical information for these first Virginians is the 3-volume work Adventurers of Purse and Person, Virginia, 1607-1624/5, Fourth Edition, by John Frederick Dorman. The set documents the descendancy of 150 original Virginia families for six generations. Furthermore, your ancestors don’t have to have arrived in Virginia that early to be included - if they married a descendant of one of the families who was included in the “Muster of 1624/5,” (basically a census taken by the Royal Commission in England) within those first six generations, their families, well documented, will be included. The three volumes together contain more than 3,400 pages of invaluable genealogical data. Sold separately, the combined volumes cost more than $300, well worth the price if you have numerous early Virginia lines in your pedigree. But if the price puts this work out of reach, check with your local library, and if it is not in their collection, consider Interlibrary Loan. Be sure to order the correct volume, as they break out alphabetically: Volume One, Part A, is for Families A-Ch Volume One, Part B, is for Families Cl-F Volume Two is for Families G-P Volume Three is for Families R-Z For later Virginia families, numerous websites offer extensive help for the genealogy researcher, some for subscription fees, but also many for free. The Library of Virginia  is a good place to start. The online catalog includes thousands of tempting titles from county land records to Confederate Disability Applications to digitized photographs, and many items in the collection can also be borrowed through Interlibrary Loan at your local library. If you can visit the Library of Virginia in person, you can obtain a library card and, with it, access even more family history research from your home computer. Virginia genealogical researchers should also investigate the Virginia Genealogy site. The right side of the homepage contains links to useful sites, some free, others connecting with databases on Ancestry.com. One of my favorite free links is Biographies, an easy-to-use alphabetical listing of tens of thousands of biographies not only from Virginia but from all over the country. However, the majority of the links here take you to subscription-based Ancestry.com pages. If you already have an Ancestry subscription but do not regularly use the “Card Catalogue” feature found in the pull-down menu from the “Search” button, you will be pleasantly surprised at the wide variety of digitized, fully searchable books you can access. There are searches specific to Virginia with titles such as Virginia Navy in the Revolution; Pittsylvania County, Virginia, History; History of Tazewell County and Southwest Virginia, 1748-1920, and thousands more. Most genealogical researchers regularly use the invaluable and ever-growing site familysearch.org. From the “Records” page, be sure to note the “Browse All Published Collections” section in the bottom left corner. Select the United States, and then “Virginia” on the next page. Here you will find 14 Virginia-specific genealogical databases, 11 of which contain fully digitized, searchable images, while the other 3 are indexed to transcriptions. You will find early Virginia databases such as “Virginia, Isle of Wight County Records, 1634-1951,” to more recent “Virginia, Danville City Cemetery Records, 1833-2006” to enable you to discover your early Virginians. If you would love assistance with your Old Dominion genealogical research, contact the professional genealogists at RecordClick. We’re here to help you with your ancestor search. #### Vital For the Genealogy Services Provider:  A Thinking Cap It’s happened again and this RecordClick ancestry services provider who does professional genealogy research can only shake her head. A request came to my local genealogy society that gave some very basic information about an individual and asked if we knew when he died and where he was buried. Simple... Right? Wrong. Someone experienced in professional ancestry research needs four things: A knowledge of history and laws. An atlas. The desire to look around. And... A thinking cap. So, in my quest to provide genealogy services, I did a cursory internet search and found a family tree (actually several) that included the individual. The sources listed included two different censuses, a marriage record, and a family tree. The individual was listed as having died in 1885 – no sources listed – and his wife, born in the 1830s having died in the 1950s at the ripe old age of 120. The censuses and marriage records were available on the web site. No need to look further. Sigh. When providing genealogy research services, censuses are a great starting point. Yet, usually, that is what they are – a starting point. The person providing professional ancestry services should compare the information in the censuses. Are names, ages and places of birth consistent? Sometimes, yes. Sometimes, no. Sometimes, inconsistencies are permissible. Sometimes, they are not. That’s where the professional ancestry research thinking cap comes in. Here’s an example.  In one of the censuses, a child is listed by a middle name. In the other census, he is listed by his first name. Then, in this type of scenario, the person providing professional genealogy research must find it the names, ages and places of birth consistent for the parents and if the siblings and their information is the same. When you hire a genealogist, how does that genealogist get beyond names and ages? The easy answer is:  by searching.  And by “searching”, I mean looking for original or primary documentation. For names and ages there are birth, baptism, confirmation, marriage, death and burial records. They may—or may not--be found by the genealogy services professional on large, well known, web sites. The home state of this professional genealogy services researcher, Nebraska, is rather stingy with its vital records. Some churches have placed records online or have contact information and a church history on the internet. The professional genealogical services researcher needs to put on that thinking cap and look around. Keep in mind, there is no one-size-fits-all method of genealogical research. That person who contacted my genealogy society just wanted a death date and a burial location. Well, no death date or burial location can be found. So, one might think that it is, literally, a dead end. Right? No, not necessarily. When the genealogy services researchers with online trees were looking at the census information, they were collecting it because that is what they are supposed to do. But, did they read and analyze all of it? No. They did not. This professional genealogy services specialist can tell because they neglected to mention land records. The 1870 census indicates information that the individual for whom the inquiring person is searching happened to own property. And this property was valued at $3,000. Nice. An experienced genealogy services researcher will know that land is one of the most important investments an ancestor may have made. By purchasing land, the ancestor created a paper trail. That paper trail is treasured by the professional genealogist. Currently, this professional genealogist is doing quite a bit of work with land patent records in the county where I live. Land patent records deal with properties an individual purchased from the government. Our ancestors were recorded when they procured land in a number of ways--by cash, homestead, and military scrip. Land patents in the United States can be found, for  free, on the Bureau of Land Management – General Land Office web site. From working with these land patent records for my county, this genealogy services provider knows that the individual of interest did purchase the land from the government with cash. There is a deed record at the courthouse. My local genealogy group has a card file with well over 100,000 names. The individual was listed in the 1870 and 1880 U.S. Censuses. A son was married in the county in 1889. The family was still around. Here is the next question for the genealogist:  what should be done next? If there is a death involved, land records can be part of a will and probate. Whatever the situation, unless the courthouse burns, floods or blows away, there should be a record. It may provide insight as to where and when the property owner died and was buried. Sometimes, the genealogy services provider will find that land remains in a family for multiple generations. In the case of our local inquiry, we find that the land was sold and there were no other family members listed in the county in the 1900 U.S. Census. There you have it. Another genealogy puzzle solved. And that is because this RecordClick professional ancestry provider has a lot of experience in looking around—and putting on that thinking cap. #### What a Genealogist Can See in the Family of Rep. John R. Lewis In honor of Black History month, this RecordClick genealogist wants to recognize statesman Representative John R. Lewis of the Fifth Congressional District of Georgia. His legacy includes his noted work as a champion for American Civil Rights. Representative Lewis has a legacy of commitment to changing history. His family history is an important story, too. The genealogist will see that John Robert Lewis, is first found in the 1940 U.S. Census in Cross Roads Precinct in Pike County, Alabama. He is listed as the youngest child of Eddie Lewis, age 30, and Willie Mae Lewis, age 24. The Lewis children are: Ora Lee, 3; Edward, 2; and John Robert, 2/12. Father Eddie was a farmer and was paying $2 a month rent. Rep. Lewis recounted some of his childhood memories in his memoir, Walking with the Wind. In his memoir, U.S.Representative John R. Lewis details his ancestry. His mother was Willie Mae Carter, the daughter of Dink and Della Carter. In the 1920 U.S. Census, Dink, age 37, and Della, age 28, are the parents of seven children. At that time, the oldest was 13 years old. Living next door to Representative Lewis’s maternal grandparents, Dink and Della Carter, were his great grandparents, Dink’s parents – Frank Carter, age 56, and Betsey Carter, age 55. All of Representative Lewis’s relatives listed in the 1920 U.S. Census were born in Alabama. His great grandfather, Frank Carter, was listed as the son of Tobias Carter. Tobias had been a slave. John Robert Lewis Mother Willa Mae Carter Lewis  Dink Carter Frank Carter Tobias Carter In his memoir, so far as Representative Lewis knew at the time, the family members were all from Alabama. When a working genealogist searches a U.S. Census, one must be aware that the document rarely tells the complete story. A U.S. Census will give the genealogy researcher a heads up about a larger and fuller story to be told. According to these U.S. Census records, Tobias Carter was born in approximately 1820. His wife, Elizabeth, was approximately a year younger. The professional genealogist can see that there is a good story here in the U.S. Census of 1880 and of 1870. 1880 U.S. Census; AL; Pike Co.; Beat No. 6; ED 147; p. 19: Tobias; 60; Farmer; b. GA; father b. GA; mother b. GA (b. 1820) Elizabeth; 59; wife; b. VA; father b. VA; mother b. VA (b. 1821) Louisa; 21; daughter; b. AL; father b. GA; mother b. VA (b. 1859) Alex; 18; son; b. AL; father b. GA; mother b. VA (b. 1862) Frank; 17; son; father b. GA; mother b. VA (b. 1863) Georgia A.; 14; daughter; b. AL; father b. GA; mother b. VA (b. 1866) Floyd; 13; son; b. AL; father b. GA; mother b. VA (b. 1867) Sallie; 11; daughter; b. AL; father b. GA; mother b. VA (b. 1869) Curtis, Fannie; 5; granddaughter; b. AL; father b. GA; mother b. VA (b. 1875) Miller, Puss; 2; granddaughter; b. AL; father b. GA; mother b. VA (b. 1878) This genealogist will note that a “Beat” is the term used for a part of a county in Alabama. It is similar to a township or precinct. Here in this census document, Beat No. 6 was Tanyard Beat in Pike County. The 1870 U.S. Census tells us more. The location of the family is the same: Pike Co., AL; Beat No. 6. The family: Here is the 1870 U.S. Census that lists family members of Representative John R. Lewis The census documents tell a working genealogist that at some point Tobias and Elizabeth found each other in Georgia. They began a family and moved to Alabama in approximately 1858 between the births of Thomas and Anna. Because there are different last names listed, this genealogist thinks that the mothers of Fannie Curtis and Puss Miller were likely the older daughters of Tobias and Elizabeth. From this document, the genealogist can see that there also are clues that point to who these older daughters were married to. The experienced genealogist will know that there is more to a family story--always. Here, Elizabeth, born into slavery, wound up in Georgia where she met Tobias, who was also a slave. How did she get to Georgia? Was she free? Had she been sold? This is where the ancestral story leaves more questions for which the genealogist will continue the search to find answers. For the genealogist working on African American family histories and records, the search can be complicated, challenging and is always important. The fact that this couple had so many children in Georgia and then made their way as a family to Alabama before the Civil War is unusual. An astute genealogist might ask: How did they do it? How did the Civil war affect this family? How was it that this family had this number of children survive infancy in an era where childhood deaths were a fact of life?. How was Tobias able to purchase property? What happened to the property? What happened to the mothers of Fannie and Puss? From this bit of research into the family tree of Representative John Robert Lewis, the genealogist can see that his family has a remarkable and intriguing American history. When you hire a genealogist from RecordClick, you get specialists who will ask the right questions, find the correct documents and tell your ancestral stories. #### What Does the Genealogy Researcher Do As Ancestral Sites Disappear? For many a genealogy researcher, the McMansioning of America is disastrous. Doesn’t a genealogy researcher always want to go back to see the family’s first homes and business locations? Yet, as America has been plagued by love of everything big and bigger, many of those treks that the genealogy researcher takes can end up in an ancestral black hole. A trip like that by the genealogy researcher can bring on stark disappointment. You might see something else--or nothing--on the plot of a beloved once lived-in home or business. This can bring about feelings of grief about time past and...property passed. Well, not all genealogists end up in tears. Take the genealogy researcher who is looking into the ancestry of the wonderful actress, director and filmmaker Mae West (Mary Jane West b. August 1893, d.  November 1980). When doing family history research on Mae West, the genealogist researcher might want to mosey over to historic Neir’s Tavern at 87-48 Street in Woodhaven, Queens. It is one of New York’s oldest taverns. It opened in 1829 and was recently reopened by new owners. It’s also where Mae West is said to have begun her long, lucrative, big-time acting career--when her mother made her sing and dance at the bar…maybe. The genealogy researcher will find that there is also a historic marker--this one a plaque--honoring Mae West in front of an old home at 89-05 88th Street in Woodhaven Queens. These real property elements, at Neir’s and the old Woodhaven home, note her presence even though the buildings are not exactly the same as they used to be. These are lucky examples because Neir’s still looks and smells like a tavern and the house hasn’t been cut up. For the genealogy researcher, these locations still resemble something of the past. The genealogy researcher should always pay attention to historic places in a family’s story. These physical locations, if found in tact, provide verification for ancestral stories and fill in color for the documents found on the lives of relatives. The genealogy researcher should always remember, however, that the place that is important for the ancestral digging may not be so important to the locals who live there now. For example, this genealogy researcher's grandparent’s house in Albany, New York, built by our great grandfather and given to his daughter as a wedding gift in 1920 still sits there pretty much unchanged. It is now owned by perhaps just the third family in its history. And the family of this genealogy researcher is lucky because they’ve changed very little. So, when we descendants descend on Albany, annually, we can see the house that matches the one in the family photographs. It gives this genealogy researcher great pleasure to imagine that everyone from five Albany generations is still with us. All souls still somehow in front of that small brick cottage. The professional genealogy researcher cherishes the family's ancestral home. The hotel that a family once owned in the Catskills becomes an important-to-see place when my friend, another genealogy researcher, undertakes the reconstruction of her family’s long sold-off business story. Is it good when the genealogist drives for hours and arrives at the address listed for the hotel and discovers not a hotel but a store? What does the genealogy researcher do when the reception hall listed on East 4th Street in New York City on a grandmother’s marriage certificate is nowhere to be found and, instead, there is a large brick apartment building? If this were Europe, families might hold onto the houses and pass them down from generation to generation. Or, at least, preserve what has been there for centuries. That’s where the genealogist can get lucky. But if the area was bombed during a war or developed over a farm, then things will be harder to find and envision. Back to America. We move. We sell. We knock things down. For those who want help finding their family property sites and homes, hire a genealogy researcher from RecordClick and you will get be able to make sure the descendants can overcome a heartbreak of a lost hotel with a tender picture of what was and where it was. #### What Genealogists Really Want to See in Genealogy-Themed Reality TV There's been a lot of hype and speculation recently as to whether PBS's latest family history program Genealogy Roadshow  will be picked up for another season. Dubbed the "poor man's Who Do You Think You Are?" by The New York Times, the Genealogy Roadshow premiered September 23rd in 2013 with its first of four episodes filmed on location in Nashville, Detroit, San Francisco, and Austin. Critics and would-be pundits have had a heyday comparing and contrasting the show to the NBC/TLC genealogical detective program Who Do You Think You Are?, as well as the PBS favorite Antiques Roadshow, the concept of which serves as the basis for Genealogy Roadshow. What it comes down to is that Genealogy Roadshow conducts genealogical research for ordinary people, rather than celebrities, by using resources in genealogy, history, and DNA testing. The show's genealogy researchers also draw on family heirlooms, letters, pictures, and historical documents, using them as clues to the ancestor search mystery. The episodes are shot in one locale, and to round out what is lost by not having sexy celebrities jet-setting around the world, Genealogy Roadshow showcases the hosting city briefly and then adds some historical significance to support the genealogical research finds. Granted, The New York Times is not far off when it described the show as "tepid" and not very "sexy" in its family tree-tracing process, which ends up being as static as the location where the show is shot. But then, it's rather difficult to walk the red carpet and do research at the same time. Genealogical research by its very nature tends to be more physically stationary, even though it involves a highly kinetic intellectual process. Still, I think PBS missed the boat with Genealogy Roadshow by not making it the first program of its kind to show the nitty-gritty, behind-the-scenes work that a genealogy researcher is required do. BO-RING you say? Well, consider the Science Network's documentary episodic How It's Made, which has been airing since 2001. Originally developed in Canada, this informative and entertaining show depicts the world of manufacturing – how different items are made, such as compression garments, apple juice, skateboards, engines, contact lenses, etc. Sound dry? Maybe, but these topics have kept viewers interested and delivered ratings for almost 15 years. The same thing goes for reality shows such as A&E's Flip This House or Food Network's Iron Chef America, the latter of which created an actual "Kitchen Stadium" to showcase the behind-the-scenes excitement of boiling, braising, and basting. Flip This House enthralls its millions of loyal viewers with drywall, ceiling beams, and terracotta tile. And let's not overlook eye-candy host Mike Rowe as he delves into jobs no one wants to do in Discovery Channel's Dirty Jobs. One would think that genealogy-themed reality TV would get the hint that viewers like to see the nuts and bolts of a process. When I watched the episode of Genealogy Roadshow that was filmed at the historic Driskell Hotel in Austin, Texas, I was not surprised that PBS had followed the same-ol'-same-ol' formula, but I was a tad disappointed. The show's genealogists – Joshua Taylor and Kenyatta Berry – serve as real estate agents and table servers when it comes to delivering the goods to people who are interested in ancestor search. They don't get their hands dirty, they just put on the white gloves and present the final product. In the Austin-based show, a Tejana (a Texas woman of Mexican descent) discovered through genetic DNA testing that her ancestors were Sephardic Jews who escaped the Canary Islands during the Spanish Inquisition. More than that tidbit of information, she wanted to know if any of her relatives had fought with the Texians (residents of Mexican Texas before the state's independence) during the Texas Revolution. They had, as the genealogists proved through pension records for service to Juan Seguin's company at the Battle of Bexar. Voila, members of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas (DRT) miraculously appeared and welcomed their new member to the venerable lineage society. It was as easy peasy as that. Other guests were found to be related to Sam Houston, Mayflower Pilgrims, and Roger Williams who founded Rhode Island. But even Genealogy Roadshow can't help but cater to celebrities now and then. Heisman Trophy winner and NFL Hall of Fame football legend Earl Campbell – a Tyler, Texas, native – wanted to know more about his father who died when Earl was very young. Again, some veiled genealogical research magic was done, and The Tyler Rose was served a beautifully prepared genealogy – without a sign of blood, sweat, or tears from the genealogical researchers who researched it. Why do reality genealogy TV shows insist on producing their shows in tableau – snapping a pic of the genealogist delivering the final project results to the questioner who sits calmly and receives the news, reacting with an occasional, "You're kidding me," or "Is that so," or an even more riveting, "I didn't know that." Let's face it – people love to see what goes into a final product, so why don't genealogy TV shows get with the program? The same viewers who love to watch demolition and redesign, or chopping and dicing, are going to love to watch professional genealogists for hire hit the stacks and dig deep into records and documents to produce a stunning 10-room, eight-course gourmet genealogy research meal that is guaranteed to satiate the finest ancestor search palate. Let's face it, the chance that any of us will be on a genealogy-themed TV program is slim to none, but that doesn't make our genealogical research any less important - any less riveting and captivating. Your ancestors are your celebrities. RecordClick doesn't make genealogical research a secret; it shares the process and findings with its clients. Its genealogical services handle the ancestor search process for you. Photo credit Nancy Siddons-Daniels #### What the Genealogist Finds - More Than Faces or Facts In my early years as a genealogist, my favorite quote was by George Bernard Shaw: “If you can’t get rid of the skeleton in your closet, you’d best teach it how to dance.” For this RecordClick genealogist, the implications of this quote are that we, as family historians, often find that our ancestors participated in questionable activities and then to make this historic  activity a bit more palatable, we add a different ‘spin’. Yet, sometimes, for the genealogy researcher, that is just not possible. In my genealogy research, I find it fascinating to see the different aspects of a life evolve. I found a good example of this on a recent episode of the genealogy TV show Who Do You Think You Are, with Melissa Etheridge.  A family member did a very good job of creating a family tree. The names and dates were there and, as near as I could tell, they were accurate. Melissa wanted to put some meat on the skeletons of several of these ancestors and sought to find answers to: Who were they? What did they do? Why did they move from one place to another? For the genealogist, one never knows what will be uncovered in the search. For the family history researcher, what used to be a hobby of collecting names and dates of our progenitors is turning into something more. Genealogy is, of course, history. Our ancestors lived in a different time and place. So the genealogist finds that this hobby is now more sophisticated and encompasses research in law and medicine, technology, sociology, psychology, government, religion, agriculture, transportation. The list goes on. What impresses this genealogist is that my particular thoughts about the activities of my ancestors don’t really matter. I can’t change the fact that one set of gggrandparents looks like they lived together and had a child before they married. My ancestors are who they are. They did what they did. At the time, it seemed to be their best option. It is something akin to the scene in the film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid when Paul Newman and Robert Redford jump off the cliff to escape the agents pursuing them. An easy question (but not necessarily a good one) often asked by the genealogist while researching is: “How does this make me feel?” This is favorite question of Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and he probably asked it to Ben Affleck in that episode of Finding Your Roots when Ben found out some of his ancestors were slave owners. The question was edited out. That answer most probably was unsettling. No genealogist finds it pleasant to find that an ancestral home went up in flames or family members died of diphtheria, or were murdered or owned other people. The genealogist will inevitably uncover more than an simple ancestor. The genealogist deals with more than just collecting a thousand names in a data base. So, how does what our ancestors did affect who we are? In the case of both Ben Affleck and Melissa Etheridge, the genealogist may wonder why did their ancestors own slaves? How did the economics of owning slaves affect the family through several generations? While Melissa was learning about the several times great grandfather who did well and owned slaves in Missouri, she commented about how poor her grandfather’s family was. What had happened in her family history? She talked about the generality of financial cycles, but this genealogist suspects it had something to do with the economics of slavery or the depression. The show’s time ran out, but perhaps the issues can be dealt with on other episodes. The genealogist will also deal with economics. How did the haves get to be the haves? What were the attitudes of the haves? How did the have-nots struggle to get along or better themselves? What happened when a have became a have-not? Or a have-not became a have? Why should a genealogist or anyone care? The answer comes in another favorite quote, this time this genealogist looks at the words of Maya Angelou: The more you know of your history the more liberated you are. When you hire a genealogist from RecordClick, we will find your family’s story by developing research strategies, locating documents and creating your family tree. Our family history researchers will chronicle and verify (or debunk) your family lore and write your family’s history. #### What Your Family History Says About Your Life Your family history shapes your life in many ways, from your personality to your health prospects. For this reason, understanding your roots should be your priority if you want to lead a positive and balanced lifetime. In fact, your family background should be a factor to consider when making life decisions such as career and other events like marriage and making a will. You need to know how things are done in your family and how they’re likely to impact not only you but also your associates and your lineage. This guide breaks down critical aspects of your family history and how they should serve as key life indicators. We'll also discuss tips to help you accurately detail your genealogy and use the data to align your life accordingly. Key Takeaways Family history research tracks your lineage and highlights crucial elements that could influence your life and future lineage. The information highlighted on your genealogy report could serve as a motivation in life, enhance your relationship with people, and predict your health and longevity. The only way to leverage your genealogy for a brighter future is by conducting a comprehensive genealogy through the help of professional genealogists. What Defines Family History? Family history details accounts of your lineage from a common ancestor The best way to understand family history is through genealogy. The family trees and charts you probably filled in in your school life are a basis of genealogy and help understand what family history research entails. In essence, genealogy is a profession to study families and track family lineages and history. So, through genealogy, you can gather a wealth of information ranging from ancestors' names, crucial dates, places of residence, and more. Most importantly, it is through genealogy that you can better understand your family's identity, culture, and history. Luckily, genealogy has become more accessible and better understood by the general public, thanks to advanced technology and the increase in resources and genealogy societies. It has never been easier to download a family tree template online and have your siblings or relatives help fill it out accurately. Besides, online resources can help you match with distant relatives and connect to a common ancestor from the comfort of your couch. Some of the readily available resources include DNA testing services and online databases and websites. RELATED: How To Start Your Genealogy Research From Scratch Why Is Family History Important? Family Tree Just like a tree or other plants, having deep roots makes you flourish and resilient to strong winds. In the same way, understanding your background and relatives can be a game-changer in your life, as nothing has been shown to create a strong bond like blood relations. However, genealogy or family heritage research goes beyond the relations. In-depth research about your family helps you understand your origin and the lives and circumstances in which your ancestors lived. This knowledge helps you understand your place in the world and connects you with the right culture and identity. Genealogy is also a sure way to spot and track health conditions and personality traits that run in your family. The DNA processes involved in ancestry research provide detailed results about common patterns in your family, helping you understand and avoid health risk factors. Another important reason you may need comprehensive family history research is to connect with unknown relatives. A detailed family tree that forms a part of your genealogy report helps you trace your roots step by step from your grandparents, cousins, uncles, aunties, and so on. Most of these relatives could have their information submitted on Ancestry, 23&Me, MyHeritage, and other popular databases, which can match you with people with whom you share a common ancestor. Still, you can trace your relatives even if they haven't appeared on any site. What Your Family History Says About Your Life The personality traits, health patterns, values, beliefs, and relatives you discover in your genealogy can offer a glimpse of who you are. Genealogy Can Offer Motivation Army veterans First, the research unearths the names of your ancestors, their dwelling places, and the circumstances they faced throughout their lives. Their experiences through events like slavery, World Wars, famines, and migration patterns inform us about the struggles and victories they endured. Looking back on what your ancestors passed through can help you discover your strengths, understand your weaknesses, and gain motivation to navigate any life challenges you may be facing currently. Your Family History Can Influence Your Career Choice Another essential aspect you learn through genealogy is the achievements down your family line. For example, suppose you realize your family tree has successful business people and professionals like lawyers and doctors. In that case, chances are that future generations pursuing the same paths could also be successful. So, if you need guidance on what career to pursue, the first place to look for clues should be your genealogy. While this should not hinder you from new ventures, previous achievements in your family line could indicate a match between the careers and the genetic formations and traits in your family. What’s more, the successful uncles, aunties, cousins, siblings, etc., in their careers could guide you through the ropes into the same path. Your Genealogy Can Impact Your Relationships Family members and relatives can offer insights into your genealogy Research into your family history helps you understand marriage patterns and relationships. For example, some families have patterns of polygamy or divorces, which could be a sign of an aspect about relationships among your people. This way, you'd better understand distant or step-relatives and how to better relate with them. Similarly, you'd look for pitfalls that could affect your current relationships and find better ways to foster successful associations. Most importantly, genealogy highlights physical and personality traits in your family. Research suggests that our genetic makeup contributes to about 40-60% of the variation in personality traits like extroversion, introversion, and conscientiousness. Therefore, the genetic makeup highlighted in your genealogy report will help you identify and understand your personality and how well you associate with others. Your Family Health History Determines Your Well-Being and Longevity DNA Test for Genealogy Our guide on Family Health History and How to Prevent Recurring Conditions explores how genealogy helps uncover health risks in your family. Since conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer have been shown to have solid genetic components, it is advisable to have a genealogy report to help in risk assessment, early detection, making informed decisions, and pursuing tailored healthcare. RELATED: How To Conduct Family History Research On A Budget How To Conduct Family History Research Genealogists help break the Brick Wall Conducting genealogy research should start with the readily available information about your close relatives as you expand to distant relatives and ancestors. For example, you can start with yourself or your children detailing their full names birth dates, and matching results from cultural ethnicity calculators. However, to reap the benefits highlighted in this guide and beyond, you may need the help of a professional genealogist. These experts will not only guide you through the investigations but will help interpret them and present detailed reporting, all at a budget-friendly price. Grab the free consultation offer at Record Click to talk to our team of expert genealogists to work on your case, help build a comprehensive report about your family history, and make informed decisions about your life and the future generations in your family.           #### What's Ailing You? Genetic DNA Testing Detects Hereditary Diseases In my June 18th post about genealogy DNA testing, "Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is," I delved into the world of genealogy genetic testing for those of you who are interested in how your ancestry breaks down into ethnic proportions. Genealogy testing is one of the more recent applications of DNA technology. Though genetic and medical DNA tests are used to yield different results, they share a key element – Family. One area of medical gene testing is interested in inherited diseases. You may have gotten your blue eyes from dad, and a beautiful singing voice from mom, but from whom did you get your celiac disease, your asthma, your sickle cell anemia? If it runs in your family, there is a chance that molecular genetic testing will find it. We all have that "mystery" family member that we can't quite identify when we are conducting genealogy research. The same is true with a mystery illness that may plague one or more family members. Where did it come from? Was it inherited? Can it be passed on to subsequent generations? Until recently, if you couldn't readily produce the medical history of your ancestors going back several generations, or if you were adopted, there was a slim chance of discovering whether your medical malady was just a fluke or an inherited disorder. In some cases, you may have an illness that defies traditional biochemical lab tests, biopsies, or electronic scans such as MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), PET (positron emission tomography), CAT (computerized axial tomography), or ultrasound. DNA testing is becoming more and more a traditional go-to diagnostic, especially now that many of the tests are faster and cheaper. DNA testing identifies the molecular defects of a human inherited disease, making it easier for a doctor to diagnose such medical disorders. There are different techniques used in genetic testing, including examination of the DNA molecule, as well as the biochemical testing for gene products such as enzymes and proteins. DNA testing can be used to detect a disease before symptoms occur; to confirm a diagnose for a patient with symptoms; to discover the family history of a disease; to estimate the risk of developing certain cancers, as well as Alzheimer's disease; and finally to discern whether the genetic problem can be passed on to children. The tests are simple and may include a blood draw, a spit test, or a buccal smear, which is nothing more than scraping the inside of your cheek with a swab to gather DNA material. There are numerous laboratories that run the tests, many of which offer direct-to-consumer (DTC) testing. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are more than 2,200 diseases that can now be detected through genetic testing. Before you consider taking such a test, however, it is advisable to check out the CDC webpage on genomic testing for summaries and recommendations on the validity and utility of specific genetic tests. A short list of hereditary diseases that can now be detected include: Alzheimer's disease Celiac (and other food sensitivities) Cystic fibrosis Down Syndrome Duchenne muscular dystrophy Huntington's disease Lyme disease (in the early stages) Porphyria Sickle cell anemia Spina bifuda Tay-Sachs Thalassemia One of the hereditary diseases listed that can now be detected is celiac disease, which is a sensitivity or a complete intolerance to foods containing either wheat or gluten. This food sensitivity can cause major intestinal damage, malnutrition, osteoporosis, and impairment of other major organs, as well as joints, muscles, and nerves. Since I underwent DNA testing and was diagnosed with celiac just a few years ago, I will share my own experience to illustrate better the process of genetic testing. Almost overnight, results of my annual bone mineral density tests began to show rapid bone loss. Though doctors could give me no diagnosis for this negative trend, they were quick to prescribe bone-building medications (oral bisphosphonates such as Fosamax, Actonel, and Boniva). I refused to go that route and instead located a holistic internist who recommended that I have a complete genetic panel done to check for food sensitivities and ultimately the celiac gene. For someone who had never even heard of "celiac," I was stunned to receive the results. The molecular analysis turned up two genes known as HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8, which indicate a predisposition to celiac. If a patient does not have the genes, then they cannot have celiac disease. Not only do I have the main gene, but I possess the non-celiac gene, as well. The fact I have two copies of the celiac indicator, means I have a stronger predisposition to gluten sensitivity and celiac disease (celiac sprue). But wait, here's where it gets exciting! These results indicate that each of my parents possessed at least one copy of a gluten-sensitive gene. That knowledge helps me better understand the medical issues my parents experienced in their later lives. That is a huge finding. The upshot: I adopted a gluten-free diet and have stopped and even reversed my bone loss by several percentage points -- without the use of drugs! In the case of celiac, you can have one or two copies of the gene and never show any symptoms. You may never show a symptom until one day you wake up and ask "what the heck is happening to me?" Celiac has been shown to kick into gear out of the clear blue due to environmental factors, an illness, or stress. In other cases, you may be suffering the affects of a silent celiac that is causing intense internal damage without your realizing it. Diagnosing celiac via DNA testing, particularly searching for the HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 genes, is fairly new. In the past, doctors have relied on the "gold standard" of testing – intestinal biopsy, which is invasive, as well as expensive. The problem with this is that intestinal biopsy doesn't tend to show positive during the early stages of celiac disease. If samples removed from the small intestine fail to reveal major tissue destruction, a "false negative" can occur, and a patient will be told that he/she is free of the disease. In most cases, a patient has to be in a fairly advanced stage of celiac for their small intestine to show damage. Because celiac is devastating to many systems of the body (especially the digestive tract and nervous system), the sooner it can be diagnosed the better. Another drawback to biopsy is if a patient has been on a gluten-free diet, he/she must start eating foods that contain gluten (known as "gluten challenge") for about six weeks prior to the biopsy, so that damage can be done to the intestinal villi (finger-line projections that absorb digested nutrients) and therefore show up in the biopsy. In my opinion, that's tantamount to giving sugar to a diabetic to see if they go into a coma. Other diagnostic procedures that are helpful during the initial steps of diagnosing celiac disease include blood tests, particularly the tTG (tissue transglutaminase) antibody test. In most patients with active untreated celiac disease (who are eating gluten at the time of the test), tTG is released from the damaged intestine, and antibodies to tTG are found to be elevated in the blood. Studies done by the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition found that using both gene and blood testing yields a very high predictive value for celiac disease – as much as 99% accurate. Medical genetic testing for hereditary diseases is by no means limited to celiac. As I mentioned, molecular genetic testing can now detect more than 2,200 diseases. If you are asked to take a DNA test, or if you order a DTC test kit on your own, it is important for you to know that DNA testing is not the be-all-and-end-all answer to your problems, especially if you are trying to detect whether you have an inherited disease or not. While DNA testing for hereditary diseases is making huge strides with each passing day, genetic testing will only tell you if you have an increased risk for a particular disease, not whether you will actually get the disease. Even if your test yields negative results, it doesn't mean that you won't get the disease. DNA testing can detect an increased risk for some cancers, such as breast and ovarian, but since many cancers don't result from inherited tendencies (i.e., family genes) – rather are formed by mutations that can happen anytime and be due to environmental factors – not all cancers are detectable by genetic testing. As you research your genealogy -- all the while trying to match your characteristics and tendencies, or physical attributes to your forebears – remember that your health is tied to your ancestors, as well. No pedigree, census, or family Bible is going to tell you what inherited diseases you may carry -- molecular genetic testing will. For help with your medical family tree research, or ancestry research, speak to a professional genealogist today. #### What's Not to Love: A Genealogist and Betty White This RecordClick genealogist can honestly say that I don’t remember life without her. If America could have a sweetheart, it should be Betty White. A ready smile, a twinkle in her eye, a wonderful sense of humor and a quip for almost any situation make her a joy to watch on television. Comedy in the early days… the special marriage to Allen Ludden… Password… the Mary Tyler Moore Show… Golden Girls… Saturday Night Live… to Off Their Rockers. The list could go on, but as a genealogist, I like to take a look at families. Betty White has a good one. In her own way, she is the epitome of what the United States is all about: immigrants and moving. Betty was born in Oak Park, Cook County, Illinois in January 1922. Her father, Horace L. White, was born in Michigan and her mother, Tess Cachikis, was born in Illinois. Her grandparents, however, were an interesting mix and all were immigrants. Family history researchers often will find immigrant ancestors who have married within their own nationality. Betty White’s family is different. Her paternal grandparents were Christopher and Etta White. Christopher was Danish and Etta was from Canada. Her maternal grandparents were Nickolas and Margaret Cachikis. Nikolas was from Greece and Margaret was from Canada with roots in Wales. All came to the United States with the wave of immigrants in the late 1800s. A genealogist doing research begins to find more complications when crossing borders. However, Christopher and Etta White maintained ties with family in Canada. Etta died in January 1939 and, according to the Cook County death records, was buried in Aurora, Ontario, Canada. Christopher died in December 1941 and he, too, was buried in Aurora, Canada. Christopher White and Nikolas Cachikis both seemed to have a knack for salesmanship. In 1900, Christopher was a traveling salesman. By 1920, he had found employment as a salesman in the rubber industry. Nikolas was an ice cream wagon driver in 1910 and in the next ten years worked his way up to being a salesman in the ice cream industry.  We see later, that Betty’s father, Horace, like his father, also has a knack for sales. In the 1920s and 30s, Horace became a sales representative for electrical materials. Both the White and the Cachikis famlies are interesting. Looking further into these families, this genealogist doing research can come up with more questions: Christopher White. White is not thought of as a Danish last name. On his death records, his father is listed as Christian White. How did Christopher come to be born in Denmark? Etta White. Her father is recorded as Linde on her death records. In a census she states she immigrated to the U.S. in 1892. What ties would there have been to Canada for her to be buried there over 40 years later? Nikolas/Nicholas Cachikis. How did a Greek and a Canadian meet in Chicago? Margaret Cachikis. Her mother, Margaret Hobbs and born in Wales, was living with the Cachikis family in the 1910 Census. Margaret Cachikis said she immigrated to the United States in 1879, while her mother, Margaret Hobbs is listed as arriving here in 1866. What is going on? Horace White and Tess Cachikis married sometime around 1920. Many people were on the move during these years. For some three million people, the move was west to California. Horace, Tess and Betty White made that move to Los Angeles and were part of the population increase from 570,000 to 1.2 million between 1920 and 1930. When you want to find more about your family’s moves and travels, you’ll look for a genealogist who does research. The professional genealogists at RecordClick will find the details that make your family history unique. #### When Disasters Strike, the Genealogy Researcher Cleans Up The genealogy researcher can tell you that disasters happen and that families are affected by them. Avalanches, Earthquakes, Floods. Hurricanes and Tornadoes. Accidents. Sudden drops in fortunes. Shooting deaths. Any family history researcher who watches the news knows. It is all simply awful. But there is something good about disasters: they are recorded. To be blunt, disasters can be amazing for the genealogy researcher. Family history researchers will find that certain family businesses are in the business of disasters: firefighters, emergency service personnel, military, medical. This is also great for the family history. There are lots of records and details about these businesses. Many of them are governmental. So, you'll find records, galore!  For families with ancestors and members in the emergency services business, some of the records that may provide lots of details include: Local fire documents and logs. Municipal staffing records. Police documents. Military records. Medical records A genealogist may find that there are also the other types of family history disasters—the acts of nature, medical emergencies, war, pestilence and the whole host of biblical issues.  Records of these may be found in: Newspaper accounts. Television reports. Military records. Medical records. Government documents. Legal records. For the genealogy researcher, these disasters are the facts that add to the family history. If you are a family history researcher, you’ll inevitably hear stories. I have. My great aunt survived the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire in the early 1900s. That was the disaster where young immigrant girls working in deplorable conditions were trapped and killed as a horrible fire burned through a factory on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. The details and documents are so plentiful. That was a big disaster! Lots to find. My ex-husband’s grandfather was said to have survived the great earthquake in San Francisco in the early 1900s. So many newspaper reports and more! When ancestors were firefighters, their records are preserved. A friend of mine’s plane was hijacked. She or her family's genealogists certainly can get government documents, newpaper reports, maybe even reported first hand accounts. It is all there! The professional genealogist knows that disaster lurks. How does the genealogy researcher verify a disaster when it happens or happened? Looking on line is helpful, too.  The genealogy researcher will find that the website gendisasters.com has a whole slew of unfortunate events. Genealogists may like that train wrecks are covered on the website Danger Ahead--historic railway disasters. There are lots of sites for Airplane crash histories. The plagues like the Great Influenza Pandemic of 1918 have entire websites dedicated to records, news and details. Hijackings have websites that detail everything about them. Volcanos have their own. The topics of disasters are fascinating for many, including for the genealogy researcher. Some genealogists may be fascinated by the law. When disasters strike, there are often accompanying lawsuits. There are government records that call for genealogy researcher to look at the federal level either on line or in repositories around the country. There are criminal cases with records stored in courthouses at the municipal, local, regional and federal level. There are so many ways for the genealogist to find disaster details. There are universities such as Millersville in Kansas and University of Delaware with Disaster Research and analysis centers. The genealogy researcher may even search through The International Journal of Mass Emergencies and Disasters (IJMED) which is published by the International Research Committee on Disasters, which is RC 39 of the International Sociological Association (ISA). Take the fireworks industry. It could be said that that industry is an accident waiting to happen. And it was: entire branches of these families have been cut down by badly timed blasts or explosions in the factory. Almost every American fireworks family has at least one of those stories. The genealogy researcher will find that newspaper accounts are dependable ways to find the details, dates and people involved. The Grucci family, America’s fireworks experts, lost several reigning members in a huge explosion at the factory in 1983.  One hundred nearby homes were damaged and the owner’s 42 year old son and 19 year old niece were killed. The event was so stunning that the genealogy researcher will find that every local and regional newspaper reported on it. Did you hear stories of an ancestor surviving something awful? Was there a family story about a storm, crash, disease or such? Let our RecordClick professional genealogists get the details for you and more. Contact us to have our genealogy researchers begin and/or enhance your family’s story. #### When Etymology Meets German Genealogy, Ancestors Are Found Face it, Germans are intimidating. On one trip to Europe, my husband and I took a flight on Ryan Air, a truly budget airline. A number of flights destined for several European cities were scheduled to take off around the same time. Passengers crowded around the boarding areas in anticipation of getting on their flights . . . except for the Germans; they lined up in a nice queue. The German language is not as orderly as their queue, but some of the words end up being almost as long; however, with a little patience and some tips, it can be understood. One of the first hurdles this RecordClick genealogist learned to overcome, when researching German ancestors, was the language. The good news is that family history researchers do not need to be fluent in the language to work with the language. Four things to be aware of in working with the German language and genealogy are: Vocabulary Spelling Pronunciation Grammar Vocabulary When it comes to vocabulary, I am interested in German genealogy – Genealogie. Many times I do research at a library – Bibliothek – or archives – Archiv. To remember Bibliothek, just remember the Bible; they have the same root word. A good many of the words we use are derived from German, while German and English are derived from the same language – Greek or Latin. Help can come in the form of a German/English dictionary or phrase book. Spelling and Pronunciation Then, there is spelling and pronunciation. I recently realized that I knew something about the German language that I didn’t know I knew . . . something I have known all along. My dad didn't teach me how to speak the language, but he did teach me something about the language when he pronounced and spelled the names, and that is useful. The German pronounce "ie" as a long "e," while "ei" is pronounced as a long "I." I have g-grandparents Riepe – pronounced "Ree-pee," and g-g-grandparents Heitmeier, "Height-my-er." As a family researcher, take a look at the names and how they might help in learning about the language. The "W" is pronounced with a "V" sound, which is actually pronounced more like an "F," while "J"s are pronounced as "Y"s. There is also the pesky umlaut - two dots over a vowel - that changes the letter into a sound not found in the English language. Most of my German last names have come down pretty much intact – except for the ones with the umlaut. One of the names, Gössling, with the umlaut over the "o," is rarely spelled the same way twice. The double "ss" takes on a different sound as well – something like a "z." Grammar German grammar can be tricky, but then so can English grammar. Don’t panic. Start with nouns. Lots of time the Germans like to capitalize a noun – it needn't be proper, and it can be anywhere in a sentence. Quite often the noun is at the beginning of a sentence, and the descriptions follow it. Remember that the Germans, like almost every nationality, may have more than one way of saying something. Let’s take a look at birth records: Geboren : Born (Don’t be surprised to see Geboren abbreviated Geb.) Geburt : Birth Geburten : Births Geburtsbuch : Birth Records or Birth Book Geburtsregister : Birth Records or Birth Register Getaufte : Children Christened Getaufte Kinder : Children Christened (Think of the "kinder" in "kindergarten.") Taufe : Christening (See the “tauf” in Getaufte?) Taufen : Christenings (Add an "n" and it's plural.) Taufbuch : Christening Records or Christening Book Taufregister : Christening Records or Christening Register Some of the other terms that may be of interest to the genealogist are: Ehen : Marriages ("n" makes it plural) Heiraten : Marriages Trauungen : Marriages Standesamtliche Trauung : Civil Marriage (the noun is capitalized) Tod : Death Sterben : Die Gestorben : Dead Often death is abbreviated Gest. on German tombstones here in the United States. A number of books are available to assist the family genealogist in researching German records. One that I have found helpful is Deciphering Handwriting in German Documents (GIRT publications, 2001) by Rogert P. Minert. The book is comprehensive in analyzing vital records written in Germany. It lists terms, gives numerous examples of the various records with many pictures and translations. He also delves into grammar and handwriting. Minert is a professor at Brigham Young University with extensive research in German records. Also available is The German Research Companion (Lorelei Press) by Shirley J. Riemer, Roger P. Minert, and Jennifer A. Anderson. Are you still a little apprehensive about delving into your German ancestry? The expert, and friendly, genealogists at RecordClick are ready to help. We have professional genealogists in Germany who can assist with German family research and language questions, or search for that illusive document you need. #### When Genealogists Ask About Jane O'Meara Sanders Ancestry, Local Newspapers Answer This professional genealogist has found that Jane O’Meara Sanders, (b. Mary Jane O'Meara, October 8, 1950) potential first lady and wife of presidential candidate Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders #FeeltheBern is a good example of someone whose family history details are helped by historic local newspapers. Jane O’Meara Sanders, originally from Brooklyn, New York, is of Irish heritage. Jane is the youngest of five children and the only daughter of Benedict Patrick O’Meara and Bernadette Joan Sheridan (b. June 8, 1915, d. April 29, 2005 ). This genealogist first found her parents Benedict and Bernadette in the 1940 U.S. Census. In a time when many households consisted of more than one generation, Jane’s parents and their eldest son Benedict, Jr., age 1, (b. 1939. d. 1966) were living with her mother Bernadette’s parents, Francis (Frank) and Mary Donovan Sheridan, at 196 Prospect Place in Brooklyn. Looking in New York City Newspapers This genealogist is going to digress for a moment. New York City has been a city known for its newspapers. The first two that come to mind are The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. They are known for coverage that goes beyond New York and includes the world, national and economic news. However, when a genealogist searches for historic local New York City news, finding it is not so simple. When you hire a genealogist, especially one who specializes in New York area ancestry research, you will most likely get someone who knows that over the years there have been many newspapers that have come and gone. The New-York tribune and Evening World are two of the historic papers that a genealogist will likely search. Ah, and the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, first published in the 1840s, is probably this family history researcher’s favorite New York City newspaper. This Brooklyn paper became one of the first online newspaper digitization projects. A regular “small” town publication, it contains plenty of local happenings and personal items. For any genealogy researcher looking into Brooklyn, it is a readily accessed online treasure trove. Now back to Presidential candidate Bernie’s wife and possible first lady, Jane. Brooklyn News Reports on the Family In the Sunday, February 27, 1938 edition of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle this genealogist has found a nice notice that includes a picture and announces the recent marriage of Miss Bernadette Joan Sheridan of 196 Prospect Place to Mr. Benedict P. O’Meara of 96 Decatur Street. Next, I located Jane’s parents when they were young in the 1930 U.S. Census. This genealogist first found her father’s extended O’Meara family at 96 Decatur Street: O’Meara, Patrick B., head, 63 O’Meara, Julia A., wife, 45 O’Meara, Mary E., daughter, 21 O’Meara, Benedict, son, 18 King, Edward A., brother-in-law, 49 King, Lillian E., sister-in-law, 42 Then, as my ancestry research continued, I found Jane’s maternal grandparents and the Sheridan family in the same 1930 U.S. Census living at 196 Prospect Place: Sheridan, Francis, head, 45 Sheridan, Mary F., wife, 45 Sheridan, Francis, son, 20 Sheridan, Gerard, son, 16 Sheridan, Bernadette, daughter, 14 While most everyone doing professional genealogy research knows that a census provides vital information, a newspaper such as the Brooklyn Daily Eagle tells the family historian more. One article reported in the Friday July 12, 1935 issue that Edward King, a brother of Julia O’Meara had died. From this article in the local newspaper, one doing professional ancestry research now knows the name of the church that the family attended. One also knows the location of the burial as well as names of family members. Active in his community and proud of his heritage, Jane’s paternal grandfather Patrick B. O’Meara is a bit more interesting. The January 2, 1944 edition of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle states that he died on Dec. 30, 1943. It also notes that he was the beloved husband of Julia A. and “the devoted father of Thomas, Edward, Benedict, Sister M. Audrey S.S.J., Mrs. Samuel McNell, and Mrs. Joseph Nelson.” Mass was held at Our Lady of Victory Roman Catholic Church with burial reported to have taken place at Holy Cross Cemetery. When you hire a genealogist for professional ancestry research, you will likely get someone who knows how to find out if a cemetery keeps an updated online list of burials. In the case of Jane’s family’s cemetery in Brooklyn, this genealogist has confirmed that the records are, indeed, online. Following the obituary in the local Brooklyn newspaper, there is a notice from The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Brooklyn announcing the death of their member--and former president--Patrick B. O’Meara. By going through the newspaper, this professional ancestry researcher has discovered that Jane’s grandfather, Patrick B. O’Meara, was very involved in The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Brooklyn organization and held the presidency as well as several additional positions. With a bit o’ digging, this genealogist has found the history of this organization which includes the fact that it goes back to the 1700s. Membership includes businessmen and notables of the community. In addition to remembering their heritage, philanthropy plays a role for the members of The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. By understanding more about The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, one can see that participation in this group is a good reflection on Jane’s ancestors--Patrick B. O’Meara and his family. Challenges for a Professional Genealogist When a genealogist like me does this type of research, these are three constant struggles: Never enough time. Taking a quick glance. Assuming the usual. These things may also lead some genealogists to short cuts that can next lead to errors or the missing of a good family history tale. When you hire a genealogist from the RecordClick professional genealogy service, you will get ancestry research that goes beyond the usual. Our network of genealogists in the United States and around the world will conduct research that will bring you details of your family story that you don’t yet know. #### When It Comes to Choosing Baby Names to Continue Your Lineage – Consider a Revolutionary Approach If we ask ourselves the question that William Shakespeare penned hundreds of years ago -- "So what's in a name?" that which we call a rose. By any other name would smell as sweet…" -- then we are to believe that a name doesn't really mean a lot. What is important is what something is, not what it is called. If that's the case, why then do we spend so much time nowadays trying to figure out the perfect name for our children? The hype for creative names is a fairly recent trend. Leading up to the 20th Century, our American ancestors (comprising a multitude of cultures) followed a fairly simple format. Oldest sons were given their paternal grandfather's name, the next oldest son was given his father's name, and later sons were named for their father's brothers. This worked fine in families with a lot of children, which was usually the case back in the day. While the format was simple for our ancestors, it gives genealogists headaches because they have to spend a lot more time and energy wading through identical names over many generations – a process that is confusing and time consuming. The 1900s ushered in innovation, and with it, innovative names. The competition among favorite first names is like watching racehorses jockey for position. From 1880 to 1930 John and Mary won across the board for favorite names. Not until 1930 did Robert nose ahead of John, while Mary continued as the favorite girl's name for two more decades. Mary was edged out by Linda, who became the front runner in the 1950s. It was in the mid-20th Century, however, when creative baby names really hit the home stretch. The popularity of some of these names has followed such viral trends as to signal a person's birth date within a year or two. Just for grins, I have included favorite baby names according to decade, starting with the 1880s. This list was culled courtesy of BabyCenter.com. 1880: John and Mary 1890: John and Mary 1900: John and Mary 1910: John and Mary 1920: John and Mary 1930: Robert and Mary 1940: James and Mary 1950: James and Linda 1960: David and Mary 1970: Michael and Jennifer 1980: Michael and Jennifer 1990: Michael and Jessica 2000: Michael and Hannah 2010: Aiden and Sophia Aiden and Sophia continued to hold their first place position in 2011. What the top names for 2012 will be is anyone's guess. What are your Win Bet names for this year? As enthralled as parents are today to find the perfect name for their child, you would not have found parents back in the Middle Ages thumbing through parchment manuscripts looking for a trendy name for little Junior born in 1225. Likewise, these sorts of lists would not have been as interesting then as they are now. For the most part, our distant ancestors chose names for their children based on cultural or regional rules. The Spanish gave their children two names (separated by "y" meaning "and"), one from each parent. The French and Italian added a "de" or "di" (meaning "of" or "from"), respectively, in between the first and last name to explain the child's family or town connection. The Scottish and Irish used Mac and Mc to indicate "son of;" while the Polish used icz, -wicz, and –ycz to do the same thing. What a difference a thousand years makes. Parents today read magazines, lists, and polls of popular names; they watch Entertainment Tonight to see what celebrities are naming their children, and additionally study the derivation and meaning of each name so that their progeny will begin life with a positive label. So in the end, it's the parents' responsibility to choose either a worthy and suitable name for their offspring, or some obnoxious moniker (that seemed "cool" at the time) that will saddle the child with a lifetime of teasing. That means it is important not to fall under the spell of some celebrities who have chosen "special" names for their children. For example: Sylvester Stallone named his child Sage Moonblood; Michael Jackson's younger son is Blanket, while Michael's brother Jermaine named his child Jermajesty; Penn Jilette chose Moxie Crimefighter; and Shannyn Sossamon named her child Audio Silence. The winner of all time, however, is Frank Zappa who named his children: Moon Unit, Dweezil, and Diva Thin Muffin. So where does this leave expectant parents on this 236th anniversary of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence? Well, upcoming parents are actually in a perfect position to name their child (boy or girl) after a Revolutionary War Patriot, thus proving that they and their offspring are Rebels, Revolutionaries, and True Americans. This is a perfect chance for American parents to move away from Jacob, Mason, Heather, and Tiffany, and select fresh new Revolutionary names. Trust me, there were plenty of Patriots with regular names, such as Robert, Edward, Peter, and John, but for the sake of rebellion and trendiness, I will list a few boys' names that are unique by today's standards and also happen to be the first names of Revolutionary War Patriots. How do these strike you: Jeremiah, Sterling, Burwell, Zalmon, Hezekiah, Goin, Zadok, Philemon, and my all-time favorite – Narcissus. Frankly, Narcissus is a perfect name for a lot of men today; it is of Greek derivation and means egoism, vanity, conceit, self-love, and self-absorption. Most of Colonial girls' names, such as Abigail, Grace, Deborah, and Anna, paled in comparison to other popular names, such as Comfort, Temperance, Remember, Thankful, Mercy, Modesty, Patience, and Verity. Names like Hepzubah and Electa would do well for female rock stars today. Don't think for a second that Colonial females with names evoking the fairer sex did not aid in the fight for American Independence; there were a number of Patriots in petticoats who fought valiantly or used their smarts to achieve Freedom for the colonies. Nanyehi was the daughter of a Cherokee mother and a white father. Known to non-Native Americans as Nancy Ward, Nanyehi was called "Beloved Woman" by the Cherokee Nation; she served as the head of the Women's Council and a member of the Council of Chiefs. While the Cherokee were split between the two sides during the American Revolution, Nancy took up the cause for American settlers and soldiers, providing them with advanced warning of enemy attacks. Sybil Luddington, also known as the "Female Paul Revere," rode about 40 miles through New York Counties Putnam and Duchess to warn the militia that British troops were burning Danbury, Connecticut (a Patriot supply center). Luddington's name is spelled a number of ways: her tombstone is etched with "Sibbell," the 1810 census lists her as "Sibel," and her sister spelled her name "Sebil." The Patriot preferred "Sebal," and even signed her Revolutionary War pension application with that spelling. Mercy Otis Warren is credited with writing the first history of the Revolutionary War, using the notes she took during the meetings of the Committee of Correspondence, which was convened in her house. Her book was titled History of the Rise, Progress, and Termination of the American Revolution and published in 1805. Mercy also wrote six plays – one of which was titled The Blockheads – all of which made fun of the British, which was a punishable offense. Prudence Wright rallied the women of Groton, Massachusetts, to don men's clothing and arm themselves with weapons, including pitchforks, to defend the bridge leading into town. The women hid and watched to see where the British hid their secret messages. Once the enemy had passed, the women intercepted the messages and passed them on to the local Patriot Committee of Safety. American-born Patience Wright, who was best known for her molded wax sculptures, was also a painter and poetess. Reported to be a Quaker and a vegetarian, Patience was also known for her salty language. She moved to England in 1772 to pursue her artwork as an occupation, sculpting King George III, as well as other members of British royalty and nobility. When the American Revolution commenced in 1776, Patience made the decision to remain in England, where she busied herself as a spy for the Patriot cause – she collected information from her patrons, which she secreted inside her wax figures bound for her sister's waxworks in nascent America. It just may be that either you or someone you know is expecting a baby. Whether it is a friend or a family member, it matters not, because when it comes to naming a baby, we all have our two cents to put in on what it should be. This 4th of July, think in a Revolutionary way. We need a little more Comfort, Mercy, Modesty, Patience, and Verity in this world of ours . . . don't you agree? For help with your ancestry research, speak to a professional genealogist today. #### When It Comes to Forensic Genealogy: The Queen Is King - Dee Dee King Record Click is thankful to Dee Dee King for agreeing to share her expertise in forensic genealogy. A professional genealogist since 2003, King specializes in forensic genealogy services and kinship determination in heirship matters. She is a founding member of the Council for the Advancement of Forensic Genealogy (CAFG), as well as founding president of the Lone Star Chapter of the Association of Professional Genealogists. RC: What is "forensic genealogy?" DDK: The definition to which I subscribe, and the definition that was adopted by the Council for the Advancement of Forensic Genealogy (CAFG) is: "Forensic genealogy is genealogical research, analysis, and reporting in cases with legal implications." Prior to 2007, I could find no definitions of the broad scope of forensic genealogy. There were definitions that dealt with partial aspects, but not the whole potential of the field. Reverse genealogy, genealogy that involves the living, the use of high tech methods to solve cases - these were some of the definitions that folks provided in the discussions. Another was genealogy that intersects with the law. I was assigned my first forensic case in January of 2007. The only advice or help one could get at that point was either from a personal mentor or from the various genealogy listservs (a program that automatically sends messages to multiple addresses on an email list). No one who responded to my queries could provide a definition of "forensic genealogy." There were examples of what could be forensic work, probate, missing heirs, military repatriation, etc. There were examples of advanced skills a forensic genealogist might use, photograph identification, DNA, etc. But no one offered a broad definition that seemed to encompass what the emerging specialty was and how it was different from “regular” genealogy. In late 2007 and early 2008, a lengthy discussion was held on the Association of Professional Genealogists' (APG) list in which many members attempted a movement to define the various genealogical specialties. Forensic genealogy was one of those topics. The definition I mentioned earlier is what evolved after I spent several weeks researching the forensic sciences and the definitions and terminology that those professionals use. A very few people have expressed displeasure with the CAFG definition, but the majority of genealogists I’ve spoken with, and certainly those in the legal community, think the definition is fitting. RC: What is the difference in methodology between "forensic" genealogy and traditional "ancestral" genealogy? DDK: Many people consider traditional ancestral genealogy to have a starting point of one living person and moving back through the generations to identify ancestors and collateral lines. Some forensic cases also start with a living person and move back to a defined point in time - the ancestor who originally owned a piece or land or mineral royalty. Some cases start with a recently deceased person and work through the parents, grandparents, or ggreat-grandparentsto bring lines forward to living persons who would be heirs at law of the deceased person. The genealogical proof standard and other professional standards are perhaps more important in cases with legal implications. A family genealogy can always be revised and updated. However, a judgment to distribute the assets of an estate is not easily revised after the final actions have been taken, but then a new heir is discovered. Much forensic genealogy also requires making the connections from deceased persons to specific people who are living today. The standards of proof for court cases may be somewhat different from the standards of proof in “regular” genealogy cases. For example: In most forensic cases, we are not adding the “flesh to the bones” as we would in a four-generation kinship determination. We’re instead looking for supporting evidence to answer very specific questions, such as, who are two potential mtDNA donors in a military repatriation case. (mtDNA; mitochondrial DNA testing is used to trace a direct maternal line.) RC: What are some of the issues that forensic genealogists confront? DDK: As with all genealogists and historians, records access is an ongoing concern. If original vital records are closed to us, then derivative records like the Social Security Death Master File (SSDI) are crucial. Forensic genealogists have more potential liabilities than do family historians. Deadlines may be more demanding in forensic cases. Our reporting and documentation skills may come under greater scrutiny. There may be adversaries with interests different than those who hired us. RC: Who are the most common clients of forensic genealogists? DDK: Attorneys have historically been the most likely to retain the services of a forensic genealogist. However, as we advance knowledge about the profession, more entities recognize us as a valuable resource. Both federal and state agencies have advertised Requests for Proposals or Quotes for our services in recent years. Individuals and groups are hiring forensic genealogists to research, analyze, and report on their interests. RC: What preparation should genealogists do in order to specialize in forensic genealogy? DDK: Both CAFG and I believe that forensic genealogy is an advanced specialty, and not a gateway from hobbyist into professional genealogy. Attorneys, government agencies, people looking for an expert will all carefully review a résumé for education, experience, and credentials, which are very important. Anyone looking for an expert in genealogy or a person who qualifies as an expert witness will consider whether or not a candidate has credentials. Given the importance of credentials, a person pursuing a career in forensic genealogy should pursue the intermediate and advanced courses, particularly those that demonstrate knowledge above that of a layperson or hobbyist. These courses might be advanced methodology and evidence analysis, government documents, and forensic courses. Three courses of instruction debuted this year that specifically address forensic genealogy. Forensic Genealogy Institute, sponsored by the CCAFG, offers 20 hours of significant hands-on instruction with real-world work examples, resources, sample forms, and work materials. Graduates of the Institute receive a Forensic Genealogy Institute Certificate of Completion. See website for upcoming dates. Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy is offering its next SLIG Institute January 14-18, 2013. It will be organized into 10-12 subjects, called "tracks." The foremost experts in the field for each subject provide students with at least 20 hours of in-depth instruction on their topic. Genealogical Research Programs, through the Boston University Center for Professional Education, include coverage of Foundations of Genealogical Research; Problem-Solving Techniques and Technology; Evidence Evaluation and Documentation; Forensic Genealogical Research; Professional Genealogy. Classes commence Spring 2013. RC: What advice would you give a genealogist who is considering a career in forensic genealogy? DDK: This specialty can provide a good living, but it is not an overnight process and does require preparation through education, experience and credentialing. I believe one should have a minimum of two solid years in heavy client work, dealing with contracts, researching and analyzing complex issues, and managing large amounts of documentation before considering the acceptance of a difficult forensic case. RC: I think it is VERY interesting that CAFG members don't work on a contingency fee basis. Do you think a forensic genealogist can remain objective and still accept payment on a contingency basis? DDK: There are some forensic genealogists who probably can remain unbiased while working on a contingency fee basis. However, it is the perception of bias that can be introduced by the “other side” that casts doubt on the opinions of the genealogist, or works to have her/him impeached as an expert witness. Virtually every jurisdiction in this country prohibits paying expert witnesses on a contingency fee basis. Many legal procedures include questioning a witness regarding their ties to the case or if they will receive any payment that is dependent upon how the court rules. Approximately 30 states have champerty laws that are still on the books. (Champerty is when a claimant and his/her lawyer agree that fees paid will depend on the amount of money recovered in the action.) For these reasons, and more, CAFG shows the following exemplar: Using methodology and ethics consistent with the highest standards of the profession, Forensic Genealogy is conducted by unbiased, disinterested, third party practitioners with no personal or professional stake in the outcome. RC: Is the CAFG the first of its kind? Were there no regulations or policies prior to 2011? DDK: As far as I know, CAFG was the first membership organization for professional genealogists that set educational and experience standards for membership, offered a mentor program, and provided a career ladder opportunity. Our Standards of Practice and Conduct are in many ways similar to ethics policies of other genealogical organizations. CAFG did incorporate the standard of avoiding contingency-based work to avoid those pitfalls mentioned above. Another reason is that CAFG encourages members to always work to the standards the courts expect of expert witnesses. A simple case today could turn into a complex case in which the genealogist is required to appear as an expert, or a circumstance in which the genealogist is challenged as an expert. Always working toward the standards as an expert witness simply removes all those other pitfalls. RC: Why did you personally choose to enter the realm of forensic genealogy? DDK: Even as a young child, my ambition was to grow up to become an attorney, perhaps later a judge. The law and the legal process are fascinating. After several years of conducting family history research, legal cases appeared to hold the possibility of more meaningful work product. Forensic genealogy appeared to allow one to charge higher rates for services. I (mistakenly) thought dealing with the legal system and attorneys might be easier than “regular” client work. RC: You are a contract genealogist with the US Navy Casualty POW/MIA Branch. Would you tell us more about that? DDK: Certainly. The Military services each contract with professional genealogists to update case files of "Unaccounted-For" service members who failed to return from past wars and conflicts (WWII through the Gulf War). I have the privilege of providing this service to the US Navy. I do in-depth research to develop a limited family tree that identifies legal primary next-of-kin for unidentified service members, and I decipher which family members are eligible for DNA testing for ancestry. RC: What a rewarding project. I understand that you received the Group Achievement Award from the Department of Defense in October of 2011. Congratulations! What has been your most interesting case to date? DDK: All of the forensic cases have been very interesting, but the Navy repatriation cases are the most rewarding. The most meaningful must certainly be one of the first Navy cases assigned to me. Through my research, the Navy made a positive identification of remains in just one year. I was able to attend the family identification meeting with the head of Navy Mortuary Affairs. It was a truly remarkable event. RC: Other than the legal or military communities, who might be a client of your services? DDK: The CAFG Hire-A-Pro page lists many possibilities: Probate and estate cases - known heirs, unknown heirs, missing heirs Heirs and beneficiaries of trust and insurance accounts Due diligence affidavits Next of kin in guardianship cases, youth transitioning from foster care, adoption Capital mitigation in death sentence cases Immigration and citizenship cases Civil pension, Social Security, and veteran's benefits Land issues involving title, adverse possession, rights of way, lis pendens, or muniment of title Oil, gas, and mineral royalties Identification and location of next of kin or DNA donors in matters involving unclaimed decedents or POW/MIA personnel repatriation Identification of next of kin prior to cemetery removals Provenance, class action claimants, intellectual pproperty rights There are undoubtedly more opportunities. For those of you pursuing a career in forensic genealogy, just bear in mind, the process requires preparation through education, experience, and credentials. For those of you interested in building your genealogy tree, acquiring genealogy ancestry services, or ordering DNA genealogy testing, contact Record Click for assistance. #### When Searched By a Genealogy Researcher, Business Info Can Boom When the genealogy researcher wants to find an ancestor's business, business directories are a great help. Recently it was announced that the fabled toy store F.A.O Schwarz plans to close its Fifth Avenue doors. With that in mind, this genealogist is going to look at the ways that business brings new information to the family history search. Many a genealogy researcher has searched for family business histories as a way to add to the ancestral story. Businesses add a big boom to document the lives of family tree members and help get a better picture of the family history time line. F.A.O. Schwarz is 145 years old now. Sounds like a very old ancestor, no? The genealogy researcher will know that many businesses were and are still named for their owners. The toy store owner was listed in the 1800s in business directories. If a company has a relative’s name, the genealogist should know automatically that this may lead to more documentation--unless your family name is Burger King. Well, the MacDonald family members certainly have early company records.  And so do so many other American and worldwide business and family entities. Online, the genealogy researcher will find information that shows Frederick August Otto Schwarz  (b. October 18, 1836, d. May 17, 1911) was born in Herford, Westphalia, a German province, to Frederick Schwarz, a jeweler, and Frederica Rothe Schwarz. Schwarz immigrated to the United States in 1856 and settled in Baltimore, where he had two older brothers. He joined his brothers’ business as an apprentice. In 1862, after six years he became a partner in the business. In 1862, Schwarz married Caroline Clausen of New York City. He then moved to New York and opened a store in New York City in 1870. This genealogy researcher found that Goulding’s Business Directory for New York City has listings for Frederick AO Schwarz at 765 Broadway. The directories have many years of listings and all are found on line, easily. One may also go to the hard copies of business directory volumes that are in the New York Public Library holdings. Business directories are available locally and nationally. There are a number of publishers of these volumes. In New York City, Goulding's was one of them. Trow's was another. Keep searching and you'll find so many! The genealogist will find many online and digitized so you can just scroll through them on screen. Local libraries, such as the New York Public Library in New York City or even the Ridgewood Public Library in Ridgewood, New Jersey, have archives that a genealogist may use to find business directories going way back in the local area. Listings in many business directories will help the genealogist find F.A.O. and his company of Schwarz Brothers. Which brothers? The relevant census often can confirm for the genealogist both an ancestor’s profession and family members. The genealogist can track the business history through business directories and later on, through local phone books. We can see that in 1876, F.A.O. opened a second shop in New York City. Locations changed and increased with the current famous Fifth Avenue location coming in 1986. (A business directory also listed him in 1941 at 243 S Contr Rd. 745 5th West Palm Beach!) There will be more, although the Schwarz family is long gone from the operation. Who knows which ancestor of the founder might want to do family history research? When that person is ready, he or she should contact the professional genealogy researchers at RecordClick. When you hire a genealogist at RecordClick, you get the full story, all the locations and an exciting picture of what was and what is continuing. #### When the Genealogist Comes Across an Unusual Nickname Most every genealogist has to know already that Jim is a James and Tom is a Thomas. Babs is for Barbara and Cindy is for Cynthia. These are traditional nicknames, of which there are a host of on line indexes that can help verify variations on a name or nicknaming trends. The genealogist may go a bit out of the box with a Ving for Irving or a Cookie for Carol. Lately, this genealogy researcher has come across some doozies that would never make a regular genealogy research index! Where did this genealogist find these freaky monikers? These recent sightings happened to have popped up in random obits. They were deep in the story of the person who had just passed away. The surviving family members, in their grief, provided wonderful documentation for the genealogist of the future. Ready? Some nicknames are shortened versions, others are very funny.Photo Credit: Appellation Mountain How many Jizzies do you know? She is the spouse of someone who died last week. Fuzzy was famous. He had a headline article about his life in the New York Times. He was a football player.  The obit told future genealogist that he’d had his name since childhood. Duh. Wouldn’t have thunk an adult would have made that one up, would you? Fuzzy? Really? Sports players have lots of good ones. You can actually find lists of Baseball players’ nicknames on line. That way you can get the real names of Goober and Bump and Witto. This genealogist thinks that adults make those ones up. Maybe. Could be more documentation that sports fans are in their own universe. There happens to be a Tuffy in the family of this genealogist. Betcha no one in his professional or adult life will know him by that name. But his many brothers ONLY call him that. Families have lots of funny nicknames that never appear in the traditional path of the genealogist or ancestry researcher. A Lammie isn’t likely to be on the birth certificate or marriage certificate of an accomplished doctor. Most likely won’t be in that person's published professional papers or a property deed. Little Wrecker is never going to be on the census for the genealogist to find. Might be mentioned in loads of family letters, though. How does a genealogist search for and uncover these unusual names in a family tree? Here are some additional ways for a genealogist to find funny nicknames: In person Interviews School Records Newspaper articles Letters Medical records Obituaries On line memory book (comments section) Sorority and Fraternity records Military records Sports team records websites like AppelationMountain These names will likely pique the interest of the genealogist who is talking with ancestors. Make note, dear genealogist. Listen carefully! Read a lot! You never know when you might hear a Moo or a Boo. A professional genealogist from RecordClick will find the names of your ancestors—whatever they may have been. When you hire a RecordClick genealogist, you get the skills that will get the answers and uncover new material. #### When the Genealogist Likes to Write There is something that happens when a genealogist gets the answers. Information missing for years becomes knowledge and understanding in the hands of the genealogy researcher. People and places lost to time and busy lives revive. Family secrets, long held, may slowly be revealed. When the genealogist accumulates such an ancestral--and emotional--treasure trove, what does one do? Many will make family trees. Drawn and digitized. Some craft elaborate hand-drawn trees with many branches. Others compile intricate lists and charts and store them on computer. Then, there is writer Jacob M. Appel. He has chosen to incorporate his family history research into words and stories. He creates narratives for the family answers he has found. In his most recent book, Phoning Home, essays published by South Carolina University Press, 2014, Appel weaves in his family’s details from their old world of Denmark into their new place in America. But this is no ordinary family tree or story.  Appel’s is one imbued with genius, colorful and humorous. The reader understands the findings of the genealogy researcher and from this can see Appel's genetic genealogy. Revealed is the Holocaust history, the lineage of talent, the professions old and new. He explores his grandfathers and his great grandfathers. He gives details on the family’s holiday celebrations. He details the foods they ate. He tells the secrets they kept. He explores lost loves. This is no ordinary family tree. And yet,  it is. Some genealogists have writing talent. They make family books and hand them out at family reunions. My ex-husband’s third cousin who just died had done this for the family. These family history researcher treasures are special editions. Limited in their numbers, they are written just for descendants. Upon that relative's passing, everyone remembered his contribution to that family's ancestry. His limited edition had mini black and white portraits of each member of the official Family Circle. There was a time line and an acutal family tree. Everything was bound in a white hard cover with gold lettering on the front. This Cousin Herb never republished it. The family's new generations will have another thing to inherit from their parents. Hopefully, they will spawn a genealogy researcher or two. Appel, on the other hand, is truly a smart cookie of a genealogist. Author Jacom M. Appel takes genealogy resarch and makes it a fun and creative voice of the genealogist He’s making money on them. The silent agreement is that the world will know all about his family’s stories. Would my ancestors tolerate that? If they were dead, perhaps. Appel makes meaning. He takes the found records and gives them life. He redraws the picture of the men learning a trade or getting married and colors it all in--vividly. His family members seem like people you know in your own genealogy research. You are in his world but also your world for the time you are reading this little gem of a book. Appel helps every genealogy researcher see what is possible. He gives permission to every family history researcher who has been hiding in the documents. We, too, can make a story. When we see who Jacob M. Appel is and who he has become, every genealogist can be inspired. Voice in the genealogy is sometimes the missing link. with this writer, we can see what is possible. And we can enjoy his vision of present, past and future. It provides the depth of spirit and joy in the ancestral information that most of us always hope to make. A RecordClick genealogist will write your family history for you. RecordClick's professional genealogists do the research and writing and put it all together for your family. #### When You Trace Family Trees - "Will" You Find Key Information? "Probate"ly When working to trace family trees, it commonplace for a family genealogist not to find the information they are looking for in a specific ancestor search. A genealogist may tap a number of records for a particular ancestor search, however, in the event a family history researcher does not find the desired information within a particular resource, they are going to run smack dab into a brick wall. That's not good, but what is good is the fact that there is more to the ancestor search process than birth, marriage, death, and land records housed at the courthouse. Another wellspring of ancestor research information exists in will and probate records, which also give valuable insight into a family. That is where this story begins. I have a great-great Uncle Joe. An older brother of my great grandfather James, Joe is easy to forget. Born in 1846, he saw service in the Civil War; however, his military record is mostly "pay records." He married "Sarah" in 1868 in New York, and the couple moved to Nebraska around the same time as Joe’s parents, Luke and Margaret, homesteading in 1870. The homestead records provide basic information – nothing exceptional. Joe and Sarah had no children. Sarah died in late 1883, and Joe died in March of 1884, which was reported in the Wahoo Independent on March 27, 1884: "(Joe) was an old resident of the county and highly respected by those who were acquainted with him. He served in war and was a brave soldier – always doing his duty. He lost his wife about six months ago and this loss deeply affected him. He leaves some relatives." It was a sad situation, but not unusual, considering the time and place. Then there is the will. When I first saw Joe's probate packet in the courthouse, it looked like it had not been touched since the estate had been settled well more than 100 years ago. A ribbon around the packet was neatly tied, and the pages were yellowed with time. The first document was the will. It was signed on the 20th of March. Joe died on the 21st. In many ways, the will seemed to be standard – money and property were left to surviving family members - but it turned out to be much more. Joe's parents, Luke and Margaret, had a falling out and separated. In the will, Joe left a token amount of money to his father and other family members. To his mother he gave "...the use and proceeds of all my property both personal and real during her natural life...” That's the will. Then, there is the probate. The family and court settled the estate. In Joe's case I found out: Joe was a partner in a store. Receipts and debts had to be collected, paid, and tallied, so the partner could receive his fair share of the proceeds. Margaret was living in Kansas during the probate and didn’t really want to move back to Nebraska. James, who was living in Nebraska, desired to take over Joe’s farm. Family members got together and agreed to transfer Joe's homestead to James. It is a good story, and one any family history researcher would love to find. It's also a lesson well learned - don't just stop with the will - delve deeper into probate records, and you have a good chance of uncovering additional gems of information pertaining to your ancestor search. It has also been several years since I got the probate packet. I looked at it the first time, got the information I needed, put it back in the file folder, thinking that I was done with it - until something else came up. I looked at it again, finding a date or fact I had missed before. This has happened several times. I even transcribed parts of the probate to save on reading old handwriting. The good news for genealogists is that accessing probate records is becoming easier. FamilySearch has a few counties available online and more on microfilm that can be borrowed through a Family History Center. Some states have digitized at least some of the records for courthouse use. The method for accessing probate records can vary from state to state. To make things easier for family history researchers, wills and probates are usually indexed, and except for rare circumstances, are open to the public. They are typically found at a lower court, such as the county court level. There are some things a family historian should keep in mind when looking for a will or probate: In order have a probate, there has to be an estate. Often, if there is a probate, real estate is involved. If the deceased did not own much, the family rarely probated the estate. If a person dies intestate without a will, but has an estate, there are court procedures for handling the matter. If a person dies intestate, has an estate, but items of value, such as land or business, are jointly owned with another person, such as a spouse, there may not be a probate, because the land or business will automatically go to the other individual. Usually, the probate is handled in the county where the deceased was a resident. Genealogists can find a wealth of interesting information in probates, because although they can be settled in short order, they sometimes drag on for many years; and because they are court documents, each item dealt with in court is dated chronologically. Family members and their place of residence may be listed, so the genealogist can follow a family by noting deaths, name changes, and in some cases, the names of siblings, children, grandchildren, nieces or nephews. The professional genealogists at RecordClick have experience in finding and working with court documents, such as wills and probates, to help genealogical researchers with their ancestor search. If family history researchers need ideas on other ways to conduct their ancestor search, where to look , or help in obtaining records, consider RecordClick as your premier genealogy research service. RecordClick can help you trace family trees. #### Where in the World Was Carmen Sandiego? Let the Census Be Your Detective in Genealogy Research Most everyone reading this has probably heard of the 1990s PBS program Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego? The series taught its youthful audience about world geography and history as Acme Detective Agency gumshoes chased Carmen, a beautiful criminal, around the world. My daughters and I used to watch this show together. What grown-up family historian would not be captivated by a show about geography, history, and discovery -- even if it is marketed to preteens? Well maybe I am just a geek . . . oh yeah, I almost forgot, I am! To think, I was “hip” for about two minutes in time : - ) Whenever I explore a census to help build a family tree, I think of Carmen and the detectives searching the world for clues as to her whereabouts. This is because the census may just hold more clues to your genealogy than any other type of official document you will find; however, unlike the detectives pursuing Carmen, a census search doesn't happen at  breakneck speed. It is important for you to take time to contemplate, understand, and be amazed by the information available in the U.S. census, so that you can reap all the benefits of this resource. Having a census is like holding a genealogical gift right in the palm of your hand. It is the closet you can get with just a single document to understanding the life experiences of your ancestors. Reading a census can at times be a moving experience as you learn more about your ancestors’ lives. There's a lot more to a census than just names and places. Just glancing at the census, you can see a family's composition; the age and race of its members; their places of birth; where they were living, including the specific address of the family in the year the census was taken. Additionally, depending on the census, you might discover occupations, educational status, how long a couple was married, how many children a woman gave birth to, immigration year, value of real estate, value of the estate, and how people in the household were related to one other - that's just to name some of the significant genealogy research information that may be found in the census. If you want to know what detail is enumerated on each census, see About.com's coverage of this topic. Background of the United States Census Article 1, Section 2 of the Constitution mandates that a federal census be taken at least every 10 years. Our Founding Fathers saw this as a way to represent each state in federal government equitably and to collect taxes impartially. The first census in the United States was conducted in 1790 and has occurred every 10 years since then. After a census is taken, individual names on the census are not released for 72 years for privacy reasons. How census are designed and what questions are asked reflect the current interest of the nation. Though reasons for taking the census have broadened, the same founding principles remain the same -- to maintain the equitable representation and division of resources. Suggestions for Using the Census for Family Research These tips should help you use the census to your best advantage: 1.   Family researchers will probably have information on most of their kin who were alive in the previous generation, so start with the most recent census and work your way back as you to link families from one generation to the next. 2.   Use the census information, such as birth dates and places, to obtain vital record that will provide you with additional family information. 3.   Employ a 3-page rule -- look at the names of the census 3 pages before and 3 pages after your family’s listing in the census. If you find another family with the same surname, it could be these families are related. This is particularly true with census from the 1800s, since immigrant families tended to stay together and help each other “get on their feet.” You may also find the surnames of the spouses that children married in close proximity. For example, John Smith married Kathy Jones. The Jones may have lived a few blocks up the street from the Smiths. 4.   Until about the 1940s, it was typical for children to take care of their parents in their “golden years.” You may find these golden parents listed as a border/lodger, servant/domestic, or other type of employee. It is possible that the surname of this mysterious person living with the family may be different from the head of household, so you may not know if this is a family member or not. In cases like these, use the lodgers’ name and details to search for additional records to ascertain if this is a family member or not. Even a sibling - such as a married sister who was divorced or widowed and ended up living with another sibling - may have been listed as “lodger” as opposed to “sister.” 5.   Names can be a real issue when you are researching your family. There may have been possible nicknames or other name changes of which you are not aware. For example, the child “Jackie” on the 1920 census may be the adult ”Joaquin” on the 1940 census, or Sarah may be listed as “Sallie.” Visit the Common Nicknames page on the USGenWeb Project site for a list of names and their associated nicknames. Up until the last 20 or 30 years, women traditionally took their husband's surnames once they married. This makes it harder to trace women once they marry and leave their parents' home. Even in rare instances when a woman did not take her spouse's name, the census taker may still have listed her with her partner’s last name. Nancy gives some good advice about searching for female family members in her Are You Looking for Ladies blog. Naming variations can also knock you off track. For some advice on how to manage some of these variations, please see my blog Name Game Part One: Spelling Variations. 6.   Unfortunately, the Great Depression caused many families to split up in order to search for work. If you can’t find certain family members on the 1930 or 1940 census, they may have re-located to other individual family units or moved into households of various family or friends. In the event parents were unable to care for their children, those children may have been placed in orphanages or become foster children. You will have to search the census for these missing family members individually, as you may find them in a variety of households or institutions. 7.   When using online census, compare the digital image to the index and summary. The individual who indexed or summarized the record may have made mistakes in the spelling of names, or misreported key information. 8.   If it looks like your family, but birthplaces and ages don’t seem right, it could still be your family! The accuracy of the information is only as good as the skills of the census taker in taking the correct information, as well as the accuracy of the person providing the information. A child, housekeeper, or lodger may not have given the correct details, instead estimating or guessing at birth dates, spelling of names, and other vital information. For the past as well as the present, there are also a variety of reasons why some people may think they have to deceive a census taker. How to Access Free Census Records 1.   Libraries Most local, state, and university libraries keep census records in books and/or on microfilm. Through inter-library loan, you can order information your library may not have. 2.   National and State Archives You can search the National Archives website for the index numbers of documents and then view them at any of the National Archives locations throughout the country. Currently, the 1940 census is available to view and download on the National Archives "Getting Started" webpage. State Archives also have local, state, and national census collections. Many have searchable online indexes so you can order the item over the phone or view it at the Archives. Keep in mind though, not all documents at the Archives will be indexed, so you may have to visit the Archives and search through relevant materials 3.   LDS Family History Centers Federal and state censuses are available at Family Search Centers or online at Family Search. The centers are free and open to anyone doing research. Different sites have different resources, but if what you are looking for is unavailable at your local center, you can order it from the main Utah site. 4.   Local and State Genealogical and Historical Societies Local lineage or historical societies may have a center that you can visit to view and copy census records. These societies, which sometimes charge a small annual or daily user fee, can be very helpful, so it's worth checking local societies in your area. The staff is usually composed of knowledgeable volunteers or professional genealogists who are eager to help you. For expert help with your ancestry research and census research, speak to a professional genealogist today. #### Writing Your Family’s Genealogy Report (Step By Step) Regardless of which genealogy service you ordered, our genealogists understand the importance of writing accurate genealogical reports. After all, inside every genealogist is a hidden detective. Compiling a report about your family history automatically takes your search to the next level. This is a much better alternative than presenting your family history in the form of a chart that may not be too easy to understand. Each page of a genealogy report is solely dedicated to telling the life history of your loved ones - who they were, where they were born, whether they were married, where they worked, as well as providing other important information. We believe that the best family history is that which perfectly describes the lives of those who came before you. A genealogy report will enable you to leave a family legacy behind. This is not only important for your existing family members but also an important one for those who will come in future. The Importance of a Genealogy Report A genealogy report is a powerful investigative tool. It is written concurrently with family history research or after every research session. As such, it becomes easy to track personal research and share vital information about your ancestors. Multiple reports can be written on your family, depending on how much research is done. Family historians can spend a long period of time developing a family history. Sometimes, their best information may come from a report. This also makes it easy for future family members to conveniently pick up beneficial in information about their descendants. Types of Genealogy Reports Narrative Report - This report takes into account all parts of a family history. It is more expressive and biographical in nature and may not necessarily detail the research procedures that underscore it. Usually, these narratives include the story teller’s interpretations of events. Letter Report - Used to answer simple genealogical queries, this report details brief request that a professional researcher makes to a librarian or archivist in order for them to provide documents that will essentially further the research. Formal Report - Just like the title suggests, the formal report is written in a consciously-developed and professional manner. It represents expertise and reputation. A tone of familiarity or chattiness does not have any place here. Software Program Report - This report contains a summary of relevant information in a number of data fields. This report contains excellent supplements such as charts and graphs that further elaborates the information. Ultimate Steps for Writing Your Family’s Genealogy Report Although writing your family history report may seem like a daunting task, our experts are well-versed in the process. Worry not! You are in the best hands. We are well-equipped to find all the information that you seek. Here are 7 steps to writing your family’s genealogy report, step by step: 1. Choose a format for your family history We allow you to decide on the format that you envision for your research report. As discussed above, there are various formats to write a report. You may choose a narrative or factual report depending on the depth of information you are looking for. 2. Define the scope of your family history It is important to decide whether you want information about a particular relative or everyone who is part of your family tree. Thus, you should choose a focus for your report. You may include everyone who comes from the same descendant line or write about all of your general descendants. However, these suggestions are easily adapted to suit your interest. 3. Choose the right plot and themes The report should include the problems that your ancestors faced such as their immigration, survival during wartime and even how they rid of slavery. These are the best themes for any report, especially one that is written in a narrative nature. 4. Focus on background research Forget about dull and dry family histories. Instead, focusing on background research to ensure that the reader has an eye-witness perspective of your family history. It is best to have an idea of how far back you intend to go into research. You may want to create a story of your immediate family or alternatively, you can choose to begin with your great, great grandparents and slowly incorporate your family members. 5. Organize your research By creating a timeline or duration for every ancestor that is part of your report, it is easy to spot any mistakes that may be in your report. You can easily sort a number of photos or records for every ancestor, thereafter identify what should be included in the report. Once all the right decisions have been made, use the set timelines to create an outline for your report. It can be organized geographically, chronologically, by theme or character. 6. Choose where to begin You may choose to begin the report from interesting parts of your family history. Maybe you may choose a duration in which they escaped war or an era when an interesting invention was developed. Interesting facts make your report more exciting. Remember, you do not have to start writing your family history from the beginning, you are free to choose any starting point. 7. Include an index, source, and citations An index is an important feature of a genealogy report. It makes it easy to find the portions of the report for easy reading. As such, no level of confusion will be experienced. Once the report is completed, you can confidently sit back, relax and read it with pride. Our professionals will certainly enable you to meet all of our research objectives and encourage you to make strides in the right direction. Regardless of the kind of format that your report is in, it is important to have a backup copy and save it in a flexible manner so that you could access it anytime-anywhere. Thinking of writing a family history report? We're here to help you get all the answers that you need - step by step. #### YIVO Brings Pre-War Poland Alive For the Family History Researcher Every family history researcher doing a genealogical search yearns to time travel back to the “old world”.  If the genealogical researcher is doing an ancestor search in Poland, genealogical research in Eastern Europe or is a family history researcher looking at the Pale of Settlement, it is possible to go home to the 1700s, 1800s and 1900s—now! Genealogists can take a trip back in time with the newest online addition at the Institute for Jewish Research (YIVO): The YIVO Digital Archive on Jewish Life in Poland. This new web portal provides the family history researcher with access to thousands of digitized documents, manuscripts, photographs, artworks, films, and audio recordings relating to the Jewish community in Poland before World War II. According to YIVO, the new YIVO site has been conceived as an educational experience and a research tool, and was developed to serve a broad audience of both the general public and scholars. For family history researchers who may be doing a genealogical search in Poland or the Pale of Settlement, this YIVO site covers the time period from the Statute of Kalisz in 1264 (the first privilege granted to Jews by a Polish ruler) to the period of the Commonwealth of Poland and Lithuania, the 123 years during which partitioned Poland was divided up by Russia, Prussia and Austria, and the period of the Republic of Poland between the two world wars. As those who specialize in Jewish genealogy know, Poland was once the home of the largest Jewish community in the world.  It was a great center of Jewish political, cultural, and religious life. YIVO’s Polish Jewish Archive is the only substantial American collection, and one of very few worldwide, which was saved from the destruction of World War II. The YIVO Institute for Jewish Research was founded in Vilna, Poland (now Vilnius, Lithuania), in 1925. In 1940, this treasure for the family history researcher relocated to New York City. It has been there since. YIVO’s mission is to study the thousand-year history of Jewish life in Eastern Europe and Russia in all its aspects: language, history, religion, folkways and material culture. This has long been one of the most important places for the family history researcher who is doing a genealogical research in Poland or people doing an ancestor search in Russia or those doing Jewish genealogical research. For the family history researcher, YIVO is surprisingly abundant in its full extended collection. Some highlights of the full YIVO collection are: Online exhibitions with information and photographs from the collections 385,000 books and periodicals in twelve major languages in the YIVO Library In the vast YIVO archive, a family history researcher may find identity confirmation affadavits. This one says the person is "personable and known as an honest man." Unique Vilna Collection of 40,000 volumes with 25,000 rabbinical works from as early as the 16th century 24 million documents, photographs, recordings, posters, films, videotapes, and items of ephemera The world's largest collection of East European Jewish sound recordings Over 200,000 photographs 400+ videos and films 50,000 posters documenting Jewish life from the 1900s to the present Thousands of handwritten eyewitness accounts by Holocaust survivors and displaced persons Community records and documents from the Warsaw, Lodz and Vilna ghettos Over 750 memorial books from Jewish communities in Poland and neighboring countries Records of early immigrant relief and rescue organizations Autobiographies of hundreds of American Jewish immigrants The Bund Archives A Library that traces the Jewish Labor Movement from its inception in Vilna in 1897 The world's most extensive Yiddish music and theater collection The new easy-to-use The YIVO Digital Archive on Jewish Life in Poland website is just part of it all. This always curious family history researcher tried it and found it quite easy to use. Since my paternal grandparents were from Galicia, I decided to see what I could find using the new website. As I do when I go anywhere, I checked for all the relevant last names in my family history searches. With this website, I just entered them in the search bar. As it turned out, there were instantly several Littman entries which I had never before seen. All that in under 10 seconds! Online genealogy has come a long way in such a short time. It is far from the days of schlepping everywhere and sitting for hours in dark rooms over microfiche.  Now we can sit in our homes (sometimes in dark rooms) and stare at screens. Much more convenient! RecordClick genealogists stay on top of the latest developments in the world of your ancestors so that we can have the best research tools available for your genealogical research. Our genealogists for hire will do your ancestor searches for you—anywhere in the world. Contact us at RecordClick—and remember that the first call is always free.   #### You Say Potato, I Say Potahto – You Say Ancestry Research, I Say Genealogy Research. Let's Call the Whole Thing On "It is my opinion that there is ancestry research and then there is genealogy research. These two areas of research are different." ~ Joan Shurtliff "There are some subtle and some not so subtle differences between ancestry research and genealogy research, but in the end the two are inextricably linked; they are symbiotic processes." ~ Nancy Siddons-Daniels Joan Shurtliff A lot of folks conduct ancestry research to build on their family tree. They sit down at their computers in their fuzzy robes and bunny slippers with a cup of coffee, tea, hot cocoa, or something equally as soothing, and start clicking. They like social ancestry websites because there is a lot of friendly, easy-to-snag information. I've found that most people who trace family history take pride in the number of ancestors they have. Others look for connections, hoping they are related to a president – sixth cousin twice removed. One of my favorite genealogy trees is in the Thomas Bond House in Philadelphia. Dr. Bond, a colonial physician, was a contemporary of Benjamin Franklin. The house is now a bed and breakfast located in the Independence National Historic Park. On one wall in the living area is a huge family tree going back to Dr. Bond. Periodically, family members come in and update the tree. To me, this is a good example of the difference between ancestry research and genealogy research. Ancestry research is the family tree with an emphasis on dates. Genealogy research involves collecting historical records and documentation that delve into who the people were. Genealogical researchers are an interesting breed of people. The challenge is in the search, as much as in the success. Give them a dusty ledger to study, a long abandoned cemetery to walk, or a microfilm of church records in a foreign tongue, and they start to smile. They want to learn about their ancestors: what they did, where they walked, how they dealt with life's struggles, and what the world of their ancestors was like. Along the way they may find that they inherited g-g-grandmother's smile and her love for wild flowers. Nancy Siddons-Daniels Allow me to go off on a Texas tangent to provide an analogy to explain the differences, and similarities, between ancestry research and genealogy research. We have a saying in Texas, "Barbecue is not a sauce; it's a method of cooking." To Texans, "barbecue" has a lot of different meanings: it is first and foremost a method of cooking, but it also refers to the physical tools or implements that are used to make the finished product – the barbecue. If you are from India, you will understand better when I say, "Curry is not a spice, it's a cooking process." So what do barbecue and curry have in common with the difference between ancestry research and genealogy research? Absolutely everything. Genealogists who trace family history – whether you want to call it family, ancestry, or lineage research – is looking to create a product; usually, it is a genealogy tree or pedigree that lists names and dates of their particular family members. This is the "product" of the genealogical research; it is the succulent barbecue on the plate ready to be devoured. However, to create this "product," the genealogical researcher must apply the appropriate tools and the processes, which involves the collection of historical records and documentation, in order to arrive at an accurate family history. They need the barbecue pit and other cooking implements, and they need to apply the method of barbecuing to achieve the final results. In other words, the family historian must apply the processes and tools of genealogical research to reconstruct the lives of their ancestors and put them in the appropriate historical, social, and family context in order to achieve the correct identification of the individuals and their relationships. Both the family historian and genealogist care about where and when the people lived, as well as what their lifestyles were: their biographies, relationships, their activities, achievements, and their motivations. While a family historian may settle for just oral history or rumor to create their family tree, a family genealogist applies best practices in researching and collecting historical records, official documents, as well as the family Bible and photographs, et al. Most recently DNA genealogy testing has become a major tool in the genealogist's toolkit. A genealogist backs up all findings by source citations. In a final mouth-watering analogy, I offer you this. You start with raw meat (an undocumented family history) and apply a cooking method, including a pit and other cooking implements (genealogy research resources), and you end up with a final feast (the genealogy tree). The entire process is conducted by the pit boss (the genealogist). A family historian may or may not apply genealogical research methods to their search, but once they do, they become a genealogist by hobby. The "hobby" part of the activity changes to "professional" when they conduct genealogical research for others and are paid for it. While a family genealogy researcher delves into his/her own family history, a genealogist conducts research for others – it could be an entire family tree, or just missing links. There are some subtle and some not so subtle differences between ancestry research and genealogy research, but in the end the two are inextricably linked; they are symbiotic processes. Like the song about the Horse and Carriage - you can't have one without the other. Whether you view yourself as a genealogist or a family historian, the time may come when you need to consult with a genealogy ancestry service. RecordClick's professional genealogists are always available to help you find the information you need about your ancestor search. ### Pages #### - PPC - ADW - Dec 2018 - With Pricing Hire a Professional Genealogist Our Team Quentin, a former CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) case officer and now a professional researcher. Joyce, accredited by the Family History Library and by ICAPGEN; researcher for 40+ years. Kim, in-house DNA expert with interests in Metis, Native American, Creole and more. Nancy, PLCGS certified in Methodology & American Records; heir, estate search expert. Kathy, former State Library librarian with certification in Genealogical Research, Forensic Genealogy Linda, your project manager. Linda assure professionalism, promptness, and your satisfaction. Tone, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, & early Finnish expert. Speaks English, Swedish, Danish, Spanish & German. Susan, UK, Scotland, Ireland, France and Germany expert. Traced ancestors to the early 17th century. Researchers in 45+ Different Countries USA Canada UK Germany Russia Poland Croatia Ireland Italy Ukraine Spain Netherlands France Portugal You Will Love Us Just Like Our Current Customers Are you stuck in your genealogist research? Let us help you get unstuck! Let's Start with a Free Estimate We Have Genealogists in all States and all Countries We are cost effective, budget-conscious and trustworthy Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.What difficulties are you facing? *First Name *Last Name *Phone Number *Email * Drilldown Channel Hidden Submit We do the Research. You Enjoy the Discoveries. Available Genealogy Services Standard Services Record Search Tracing Family History Domestic (USA) Tracing Family History Internationally (Europe, Australia, Canada, etc.) Family History Research Services Family Tree Review Services Heir Search Services Estate Settlement Document Retrieval Genealogical Research Ethnicity Based Genealogy Services African American Genealogy Austrian Genealogy British Genealogy Czech Genealogy Danish Genealogy German Genealogy Irish Genealogy Italian Genealogy Jewish Genealogy Native American Genealogy Polish Genealogy Russian Genealogy Scottish Genealogy US State-Based Genealogy Services California Genealogy Montana Genealogy Nebraska Genealogy New Jersey Genealogy New York Genealogy Oklahoma Genealogy Oregon Genealogy Pennsylvania Genealogy South Carolina Genealogy Texas Genealogy Virginia Genealogy Adoption and Missing Person Search Services Find Biological Children Finding Birth Parents Find Missing People/Relatives Application Services Lineage Society Applications SAR Sons of the American Revolution Application DAR Daughters of the American Revolution Application Native Ancestry and Tribal Citizenship Citizenship by descent (jus sanguinis) Jus sanguinis (citizenship by descent) Media Creation Create a Legacy Video Create a Legacy Book Speciality Services Forensic Genealogy Genealogy Analysis and Consultation Genetic Genealogy Genealogy DNS Testing (including Family Tree DNA testing and consultations) and much more... Are you stuck in your genealogist research? Let us help you get unstuck! #### - PPC - BING - Jan 2019 - With Pricing Find Me A Genealogist Near Me Easy, Get Matched With a Genealogist in 24 Hours in Your Area Trusted network of 100+ vetted researchers across the U.S. and internationally. Names on a screen don't feel like family.. until the story clicks. We help you find records, confirm the truth, and turn "I think" into "I know." ✔ Find ancestors by last name ✔ Break brick walls fast ✔ Verify with real records ✔ Get a simple action plan Why people hire us You're not "bad at genealogy." You're just missing the right record.. or the right path to it. We help you stop guessing and start proving. We hunt for proof - Not just hints. Real records. Real sources. So your tree stays strong for decades. We keep it simple - You get clear steps, plain language, and a path forward you can actually follow. We move fast - Start with what you know, then we push into what you don't. How it works Tell us what you know Names, dates, places or where you’re stuck. Even small details help. We create a focused plan We target the right records and archives; no wasted searches. We research and verify Real documents. Real proof. Carefully cross-checked findings. You get results that matter Clear answers, source citations, and next steps; so your family story can be told with confidence. Let's Start with a Free Estimate We Have Genealogists in all States and all Countries We are cost effective, budget-conscious and trustworthy Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.What difficulties are you facing? *First Name *Last Name *Phone Number *Email * 1 Page Field Submit Services Pick the problem you're trying to solve. We'll match you with the right approach. Family Tree Research Find parents, grandparents, and key records that turn branches into real people. Brick Wall Breakthrough When the trail goes cold, we find the record sets most people miss. DNA & Unknown Parentage We combine DNA clues + paper records to narrow the answer with confidence. Immigration & Naturalization Track arrivals, border crossings, citizenship records, and where they came from. Adoption / Missing Person Careful, respectful research with a focus on privacy and verified sources. Dual Citizenship Research Find and document the vital records you need to support an application. Real stories. Real relief. Sometimes the best moment is simple: "Now I know." FAQ Quick answers, so you feel safe before you start. How fast can we start? Right away. Send your request and we'll reply with the next step and best path forward. What do you need from me? Just what you already know: names, dates, places, and the "stuck point." We'll take it from there. Do you only do U.S. research? No. We can support worldwide research depending on the record sets and location. What if we don’t find the answer? You still get value: a clear report, sources checked, and the smartest next places to look. Highest Rated Local Genealogist For more than 10 years our professional genealogy experts have been helping people overcome their genealogy roadblocks and helping families trace their ancestral background. Connecting you with your past is our passion while enjoying the stories and memories will take you back to the life, joy, and struggles of the past. With our combined research experience, we have the team with the passion and knowledge you can trust to discover your family's story. Highlighted below are some of top researchers. Quentin, skilled and experienced professional researcher, an author, a film and video producer, a businessman, and a former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) case officer. His University of Utah degree and his work in the intelligence community gave him a deep knowledge of research and investigative techniques that he has continued to use in later years. He has been an avid private investigator and professional genealogical researcher for over 50 years and has handled cases for more than 200 clients in more than 30 countries. Joyce, 40+ year veteran professional researcher has been accredited by the Family History Library and by ICAPGEN in Isle of Man and English genealogy research since 1992. In addition, she is extremely knowledgeable in Irish, Scottish, U.S. and a few other types of genealogical searches. Well experienced in genealogy, family history research, and tracing roots. She is an extremely effective researcher and often ask for by name by new customers. Joyce credits genealogy and family history research with keeping her “sane” and staving off Alzheimers. Kim, a gifted family historian and an internationally respected qualitative researcher with an interest in social history. She has conducted genealogical research for over 20 years and as professional for the past 10 years. Kim has a doctoral degree in the social sciences and a post-graduate diploma in genealogical studies. Having a Metis heritage, she has a significant interest in Metis, Native American, French-American/Canadian, Creole and early American/Canadian genealogy. Customers describe Kim as a problem solver. Nancy, specializes in heir research or probate research cases. Earning her PLCGS credential in Methodology and American Records, she needs be your next genealogy export for your estate settlement research report; if you want it done correct the first time. You'll find her education, her skills, and her passion all match and visible in her reports. So much so that her reports are usable in court and Nancy is available for testimony, if required. Due to her expertise in American records, Nancy is aspires to solve your next American genealogy roadblock. Linda, your project manager. Linda will coordinate people and processes to ensure that your projects are delivered on time and produce the desired results. She is the go-to person for everything involving a project's organization and timeline. She's focused on assuring professionalism, promptness, and your satisfaction. Tone, is your Norway, Denmark, Sweden, & early Finnish expert. She completed all of her education in the cities of Oslo & Bergen. Speaks English, Swedish, Danish, Spanish & German. Her proximity to the Salt Lake Library enables her for quick archive retrievals & other resources. Ed, professional researcher with 10+ years of experience. Helped explained a mystery surrounding the names in an old bible which seemed to not match the bible's owners names to working with DNA to not only see matches but pin down exactly how we are connected. Megan, a retired corporate litigation partner at a major law firm and now a professional genealogist. She has over 20 years of experience in U.S. genealogical research – including Colonial New England – and has helped many clients uncover their roots in Ireland and Italy. In several cases she has used DNA analysis in combination with documentary research to solve genealogical mysteries. Blain, DNA expert and a professional genealogist with more than 10 years of experience. Blain helps our team crack some complicated DNA analysis roadblocks, along side providing his genealogy expertise. George, working out of the New York state, George has access to an array of resources. His 20+ years in genealogy helps us uncover ship records, immigration records, and much more. George has solved so many immigration roadblocks, it's amazing. Larry, has over 10 years of experience in genealogical research and his primary focus is around Georgia. Highest Rated International Genealogist Canada Heather Susan Michael Mark UK Richard Abigail Benny Germany Thomas Ursula Heiko Benny Michael Russia Marta Aleksandra Dennis Michael Poland Aleksandra Michal Michael Croatia Norbert Ukraine Norbert Dennis Marta Michael Italy Alessandro Megan Romania Norbert Ireland Emma John Katrina Megan Shawn Spain Fernando Blake Benny Netherlands Benny France Benny Craig Sebastian Portugal Yann Why Choose RecordClick to Hire a Professional Genealogist? At RecordClick, we take pride in our 94% success rate, showcasing our dedication to uncovering your family's history with accuracy and detail. Our clients have direct communication with our team of professional genealogists, ensuring that your journey into the past is handled with personal care and professional expertise. We're committed to providing the best pricing for "Professional" services, making top-tier genealogical research affordable and accessible. You can see our genealogists' skills in action on smaller projects, allowing you to gauge our work quality without a hefty initial commitment. Above all, we're a personable and trustworthy team. Our goal is to deliver great results, and we believe in building strong, trusting relationships with our clients as we navigate the story of their ancestry together. How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Genealogist? #### 5 Hour Package Time Limited Special Rate Just for You This time limited offer is just for you and just for a limited time. One 1 per customer and while quantities last. Record Search + 5 Hours of Professional Genealogy Research Just $495 Save $100 Today Click Here to Order 22 Local Professional Genealogists Hi, I'm Quentin, your professional researcher and a former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) case officer. I have been an avid private investigator and professional genealogical researcher for over 40 years and have handled cases for more than 200 clients in more than 30 countries. I can help you with your researcher.   Hi, I'm Joyce, I've been accredited by the Family History Library and by ICAPGEN; researcher for 40+ years. In addition, I'm extremely knowledgeable in Irish, Scottish, U.S. and other genealogical searches. Very well experienced in genealogy, family history, and tracing roots. I can help you with your researcher.   Hi, I'm Kim, your in-house DNA expert with interests in Metis, Native American, Creole research and more. I have conducted professional genealogical research for over 20 years. I can help you with your researcher.   45+ International Genealogists Canada UK Germany Russia Poland Croatia Ukraine   Italy Romania Ireland Spain Netherlands France Portugal   Voted Best Service & Value We have been in the industry for a long time so we know that not everyone can afford a large price tag - nor does their research require a large amount of time. When you contact us, we'll provide you with a free consultation and an accurate quote for your project.   We do the Research. You Enjoy the Discoveries. Available Genealogy Services   Standard Services Record Search Tracing Family History Domestic (USA) Tracing Family History Internationally (Europe, Australia, Canada, etc.) Family History Research Services Family Tree Review Services Heir Search Services Estate Settlement Document Retrieval Genealogical Research Ethnicity Based Genealogy Services African American Genealogy Austrian Genealogy British Genealogy Czech Genealogy Danish Genealogy German Genealogy Irish Genealogy Italian Genealogy Jewish Genealogy Native American Genealogy Polish Genealogy Russian Genealogy Scottish Genealogy US State-Based Genealogy Services California Genealogy Montana Genealogy Nebraska Genealogy New Jersey Genealogy New York Genealogy Oklahoma Genealogy Oregon Genealogy Pennsylvania Genealogy South Carolina Genealogy Texas Genealogy Virginia Genealogy   Adoption and Missing Person Search Services Find Biological Children Finding Birth Parents Find Missing People/Relatives Application Services Lineage Society Applications SAR Sons of the American Revolution Application DAR Daughters of the American Revolution Application Native Ancestry and Tribal Citizenship Citizenship by descent (jus sanguinis) Jus sanguinis (citizenship by descent) Media Creation Create a Legacy Video Create a Legacy Book Speciality Services Forensic Genealogy Genealogy Analysis and Consultation Genetic Genealogy Genealogy DNS Testing (including Family Tree DNA testing and consultations) and much more...   Just Like Our Other Customers; You Will Love Us   Are you stuck in your genealogist research? Let us help you get unstuck! #### 7 Tips for Searching Records There is nothing better than understanding one’s history and to understand one's history you have to start searching records. The sense of pride associated with discovering who we are and where we came from is what makes us the people that we have grown to become today. Granted, digging, through the history books is no easy task, especially when searching records across the country. To ensure that you find useful and reliable information, here are top 7 tips that should guide your record search: Establish Your Family Tree Even before embarking on a country-wide search, it is important to first establish your family tree. Record all vital memories that may pertain to parents, grandparents, siblings, uncles, aunts and all other members of the extended family. Ask for individual details and gather useful information about the lives of your family members. Everything including nicknames, places they live, marriage and death dates will play a role when finding information. If you need professional help searching records? Click Here Embrace Browsing When searching records across the country, it is vital to conduct wide research. Browse through general and specific search pages and, also, using indexable terms to better search results. Do not only search through one or two pages of information only as you will most likely fail to find the family history and relations that you are looking for. Search by Address To get the best results when researching house history, search using a specific address or addresses. This can be done by switching from the person tab to the address tab. For instance, by searching through any street in England, you will be shown a list of houses in that street in 1940. However, if you want to broaden your search, focus on all addresses in a particular district, county or country. Search by Birth Date When searching for information in the years 1940, information on full birth dates can easily be found. This will allow you to pinpoint the specific person that you are searching for quite easily. In cases where you do not have the full birth information, search by birth year or include usual research parameters that are between zero and forty years. Different methods of search and browsing may heed different results. Therefore, it is important to embrace browsing. Look for Ethnic Name Spellings It was common for many immigrants to Americanize their names after moving to the United States or other countries of choice. For instance, the name Johann may have become John and Frerk may have become Fred. When searching through country-wide records, look for the ethnic spelling of the names. Familiarize with Foreign Languages When searching records, do not expect to find German records written in English. Germans kept their records in German, Russians in Russian and so forth. Understanding the foreign language and knowing some key genealogical terms in the homeland’s primary language is helpful in sorting through records. Know the Naming Patterns Different countries had different traditions for naming children for both first and last names. While there were names derived from locations others were derived from culture. Sometimes, names change from generation to generation. Before beginning your online search, determine the naming patterns that were used during the time period your family lived in a specific country. Searching Records Use Wildcards When conducting any kind of searching, wildcards should also be used in countrywide searches. For instance, a question mark for one character or an asterisk for more than one character will help to broaden your search. This is also helpful in finding misspellings or alternating the spellings of your ancestor’s name. Searching Through Census Records If you live in the United States and your family is originally from the country, the U.S Federal census is the largest resource for family history. This is solid place for examining your family tree. The census is a good way to trace parents and grandparents. This is because census records contain names, immigration details, occupations and even residences. Conclusion When searching for records, the best places to conduct a countrywide record search for family history is through state vital records, newspapers and the Wonders of Trove, National Archives, State Libraries and genealogical societies. There are also a number of online platforms that will give you the answers that you are seeking. If you do not know where to start, these tips and tricks will lead you to the right information. #### Account Login Tips PLEASE BOOKMARK THIS PAGE SO YOU CAN REFERENCE IT IN THE FUTURE This page contains helpful tips to accessing your online research account. We refer to this account as your "5pm account". Why? It's because we use an online project management software called 5pm web. It enables you and your researcher to communicate privately and to share records/information without worrying about lost emails or misspelt names over the phone. Welcome - Let's Get Started How To Log In: Memorize your login credentials from the 5pm Welcome Email. Click this button to login: Account Login Enter credentials and access your account. If you cannot log in check your password as it should contain no caps or spaces. If successful, you should now be logged into your 5pm account; welcome to our site. Now that you are in, read below on what can you do. How To Use Your 5pm Account: On your screen you will see your project folder on the left. The title will look something like this example: Smith P1 10H Team Wells [Click on the project folder to open it]. Once you are in you will see a tab titled “Activity”. This is where you and your researcher can send messages back and forth to each other and where your researcher will upload all their findings. To make a message - at the top of the “Activity” tab, you will see a green box with a “+” sign. Click that box, then click “Messages”. This will take you to your message box. Once you have created your message, click the “Project Team” box at the bottom of the message box, then click “OK”. To upload a file to the message area, go to the message box as stated above. To upload a file, click the “add files” box that is located below the text box. This will take you to your computer. Click on what you want to upload, click “open” and the image will upload into your message box area. Once it has uploaded, click “OK” and it will then go to the “activity” area on the right side of the screen. That’s all there is to it. If you have any problems logging on, please let us by using our contact us page (https://www.recordclick.com/contact-us/) know and we will walk you through the process. 5pm Web also has some online tutorials and they can be accessed here: https://www.5pmweb.com/academy.php Download the App for your smart device: For IPad users: Once you have logged in you will need to click the “Projects” tab in order to see your file. Click on your file name and you will be able to see the message box on your screen. You should be able to see the images as well, but you may not be able to download the files on your IPad. This will need to be done on your computer or laptop. #### Accuracy of Genealogical Research RecordClick.com is dedicated to providing comprehensive genealogical research services to our clients. It is essential to understand that genealogical research is inherently dependent on historical records, and as such, the accuracy of our conclusions is contingent upon the accuracy of the original documents available. Limitations and Considerations: Reliance on Historical Records: Our research relies on historical records, which may vary in accuracy and completeness. We strive to use credible sources, but the limitations of historical documentation should be acknowledged. Subject to Interpretation: Genealogical research often involves interpretation of historical records, and different researchers may arrive at varying conclusions based on the same information. Incomplete Information: Some genealogical records may be incomplete, damaged, or missing crucial details. In such cases, our researchers make reasonable efforts to bridge gaps, but accuracy is subject to the limitations of available data. Unverified Information: Certain facts about individuals or families may be based on unverified sources or family lore. While we make efforts to corroborate information, the absence of clear sourcing may impact the reliability of some details. No Guarantee of Perfection: It is important to recognize that genealogical research does not guarantee perfection or absolute accuracy. Historical uncertainties, variations in record-keeping practices, and the passage of time contribute to the inherent challenges in achieving flawless results. Client Understanding: By engaging our services, clients acknowledge the inherent limitations and uncertainties associated with genealogical research. We recommend using our findings as a foundation for further exploration and understanding that new information may emerge over time. Consultation and Collaboration: We encourage clients to communicate openly with our researchers, providing additional family information, context, and insights that may enhance the accuracy of the research. Conclusion: While we strive for the highest standards of accuracy and professionalism, RecordClick.com cannot guarantee the absolute precision of genealogical research due to the nature of historical records. Clients engage our services with an understanding of these inherent limitations. For any questions or clarifications, please contact us. #### Affiliate Login Email Address Password Remember Me Lost your password? #### All Packages All Available Packages Limited Time Promotion: Enjoy our ultra-low pricing for a limited time. All pricing subject to change without notice. [table id=17 /] Make Custom Payment To make a custom payment, please select the Make a Payment button below. Make a Payment #### Ancestry Researcher For Hire Ancestry Researcher For Hire Bring your family story back to life. Names on a screen don't feel like family.. until the story clicks. We help you find records, confirm the truth, and turn "I think" into "I know." ✔ Find ancestors by last name ✔ Break brick walls fast ✔ Verify with real records ✔ Get a simple action plan Why people hire us You're not "bad at genealogy." You're just missing the right record.. or the right path to it. We help you stop guessing and start proving. We hunt for proof - Not just hints. Real records. Real sources. So your tree stays strong for decades. We keep it simple - You get clear steps, plain language, and a path forward you can actually follow. We move fast - Start with what you know, then we push into what you don't. How it works Tell us what you know Names, dates, places or where you’re stuck. Even small details help. We create a focused plan We target the right records and archives; no wasted searches. We research and verify Real documents. Real proof. Carefully cross-checked findings. You get results that matter Clear answers, source citations, and next steps; so your family story can be told with confidence. Let's Start with a Free Estimate We Have Genealogists in all States and all Countries We are cost effective, budget-conscious and trustworthy Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.What difficulties are you facing? *First Name *Last Name *Phone Number *Email * Channel Name Page Submit Services Pick the problem you're trying to solve. We'll match you with the right approach. Family Tree Research Find parents, grandparents, and key records that turn branches into real people. Brick Wall Breakthrough When the trail goes cold, we find the record sets most people miss. DNA & Unknown Parentage We combine DNA clues + paper records to narrow the answer with confidence. Immigration & Naturalization Track arrivals, border crossings, citizenship records, and where they came from. Adoption / Missing Person Careful, respectful research with a focus on privacy and verified sources. Dual Citizenship Research Find and document the vital records you need to support an application. Real stories. Real relief. Sometimes the best moment is simple: "Now I know." FAQ Quick answers, so you feel safe before you start. How fast can we start? Right away. Send your request and we'll reply with the next step and best path forward. What do you need from me? Just what you already know: names, dates, places, and the "stuck point." We'll take it from there. Do you only do U.S. research? No. We can support worldwide research depending on the record sets and location. What if we don’t find the answer? You still get value: a clear report, sources checked, and the smartest next places to look. Highest Rated Local Genealogist For more than 10 years our professional genealogy experts have been helping people overcome their genealogy roadblocks and helping families trace their ancestral background. Connecting you with your past is our passion while enjoying the stories and memories will take you back to the life, joy, and struggles of the past. With our combined research experience, we have the team with the passion and knowledge you can trust to discover your family's story. Highlighted below are some of top researchers. Quentin, skilled and experienced professional researcher, an author, a film and video producer, a businessman, and a former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) case officer. His University of Utah degree and his work in the intelligence community gave him a deep knowledge of research and investigative techniques that he has continued to use in later years. He has been an avid private investigator and professional genealogical researcher for over 50 years and has handled cases for more than 200 clients in more than 30 countries. Joyce, 40+ year veteran professional researcher has been accredited by the Family History Library and by ICAPGEN in Isle of Man and English genealogy research since 1992. In addition, she is extremely knowledgeable in Irish, Scottish, U.S. and a few other types of genealogical searches. Well experienced in genealogy, family history research, and tracing roots. She is an extremely effective researcher and often ask for by name by new customers. Joyce credits genealogy and family history research with keeping her “sane” and staving off Alzheimers. Kim, a gifted family historian and an internationally respected qualitative researcher with an interest in social history. She has conducted genealogical research for over 20 years and as professional for the past 10 years. Kim has a doctoral degree in the social sciences and a post-graduate diploma in genealogical studies. Having a Metis heritage, she has a significant interest in Metis, Native American, French-American/Canadian, Creole and early American/Canadian genealogy. Customers describe Kim as a problem solver. Nancy, specializes in heir research or probate research cases. Earning her PLCGS credential in Methodology and American Records, she needs be your next genealogy export for your estate settlement research report; if you want it done correct the first time. You'll find her education, her skills, and her passion all match and visible in her reports. So much so that her reports are usable in court and Nancy is available for testimony, if required. Due to her expertise in American records, Nancy is aspires to solve your next American genealogy roadblock. Linda, your project manager. Linda will coordinate people and processes to ensure that your projects are delivered on time and produce the desired results. She is the go-to person for everything involving a project's organization and timeline. She's focused on assuring professionalism, promptness, and your satisfaction. Tone, is your Norway, Denmark, Sweden, & early Finnish expert. She completed all of her education in the cities of Oslo & Bergen. Speaks English, Swedish, Danish, Spanish & German. Her proximity to the Salt Lake Library enables her for quick archive retrievals & other resources. Ed, professional researcher with 10+ years of experience. Helped explained a mystery surrounding the names in an old bible which seemed to not match the bible's owners names to working with DNA to not only see matches but pin down exactly how we are connected. Megan, a retired corporate litigation partner at a major law firm and now a professional genealogist. She has over 20 years of experience in U.S. genealogical research – including Colonial New England – and has helped many clients uncover their roots in Ireland and Italy. In several cases she has used DNA analysis in combination with documentary research to solve genealogical mysteries. Blain, DNA expert and a professional genealogist with more than 10 years of experience. Blain helps our team crack some complicated DNA analysis roadblocks, along side providing his genealogy expertise. George, working out of the New York state, George has access to an array of resources. His 20+ years in genealogy helps us uncover ship records, immigration records, and much more. George has solved so many immigration roadblocks, it's amazing. Larry, has over 10 years of experience in genealogical research and his primary focus is around Georgia. Highest Rated International Genealogist Canada Heather Susan Michael Mark UK Richard Abigail Benny Germany Thomas Ursula Heiko Benny Michael Russia Marta Aleksandra Dennis Michael Poland Aleksandra Michal Michael Croatia Norbert Ukraine Norbert Dennis Marta Michael Italy Alessandro Megan Romania Norbert Ireland Emma John Katrina Megan Shawn Spain Fernando Blake Benny Netherlands Benny France Benny Craig Sebastian Portugal Yann Why Choose RecordClick to Hire a Professional Genealogist? At RecordClick, we take pride in our 94% success rate, showcasing our dedication to uncovering your family's history with accuracy and detail. Our clients have direct communication with our team of professional genealogists, ensuring that your journey into the past is handled with personal care and professional expertise. We're committed to providing the best pricing for "Professional" services, making top-tier genealogical research affordable and accessible. You can see our genealogists' skills in action on smaller projects, allowing you to gauge our work quality without a hefty initial commitment. Above all, we're a personable and trustworthy team. Our goal is to deliver great results, and we believe in building strong, trusting relationships with our clients as we navigate the story of their ancestry together. How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Genealogist? #### Best Affiliate Program Boost your earnings by driving traffic to RecordClick.com $75 / purchase with 90 day Cookie Become an Affiliate | Affiliate Login Simple registration process with immediate approval. Your Tracking Code Once you're logged in you can find your tracking code under the "Creatives" tab. #### Best DNA Test for Genealogy Which DNA Test is Best for Your Genealogy Research? This question is frequently asked by our customers so we decide to create this resource for all our customers and visitors. Actually, when comes to best DNA test comparison you actually have many choices. Majority of our customers are surprised when we tell them all their options. We at Record Click don't offer a DNA test so we send our customers to one of the below DNA test companies when a customer needs to complete their test. Please have a look at the following DNA test facts and decide on which test is best for your research. If you require any assistance or you need further clarity on the best DNA test for you please use the Contact Us page to get in touch with us. We have in-house DNA experts to help you decipher the results of your test. Visit Family Tree DNA Website When it comes to best DNA test we believe this is the best choice for Y-DNA and mtDNA testing as it has the largest Y-DNA and mtDNA databases in the world. It is also an appropriate choice if you want to look at your atDNA matches in comparison to your Y-DNA and mtDNA matches. The atDNA results can help you determine how close a relative your Y-DNA and mtDNA matches are. This depends though on if your Y-DNA and mtDNA matches also had their atDNA tested. FTDNA allows for autosomal DNA transfers for $19.00. Their atDNA test kit is typically $79.00, though they frequently put it on sale for anywhere between $49.00 – $69.99. Regarding FTDNA Y-DNA testing. We would recommend staring with 67 markers, and then upgrading to 111 markers if you have close matches, such as matching on 63+ markers of the 67-marker test. If there are budgetary concerns, order the 37-marker test and eventually upgrade if you have 35-37 markers in common with matches at the 37-marker test level. Don’t purchase a Y-DNA test that is less than 37 markers because though you will have many matches at this level, probably the ancestors you have in common will be so far back in time you won’t be able to identify them. When you upgrade your Y-DNA test you don’t need to send in another sample, they will use your previous sample. Typically, when you upgrade you don’t pay the full price of the next level of test. The Big-Y test is not much use for genealogical purposes, it is more for scientific purposes. According to FTDNA, Y-DNA STR testing is for when you want to "refine your matches for genealogical purposes," because it is for refinement of existing matches, this would not be the first Y-DNA test you would take. The first Y-DNA test to take would be their regular Y-DNA test. Regarding mtDNA testing, there are two types of mtDNA tests that you can take at FTDNA, mtDNA Plus ($89.00) and mtFull Sequence ($199.00). According to FTDNA "mtDNA consists of three regions – two hypervariable regions: HVR1, HVR2, and the Coding Region. Our mtDNA+ test will only test HVR1 and HVR2, whereas our mtDNA Full Sequence test will test all three regions providing you with a more refined mtDNA haplogroup and matches list. The Full Sequence test is recommended for those more interested in genealogy and working with a matches list." You can upgrade from the mtDNA Plus to the mtFull Sequence test. FTDNA allows the upload of family trees, though their family trees are a bit clunky to work with. Visit 23andMe Website 23andMe is a personal genetic service that helps you understand what your 23 pairs of chromosomes - your DNA - say about your health, traits and ancestry. 23andMe is the first and only genetic service available directly to you that includes reports that meet FDA standards. Customers receive a snapshot view of their DNA with more than 65 detailed reports on their health, traits and ancestry, plus tools to explore and compare their DNA with family and friends. According to ISOGG, 23andme has the second largest autosomal DNA (atDNA) database: here What makes 23andme unique is that it is the only major genealogical DNA testing company that provides medical related information. The information is useful in helping you make lifestyle choices, but it is not predictive of your health. The test cost $199.00. 23andme also has a standard at DNA test that does not provide health related information. This test currently cost $99.00. What we like about their testing is that they provide your Y-DNA haplogroup (if you are male) and your mtDNA haplogroup (for both males and females). Most other DNA testing companies do not provide that information unless you purchase a Y-DNA or mtDNA test. However, 23andme does not furnish Y-DNA or mtDNA matches, only atDNA matches. You cannot upload your family tree on 23andme, so it is hard to know what ancestors you have in common with your matches. You can transfer your 23and me DNA data to FTDNA. Visit Living DNA Website According to their website "A Living DNA test brings your history to life and provides over twice the detail of other ancestry tests. Discover where your ancestors come from and much more." Living DNA is based in the UK so the advantage is that they have a large British Isle database. If you have British Isle roots, this could be good as a second test. Typically, their atDNA cost $159.99 but goes on sale for $79.99. Visit Ancestry DNA Website The advantage of testing at Ancestry.com is that it has the largest atDNA database. The usual cost for ancestry.com’s atDNA test is $99.00, though sometimes it goes on sale for $79.00. Your results will include your matches and your ethnicity estimates. To take advantage of all the ancestry.com DNA tools, such as being able to view your matches family trees, you need a subscription to ancestry.com. You can take a one-month subscription to ancestry.com when you have the time to look at all the DNA data, and in that month, you can also search for your ancestors on the genealogy part of their website. Just remember to cancel your subscription so you don’t get charged for an additional month. Visit National Geographic DNA Website National Geographic test is more for "deep ancestry" and the main intent is for scientific purposes, not genealogy. However, we thought it was best to include in our best DNA test guide. The upside is that National Geographic is a nonprofit that is dedicated to "conservation, exploration, research, and education" efforts. You can transfer National Geographic results to FTDNA for $19.00. The National Geographic test cost $199.95. However, you can get it on sale for $99.99. Best DNA Test Cautions We hope you found this best DNA test guide useful. Be sure to examine the privacy policies of the DNA companies you are considering before you decide on a purchase. Make sure their privacy polices align with how you see your DNA being used. More specifically, be careful when considering testing companies that claim to identify your Native American tribe as last we knew DNA testing cannot show you what Native American tribe you come from. Different companies offering autosomal DNA tests will provide you with different results based on their algorithms and who is in their database. Your results at any testing company may shift overtime as more people enter the database or algorithms change. Recommendations We would recommend using FTDNA for Y-DNA and mtDNA testing. For autosomal testing we would suggest using ancestry.com and then transferring the raw DNA to FTDNA with their autosomal DNA transfer. You can transfer for free and see all your matches there, but if you want to use all the tools, then you must pay $19.00. If you have British Isles roots, we would also recommend testing at Living DNA when their test kit is on sale. After you receive your DNA results, upload your raw DNA data to gedmatch.com as it is free and offers the best tools for analyzing your results and comparing your results to others. All logos, DNA test names, and/or DNA kit names belong to their rightful owners. Record Click does not offer any DNA kits for testing. This best DNA test resource is for your comparison use only and we share it with all our customers. #### Best Way To Find Birth Parents: Both Biological Father & Mother If you are adopted, at some point in your life you may be drawn to finding your birth parents. The process can be arduous and stressful, as well as emotionally painful at times. If you consider yourself a fairly savvy genealogical researcher, you can do your best to tackle the task to find biological parents; however, finding birth parents can take years, especially if relatives have changed their names, moved to a new location, or passed away. Birth Parent Search When it comes to a birth father and mother search, it may be best to call on a genealogy ancestry service to help and support you with your journey in finding birth parents. RecordClick's Ancestor Search Specialists, some of whom have first-hand knowledge of adoption, specialize in these sorts of sensitive ancestry searches, and they can definitely help finding your birth parents. RecordClick's genealogical services provide powerful search tools and new ways to search, which respect the privacy of individuals. To increase the efficacy in finding birth parents, RecordClick's professional genealogists use a combination of traditional genealogical research methods in combination with forensic genealogy applications, including DNA genealogy testing. Family Tree DNA can answer questions about an adoption, as well as determine your ethnicity. RecordClick goes one step further in its DNA genealogy search services by working with world-renowned genetic genealogy researchers who offer consultations to test-takers and provide help in translating results. Whether you are looking to finding biological parents, finding biological children, locate lost relatives, or discover living relatives, RecordClick's genealogy pros will handle your case individually, respectfully, and proactively. How Was The Adoption Handled Finding birth parents requires identifying how the adoption was handled. Was it done via the courts; was the case sealed or not? If you do not know, hiring a genealogy ancestry service to help you with your birth parent search would be very helpful. If the case was sealed, then most likely it will be necessary to file a petition with the court to open the case, before tracing ancestry can commence. If the case was not sealed, then a RecordClick genealogical researcher can get the task underway to find biological parents. Let RecordClick help you in your quest to find your birth family. #### Checkout-Result URL: https://www.recordclick.com/stripe-checkout-result/ #### Completing a Family Tree with Record Searching Are you trying to complete a family tree? Would you like to find out about all your ancestors and descendants — where they were from, what they looked like, who they married, what they did for a living, if they ever served in the military? These are all important questions about one’s ancestry that most people are curios about at least in some point in their lives. It’s fascinating to try and find out what your roots are, and what your ancestors have been through. However, completing a family tree thoroughly can be a taxing process and you need to be ready to pour over hordes of documents and hit upon several dead ends. It requires time and patience. Thorough record searching with the help of a genealogist is completely possible. Important to note that proper knowledge of record searching is a must in genealogy; record searching divides a amatuer genealogist to a professional genealogist. Traceable Branches One of the important aspects of a family tree is that, like the branches of a tree, it’s linear and traceable. It starts from you, branches out to your parents before you, and their parents before them, and so on. There are a lot of different sources from which you can trace your ancestry. However, perhaps the most valuable resource for you is searching through the Census Records as it’s the most linear amongst all other forms of record searches. Below I’ll explain how you can effectively complete your family tree with the help of Census Records. Using Census Records to Trace Your Family Tree Census Records are a snapshot of an entire population at a specific place and time. They are arguably one of the most important types of records for genealogical use. In the US they’ve been collected every 10 years since 1790. Searching for your ancestors using the census information is quite simple and the only base information you really need are your ancestor’s name and preferably their state of residence. Where to Start Record Searching Census records in the US have been collected every 10 years since 1790, however due to a 72 year seal of privacy on the latest census records the last available census information is for the year 1940. As such, while creating your family tree, you can very well start with the 1940 census report and trace your ancestors backwards. You can start by attaining the name and place of residence of an ancestor who was living in 1940. Searching by place of residence and neighborhoods, you’ll find the person you’re looking for. Once you have that information, you also gain access to a bunch of other vital information such as: • Names and addresses of other family members. • Their parent’s names and birthplaces. • Immigration status. • Marital status. These pieces of information are vital in helping you construct the other pieces of the puzzle. If your ancestor is married at that point, you gain access to yet another family branch to cleave on to. Moving backwards you can effectively construct not only an exhaustive family tree, but also a timeline of all the significant events in each of your ancestors’ lives. Special Note: From 1880, the census records also started keeping exact street addresses. You can use this information, in combination with Google Maps, to actually look at your ancestor’s house, and maybe even visit it (with permission from the current owners, of course.) How to stretch your family tree even further beyond 1790 While federal census records aren’t available for the years preceding 1790, you can still use other resources to trace your ancestors further back. Having gleaned their basic information off the 1790 records, you can tally them against a host of other search records to stretch out the family tree. Land records can be found stretching as far back as 1679, and you can dig them out though state archives. You can also look for your ancestors in wills preceding those dates, or in records of those who fought in the American Indian wars between the Native Americans and American Settlers. Alternative search records to supplement your research Census records may be the simplest and most linear means of completing your family tree. However, they don’t always supply an in-depth information of an individual’s life. If you find yourself particularly interested in one of your ancestors you can also tally their information against other relevant records to gain a fuller picture. Some of these other records may be schedule of defective, dependent and delinquent classes, agricultural censuses, slave schedules, military records, immigration and naturalization records, and many more. #### Custom Payment To make a custom payment, please select the Make Custom Payment button below. Make Custom Payment #### Estate Settlement What is an estate settlement search and who/why would require one? An estate settlement search is often required when someone dies without a will or sometimes with a will that omits the mention of any family members. A court will usually appoint an administrator to learn the identity and location of any and all living heirs. The search for heirs is required so that the courts can determine the appropriate distribution of the decedent’s estate. Each state has its own laws about who can inherit from an estate. In most states, living heirs can include parents, siblings, aunts & uncles, first cousins, nieces & nephews, children, and grandchildren of the decedent. Why is a genealogist needed? The appointed administrator is often represented by an attorney, and a genealogy has already been ordered by the court. A professional genealogist is hired to conduct the research to determine all of the living heirs, and the genealogist’s report is presented to all attorneys (some known heirs also have their own attorneys) and to the court. The report is often presented at a court session where the credentials of the genealogist are reviewed. Any of the attorneys involved may contest the credentials of the genealogist, but the acceptance of the genealogist is the decision of the court. Does a genealogist require specific accreditation to conduct the search? Each court has the discretion of setting its own standards for the requirements to be considered an "expert" in the field of genealogy. The standard that is often used is the passing of a certification test (BCG – Board Certified Genealogist; or AG – Accredited Genealogist) or proof of education in genealogy. As one with a PLCGS credential (Professional Learning Certificate in Genealogical Studies), Our estate settlement genealogy specialist has been accepted by the court in Buffalo, NY. The PLCGS requires 40 separate classes based on genealogy over a 4-year period. The BCG and the AG do not require any education at all, just the passing of a test. As most cases do not require a genealogist to testify, however we have sent our specialist to testify if ordered by court. Other than a genealogist who else can do such a search? Anyone can do the search, but the court will generally require the report of a professional genealogist. Prior to having my credentials, I often participated in the research phase for estate settlements, but the report was prepared by a credentialed researcher. What challenges does a genealogist face when conducting a search? There are a few challenges. The biggest challenge is obtaining the needed records. The genealogy must be proven with evidence, and this usually requires obtaining the birth, marriage, and death records of every heir, and the records must be certified original records, not copies. Many states restrict access to these records because the person is still living or the event was too recent, and so, the record is restricted for privacy reasons. When this occurs, we must rely on the individual to retrieve the record and provide it to us. If we are not able to retrieve the actual record, we must resort to alternate records to prove a birth, marriage, or death – such as newspaper announcements (obituary, birth announcement, or marriage announcement). We also use census records to show parentage. Other public documents, such as land records, probate records, and cemetery records, are also used when necessary to prove family relationships. Another challenge sometimes encountered is the client who doesn’t understand the amount of work involved in researching the decedent’s genealogy. The client believes he paid for 10 hours, and everything should be completed and ready for the court within that 10 hours. That seldom happens, and the client may begin to decline authorizing further research, and then the report is prepared with what we have, but the report clearly states that the research is incomplete because the client has declined further research. A third challenge is not knowing when or where a particular event occurred. For example, we need to prove “Aunt Susie’s” marriage, but no one knows when or where she got married or who she married, except that her name was different at death than when she was born. So, a massive search begins to find this marriage record, and numerous hours can be used just searching for this one record. What is the basic process of conducting a search? Once we've had a chance to review the case, we usually begin with the decedent, and the client is asked to provide us with any information, documents or evidence already in possession that would help with creating a family tree. Quite often the client is able to provide us with known family members’ names, etc. even though they may have no documents. Information is just as helpful as documents. After receiving all information and documents from the client, we begin creating the family tree. We must research back to the decedent’s grandparents to learn who the parents and aunts & uncles were of the decedent. Each aunt and uncle must be researched to learn who the first cousins are. You always want to make sure all parties are identified for the estate settlement. The decedent’s siblings are researched, as well as their children, to learn who the nieces & nephews are. And then, the same is done with the decedent’s children and grandchildren. Evidence of the birth, marriage, and death (if deceased) are required on every individual in the tree. A good genealogist must find the rest of the story. If deceased, an obituary is necessary (if one can be found) to provide evidence of living family members. The larger the family, the more research that is needed. After all research is complete and all documents/evidence received, a report is then prepared for the court. This report is different from the usual genealogy report prepared for a family history. This report must meet court standards, and requires additional time for preparation. A special documents report must also be prepared to submit the documents into evidence. If you have a questions pertaining to your estate settlement, also know as probate be sure to get in contact with us so that we can help start the process. Many instances, time or resources are limited to starting quickly will make sure proper timelines are met. #### Explore Historical Records Search with a Genealogist There are a number of different resources and techniques with which you can conduct records search with a genealogist to determine a family or individual’s ancestry. You can conduct records search based on topics, or types of records available. In this article I’ll take you through some of the methods by which you can explore historical records with a Genealogist. Some of the most common resources genealogists use to determine ancestry are Census Records, Military Records, Immigration Records (i.e., passenger lists), Naturalization Records, and Land Records. These are some of the most easily available and meticulously kept records passed down through history, and as such they can be a treasure trove revealing intricate webs of ancestry. Exploring your historical past makes it easier with the help of a genealogist, as they are great at all record search techniques. Census Records Search The only base information you need to initiate a census records search is the name of an ancestor along with their state of residence. The Federal Population Census was first conducted in 1790 in the US, and it’s conducted every 10 years regularly. However, there’s also a 72-year restriction on access to Census information for privacy reasons, and as such you can only look for records up until 72 years prior from right now, that is, 1940. If you’re exploring historical records with a genealogist, you’ll find that they’ll start the ancestry search with the 1940 census, and then trace the roots backwards. Census records can provide the following information: Names of ancestors, along with their ages at various points in history. Their state of residence. Their state or country of birth. Information on their parent’s birthplaces. Immigration status, along with year of immigration. Marital status, along with year of marriage. A run down of occupations through various periods in history. A brief value of their property. If they held farm land, you also get a summary of the crops they grew. Military Records Search Military records can be a valuable source of ancestral information for significant periods in history. The National Archives Building in Washington D.C. holds records for all significant wars leading from the Revolutionary War all the way to 1912. In addition to that, you can also access the World War military records from the National Military Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri. Conducting a Military records search isn’t as straightforward, linear, or chronological as a Census Record. The initiative depends on several factors such as the period you’re looking for, the branch of service your ancestor was supposedly in, whether they were a part of the Regular Army or the volunteer unit, and many other factors. As such, this can be a complicated process for the genealogist. If done correctly, Military Records can reveal the following pieces of information: A comprehensive service record, including their biographical data, medical information, etc. Any pension applications and payments information. These also reveal additional biographical information on the veteran’s family. Bounty Land information if the ancestor served in the War of 1812, the Revolutionary War, the Indian Wars, or the Mexican War. Immigration Records Search These are also called "ship passenger arrival records" as they’re based on the ship’s passenger lists. This helps determine the physical characteristics of an individual, their country of residence and birth, the date of immigration, profession, amount of money in their possession, and information of relatives in the immigrating country. These documents can be searched for based on Port of Arrival and Year of Immigration. Records are available for immigration between 1820 and 1982. Naturalization Records Search Following through on the Immigration Records, the Naturalization Records are based on the point when aliens become official citizens of the United States. These records can provide an individual with much of the same information as the Immigration Records, however since these documents are formed post-immigration, they are more up to date. As such, they can also reveal the individual’s current address, marital status, occupation, etc. Land Records Search Land records are based on the transference of land from the U.S. Government to private ownership, and these documents cover the 30 original public land states. Land records can reveal a number of valuable pieces of information such as an individual’s ancestry, history, titles, place of birth or residence, economic status, and information on other family members. #### Family History Research Service Family history research is done out of necessity and at some point in your lifetime, there's a good chance that you may be bitten by the genealogy bug, and feel compelled to trace your family history. It may be a school project, your first baby, or a memorial to a family member that will prompt you to consider how important it is to trace family tree, not just for your own gratification, but as a gift to those family members who are a part of your family. Sometimes all it takes is finding a wedding certificate, a photograph, or a birth announcement tucked away in a drawer, or  yellowing between the pages of a scrapbook to pique your interest and spur you to trace family history - even it is just to satisfy your curiosity. What ever happened to Aunt Alice? What side did my ancestor fight for in the Civil War? Who are those people in the picture? Do I have a Patriot Ancestor who fought in the American Revolution? For whatever reason you want to trace family history, your interest and curiosity is normal. Researching your family tree can help explain to a great extent who you are, as well as, why you are the way you are. Whether it is explaining a family trait, or a genetic or medical predisposition, your family tree may very well hold answers, not only for you but for your descendants. Who had red hair in the family? Did any of my ancestral family excel in music? Does cancer run in my genes? So, when you trace family tree, it's far from a selfish act; it's also a legacy to the rest of the family. Whether you are a close-knit family or even estranged, if your relatives live in close proximity or are spread out around the globe, once you start to research, this  action can trigger interest among other members of your family, and draw everyone closer together – whether it be physically or cyber closeness. Once you make that decision to trace your family, you then have a number of creative outlets to present and share the family tree. You may decide to create an actual scrapbook for your descendants, choose to go the electronic route and scan photographs for online access, or have a professional family archive firm secure your family memorabilia in perpetuity. Because a movie can be so powerful, you may also  choose to have a professional production company create a video tribute to your family that tells the story of your family history tree, and can be viewed and enjoyed for years to come. There are many possibilities when it comes to doing a genealogy trace, and creating your family tree. No matter what your journey, it begins with that desire to trace your family history back in time. Whether you decide to trace your ancestors' lives via the Internet, or trace through hard-copy records, you are stepping back in history and developing a relationship with those family members who have gone before you. You may start to trace your family history by interviewing living members of your family to get dates and locations, so that you can continue to trace your lineage in other ways. You are providing your descendants with their family tree, for which they will likely be very appreciative. In turn, your descendants may continue to trace family history, even after you are gone. This gift to your family can give you a feeling that you have provided an extraordinary foundation on which your descendants may continue to nurture your family history tree forever. Each journey to trace history is different. You will take the path destined for you. However, if you do hit a proverbial genealogy brickwall in your search, consider calling Record Click. Everyone needs a little help now and again to trace family history. We're here for you. We can customizes your family search for the genealogical research you need, for your time frame, and for your budget. Contact us today to get started. #### Family Tree Design Service Starting from just $5 Need Help With Your Tree Entering the names and dates into your family tree template can be complicated, difficult, even challenging. As such, we've identified a few resources for you to help you with the process. Use any of the below services to transform fragmented information into stunning family trees that encapsulate your lineage, allowing you to embark on an extraordinary journey through time. View All Options Completed Work: #### Family Tree Review and Validation Everyone creates a family tree, but really who has their family tree reviewed? Well you would be surprised. Family tree reviews is one of the top services and we are constantly debunking previous finding by provide proof. If you've been creating your family tree in your pass-time it is highly recommended that you have a genealogist review your family tree. Here are some common questions to help you fully understand what a family tree is and how do you go about creating one. We've also included important information about going through a family tree review. What is a family tree? A family tree is a chart that shows the relationship between persons listed in the tree. It usually begins with 1 person and includes as many generations as are known for this person. The tree often begins with a person of the current generation and goes backward, but it can also begin with a known ancestor and go forward. How do you start a family tree? In a typical tree, you would begin with yourself and then add the relatives you personally know – particularly your parents and grandparents. And then great-grandparents, if you know who they are. You will need to decide early if you wish to include siblings. Including siblings in the tree can sometimes cause the tree to become too large to comfortably work with. Where do people create their family tree? Many people purchase family history software to create their family tree. Purchasing software allows you to store your tree right on your own computer, along with all of the supporting documents that you find for your tree. Some of the software programs have features that link to online searching which can be helpful, and some programs contain features to help you create books, pedigree charts, and reports. It is also possible to create your tree on family history websites, such as Ancestry (www.ancestry.com). Using sites such as Ancestry allows you to build and share your tree right on their website. There are also features on Ancestry’s website to mark your tree private, so that no one can view your tree with an invitation from you. How do you trace your family tree? If you are creating a tree that begins with you, you enter yourself first, and enter as much information as you know about yourself – date & place of birth, date & place of marriage, and your parents’ names. Then add your dates & places of birth, marriage, and death (if deceased) for both of your parents. After this, you move onto your grandparents, and continue with your great-grandparents, etc. Enter as much information that you know about each family member until all that you know is entered. The next step is to talk with – interview – any of these family members that are still living. Record all of the information that they provide you from their memories. Request copies of documents that they have and any photos of ancestors. After completion of this, you will want to fill in the blanks that no one seemed to know the answer to – e.g., no one seemed to know when or where “Grandpa Joe” died. Many vital records are online at many different websites, and you can now begin your internet searching on any of the many genealogy research sites. One of them may have information about “Grandpa Joe”. When searching online, you are bound to encounter trees created by others that are also online, and some of these online trees may include some of the same people in your tree that you are researching. It is a good idea to make notes of information in other trees, but it is important that you confirm any information to be correct before recording this information in your tree. Many of the online trees contain incorrect information in them, and for this reason, it is advisable to never accept the information in someone else’s tree as fact until you have proven it to be fact. Why is it important to have a genealogist review your family tree? It is so very important to have a professional genealogist review your family tree. When searching the older records, there are many families where two cousins living near each other had the same name, a spouse with the same name, and children with the same names. It is so easy to mix up the families. It is the same with vital records – There may be 2 men named John Brown who died in the same time period in the same town, and you can’t tell which one is yours. Our ancestors were also not always honest, and sometimes information provided on a vital record is not correct because of dishonesty. Many people lied about their ages on their marriage application. Some even lied and gave fictitious names on a marriage application. People also just made mistakes, especially during a time a grief. My own grandmother’s death certificate lists her sister’s name as her mother’s name because at the time of my grandmother’s death, my grandfather was so grief-stricken that he couldn’t think clearly and gave the wrong name. Many people just copy a tree that is found online and assume that everything in it is correct, and they transfer all of the information into their own tree without verifying any of the details in the tree. A good professional genealogist digs into a tree when they are asked to verify a tree, and they won’t verify a tree until they know that every detail listed in the tree is supported by sufficient evidence. What kind of mistakes should you avoid? Don’t believe everything you read in print, especially on the internet. Family History is not just names & dates – Get to know about the lives of your ancestors. Don’t purchase “generic” family histories. Don’t accept family legends unless you can validate them. Don’t believe that a family surname only had one spelling. When researching the Smith family – search Smith, Smithe, Smyth, Smythe, Smit, Smits, etc. Don’t forget to properly list a source for every piece of information in your tree. Not everyone with the same last name is a relative. When is a leaf considered valid? On Ancestry, a leaf is a hint. When you enter a person’s data into your tree on Ancestry, Ancestry’s software will search their records on Ancestry to see if Ancestry contains any information or records that may be the same person. The key word here is “MAY”. By clicking on the leaf, Ancestry will bring up all of the “hints” it found that “may” be a match for the person. It is up to you decide if the hint is a valid match for the person in your tree. If you are certain the hint is a match, then you can add the document or information provided by Ancestry’s hint to your tree. If you do not agree it is a match, then you can discard the hint. How big can a family tree grow? A family tree can grow indefinitely in many directions. It can grow forward showing one’s children, grandchildren, etc. It can grow backwards adding additional ancestors as new ancestors are uncovered. And it can sideways by adding siblings, nieces and nephews, and cousins. What are some alternatives to ancestry.com for creating a family tree? There is personally owned genealogy software, such as Family Treemaker or other software programs. There are also many other internet genealogy research sites, such as FamilySearch.org. You can also create your own private website for your family tree, or create your own personal database for your family history. Can I hire a genealogist to complete my family tree? Yes, you can hire a professional genealogy to create your tree, but it should be noted that a tree is never complete. It is best to hire a professional genealogist if you have hit a brick wall and need help in overcoming it; you want a second opinion; you have encountered a family mystery; you lack the time, knowledge, and/or skill to create your tree yourself; you are unable to locate a specific item for a family member, such as an obituary; you are geographically located too far from the area you need to research; you are seeking membership in a lineage society; you need research performed in a foreign country; or your family tree is becoming overwhelming for you. Many professional genealogy companies, such as Record Click, have researchers throughout the world who are experienced in handling the most challenging of research difficulties. Professional genealogists also offer customized research to meet both the financial and research needs of the individual. Can I hire a genealogist to just review or validate my tree? Yes, there are many professional genealogy companies who will review and validate your tree. As you are bouncing around the internet researching your family history, you come across several public websites that contain a lot of information about your family. The names, dates, and places in some of these trees appear to match the same information you have in your tree, but they seem to have a lot more names and dates than your tree, taking your family pedigree back several more generations. But is it correct? Now is the time to stop and examine the data in this newly found information about your family. A well-documented tree contains source information for every name, date, place, or detail about every member listed in the tree, and each of these items needs to be examined before entering this information into your tree. Some key sources which help validate their information would be vital records, legal documents, federal and state censuses, hometown newspapers, city directories, diaries, military records, obituaries, journals, certificates, licenses, wills, and deeds. An online tree which lists other online trees as its source is a bad sign, and another tree should never be used as a source. A good professional genealogist will properly validate a tree by reviewing the source documents associated with the tree. Can a genealogist review a previously validated tree? Yes, they can. There are times when an individual is not in agreement with a genealogist who has reviewed or validated a tree, and they can consult another genealogist for a second opinion. This is not an uncommon practice. Genealogists often use different techniques and different paths to achieve the same result. Who do I include in my family tree? You will need to decide early who you wish to include in your tree. Do you want to include siblings? Step-Parents? Half-Siblings? Second Marriages? Adopted children? It is your decision to decide who to include in your tree to create a tree to your satisfaction. In some cases, it is best to create several different trees for your family history. Get help with your family tree by contacting us and having one of our professional genealogists either start your tree or have them validate it for you. #### Find Missing Heirs + Probate + Beneficiary Search Services - Legal Genealogists Find Missing Heirs - Legal Genealogists Heirsearch, Probate, Beneficiary Search Services Looking to complete a Heir Search, Probate Search, or Property Beneficiaries Search, by a professional company with certified genealogist? We're a group of professional genealogist who work with lawyers, administrators, executors, trustees, bank and trust officers to complete heir search, probate research, property beneficiaries search, lineages and heirsearch services. How much does an heir search cost? Save time & money by hiring RecordClick for your search. RecordClick Heir Search Service is NOW: Heir Search Firm Free Quote Calculator visit our new site by clicking the logo Search Services Offered to Locate Missing Heirs [table id=21 /] Our Advantages Straight Forward Non-Percentage-Based Fees: To avoid any shocking bill surprises, we don't charge per hour based on success or percentage, like others. Rather, we offer 1 simple package to complete your goals. Within each research package, our professional genealogist always overdelivers by spending at least twice that amount of time working on your project. Thus, delivering results in a consistant professional manner. 98% Success Rate: We're good at what we do; we complete missing heir searches successfully. Documented Court-Ready Reports: We have a dedicated team of certified professionals available for you. Our case reports can be used in court as they're recognized as official documents. Plus, if needed, we're available to appear in court for testimonies. Worldwide Service: Our team of 45+ experts includes a former CIA agent, in-house DNA experts, researchers in all states, and researchers in all parts of the world. Save money and time; we have the best pricing in the industry, and we're available to start today. Referrals to Help You RecordClicks works with many different heir search lawyers in all states in the United States, Canada and European countries. With permission, we have listed a few of our recommended probate attorneys. You're welcome to contact them for your case or if you're an attorney looking for references. [table id=11 /] Looking for a comparison of the top heir search firms? See our guide: 7 Best Heir Search Companies Sample Search Documents Here are 2 of the many documents you can expect from RecordClick when an estate settlement is requested. The documents have been trimmed and redacted to protect the privacy of individuals. Sample Affidavit: Affidavit-Sample Sample Estate Search Report: Georgia-Estate-Report-Sample Heir Research Articles (click to view) Probate Research Articles (click to view) Beneficiary Articles (click to view) #### Free Public Records - Genealogy Records - Vital Records There are billions of records available online. Let us help you find them to further your family tree. Below is a general guideline to what available and where to find them. General public records, marriage records, divorce records, US census public records, cemetery records and burial records, birth records, military records, military service records, United States (US) war records, ancestor certificate records, local government property records, land records, real estate court records, family records, will court records. United States criminal records, and much more. PUBLIC RECORDS The internet has turned into a big multi-tool that has helped many people locate their family members all across the vast expanse of written time. Some people use databases to search for their direct family’s history whereas some people use it as a tool to locate family members who have vanished without a trace, have been adopted out, or who have just lost touch. In any case, there are many public records that one can gain access to which would help you identify any individual you may be actively searching for. Navigating these public records depends on certain factors such as State or Province, or how long ago the event was recorded. Keep that in mind when reading the following. Must Read - 7 Tips for Searching Records City Directories Most larger developed cities in North America have a good history of public records by keeping track of who lived where. This information can be found in city directories, phone books, and other booklets one can easily access in our database. Public record sources generally provide information chronologically listed by last name, first name and followed by address and sometimes occupation. These directories in some places were made every year and this helps fill in the gaps between the federal census (done every ten years) and state censuses (done in certain US states every five years). The Federal Census in the US becomes public record after 72 years whereas Canada adheres to a 92 year rule. Again, both of these census can be found online through Ancestry and Familysearch but the City directories can act as a filler for those years as long as the person being researched resided in a community large enough to need a city directory. Oftentimes, if the county is in a rural area you may have luck locating a county census or county directory that would be similar. Newspapers Within my own experience of doing family history I have found that having a subscription to an online newspapers archive is a huge bonus. Specially, when it comes to public records. Here you can find local news of most times and most places your ancestors may have lived. To make things even more of an added benefit the newspapers keep track of locals who are born, who marry, divorce, die, and even who got put into the county poor house. We may think social media is bad today but most places threw out people’s laundry quite a bit back in the day. Newspapers are a very insightful look at our ancestral past. Vital Records: Birth Records If researching public records in the United States, chances are there is a birth index where you can find the date and name of the person born. This information also changes state to state but sometimes the index will also list the maiden name of the birth mother. Very few states will even keep in the birth indexes babies who were adopted out. In Canada, however, it is very unlikely to gain access to a birth record on any database lie Ancestry. Instead, one would have better luck to source this information by a church’s baptismal record. Marriage Records In some states and provinces you will be able to access marriage certificates and licenses. Generally speaking there is an index which helps you navigate these public records fast and easy. Birth dates, sometimes birth place, names of parents, numbers of times married, date of marriage, and witnesses are listed. Divorce Records Most public divorce records list really important information regarding the marriage. Important to note is WHO filed, and WHY along with the number of children born during the marriage. Most places would list all of this information but, again, may vary from state to state and province to province. You may also find divorces granted in a section of the local newspaper (usually by the obituaries, births, and marriages). Death Records Depending on the state in the United States, Death records become public records after a certain amount of time. These public records are incredibly helpful in providing a good source for a date of death or for the name of parent or birthplace. In Canada, public records, specifically vital records, will not be found online as they have very strict security measures in place. PROBATE RECORDS Escrow Courts Many times there are escrow court public records that can be obtained  by sending a records request to the appropriate county (dependent on State). The information gathered in these court records is to help identify who the legal heir of the property in question is. Probate or Escrow courts generally help locate legal heirs of deceased persons who had died without a will. If someone lived alone and died intestate, it is quite possible this information can be received after a certain number of years have passed. Wills & Testaments Last Wills and Testaments are very important and exciting documents that one may come across while studying their family’s history. These documents provide the researcher with a first look at what possessions their ancestor would have in their homes. Anything from cattle, to the candlestick that sat beside their bed. You will find very descriptive legalize which details their children, most times in birth order, and to what they will receive when the person dies. Reflected in these documents is the financial state of families and sometimes even the social dynamic within the family unit. With African American genealogy it is very important to follow wills as enslaved ancestors were seen as property to their owners and many times if you have a dead end in your family tree, the hint might lay within the will of their slave owner. Land Grants & Purchases It is of key importance to keep track of our ancestral past and, more often than not, a family home will be owned, passed down, sold, or sadly even torn down. Family farms in Sweden are generally still in the same family as a summer house today, as it is only human to have sacred grounds over the land that brought our ancestors up and, in the long run, brought us up as well. Using public land records to see who purchased what and for how much is a great resource. Many times you will find someone selling a home for pennies on the dollar which is just a sure way to make sure the family member or close friend did the process in a just and legal fashion. LOCAL COLLECTIONS For public records, it is important to know that local libraries will always have something to dive into. Sometimes sending a request in or just asking a question can further your family research. Your librarian may even know of a private collection somewhere that may help you. A lot of public and private records during wars were taken from libraries and archives to be safeguarded from being set on fire and destroyed. Many of these public records have been making their way online, back to protected archives, and some have even continued to be safe guarded in private collections. All it takes is one document somewhere to get past a hiccup, brick wall or dead end. CRIMINAL RECORDS As discussed earlier the accessibility of these public records depends on the place, how long ago it occurred, and the crime that took place. If searching for a specific event that happened a while back, I would turn to newspapers. If looking for recent events, I would do the same or I would contact the county if you feel you have some kind of familial obligation to obtain any information. I see more mug shots popping up on state archive websites all the time. MILITARY SERVICE COLLECTIONS The best database for military public record collections is Fold3. This website has millions of public records for service members who served all the way back to the Revolutionary war. Many of these public records include events that took place during the military service which paints a very real picture about what kinds of experience your ancestor would have lived through. SEARCH NOW FOR: general public records, marriage records, divorce records, US census public records, cemetery records and burial records, birth records, military public records, military service records, United States (US) war records, ancestor certificate public records, local government property records, land court records, real estate court records, family public records, will court records. United States criminal court records, and much more. #### Genealogical Research All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them. ~ Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) Why Begin a Genealogical Research? Whatever the reason is that spurs you to embark on an ancestor genealogical search journey, it is an important, life-changing choice that will positively impact not only your life, but the lives of your family and descendants. Tracing ancestry is the gathering of truthful and provable knowledge that allows you to understand your ancestors' lives, and how their experiences will influence generations to come. When you trace your ancestry, you willingly open the door to facts, information, and data that would remain lost, but for your desire to seek the answers. Ancestor search requires curiosity, patience, exploration, and a craving for adventure. Tracing ancestry can reveal happy news, but it can also divulge sad and unexpected news; therefore, embarking on an ancestor search is not for the faint of heart. It is for the historian, the explorer, the truth-seeker. In the end, tracing genealogical ancestry may instill pride in you for the actions of your foreparents, but it may also require forgiveness and acceptance for less-honorable actions discovered. There is no one reason to initiate a research. In fact, you may be continuing a that was already started for you. Either way, the motivation for tracing genealogical ancestry can be based on a plethora of reasons: searching for lost relatives, trying to find legal heirs for land or pension benefits, seeking dual citizenship by jus sanguinis, answering what your ethnic proportions are, finding biological parents or children, proving Native Ancestry and Tribal citizenship, joining a lineage society, building your genealogy tree, et al. Your ancestor search may be just for your gratification or a gift to your family. A research may be a large project, or it may be a small project. One thing for sure – when you trace your ancestry, it is a never-ending project. When you are tracing your ancestry, your research may be limited to the United States; however don't be surprised if your search takes you beyond the shores of the U.S. When you trace your ancestry, you sometimes have to be prepared to search internationally, as is the case if you are seeking dual citizenship, or exploring your immigrant ancestors. If you are adopted, you may be tracing ancestry to discover a biological parent. If you gave your baby up for adoption, then you may trace your ancestry in reverse, by seeking a descendant. Either way, the research is conducted as it would be for a search, just going forward. Additionally, this sort of ancestor research is sensitive and emotional, so great heed must be given to handle it properly. If you are a descendant of a Holocaust survivor or victim, or just want to trace your Jewish genealogy, tracing ancestry can be a difficult process. The same is true for other international searches. By no means are they impossible; however, you may need the assistance of a professional genealogist like us. If you are tracing ancestry to prove an adoption case, verifying heirs and beneficiaries for veterans’ and pension benefits, supplying evidence for probate and estate cases, or locating the next-of-kin for unclaimed decedents, this sort of ancestor search is going to require stricter rules of corroboration. In these cases, you may need to obtain legal documentation to trace your ancestry. This sort of forensic genealogical research may require DNA genealogy testing. Perhaps in the process of tracing ancestry, you just need the services of an Ancestor Search Specialist to conduct record lookup and retrieve documents, which may include baptismal records, death indexes, land deeds, marriage certificates, military records, obituaries, parish records, probates, social security death records, and wills. Why Your Ancestor Search Deserves the Expert Guidance of a RecordClick Genealogist Even with all the research resources available online to trace your ancestry, don't be surprised if you experience a "brick wall" moment in your genealogical research. For all the reasons you may have for tracing ancestry, the process deserves the right methods of research that serve your unique ancestor search in the most comprehensive, respectful, and affordable way possible. For these reasons and others, you may consider contacting a professional genealogist for hire. RecordClick offers you all the basics to conduct a solid ancestor search, as well as state-of-the-art superfluities, such as DNA testing (including consultation and analysis), other forensic genealogy research methods, and comprehensive project reports. See genealogy service listings for other options. You may even want to create a family video legacy of your family – that's available to you, too. We can customize your family search for the genealogical research you need, for your time frame, and for your budget. #### Genealogical Sources Checklist Genealogical Source Checklist Search like a professional and be sure you've considered the following genealogical sources. This checklist is a small example of where our professional genealogists will conduct their searches on your behalf. Family and Home Records Personal Knowledge Family Bibles Account Books Baby Books Biography Citizenship Papers Farm Records Funeral Programs Health/Medical Records Heirlooms Journals, Diaries Legal Papers Oral Tradition Photographs Scrapbooks Social Security Cards Wedding Books Vital Records Adoption Records Birth Records Death Records Delayed Birth Records Divorce Records Marriage Bong, Banns Records Marriage License Records Church Records Annulment Records Baptism Records Blessing Records Confirmation Records Disciplinary Proceedings Membership List Minister's Records Minutes Mission Reports Ordination Removals Transfer Public Sources US Federal Censuses and Indexes for 1790-1930 Mortality Schedules Agriculture School Records Elementary Secondary Vocational Trade College University Private Awards Diplomas Honor Societies Publications Report Cards Scholarships Transcripts Yearbooks Military Records Bounty Awards Citations Disability Discharges Muster Rolls National Guard Pensions Ribbons Selective Service Board Service Records Form DD214 (WWII) Land Records Deeds Grantee Index Grantor Index Homestead Applications Leases Mortgages Potents, Land Grants Plates and Maps Surveys Water Rights Land Partitions Tax Records Personal Property Poll Tax Poor Rate Real Estate School Social Security Tax Exemptions Probate Records Indexes Wills Administrations Inventories Bonds Settlements Packets Guardianships Court Records Dockets Minutes Orders, Decrees Judgements Case Files Indexes Immigrant Records Passenger Lists Passport Applications Visas Vaccination Certificates Protocols Letterbooks Crew Lists Oaths of Allegiance Alien Registration Cards Change of Name Naturalization Citizenship Papers Customs Records Immigrant Aid Societies Deportation Register of Seamen Cemetery Records Monuments & Tombstones Plats Deeds Perpetual Care Memorials Gifts Sexton's Records Funds Funeral Homes Private Sources Insurance Life Marine Fire Automobile Health Newspapers Indexes Birth Death Marriages Anniversaries Obituaries Advertisements Local News Unclaimed Mail Legal Notices Probate Auctions Forced Sales Divorces Bankruptcies Court Claims Convictions Employment Records Indentures Apprenticeships Licenses Pensions Service Awards Personnel Files Account Books Job Applications Transfers Termination Disciplinary Actions Union Trade Directories Mortuary Records Burial Registers Funeral Cards Funeral Books Compiled Sources Family Histories Genealogies Biographics Pedigrees County, Local Histories City Directories Professional Directories Indexes Lineage Society Publications Collections WPA Projects Oral History Projects Manuscript Collections Vertical File Surnames Collections Periodical Source Index National Union Manuscript Catalog Genealogical Periodicals Indexes Queries Genealogies Source Extractions Historical Articles #### Genealogist in Your Area - Find a Genealogist Near Me Find a Genealogist Near Me Easy, Get Matched With a Genealogist in 24 Hours Trusted network of vetted researchers across the U.S. and the world Let's get started by finding you a local genealogist. Use the search and filter functionality to save time. Research Areas : Research Countries : id Name first_name Research Areas last_name Research Countries email Location Country Location State Location City link Action 1 Benoit C. Benoit General Genealogy, Adoption, DNA, Immigration, Heir Connan Belgium, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Spain contact@ma-genealogie.net France Brittany Rennes https://www.apgen.org/users/benoit-connan Free Consultation 2 Stephen H. Stephen General Genealogy, Immigration, Mayflower Hersey Canada, Denmark, England, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, United States, USA sherseyva@me.com https://www.apgen.org/users/stephen-aandersen-hersey Free Consultation 3 Colleen S. Colleen General Genealogy, Adoption, DNA, Immigration, Heir Stutz Norway, Sweden, United States, USA colleen@colleenstutz.com USA Utah Salt Lake City https://www.apgen.org/users/colleen-stutz Free Consultation 4 Joyce P Joyce General Genealogy, Immigration, DAR, SAR, Mayflower Parsons United States, Canada, Ireland, Scotland, England, Australia, Hungry, USA parvally@comcast.net United States Utah Salt Lake City Free Consultation 5 Kim A. Kim General Genealogy, Native American, African American, Adoption, DAR, SAR, DNA Aldridge United States, Ireland, Scotland, England, Australia, USA kim1122a@yahoo.com United States Oregon Albany Free Consultation 6 Tone H. Tone General Genealogy, Immigration Halverson Norwegian, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden sannsagabytone@outlook.com United States Utah Roy Free Consultation 7 Quentin W. Quentin General Genealogy, Adoption, Heir, DNA Wells United States, Canada, Italy, USA qtwells7@gmail.com United States Utah Salt Lake City Free Consultation 8 Nancy C Nancy General Genealogy, Heir Crandall United States, USA nancylcrandall@gmail.com United States Delaware Dover Free Consultation 9 Edward S. Edward General Genealogy, Heir Short United States, USA edshort2141@gmail.com United States California Sacramento Free Consultation 10 Megan M Megan Genealogy Genealogy, Immigration, DAR, SAR McIntyre United States, Ireland, Scotland, USA mmcintyre222@comcast.net United States Delaware Newark Free Consultation Research Areas Research Countries How do I find a local genealogist? Great question, our experts are available to help you solve genealogical mysteries, perform record searches, find links to unknown family ancestry. Below you'll find a number of genealogists that are located throughout geographic region of the United States and worldwide. ✔ Find ancestors by last name ✔ Break brick walls fast ✔ Verify with real records ✔ Get a simple action plan Why people hire us You're not "bad at genealogy." You're just missing the right record.. or the right path to it. We help you stop guessing and start proving. We hunt for proof - Not just hints. Real records. Real sources. So your tree stays strong for decades. We keep it simple - You get clear steps, plain language, and a path forward you can actually follow. We move fast - Start with what you know, then we push into what you don't. How it works Tell us what you know Names, dates, places or where you’re stuck. Even small details help. We create a focused plan We target the right records and archives; no wasted searches. We research and verify Real documents. Real proof. Carefully cross-checked findings. You get results that matter Clear answers, source citations, and next steps; so your family story can be told with confidence. Let's Start with a Free Estimate We Have Genealogists in all States and all Countries We are cost effective, budget-conscious and trustworthy Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.What difficulties are you facing? *First Name *Last Name *Phone Number *Email * Position Drilldown Field Submit Services Pick the problem you're trying to solve. We'll match you with the right approach. Family Tree Research Find parents, grandparents, and key records that turn branches into real people. Brick Wall Breakthrough When the trail goes cold, we find the record sets most people miss. DNA & Unknown Parentage We combine DNA clues + paper records to narrow the answer with confidence. Immigration & Naturalization Track arrivals, border crossings, citizenship records, and where they came from. Adoption / Missing Person Careful, respectful research with a focus on privacy and verified sources. Dual Citizenship Research Find and document the vital records you need to support an application. Real stories. Real relief. Sometimes the best moment is simple: "Now I know." FAQ Quick answers, so you feel safe before you start. How fast can we start? Right away. Send your request and we'll reply with the next step and best path forward. What do you need from me? Just what you already know: names, dates, places, and the "stuck point." We'll take it from there. Do you only do U.S. research? No. We can support worldwide research depending on the record sets and location. What if we don’t find the answer? You still get value: a clear report, sources checked, and the smartest next places to look. Highest Rated Local Genealogist For more than 10 years our professional genealogy experts have been helping people overcome their genealogy roadblocks and helping families trace their ancestral background. Connecting you with your past is our passion while enjoying the stories and memories will take you back to the life, joy, and struggles of the past. With our combined research experience, we have the team with the passion and knowledge you can trust to discover your family's story. Highlighted below are some of top researchers. Quentin, skilled and experienced professional researcher, an author, a film and video producer, a businessman, and a former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) case officer. His University of Utah degree and his work in the intelligence community gave him a deep knowledge of research and investigative techniques that he has continued to use in later years. He has been an avid private investigator and professional genealogical researcher for over 50 years and has handled cases for more than 200 clients in more than 30 countries. Joyce, 40+ year veteran professional researcher has been accredited by the Family History Library and by ICAPGEN in Isle of Man and English genealogy research since 1992. In addition, she is extremely knowledgeable in Irish, Scottish, U.S. and a few other types of genealogical searches. Well experienced in genealogy, family history research, and tracing roots. She is an extremely effective researcher and often ask for by name by new customers. Joyce credits genealogy and family history research with keeping her “sane” and staving off Alzheimers. Kim, a gifted family historian and an internationally respected qualitative researcher with an interest in social history. She has conducted genealogical research for over 20 years and as professional for the past 10 years. Kim has a doctoral degree in the social sciences and a post-graduate diploma in genealogical studies. Having a Metis heritage, she has a significant interest in Metis, Native American, French-American/Canadian, Creole and early American/Canadian genealogy. Customers describe Kim as a problem solver. Nancy, specializes in heir research or probate research cases. Earning her PLCGS credential in Methodology and American Records, she needs be your next genealogy export for your estate settlement research report; if you want it done correct the first time. You'll find her education, her skills, and her passion all match and visible in her reports. So much so that her reports are usable in court and Nancy is available for testimony, if required. Due to her expertise in American records, Nancy is aspires to solve your next American genealogy roadblock. Linda, your project manager. Linda will coordinate people and processes to ensure that your projects are delivered on time and produce the desired results. She is the go-to person for everything involving a project's organization and timeline. She's focused on assuring professionalism, promptness, and your satisfaction. Tone, is your Norway, Denmark, Sweden, & early Finnish expert. She completed all of her education in the cities of Oslo & Bergen. Speaks English, Swedish, Danish, Spanish & German. Her proximity to the Salt Lake Library enables her for quick archive retrievals & other resources. Ed, professional researcher with 10+ years of experience. Helped explained a mystery surrounding the names in an old bible which seemed to not match the bible's owners names to working with DNA to not only see matches but pin down exactly how we are connected. Megan, a retired corporate litigation partner at a major law firm and now a professional genealogist. She has over 20 years of experience in U.S. genealogical research – including Colonial New England – and has helped many clients uncover their roots in Ireland and Italy. In several cases she has used DNA analysis in combination with documentary research to solve genealogical mysteries. Blain, DNA expert and a professional genealogist with more than 10 years of experience. Blain helps our team crack some complicated DNA analysis roadblocks, along side providing his genealogy expertise. George, working out of the New York state, George has access to an array of resources. His 20+ years in genealogy helps us uncover ship records, immigration records, and much more. George has solved so many immigration roadblocks, it's amazing. Larry, has over 10 years of experience in genealogical research and his primary focus is around Georgia. Highest Rated International Genealogist Canada Heather Susan Michael Mark UK Richard Abigail Benny Germany Thomas Ursula Heiko Benny Michael Russia Marta Aleksandra Dennis Michael Poland Aleksandra Michal Michael Croatia Norbert Ukraine Norbert Dennis Marta Michael Italy Alessandro Megan Romania Norbert Ireland Emma John Katrina Megan Shawn Spain Fernando Blake Benny Netherlands Benny France Benny Craig Sebastian Portugal Yann Why Choose RecordClick to Hire a Professional Genealogist? At RecordClick, we take pride in our 94% success rate, showcasing our dedication to uncovering your family's history with accuracy and detail. Our clients have direct communication with our team of professional genealogists, ensuring that your journey into the past is handled with personal care and professional expertise. We're committed to providing the best pricing for "Professional" services, making top-tier genealogical research affordable and accessible. You can see our genealogists' skills in action on smaller projects, allowing you to gauge our work quality without a hefty initial commitment. Above all, we're a personable and trustworthy team. Our goal is to deliver great results, and we believe in building strong, trusting relationships with our clients as we navigate the story of their ancestry together. How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Genealogist? #### Genealogy Blog URL: https://www.recordclick.com/blog/ #### Genealogy Financing Buy now, pay later No problem, we now offer a interest free financing option. When you select the "PAY" button below you should see the following "AfterPay/ClearPay" option. Note - On the next page, if you don't see the "AfterPay/ClearPay" option, then it might not be available in your Country/Region. In which case, please contact us for options. #### Genealogy Gift / Ancestry Gift Card / Ancestry As A Gift Finding genealogy gift ideas can be difficult. However, for a genealogy enthusiasts, there is nothing better than receiving the gift of genealogy it self; a helping hand. A genealogy gift card says you care about family, and the values that come with it. Genealogy Gifts / Ancestry Gift Cards Genealogy is a gift you give to yourself and your family. And you don’t have to do it all on your own. Even our Record Click experts know this! An ancestry gift card can include, but limited to: A family tree (new or extend existing services) Any kind of record or ancestor search query Any family history research International research (United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, etc.) Family photos search or family tree chart or newspaper research Adoption research Family heirlooms DNA testing and much more [table id=2 /] [table id=13 /] For those in search of genealogy gifts, for Christmas, Valentines Day, or Birth Day, Record Click's genealogy gift cards make a great gift idea and will make someone really really happy. We also create Legacy Books, Genealogy Books and Family History Books. No Delivery Address Required When you order one of the above genealogy gift cards, we will generate a e-card for you with your own message. Once you've decided on the message, we will ask for the recipient's email address and schedule delivery. Alternative to sending it via email address, you can also print the e-gift card and place it in a traditional card. Genealogy Gift Our family historian, Joan Shurtliff, reminds us that when you conduct a search query with our Record Click family history researchers, you get the gift that keeps on giving.–for generations! Regardless, if you purchased our research package as genealogy gift or a regular family tree package. This Record Click genealogist has been to more conferences than I can count looking for ideas to make my search easier and to find those darned ancestors who seem to prefer to just live their lives and not do anything notable. I can research. I wrote my share of reports and papers in high school, college and as a professional genealogist. I can do this… after all there are some basic steps to follow… it’s not too hard… I don’t need to pay anybody to help me… it’s my family and I know my family. This is what this family history researcher tells herself because genealogy is a hobby of mine that turned into a passion and then something of an obsession. Family History Gifts I also hate to spend money on things I can do myself. That’s the thinking anyway until the computer gets funky or the faucet starts dripping or when thinking of a family history gift or the car starts making funny noises. Yes, I can figure out generally what the computer, faucet or car issues may be. I can do a few basic tasks to fix them – like turn things on and off. If that doesn’t work, most times, it might be best to call in the experts. I usually let television commercial tag lines come and go but the old one for those Fram Oil Filters stuck with me and it is so true: “You can pay me now or pay me later (when it costs a lot more money).” A family gathering is usually not complete without a story of a situation gone awry and how the catastrophe was resolved. But it is my family and my family’s history and my endeavor and I can do this–until the going gets a little sticky. I was recently interviewed by professional genealogist Josiah Schmidt for his genealogy podcast. I thank him for his kind invitation. He, like the professional genealogists at Record Click, make the search query easier and keep it from getting sticky. It has been interesting for this genealogy researcher to watch the field of genealogy change over the years. When I began, a genealogist was a general practitioner. One person worked with everything from census records to military enlistment files to legal documents. In the past ten years or so, the professional genealogist has begun to develop areas of expertise. Some genealogists for hire specialize in specific geographic areas or certain nationalities. Other genealogy researchers work with photographs, legal records, or societies like the Mayflower descendants or the Daughters of the American Revolution. Still others have access to research facilities such as the National Archives or the Family History Library. Finding Family Members As a family historian, I have experience working with, for example, Nebraska and South Dakota records. I know the history of the area, what Native American nations and tribes are based here and how this area was settled. Ask me about Maryland or Maine and I can provide some general research information, but I need to do some studying to find out about the state’s system of record keeping and what other research resources are available to the genealogist. When considering gift ideas, genealogy gifts are the best. One of the benefits of hiring Record Click to do your genealogy research, or to conduct a specific search query, is that finding the right genealogist who is knowledgeable in the area specific to your family history is easy. It happens automatically since our group of expert genealogists have such a wide range of expertise! Other family tree sites such as Ancestry.com, FamilySearch, and myHeritage do have professional genealogists available. The tendency at these sites, however, is to start with the resources closest to them. MyHeritage and others attempt to make the genealogy research easier by tying into family trees already existing on their sites. There is nothing wrong with this. But we professional genealogists know that the journey of the family historian most always goes beyond the scope of these two entities; there's more to the search query. More than once I have bitten my lip to remain silent when there were discussions about the inaccuracy of the the ancestors linked in these systems or the information. I know my family… and I can do this… Yet, how well do we really know our families? Most families have stories that have been passed down through the generations. An ancestor married a Native American. Another ancestor knew George Washington or Abraham Lincoln personally. Or another ancestor robbed a bank out west somewhere. I can boast that I had an audience with the Pope in Rome. I did–along with 5,000 other people as we gathered in St. Peter’s Square on a slightly blustery morning a couple of years ago. One of the aspects that I like about the genealogy television shows such as Who Do You Think You Are and Finding Your Roots is that the participants accept the findings of the professional genealogists based on documented research. I’ve even heard a time or two that an old family story has been dashed. Oh well. Maybe, I didn’t know my family member as well as I thought I did. Life is challenging; that’s O.K. Each family search query and family tree is important. Our ancestors have wonderful stories to tell us. They are a part of us. We carry their genes. Without them, we wouldn’t be who we are. The stories may be heroic or tragic, funny or ironic. Our ancestors tell us things like what life was like in 1900 or the politics of Germany in 1850. It is also easy to get lost when the search goes to a time before what we or our parents or grandparents remember. The professional genealogists at RecordClick make the journey easier. We seek documentation to be sure that your ancestors are, indeed, your ancestors. We get information that is not available online. We can tell you about the history of the places where your ancestors lived. Is the search or pedigree charts by the genealogist always easy? No. Wish List for Loved One A DNA test kit is not always on the list. Rather, the mouse click to start the journey with Record Click may be the easiest part of the process. This is the time of year for family gatherings, for the sharing of stories and remembering times past. What could be a better than the gift of a family history? Consider all your buying choices before making your final decision for this holiday season. The are plenty of genealogy gifts available on the internet; however, the genealogy gifts from Record Click come with guaranteed results and satisfaction. #### Genealogy Jobs - Ancestry Careers - Ancestry Jobs - Genealogy Research Jobs Join our team of professional genealogists. If you're in search of a genealogy job that offers you the flexibility to work from home or any where else in the world and on your time schedule, then we are a perfect fit. Record Click partners with genealogists, geneticists, archivists, and historians worldwide to offer customers the ability solve their genealogy. If your good at ancestry research than an ancestry careers awaits you here. Ancestry jobs, or genealogy research jobs, are in high demands here at Record Click so we encourage you submit your application quickly. If you're looking for an ancestry job at researching family trees, you're at the right place. We Would Love to Work With You Apply Now Part-time, Contract or Full-time options available Join Our Team Have a look at our teams page and you'll quickly discover that we work with professionals all across United States, Canada, and around world. Genealogy is not local so why hire and constrain you to a local environment. Work from home, work from the library, work from anywhere; we're focused on your results not your location. We work with genealogists, geneticists, archivists, and historians worldwide and would love to work with you. Explore available genealogy careers and jobs, and work for the highest-rated research firm! #### Genealogy News RecordClick is a member of Startup America. The Denville Award Program has chosen RecordClick for the 2013 Denville Awards in the Independent Researchers classification. Your Family History Magazine interviewed Record Click in their August 2012 issue: Click the logo on the right to read article. (PDF file requires free Adobe Reader) Press Releases September 13, 2013 - RecordClick Boosts Article Blitz, Taps Genealogy Experts Around the World (Interview with German genealogist Ursula Krause) August 27, 2013 - Senator Strom Thurmond's Granddaughter Engages RecordClick for Genealogy Research May 24, 2013 - RecordClick Adds Editorial Services to Assist Customers in Creating Historical Narratives May 15, 2013 - RecordClick Enhances Product Offerings with Legacy Books April 15, 2013 - RecordClick Enhances Digital Movie-Making Experience for Family Genealogists April 15, 2013 - RecordClick Launches Strategic Genealogy Initiative in Western and Central Europe March 19, 2013 - RecordClick Stokes Editorial Engine with Seasoned Professional Writers March 19, 2013 - RecordClick Offers ReelGenie's New Digital Movie-Making Product February 14, 2013 - RecordClick Marks One-Year Anniversary of Its Genealogy Ancestry Service Website February 14, 2013 - RecordClick Is Making a Production Out of Genealogy - Family Genealogy Research Company Now Offers Video Biographies January 25, 2013 - RecordClick Announces Affiliation with Premier DNA Science Firm: New Services Include DNA Testing and Consultation in Addition to Traditional Ancestor Search Services January 25, 2013 - RecordClick Announces Launch of New Service: Addition of Forensic Genealogy Research Helps Solve Ancestry Issues that Demand More Stringent Documentation See What Clients Are Saying About RecordClick Genealogical Research Services Read below to hear some of the impressive genealogy researcher testimonials, and genealogist customer reviews, that we have gotten from our clients. Isn’t it time you completed your family history? Call our professional genealogists today so that we can help you finally put together your family tree and preserve your family legacy. RecordClick came to speak at SAGE Eldercare in Summit. It was fabulous. The audience couldn’t get enough! We have never done anything like this before and were not sure of the response we would get. We could not be happier. Since the talk, many have joined ancestry.com. We can’t wait for to come back and delve further into this very interesting topic. ~ Stephanie Kresch, Director of Community Relations, SAGE Eldercare Dear RecordClick I wanted to tell you that I really enjoyed your program at SAGE Eldercare a few weeks ago -- so much so that I joined ancestry.com that night and have not stopped entering data since. I had been doing research on the Internet to some extent and in libraries in PA, NJ and NYC in the early 1990s and I had not entered any data into a computer since 1998! Your program gave me the inspiration to jump back into my research -- it may take me a long time to enter the generations of data that I had compiled, but now that I've started, I won't quit! Amazing how things can change in a decade; back then, I had to look at 1800 census pages on microfilm and now multiple decades are available in one place! Thanks for a great seminar. ~ Julie Pedersen (née Price) #### Genealogy Price Comparison Chart We've created the below genealogy price comparison chart for you. When you choose Record Click for your genealogy research, we want you to know that you're getting the best prices in the industry without the sacrifice of service and expertise. What We Do We are experts at record retrieval but our customer service will win you over. We are always available, throughout the day. Plus, you have direct communication with various people on your project (project manager, researchers, etc.). See our genealogy services page for a comprehensive list of available services. Genealogy Price Comparison We have been in the industry for a long time so we know that not everyone can afford a large price tag - nor does their research require a large amount of time. However, our competitors don't seem to care. You be the judge. The following genealogy price comparison chart contains links directly to our competitor's price page so you can see the actual savings for yourself. [table id=1 /] As you can see from the genealogy price comparison chart our pricing is the best in the industry when compared to the above competitors. This does not mean our service is less creditable. In fact, our customers continue to voice their pleasures at project completion. Our customers say that we are the best in the industry. Best price, best service, best results! Our Process You're going to love our process. You'll work side by side with a genealogist - allowing you to track the results and ask as many questions as you like. Customers love the ability to interact directly with our professional genealogists. We recommend all our customers start with a small package and order more if needed. If you want to take advantage of the larger package discount then by all means go ahead and order a larger package. We will work with you to make sure we have enough information to start your research. Based on your research needs we will assign a credential matching genealogist for your project. We will create your account on our Research Suite so that you can communicate directly with your assigned genealogist and assess all documents that are found. A project manager will be assigned to make sure your project gets completed in a timely manner. We will begin your research. As information is unveiled the genealogist will post into your account for you to review at any time. We will deliver results and help address any questions you may have. Project is completed and you are satisfied. Not only do you get industry best prices as outlined in the price comparison chart, but you can see that our service is top-notch! You're going to love working with us and the results we deliver. Where to Get Help We can customize your family search for the genealogical research you need, in your time frame, and within your budget. Contact us today to get started. #### Genealogy Services - Worldwide Genealogist Services Genealogy Services Worldwide Genealogist Services You’re eventually going to need genealogical research services. Even with all the genealogical research resources available online, the inevitable “brick wall” moment cannot be prevented, even for the most seasoned family history researcher. That’s when you’ll need a professional. When that happens, the best thing you can do is contact a reputable and trusted genealogist service provider that offers a comprehensive roster of ancestry services. RecordClick is the company for you for so many reasons. Spend $1,000's with Others or Spend $100's with RecordClick We are cost effective, budget conscious, trustworthy and world wide. Customer Testimonials Independent Testimonials at Trustpilot.com: Read More Reviews View all our reviews @ Trust Pilot Available Genealogy Research Services Standard Services Record Search - The core essence of our efforts are record search and retrieval. The little pieces of our history that confirm what our ancestors have been tellings us. At RecordClick we're experts at record search and record retrieval. We can locate records on your ancestors. Tracing Family History Domestic (United States) - We have researchers qualified in your requested area of research. Our team of 45+ experts include a former CIA agent, in-house DNA experts, and researchers in all states. Tracing Family History Internationally (Europe, Australia, Canada, etc.) - Our abilities extend well past our local researchers. We connected ourselves with multiple researchers in almost all major countries. Family History Research Services - Family history investigation is done out of necessity and at some point in your lifetime, there’s a good chance that you may be bitten by the genealogy bug, and feel compelled to trace your family history or find your gateway ancestor; one of our genealogist can help you. Family Tree Review Services - Family tree reviews is one of our top services and we are constantly debunking previous finding by providing proof in the form of records. If you’ve been creating your family tree in your pass-time, it is highly recommended that you have our team of professional genealogists review your tree. Heir Search or Estate Settlement Services - Most commonly, heir research or an estate settlement is usually performed at times when someone dies with or without a will. Our team of experts have 98% success rate and charge some of the lowest fees in the industry. Document Retrieval - If you're looking for a specific document, such as vital records, birth certificate records, etc., from a specific archive or government center, we can help. We have genealogists in every state and major country, near archives, who can work on retrieve the records for you. We can schedule a site visit and retrieve the document you request. Genealogical Research - When you trace your ancestry, you willingly open the door to facts, information, and data that would remain lost, but for your desire to seek the answers. Ancestor search requires curiosity, patience, exploration, and a craving for adventure. Our genealogist group is here to help you with your journey. Ethnicity Based Services Our genealogist services include each of genealogists specializing in various areas of expertise. It's important to hire a genealogist who has past experiences in the area you're acquiring. Otherwise, you're spinning your wheels and wasting money. At RecordClick, we don't like doing either. Our genealogy research services are among those of the best. Here is a list our speciality areas. This is not an all exclusive list, so be sure to contact us get your free consultation. Our fee structure is the same for all services, there is no additional charges for choosing one area of specialization over another. African American Austrian British Czech Danish German Ancestry Irish Genealogy Italian Heritage Jewish Native American Polish Russian Scottish Adoption and Missing Person Search Services We're masters at finding people; your family members. Our group of genealogists extends from former CIA agent, former Ancestry DNA expert, and much more. We have an incredibly high success rate and we receive 100 of referrals a year from happy customers. Our genealogists have worked miracles here. Locate Biological Children Finding Birth Parents Locate Missing People/Relatives Locate your Family Members Application Services Over 50+ applications a year are completed by our staff members. If you looking for an experienced team to work on your application, then you need RecordClick's genealogist services. Lineage Society Applications SAR Sons of the American Revolution Application DAR Daughters of the American Revolution Application Native Ancestry and Tribal Citizenship Citizenship by descent (jus sanguinis) Jus sanguinis (citizenship by descent) Media Creation Create a Legacy Video Create a Legacy Book Speciality Services Forensic Genealogy Genealogy Analysis and Consultation Genetic Genealogy Genealogy and Family Tree DNS Testing and Consultation     Researching for Large and Small Projects RecordClick offers customized genealogist services research. Our array of service offerings is appropriate for all sizes and types of ancestor projects. RecordClick is perfect for people with small scale projects and with limited budgets; who need a specific question answered or record retrieved. RecordClick’s competitors handle only large-sized projects and charge high minimum project fees. It is also perfect for projects requiring a deeper dive for more extended and comprehensive results. The above list represents a small selection of our professional offerings. Find Biological Parents World Wide We have helped 100’s of individuals identify and locate their birth parents. Our project lead for these types of searches is not only a professional genealogist but also a former CIA agent. Combining his professional capabilities and uncanny ability to connect the dots, this former CIA agent is perfect to locate a birth mother, birth father, or any birth family. Retrieving records, documents, information, and results that adoptees are seeking. We have first-hand knowledge of adoption, specializing in sensitive searches by using a combination of traditional methods in combination with forensic applications, including DNA testing. Family Tree DNA can answer many questions about an adoption. #### Genealogy Testimonials Watch and read below to hear some of the impressive genealogy researcher testimonials, and genealogy reviews that we have gotten from our clients. Isn’t it time you completed your ancestry research? Call our genealogists today. We'll make it easy for you to build a family tree and preserve your family history. Customer Testimonials Independent Testimonials at Trustpilot.com: Read More Reviews View all our reviews @ Trust Pilot Clients who have worked with Record Click have said: I was more than thrilled with Record Click. It really gave me a taste of what you can develop over the course of the year. I was very excited to move forward with you. Thank you and thank your team for the crazy deadlines and the quality of the work. I loved the colors, the pictures, the flow, the visuals; the whole experience was really really fantastic. I look forward to working with you further. Again, please thank your team. -- Sage and Tony ROBBINS (audio file) I am so grateful to have found Record Click to do the extensive family history research project that I was looking to complete. The research that was done on my behalf was thorough and absolutely first-rate and the people who helped me could not have been more professional and more pleasant to work with. Overall, it’s been just a wonderful and productive experience and I am thrilled with what we accomplished. -- Dan Ashley - ABC 7 News I am thrilled. In two time slots you have discovered what various members of my family have been searching for for a hundred years .here was endless misinformation about, the worst being that we believed until just a year or so ago that my grandparents were the ones who came from Ireland -- William Kinsella - Author of Field of Dreams Thanks so much for your assistance with my project. You uncovered information that I thought might be impossible to find, and in doing so helped resolve an historical mystery. -- James Perloff - Author of The Shadows of Power I needed to find out my father's maternal lineage for the sake of a land issue. He is part Menominee Indian and I needed to determine the percentage. I did an internet search for a company area and found "Record Click". I contacted them and received a personal call. The word "personal" or better "personalized" is what I would use to describe the experience with Record Click. They listened to my needs and tailored their search and findings to my individual requirements. I would recommend them to friends and family interested in genealogy issues and plan to use them again to do a comprehensive family tree for my children. -- Joe Deer, Macomb, MI I needed to find out my father's maternal lineage for the sake of a land issue. He is part Menominee Indian and I needed to determine the percentage. I did an internet search for a company area and found "Record Click". I contacted them and received a personal call. The word "personal" or better "personalized" is what I would use to describe the experience with Record Click. They listened to my needs and tailored their search and findings to my individual requirements. I would recommend them to friends and family interested in genealogy issues and plan to use them again to do a comprehensive family tree for my children. -- Joe Deer, Macomb, MI I would like to add that the search on my behalf was done quickly and professionally with excellent explanations and information about the areas being researched for me. I felt like it was an extended family member who was in the distant country finding family information and suggesting how to get certificates, some of which had not been recorded. Also... Record Click was 1/3 to 1/4 of the costs quoted by another company that does research in my research area. Also with this other company I would not have known what services to purchase.  Thanks for the empathetic effort in starting more of my search :-) -- Alexandra Innes, Canada Great and thank you. Please pass on my thanks to the researcher. It looks very complete and pleased. We will keep you on the top of our list for future projects. -- Joe Soldis Private Investigator  Thanks! You did a great job clarifying mistakes that were in our family genealogy.I plan on using you in the near future for further research." -- Randolph Henry, OH "Thank you so much for your empathy your compassion and your amazing abilities. It really meant so much to all of us. With thanks..." -- Allison K., NJ Thanks so much for your assistance with my project. You uncovered information that I thought might be impossible to find, and in doing so helped resolve an historical mystery. -- James Perloff Thanks! I'm impressed that you were able to find this information in just 3 hours! The marriage certificate for Eliza was something I had not previously found. -- T.S., Washington My experience with Record Click was extremely favorable, helping me see something I have been staring at for years in a new angle, weeding out what had been done from what hadn't and cleared up what seemed to be an insurmountable brick wall. -- Melissa Ward, FL I was very pleased with the quick assistance in finding info. about my Father’s ancestry. Thank you! -- Julia Wieler, Saskatoon, Canada I've downloaded all 5 documents and have been through them twice. Thanks for your hard work and your excellent productivity. There is some very useful new information in there. Your thoughts about Virgina origins are useful and I'll pursue them. Thanks for your all your efforts - they're very helpful. -- Bill Wright, CA Hi RecordClick, I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate the favor you and Joyce have shown me. I had heard that a 'lawsuit' existed concerning my great, great grand father & realized that it could be a link that I needed in tracing my family. However, I always met with the excuse that nothing existed after the burning of court houses in the South & especially Lexington Co., SC! How surprised I was when, using the reference to Brent Holcomb's book you provided, the Archivist agreed to check his Equity Records. He found it in the Lexington Co. Deed Book & I have ordered a copy. Can't wait to get my hands on it! Thank you so much! -- J. Phifer, Austin, TX What great researching!! And, thank you. I now can go visit my grandmother's gravesite. Here's hoping we can find something on grandpa Martin. -- Susan Trial, Austin, TX I want to thank you guys. You are really good! -- Tony Miller, WI Once again, thank you for your professionalism and attention to detail. Because of your experience and local knowledge you have saved me countless hours of needless research in wrong areas. You can rest assured that anyone that asks will receive your name and my recommendation to use record click. I can not thank you enough! -- Paul S. Bates (via Facebook) Your team is so gracious, prompt, professional and productive. I couldn't wait to open my account each day to see what "hidden information" you had uncovered for me. Thank you so much. This is probably not the last time we will work together. There are still many of my "long-ago" relatives out there just waiting for you to find them. P.S. Today is my birthday and you have all given me one of the finest gifts I could get. Thank you so much. I believe this 'says it all.' Can't imagine what else would be needed. I appreciate everything your team has done to help me with my "journey." Wow… such interesting twists and turns! -- J Wynne, NC You and the team did a wonderful job for me. Joyce made a couple of suggestions that I had not thought about in the past. As I said before, I am getting too old to keep pursuing this, but I will attend a wedding in Tennessee this coming weekend and see if some of the younger generations wish to pursue it. Technology has made a big difference from what I did 25-30 years ago. Thank you, again -- Daniel Sullivan, MO I just started looking at everything. This is amazing! Great work and thank you! -- A. Clark, WV Joyce's research helped me clarify my search territory and enabled to start a database of Colvert-owned slaves. I may wish to contract for additional research after a trip to NC next week. -- L. Henderson I too would like to thank you and your team for all the time and effort you spent helping me with the research of my family. I really enjoyed talking with Record Click's genealogical researchers, you made it easy to express my concerns and feelings. Thanks for allowing me to do a payment plan, I know this is something not done a lot, if ever, so I really appreciate your trust. You are in the right business. -- W. Williams, MD RecordClick was an awesome experience right from the beginning! I thought I had reached a dead end on part of my family tree but Kim came in and found more information that I could possibly imagine! My family and I are so impressed with all of the stuff she found and how much time she spent researching our family genealogy. Everyone involved in this project was excellent and very, very nice to work with! We will be back soon!!! -- Lauren Wampole, OR I was very happy with your service. It was done in a timely manner. Thank you so much! -- C. Wilmerton Thanks so much for your Act of Kindness and the information I received today. I feel you did a most adequate search for me and the money I sent. I know from experience how long it can, and does, take for some surnames. Would love to travel but that won't happen so I must depend on others and people like you -- Frances, U.S. There were a lot more records than I expected. -- Erik, Norway The information connects very nicely with other information that you saw in the time line for Alexander, with the exception of the arrival date (which was always suspect). What you have sent feels right -Yes, the proof is not there but I feel good about this. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. -- M. Bacon, NJ RecordClick, What an exciting result! I really am delighted. It has answered so many questions and given me several more leads to pursue. I can't thank you enough for such an excellent piece of work and can assure you that when we come across another "brick wall" you will be the first people we come to. Once again very many thanks. All the best for the future. -- Richard Emms, UK Record Click and their professional genealogists are wonderful! Any family puzzle you have they can solve! They are so nice, and its absolutely amazing the information this team can figure out, not to mention how fast! They change lives with their insight I would definitely recommended this team if there's something you want figured out!". -- Erica Friedmann, PA Thank you, so much, to you and your team. This has been a great help and you have made the experience special. Thank you again. -- Paul Moore, MI I have been in shock and awe....absolutely speechless! I have been sitting here for several hours, despite the late hour, pouring through the documents you posted, and I can hardly believe what I am reading. The March 30, 1799 Greenbrier, WV Court Order listing family heirs will serve very well as a primary resource in place of the 1805 record we initially sought. Thank you! I must also add that I am so grateful that you did not give up despite my disappointment about the elusive 1805 record. In the end, you offered more than I asked for, and that is very impressive customer service. Again, I am so incredibly impressed with your work. You offer the best in quality and attention to your clients. I couldn't ask for better service or results. -- L Gellert, IN My experience has been positive. The platform is easy to use. Thank the ladies for me. -- R Fanelly, OH Oh my! This is going to rock the cousins' world, but at least they know more now than they did before. You did such an excellent job - I am so impressed! Joyce did an excellent job, and I can tell she loves her job. I was surprised at how she found so much information so quickly. She backed everything up with her sources. I would definitely use this service again. -- Ruth, FL Thank you all. I look forward to working with you all in the future. -- F. Smith, TX It was a pleasure working with Record Click. From the beginning, they were a very responsive company, and they took genuine interest in helping me with my research. They provide excellent customer service and the researchers are always in contact with you. The results were also amazing! There was a very fast turnaround and they went over and beyond for me and thanks to them my Professor was very pleased. Thank you Record Click! -- S. Perez, FL My thanks to you for your assistance with regards B.E. Stratton. I certainly did not expect to have the results so promptly. -- Sandra, Australia I have reviewed the wonderful files you've sent me. I just want to thank you. Even though the father could not be identified, I still got some other information I could use later on. Thank you again. -- P. Bailey, PA Well, while it has been a while since I hired a genealogist to do research for me, I can say I was very pleased with the level of communication I received as you worked to get access to the records I requested.  I liked receiving scans of the pertinent records and have downloaded them into my files.  Thanks for your oversight and your "legwork" -- R. Crane, MN Thank you so much for all the superb work you have done! I feel like I know so much more about my family. My cousin in Sweden is the grandson of Victor's younger sister Josefina. The first three Lars August Sjoberg children had another mother who died. When she died, he took in a young orphaned girl to watch the three older girls. Regina then had Victor and Josefina. Again, my thanks for your excellent services. -- Jean Roseman, TN Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought that within a week of speaking to Record Click about my search for my father's family, I would be looking at the family history. Words will never be enough to say thank you, it is certainly better than winning the lottery!! -- Terence, Isle of Wight, UK Hello Record Click Team, I have just received our mail from Bennetts Green in NSW. What a wonderful surprise, the copies of the Death Certificates. Thank you all so very much for all your help & assistance in obtaining the certificates, it is greatly appreciated. Sincere Thanks to you all. -- RC, Western Australia 100's more 5 star testimonials available. Are you ready to achieve success with your research project? #### Genetic DNA Testing Genetic DNA Testing or Genetic Genealogy via a DNA test is a perfect complement to genealogy research, and like Record Click, it is more affordable now than ever. To make your ancestry research journey easier, Record Click offers genealogy DNA testing kits (through its partnership with Family Tree DNA and 23andMe) to help enhance and expand your genealogy research options, and to help you uncover the deep ancestral origin of your family tree. Genetic DNA testing has proven to be an invaluable resource for family tree research by helping testing participants to solve genealogy puzzles. Depending on the test you take, you can discover the ancestry on your direct paternal (Y-DNA) or maternal (mitochondrial or mtDNA) lines. There is also autosomal ("Family Finder") testing, which uses the DNA from both the mother and father. Genetic DNA testing can tell you what the ethnic proportions are of your ancestry, e.g., are you descended from a particular group, such as Native American, Jewish, or African. At RecordClick, we are here to help you understand and interpret the results of your genetic DNA test. They can be confusing and they can be exciting. Know how to proceed with your research after a DNA test is an important of your ancestral fact finding mission. If you are unsure or just need help answering a few questions, we encourage you to get in touch with us. We have professional genealogist who are focused on just genetic DNA testing. Types of Genetic DNA Tests Y-DNA Testing This is the best test to use when you want clear proof of ancestry on your father’s side. This test is for males only and is available with 37- or 67-marker matches. A combination package -- autosomal DNA and the basic Y-DNA -- is also available. Learn more, and order now at familytreedna.com Mitochondrial DNA Testing You can choose from three types of mitochondrial DNA testing to trace your direct maternal line; this is the best test when you want clear proof of ancestry on your mother’s side. This test can be taken by men and women, and includes mid- and high-level tests. A combination package - autosomal DNA and the basic mtDNA – is also available. Learn more, and order now at familytreedna.com Autosomal Testing – Recommended for Genealogists Autosomal testing, aka “Family Finder,” uses DNA inherited from your mother and father. It finds ancestry from all of your lineages and provides the percentages of your ethnic ancestry. The regular Family Finder and the Family Finder + mtDNA are for men and women, while the Family Finder + Y-DNA 12 is for males only. Learn more, and order now at familytreedna.com Autosomal Testing to Trace Family Trees 23andMe also offers autosomal DNA testing, which uses “SNP chips” that test between 700,000 and 967,000 specific point mutations called SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms). It also provides customers with a list of closest matches in their databases. Of the top three companies offering autosomal DNA analysis, 23andMe’s kit includes the most SNPs in its test. This information is crucial to trace family trees. Learn more and order now at 23andMe. We can customizes your family search for the genealogical research you need, for your time frame, and for your budget. Contact us to get started. #### German Ancestry & German Citizenship by Descent German Ancestry German Citizenship by Descent Ancestry & German Citizenship – Obtaining German Citizenship by Descent – Help with your Application We're a professional genealogy research company. Our German researchers can help you locate records in Germany, complete your citizenship by descent, find your German roots and your German ancestry, locate pictures and ancestral stories, and more... Our German Genealogy Experts German Genealogist, German Genealogy, German Ancestry   available Max (Holzgerlingen, Germany) available Matteo (Munich, Germany) available Tilda (Essen, Germany) + 2 More Researchers Hamburg / Germany Frankfurt / Germany   Great News!We've expanded our German Genealogy research by launching our new site dedicate exclusively for German Research Genealogy Services. Hire the Best German Genealogist Researchers: GermanResearchers.com If you're interested in tracing your German ancestry, you're in luck, we're here to help you. After Irish genealogy, German genealogy research has become the second most researched ancestry area. This is right, as many German families live throughout the United States and the world. This guide will walk you through the basics of researching your German ancestry, from finding records online to navigating archives in Germany. So whether you're just getting started or you've been working on your family tree for years, this guide will help you further your research. Regardless, if you're researching your German roots or determining if you qualify for German citizenship by descent, the challenges you'll face can be daunting and difficult. Not to worry, this guide will offer much needed assistance. Key Takeaways: For best and accurate results, hire a professional company, Make sure your genealogist is located in Germany, Don't pay $1000's or $10000's, when you can pay $100's, Make sure you have direct communication with the lead genealogist. Save time and money by hiring one of RecordClick's German genealogist. Let's Get Started How to get German Citizenship by Descent & Your German Ancestry? Connecting the dots to a German ancestry could make you eligible for German citizenship. In August 2021, Germany started the Descent Program to allow descendants of German citizens to become citizens of Europe's economic powerhouse. The program comes with unique requirements easier to achieve than other citizenship acquisition methods like investment. Moreover, earning German citizenship grants you access to the country's passport, the third-best travel document worldwide, and potential leverage to enrich your personal life and development. But first, you must trace your lineage to that German great-grandmother or father. You also need to know about the paperwork and timeline, which, as you can guess, is tricky. Therefore, consulting a professional to understand the maneuvers and save yourself from stress and disappointments is wise. Through our solid experience in tracking lineage and ancestry across Europe and beyond, we'll address every one of your concerns regarding ancestry. We've done all the work, from eligibility checks to the application process, to ensure you get your German passport ASAP. Important Factors to Consider Citizenship by descent and ancestry is citizenship granted to descendants of a dead or exiled citizen. Correctly tracking your lineage to a German ancestor is the most important step in checking eligibility for German citizenship by descent. Record Click Professional Genealogists will navigate the national library perfectly, quickly track your story, and expedite the German citizenship application process. What Is Citizenship by German Ancestry? Citizenship by ancestry refers to the right to claim German citizenship based on the principle of "jus sanguinis" (right of blood), where citizenship is not determined by the place of birth but through the German bloodline. If you have a German ancestor, such as a great-grandmother who emigrated to the United States, you and your descendants could be eligible for German citizenship. This means that the lineage from your ancestor to you forms a continuous link that Germany recognizes for citizenship purposes. The process typically requires providing documentation that proves the lineage, such as birth, marriage, and naturalization records. If your ancestor lost German citizenship by becoming a naturalized citizen of another country before the birth of the next descendant or for other reasons laid out in German law, this could affect your eligibility. By obtaining citizenship by descent, you're not just gaining a passport; you're reclaiming a part of your history and identity. It's a recognition of the enduring bond between German ancestors who left their homeland and their present-day descendants and friends who wish to affirm their connection to Germany. How To Claim German Citizenship by Descent & Ancestry? Correctly tracking your lineage to a German ancestor is the most important step in checking eligibility for German citizenship. This means that you may need the help of a professional genealogist. Don't worry. We've covered more on that below. First, let's run through the mandatory boxes you must tick to qualify for the application. You could be eligible for German citizenship if your great-grandparents were German nationals, but it's not always the case. You can only claim German citizenship by ancestry if: Your German ancestor lost their German citizenship through religious, racial, and political biases during the 1938 Nazi rule. The ancestor held a German passport before or was born in the country before 1914. The ancestor was working for the government before 1949. You were born before 1975 by a German citizen father. You were born after 1975 to a German father or mother. You’re an “out-of-wedlock” child born after June 1993 by a German citizen father. This clause also requires that you have your paternity proven before you turn 23. These scenarios form the basis of German citizenship by descent application. So, if your circumstances don't feature above, you're unlikely to get citizenship. What Is the German Descent Program? Germany launched the Decent program after it enacted the National Act in 2021 to address citizenship issues caused by discrimination in past regimes. It allows children born after May 23, 1949, to a German parent to claim citizenship. Throughout that time, some German citizens had their citizenship revoked so as not to pass it to foreign spouses or children born of foreign spouses. The new rules will remain for a decade, and you stand to benefit if: You’re a child of a German mother who lost citizenship after marrying a foreign father. You are an "out-of-wedlock" child born of a German citizen and a foreign mother. Child or grandchild of the people highlighted above. The German Citizenship by Descent Application Process As mentioned earlier, proving the link between you and your German ancestor is the most important part of the application process. You must present supporting documents to keep the record straight and prove you are clean. Some of the documents you may need include; A recorded pedigree chart of your family Birth certificate Marriage certificate Ancestor’s passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate, and ID Vollmacht or Power of Attorney. How To Research Your German Genealogy? Tracking your German ancestor involves detailing the full German names of every person connected to you. The family tree has proven most effective in expanding your family details with you as the root. Download a free family tree page, and make family research a study and a fun activity in your living room. Every space on the family tree page should include the person's full name, special dates like birth and death, and other relevant information. You can download a free family tree template to get started. Keep in mind, genealogy is a popular hobby for many people, as it can be both interesting and informative. If you're just getting started, one of the best ways to organize your research is to create a tree. There are several ways to do this, but one of the simplest is to use a printable tree template. You can find them here: https://recordclick.com/templates/ If you don't have any reference material at your disposal, try online searches for any clues. You can also visit the National Archives and General Registrar's office for all the records from birth to census. The process sounds easy in theory, but piling up the paperwork and dealing with all the bureaucracy can be a hassle. This is the point where you need a professional genealogist. A genealogist specializes in the descents of persons and knows the checkmarks of finding a specific ancestor. Record Click Professional Genealogists will expedite the process of unearthing personal information and help you understand the historical contexts. Only a professional genealogist can perfectly navigate the national library databases and quickly track your story. They also come in handy when you want to ensure you get everything right during the German citizenship application by descent. However, it's advisable to contact your state's German consulate general office for directions on the application process, especially regarding descent and ancestry. The application fee is about $30, and your citizenship could take more than two years. Of course, the first step in the citizenship application process starts by visiting the state's German consulate with your genealogy information and records. Know Your Past to Plan Your Future Everyone would scrabble for “free” citizenship, especially from a country like Germany. However, that's until we gauge the possible impacts on our lifestyle. Luckily, Germany is a developed country to prompt exploring even ancestry roots for citizenship's sake. The process is easy and inclusive, but you might have to wait a few years to enjoy the full benefits of German citizenship. German Heritage German heritage is a tapestry woven with rich cultural traditions, pioneering achievements, and a deep sense of community. It's reflected in the robust Oktoberfest celebrations, the timeless music of composers like Beethoven and Bach, and the precision of German engineering. German American Heritage Museum The German American Heritage Museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives and contributions of German-Americans throughout history. It's a place where one can dive into the rich tapestry of stories that have shaped the German-American experience. German Emigration Center The German Emigration Center (Deutsches Auswandererhaus) is a museum located in Bremerhaven, Germany, that focuses on the history of German migration, particularly to America. This award-winning museum offers visitors a deeply personal look at the emigration process, tracing the journeys of millions who left Germany in search of a better life elsewhere. How Much Does Genealogists in Germany Cost? Hiring a professional genealogist can be a costly investment, but it is one that can pay off in a big way. When researching your family history, it is important to have access to accurate and up-to-date information. A genealogist based in Germany can provide you with this type of information and help you find records that are not readily available. The cost of hiring a German genealogist will vary depending on the amount of time and research involved. However, it is important to remember that this is an investment in your family history or your dual citizenship application. By hiring a professional, you can ensure that your research is accurate and complete. A researcher in Germany will typically cost around 130 euros per hour plus expenses. Currencies and Complications When hiring a researcher from Germany, consider the following potential issues: If you're paying in EURO's, how are you going to send the invoiced amount in that currency? If you plan on wiring the funds, who's going to pay for the additional fees? The researcher never wants to pay the transfer fees. If your researcher doesn't answer an email after a week, how are you going to contact him/her? Life happens, but who's going to keep your researcher accountable? Researchers always want 50% of the total up front, are you willing to take that risk? What if the work doesn't meet your needs, who's accountable for the failure? What privacy protection is in place to assure your information is protected? Will your researcher be able to visit different areas all around Germany? What will be the travel cost implications if your researcher needs to travel all around Germany? There are many issues to consider when conducting German family history research; as such, we already recommend working with a company that offers German ancestry services versus a researcher directly. Many of the same researchers you'll find working independently in Germany also work for companies on a per-subscription basis. Accredited Genealogists in Germany On the AGI website, you'll find a number of accredited family research specialists; however, they face the same issues we described above. We can understand it with examples. Let's explore one of them: You may be in a similar situation; we have a customer named, let's call her Alicia. Alicia is proud of her German heritage, which is located in the New York area and needs some research completed in Germany. He hired a genealogist from AGI; however, he had to pay in euros, and there was no accountability regarding the research being completed. She worried sick and didn't if there would be an outcome from the research efforts. However, after Alicia hired us, she appreciated us because: Our rates were half of those of researchers in Germany. She didn't have to pay in EUROs as we only charge USD. She not only got a researcher, but also a project manager and a number of researchers as backups. She paid a fixed rate so there were no billing surprises. She was able to call us during normal business hours in his local area. Free German Genealogy Assessment Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form. facing? Group Channel What difficulties are you facing? *First Name *Last Name *Phone Number *Email *Submit Why Hire a German Genealogist at Record Click Expertise in Ancestry Research for German Heritage Our team at Record Click, comprising over 45 professional genealogists, brings extensive experience—more than 15 years—to the table in German genealogy research. We possess specialized knowledge in tracing family histories back to the German Empire. Our thorough and accurate research ensures that you gain a deep understanding of your German roots, navigating through a region or territory once part of the vast empire. Collaborative Research Journey Engaging with our experts means you're an integral part of the discovery process. As we uncover the past, you'll be right there with us, sharing in the thrill of each new find. Our hands-on approach enables you to see the unfolding of your family's story up close. Comprehensive Record Retrieval Our ability to access a wide range of records is unmatched, from church archives to census documents, ensuring we can pinpoint specific pieces of your ancestry puzzle. We're adept at navigating the complex landscape of German records, including external links to other territories and understanding the largest group of immigrants to the USA. Breaking Through Research Barriers Hitting a roadblock in your search for ancestors can be frustrating. Our German genealogists, armed with their extensive knowledge and resources, are ready to overcome these obstacles. Specialized Services for Roman Catholic Records For those tracing Roman Catholic roots, our experts excel in retrieving sacramental records—baptisms, marriages, burials—that are crucial for building a comprehensive family history. At Record Click, we don't just research; we connect you with your past, providing a map of your ancestry that spans territories, time, and the vast expanse of the German Empire. Hire a Professional German Researcher for German-Americans Yes, hire a professional genealogist to find answers to your genealogy questions. With our German genealogy services, we are experts at retrieving records from German repositories or researching the history of your family homes. When it comes to German genealogy search, we have a dedicated team in Germany and here in the US. Our genealogy team is perfect for your research: trace German ancestry. Contact the experts at Record Click. We have ideas for finding that long-lost ancestor and will help you with your genealogy and tracing ancestry. Regardless, if you're searching for census records, church records, World War I, German Civil War records, British army records, parish registers, roman catholic church records, genealogy Germany, or family roots library records. Our dedicated team of genealogists in Germany would be perfect for German ancestry trace and other countries. IMPORTANT – This article is provided for information only and is not to be construed as legal advice to any person or entity. The author is not an attorney and cannot provide legal advice to anyone. For up-to-date regulations and procedures, please consult with a legal entity, immigration lawyer, or any other attorney. #### Get a Free Consultation Please complete the form below for your free consultation. The more information you provide the easier it is for us to complete our preliminary analysis. We thank you for considering Record Click and we hope that we can help you with your genealogy requirements. Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.What difficulties are you facing? *First Name *Last Name *Phone Number *Email * Name Name Channel Submit Customer Testimonials Independent Testimonials at Trustpilot.com: Read More Reviews View all our reviews @ Trust Pilot Just Like Our Customers; You Will Love Us #### Hire a Genealogist Near Me Hire A Genealogist Near Me Get Matched With a Genealogist in 24 Hours Trusted network of 100+ vetted researchers across the U.S. and internationally. Let us solve the mystery of your history! ✔ Find ancestors by last name ✔ Break brick walls fast ✔ Verify with real records ✔ Get a simple action plan Why people hire us You're not "bad at genealogy." You're just missing the right record.. or the right path to it. We help you stop guessing and start proving. We hunt for proof - Not just hints. Real records. Real sources. So your tree stays strong for decades. We keep it simple - You get clear steps, plain language, and a path forward you can actually follow. We move fast - Start with what you know, then we push into what you don't. How it works Tell us what you know Names, dates, places or where you’re stuck. Even small details help. We create a focused plan We target the right records and archives; no wasted searches. We research and verify Real documents. Real proof. Carefully cross-checked findings. You get results that matter Clear answers, source citations, and next steps; so your family story can be told with confidence. Let's Start with a Free Estimate We Have Genealogists in all States and all Countries We are cost effective, budget-conscious and trustworthy Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.What difficulties are you facing? *First Name *Last Name *Phone Number *Email * Keyword Field Channel Submit Services Pick the problem you're trying to solve. We'll match you with the right approach. Family Tree Research Find parents, grandparents, and key records that turn branches into real people. Brick Wall Breakthrough When the trail goes cold, we find the record sets most people miss. DNA & Unknown Parentage We combine DNA clues + paper records to narrow the answer with confidence. Immigration & Naturalization Track arrivals, border crossings, citizenship records, and where they came from. Adoption / Missing Person Careful, respectful research with a focus on privacy and verified sources. Dual Citizenship Research Find and document the vital records you need to support an application. Real stories. Real relief. Sometimes the best moment is simple: "Now I know." FAQ Quick answers, so you feel safe before you start. How fast can we start? Right away. Send your request and we'll reply with the next step and best path forward. What do you need from me? Just what you already know: names, dates, places, and the "stuck point." We'll take it from there. Do you only do U.S. research? No. We can support worldwide research depending on the record sets and location. What if we don’t find the answer? You still get value: a clear report, sources checked, and the smartest next places to look. Highest Rated Local Genealogist For more than 10 years our professional genealogy experts have been helping people overcome their genealogy roadblocks and helping families trace their ancestral background. Connecting you with your past is our passion while enjoying the stories and memories will take you back to the life, joy, and struggles of the past. With our combined research experience, we have the team with the passion and knowledge you can trust to discover your family's story. Highlighted below are some of top researchers. Quentin, skilled and experienced professional researcher, an author, a film and video producer, a businessman, and a former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) case officer. His University of Utah degree and his work in the intelligence community gave him a deep knowledge of research and investigative techniques that he has continued to use in later years. He has been an avid private investigator and professional genealogical researcher for over 50 years and has handled cases for more than 200 clients in more than 30 countries. Joyce, 40+ year veteran professional researcher has been accredited by the Family History Library and by ICAPGEN in Isle of Man and English genealogy research since 1992. In addition, she is extremely knowledgeable in Irish, Scottish, U.S. and a few other types of genealogical searches. Well experienced in genealogy, family history research, and tracing roots. She is an extremely effective researcher and often ask for by name by new customers. Joyce credits genealogy and family history research with keeping her “sane” and staving off Alzheimers. Kim, a gifted family historian and an internationally respected qualitative researcher with an interest in social history. She has conducted genealogical research for over 20 years and as professional for the past 10 years. Kim has a doctoral degree in the social sciences and a post-graduate diploma in genealogical studies. Having a Metis heritage, she has a significant interest in Metis, Native American, French-American/Canadian, Creole and early American/Canadian genealogy. Customers describe Kim as a problem solver. Nancy, specializes in heir research or probate research cases. Earning her PLCGS credential in Methodology and American Records, she needs be your next genealogy export for your estate settlement research report; if you want it done correct the first time. You'll find her education, her skills, and her passion all match and visible in her reports. So much so that her reports are usable in court and Nancy is available for testimony, if required. Due to her expertise in American records, Nancy is aspires to solve your next American genealogy roadblock. Linda, your project manager. Linda will coordinate people and processes to ensure that your projects are delivered on time and produce the desired results. She is the go-to person for everything involving a project's organization and timeline. She's focused on assuring professionalism, promptness, and your satisfaction. Tone, is your Norway, Denmark, Sweden, & early Finnish expert. She completed all of her education in the cities of Oslo & Bergen. Speaks English, Swedish, Danish, Spanish & German. Her proximity to the Salt Lake Library enables her for quick archive retrievals & other resources. Ed, professional researcher with 10+ years of experience. Helped explained a mystery surrounding the names in an old bible which seemed to not match the bible's owners names to working with DNA to not only see matches but pin down exactly how we are connected. Megan, a retired corporate litigation partner at a major law firm and now a professional genealogist. She has over 20 years of experience in U.S. genealogical research – including Colonial New England – and has helped many clients uncover their roots in Ireland and Italy. In several cases she has used DNA analysis in combination with documentary research to solve genealogical mysteries. Blain, DNA expert and a professional genealogist with more than 10 years of experience. Blain helps our team crack some complicated DNA analysis roadblocks, along side providing his genealogy expertise. George, working out of the New York state, George has access to an array of resources. His 20+ years in genealogy helps us uncover ship records, immigration records, and much more. George has solved so many immigration roadblocks, it's amazing. Larry, has over 10 years of experience in genealogical research and his primary focus is around Georgia. Highest Rated International Genealogist Canada Heather Susan Michael Mark UK Richard Abigail Benny Germany Thomas Ursula Heiko Benny Michael Russia Marta Aleksandra Dennis Michael Poland Aleksandra Michal Michael Croatia Norbert Ukraine Norbert Dennis Marta Michael Italy Alessandro Megan Romania Norbert Ireland Emma John Katrina Megan Shawn Spain Fernando Blake Benny Netherlands Benny France Benny Craig Sebastian Portugal Yann Why Choose RecordClick to Hire a Professional Genealogist? At RecordClick, we take pride in our 94% success rate, showcasing our dedication to uncovering your family's history with accuracy and detail. Our clients have direct communication with our team of professional genealogists, ensuring that your journey into the past is handled with personal care and professional expertise. We're committed to providing the best pricing for "Professional" services, making top-tier genealogical research affordable and accessible. You can see our genealogists' skills in action on smaller projects, allowing you to gauge our work quality without a hefty initial commitment. Above all, we're a personable and trustworthy team. Our goal is to deliver great results, and we believe in building strong, trusting relationships with our clients as we navigate the story of their ancestry together. How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Genealogist? #### Homepage URL: https://www.recordclick.com/ #### How Can A Genealogist Help With Record Searches? Different people have a variety of reasons for tracing their family tree. There are those who really want to establish their lineage while others get into the process without giving it a lot of thought. No matter what kind of person you are, it is best to seek the help of a professional in regards when establishing your ancestry. A genealogist can assist with Record Searches in the following ways: Accessing Records that you Cannot Access Yourself During the research process, there are Record Searches that are restricted and can only be accessed by the help of a genealogist. Therefore, the professional will be useful in this aspect. On the other hand, you may be far away from the archive where the records are located. If you encounter this problem, it is cost-effective to use a local genealogist to access the records rather than carrying out the research individually, especially if you take into account travel and accommodation costs. Providing Useful Advice on How to Continue with Your Project When digging into your ancestry, it is only normal to encounter a roadblock and require advice on how to continue with your project. In such cases, a genealogist will enlighten you on a way forward. Providing Suggestions on the Type of Records to Look Through When you are researching your own family history, you will most likely only see a fraction of the range of record search that are available. As this is a professional who has been in the business for a long time, a genealogist has handled a diverse range of records over many years. Therefore, he or she knows exactly where to look in order to find relevant information on your Record Searches. They also know how to research a particular type of record, whether it is custom or geographically oriented. Transcribing Hard to Read Records In cases where you have found a record that is highly relevant to your research but cannot read, then a genealogist will transcribe it for you. A genealogist is well-trained in the art of paleography, which is the way to analyze and read old writings. For instance, if your document was written before the year 1700, it may be in Latin language and a professional may assist in unveiling the information in it. Carrying Out Record Searches When you Have Limited Time If you are interested in family history research but only have limited time to pursue it then a genealogist can carry out all relevant Record Searches for you. If you do not have the time but have some money to spare, put it to good use by hiring the best genealogist there is to conduct research on your behalf. Advising on the Proper Storage of Research Records It is not uncommon for people to store all of their research information in one place. This puts them at a higher risk for losing their important findings. For instance, a computer may crash before data is backed up. A genealogist is well-versed in safe storage. They will recommend means such as online cloud storage or Google Drive where your research information will remain safe and secure. Education on Different Record Search Methods When searching through family records individually, you may not get the most from the process because you may be using only a single method of finding information. A genealogist understands this and will teach you on how to physically go through court records over search through online databases. Very often, important information is recorded incorrectly and a genealogist will also help in sifting through this. As such, you will not be limited in your research. Validating Your Research When conducting your family history search on your own, you will most certainly need the validation of a professional. This will help you in finding out whether the research that you conducted is right. In the process of conducting research, you may inherit work done by another family member or may come across information that may be correct but you are not sure about. A genealogist will review this information and determine the quality of your sources. He or she will also help you fill in the blanks where information may be lacking. As established, a genealogist plays an important role when it comes to Record Searches. Regardless of your reason for hiring one, learning more about your family history is a rewarding experience. Ensure that you choose a professional who you will feel comfortable and confident working with. #### How Did Native American Heritage Month Begin The Native American Heritage Month is a national month-long celebration that was established to recognize, Honor and celebrate all indigenous people. In November 1990, President George H.W Bush was the first president to officially rezone the importance of heritage, ancestry and showcased efforts to promote the love for all American inhabitants, regardless of where they originated from. The month was dedicated to all indigenous people who flourished the country with vibrant cultures. From generation to generation, these people handed down invaluable traditions and rich cultural knowledge which continued to affect the country today. The special month was a way of honoring and celebrating the importance of such people in the American history as well as the entire world. A Few Years Back . . . Before the Native American Heritage Month was officially recognized, these second Saturday of Mau 1916 was the day that changed history as we know it, Dr. Arthur C. Parker, Seneca, who was an early proponent of the American Day persuaded the boy scouts of American to set aside a special day that will Honor the first Americans. In 1915, the Congress of the American Association approved a plan concerning this day in a meeting at Laurence, Kansas. The president of the association, Rev. Sherman Coolidge urged the country to observe a special day for all Native Americans during the second Saturday of each month of May. However, this was not nationally proclaimed. When President George Bush was inaugurated into office, there was no official record of the National recognition of the holiday. Therefore, he took the opportunity to legalize the Heritage Month and a senate seating proposed that it should be celebrated in November. The president emphasized the importance of heritage as an important part of us that cannot be forgotten. According to him, remembering individual heritage makes us great because everyone has something different to offer. The significance of the Native American Heritage Month Apart from celebrating all aspects of Native American culture, the Heritage Month also has the following significance: a) Observing Rich Traditions of Native Americans With Native Americas of all ancestries, it is easy to learn about the diverse culture, history and unique traditions. The Native American Heritage month offers the opportunity for everyone to learn about language, housing, dressing, food and other important traditions that define indigenous people. When the entire country indulges in such traditions, a sense of togetherness is observed. b) Education About the Native American Culture Learning about culture allows individuals to co-exist and embrace each other. During the month, Native Americans themselves find out more about culture. Not only is this important for self-reflection but it also strengthens the values and beliefs that affect daily lives by promoting responsibilities towards one another. This reflects the sole purpose of the Heritage Month and how it has redefined culture as we know it. c) Important Role Native Americans have played in US History Native Americans played a big role in the United States revolution. The Heritage month highlights this and teaches the importance of patriotism, good choices and value for the homeland. The influences of indigenous people affected how the nation is recognized by their nations. It has also brought about a sense of interaction like no other. The month digs deep into history and ensures that the world appreciates Native Americans for their contribution to history. d) Identifying the Importance of Indigenes Perspectives Embedding indigenous perspectives will enhance the educational experiences of non-indigenous people. The month has made it possible for individuals to recognize the struggles that exist within the country and its implications. e) Multicultural Engagement The month brings different people together, through events, dialogue, and encouragement to participate in different cultures. This promotes acceptance among different individuals. It also proves that despite being from different backgrounds, we can all add value to each other’s lives. This special Heritage Month offers knowledge of the past and wisdom of the future. It enables the country to measure up its awareness of Native American influences in U.S. history and culture. In doing this, the nation as a whole will be able to expand their vision of a people whose wisdom affects the generations of Americans from age to age. The month marks one of the best history and special observances in the United States of America. #### How Difficult is to Prove Your Indian Ancestry Is Indian ancestry, Indians who are people originating from India? They may be citizens of India or have Indian ancestry. These group of people occupies 17.50% of the population of the world. Countries and continents with Indians are as a result of emigration of citizens who once lived in India. With Asia and America having a high share. In America, the probability of an individual having an Indian origin is very high. Evidence gathered by archaeologists and genetic specialists state that the last place to be inhabited by humans in the world was in South and North America. The first people to settle in America, particularly in the Northern part, arrived around 14,000 years ago. This era was called North American History Paleo-Indians. The name was as a result of the movement by the Paleo-Indians from Siberia to America. The fall of the sea level during the time of Wisconsin glaciation (50,000 – 17,000 years ago) resulted in the formation of a land bridge (Beringia) which connected Siberia and North America. The bridge provided a route for the migration of the Paleo-Indians to America. Indian ancestry goes back many years and find records for proving your of Indian heritage can be challenging. We can help you with the process. Read more about it here: https://www.recordclick.com/native-american-genealogy/ Another route proposed was through the Northwest coast of the Pacific. This route led to the divergence of people to as wide as to the South America. The Paleo-Indians migration has not been fully established but has been supported by pieces of evidence such as: The lithic materials found are an indication of the variety of tools that were used by the Paleo-Indians, example, choppers, knives, gravers, scrappers and points made from lamellar flakes. Most of them show extraordinary craftsmanship. Being hunters or practicing the Clovis culture, the Paleo-Indians were for that reason accountable for this expertise. These materials have dated back to around 13,000 years ago. There were also remains found in 2014 in Montana, in association with these lithic materials. After carrying out an analysis of the DNA in the remains, it revealed that the subject was a year-old infant from 12,000 years ago with close relationships to the current Native Americans of the North and South. These two findings conclude that the Paleo-Indians divergently spread over America at large. The other evidence is that of a skeleton found in underwater caves in 2007. The caves are located in Mexico and are known as Sistema Sac Actun. After the extraction and carbon dating of the DNA, it got revealed that the skeleton was the oldest to be ever found in America. These dated to over 13,000 years ago and belonged to a teenage girl. From the DNA, data showed that it was of Asian origin and is a representation of the current Native population DNA. In Africa, the Native people have less or no ancestral origin in that most of the Indians have settled in the recent centuries. The earliest group to arrive in Africa on their way to Mesopotamia was in the seventh A.D. Their visit to Africa was only for commercial purposes, and their evidence is indicated by their presence in the Periplus, Erythaean Sea. The others have migrated into Africa, with the earliest being the first century A.D. In the last two centuries, countries in Africa where the Indians have found most favorable for settlement are South Africa, Mauritius, and East Africa. To prove once ancestry, studies such as genealogical research, genetic tests and use of Native names can be used to aid in the identification. In conclusion, it is rather hard to prove your Indian ancestry. This is because no particular method can be used to determine this. One has to synergize methods which are almost impossible and challenging but will give you a rough idea. For the case of America, we found out that the original inhabitants were the Indians, thus making the present population of America to be primarily comprised of the ancestry of Indians. Thus, Native Americans are also referred to as Indigenous Americans, American Indians or basically Indians. However, in the case of Africa, Indians migration to this continent happened centuries back unlike for the case of America which took place thousands of years ago. This, therefore, means that in the African population, Indian ancestries are less as compared to America. Therefore, in line with their migration history, it is nearly impossible for one to have descended from them. Indian ancestries are less as compared to America. #### How To Prove Indian Heritage A majority of people claim Indian heritage or Native American ancestry. Their reasons as well as their requirements to prove ancestry vary. Whether you are looking to prove your Indian heritage or are just looking to learn everything there is to know about your ancestry, here is how to prove your Indian heritage. Step # 1: Research your ancestry Researching your ancestry is an important step in proving your heritage. The following research methods will be useful. a) Genetic Testing Genetic markers that are particularly unique to people of Indian descent do not exist. However, you can still compare your genetic makeup to that of other individuals with a similar descent. For instance, proving your Indian heritage will require you to go through a genetic company’s database and find other known popular Indian. This will be helpful in disproving or reinforcing your belief about being Native American. It will also ensure that you do not waste time finding more about an ancestry that does not apply to you. If you need assistance with your Native American Genealogy then there is help available and more information available. b) Start Searching at Home When researching ancestry, you should trace your ancestry backwards through your parents, grandparents or other relatives. By collecting names and names, dates of birth or deaths, through vital records or family records, you will be a step closer to proving your heritage. Remember, exhaust all sources of information at home. This is the only way to ensure that you do not miss out on any important details. c) Conduct Online Searches With thousands of research records and documents that are available freely on the internet, it is easy to find information about your ancestors. There are many free online websites that will assist you with your discovery. d) Consult Physical Records Schools, libraries, archives or courts may contain fundamental records that will be useful in your research visit these instructions and make an appointment and go through their records. e) Search Federal Records The United States National Archives keeps records that will be useful in your genealogy research. You will have access to census records, military records, passenger arrival documents and much more. Step # 2: Enrol for Tribe Membership By contacting the tribe, you will be able to familiarize with the enrolment requirements. Two of the most common requirements are that of lineal descent from someone who is part of the original tribe members or someone who appears from the list. Enrolling in a tribe is a sure way to learn more about your lineage. These are the most important things to know about the tribal enrolment process. Keep in mind that there are other conditions that may vary by tribe: a) DNA Testing Many people believe that because of oral histories go down their family lines, they have a Native American or Indian heritage. Undergoing DNA testing in itself is enough to provide tribal eligibility. b) Enrolment Criteria There are different sets of enrolment criteria for every individual tribe; especially when it comes to Native American or Indian heritage. Tribal enrollment reserves the unique character traditions of each tribe. The criteria is based on traditions, history, language, religious beliefs and much more. Such criteria is often defined in the tribe’s ordinances, constitution or articles of incorporation. Gather relevant statistics records that may be vital to your search and will establish your ancestry when you apply for tribe membership. Records such as death and birth certificates can be obtained by contacting the department bureaus or office states that keep those records. c) Application Applying for tribal enrolment will only come once you have completed the rest of your genealogical research. However, ensure that you are applying to the right tribe, then reach out directly to the tribe in question and they will let you know about the enrollment criteria. Remember, the tribal enrollment process may be more restrictive because Indian tribes are sovereign nations. Thus, those seeking enrolment could only be doing it for the benefit of it. Strict rules are in place to ensure that no one enrolls for individual benefits. It is important to learn what you can about your Indian heritage. If possible, after finding out relevant information, visit your tribal headquarters and discover more about your descent. Also, familiarize with your tribal language. Exploring Native Heritage will help you in embracing values that your people cherished. No matter who you are, heritage is important. #### Irish Genealogy Services by Expert Genealogists in Ireland Irish Genealogy Services Tracing Your Irish Heritage Looking for an Irish Genealogist to complete your Irish Genealogy? We're a professional Irish genealogy services company, expert in helping you trace your Irish ancestry. If you're interested in exploring your Irish heritage, we offer the resources and expertise to delve into your family history. Our Irish Genealogy Experts Irish Genealogist, Irish Genealogy, Irish Ancestry   available Christina (Dublin, Ireland) available Emma (Kildare, Ireland) available McKayla (Cork, Ireland) + 3 More Researchers Ballyvaughan / Ireland Limerick / Ireland Belfast / N. Ireland   Great News!We've expanded our Irish Genealogy research by launching our new site dedicate exclusively for Irish Research Genealogy Services. Hire the Best Irish Genealogist Researchers: IrishResearchers.com If you're interested in tracing your Irish genealogy, you're in luck. Genealogical research is a popular hobby, and there are plenty of resources available to help you get started. This guide will walk you through the basics of researching your Irish genealogy, from finding records online to navigating archives in Ireland. So whether you're just getting started or you've been working on your family tree for years, this guide will help you take your research to the next level. Assuming you know what part of your Irish ancestry you need help with, otherwise, the challenges you face can be difficult. Do not worry; this guide will offer much-needed assistance. Key Takeaways: For the best and most accurate results, hire a professional company, Make sure your genealogist is located in Ireland, Don't pay $1000's or $10000's, when you can pay $100's, Make sure you have direct communication with the lead genealogist. Save time and money by hiring one of RecordClick's Irish genealogist. Let's Get Started Are you Tracing your Irish Ancestry? Tracing your Irish family ancestry is a rewarding journey. With our comprehensive online records and dedicated team, building your Irish genealogy ancestry tree is a fulfilling endeavor, particularly when exploring various aspects of Ireland's genealogy. Are Eligible for Irish Citizenship Through Descent Many individuals seek Irish citizenship through descent, even if they don't live in the Republic of Ireland. The process of obtaining citizenship can be challenging, but it can start with your parents being born in Ireland or if you were adopted there. There are some additional stipulations, but it starts with knowing if you have Irish roots. Here are some of the many questions that need answering: Is your parent Irish or UK? Did you parent live in Ireland or Northern Ireland for 3 out of 4 years before you were born? Did your parent have the right to live in Ireland or Northern Ireland? Where you born on or after January 1, 2005? Get Help with your Dual Citizenship Ireland Application Professional assistance is key when navigating the complexities of dual citizenship applications in Ireland. Our expertise ensures smooth progress in obtaining the necessary records and completing the application, pivotal in your quest to explore your Irish heritage. Once you've decided to move forward, you're going to need help obtaining records, identifying your Irish history, and completing your application. The entire process can take from 1 year to 5 years, so be prepared for the different stages and the time requirements. Year 1 Gather your documents and proof of ancestry by searching and collecting records in your home country and Ireland. Depending on your proof of Irish decent, you'll need to apply to different others. Such as Foreign Births Register, Ireland Immigrant Investor Programme, etc. Year 2 If all complications are avoided, you can expect to have your citizenship certificate sent to you after 12 to 18 months. Otherwise, you might have to wait 3 years before you can petition the Minister for fast-track naturalization. Year 3 If your situation requires you to petition the Minister for naturalization that can be done after 3 years of legal residence. However, you must submit all documents proving your ancestry. The approval is expected to another take 2.5 years.   How to Research Your Irish Genealogy Embarking on Irish genealogy research? Start by gathering detailed information about your ancestors. Our access to the National Archives of Ireland and the General Registrar's Office makes finding crucial records easier, paving the way to uncover your Ireland genealogy. Once you have this information, you can begin your search by visiting the National Archives of Ireland website or the General Registrar's Office. These indexes will allow you to access a variety collection of records, including census records, birth and death records, and marriage records. You can also visit the Family History Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to access additional records. By following these steps, you can begin to piece together your ancestry and learn more about your family's history. Top 5 Tips for Tracing Irish Ancestry: Use a family tree template for organizing Irish genealogy data. Start with recent family and work back, focusing on one side at a time. Utilize free genealogy websites and resources. Document every confirmed relationship to build out your Irish ancestry tree. Seek professional help when facing genealogy challenges. Build a Family Tree From day 1, start by listing all your known family members on a tree. This will help you visualize your ancestry and direct you to the areas that require your attention. You can download a free family tree template to get started. Keep in mind that genealogy is a popular hobby for many people, as it can be both interesting and informative. If you're just getting started, creating a tree is one of the best ways to organize your research. There are several ways to do this, but one of the simplest is to use a printable tree template. You can find them here: https://recordclick.com/templates/ When to Hire a Genealogist in Ireland Hitting a brick wall in your Irish genealogy research? It's time to consider hiring an Ireland-based professional genealogist, especially for more complex or elusive ancestral links. How to Hire an Irish Genealogist Choose a reputable, experienced Irish genealogist for in-depth ancestral research. Our team, based in Ireland, brings local expertise and access to exclusive resources essential in piecing together your Ireland genealogy. In addition, genealogists can help you to understand the historical context in which your ancestors lived. When hiring a genealogist, it's important to choose someone who is experienced and reputable. You can ask for recommendations from friends or family members who have conducted similar research. Finding a genealogist who specializes in Irish genealogy can be a little more challenging. The type of professional you're going to require will most likely reside in Ireland. If you're located in Ireland, then the challenge can be avoided. If you're not, then you directly hiring a researcher from there comes with some risks. In most cases, it's advised to hire a company rather than hire an individual. Irish genealogy research companies usually have a full support staff, multiple researchers, some historical background for you to review, etc. Search Online Repositories The deeper you dig for ancestors, the more you soon discover that not all records are available online (Ireland birth records or Irish birth certificates, wills, and burial registers, baptism, marriages, reports, and records and stories). As such, you'll need to find an Irish genealogy services provider that can help you navigate your findings. Regardless if the families are in Dublin city, online sources, the National Library of Ireland, or in Canada or Australia. Only a professional genealogist researcher with local knowledge will be able to navigate and identify your stories. The Challenges of Tracing Your Irish Ancestors Tracing Irish heritage comes with unique challenges, whether as an individual or a genealogist in Ireland. Our services are tailored to overcome these hurdles, ensuring your journey in uncovering your Irish genealogy is as smooth as possible. For an Individual Navigating the wealth of databases and collections of local records, such as those found in the public record office, is a common challenge in Irish genealogy. We all want our ancestors' lives and deaths to be documented and remembered, but it's difficult when so many records remain locked up in old church parish registers. Imagine waiting for years before finally hearing that release date! However, so many records and documents are still held locally, such as church parish registers, etc. For a Genealogist Overcoming the loss of key historical records is a hurdle in Irish ancestry research, necessitating creative approaches and deep local knowledge. How Much Do Genealogists in Ireland Cost The investment in a professional Irish genealogist can vary. Our services offer comprehensive research at competitive rates, ensuring your Irish genealogy exploration is both thorough and cost-effective. A researcher in Ireland will typically cost around 100 euros per hour plus expenses. Currencies and Complications When hiring a researcher from Ireland, or anywhere else for that matter, to research your Irish genealogy, do consider the following potential issues: If you're paying in EURO's, how are you going to send that invoiced in that currency? If you plan on wiring the funds, who's going to pay for the additional fees? The researcher never wants to pay the fees. If your researcher doesn't answer an email after a week, how are you going to contact him/her? Researchers always want 50% of front, are you will to take that trust? What if the work doesn't meet your needs, who's accountable for the failure? What privacy protection is in place to assure your information is protected? Will your researcher be able to visit different areas all around Ireland? What will be the travel cost implications if you hire one researcher and he/she needs to travel all around Ireland? There are many issues to consider when conducting Irish family history research; as such, we already recommend working with a company that offers Irish genealogy services versus a researcher directly. Many of the same researchers you'll find working independently in Ireland also work for companies on a per-subscription basis. Accredited Genealogists Ireland At the AGI website, you'll find a number of family research specialists; however, our customers commonly share the same issues we described above with us. For example, you may be in a similar situation; we have a customer named, let's call him Barry Fitzgerald. Barry is proud of his Irish heritage and is located in the New York area and needs some research completed in Ireland. He hired a genealogist from AGI; however, he had to pay in euros, and there was no accountability regarding the research being completed. Barry appreciated working with us because: Our rates were half that of researchers in Ireland. He didn't have to pay in EUROs as he only charged USD. He is not only a researcher but also a project manager, with a number of researchers as backups. He paid a fixed rate, so there were no bill surprises. He was able to call us during normal business hours in his local area. Free Irish Genealogy Assessment Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.What difficulties are you facing? *First Name *Last Name *Phone Number *Email * Drilldown Drilldown Name Submit Handy Irish Genealogists Links Here are some important Irish genealogy websites to consider in your search for Irish genealogy services: The National Library of Ireland = Documentary and intellectual record of the life of Ireland; general register office. The National Archives of Ireland = Hold lists of genealogists and researchers on their websites https://www.surnamedb.com/ = Surname database https://johngrenham.com/ = Irish surnames and counties database https://sites.rootsweb.com/~irlkik/ihm/index.htm = Ireland history in maps https://www.irishorigenes.com/irish-castle-locations = Irish castles map https://www.irishorigenes.com/clans-castles-database = Irish surname database associated with each castle http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie/search/ = Online Irish census http://accreditedgenealogists.ie/ = Members of Accredited Genealogists Ireland http://irisharc.org/ = Irish Ancestry Research Centre Why Hire an Irish Genealogist at Record Click When it comes to trace ancestry Irish family history research, you will be impressed. During the entire research process, you work side-by-side with our genealogists, witnessing the mysteries that they uncover. If you are looking for Irish genealogists for hire, then you've landed on the correct website and found us. We are a group of 45+ professional genealogists, and we have well over 15+ years of experience in the Irish genealogy research area. Including family history, church records retrieval, census records, and identifying Irish ancestors or any other Irish record retrieval or ancestry. If you've hit a roadblock in your research for ancestors, our Irish genealogists are available to hire for your genealogy research needs. Our ancestry genealogists are also available if you are searching for roman catholic records. Hire a Professional Irish Researcher Yes, hire a professional genealogist to find answers to your genealogy questions. With our Irish genealogy services, we are experts at retrieving records from Irish repositories or researching the history of your family homes. When it comes to Ireland genealogy, we have a dedicated team in Ireland and here in the US. Our Ireland genealogy teams are perfect for your research; trace Irish ancestry. Contact the experts at Record Click. We have ideas for finding that long-lost ancestor and will help you with your genealogy and tracing ancestry. Regardless, if you're searching for census records, church records, Irish Civil War records, British army records, parish registers, roman catholic church records, genealogy Ireland, or family roots library records. Our dedicated team of genealogists in Ireland would be perfect for tracing Irish ancestry. IMPORTANT – This article is provided for information only and is not to be construed as legal advice to any person or entity. The author is not an attorney and cannot provide legal advice to anyone. For up-to-date regulations and procedures, please consult with a legal entity, immigration lawyer, or any other attorney. #### Italian Heritage – Citizenship by Descent Are You Qualified Italian Heritage Citizenship by Descent Are You Qualified How to get Italian Citizenship by Descent & Your Italian Heritage We're a professional genealogy research company who can help you complete your genealogy. Our Italian Genealogy Experts Italian Genealogist, Italian Genealogy, Italian Ancestry   available Massimo (Modena, Italy) available Elia (Crotone, Italy) available Caterina (Sassari, Italy) + 2 More Researchers Piacenza / Italy Ragusa / Italy   Italy joins other EU nations that consider descent and ancestry as one way to acquire citizenship. The Jus Sanguinis (Latin for ‘right for blood') program allows foreigners to apply for Italian citizenship if they connect with the country's ancestors. Once granted citizenship through descent, you enjoy all the privileges a citizen enjoys, including an EU passport and election participation. Regardless, if you're researching your Italian roots or determining if you qualify for Italian citizenship by descent, the challenges you'll face can be difficult. Hope this guide can offer you some assistance. Key Takeaways: Citizenship by descent and ancestry is citizenship granted to descendants of a dead or emigrated citizen. Correctly tracking your lineage to an Italian ancestor is the most important step in checking eligibility for Italian citizenship by descent. Record Click Professional Genealogists will perfectly navigate the national library, quickly track your story, and expedite the Italian citizenship application process. Save time and money by hiring one of RecordClick's Italian genealogist. Let's Get Started How Do I Qualify for Italian Citizenship by Descent? Tracing your lineage to an Italian ancestor could be a game changer in the citizenship application process if you are of Italian descent residing somewhere else. However, genealogy is not the sole determinant; you'll have to prove that your citizenship application process also adheres to Italian laws. Before August 15, 1992, Italian citizens had to renounce their citizenship if they attained citizenship for another country. So, if an Italian national visited the US and bore a child, the child would acquire US citizenship through ‘Jus soli' synonymous with citizenship by birth. This would deprive them of the right to obtain Italian citizenship owing to the imposed laws before 1992 and also affect the subsequent generations. However, the table has now turned for those affected by the set rules. Most countries, including the US, allow citizens to hold dual citizenship, so seeking Italian citizenship by descent won't affect your status quo. The case might be a little different for, say, Chinese or Kuwait nationals of Italian descent. What Makes Me Eligible for Italian Citizenship by Descent? You can acquire Italian citizenship by descent through the paternity line for families of all generations. However, if you're using the maternal line, the child of that ancestor must have been born after January 1, 1948. What Is The 1948 Italian Citizenship Rule? The 1948 rule, also dubbed the female line rule, allows you to acquire Italian citizenship through the courts if you were born before 1948 by an Italian mother. The law was created because the Italian constitution was adopted on January 1, 1948. So, the municipalities and consulates can only consider the period after that as the legal basis through which you can seek citizenship by birth from an Italian mother. However, the opinion has shifted as Italian courts extend the equality principle in cases where claimants were born to Italian mothers before 1948. This is only the case for some applications. The Civil Court of Rome remains with the final verdict for each case featuring children born before 1948 by Italian mothers. Since the municipalities and consulates must strictly adhere to the established law of the land, they're duty-bound to reject any application before the set date. So, if your genealogy points to an Italian ancestor born by an Italian mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, etc., before 1948, don't waste your time submitting to consulates. Instead, it would be best to consider the Civil Court of Rome. How To Research Your Italian Genealogy? Building Your Family Tree Starting with yourself as the root, create a family tree to outline your Italian ancestry. Fill in each person's full name, important dates like birth and death, and other key details. This isn't just homework; it's a way to make history a fun part of your family's daily life. You can easily find a free family tree template online to help organize your findings. You can download a free family tree template to get started. Keep in mind, genealogy is a popular hobby for many people, as it can be both interesting and informative. If you're just getting started, one of the best ways to organize your research is to create a tree. There are several ways to do this, but one of the simplest is to use a printable tree template. You can find them here: https://recordclick.com/templates/ Finding Information If you're at square one with no clues about your ancestors, start with online searches. For more detailed records, the National Archives and General Registrar's Office are treasure troves of information, from birth records to census data. Remember, while gathering all this paperwork might seem straightforward, it can quickly become overwhelming due to the sheer volume and red tape involved. When to Call in the Experts This is where a professional genealogist comes into play. They're wizards in tracing family lines and can easily navigate the maze of historical records. A genealogist from Record Click can speed up the search and shed light on the historical contexts of your Italian roots, ensuring accuracy, especially if you're considering applying for Italian citizenship by descent. Dive Into Italian Heritage Exploring Italian American Culture The Italian American community, with its deep roots in places like Southern Italy and vibrant hubs like San Francisco, is part of the largest ethnic group in America. Italians have made significant contributions to American culture, enriching it with their music, food, fashion, and art traditions—from the Renaissance to modern times. Celebrating Italian Traditions Italian Americans celebrate their heritage in many ways, from Columbus Day parades in October to enjoying spaghetti at a family gathering. These celebrations are a testament to and celebrate the Italian spirit of hard work, family, and, most importantly, joy in life. Events celebrating Italian American heritage happen frequently, offering a chance to embrace and discover the rich tapestry of Italian culture, from the bustling streets of Sicily to the modern landscapes of Italy today. Italian Immigrants' Contributions Worldwide Many Italians have left their mark not just in America but across the world, with large numbers residing in Australia and other parts of Europe. The mass migration of Italians has brought about a fusion and celebration of Italian culture globally, influencing movies, fashion, and more. This widespread influence shows the importance of understanding one's roots and the impact of Italian immigrants and their descendants across centuries. Start Your Search for Italian Descent Begin your journey by celebrating your Italian roots and discovering your ancestors' stories. Whether it's through creating a family tree or engaging with the Italian American community at upcoming events, each step brings you closer to understanding the rich legacy of your Italian heritage. And when the search gets tough, remember that professional genealogists are there to help illuminate your path back to Italy. How Italian Americans Can Acquire Italian Citizenship If you're a citizen of another country seeking Italian citizenship by descent, you must meet the following criteria and living conditions. Your father was still a legal Italian national when you were born. Your mother was a legal Italian national when you were born, and you were born after January 1, 1948. Your paternal grandfather had legal Italian citizenship when your father was born out of Italy. Your maternal grandfather had legal Italian citizenship when your mother was born out of Italy, and you were born after January 1, 1948. Your maternal or paternal great-grandfather had legal Italian citizenship when your paternal or maternal grandparents were born out of Italy. The Italian ancestor lived during Italy's unification on March 17, 1861. Your Italian ancestor had his Italian citizenship by June 14, 1912. Your ancestor naturalized in another country after giving birth to the next connector in the family tree. So, suppose your grandfather migrated and naturalized after your father's birth. In that case, you qualify for Italian citizenship by descent, provided the naturalization also occurred after June 14, 1912. Relevant records like census reports indicating non-US status or alien files prove that the ancestor never naturalized. Your ancestor lived in Trentino Alto-Adige, Friuli-Venezia-Giulia, and Veneto and left Italy after July 16, 1920. The Application Process As mentioned earlier, proving the link between you and your Italian ancestor is the most important part of the application process. The three main channels for applying for Italian citizenship by descent are the Italian consulate, municipality, and Italian court. You must present supporting documents to keep the record straight and prove you are clean. Some of the documents you may need include; A recorded pedigree chart of your family Birth certificate Marriage certificate Ancestor’s Italian passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate, and ID Power of Attorney. If the application involves several members, you can submit all relevant documents as a set, provided they all connect to a common ancestor. However, it's advisable to contact a professional genealogist, Jus Sanguinis attorney, or the state's Italian consulate general office for directions on the application process, especially regarding descent, ancestry, and fees. How Much Does Genealogists in Italy Cost? Hiring a professional genealogist can be a costly investment, but it is one that can pay off in a big way. When researching your family history, it is important to have access to accurate and up-to-date information. A genealogist based in Italy can provide you with this type of information and help you find records that are not readily available. The cost of hiring an Italian genealogist will vary depending on the amount of time and research involved. However, it is important to remember that this is an investment in your family history or your dual citizenship application. By hiring a professional, you can ensure that your research is accurate and complete. A researcher in Italy will typically cost around 130 euros per hour plus expenses. Here is a great article on hiring a genealogist in general. Currencies and Complications When hiring an international researcher consider the following potential issues: If you're paying in EURO's, how are you going to send the invoiced amount in that currency? If you plan on wiring the funds, who's going to pay for the additional fees? The researcher never wants to pay the transfer fees. If your researcher doesn't answer an email after a week, how are you going to contact him/her? Life happens, but who's going to keep your researcher accountable? Researchers always want 50% of the total up front, are you willing to take that risk? What if the work doesn't meet your needs, who's accountable for the failure? What privacy protection is in place to assure your information is protected? Will your researcher be able to visit different areas all around Italy? What will be the travel cost implications if your researcher needs to travel all around Italy? There are many issues to consider, as such, we already recommend working with a company who offers Italian heritage research services verses a researcher directly. Many of the same researchers you'll find working independently also work for companies on a per subscription based. Accredited Genealogists in Italy On the AGI website, you'll find a number of accredited family research specialists; however, they face the same issues we described above. Higher rates, multiple currencies, and accountability issues. Free Italian Genealogy Assessment Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.What difficulties are you facing? *First Name *Last Name *Phone Number *Email * Hidden Keyword Source Submit Why Hire an Italian Genealogist at Record Click You will be impressed when it comes to tracing your heritage and Italian family history research. During the entire research process, you work side-by-side with our genealogists, witnessing the mysteries that they uncover. If you are looking for Italian genealogists for hire, then you've landed on the correct website and found us. We are a group of 45+ professional genealogists with well over 15+ years of experience in the area of Italian genealogy research. Including family history, church records retrieval, census records, and identification of Italian ancestors or any other Italian record retrieval or ancestry. If you've hit a roadblock in your research for ancestors, our genealogists are available to hire for your genealogy research needs. Our ancestry genealogists are also available if, for example, you are searching for roman catholic records. Hire a Professional Italian Researcher Yes, hire a professional genealogist to find answers to your genealogy questions. With our Italian heritage research services, we are experts at retrieving records from Italian repositories or researching the history of your family homes. Contact the experts at Record Click. We have ideas for finding that long-lost ancestor and will help you with your genealogy and tracing ancestry. Regardless, if you're searching for census records, church records, Italian Civil War records, army records, parish registers, roman catholic church records, genealogy Italy, or family roots library records. Our dedicated team of genealogists in Italy would be perfect for ancestry trace. IMPORTANT – The article about Italian heritage is provided for information only and is not to be construed as legal advice to any person or entity. The author is not an attorney and cannot provide legal advice to anyone. For up-to-date regulations and procedures, please consult with a legal entity, immigration lawyer, or any other attorney. #### Legacy Books - A Book About Your Ancestral Past - View Examples Legacy Books: Sifting Through the Past in the Best Way to Understanding Your Family Legacy So many times, a skeptical family member will ask "what on earth is so interesting about a bunch of deceased relatives?" This question rankles one too many genealogists. It does not matter how long you have been looking for answers because legacy books can bring your journey to an end. What are Legacy Books? Just to be clear, legacy books are nicely crafted physical books that show your ancestral past. All the information that is gathered during the genealogy research process is add to this book along with snippets of your family tree. Someone viewing your book can easily distinguish what your family members had accomplished in past generations. Legacy books can also include small stories of events and achievements of individuals in your family, such as well known individuals write about their books about leaving a legacy. Let us take the story of Elaine Clements, who was trying to trace her 20 year family history. However, her research instantly came to an end when she found a plain brown packing box. As soon as she opened it, she came face to face with a gold-embossed, writer leather legacy book. Her eyes filled up with tears because she knew the treasure that she has found. This book comprised of everything about her family, including all the relevant names, dates, marriage information and even histories of life and death. In the past, she was trying to track down stereotypical genealogical information but now she had many of the answers she was looking for. Personal Stories The legacy book that was left behind by Elaine's family was a reflection of all other legacy books; even the ones that may run in your own family. The information that is contained in the pages of the books is accurate and factual. There are also many personal stories that families often want to preserve for generations that are yet to come. The best part? You can complete your family's legacy book by filling in recent happenings and other information that may be lacking. Continuing the Stories For instance, Elaine realized that her family legacy book did not have all the information that she needed and she wanted the rest of her family to connect past histories to what their lives had become. However, it is best to understand that legacy books cannot be completed instantly. It took many years for Elaine to fill in the blanks of her family history. It also took time travel to different places and document the relevant information that pertained to her family members. She studied time periods and all of the places in which her ancestors had lived. She wrote down all important facts. The final step was putting everything together for the rest of her family to read. Over time, other members of her family would be able to continue the legacy book where Elaine left off. Writing Your Family Legacy Book Working on a legacy books that pertains to your relatives and all of your descendants is one of the most valuable things that you can do for your loved ones. Knowing where they came from, what they did and how they lived their lives may shape the future of other generation to come. After all, legacy books create an important connection between family members. Needless to say, completing your family's legacy book is a labor of love. Your history does not have to be perfect, therefore, you need not put unnecessary pressure on yourself. Here a few tips that will allow you to complete your family legacy book in easy and manageable steps. If you are creating your own legacy book then do have a look at our legacy book resource section. Do not try to capture it all It is always better to start with the most important messages that you want to leave your loved ones. You can alternatively pick the things that have made the most impact in your life. Once you start putting these thoughts on paper the rest will come easily. Be flexible You do not want to be rigid when writing a legacy book. For instance, the events do not need to appear chronologically. Instead, you can begin your family history in any way that you like. It is better to tell your family history by subject matter or family member. Start with short term goals Granted, the main purpose of embarking on your family's legacy book is to complete it. But it is better to eat an elephant one bite at a time. In other words, you can simply set half an hour every day to write something's. Keep all your goals specific and have a timeline to ensure that you are making progress. Lower your expectations Forget about perfection. Your legacy book does not have to be perfectly written, packaged or even organized. It only needs to be a book that your family can treasure. The value of what you are writing is of utmost importance and it should be seen through every piece of photo or information. Take the first step Legacy books are meant to give your family an identity as well as hope. Do not regret not embarking on this sooner. Take that first step and never look back. The Benefits of Letting a Professional Put Together Your Family's Legacy Book It is common to experience difficulties when attempting to put together your family's legacy books. There are many roadblocks that may hinder you from finding the information that you really need, especially if it originates from centuries ago. The good news is that you do not need to embark on this process alone. Record Click has a handful of capable genealogy professionals who will be able to assist you on different aspects of your legacy book. Our qualified professionals will ensure that: Sufficient time is dedicated to the project - As previously discussed, legacy books are not to be rushed; they take many years to be completed. You can be certain that your family's history will be in the best hands. We will fine-comb through every detail and dedicate sufficient time to the project. You are advised on how to proceed - You may want to work on your family's legacy book individually, considering that it is a personal project. Our professionals are ready to advise you on how to move forward and the proper steps that will ensure completion of the book. Proper organization - It is only normal to haul out box after of family journals, scrapbooks and boxes. Some of the stories included in them may be out of context or illegible. We are here to ensure that everything makes sense through good organization. Compiling your family's history is a wonderful and rewarding journey. Through a legacy book, you will be able to give the rest of your family members something to look back or forward to. We will assist you in the proper planning and organization of the project. This next phase of the answers that you need for you and generations to come. Record Click has got you covered! After all, preserving legacies is an art. We are here to make that possible. Price for a Legacy Book Please contact us for pricing.. #### Legacy Video For Your Family As of September 2017, we’ve seen a 35% increase in individuals inquiring about a legacy video. Why are more individuals turning to a this platform to share their ancestral stories? Let us answer that and much more. What is a Legacy Video? You’ve seen it everywhere; the younger generations are spending more and more time on videos then they are in books. Many of our customers normally order a Legacy Book after we’ve completed their research, but they quickly learning that the younger generations would rather have a recording of the findings then reading through a book. Don’t be mistaken, legacy books are great for sharing material and showing younger and future generations of your family legacy. Family legacy books are awesome, BUT they are quickly being switched for a family legacy video. A legacy video is an instrument of sharing life story’s via video, preserving legacies of individual’s life that had passed along their values and beliefs to their descendants and a breathing legacy on video to enlighten and inspire the present and future generation. Seeing your ancestors talking on a recording verse just seeing a picture has a completely different impact. If I could only hear my beloved grandmother’s voice just one more time, it would be amazing. Your family’s records would be a composition of documented memoir by your existing family members allowing them to share their story with everyone else in your family tree. The recording can show interviews with parents, grandparents and even great grandparents. Would it be great to hear your great grandfather’s life lessons or important events happened in his life or stories about hopes and aspirations or values and belief that he wants to pass to future generations? The legacy recordings could be our personal histories & mini video biographies. We offer three different legacy video package. See bottom of page. Why do people create a legacy video? The main reason for why people make a recording varies from one person to another. Typically, these videos are almost comparable to the life journals that are developed concerning people. All in all, here are some of the common reasons for developing a legacy video; For commemoration - This is one of the main reason why people make a legacy video. They want to be remembered after they are gone. As long as they make the videos, their memories will remain for the longest time possible with the family and friends. Preserving the legacy - As the name suggests, these videos help to preserve the legacy left behind by the loved one. Even when the person passes away, their legacy will remain with his/her people. To ease the grieving process - Visual content tends to have a strong influence on the audience. Usually, the audience will feel a connection with the person in a video as they watch. The audience will also feel the presence of the loved in the video, even when they are gone. For that, these videos will help to ease the grieving process by making it seem like the loved one is still around. For appreciation - Making a legacy video to a loved one is one way of showing them that their life mattered, regardless of the achievements made. Sometimes it’s all about highlighting the stories of that loved one, just to appreciate them. To teach/educate the future generation - In other cases, a person might need to make their personal recordings to pass down their ideas and life experiences to the generations to come. This could be a way of giving life teachings to their children, grandchildren, and other generational successors. All in all, these videos are designed for the future generation after the person is gone. However, keep in mind that others are dedicated to the person, but when they are in their prime years. Whether they are designed to teach the future generation, commemorate the loved one, or recognize their achievement, a legacy video is a great choice for storytelling. Don't be shy, get everyone involved in your legacy video project. How to make your own Recordings? If you choose to make your recordings, you’ll need to consider some factors to make the video successful. Here are some things you should consider; Personal and background research It is important to understand and review the personal history of the prospect. It will become an advantage to know the accurate stories behind the old film and photos and trinkets they kept and events happened to their lives that can give lessons to the viewer. If you haven’t already, we can complete your genealogy research to gather documents for your legacy video. Gathering memorabilia Ensures that all documents, such as piles of photographs, newspaper clippings, greeting cards and holiday letters stuffed into boxes in the closets and under the beds - memorabilia’s collected videos for editing. The right equipment First off, you will need to consider the technology needed to deliver your video. This means that the equipment you use must help you record the events accordingly. Therefore, a good quality digital video camera is a priority in this case. Luckily, you can use your smartphone to record the events as you need them. Just ensure that the phone can record high-resolution videos. An engaging story Of course, the target audience must find the entire video interesting. One sure way of making that happen is by outlining the story of the loved one and highlight the most appealing parts of their life. You can also use photos in the video. Asking the right questions Many people struggle with this process. Not sure what to ask or afraid to ask the wrong questions. Keep in mind that the whole objective of the legacy video is to document the individual themselves. It's a good idea to keep the questions consistent with everyone. Thus, creating a united in the questions and answer process. Here are some questions to consider. Life Events – Childhood: - Why were you given the first (and middle) name(s) that you have? - What’s your first, most vivid memory? - What was the apartment or house like that you grew up in? Life Events – Adulthood: - How did you decide what you wanted to do with your life? - What was your first job? - How did you meet your spouse? Identity: - Are there stories about the origins of your family name? - Have you ever had any nicknames as a child or as an adult? - How are you like your mother? Unlike her? How are you like your father? Unlike him? The Present: - Do you have any hobbies or special interests? Do you enjoy any particular sports? - Is the present better or worse than when you were younger? - What do you do for fun? Aging: - If you could go back to any age, which age would it be and why? - How do you feel now about growing old? - What were your parents like when they got older? Life Lessons and Legacies: - What’s your most cherished family tradition? Why is it important? - What have you liked best about your life so far? What’s your happiest or proudest moment? - What do you feel have been the important successes in your life? The frustrations? Consider recreating events Sometimes the story is available but there is no supporting material. A plain oral story can get boring. Spice it up with recreations. You will have to get a bit creative and also get family members to cooperate in putting up the acts. You will have to plan for time and other items such as costumes and stage props. Testimony Compilation Even if you already have the story of the person with you, you’ll need to make the video as real as possible. That is why you need to conduct some interviews to include in the video. The interviews can be with the loved one, as well as other family members or friends. As you interview other family members or close friends, you can ask them about their favorite memories with the person in question. Also, ask them how the person has impacted the friends or family members’ lives. Other than interviews, compiling old home videos and photos can help to boost the testimonies of the person. Edit the video After collecting all the testimonies as required, it will be time to edit the video to be ready for production/presentation. Here, you will need to have a suitable video software that will help you finalize the video. There are different video editors available for Mac (Mac video editors) and PC users (PC video editors). Some of the top software to try out include CyberLink PowerDirector 15 Ultimate, Apple iMovie, Corel VideoStudio Ultimate X10, or Adobe Premiere Pro CC. Review and Share After finalizing the editing process, you should review the video and share the final piece with the relevant people. If you have a family gathering, share it with them, ideally in the midst of the loved one. After the person passes away, you can then make copies for every person in the family, including the friends. Who is your life story video production for? In most cases, people make their legacy video for future generations. They will make the videos for the family members, as well as their close friends. The major audiences of the video will be spouses, children, brothers, sisters, grandchildren, workmates, close friends, or neighbors. There is no limitation in who the video is dedicated to. Why is a legacy video best for storytelling? Basically, video and film tend to have a possibility to trigger the audience’s senses. They will connect to the audience spiritually, emotionally, physically, as well as aurally. There will be visual and audio content that engages the viewer to the maximum. So when you use legacy videos to tell the loved one’s story, the audience will feel the person’s presence in their midst {even when they are gone}. Also, it helps to bring more reality to the story and make it more imaginable. Above all, the recordings will live in the family and friends’ memories forever because they see and hear the story at the same time. What packages do we offer for a legacy video? Choose from one of the offerings below or bring us your ideas. All custom videos are delivered on archival DVDs, Blu-ray discs or on USB flash drives. Your choice! The following are three packages to give you an idea packages being offered. We can customize each package and provide you with an accurate quote. Simply contact us for a quote. We have samples of each type of packages offered below. Just send us a quick email and we'll send you an updated list of samples plus pricing details. Legacy Video in Questions and Answers Format Features a question & answer session with your storyteller, lightly edited to remove long pauses, stumbles and repetitious information. Package includes: Interview, up to 1.5 hours Chapter titles & opening music Up to 20 photos DVD with custom menu & chapters Custom-printed DVD DVD case with custom-printed insert 4 copies of completed program Contact us for pricing and more information. Premium Legacy Video Transforms your interview into a personal documentary by adding your family photos and films*, memorabilia, music, sound effects, titles and graphics, for a program your family will want to watch again and again! Package Includes: 1 interview day. Additional days & interviews can be added at an increased cost Interview transcripts on CD Chapter titles & music Up to 50 photos DVD with custom menu & chapters Custom-printed DVD DVD case with custom-printed insert 6 copies of completed program Contact us for pricing and more information. Deluxe Legacy Video The ultimate in personal legacy videos, featuring extensive use of family photos, films*, memorabilia, music, sound effects, titles and graphics – PLUS archival photos and films that really illuminate your story and give your recordings a "big budget" documentary look and feel. In short, we use all the tools of the video storyteller’s art to celebrate your life story in an exciting, entertaining and unforgettable way. Package Includes: 1 interview day. Additional days & interviews can be added at an increased cost Interview transcripts on CD Custom opening and titles Unlimited music selections Unlimited photos Archival photo research DVD with custom menus & chapters Custom-printed DVD DVD case with custom-printed insert 10 copies of completed program Contact us for pricing and more information. I have questions where can I get help? Creating a family legacy video can become a big project and we want to help you. If you have any questions regarding our process, please do reach out to us. We can customizes your family search for the genealogical research you need, for your time frame, and for your budget. Contact us today to get started. #### Make a Custom Payment Make a Custom Payment To make a custom payment, please select the Make a Payment button below. Make a Payment #### Native American Genealogy Native American Genealogy can be complicated, but let us explain a little more to offer clarity. Many people want to know about gaining membership to a Native American tribe because they have determined or believe they have a Native American ancestor. Some people find a name on an Indian roll that appears to be the same name of a family member. However, just having a Native American ancestor does not provide any guarantee of membership. There are at least 29 Indian Rolls and each of them were created for a specific purpose and use regarding specific tribe(s).  There are at least 564 Federally Recognized Tribes listed in the Tribal Leaders Directory published by the Department of Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs. The Five Civilized Tribes are the five Native American Nations, the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole that were considered civilized by Anglo-European settlers during the colonial and early federal period. The Dawes Rolls contains the names of the individual tribe members of the Western Band Indians from the Five Civilized Tribes. Requirements for Obtaining Native American Membership Each tribe has various requirements for obtaining membership to include being on the appropriate Indian Roll for that tribe. Some are more restricted than others. The first question is do you have Native American lineage in your family, can you prove the lineage and if so, are you Native American by “Blood Quantum”. "Blood Quantum" refers to describing the degree of ancestry for an individual of a specific racial or ethnic group, for instance, 1/16 Eastern Band Cherokee. Different tribes have different Blood Quantum requirements in order to become a member of the tribe. Even if a person can prove lineage and may have the required “Blood Quantum”, does not necessarily guarantee membership. Some tribes have discontinued accepting new applications. Probably the most well known Indian rolls are the Dawes, Baker and Guion Miller Rolls. The Dawes Rolls Index The Dawes Rolls Index is the Final Rolls of Citizens and Freedmen of the Five Civilized Tribes in Indian Territory (Dawes) 1889-1914. The individuals on these rolls are specific to the Western Band Indians of the Cherokee, Chickasaw, Choctaw, Creek, and Seminole.  These tribes originated from the Native Americans that were removed from the East 1831-1838 known as the “Trail of Tears”. The Baker Rolls 1924 Was supposed to be the final roll of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The land was to be allotted and all were to become regular citizens of the United States.  The Eastern Band of Cherokee avoided the removal 1831-1838 by hiding or under the guise of another race. The Baker Roll revised is the current membership roll of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina. Guion Miller Rolls 1909 Guion Miller Rolls is History of Cherokee Indians Compiled by Mr. Miller of all Eastern Cherokee, not old Settlers, residing either east or west of the Mississippi. The Rolls were ordered by the Court of Claims as a result of a lawsuit won by the Eastern Cherokee for violations of certain treaties. Native American Ancestry Websites The Eastern Band website provides a search engine for a first and last name. It will provide some basic information if a name appears to include the Indian Roll where the person is recorded. This site does charge for research of the lineage and to obtain applications on file. The National Archives (NARA) provides information for the Federally Recognized Tribes 1930-1970. Most records are arranged by tribe. The site provides information on how to order applications of individuals on the rolls. The website AccessGenealogy.com provides explanation and information on Index Rolls and a list of tribes. The Oklahoma Historical Society provides a search engine for individuals on the Dawes Rolls for the Five Civilized Tribes. It provides the name, age, sex, blood, census card number, tribe and enrollment. Another site, 500Nations.com provides information on Native Americans tribes. It provides a map under "tribes" and list tribes by state indicating state or federal status. Native American Genealogy can use DNA DNA testing has become sophisticated enough to prove Native American heritage these days. However, some federally recognized tribes do not enroll members based on DNA testing. "Blood Quantum" if required is determined by generation and proven/documented lineage.  The federally recognized state tribes are more likely to require blood quantum as opposed to the Five Civilized Tribes. Native American tribes have been known to be a matriarchal society. The female of Native American lines would actually be the family member that continues the true bloods lines. However, as previously stated the blood quantum is based on generation regardless of gender. The Seminole The Seminole explain clans within their tribe as follows: Clans are matrilineal as they are inherited through one’s mother. For example, if an individual’s mother is of the Wotkvlke or Raccoon Clan, and the father is of the Hvlpvtvlke or Alligator Clan, that individual would be of the Raccoon Clan. However, this person would also be related to the Alligator Clan, as a son or daughter. In turn, all other Raccoon Clan people and Alligator Clan people would be that persons relations, and would be referred to as aunts and uncles, if the age of a fellow clansman was relative to that of the mother and father, or brother and sister if the age of the clansman was relative to that of the child him/herself. This can be confusing to many but a genealogist specialized in Native American genealogy will know how to interpret each process. Have a look at the array of genealogy services we offer to help you understand your heritage. The Eastern Band Cherokee Native American genealogy has discovered that The Eastern Band Cherokee is a federally recognized tribe. Enrollment in the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is governed by Cherokee Code, Chapter 49, Enrollment, and restricts enrollment to the following: A direct lineal ancestor must appear on the 1924 Baker Roll of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. You must possess at least 1/16 degree of Eastern Cherokee blood. Please note, Blood Quantum is calculated from your ancestor listed on the 1924 Baker Roll. No DNA/blood testing is performed or acceptable for this calculation. You must be newborn to three (3) years of age or 18 to 19 years old. The Chickasaw The Chickasaw which is one of the Five Civilized Tribes has different requirements: They provide CDIB, citizenship and information to Chickasaws who are direct descendants of enrollees on the Dawes Commission Rolls. An applicant must be able to trace his/her heritage through bloodlines to an original enrollee listed on the Dawes Commission Rolls to obtain a CDIB. Required forms are available at the website below. You Need to Provide State-issued birth certificate with state registrar signature and state file number Death certificates Copies of court orders Recent color photos for persons 12 years of age or older Native American Ancestry Other Information The Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB) application is for applicants who want to prove their Chickasaw Indian blood. The application is a family tree chart that must be submitted with birth certificates or death certificates, and supporting documents if needed. Once the application is received in the CDIB office, the research begins by looking up the enrolled ancestors on the Dawes Commission Rolls, which are the base rolls for the Five Civilized Tribes. The CDIB does not establish citizenship with the Chickasaw Nation. Once applicants receive the CDIB, they are eligible for citizenship in the Chickasaw Nation. To speak with one of our Native American genealogists about help with your Native American ancestry research please contact us. #### New Jersey Genealogy from a Genealogist in New Jersey This RecordClick New Jersey genealogist likes a mystery. Start with a large multi-storied building. There are long, quiet halls with elevators that quietly do their business and an aroma of old records spanning time and place. Genealogists in the building converse, usually in hushed tones. Some are searching for clues to solve a mystery. Others are, as efficiently as possible, organizing documents and books from some long ago era to help the searchers discover information pertaining to that mystery. So where is this remarkable place? The New Jersey State Archives in Trenton, the place for New Jersey genealogy. While libraries are good places for family history researchers, they don’t usually have the original genealogical documents. But the New Jersey genealogy Archives are special. I revel in the old leather bound legal documents so carefully stored on their shelves. There is challenge and fun in finding odd information for your ancestor search. Genealogists in New Jersey are fortunate to have rather easy access to so many treasured records. The New Jersey State Archives has the usual items for which New Jersey genealogists are looking: original New Jersey birth, marriage and death records. A plus for New Jersey genealogy researchers is that the state began keeping vital records in 1848 and many of these records are here on microfilm. Recently, the Archives were tasked with the responsibility of searching and certifying vital records older than 100 years with records to be added every year. Remember, however, that New Jersey is New Jersey and vital records may be found on many government levels: county, township or municipal. In some counties, marriage records can go back to before 1800. From 1743-1886, divorces were granted by legislative act or decree of the Chancery Court. Archives, however, are more than the usual list of records in the New Jersey genealogy search.  The New Jersey State Archives are a good place to start an ancestor search before beginning genealogical detective work at county and local government offices.  That's because while genealogists in New Jersey will find the usual birth, marriage and death records in these Archives, you will also find court, estate, tax ratables from 1768-1846, and the New Jersey State Census taken every ten years from 1855-1915.  In these Archives, genealogists in New Jersey need to dig deep AND not expect everything to be indexed. These are some of the additional New Jersey genealogical records in the New Jersey Archive files that have piqued my interest: Camden city (Glouster County), an 1840 order relating to seizure and sale of hogs. Centre township (Camden County), 1923 dog licenses. Centre township (Camden County), 1913-1921 Custodian of School Moneys financial Record Book. Clayton township (Glouster County), 1858-1880 voter lists. Gloucester township (Glouster County), 1747-1808 Township Committee Minutes. Harrington township (Bergen County), 1877-1906 Tax Collector’s Office (Clerk’s Office) Tax Sale Records. Hoboken city (Hudson County), 1868-1939 Police Department Arrest Records. Millville city (Cumberland County), 1866-1915 Clerk’s Office Vital Records. New Hanover township (Burlington County), 1723-1882 Township Committee Minutes and Records of Strays. Palisades township (Bergen County), 1910-1921 Miscellaneous Papers. Over 34,000 reels of microfilm are housed at the New Jersey State Archives. These New Jersey genealogical records are from all branches of the state government. New Jersey genealogists might be most interested in family history documents from the County Clerk’s Office, courts, miscellaneous and the Surrogate’s Office. As part of the New Jersey Newspaper Project, 3.15 million pages from newspapers dating back to 1777 have been microfilmed. The New Jersey State Archives do have some online data bases o finterest for New Jersey genealogy including: Death records from June 1878. Colonial marriages 1666-1799. This includes indexes of marriage bonds and licenses (1711-1745) filed with the Secretary of State’s Office; 23,064 entries. Marriages May 1848-May 1878 filed with the Secretary of State’s Office; 294,534 entries. Death records 1787-1913. 1878-1890 online index; 312,000 entries. Colonial Land Surveys and Warrants 1670-1727; 14,802 entries. Revolutionary War Damages 1776-1782; 6,359 entries. There is no evidence any of the claims were paid. Index to Supreme Court Cases 1704-1844; 155,075 entries. Civil War Vouchers which includes New Jersey’s payment receipts for military expenditures and wartime purchases from 1861-1866; 113,536 entries. World War I Deaths, compiled in 1919 with the assistance of the War Department; 3,427 entries. Microfilming historical records is a huge and expensive undertaking. The State of New Jersey accepted the assistance of the Mormon church in accomplishing the task. These microfilm images may also be available online at the LDS Family Search web site or on microfilm at the LDS Family History Library or their satellite Family History Centers. Researching genealogical records for your genealogy search in New Jersey’s State Archives is a time consuming process. Finding information to solve your New Jersey genealogy mystery  is difficult.  The team of expert New Jersey genealogists at RecordClick will help you. We will search for that elusive New Jersey genealogical record, organize your New Jersey ancestor search, create your family history and more. #### Our Pricing Our Pricing Top 5 Reasons - Why RecordClick 94% success rate, Direct communication with professional genealogists, Best pricing for "Professional" services, See genealogist's abilities in smaller projects, Personable trustworthy team with great results. What You Get: All purchased time used towards research, Money Back Guarantee *see refund policy - conditions apply, Service from a Professional Genealogist, Full report of findings and their sources, A time-log report, Copy of all records, with translation if applicable, Update existing online family tree, Printed version of all found records, if needed (mailing charges apply). [table id=2 /] Customer Testimonials Independent Testimonials at Trustpilot.com: Read More Reviews View all our reviews @ Trust Pilot Price Comparison We've been in the industry for a long time so we know that not everyone can afford a large price tag - nor does their research require it. However, our competitors don't seem to care. You be the judge. [table id=1 /] Services Covered All Professional Genealogy; record search, adoption, brick-wall busting, tracing family history, society research & application, and much more. See full list here - genealogy services Research Countries USA Canada UK Germany Russia Poland Croatia Italy Ukraine Ireland Spain Netherlands France Portugal You Will Love Us Testimonialsclick for more testimonials Make Custom Payment To make a custom payment, please select the Make a Payment button below. Make a Payment #### Privacy Policy What information do we collect? 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Often, the real mystery usually lies within the journey of the Native Americans and how they ended up in the country. By DNA testing, scientists can be able to prove family histories, trace genetics and also determine how different relationships came into play. This breakthrough of science is highly valuable for historians and genetic scientists. Here is everything there is to know about using DNA to prove you are Native American: The Importance of DNA Testing A DNA Test is helpful in determining an individual’s genetic background in relation to the Native American genes. When confirming your ancestry, the initial step is to conduct an autosomal DNA test. This a wholesome test that gives a better chance of proving your descent. Native American genealogy can be complicated and help is available. Just click here for more information. Genetics may not be able to establish this legally, since a majority of Native tribes and communities may not accept DNA test results for enrollment. However, testing will help in guiding you towards which legal action to pursue. DNA tests results can also give you the answers that you need. They may reveal that you are not of Native American Ancestry. This will ensure that you do not waste time in locating ancestors who do not exist. If you are truly interested in your family’s background and heritage, a Native American DNA Test can also enable you to begin your search for documentation of those connections. The well-documented connection of your lineage will shed light on the search for information regarding your ancestry. DNA Tests That Prove Native American Ancestry There are three tests that can be done to prove Native American Ancestry. They include. Y-Line DNA This test usually determines paternal line testing for males. The DNA testing lets you know if you have a male genealogy. The result can be gotten when your DNA is compared to another testing participant of the same descent. Mitochondrial DNA This Native American DNA test is for determining a direct maternal line. As mitochondrial DNA is usually inherited by the children from their mother only, it is easy to establish the family tree DNA. Autosomal Testing This DNA test will complete the rest of your history. This is because it tests all 23 pairs of chromosomes that you inherit from both your parents. It will make determining your Native Ancestry easy. It is possible to reach out to genetic relatives and work out your common DNA ancestry through DNA testing companies. Autosomal results will always help you to determine whether you share a common ancestor or not. Be ready to continue looking for more people to take DNA tests until you gather information about your ancestry. The Challenge of Using DNA Test to Determine Your Ancestry There are Native American DNA Tests fail because they cannot account for migration of people from their recent homeland. Present-day genetic testing patterns may not be identical to what existed a few years ago. With the recent mix of worldwide population, the relationship between genetic and cultural heritage is a bit hard to determine. Unfortunately, there are people who may not necessarily believe in them. For instance, an individual who was adopted by an Italian family and raised as Italian, despite not being genealogically related to the family will die believing that they are Italian. A Native American DNA Test may not necessarily change these thoughts. Many people believe that ancestry is not a bloodline, it simply is a legacy. Conclusion Do not get discouraged. You can learn a lot about your ancestry from your DNA. A clear genetic analysis may not be the key to who you are, however, it is a worthy tool in your ancestry toolkit. It can be used productively to test for genealogical hypothesis and change the way you pay homage to the culture and the lifestyle that was stripped from your descendants. DNA testing allows you to peer into your past. #### Record Search The core essence of genealogy is record search and record retrieval. The little pieces of our history that confirm what our ancestors have been tellings us. At RecordClick we experts at record search and record retrieval. What is a record search? A record is a document that contains evidence about the past. It is an accounting of an event that occurred, kept in writing or some other permanent form. A search is the act of trying to find something by looking carefully and thoroughly. Hence, a record search is the act of looking carefully and thoroughly for a document that contains an accounting of an event that has occurred. Why is a record search an important part of genealogy? Researching your family history will expose you to many different types of personal records. What you will find in these records may amaze you. For example, death records will provide you with a clue to any prominent illnesses that may occur within your family tree. Older death records also often have very unusual causes of death, giving you interesting information for family stories. Birth and baptism records will tell you a lot about a person, including people that were present at their birth. These clues can help you find obscure people in your family tree that may not appear in any other records. Land records and Wills often contain vital information about who your family members associated with when they were alive. Not surprising, many of these transactions will take place with in-laws that you will then be able to easily trace. Records like these also often contain correct information about spellings of names and birth places and dates. Many family stories will tell one version of a story, only to find out the truth when you find the actual records. What types of records are searched to complete family trees? No one’s family tree is ever complete. The most-used records in genealogy are vital records – birth, marriage, and death. These records retrieval will usually tell you plenty of information about the individual the record is about, as well as information about family members. There are many, many other types of records used in research, and to name them all is not really possible. But a good sample list of records is: Adoption Records; Biographies; Cemetery Records; Census Records; Church Records; City Directories; Coroner’s Reports; Court Records; Diaries; Immigration Records; Lineage Society Records; Land Records; Medical Records; Military Records; Newspapers; Occupational Records; Passport Records; Photographs; School Records; Ship Passenger Lists; Social Security Records; Tax Records; Funeral Home Records: Voter records; and Wills and Probate Records. How does a genealogist know where to search for records? Knowing where to search for a particular record is the key to finding that record. Many records can be found online, but many of the online sites that have records require that you have a paid subscription to the site in order to view the records. Most genealogists have a working knowledge of where to perform record retrieval through their own experiences of trying to find a particular record. Particularly in our own geographic regions, we’ve been everywhere, and we know the ins and the outs of how to get what we want. We also know the privacy laws of every state in our own geographic regions, and you won’t find a professional genealogist sitting in the waiting room at the Vital Records Office for 3 hours waiting for our number to be called in turn, only to find out that we are not eligible to receive this record due to privacy restrictions. You not only have to know where the record is kept, you must also know ahead of time if you are eligible to receive a copy of it. Many states do not allow genealogists a copy of a vital or court record. When checking, it is always important to ask – Is this a public record? What are some record searching tips and resources? Ancestry (www.ancestry.com) is a popular site for finding records, but they also require a paid subscription in order to view most of their records. For records that cannot be found online, it is necessary to search for the place that holds that particular record. If it is a court record – divorce record; probate record; land record; or other court record – usually the local courthouse will have a copy of the record. There are courthouses who have sent some of their oldest records to Archives, Local Libraries, or Historical Societies, and these records are no longer available at the local courthouses. It is best to contact the courthouse to verify if they have the record you are searching for and if it is a public record. Same thing for vital records – verify that the record is there and that you are eligible to receive a copy of it. Never accept that the information provided on a record is 100% correct. Those persons providing the information on a record made mistakes and sometimes, for whatever reason, just didn’t tell the truth when providing information. It is best to find at least 3 documents that provide the same information. Why is RecordClick so good at record searching? "Because RecordClick has me", says one of top researchers; Nancy! All kidding aside, I believe what makes Record Click so special is the relationship between the researchers in seeking help from each other when we need to locate a record. I don’t hesitate to contact one of the other researchers if I need a record, and I know that the record is in the area where another researcher is located. This networking together is what makes Record Click unique and most successful. How can we research other countries when we can't read the language? The simple answer is that we can't. We do a lot of research for those seeking dual citizenship or those seeking research in a foreign country. Research cannot begin in those countries without first learning the birth town and the names of the parents of the immigrant. Once we learn this information, the project is ready to be transferred to our international researchers. They also translate all documents for us into English in order that you can easily read and understand them. When working as a team, such as we do, it makes genealogy research easier for us and for your wallet. We can customizes your family search for the genealogical research you need, for your time frame, and for your budget. Let's get started; contact us or click here to check out other services. #### Refund Policy Our Policy Lasts 7 Days If 7 days have gone by since your purchase, unfortunately we can’t offer you a refund. If within 7 days and your research work has NOT begun, then we can offer a full refund, minus $300 administration fee. If within 7 days and your research work has begun, then we cannot offer you a full refund; however, we can work with you to identify a partial refund. Your refund is subject to a $300 administration fee. Consumers have a right to cancel any ordered Service without specifying a reason, within seven (7) days from the order date. In order to exercise the Right to Cancellation, the User should notify RecordClick of their intention to exercise this right by contacting us. For physical products shipping costs are not refunded for cancellations. If applicable, cancellation also assumes that the consumer returns any shipped products in unaltered state. Cancellation is not possible if the product has been destroyed/used/damaged. To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging. Several types of goods are exempt from being returned: Gift cards Downloadable software products, including editable family trees Purchase certificates, records, or other 3rd party documentation To complete your return, we require a receipt or proof of purchase. Limited Guarantee Refund Most reputable genealogists should not offer any guarantee to find the specific information you want; it may be missing, destroyed, or otherwise nonexistent. We are one of those reputable genealogy service providers; HOWEVER, we are confident in our record searching capabilities and we understand that you need some level of comfort in our confidence. Thus, we offer a "Limited Guarantee Refund" offer to those customers. If you were offered a "money back guarantee" for your project via email from one of our full-time staff members, and your genealogist was unable to locate any records or information based on your project goals, then you qualify for our Limited Guarantee Refund offer. If you do not have written email confirmation, before you’ve made your purchase, then you are not eligible for our Limit Guarantee Refund offer. With our Limited Guarantee Refund offer you qualify for a 30% money back for your first purchase ONLY ON OUR 5-HOUR PACKAGE at our standard non-discounted or promotional rate. If you purchased the package at a discounted rate, then the standard package rate will be used for calculating the amount you qualify as a refund and the discount amount you received will be deducted from the amount owing. Any other packages, or any other services, or any additional purchases do not qualify. If you qualify for our Limited Guarantee Refund offer, then you must submit your request for a refund within 14 days of your purchase date. If you would like take advantage of the refund, please get in touch with us via email and we will begin the process. Refunds (if applicable) Once your return is received and inspected, we will send you an email to notify you that we have received your returned item. We will also notify you of the approval or rejection of your refund. If you are approved, then your refund will be processed, and a credit will automatically be applied to your credit card, within 14 business days. Late or Missing Refunds (if applicable) If you haven’t received a refund yet, first check your bank account again. Then contact your credit card company, it may take some time before your refund is officially posted. Next contact your bank. There is often some processing time before a refund is posted. If you’ve done all of this and you still have not received your refund yet, please contact us. Exchanges (if applicable) We do not offer any exchanges. Gifts If the item was marked as a gift when purchased and shipped directly to you, you’ll receive a gift credit for the value of your return. Once the returned item is received, a gift certificate will be mailed to you. If the item wasn’t marked as a gift when purchased, or the gift giver had the order shipped to themselves to give to you later, we will send a refund to the gift giver and he will find out about your return. Shipping To return your product, please contact us for arrangements. You will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. If you receive a refund, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund. Depending on the refund, the time it may take to process a refund, may vary. We strive to process refunds quickly. Banked Hours A customer may purchase research hours and bank them for future research needs. All purchased hours will remain validate for up-to 1 year of the purchased date. Upon 1 year, any remaining and unused hours from the purchased package will become void and unusable. 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For example, you will be solely responsible for: - The technical operation of your site and all related equipment - Ensuring the display of Special Links on your site does not violate any agreement between you and any third party (including without limitation any restrictions or requirements placed on you by a third party that hosts your site) - The accuracy, truth, and appropriateness of materials posted on your site (including, among other things, all Product-related materials and any information you include within or associate with Special Links) - Ensuring that materials posted on your site do not violate or infringe upon the rights of any third party (including, for example, copyrights, trademarks, privacy, or other personal or proprietary rights) - Ensuring that materials posted on your site are not libelous or otherwise illegal - Ensuring that your site accurately and adequately discloses, either through a privacy policy or otherwise, how you collect, use, store, and disclose data collected from visitors, including, where applicable, that third parties (including advertisers) may serve content and/or advertisements and collect information directly from visitors and may place or recognize cookies on visitors' browsers. Compliance with Laws As a condition to your participation in the Program, you agree that while you are a Program participant you will comply with all laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, orders, licenses, permits, judgments, decisions or other requirements of any governmental authority that has jurisdiction over you, whether those laws, etc. are now in effect or later come into effect during the time you are a Program participant. Without limiting the foregoing obligation, you agree that as a condition of your participation in the Program you will comply with all applicable laws (federal, state or otherwise) that govern marketing email, including without limitation, the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003 and all other anti-spam laws. Term of the Agreement and Program The term of this Agreement will begin upon our acceptance of your Program application and will end when terminated by either party. Either you or we may terminate this Agreement at any time, with or without cause, by giving the other party written notice of termination. Upon the termination of this Agreement for any reason, you will immediately cease use of, and remove from your site, all links to https://www.recordclick.com, and all of our trademarks, trade dress, and logos, and all other materials provided by or on behalf of us to you pursuant hereto or in connection with the Program. Professional Genealogists reserves the right to end the Program at any time. Upon program termination, Professional Genealogists will pay any outstanding earnings accrued above $20. Termination Professional Genealogists, in its sole discretion, has the right to suspend or terminate your account and refuse any and all current or future use of the Program, or any other Professional Genealogists service, for any reason at any time. Such termination of the Service will result in the deactivation or deletion of your Account or your access to your Account, and the forfeiture and relinquishment of all potential or to-be-paid commissions in your Account if they were earned through fraudulent, illegal, or overly aggressive, questionable sales or marketing methods. Professional Genealogists reserves the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason at any time. Relationship of Parties You and we are independent contractors, and nothing in this Agreement will create any partnership, joint venture, agency, franchise, sales representative, or employment relationship between the parties. You will have no authority to make or accept any offers or representations on our behalf. You will not make any statement, whether on your site or otherwise, that reasonably would contradict anything in this Section. Limitations of Liability We will not be liable for indirect, special, or consequential damages (or any loss of revenue, profits, or data) arising in connection with this Agreement or the Program, even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages. Further, our aggregate liability arising with respect to this Agreement and the Program will not exceed the total referral fees paid or payable to you under this Agreement. Disclaimers We make no express or implied warranties or representations with respect to the Program or any products sold through the Program (including, without limitation, warranties of fitness, merchantability, noninfringement, or any implied warranties arising out of a course of performance, dealing, or trade usage). In addition, we make no representation that the operation of the Professional Genealogists will be uninterrupted or error-free, and we will not be liable for the consequences of any interruptions or errors. Independent Investigation YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ THIS AGREEMENT AND AGREE TO ALL ITS TERMS AND CONDITIONS. YOU UNDERSTAND THAT WE MAY AT ANY TIME (DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY) SOLICIT CUSTOMER REFERRALS ON TERMS THAT MAY DIFFER FROM THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS AGREEMENT OR OPERATE WEB SITES THAT ARE SIMILAR TO OR COMPETE WITH YOUR WEB SITE. YOU HAVE INDEPENDENTLY EVALUATED THE DESIRABILITY OF PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM AND ARE NOT RELYING ON ANY REPRESENTATION, GUARANTEE, OR STATEMENT OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT. Arbitration Any dispute relating in any way to this Agreement (including any actual or alleged breach hereof), any transactions or activities under this Agreement or your relationship with us or any of our affiliates shall be submitted to confidential arbitration, except that, to the extent you have in any manner violated or threatened to violate our intellectual property rights, we may seek injunctive or other appropriate relief in any state or federal court (and you consent to non-exclusive jurisdiction and venue in such courts) or any other court of competent jurisdiction. Arbitration under this agreement shall be conducted under the rules then prevailing of the American Arbitration Association. The arbitrator's award shall be binding and may be entered as a judgment in any court of competent jurisdiction. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, no arbitration under this Agreement shall be joined to an arbitration involving any other party subject to this Agreement, whether through class arbitration proceedings or otherwise. Miscellaneous This Agreement will be governed by the laws of The United States, without reference to rules governing choice of laws. You may not assign this Agreement, by operation of law or otherwise, without our prior written consent. Subject to that restriction, this Agreement will be binding on, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable against the parties and their respective successors and assigns. Our failure to enforce your strict performance of any provision of this Agreement will not constitute a waiver of our right to subsequently enforce such provision or any other provision of this Agreement. The failure of Professional Genealogists to exercise or enforce any right or provision of the Terms of Service shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. The Terms of Service constitutes the entire agreement between you and Professional Genealogists and govern your use of the Service, superceding any prior agreements between you and Professional Genealogists (including, but not limited to, any prior versions of the Terms of Service). #### Search Records In Municipal Courts Keen to find out more about your family? For many people, understanding family roots is a key step to finding out who they are or who they want to be. Although the internet has an overwhelming wealth of information that may be useful during a genealogical search, municipal court records also act as important resources that will help you dig deep into your family history. Search Records in Municipal Court Will Bring you Closer According to research, approximately 60% of couples (either the husband or wife) appear in a specific court action. On the other hand, 70% of general family members often make an appearance in court, they may be the plaintiff, the defendant and other times they are the deceased who left behind an ongoing dispute about their estate. Information about a divorce suit can also be found in these records. Either way, municipal court records will bring you in step closer to finding the family answers that you seek. We offer record searching services: https://www.recordclick.com/record-search/ Here are 3 things you need to know about Search Records in municipal courts: Municipal Court Records have an Abundance of Information Unfortunately, these court records are some of the most underutilized genealogical resources. Many people are often challenged by the difficulty to search for these records. Although this may be true, the information on a municipal court record can shed light on your search process. However, this information often varies from one case to another or a specific region of the country to another. Ideally, you require the right information on the place or region that your family member (s) may be from. For instance, an individual faced with a foreclosure case is required to list all of his descendants during the period of the case. The records may also contain the postal addresses of the respective defendants. This automatically provides new information about the whereabouts of family members that you may not know of. Searching Through Many Cases will Provide an Array of Information When you Search Records in a municipal court, it is beneficial to go through a variety of cases. While all court cases will provide some kind of genealogical information, the following are most useful in genealogical research: i. Divorces Divorce court records often showcase the place and date of marriage that pertains to the couple. Information about minor children including but not limited to their names and ages may be provided. Here, residence information about the couple can also be found. Even in cases of an uncompleted divorce action, it is still possible to find this information. Although divorce was not common before the year 1900 as it may be today, but it was still heard of. ii. Separations Perhaps a legal separation took place even though a divorce did not occur. In this case, similar information like that on divorce records will be obtained. The only exception is that children who were adults during the separation will not be named. iii. Adoptions While there are adoption records that are sealed, there are older records that could be available. There are special cases where the court may also give permission to Search Records. However, in earlier years, adoptions were informal, therefore, municipal court records on them may not exist. iv. Guardianships Once upon a time, American women only enjoyed specific legal rights. For instance, if the husband died and was survived by the wife and his minor children, the wife was required to file an order of guardianship. These records could be filed separately, with probate records and/or with other municipal court records. Usually, guardianship records provided the children’s names and their date of birth. They also provided information about the child’s mother and also showcased details of the child’s biological ancestry. v. Partitions When the heirs of an estate could not agree on how the property should be divided, court documents were filed to partition the estate among the heirs. In this case, all the information about living and deceased family members will be listed in the records. Indexing of Municipal Court Records Matter When conducting a physical search of the court records, the indexing matters. Usually, there are separate indices for physical records and these that can be found on microfilm. The index will make the Search Records process easy because it indicates the case that is being pursued, and, the dates of other actions along with the judgment. The index also provides references to certain court books such as court journals and a reference number to the actual court records such as the bill of complaints, subpoenas, and affidavits. The dates and all other relevant information on these documents will shed light on your family members’ history. Municipal court records can be accessed in their physical location microfilm or in published versions. Despite your form of choice, the genealogical information provided on them is the same. However, if you choose to access these records in their physical location, you may need to hire a research to Search Records professional to do the job for you. Regardless of the nature of the record, it is significant to always research the complete family. #### Terms and Conditions Professional Genealogists Affiliate Program Terms of Service Agreement By signing up to be an Affiliate in the Professional Genealogists Affiliate Program ("Program") you are agreeing to be bound by the following terms and conditions ("Terms of Service"). Professional Genealogists reserves the right to update and change the Terms of Service from time to time without notice. Any new features that augment or enhance the current Program, including the release of new tools and resources, shall be subject to the Terms of Service. Continued use of the Program after any such changes shall constitute your consent to such changes. Violation of any of the terms below will result in the termination of your Account and for forfeiture of any outstanding affiliate commission payments earned during the violation. You agree to use the Affiliate Program at your own risk. Account Terms You must be 18 years or older to be part of this Program. You must live in the United States to be an Affiliate. You must be a human. Accounts registered by "bots" or other automated methods are not permitted. You must provide your legal full name, a valid email address, and any other information requested in order to complete the signup process. Your login may only be used by one person - a single login shared by multiple people is not permitted. You are responsible for maintaining the security of your account and password. Professional Genealogists cannot and will not be liable for any loss or damage from your failure to comply with this security obligation. You are responsible for all Content posted and activity that occurs under your account. One person or legal entity may not maintain more than one account. You may not use the Affiliate Program for any illegal or unauthorized purpose. You must not, in the use of the Service, violate any laws in your jurisdiction (including but not limited to copyright laws). You may not use the Affiliate Program to earn money on your own Professional Genealogists product accounts. Links/graphics on your site, in your emails, or other communications Once you have signed up for the Affiliate Program, you will be assigned a unique Affiliate Code. You are permitted to place links, banners, or other graphics we provide with your Affiliate Code on your site, in your emails, or in other communications. We will provide you with guidelines, link styles, and graphical artwork to use in linking to Professional Genealogists. We may change the design of the artwork at any time without notice, but we won't change the dimensions of the images without proper notice. To permit accurate tracking, reporting, and referral fee accrual, we will provide you with special link formats to be used in all links between your site and the Professional Genealogists. You must ensure that each of the links between your site and the Professional Genealogists properly utilizes such special link formats. Links to the Professional Genealogists placed on your site pursuant to this Agreement and which properly utilize such special link formats are referred to as "Special Links." You will earn referral fees only with respect to sales on a Professional Genealogists product occurring directly through Special Links; we will not be liable to you with respect to any failure by you or someone you refer to use Special Links or incorrectly type your Affiliate Code, including to the extent that such failure may result in any reduction of amounts that would otherwise be paid to you pursuant to this Agreement. Affiliate links should point to the page of the product being promoted. Referral fees/commissions and payment For a Product sale to be eligible to earn a referral fee, the customer must click-through a Special Link from your site, email, or other communications to https://www.recordclick.com and complete an order for a product during that session. We will only pay commissions on links that are automatically tracked and reported by our systems. We will not pay commissions if someone says they purchased or someone says they entered a referral code if it was not tracked by our system. We can only pay commissions on business generated through properly formatted special links that were automatically tracked by our systems. We reserve the right to disqualify commissions earned through fraudulent, illegal, or overly aggressive, questionable sales or marketing methods. Payments only begin once you've earned more than $20 in affiliate income. If your affiliate account never crosses the $20 threshold, your commissions will not be realized or paid. We are only responsible for paying accounts that have crossed the $20 threshold. Identifying yourself as a Professional Genealogists Affiliate You may not issue any press release with respect to this Agreement or your participation in the Program; such action may result in your termination from the Program. In addition, you may not in any manner misrepresent or embellish the relationship between us and you, say you develop our products, say you are part of Professional Genealogists or express or imply any relationship or affiliation between us and you or any other person or entity except as expressly permitted by this Agreement (including by expressing or implying that we support, sponsor, endorse, or contribute money to any charity or other cause). You may not purchase products through your affiliate links for your own use. Such purchases may result (in our sole discretion) in the withholding of referral fees and/or the termination of this Agreement. Payment schedule As long as your current affiliate earning are over $20, you'll be paid each month. If you haven't earned $20 since your last payment, we'll pay you the following month after you've crossed the threshold. Customer definition Customers who buy products through this Program will be deemed to be our customers. Accordingly, all of our rules, policies, and operating procedures concerning customer orders, customer service, and product sales will apply to those customers. We may change our policies and operating procedures at any time. For example, we will determine the prices to be charged for products sold under this Program in accordance with our own pricing policies. Product prices and availability may vary from time to time. Because price changes may affect Products that you have listed on your site, you should not display product prices on your site. We will use commercially reasonable efforts to present accurate information, but we cannot guarantee the availability or price of any particular product. Your responsibilities You will be solely responsible for the development, operation, and maintenance of your site and for all materials that appear on your site. For example, you will be solely responsible for: - The technical operation of your site and all related equipment - Ensuring the display of Special Links on your site does not violate any agreement between you and any third party (including without limitation any restrictions or requirements placed on you by a third party that hosts your site) - The accuracy, truth, and appropriateness of materials posted on your site (including, among other things, all Product-related materials and any information you include within or associate with Special Links) - Ensuring that materials posted on your site do not violate or infringe upon the rights of any third party (including, for example, copyrights, trademarks, privacy, or other personal or proprietary rights) - Ensuring that materials posted on your site are not libelous or otherwise illegal - Ensuring that your site accurately and adequately discloses, either through a privacy policy or otherwise, how you collect, use, store, and disclose data collected from visitors, including, where applicable, that third parties (including advertisers) may serve content and/or advertisements and collect information directly from visitors and may place or recognize cookies on visitors' browsers. Compliance with Laws As a condition to your participation in the Program, you agree that while you are a Program participant you will comply with all laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, orders, licenses, permits, judgments, decisions or other requirements of any governmental authority that has jurisdiction over you, whether those laws, etc. are now in effect or later come into effect during the time you are a Program participant. Without limiting the foregoing obligation, you agree that as a condition of your participation in the Program you will comply with all applicable laws (federal, state or otherwise) that govern marketing email, including without limitation, the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003 and all other anti-spam laws. Term of the Agreement and Program The term of this Agreement will begin upon our acceptance of your Program application and will end when terminated by either party. Either you or we may terminate this Agreement at any time, with or without cause, by giving the other party written notice of termination. Upon the termination of this Agreement for any reason, you will immediately cease use of, and remove from your site, all links to https://www.recordclick.com, and all of our trademarks, trade dress, and logos, and all other materials provided by or on behalf of us to you pursuant hereto or in connection with the Program. Professional Genealogists reserves the right to end the Program at any time. Upon program termination, Professional Genealogists will pay any outstanding earnings accrued above $20. Termination Professional Genealogists, in its sole discretion, has the right to suspend or terminate your account and refuse any and all current or future use of the Program, or any other Professional Genealogists service, for any reason at any time. Such termination of the Service will result in the deactivation or deletion of your Account or your access to your Account, and the forfeiture and relinquishment of all potential or to-be-paid commissions in your Account if they were earned through fraudulent, illegal, or overly aggressive, questionable sales or marketing methods. Professional Genealogists reserves the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason at any time. Relationship of Parties You and we are independent contractors, and nothing in this Agreement will create any partnership, joint venture, agency, franchise, sales representative, or employment relationship between the parties. You will have no authority to make or accept any offers or representations on our behalf. You will not make any statement, whether on your site or otherwise, that reasonably would contradict anything in this Section. Limitations of Liability We will not be liable for indirect, special, or consequential damages (or any loss of revenue, profits, or data) arising in connection with this Agreement or the Program, even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages. Further, our aggregate liability arising with respect to this Agreement and the Program will not exceed the total referral fees paid or payable to you under this Agreement. Disclaimers We make no express or implied warranties or representations with respect to the Program or any products sold through the Program (including, without limitation, warranties of fitness, merchantability, noninfringement, or any implied warranties arising out of a course of performance, dealing, or trade usage). In addition, we make no representation that the operation of the Professional Genealogists will be uninterrupted or error-free, and we will not be liable for the consequences of any interruptions or errors. Independent Investigation YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ THIS AGREEMENT AND AGREE TO ALL ITS TERMS AND CONDITIONS. YOU UNDERSTAND THAT WE MAY AT ANY TIME (DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY) SOLICIT CUSTOMER REFERRALS ON TERMS THAT MAY DIFFER FROM THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS AGREEMENT OR OPERATE WEB SITES THAT ARE SIMILAR TO OR COMPETE WITH YOUR WEB SITE. YOU HAVE INDEPENDENTLY EVALUATED THE DESIRABILITY OF PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM AND ARE NOT RELYING ON ANY REPRESENTATION, GUARANTEE, OR STATEMENT OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT. Arbitration Any dispute relating in any way to this Agreement (including any actual or alleged breach hereof), any transactions or activities under this Agreement or your relationship with us or any of our affiliates shall be submitted to confidential arbitration, except that, to the extent you have in any manner violated or threatened to violate our intellectual property rights, we may seek injunctive or other appropriate relief in any state or federal court (and you consent to non-exclusive jurisdiction and venue in such courts) or any other court of competent jurisdiction. Arbitration under this agreement shall be conducted under the rules then prevailing of the American Arbitration Association. The arbitrator's award shall be binding and may be entered as a judgment in any court of competent jurisdiction. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, no arbitration under this Agreement shall be joined to an arbitration involving any other party subject to this Agreement, whether through class arbitration proceedings or otherwise. Miscellaneous This Agreement will be governed by the laws of The United States, without reference to rules governing choice of laws. You may not assign this Agreement, by operation of law or otherwise, without our prior written consent. Subject to that restriction, this Agreement will be binding on, inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable against the parties and their respective successors and assigns. Our failure to enforce your strict performance of any provision of this Agreement will not constitute a waiver of our right to subsequently enforce such provision or any other provision of this Agreement. The failure of Professional Genealogists to exercise or enforce any right or provision of the Terms of Service shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. The Terms of Service constitutes the entire agreement between you and Professional Genealogists and govern your use of the Service, superceding any prior agreements between you and Professional Genealogists (including, but not limited to, any prior versions of the Terms of Service). #### Terms of Service OVERVIEW This website is operated by Irtus Inc.. Throughout the site, the terms “we”, “us” and “our” refer to Irtus Inc.. Irtus Inc. offers this website, including all information, tools and services available from this site to you, the user, conditioned upon your acceptance of all terms, conditions, policies and notices stated here. By visiting our site and/ or purchasing something from us, you engage in our “Service” and agree to be bound by the following terms and conditions (“Terms of Service”, “Terms”), including those additional terms and conditions and policies referenced herein and/or available by hyperlink. These Terms of Service apply to all users of the site, including without limitation users who are browsers, vendors, customers, merchants, and/ or contributors of content. Please read these Terms of Service carefully before accessing or using our website. By accessing or using any part of the site, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree to all the terms and conditions of this agreement, then you may not access the website or use any services. If these Terms of Service are considered an offer, acceptance is expressly limited to these Terms of Service. Any new features or tools which are added to the current store shall also be subject to the Terms of Service. You can review the most current version of the Terms of Service at any time on this page. We reserve the right to update, change or replace any part of these Terms of Service by posting updates and/or changes to our website. It is your responsibility to check this page periodically for changes. Your continued use of or access to the website following the posting of any changes constitutes acceptance of those changes. SECTION 1 – ONLINE STORE TERMS By agreeing to these Terms of Service, you represent that you are at least the age of majority in your state or province of residence, or that you are the age of majority in your state or province of residence and you have given us your consent to allow any of your minor dependents to use this site. You may not use our products for any illegal or unauthorized purpose nor may you, in the use of the Service, violate any laws in your jurisdiction (including but not limited to copyright laws). You must not transmit any worms or viruses or any code of a destructive nature. A breach or violation of any of the Terms will result in an immediate termination of your Services. SECTION 2 – GENERAL CONDITIONS We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason at any time. You understand that your content (not including credit card information), may be transferred unencrypted and involve (a) transmissions over various networks; and (b) changes to conform and adapt to technical requirements of connecting networks or devices. Credit card information is always encrypted during transfer over networks. You agree not to reproduce, duplicate, copy, sell, resell or exploit any portion of the Service, use of the Service, or access to the Service or any contact on the website through which the service is provided, without express written permission by us. The headings used in this agreement are included for convenience only and will not limit or otherwise affect these Terms. SECTION 3 – ACCURACY, COMPLETENESS AND TIMELINESS OF INFORMATION We are not responsible if information made available on this site is not accurate, complete or current. The material on this site is provided for general information only and should not be relied upon or used as the sole basis for making decisions without consulting primary, more accurate, more complete or more timely sources of information. Any reliance on the material on this site is at your own risk. This site may contain certain historical information. Historical information, necessarily, is not current and is provided for your reference only. We reserve the right to modify the contents of this site at any time, but we have no obligation to update any information on our site. You agree that it is your responsibility to monitor changes to our site. SECTION 4 – MODIFICATIONS TO THE SERVICE AND PRICES Prices for our products are subject to change without notice. We reserve the right at any time to modify or discontinue the Service (or any part or content thereof) without notice at any time. We shall not be liable to you or to any third-party for any modification, price change, suspension or discontinuance of the Service. SECTION 5 – PRODUCTS OR SERVICES (if applicable) Certain products or services may be available exclusively online through the website. These products or services may have limited quantities and are subject to return or exchange only according to our Return Policy. We have made every effort to display as accurately as possible the colors and images of our products that appear at the store. We cannot guarantee that your computer monitor’s display of any color will be accurate. We reserve the right, but are not obligated, to limit the sales of our products or Services to any person, geographic region or jurisdiction. We may exercise this right on a case-by-case basis. We reserve the right to limit the quantities of any products or services that we offer. All descriptions of products or product pricing are subject to change at anytime without notice, at the sole discretion of us. We reserve the right to discontinue any product at any time. Any offer for any product or service made on this site is void where prohibited. We do not warrant that the quality of any products, services, information, or other material purchased or obtained by you will meet your expectations, or that any errors in the Service will be corrected. SECTION 6 – ACCURACY OF BILLING AND ACCOUNT INFORMATION We reserve the right to refuse any order you place with us. We may, in our sole discretion, limit or cancel quantities purchased per person, per household or per order. These restrictions may include orders placed by or under the same customer account, the same credit card, and/or orders that use the same billing and/or shipping address. In the event that we make a change to or cancel an order, we may attempt to notify you by contacting the e-mail and/or billing address/phone number provided at the time the order was made. We reserve the right to limit or prohibit orders that, in our sole judgment, appear to be placed by dealers, resellers or distributors. You agree to provide current, complete and accurate purchase and account information for all purchases made at our store. You agree to promptly update your account and other information, including your email address and credit card numbers and expiration dates, so that we can complete your transactions and contact you as needed. For more detail, please review our Returns Policy. SECTION 7 – OPTIONAL TOOLS We may provide you with access to third-party tools over which we neither monitor nor have any control nor input. You acknowledge and agree that we provide access to such tools ”as is” and “as available” without any warranties, representations or conditions of any kind and without any endorsement. We shall have no liability whatsoever arising from or relating to your use of optional third-party tools. Any use by you of optional tools offered through the site is entirely at your own risk and discretion and you should ensure that you are familiar with and approve of the terms on which tools are provided by the relevant third-party provider(s). We may also, in the future, offer new services and/or features through the website (including, the release of new tools and resources). Such new features and/or services shall also be subject to these Terms of Service. SECTION 8 – THIRD-PARTY LINKS Certain content, products and services available via our Service may include materials from third-parties. Third-party links on this site may direct you to third-party websites that are not affiliated with us. We are not responsible for examining or evaluating the content or accuracy and we do not warrant and will not have any liability or responsibility for any third-party materials or websites, or for any other materials, products, or services of third-parties. We are not liable for any harm or damages related to the purchase or use of goods, services, resources, content, or any other transactions made in connection with any third-party websites. Please review carefully the third-party’s policies and practices and make sure you understand them before you engage in any transaction. Complaints, claims, concerns, or questions regarding third-party products should be directed to the third-party. SECTION 9 – USER COMMENTS, FEEDBACK AND OTHER SUBMISSIONS If, at our request, you send certain specific submissions (for example contest entries) or without a request from us you send creative ideas, suggestions, proposals, plans, or other materials, whether online, by email, by postal mail, or otherwise (collectively, ‘comments’), you agree that we may, at any time, without restriction, edit, copy, publish, distribute, translate and otherwise use in any medium any comments that you forward to us. We are and shall be under no obligation (1) to maintain any comments in confidence; (2) to pay compensation for any comments; or (3) to respond to any comments. We may, but have no obligation to, monitor, edit or remove content that we determine in our sole discretion are unlawful, offensive, threatening, libelous, defamatory, pornographic, obscene or otherwise objectionable or violates any party’s intellectual property or these Terms of Service. You agree that your comments will not violate any right of any third-party, including copyright, trademark, privacy, personality or other personal or proprietary right. You further agree that your comments will not contain libelous or otherwise unlawful, abusive or obscene material, or contain any computer virus or other malware that could in any way affect the operation of the Service or any related website. You may not use a false e-mail address, pretend to be someone other than yourself, or otherwise mislead us or third-parties as to the origin of any comments. You are solely responsible for any comments you make and their accuracy. We take no responsibility and assume no liability for any comments posted by you or any third-party. SECTION 10 – PERSONAL INFORMATION Your submission of personal information through the store is governed by our Privacy Policy. A breach or violation of any of the Terms will result in an immediate protection of our Privacy Policy. Furthermore, your name and other details maybe disclosed on the public domain to protect ourself and our reputation. SECTION 11 – ERRORS, INACCURACIES AND OMISSIONS Occasionally there may be information on our site or in the Service that contains typographical errors, inaccuracies or omissions that may relate to product descriptions, pricing, promotions, offers, product shipping charges, transit times and availability. We reserve the right to correct any errors, inaccuracies or omissions, and to change or update information or cancel orders if any information in the Service or on any related website is inaccurate at any time without prior notice (including after you have submitted your order). We undertake no obligation to update, amend or clarify information in the Service or on any related website, including without limitation, pricing information, except as required by law. No specified update or refresh date applied in the Service or on any related website, should be taken to indicate that all information in the Service or on any related website has been modified or updated. SECTION 12 – PROHIBITED USES In addition to other prohibitions as set forth in the Terms of Service, you are prohibited from using the site or its content: (a) for any unlawful purpose; (b) to solicit others to perform or participate in any unlawful acts; (c) to violate any international, federal, provincial or state regulations, rules, laws, or local ordinances; (d) to infringe upon or violate our intellectual property rights or the intellectual property rights of others; (e) to harass, abuse, insult, harm, defame, slander, disparage, intimidate, or discriminate based on gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, race, age, national origin, or disability; (f) to submit false or misleading information; (g) to communicate with any of researchers directly via phone, email, fax, etc. outside the provided means of communication or without pre approval from a manager; (h) to upload or transmit viruses or any other type of malicious code that will or may be used in any way that will affect the functionality or operation of the Service or of any related website, other websites, or the Internet; (i) to collect or track the personal information of others; (j) to spam, phish, pharm, pretext, spider, crawl, or scrape; (k) for any obscene or immoral purpose; or (l) to interfere with or circumvent the security features of the Service or any related website, other websites, or the Internet. We reserve the right to terminate your use of the Service or any related website for violating any of the prohibited uses without a refund. SECTION 13 – DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES; LIMITATION OF LIABILITY We do not guarantee, represent or warrant that your use of our service will be uninterrupted, timely, secure or error-free. We do not warrant that the results that may be obtained from the use of the service will be accurate or reliable. You agree that from time to time we may remove the service for indefinite periods of time or cancel the service at any time, without notice to you. You expressly agree that your use of, or inability to use, the service is at your sole risk. 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Did you notice we have the lowest pricing in the industry: Pricing Details click herewe have a great select of family tree templates for you to choose from click heresome tips & tricks on learning genealogy click hereDiscover your ancestors - online genealogy research #### Trace Czech Republic Genealogy & Bohemia Ancestry Tracing your Czech Republic Genealogy & Bohemia Ancestry We're a professional genealogy research company who can help you complete your genealogy. Our Czech Genealogy Experts Czech Republic Genealogy, Bohemia Ancestry, Ancestral Republic   available David (Czech Republic) available Antek (Czech Republic)   Embarking on a journey through time to rediscover your Czech roots is like flipping through the pages of a captivating historical novel. The tapestry of Bohemia, Moravia, and Silesia regions (the three regions of the Czech Republic) weaves together tales of generations past, waiting to be unveiled through the meticulous exploration of vital, census, military, and immigration records, as you continue to build out your family tree. As the doors to these archives creak open, a world of family stories, forgotten connections, and intriguing mysteries comes to life. In this guide, we invite you to join us on a quest to navigate the labyrinth of Czech genealogy, where each document is a piece of the puzzle that paints a vivid picture of your ancestral heritage. Whether you're an intrepid researcher or a curious descendant, the riches of your Czech lineage await – a tapestry of lives and stories waiting to be told. Key Takeaways: For best and accurate results, hire a professional company, Make sure your genealogist is located in Czech Republic, Don't pay $1000's or $10000's, when you can pay $100's, Make sure you have direct communication with the lead genealogist. Save time and money by hiring one of RecordClick's Czechia genealogist. Let's Get Started   How to Research your Czech Genealogy Beginners Guide If you're interested in researching your Czech family genealogy, there are a few things you'll need to do. First, you'll need to gather as much information as you can about your ancestors. This includes their full names, dates of birth and death, and any other relevant information. You can typically find this information by searching through family records or public records. Once you have this information, you can begin your search by visiting the websites of the WorldGenWeb or Czech Regional and National Archives. These centers will allow you to access a variety of records, including census records, birth and death records, and marriage records. Top 5 Tips: Use a family tree template or write down all the information you already know. Start with yourself and work back in a direct line - one family ancestry side at a time. Locate as many free genealogy websites and researchers as you can (many listed below). Once you've found proof of a relationship, record it by adding the details to your tree. You're going to hit a genealogy brickwall - don't worry this happens to everyone; seek help. Build a Family Tree From day 1, start by listing all your know family members on a tree. This will help you visualize your ancestry and direct you in the areas that require your attention. You can download a free family tree template to get started. Keep in mind, genealogy is a popular hobby for many people, as it can be both interesting and informative. If you're just getting started, one of the best ways to organize your research is to create a tree. There are several ways to do this, but one of the simplest is to use a printable tree template. You can find them here: https://recordclick.com/templates/ Understanding Czech Genealogy Basics Embarking on a genealogical journey is like unearthing buried treasure, and when it comes to Czech ancestry, the rewards are as rich as the history itself. Before delving into specific record types, let's lay the foundation for your research. Czech genealogy is a fascinating blend of historical intricacies, cultural nuances, and administrative changes. Understanding the basics will help you navigate the twists and turns of your ancestral quest. A. Historical Context: The regions of Bohemia, Moravia, and Silesia have witnessed centuries of historical shifts, from the medieval kingdoms to the modern Czech Republic. Political changes, wars, and border shifts have left their mark on administrative divisions and record-keeping practices. Familiarize yourself with key historical events that might affect your research, such as the Austro-Hungarian Empire, World Wars, and the dissolution of Czechoslovakia. B. Record Availability: The treasure trove of Czech genealogical records is spread across various repositories, including national archives, regional archives, parish churches, and online databases. Vital records, census records, military records, and immigration records are the pillars of your research. While some records are readily accessible, others might require on-site visits or assistance from local experts. C. Language and Script: Czech is the predominant language of historical records, and deciphering old handwriting can be a delightful challenge. Familiarize yourself with common terms, phrases, and script variations used in documents. This linguistic journey is essential for effectively interpreting and extracting valuable information from records. D. Cultural Traditions: Czech culture is woven into genealogical research, influencing naming conventions, family structures, and societal norms. Understanding cultural practices can provide insights into family relationships, naming patterns, and migration trends that might guide your research. E. Research Approach: Approach your research with patience and curiosity. Begin with what you know, collect family stories, and gather any existing documents. As you work your way back in time, each document serves as a stepping stone to the past. Collaborate with fellow researchers, tap into genealogical societies, and embrace the unexpected twists your journey might take. F. Record Consistency and Challenges: Bear in mind that historical records might not always be consistent. Names, dates, and locations could vary due to human error, transcription mistakes, or language barriers. Be prepared to cross-reference multiple sources and piece together a cohesive narrative. In the next sections of this guide, we'll dive into the specifics of vital records, census records, military records, and immigration records. Armed with a strong understanding of Czech genealogy basics, you're ready to embark on a rewarding journey through time, discovering the lives and stories of your ancestors from Bohemia, Moravia, and Silesia. Top 10 Online Repositories for Record Searching Here are 10 online repositories that you can use for searching Czech genealogical records: Czech National Archives (Národní archiv): The official repository for historical records in the Czech Republic, offering a wealth of digitized documents, including vital records, land records, and more. Website: https://www.nacr.cz/en/ Moravian Land Archives (Moravský zemský archiv): Specializing in records from the Moravia region, this archive provides access to various historical documents, including land and estate records. Website: https://www.mza.cz/en Archives of the City of Prague (Archiv hlavního m?sta Prahy): Focused on records related to the capital city, this archive offers valuable resources for those with ancestors from Prague. Website: https://www.ahmp.cz/en FamilySearch: This free genealogy platform by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints offers a substantial collection of Czech records, including vital records, church records, and more. Website: https://www.familysearch.org/ Tomas Batka's Genealogy Indexes: A comprehensive collection of Czech genealogy indexes, including vital records, censuses, and more from various regions. Website: http://www.genealogienetz.de/reg/SUD/ Matricula Online: Provides access to digitized church records from various Central European countries, including Czech Republic. Great for accessing baptism, marriage, and burial records. Website: https://data.matricula-online.eu/en/ Archives Portal Europe: Offers access to a wide range of archival materials from European countries, including Czech Republic, through a single search interface. Website: https://www.archivesportaleurope.net/ Czechoslovak Genealogical Society International (CGSI): While not a repository itself, CGSI offers databases, indexes, and resources for Czech and Slovak genealogy research. Website: https://cgsi.org/ GenTeam.eu: A collaborative project providing genealogical data from various countries, including the Czech Republic. Offers searchable indexes of birth, marriage, and death records. Website: https://www.genteam.eu/ MyHeritage: A commercial genealogy platform with a vast collection of international records, including Czech vital records and other resources. Website: https://www.myheritage.com/ Remember to explore each repository's search functionality, browse their collections, and determine which ones align with your specific research needs. Happy hunting! When to Hire a Czech Genealogist When you've hit the genealogy brick-wall or having difficulties find online resources or the help you garnished from others isn't helping you with your progress, then it's usually a sign that it's time to hire a profession genealogist. How to Hire a Czech Genealogists Genealogists are professionals who specialize in tracing family histories. They can often provide invaluable information about your ancestors, including their names, dates of birth and death, and places of origin. In addition, genealogists can help you to understand the historical context in which your ancestors lived. When hiring a genealogist, it's important to choose someone who is experienced and reputable. You can ask for recommendations from friends or family members who have conducted similar research. Find a genealogist who specializes in Czech genealogy can be a little more challenging. The type of professional their you're going to require will most likely reside in Czechoslovakia. If you're located in Czech Republic then challenges can be avoided. If you're not, then you directly hiring a research from there comes with some risks. In most cases, it's advised to hire a company then it is to hire an individual. Czech genealogy research companies usually have a full support staff, multiple researchers, some historical background for you to review, etc. Challenges of Tracing your Czech Ancestors When conducting research on your, Czech genealogy research can be incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. Here are some common challenges that researchers might face when conducting complete Czech genealogy research: Language Barriers: Many historical records in the Czech Republic are written in Czech, and deciphering the old handwriting and understanding the language can be a significant hurdle, especially for those who aren't fluent in Czech. Familiarity with key genealogical terms and script variations is essential. Record Inconsistencies: Records from different time periods, regions, and administrative changes might not always follow consistent formats. Variations in names, dates, and spellings can complicate research and require careful cross-referencing. Limited Online Availability: While there are online repositories and resources, not all records are digitized or readily accessible online. Some records might only be available in physical archives or through local contacts. Missing or Destroyed Records: Historical events, such as wars and political upheavals, have led to the destruction or loss of some records. This can create gaps in your research and make it difficult to trace certain ancestors. Boundary Changes: The shifting borders and administrative divisions in the Czech lands over the centuries can make it challenging to determine where specific records might be located or to interpret locations mentioned in records. Lack of Indexes: While some records are indexed and searchable, many records are not indexed, requiring researchers to manually browse through large volumes of records to find relevant information. Different Calendar Systems: Historical records often use different calendar systems, such as the Gregorian and Julian calendars. Converting dates accurately can be crucial to avoid discrepancies. Changing Surnames: Historical naming patterns and changes in surnames due to language shifts or cultural influences can make tracking ancestors more difficult. Lack of Historical Context: Understanding the historical and cultural context of the time is important to interpret records accurately. Without this context, records might seem confusing or misleading. Limited Family Knowledge: Sometimes, family stories and information might be incomplete or inaccurate. This can lead to challenges when trying to connect the dots between generations. Documentation of Non-Nobility: Prior to the 19th century, many records were focused on the nobility. Finding records for commoners and peasants can be more challenging due to fewer available sources. Multiple Archives and Sources: Records might be spread across various archives, churches, and repositories. Navigating these sources and coordinating research efforts can be time-consuming. Despite these challenges, many dedicated genealogists have successfully uncovered their Czech ancestry by combining online resources, physical archives, collaboration with experts, and a healthy dose of perseverance. Each hurdle overcome brings you closer to uncovering the intricate tapestry of your family's history in the Czech Republic. How Much does Genealogists Cost Hiring a professional genealogist can be a costly investment, but it is one that can pay off in a big way. When researching your family history, it is important to have access to accurate and up-to-date information. A genealogist in Czech Republic can provide you with this type of information, as well as help you to find records that are not readily available. The cost of hiring a genealogist will vary depending on the amount of time and research involved. However, it is important to remember that this is an investment in your family history. By taking the time to hire a professional genealogist, you can ensure that your research is accurate and complete. A researcher will typical cost around 100 EURO's per hour plus expenses. Currencies and Complications When hiring a researcher, or for any where else for that mater, to research your genealogy do consider the following potential issues: If you're paying in EURO's, how are you going to send that invoiced in that currency? If you plan on wiring the funds, who's going to pay for the additional fees? The researcher never wants to pay the fees. If your researcher doesn't answer an email after a week, how are you going to contact him/her? Researchers always want 50% of front, are you will to take that trust? What if the work doesn't meet your needs, who's accountable for the failure? What privacy protection is in place to assure your information is protected? Will your researcher be able to visit different areas all around the country? What will be the travel cost implications if you hire one researcher and he/she needs to travel? There are many issues to consider when conducting Czech family history research, as such, we already recommend working with a company who offers Czech genealogy services verses a researcher directly. Many of the same researchers you'll find working independently also work for companies on a per subscription based. Accredited Genealogists Czech Republic At the AGI website, you'll find a number of family research specialist; however, they same issues we described above are commonly shared with us from our customers. For example, you may be in a similar situation, we have a customer named, let's call him Barry More. Barry is proud of his Czech heritage who is located in the New York area and needs some research completed in Czechia. He hired a genealogist from AGI; however, he had to pay in EURO's and there was no accountability regarding the research completed. Barry appreciated working with us because: Our rates were half of those of researchers in Czechia. He didn't have to pay in EURO's as only charge USD. He not got a researcher, but also a project manager, a number of researchers as backups. He paid a fixed rate so there were no bill surprises. He was able to call us during normal business hours in his local area. Free Czech Genealogy Assessment Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.What difficulties are you facing? *First Name *Last Name *Phone Number *Email * Channel Drilldown - Submit Why Hire a Czech Genealogist at Record Click When it comes to trace ancestry, Czechia family history research, you will be impress. During the entire research process you while work side-by-side with our genealogists; witnessing the mysteries that they uncover. If you are looking for genealogists for hire, then you’ve landed on the correct website and found us. We are a group of 45+ professional genealogists and we have well over 15+ years experience in Czechia genealogy research area. Including, family history, church records retrieval, census records, identifying ancestors, or any other record retrieval or ancestry. If you’ve hit a roadblock in your research for ancestors our genealogists are available for hire for your genealogy research needs. Our ancestry genealogists are also available if you are searching for roman catholic records. Hire a Professional Czechia Researcher Yes, hire a professional genealogist to find answers to your genealogy questions. With our Czechia genealogy services, we are experts at retrieving records from repositories or research the history of your family homes. When it comes to Czechia genealogy, we have a dedicated team there and her in the US. Our genealogy teams are perfect for your research; trace Czechia ancestry. Contact the experts at Record Click. We have ideas for finding that long lost ancestor and will help you with your genealogy and trace ancestry. Regardless, if you’re searching for census records, church records, civil war records, British army records, parish registers, roman catholic church records, genealogy Czech, or family roots library records. Our dedicated team of genealogist would be perfect for Czechia ancestry trace. #### Tracing Family History Services with a Professional Genealogist 80% of the research we conduct is for individuals looking for answers in tracing their family history. Specifically, US based research is top in tracing family history research but we also specialize on international research. When it comes to researching United States based family history research, no-one is better at RecordClick then Nancy. Nancy is one of top United States professional genealogist specializing in tracing family history. We decided to sit down with Nancy and ask her some really useful questions. Questions that a website visitor might have when visiting our website or someone who might want to learn more about tracing family history process. To start the question and answer period Nancy said she's really busy helping customers so we are only permitted to ask 10 questions. :-( We asked Nancy 10 questions. What is domestic tracing family history genealogy research? Domestic tracing family history genealogy research is not a term that is commonly used in the USA, but technically speaking, it is an individual tracing family history within a particular country by someone in that country. In the USA, it is researching within the USA. Tracing Family history is what individuals are trying to trace in their ancestral line. So most people who have begun researching are obviously already family with the term. How should a researcher approach tracing family history? The approach would depend on the goals of the research. Within one's own family, the goals may be multiple or singular and could include items such as Establish eligibility for membership in a lineage society; Participate with a contribution to the local historical society; Create and publish the family history for future generations; Establish a relationship with someone of historical nobility; and Establish and locate living relatives. There are many other goals that one may have for tracing family history, and these are just some samples. There is a saying that unless you study the past, you cannot understand the future, and this has driven many to learn about their family history. In order to decide one’s approach, one must first ask himself – What is my goal? What do I want from this research? Once the goals are established, you are ready to move forward with creating your plan for research. Where should a researcher start tracing their family history? Let's say that your goal is to create and publish the family history for future generations. In genealogy, we always start with the known and move towards the unknown. For someone who is just beginning the research on their own family, it is best to start with yourself. Gather all of the pertinent items you have on yourself – birth certificate, baptismal certificate, marriage certificate, newspaper items, photos, diplomas, degrees, etc. Do the same for your spouse and your children. Then, begin moving backwards to your parents, and do the same for them. If your parents are still living, be sure to interview them – and ask good questions! A book of good genealogy interview questions – Ask Lots of Questions, Get Lots of Answers... by Louise St. Denis is a great book for interview questions. Tape record your interviews! Continue in this pattern for the next generations. Contact as many living relatives as you can, obtaining copies of documents, and interviewing them. If they don’t live within a reasonable distance for travel, send them a letter, enclosing a questionnaire and a self-addressed, stamped, envelope to return it to you. Don’t forget the aunts, uncles, and cousins! How far back can someone trace their family history? In the USA, research is somewhat limited by time, as the USA is a young country when compared to other regions of the world. Many of our ancestors arrived in the USA in the 1800s, meaning that we have less than 200 years of research that can be done on the family in this country. There are some families in the USA that can be traced back to the 1600s or some that came on the Mayflower and landed in 1620. But for most of us, our ancestors arrived in the 1800s or later. Once immigration has been established, and the documents related to it have been retrieved, if continued research is desirable, we must begin research in the country of origin outside the USA. We internally make the switch from domestic tracing family history research to international tracing family history research at this point. How to organize genealogy research? There are several ways to organize family history, and each individual needs to choose what works best for them. Many use genealogy software and keep everything digital. Some prefer to use a binder system keeping all of their materials in binders. Another option that some use is to maintain a system of file folders and envelopes with all of their research materials. Storage of all of your materials is essential, and you must have sufficient space for bookcases, file cabinets, storage boxes, etc. to not only store your materials, but to be able to find things when you need them. Each individual researcher must choose for themselves what is the best organization system for them. What major physical resources are available in each state that genealogist use? The answer to this question would require enough space to fill an entire library. Each state in the USA is different, and the resources are different for each state in the country. Start with tracing at a State Archive Near You The State Archives in each state usually have historical records. In some states, The State Archives is the key place for research and holds the majority of historical records, but some states are set up where each county holds its own historical records, and the State Archives itself in those states does not have some of the most needed historical records for genealogy research. In each USA state, it is necessary to first research the resources available in the state and where those resources are held. Every state in the USA also has its own privacy laws. These laws restrict who is eligible to apply for a copy of a record. Privacy restrictions are usually based on one’s relationship to the individuals listed on the document and the age of the document. For example, U.S. Federal Census records are restricted for 72 years from the date of the census. Since the census is recorded every 10 years, the most recent year available to the general public is the 1940 Census. The 1950 Census will not be released until the year 2022. What types of research materials are available to a researcher? Census Records, Tax Records, Land Records, Probate Records, Vital Records, Cemetery Records, Social Security Records, Church Records, Newspapers, Court Records, Bibles, Immigration Records, Naturalization Records, Military Records, Published Histories, Maps, Directories, etc. There are many, many other resources, such as personal letters, diaries, employment records, school records, and this list could go on forever. Many family trees have been posted online on sites such as Ancestry.com, and while posted trees often contain valuable information, the information in a posted tree should never be assumed to be correct or accurate. These trees often contain errors or incorrect information. If using a posted tree to learn information, it is important to search for evidence that proves the information on the tree is correct. What are some available internet resources for tracing family history? All of the resources mentioned above have availability to some extent online. The key to internet research is knowing how and where to find the things on the internet. Some internet sites are free, and others require a purchased subscription to access data. As the number of available sites is in the thousands, it is best to visit a site such as Google, and enter a search for what you are searching for – example, New York Birth Records. A list of sites affiliated with New York Birth Records will display, and one can move forward from there. What is the estimated costs of paying for records domestically? Every resource center establishes their own rates to purchase a document. Some places charge a fee for the record, but also charge a fee for their time. The facilities that charge for their time will charge for their time whether a record is found or not. There is no set rate scale and the fee is different for every record and the office holding the record. Some records are available online at no cost. Others must be ordered and can cost as little as a few dollars to as much as $100 or more for one record. Sometimes, if you can visit a resource facility in person and do the research yourself, then fees are minimal, as you may only have to pay $.25 to copy a record that you found in your research. Some facilities will allow you to take photos of documents, and there is no charge for this. Others will not allow cameras or digital equipment brought into the research room. For when you can’t visit a facility – a good example is New York City. If you need a probate file, the fee for them to search for the file is $90. If they find the file, the copy fee is $1.00 per page. A 50-page file will cost you $140.00. If they don’t fine a file, you still pay $90 for the search. Can you offer any advice or tips for individual tracing their family history? Many libraries, genealogy societies, and historical societies offer genealogy classes for beginners on how to get started and organized. I would recommend one of these classes for someone who is just beginning. It is important to keep a record of every resource you search in your research. Organization is crucial. For most of us, tracing our family history research never ends. I began my family history research in 1976, before we had home computers. I have been researching my family over 40 years, and I continue with it today. It’s the story that never ends! If you need help with your tracing your family history research we can help; Nancy can help. We can customizes your family search for the genealogical research you need, for your time frame, and for your budget. Contact us today to get started or view more services www.recordclick.com/genealogy-services. #### Want to Learn Some Terms and Phrases Used By Professional Genealogists? Your ancestor has a story to tell. But this family history story can get lost in unfamiliar language of genealogy.  As in so many professions, professional genealogists have jargon, buzzwords and abbreviations. Do you understand the following paragraph? RecordClick has several professional genealogists who will use GPS to seek the primary evidence from several repositories, databases and courthouses to write your lineage. Translated it means: RecordClick has several genealogists and professional genealogists who will use genealogical proof standards to seek first hand sources from several genealogical sources, such as libraries, archives and museums along with subscription computer databases and local courthouses to write your family tree. GPS – Genealogical Proof Standards Primary evidence – First hand or original evidence i.e. Witness to the event. Repositories - Storage location of genealogy materials. i.e. Libraries, Archives … Lineage – A family tree Professional Genealogists Have Terms and Phrases That May Be Learned Now you know a few buzzwords unique to genealogy. Here are some more specifics which you may come across when tracing family history: Terms in Marriage Records Marriage records have specific terms unique to genealogical research. Here is the type of language you might find when you do your genealogical research in these records: The marriage banns were announced in church. After the wedding a marriage notice in the newspaper listed the bride’s name as Maria Black née Alverez. The bride and groom applied for a marriage license and after the ceremony they and the officiator returned the completed the application to the court. The court created a marriage certificate and recorded it in the marriage register. RecordClick translates it for you as: The impending marriage was announced by the minister to the congregation for three successive Sundays. After the wedding, a marriage notice in the newspaper listed the bride’s name as Maria Black and her maiden name as Alverez. The bride and groom went to the court to apply for a marriage license and shortly after the ceremony they and minister returned the completed application to the court. The court created a confirmation notice of the marriage and recorded it in the book of marriages. Née – a woman’s maiden name. Marriage Banns, or Banns of Marriage - Notice of an intended marriage announced before a congregation in a church on three successive Sundays. Marriage Intention - Civil equivalent of marriage banns in a church. Marriage License – A document issued by a governing authority ~ i.e. Court allowing two people to marry that is only valid for a specific period of time. Marriage Return – The completed marriage application is returned to the court after the marriage ceremony within the specific time period. Marriage Certificate – The official document confirming that the marriage occurred. The marriage certificate is created and maintained by the governing agency i.e. Court. Some additional tips on Marriage Record jargon from RecordClick’s genealogy researchers include: The process of applying for a marriage license creates a paper trail of valuable information for the professional genealogist. For example, an 1894 marriage transcript from Pulaski County, Indiana includes details such as names of parents, sex, color, date of marriage and age at the time of the marriage. In later years, the application got more detailed. In this one from 1958 for Madison County, Indiana, data such as addresses, occupations, date of birth, previous marriages of the bride and groom are included. Other questions on the application asked about soundness of mind, transmittable diseases, drugs, ability to support a family, relationship to the spouse, addresses and occupation of parents. These are details that tell the story of your family history research which may be lost to you if you don’t know the buzzwords. Language in Probate Records Probate Records also have their language. Some of the terms are borrowed from the legal profession. Here is an example: The decedent died intestate causing the next of kin to file an application for letters of administration listing the heirs per stirpes, whereas a valid will would have listed the heirs and the instructions of how they are to inherit the decedent’s goods and chattels. RecordClick translates it for you: The person who died did so without a will stating how he/she would like their property to be disposed, thereby, causing the next of kin to apply for letters of administration listing all of the people related by blood to the person who died. Whereas, a person who died with a valid will would have listed the people and the instructions of how they are to receive the property. Application for letters of administration – A document listing the names, residents and degrees of relationship to the decedent. Chattels – Personal property Codicil – Supplement to the will. Decedent – A deceased person Devise – Gift of property according to the will. Devisee – One to whom the property is given according to the will. Heir – A person who succeeds by descent and right of blood. Intestate – A deceased person who died without leaving a valid will. Per Stirpes – Related by blood Probate – The process of proving a will and settling a decedents’ estate. Testate – A deceased person who died leaving a valid will. Witness – A person who observes the execution of a document and signs the document. Will – A legal document that stipulates the disposition of the decedents’ estate. Some additional tips on Marriage Record jargon from RecordClick’s professional genealogists include: The probate process gives the professional genealogist much valuable information. For example, in a will dated 1883 from Elkhart, Indiana for a Elizabeth Juday it states, “To my eight living children …” This phrase leads the genealogy researcher to believe that there may be more children, a clue that could have been lost in the jargon. Both marriage and probate records are court documents, a good starting point for the professional genealogist to locate these documents is the courthouse of the where your ancestor resided at the time of the event. Many of these records have been transferred to local libraries and state archives. Don’t a miss a valuable clue to your ancestor search because of unfamiliar language. Contact the genealogical researchers at RecordClick. RecordClick is a professional genealogy research service that uses only the highest genealogical proof standards to seek first hand sources from several genealogical repositories, including libraries, archives and museums along with subscription computer databases and local courthouses to trace your family history. #### Ways Family History Researchers in New Jersey Can Find Info Family History Researchers will find a lot of town halls, county courthouses, and the New Jersey State Archives in New Jersey. This state, however, has a dense population, a long history and numerous instances where records have been destroyed. This RecordClick genealogist has had some success in finding information… and I’m still looking. A good family history researcher sniffs out any manner of documentation… ledgers, letters, lists or logs. When doing an ancestor search in New Jersey, you’ll come across the New Jersey State Archives in Trenton which specializes in government documents and newspapers.  Many other repositories are available to family history researchers. I’m going to focus on three of New Jersey’s largest resources for family history researchers: New Jersey Historical Society Genealogical Society of New Jersey Rutgers University The New Jersey Historical Society Located in Newark at 52 Park Place, The New Jersey Historical Society has a great deal of family history research and information for genealogy in New Jersey and is easily accessible from New York City. With a collection of historical books, the archives will be of special interest to the family history researcher. The archives here contains approximately 1,700 manuscript groups including Family records Church and religious records City directories Education records for both New Jersey genealogy and New York genealogy Family name files Jewish history Military records Papers from the colonial era through the 20th century Non-profit organizational records Scrapbooks A vertical file with all manner of information Vast newspaper holdings (list is online) When family history researchers do archival research at The New Jersey Historical Society, the he or she should know that not all materials are easily accessible or onsite. It might be best to make arrangements ahead of the visit so that the desired records are available. That’s the bad news. The good news is that the online catalog is extensive with good descriptions of their holdings. For family history researchers in New Jersey, there are lots of resources for the ancestor search The Genealogical Society of New Jersey The Genealogical Society of New Jersey doesn’t have a brick and mortar presence in the state. That doesn’t mean it should be taken for granted. The group, founded in 1921, has a long, rich history of promoting genealogy in New Jersey. One of their first projects was the transcription of information from the state’s oldest tombstones which are now possibly gone or unreadable. In 1925, The Genealogical Magazine of New Jersey was started. Now, almost 90 years old, this journal has published a number of data bases of interest to family history researchers. From the beginning, the society became the recipient of manuscript collections pertaining to genealogy in New Jersey and beyond. In 1960, these manuscript collections were placed on deposit at the Special Collections and University Archives in Alexander Library of Rutgers University in New Brunswick. This collection includes: Transcribed inscriptions from over 800 New Jersey cemeteries 5,800+ original, photocopied or transcribed family records including an online index An Emigrant Register of residents who left the state in or before the 19th century Military Service Records including the Chester N. Jones  Collection of 30,000 cards created on New Jersey soldiers in the Revolutionary War There are online indexes for these collections that are informative and easy to use. The Alexander Library at Rutgers University is readily accessible and the staff is helpful. Rutgers University Archives Family history researchers often overlook college and university archives. These can be a boon to family history researchers because frequently they contain more information than a family history researcher might imagine. In addition to housing the collections of The Genealogical Society of New Jersey, the Alexander Library of Rutgers University in New Brunswick is home to numerous papers, collections and photographs relating to the university and of value for genealogists in New Jersey. With a modest start and a colorful history dating to before the Revolutionary War, Rutgers University is now an integral part of New Jersey and genealogy in New Jersey. Rutgers has come to include a number of colleges and has changed from a private to a public educational facility. Genealogists in New Jersey have many archives to search in the state Rutgers’ history includes: 1766, Queens College chartered. A private liberal arts college, it was affiliated with the Dutch Reformed Church. 1825, The institution was renamed Rutgers College for Revolutionary War patriot Henry Rutgers. 1864, Rutgers became a land-grant institution. 1908, The New Jersey Law School opened in Newark. Affiliations were formed with Dana College, the Newark Institute of Arts and Sciences, the Seth Boyden School of Business and the Mercer Beasley School of Law. 1918, Rutgers started the New Jersey College for Women. 1926, South Jersey Law School was incorporated in Camden, New Jersey. 1927, College of South Jersey, a two year institution, was founded in Camden, New Jersey. 1936, The University of Newark was established encompassing the New Jersey Law School. 1945, Rutgers was designated as The State University of New Jersey, a public institution. 1946, The University of Newark merged with Rutgers. 1950, Rutgers acquired the College of South Jersey and South Jersey Law School. 1955, The New Jersey College for Women was renamed Douglass College after its founder, Mabel Smith Douglass. 1956, Rutgers was designated as The State University of New Jersey. 1981, the faculty of Douglass College merged with Rutgers and became Rutgers Douglass Residential College. The Rutgers University Archives holdings include papers and collections relating to the history of the college, its faculty, officials and alumni. Databases at the Alexander Library include: The Rutgers Magazine Index Photo collections Catalogs Yearbooks A vertical file. Information on enrollment and student organizations. Of note to family history researchers: During World War I, a War Service Bureau was created with the hope of keeping Rutgers students, alumni and staff in touch with each other as they served in the military. There is an oral history archives program with alumni relating their experiences beginning with the World War II era. Does family history research in New Jersey seem overwhelming? A RecordClick genealogist can help. We will develop a research strategy with you for your genealogy search in New Jersey and help you find that illusive piece of information for your family history research. ### Products #### Custom Payment URL: https://www.recordclick.com/asp-products/custom-payment/