Can't Search Her Line Further Without Her Maiden Name?
Use The Following Methods to Find It
Each of the females in our family history can provide us the ability to add a new line of family members. Having methods to use that can help to uncover the family lines of so many of our ancestors, will be rewarded with new knowledge of who they were and what their lives were like. It may take some effort, but the following suggested methods might be just what is needed. Knowing that there are effective methods to use keeps us from closing the book on so many of the women who deserve our time and determination to add them and their family members to our family tree. . .
1. Use Marriage and Divorce Records
Starting with Marriage records is a great way to start. Great sources include FamilySearach, ancestry.com. MyHeritage, findmypast, and AncestryAncesters. Many of our readers already have free access to the above five. Along with marriage licenses, consider marriage announcements including newspaper notices, and marriage bonds. Look for the parent's names. The bride's and groom's mothers are often listed in her maiden name. Also look for other names attending the wedding. Make note of the location and the date to add to your list of information about these people. It will save you a lot of time in the future.
For more detailed information try this link from Kimberly Powell:
http://genealogy.about.com/od/women/a/female_ancestor_2.htm
Starting with Marriage records is a great way to start. Great sources include FamilySearach, ancestry.com. MyHeritage, findmypast, and AncestryAncesters. Many of our readers already have free access to the above five. Along with marriage licenses, consider marriage announcements including newspaper notices, and marriage bonds. Look for the parent's names. The bride's and groom's mothers are often listed in her maiden name. Also look for other names attending the wedding. Make note of the location and the date to add to your list of information about these people. It will save you a lot of time in the future.
For more detailed information try this link from Kimberly Powell:
http://genealogy.about.com/od/women/a/female_ancestor_2.htm
2. Census Records
Census records are easy to access, but don't just one. Try every census during your person's life including federal and state census. Gather all the details of dates, names, locations, etc. You are building a history. Gathering the details now will help not having to go back later. Beside the obvious, the facts you gather may work to help solve puzzles that appear.
Census records are easy to access, but don't just one. Try every census during your person's life including federal and state census. Gather all the details of dates, names, locations, etc. You are building a history. Gathering the details now will help not having to go back later. Beside the obvious, the facts you gather may work to help solve puzzles that appear.
3. Land Records
Owning land was a major effort of many in early days of the USA and Canada. Land was often sold to one's children or relatives. Because of that, land records often provide names and information of extended family members. It is good to watch for land purchases for a dollar or other very low amount. This can often signal a sale between family members
Owning land was a major effort of many in early days of the USA and Canada. Land was often sold to one's children or relatives. Because of that, land records often provide names and information of extended family members. It is good to watch for land purchases for a dollar or other very low amount. This can often signal a sale between family members
4. Church Records
Church records are particularly useful before the US 1850 census. However; Church records are an excellent source for family member names, relatives who may live in the same perish, event dates, locations, births, christenings, weddings, deaths, burials, and other local events. FamilySearch has the largest film records of old parish records and they are free.
Church records are particularly useful before the US 1850 census. However; Church records are an excellent source for family member names, relatives who may live in the same perish, event dates, locations, births, christenings, weddings, deaths, burials, and other local events. FamilySearch has the largest film records of old parish records and they are free.
5. Probate Records and Wills
Consider using Court records such a wills and Probate Records to gather detailed family names, dates, locations, children, spouses, extended relatives, etc. These records are kept by town, county and state officials. These records and lead to more detailed family relationships, specific time and locations as well as detailed information of the people and detail shared in the documents.
Consider using Court records such a wills and Probate Records to gather detailed family names, dates, locations, children, spouses, extended relatives, etc. These records are kept by town, county and state officials. These records and lead to more detailed family relationships, specific time and locations as well as detailed information of the people and detail shared in the documents.
6. Newspaper Research
Search the location of where your ancestor lived. In may newspapers from time past use to put town events in
http://genealogy.about.com/od/surnames/tp/maiden_names.htm
Search the location of where your ancestor lived. In may newspapers from time past use to put town events in
http://genealogy.about.com/od/surnames/tp/maiden_names.htm
7. Death, Burial, and Obituary Records
Death records did not become required throughout the country well in the 1900s. Check the state for information as to when they started to keep records. Some of the eastern states like Massachusetts and New York started earlier than the western states. This too is a good source for family information, but take time to check who gave the information about the departed. The facts on death records are not always accurate.
Death records did not become required throughout the country well in the 1900s. Check the state for information as to when they started to keep records. Some of the eastern states like Massachusetts and New York started earlier than the western states. This too is a good source for family information, but take time to check who gave the information about the departed. The facts on death records are not always accurate.
8. U.S. Military Records and Pension Applications
Military records contain large amounts of biograpphical information from the color of a person's eyes to the day-by-day muster rolls that track your ancestor's through the war time. When pension request papers are filled out, detailed family information was required. If any of your military family members requested pension help, take time to get copies of their records. Also see if a land grant was given for their service during many of the early wars from late 1700's to early 1900.
Military records contain large amounts of biograpphical information from the color of a person's eyes to the day-by-day muster rolls that track your ancestor's through the war time. When pension request papers are filled out, detailed family information was required. If any of your military family members requested pension help, take time to get copies of their records. Also see if a land grant was given for their service during many of the early wars from late 1700's to early 1900.
9. Analyze the Names of the Family's Children
Children are often named in remembrance of family members particularly the mother's maiden name, and names of grand parents particularly the maiden names of both families. Looking over the children within the family including names of children of siblings.
There are also family patterns that are carefully followed by some groups. Consider those also.
If you read about a source that you do not know how to use, think of using sources from familysearch, Ancestry.com, MyHeritage, findmypast, and also try Google to see what is offered.
Children are often named in remembrance of family members particularly the mother's maiden name, and names of grand parents particularly the maiden names of both families. Looking over the children within the family including names of children of siblings.
There are also family patterns that are carefully followed by some groups. Consider those also.
If you read about a source that you do not know how to use, think of using sources from familysearch, Ancestry.com, MyHeritage, findmypast, and also try Google to see what is offered.