Because of the many comments in response to last week's "Methods to Find Maiden Names," we we decided to add 5 more tips from Ancestry Ann of Ancestry.com Blog published on May 1, 2015.
She writes:
Let’s face it, women can be harder to track because they didn’t leave as many records behind. I have a few things I try with every female in my tree when I get stuck on maiden names and finding parents:
1. Search for her married name in other people’s obituaries. You might find her in a sibling’s obituary that has that maiden name you are looking for. Even if you don’t find the name you are looking for, make sure you research the names in the obituary. You never know what you might find.
2. Look at other surnames in the . . .
She writes:
Let’s face it, women can be harder to track because they didn’t leave as many records behind. I have a few things I try with every female in my tree when I get stuck on maiden names and finding parents:
1. Search for her married name in other people’s obituaries. You might find her in a sibling’s obituary that has that maiden name you are looking for. Even if you don’t find the name you are looking for, make sure you research the names in the obituary. You never know what you might find.
2. Look at other surnames in the . . .
5 (More) Tips for Researching the Females in Your Tree
household. When reviewing census records, look for unexpected surnames in the
household. And if you find the family in a city directory, search for other names at the
same address to see if you find in-laws or people you didn't expect.
3. Look at neighbors, especially right after the wedding. Often after a couple is first married, they don’t move far from home. Check the families nearby and see if they might be likely candidates for the family of the female you are researching. Then look to see if she is in the household in the previous census.
4. Look through local and family histories. Family and local histories are full of names and relationships. Search for local histories in the county in our card catalog or on the
place pages for that state and county.
. Check death certificates for all of a woman’s children to see if her maiden
name is listed. The death certificates of her children may hold a clue to the mother’s
maiden name. Also, look at the obituaries of the children. Some are written with a lot of
detail.
(A note from the SGFSL Bloggers)
Keep in mind that each of the methods shared this week and last can be effective in your research for all family members especially when you are "stuck." Keep track of each of the names, dates, locations and facts found in each source's location information. Create a time line and a list of the details you discover from each location. All of the details need to be available, evaluated and added to notes along with the source to help in saving time and in filling in the "puzzle" pieces of your project.
(The author)
About Anne Gillespie Mitchell Anne Gillespie Mitchell is a Senior Product Manager at Ancestry.com. She is an active blogger on Ancestry.com and writes the Ancestry Anne column. She has been chasing her ancestors through Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina for many years. Anne holds a certificate from Boston University's Online Genealogical Research Program, and is currently on the clock working towards certification from the Board for Certification of Genealogists. You can also find her on Twitter, Facebook and Finding Forgotten Stories.
- See more at: http://blogs.ancestry.com/ancestry/2015/05/01/ask-ancestry-anne-5-tips-for-researching-the-females-in-your-tree/#sthash.8pmews2W.dpuf
household. And if you find the family in a city directory, search for other names at the
same address to see if you find in-laws or people you didn't expect.
3. Look at neighbors, especially right after the wedding. Often after a couple is first married, they don’t move far from home. Check the families nearby and see if they might be likely candidates for the family of the female you are researching. Then look to see if she is in the household in the previous census.
4. Look through local and family histories. Family and local histories are full of names and relationships. Search for local histories in the county in our card catalog or on the
place pages for that state and county.
. Check death certificates for all of a woman’s children to see if her maiden
name is listed. The death certificates of her children may hold a clue to the mother’s
maiden name. Also, look at the obituaries of the children. Some are written with a lot of
detail.
(A note from the SGFSL Bloggers)
Keep in mind that each of the methods shared this week and last can be effective in your research for all family members especially when you are "stuck." Keep track of each of the names, dates, locations and facts found in each source's location information. Create a time line and a list of the details you discover from each location. All of the details need to be available, evaluated and added to notes along with the source to help in saving time and in filling in the "puzzle" pieces of your project.
(The author)
About Anne Gillespie Mitchell Anne Gillespie Mitchell is a Senior Product Manager at Ancestry.com. She is an active blogger on Ancestry.com and writes the Ancestry Anne column. She has been chasing her ancestors through Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina for many years. Anne holds a certificate from Boston University's Online Genealogical Research Program, and is currently on the clock working towards certification from the Board for Certification of Genealogists. You can also find her on Twitter, Facebook and Finding Forgotten Stories.
- See more at: http://blogs.ancestry.com/ancestry/2015/05/01/ask-ancestry-anne-5-tips-for-researching-the-females-in-your-tree/#sthash.8pmews2W.dpuf
