Since February is Black History Month, it seems appropriate to mention some of the lesser-known records that are available for African American research at the National Archives. Among those are vessel manifests that document the antebellum domestic slave trade. Even though Congress outlawed the slave trade in 1807, the law of course did not prohibit … Continue reading Family Tree Friday: A few slave manifests still survive.
Category: Family Tree Fridays
Family Tree Friday: Nonpopulation Census Records – Agricultural Schedules
A couple of weeks ago I showed you an example of a Mortality Schedule. Today I want to show you another type of Nonpopulation schedule – this time an Agricultural Schedule. If you have an ancestor who was a farmer in the mid-nineteenth century, you may be able to find information about their farm. You … Continue reading Family Tree Friday: Nonpopulation Census Records – Agricultural Schedules
Family Tree Friday: Congress granted pensions as private claims.
American citizens have always had the right under the U.S. Constitution to petition Congress directly to redress specific grievances or recoup financial losses resulting from government actions (such as private property damaged by the Union Army during the Civil War). In the 19th century, Americans commonly exercised this right, sending hundreds of thousands of private claims to … Continue reading Family Tree Friday: Congress granted pensions as private claims.
Family Tree Friday: Nonpopulation Census Records – Mortality Schedules
Most genealogists are familiar with the federal population census records and begin their research with these records. But did you know that the Census Bureau also took a series of Nonpopulation Census records between 1850 and 1880? They included mortality, agricultural, industrial, social statistics and defective, dependent, and delinquent schedules. These censuses cover the 12 … Continue reading Family Tree Friday: Nonpopulation Census Records – Mortality Schedules
Family Tree Friday: Issues with Indexing
With records available in so many different formats these days, researchers are often faced with a choice – which indexes to use, the original microfilm and printed indexes or the newer online indexes? Both types have drawbacks. The microfilm and printed versions often have misspelled names. Also, they sometimes skip people entirely. My great grandfather’s … Continue reading Family Tree Friday: Issues with Indexing
Family Tree Friday: Volunteer vs. Regular Army service was documented differently.
Most people have a relative or ancestor who either served in the military or fought during a specific war. Many researchers are unaware, however, that a significant distinction exists between volunteer soldiers and Regular soldiers, and that the two types of service are documented differently. Volunteers (citizen soldiers) were enlisted to serve during specific wars … Continue reading Family Tree Friday: Volunteer vs. Regular Army service was documented differently.
Family Tree Friday: Passport Applications Provide Information About Individuals
Did your ancestor travel abroad? If your ancestor was a U.S. citizen, then he or she may have applied for a U.S. passport. The records include standard information such as the date of birth, occupation, and citizenship information. Some of the applications provide additional information that may lead to immigration or naturalization records. Some even … Continue reading Family Tree Friday: Passport Applications Provide Information About Individuals
Family History Friday: The real scoop about name changes in immigration records.
Have you ever had an immigrant ancestor whose name appeared to change after they came to America? It was a very common occurrence, but the popular perception is that U.S. immigration officials deliberately changed a person's name if they couldn't understand the verbal information relayed to them by the immigrant. In fact, this is one … Continue reading Family History Friday: The real scoop about name changes in immigration records.
Family History Friday: Expect the Unexpected
Everybody starts researching their family history with the expectation of finding out about their ancestors. Researchers are usually looking for such information as the names of previously unknown ancestors or immigration and naturalization dates. Sometimes, however, they get more than they bargained for. Take, for example, this census record. In 1870, Maggie Taylor and Jennie … Continue reading Family History Friday: Expect the Unexpected
Family History Friday: Seamen's protection certificates served as an early mariner's passport.
Customs records at the National Archives often provide interesting glimpses of personal information about our seafaring ancestors. The occupational hazards of the maritime trade after the Revolutionary War, especially the threat of Impressment by the British, caused many American sailors to purchase seamen's protection certificates, such as the one pictured here that was issued to … Continue reading Family History Friday: Seamen's protection certificates served as an early mariner's passport.