Bryna O’Sullivan

Prepping for America250?: Why your historical organization needs to consider genealogists

I’ve been sitting through the America250 prep for my state. As a genealogist, I’ve seen a well meaning – but somewhat disconcerting – attitude appear through the entire process. Suggestions made by genealogists are acknowledged but rarely incorporated. There’s often an implied suggestion that the work being done by those genealogists is somehow separate fromContinue reading “Prepping for America250?: Why your historical organization needs to consider genealogists”

I have Canadian ancestors. Can I still qualify for an American lineage society?

Yes! Of course, it depends on when and where your ancestor arrived in Canada. Some regions of Canada saw an influx of American immigrants in the mid to late 18th and early 19th century. You may hear the terms “New England Planter,” “United Empire Loyalist,” or “Late Loyalist.” Each of them arrived a different timeContinue reading “I have Canadian ancestors. Can I still qualify for an American lineage society?”

How old were those who fought in the American Revolution?

To identify “service” during the American Revolution, we generally look at those born between the 1710s and the 1760s. However, that’s all types of service. If we narrow it down to military service, what ages are involved? Militia service requirements provide a good guideline for the Army. Connecticut required men to serve between ages 16Continue reading “How old were those who fought in the American Revolution?”

What if I can’t find a document that names my ancestor’s parents? Can I still join a lineage society?

Lineage societies generally want one original document that names an ancestor’s parents to make a parent-child connection, such as the child’s birth certificate. Yet, not every ancestor has such a document. In that case, can you still join a lineage society? Most societies allow the submission of what they call an analysis to make aContinue reading “What if I can’t find a document that names my ancestor’s parents? Can I still join a lineage society?”

Why make a time line?

The period between the late 18th and early 19th century was a period of great migration in the United States. Families were moving from New England to the Midwest, from the Atlantic Seaboard into the South, and more. Yet, because European settlements were relatively new, there are few centralized, indexed records. A time line –Continue reading “Why make a time line?”

How do I tell a document relates to my ancestor?

In the last post, I discussed how genealogy websites are helpful in identifying sources that might relate to your ancestor. I also noted that a source might be identified based only a name match. How do you tell which sources actually belong to your ancestor? There are a few questions you should ask: Looking beyondContinue reading “How do I tell a document relates to my ancestor?”

No, the genealogy website cannot tell you your ancestors…

I’ve been hearing variations on the same comment a lot lately. Many people have a working assumption that a genealogy website can tell them their ancestors. It’s an understandable desire if you’ve always wanted to learn more about one branch of your family. Unfortunately, it’s not true. That’s also not what the sites are setContinue reading “No, the genealogy website cannot tell you your ancestors…”

Men of what age were likely to have served as soldiers during the American Revolution?

It’s a good rule of thumb that if your ancestor was “of age” during the American Revolution, they likely participated in the Revolution in some way. Yet, many of us look for soldiers. How do we determine which ancestors were likely to have fought? Local law can actually be a hint. Connecticut, for example, requiredContinue reading “Men of what age were likely to have served as soldiers during the American Revolution?”

How can Revolutionary War claims help me document my ancestor’s service?

The American Army had limited resources going into the Revolutionary War. They borrowed goods, supplies, and even food. People had their homes and business damaged by the American Army – or the British. Many of those who lost money or property as a result later filed claims against state governments. These Revolutionary War claims filesContinue reading “How can Revolutionary War claims help me document my ancestor’s service?”

What’s an SS-5 and how does it help my lineage society application?

Depending on where you lived, if you were born before the 1910s, you may not have had a birth certificate. New England required them as early as the 1640s. In the South, it was much later. Yet, lineage societies request “proof” of an individual’s birth. An SS-5 can often be submitted instead of a birthContinue reading “What’s an SS-5 and how does it help my lineage society application?”