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Did Benjamin Graves die as a result of wounds sustained at the Battle of Groton Heights?

The Daughters of the American Revolution GRS System lists an unusual death entry for Benjamin Graves of Connecticut. It reads: "Death: 9-6- 1781 WOUND REC IN BATTLE." In other words, according to previous applications to the Daughters of the American Revolution, Benjamin Graves died 6 September 1781 of wounds received in battle. 6 September 1781Continue reading "Did Benjamin Graves die as a result of wounds sustained at the Battle of Groton Heights?"

What’s a “No Record Found” letter and why do I need one?

Most lineage societies have very specific requirements as to what documents need to be turned in for at least some generations. DAR generally requires birth, death, and marriage certificates for the applicant, parent and grandparent generations. Colonial Dames societies have similar guidelines. The General Society of Mayflower Descendants requires vital certificates or records for anyContinue reading "What’s a “No Record Found” letter and why do I need one?"

How do I locate birth, death, and marriage records from Massachusetts for a lineage society application?

The Massachusetts State Archives has made the process of ordering vital records really easy. They have an excellent resource guide here. If a vital record exists, it's generally best to locate and order or otherwise obtain it. Be aware: you do not need a certified copy of a record unless you cannot locate a copyContinue reading "How do I locate birth, death, and marriage records from Massachusetts for a lineage society application?"

Can the census help with my Revolutionary War lineage society application?

Can the census help with my Revolutionary War lineage society application? This great question was posed at a recent program - and the answer is yes.

“My kids don’t care about family history.”

It's a story I hear a lot, usually from a genealogist in retirement. They're trying to organize their files and pass them down to their children. The children are telling them they do not want the papers. The reasons usually vary from family to family: lack of space, lack of interest, or something else. TheContinue reading "“My kids don’t care about family history.”"