Tag Archives: documentation

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 -ContinueContinue 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: Was thisContinueContinue reading “How do I tell a document relates to my ancestor?”

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, requiredContinueContinue 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 filesContinueContinue 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 birthContinueContinue reading “What’s an SS-5 and how does it help my lineage society application?”