I’ve been sharing tips on vital records. Here is a case study on how I used vital records to unlock a genealogical mystery in our family: My great-grandfather had a sister that no one knew what happened to her. She … Continued
Have you ever viewed old wills, land records or other records and seen an X in the signature? Have you wondered what this meant? Well, this meant one of two things more than likely. The individual was illiterate and … Continued
Divorce records are very common today, but as little as fifty years ago they were not as accessible. Fifty years ago, marriage was considered a life time commitment. If a couple divorced, they were often looked down on and shunned. … Continued
Marriage bonds are different than marriage licenses. Marriage bonds were used by the states before marriage licenses were issued. A bond was often {especially in the late 18th and early 19th centuries} an agreement between the bride’s father {or … Continued
Marriage license are another great resource, along with death certificates. Marriage license are available to the general public at the probate court in the county of the marriage. Marriage license began to be issued in the early 20th Century. To … Continued
Unable to divorce his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, King Henry VIII decided to take the matter into his own hands. In 1534, he denounced Catholicism and formed the Church of England. King Henry VIII was disappointed that his … Continued
Some death certificates are easier to obtain than birth certificates. Like birth certificates, the death certificate was not a legal document until the early 20th Century. This has also proven to be a frustration in many of the earlier records … Continued
The word has historically been used to characterize the Protestant group as extremists. However, in more modern times the word means against pleasure. The word was used in Thomas Fuller 1564 Church History. In 1560, the term was used … Continued
Last week, we discussed vital records and their importance. Now let’s dig a little deeper. When a person is born a birth certificate is filled out and filed with the state. The birth certificate list the date of birth and … Continued
The term pilgrim was first used in the 1596 Confession of Faith. The definition at that time meant, “their own idea of life on earth as a pilgrimage towards heavenly bliss.” William Bradford was the first to refer to the … Continued