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Digging DeeperUsing Essential Pre-1850 Records

An Intermediate Genealogy Guidebook

by Karen Clifford, AG®

Copyright © 2011 by Karen CliffordAll Rights Reserved.No part of this publication may be reproduced,in any form or by any means, including electronicreproduction or reproduction via the Internet,except by permission of the author.

Distribution by Genealogy Research Associates, Inc.9665 S. Rosella CourtSouth Jordan, UT 84095-1506

Library of Congress Catalogue Card NumberISBN: 978-0-9832388-0-5

Made in the United States of America

The ICAPGenSM service mark and the Accredited Genealogist® and AG® are registered marks of the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists.

All Rights Reserved.

Thanks to . . . iii

Tami Whipple, who stepped in as the GRA office manager, to do everything in her power to free up my time so I could finish this book. She gives her all to her family, to my students, and to GRA.

Mike Clifford, the artist and photographer who designed the cover, and stepped in to edit chapters when the rest of us were blurry eyed.

Ray T. Clifford who spent countless hours reading and offering suggestions over the past three years. His encourage-ment and unfailing support has made all the difference in the world! He will al-ways be the inspiration behind my work.

To students in the LIBR 61 courses at Monterey Peninsula College in Califor-nia, and the GEN 1011 and 1015 courses at Salt Lake Community College in Utah who shared their opinions and comments. Those suggestions added another year of editing to this book, but they improved its accuracy.

To my professional colleagues who do-nated their time on several occasions dis-cussing genealogy concepts and sharing their insights as professional researchers.

And to those I ignored while buried in the writing and production of this book, I apologize.

Thanks to . . .

iv Digging Deeper: Using Essential Pre-1850 Records

IntroductionAs a professional genealogist

and a college instructor in the field of family history, I am often asked questions that are not easy to answer. For example, “If you have only a little time left to complete a research project, is it best to spend your time looking for new sources or should you take the time to explain to others what has already been located?”

The answer to this question will depend on the researcher’s experi-ence and training in writing, and on how thorough and comprehensive the existing research was. For example, is the researcher able to explain what kind of evidence is available in each record and how that evidence applies to the goal?

On the other hand, has the re-searcher spent the time to be informed about the availability of new sources? Genealogy conferences, newsletters, and publications have been introduc-ing new sources for some time, but many professionals have not found the time to keep themselves updated. As a result, some are comfortable using just one tool instead of all the tools in the toolbox.

Another commonly reoccurring complaint among family historians is: “How can I easily explain the “process” I used to solve a difficult

research problem to a new cousin I found online? He is messing up my family tree by adding unsubstanti-ated information to what I entered. It makes me want to just give up!”

The diversity of these situations led me to the conclusion that a dif-ferent kind of textbook is needed. It should address the process of solving and reporting on difficult research problems during specific eras (such as the pre-1850 time period). At the same time it should encourage the use of today’s modern research tools (such as unique features in various geneal-ogy computer programs, specialized genealogy search engines, and other advances).

While national conferences and special society publications provide excellent processes for solving spe-cific research studies, they usually deal with one individual, locality, or surname. Unfortunately, a researcher who is not doing work in that local-ity or with that surname would likely over-look the value of the problem-solving research processes suggested.

And, since I was already engaged in teaching a college course aimed at those elements, and was updating the curriculum in another college that could use these principles, the tim-ing was right to produce the needed textbook. The course being updated, and the curriculum being written was

Introduction v

for intermediate researchers who had previously taken one to two semesters learning how to use a genealogy com-puter program to enter at least four generations of their family. These students had also learned how to:

1.Ordervitalrecords;2.Locateandtranscribefederal

censusrecordsbetween1850and1930;

3.Locaterecordsinapublicand/orcollege/universitylibrary;

4.FindpublishedsurnamehistoriesintheLibraryofCongress,theFamilyHistoryLibrary,usingonlinecollegeanduniversitylibraries,andGoogleBooks;

5.Obtainaccesstofreeandfee-basedInternetsitestostudyonlinefamilytrees;

6.Learnedhowtoperformapreliminarysurvey,filloutresearchplanners,andstartedtocomparevariousgenealogycomputersasfarasdataentryofsourcesandevidence.

Knowing that the students had these foundation skills meant that this text could weave specific pre-1850 sources and research processes togeth-er. Then the process of solving spe-cific research problems could train the student researchers to produce well-written conclusions based on the work performed and the analyses made.

When the time came to catego-rize the various research processes

in the index, the question arose as to where to place these professional tips. If the processes were listed sepa-rately in the index, students might not recognize that this is one of a set of strategies that could be used to reach a research objective.

I’ve been rather partial to the term “methodology” and thought of putting everything under that label. Besides, groups of procedures or processes that are articulated as a rule are called “methodologies.” Method-ologies are, after all, general processes that apply across regions.

Pondering that idea for several months, I realized that when I com-pare the methodologies that both apply to Southern States regional research practices as well as to the Midwestern States region, the term works quite well. But, it is also true that there are “techniques” that only apply to the South and not the Midwest.

“Techniques” are considered systematic procedures or routines that are used to accomplish more specific tasks. There are some good tech-niques for using search engines, for working with published finding aids, and even for reading old handwrit-ing. However, the term often implies a personal preference rather than a standard principle. Also techniques are constantly changing as new tools become available. I was looking for

vi Digging Deeper: Using Essential Pre-1850 Records

another word which would describe the proven process of goal setting and other steps taken by hundreds of suc-cessful researchers to achieve results.

What label should be used to describe, capture, and pass on to the next generation the principles that will help them be successful?

For me, the word “strategy” is more appropriate than either “method” or “technique.” The word strategy encompasses both the general methods and specific techniques a researcher would use to achieve a specific re-search goal—and it also includes the purposeful use of appropriate records and sources.

Thus thirty-five of those com-monly and sometimes “uncommonly” used processes are found in the index under the label “research strategy.” For ease of reference, these strategies are also listed separately.

Digging Deeper, therefore, weaves together pre-1850 census records, census substitutes such as tax records and historical records, testate and intestate probate records, historical newspapers and periodicals, land grants and patents, special pur-pose land records, private and public domain land, military (pre-service, service, and benefit) records and cem-etery sources with useful strategies for research success.

Digging Deeper is not only about essential pre-1850 records, it is also about the research strategies needed to use those records to achieve personal research goals. It is intended to be a guidebook for the budding family his-torian who comes up against a road-block and wants to know what others have done to solve a similar problem.

New research strategies and source examples are published regu-larly, and this book also demonstrates how genealogists can find that infor-mation to keep their research skills current. Even when new printed and electronic sources emerge, the suc-cessful strategies described on these pages will be needed.

Thanks for reading this book. Let me know if it helps you overcome any of your research roadblocks. Or if you discover a new research strategy, please share it with me and others.

Karen [email protected]

Table of Contents

Thanks iii

Introduction iv

Table of Contents vi

Chapter 1 1Working with Pre-1850 Census Records

Reasons for Using 1790-1840 Census Records 2Locating Pre-1850 Federal Census Records 4Overcoming Difficulties with Early Census Records 11A Review of 1850 to 1930 Census Records 14Contents of 1790-1840 Census Records 18Locating Census History Forms 24Review Questions and Brief Answers 24

Chapter 2 27Ancestral Paleography: The Handwriting of Your Ancestors

Historical Background 28Common Transcription Errors 31Problems Found in Early Documents 34Latin Terms 38Review Questions and Brief Answers 40

Chapter 3 49 Census Substitutes-Tax Records

Why Tax Lists Substitute for Census Records 49How Tax Lists Help Genealogists 49Types of Tax Lists 49Genealogical Clues from Tax Lists 53Methodology for Studying Tax Records. 55Review Questions and Brief Answers 58

viii Digging Deeper: Using Essential Pre-1850 Records

Chapter 4 63Surname/Locality Approach

Review of the Research Cycle 64Common Names to Research Approaches 64The Surname/Locality Approach 64Using Large Databases in Your Research 70Building a Good Research Database 76Review Questions and Brief Answers 78

Chapter 5 81Probate Records

Definition of Probate 82The Basics of Probate Searching 83When to Use Probate Records 87Problems Using Probate Records 88Genealogical Clues from Probate Records 99Special Considerations 101Available Probate Research Tools 102Important Facts about Inheritance Laws 103Review Questions and Brief Answers 105

Chapter 6 107Intestate Records and Preserving Probate Clues

Definition of Intestate Records 108Limitations to Published Probate Materials 115Positive Aspects to Published Probate Collections 117Accurately Evaluating Probate Materials 118Preserving Information for Analysis Later 119Aids to Finding Clues in Probate Records 121Selected Resources for Probate Study by State 124Review Questions and Brief Answers 137

Chapter 7 139More Research Strategies

Brick Wall Problems 140The Group Connection 145The Group Enterprise 145Naming Patterns 146Time and Chronology 152History and Geography 153Critical Research Strategy 153A Final Summation 154Cumulative Research Review 156Evaluating Evidence 162Review Questions and Brief Answers 167

Table of Contents ix

Chapter 8 171Locating and Working with Historical Newspapers

The Genealogical Value of Newspapers 172How to Locate a Newspaper 173How to Obtain a Copy of a Newspaper Article 177Newspaper Indexes 178Obituaries 181Recording Information from Newspapers 188Research Tips 188Review Questions and Brief Answers 189

Chapter 9 193Genealogical and Historical Periodicals

The Genealogical Value of Periodicals 194Types of Periodicals 194Periodical Indexes 194Corporate Histories 197Obtaining Copies of Periodical Articles 198Periodical Citations 200Review Questions and Brief Answers 200

Chapter 10 203Land Grants and Foreign Ownership

The Genealogical Value of Land Records 204First Land Records 205Land Survey Systems 208Locating Land Records 209Land Companies 211Land Grants and Patents 213Review Questions and Brief Answers 214

Chapter 11 219Land Records of the Original Colonies

Headright Grants 220Special Purpose Grants 222Land Company Grants 223Individual Land Grants 225Land Grants in Louisiana: A Case Study 225Review Questions and Brief Answers 230

Chapter 12 233Land Records of the United States

Land Disposition in the United States 234Private Land Claims 235

x Digging Deeper: Using Essential Pre-1850 Records

Public Domain Land 236Land Transfers 238Bureau of Land Management 240State Land States 242Land Transactions Between Individuals 243Locating Land Records 244Review Questions and Brief Answers 249

Chapter 13 267Military Pre-Service and Service Records

The Value of Military Records 268Categories of Military Records 268Information Found on Pre-Service Records 268Information Found on Service Records 270Locating and Ordering of Pre-Service and Service Records 272Review Questions and Brief Answers 275

Chapter 14 277Military Benefit Records

Categories of Military Benefit Records 278Location of Benefit Records 279Ordering Benefit Records 287Research Techniques for Military Benefit Records 288Civil War Insights 290Southern Claims Commission Records 291Military Time Line 295Review Questions and Brief Answers 298

Chapter 15 303Cemetery Records

Review Death Sources for Clues 304Cemetery Types 304Locating the Cemetery 305Tombstone Inscriptions 309Sexton’s Records 312Personal Visits 315Manuscript Collections 316Review Questions and Brief Answers 316

Index 319

1

Chapter 1Working with Pre-1850

Census Records

You will learn the following concepts in this chapter:

• Reasons for Using 1790-1840 Census Records

• Locating Pre-1850 Census Indexes

• Overcoming Difficulties with Early Census Searching

• A Review of 1850-1930 Census Records

• Contents of 1790-1840 Census Records

• Locating Census History Forms

2 Digging Deeper: Using Essential Pre-1850 Records

Introduction

The first step in effective geneal-ogy research is to set a goal to docu-ment something specific about an indi-vidual. This might be to determine a birth date or place.

Finding specifics about an indi-vidual who lived in the 1900s is read-ily accomplished using information from state birth, marriage, and death certificates (generally referred to as vital records).

Learning more about an indi-vidual’s complete family relationships, however, is usually more quickly accomplished (with less monetary ex-pense) when vital records are used in conjunction with publically available United States Federal Census Records.

In fact, new family history researchers may quickly find them-selves at a brick wall if they do not search complete family units between 1900 and 1930. The 1930 census is the latest one publically available to researchers until about 2012 when the 1940 census will become available.

By 1900 a youthful beginning ge-nealogist will have progressed beyond known information, in most cases, and will find themselves in unknown territory. They may not know anyone who has first-hand, family personal knowledge of those who came before.

Without complete family units, pieces of evidence that document the indi-vidual are missing because rarely does one person in a family leave behind everything about his or her grandpar-ents, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, or specific accomplishments about each of the above.

As genealogists seek information on earlier ancestors, the 1850 to 1900 federal census records continue to form the foundational support for evi-dence because birth and death records in most of the United States (except in New England) were less frequently kept by the states and counties. Even-tually, all U.S. researchers stumble into the pre-1850 census records.

Reasons for Using 1790-1840 Census Records

Many researchers turn away from federal census records when they reach the pre-1850 time period, however. They often cannot imagine finding much of real value in these earlier census records. After their first exposure to them, they think that since only the head of the household is listed plus some check marks to indi-cate ages, there is little to be gained by using these earliest census records.

However, there are very good reasons for spending as much time, or more, on evaluating the evidence provided in these earliest enumeration

Chapter 1. Working with Pre-1850 Census Records 3

Figure 1. An historical map (such as the one above) can lead to other record groups. This is because researchers can use other jurisdictional names of locations nearby to locate records in repositories that use different filing systems for their records. In South Carolina, for example, prior to the Civil War, records were not filed by county names as is other states, but were centrally located in Charleston. People living in the backgrounds would be found using the name of a river course, tax district, or township listed on a pre-1850 South Carolina census record.

records. Below are valuable reasons for searching early (1790-1840) cen-sus records:

1. To discover a county of residence.

2. To limit the scope of research.3. To help locate individuals in

unindexed county histories.4. To determine who the neighbors

were in case a neighborhood search is necessary

5. To establish movement patterns during a 50-year period.

6. To determine family wealth, occupation, and property ownership.

7. To determine an approximate time period of death.

8. To establish longevity of family members and family sizes.

9. To determine when male members come of age and begin to appear as family heads.

49

Chapter 3Census Substitutes-Tax

Records


• Why Tax Lists Substitute for Census Records

• How Tax Lists Help Genealogists

• Types of Tax Lists• Genealogical Clues from Tax

Lists• Methodology for Studying Tax

Records.


Why Tax Lists Substitute for Census Records

Taxes were consistently col-lected from free males or females who were heads of households. They were usually collected every year and were reconstructed if any were destroyed because people did not want to pay a tax twice. For these reasons, they make a good substitute census record. However, they were not the only sub-stitute record for lost censuses.

Any collection of records that are indexed — such as land or prop-erty records, vital, court, or probate records could be used when a cen-sus was lost to identify a person in a locality. The problem with using these other records is that they could take much more work to locate an individual, compare that individual with others over several years, data enter the facts for analysis, and write conclusions.

However, due to the abundance of tax records (there were several types), and because they were brief and to the point, they would often take the place of census records in aid-ing the genealogist to locate resident counties of hard-to-find ancestors so that other county record sources might be explored on an individual basis.

When an entire year of tax re-cords are indexed for one state (such

as the 1787 tax records of Virginia), they can be extremely helpful in placing an ancestor in a specific local community where likely other records could be found.

How Tax Lists Help Genealogists

Tax lists are important to gene-alogists during the time periods they have been indexed and collected, be-cause they indicate when an individual came into a locality during a time of great immigration and migration in this country. They also infer when an individual died or left the area. They can also indicate when sons come of age. They can also provide surname spelling variations, and pick up the names of men who did not own land (but who paid taxes on personal prop-erty alone).

Types of Tax Lists

There are three main types of tax records normally used in the nine-teenth century. These include:

• real property tax (land), • personal property (livestock &

slaves), and• a combination of real and

personal tax.

Real Property Tax

Tax lists in the United States at the federal level are called direct

63

Chapter 4Surname/Locality

Approach


• Review of the Research Cycle• Common Names for Research

Approaches• The Surname/Locality

Approach• Using Large Databases and

Record Collections • Building a Research Database


Review of the Research Cycle

According to the genealogy re-search cycle explained in The Com-plete Beginner’s Guide to Genealogy, the Internet, and Your Genealogy Computer Program, the budding re-searcher should:

1. Set a goal.2. Decide which source to use.3. Locate that source.4. Search that source.5. Copy the information.6. Evaluate the information.7. Use the results, and then,8. Organize and reorganize their new

results and repeat the cycle with a new goal.

Sometimes a research goal, such as locating the parents for an individ-ual, appears impossible because of the following problems:

• A surname search yields too many results when searching electronic databases.

• The specific locality (such as a town or county) has not been identified for the principle per-son so that locality resources can add substance to the person.

During times like this, it is likely that enough information about the principle person is lacking. To il-lustrate this point a case study will be used along with a research approach for obtaining more evidence.

Solidify the Principle Person

Successful genealogy research requires knowing three key elements before new research begins:

1. A name for the principle person.2. The date of an event in that

person’s life.3. The proper name of the locality

in which a key event in that person’s life occurred.

If the research statement support-ing the goal does not contain all three of these elements, the first step should be to find those three elements before attempting to do further research.

Review Standard Research Forms

Begin by studying the pedigree chart to determine if it contains any general informational clues that will help you find evidence of the above key elements. Consider the case of Simeon Smith, who has no known parents or information about his par-ents recorded on his pedigree chart. It merely states:

Simeon SmithBorn: 1773Place: New YorkDied: 1851Place: Parke County, Indiana

What is known about Simeon is that he was born in the state of New York in 1773 and he died in Parke County, Indiana in 1851. This is a

319

IndexSymbols

1790-1840 Census 1, 2, 18, 25

Aabbreviations 35

lack of key to 117Latin 38–39

A Bibliography of Newspapers in Fourteen New York State Counties 179absentee landlords 236abstracts 39

enter in genealogy software program 124many mistakes possible 117, 120–121positive aspects of 117probate 102–103study original probate 108

Acadians 229account papers 108Adjutant General’s Office 269, 289administrator 86–87, 102, 108

letters of 87African

slaves (Dutch) 214African American

census 15free slaves 11land ownership 59limits to published probate 115–116publications 192research 11slave-owner records 122Southern Claims Commission 291–294

AGBI. See American Genealogical-Biographical IndexAlabama 240

Confederate pension claims 290Federal Land State 241military warrants 1817 to 1853 252Private Land Claims 251Southern Claims Commission 292–293wills 125

Alaska 236Federal Land State 241

Albion’s Seed 142–145, 169Allen County Public Library 197, 274–275Almanac of American History, The 169American Antiquarian Society 176American Genealogical-Biographical Index 195

American Library Directory 178

American Loyalist Claims: Abstracted from the Public Record Office 216

American Newspapers, 1821 to 1936 176, 190

American State Papers 236, 251Ancestral Quest Software Program 76Ancestry.com 70Anglicans

Virginia 150Angola 226AniMap Software Program

illustrates county formation 70–73illustrates county jurisdictions 72illustrates parent counties 75

Annual Index to Genealogical Periodicals and Family Histories 195Appalachian Mountains 235apprenticeship extracts 194Arizona 225

Federal Land State 241Arkansas 228, 240

Confederate pension claims 290Federal Land State 241Military Bounty Grants (War of 1812) 252Private Land Claims 252wills 125

Arkansas River 226army

definition of regular 287arpent

definition 208–209Asian-American

language newspapers 192


associates 77, 121astrologers 149Austria 269

BBaton Rouge 228Becoming an Accredited Genealogist 168–169Bible 145Bibliographies and Lists of New York State Newspapers an Annotated Guide 179bibliography 176Bienville 226–228Biloxi 227Biographical Gazetteer of Texas 289biographies 7, 142Bishop of Quebec 226Black Hawk War 269Black’s Law Dictionary 105BLM. See Bureau of Land ManagementBonaparte, Napoleon 228bond

definition of 108sample document of 110

book reviews 194bounty land

applications 210definition of 222military records 222warrant and script 251warrants 145, 223

Brigham, Clarence 176Brigham Young University 175British Canada 229British colonies 206British Isles and The American Colonies: The Southern Plantations 1748-1754 169Bureau of Land Management

centralized records 248extent of 239–241federal lands repository 210website 243

burialKnight in Cologne, Germany 314mound

Thracians-Bulgaria 314permits 306

record substitute 316registers 312

burned county reconstruction 210

CCaballeria 208Cadillac, Antoine de Lamothe 226–227calendar

Religious 152Zodiac 152

California 225California State Library 175Federal Land State 241Private land claims 252Ranchos of California 252Spanish and Mexican Land Grants 252Sutro Library 175

Calvinistic 149Canada 226Canary Islands 229Carteret, Earl of Granville John 235Carteret, Gov. George 216cash entry 251Catholic

newspapers 192Cavaliers

origins 144Cavaliers and Pioneers: Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants 220, 230caveat 86

filed against a state 117proceedings 210

cemeteries 13commercial 305community 305directory of 306locating the 304–305personal visits 315private 305records of 303–318religious 304

Cemeteries of the U.S. 308census 1–25

1790 18–191790-1840 1–111800 13, 19–20, 701810 20, 60, 701820 13, 20–21, 691830 13, 22, 69

Index 321

1840 13, 22–24, 691850 2, 12–151860 2, 12–151870 2, 12–151880 2, 13–151890 2, 161900 2, 161910 2, 171920 2, 171930 2, 171940 2agricultural 13alphabetical listing 12data from added to database 123difficulties 11evidence 7Form BC-600 13History Form 7–8, 24indexes 15–24Industry Schedule 13locating pre-1850 4manufacturing 13, 20, 23Merchant Seaman 13Military & Naval Forces 1910 17population 12–23reasons for using 2reconstructed records 54research methodology 25Social Statistics Schedules 13

certificate of importation rights 213charts 163Cherokee Nation

Intruders (1866-1907) 260Cherokee Removals 269Chesapeake 211children

adding to database 121Cumulative Research Review form 159entering data in software programs 77estate 103inheritance 103provide clues to ancestors 156relationship terms 101

Chronological List of Engagements between the Regular Army of the United States and Various Tribes of Hostile Indians which Occurred During the Years 1790 to 1898, Inclusive 301chronology 152, 168church

histories 13records 47, 194, 309

city directories 306Civil War 234

draft records 273Union 284Union draft list 273Union veterans 283Union Veterans Widows of 16veterans 242

Civil War Books, A Critical Bibliography 300

Civil War Genealogy 290clubs & social trade groups 13codicil 86, 105, 117, 122Colonial Period

bounty land 222land acquisition 220land company grants 209, 216land grants 210military grants 209private purchase transfers for land 222quit rents - land sale 221role of governor 225special purpose grants 222

ColoradoFederal Land State 241probate 125Spanish and Mexican Land Grants 252

commonalities 142Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies 289compiled family genealogies 194Complete Beginner’s Guide to Genealogy, the Internet, and Your Genealogy Computer Program 64–65, 77, 80, 168–169computer 154Confederate Research: A Guide to Archives Collections 300Confederate States Army 274

hospital registers 274muster rolls 274pension records 283prison rolls 274Quartermaster’s authorization 282regimental returns 274volunteers 274


122rules for dates 77rules for land and property 78rules for localities 77searching research notes 122, 141spreadsheet enhancement 58

database, onlinelocal histories 74periodical indexes 74state-wide vital records 70, 74

data gatheringscanning 119tape recordings 120–121transcribing 120–121

dates 117Daughters of the American Revolution Patriot Index 300Dauphin Island 227death

certificates 306date approximation 81, 101date of heirs 86debts 101sources 304

debtors 86, 121debts 83decedent 102decrees 88Dehesa 208Delaware

average land size 234Duke of York Records 253granted no bounty land 222land grants 253loss of 1790 census 19naming patterns 150part of NY proprietorship 207probate 125proprietors administered 206Quaker Naming Patterns 150State Land State 243warrants and surveys 253

Department of Veteran Affairs 285departure list 214de Périer, Étienne 227deposition 83Der Blumenbaum 199descendant research 142devisees 85dialect 29, 40digitally reproduced 119direct evidence 164

Conflict on the Michigan Frontier: Yankee and Borderland Cultures, 1815-1840 257Connecticut

1662 appointed governor 206–207chartered Susquehanna Co. 224Colonial land records up to 1846 252inheritance 1750 to 1820 105military muster record 271probate 125State Land State 242transfer of land to federal government 251Western Reserve in Ohio 222

conservatorship 88contraction, handwriting 32–33, 41Cordel

definition 50 varas 208corporate

charter 206histories 197

countyindexes to probate 116

county histories 3–6, 14, 156, 162, 174–175, 309court hand, handwriting 29–30, 44Courthouse Research for Family Historians 138Creek War 269Criadero de granado mayor 208Croatian

language newspapers 192Crozat, Antonine 226Cuba 211cultures 144Cumulative Research Strategy 65customs 142, 145, 157, 162

DDallas Public Library 274Danish

language newspapers 192database, genealogy software program

building a research database 76–78chronological arrangement 168compare evidence with good reports 163–164data enter consistently 77evaluating evidence in database 163how to make reports 123–124include all research performed 141include pertinent info 77–78, 121–

Index 323

Directory of Family “One-name” Periodicals 195

Directory of Genealogical Periodicals 194District of Columbia

probate 125documentation

consistency 77land records 78probate 121

Donation Land Claims 251Oregon 249

dower rights 87, 108draft registrations 269Duke of Orléans 226

EEarly Settlers Lists 210Ejido 208employers 77, 121Encyclopedia of the American Revolution 299England 51, 207, 211, 235

newspapers 191Privy Council 212

environment 142, 168estate 83, 100, 103, 116, 117ethnic group 158events 158

chronological order 158critical analysis 158types 77

evidencecircumstantial 164collateral 164comparisons 167conflicting 165convincing 165direct 164evaluate 163–165exhaustive research 167hearsay 165primary 165relationship 81–83secondary 165spelling of words can vary 29

executor 102, 116, 117exhaustive research 167extracts 39, 102, 117

Ffacts 159fading ink 117Family History Centers 174–175, 179, 197Family History Library

1790 to 1840 census records 41850 to 1880 census records 151900 to 1930 census records 16–17catalog 70Confederate pensions 289deeds 243Federal land records 211land and property in the catalog 244–247land tract books 242Loyalists 285military pension records 279military service records 269newspaper abstracts 178–180newspaper research 174–175Union veterans, pension index 283use catalog for general U.S. sources 245using Library Catalog 88–92War of 1812 299

family record collections 194FamilyTreeMaker Software Program 76family wealth 3, 7Fanega 208Federal Land Series 266Federal Land States 241Federal military district 223Finland 17

language 176, 178Florida

Confederate state 290donation land claims defined 251Federal Land State 241Governor George Johnstone 228land grants called mercedes 225private land claims 253probate 125Seminole wars 269Spanish land grants 253territorial papers 1821 to 1845 240

folkways 142, 169Four Square League law 225France

1798 war with England 51civil law 209earliest land records for colonies in 211


godparents 149Gold Coast 226Gorges, Fernando 207Governor

Crown appointed 206GPAI. See Genealogical Periodical Annual Indexgrantee 243grantor 243Grassroots of America 265

Graveside Locator 278Great Britain 222, 228Greeks 146Gregory, Winifred 176Group Enterprise 65guardian 108, 243guardian account papers 108guardianship dockets 88Guide to Business History 198

Guide to Finding Business Information at the Library of Congress 198

Guide to Genealogical Research in the National Archives 300

Guild of One Name Studies 195Guinea 226Gulf of Mexico 226Gulf War 288

Hhandwriting 27–48, 88, 116–118

court hand 44Danish-Norwegian 42deposition 1777 45deposition 1777 Rev War 48English 42–43German 42–43will 1682 45will 1792 46

Handybook for Genealogists 249, 300

Harvard Graduate School of Business History 197Hawaii

metes and bounds survey system 208, 215original land titles 254State Land State 243

history and Louisiana 226Louisiana Purchase of 1803 235royal grants in American colonies 207

French & Indian War 1754 to 1763 228bounty-land certificates 57

friends 77, 121Fundo Legal 208Funeral Home Directory 308

GGale Directory of Publications 175, 190

Genealogical Abstracts of Revolutionary War Pension Files 301

Genealogical Periodical Annual Index 195

Genealogical Research: Methods and Sources. 169genealogical societies 175genealogy how to 194General Land Office 210, 238geography 142, 153Georgia

1790 census lost 191800 census lost 201810 partial loss of territorial census 20bounty grants 253Confederate state 290grants to former Indian lands 222Headrights 253land lotteries 1805-1914 253migration to Louisiana 1762 to 1802 228military bounty lands 54probate 126proprietorship 206Southern Claims Commission Claims 292State Land State 243

Germancolonists to Louisiana 227German Coast 227Knight in Cologne 314language newspapers 192newspaper ads for settlers to America 214

goal setting in genealogy 2Godfrey Memorial Library 195–196

Index 325

headrightgrants described 220–221, 230land grant 209

heirlooms 122heirs 87, 100, 116Heritage Quest. See ProQuestHispanic

language newspapers 192historical data 77Historical Register and Dictionary of the United States Army 276historical society 175, 181, 183history 142, 153, 159History and Bibliography of American Newspapers 1690-1820 176, 190

History of Officers of the Continental Army During the War of the Rebellion, April 1775 to December 1783 276Holland Company 224homestead

application 242entries 251grants 242preference to Civil War veterans 242Public Domain Land 241U.S. citizenship requirements 242

hypothesis 7, 11–12, 117, 169

IIdaho

Federal Land State 241rejected federal land applications 254

IllinoisBounty Lands (War of 1812) 254case study 156Federal Land State 241Lithuanian newspapers 187Military Tract 254private land claims 254probate 126Shawneetown Land Dist Rec 254territorial papers 1809 to 1819 240

immigrationdeparture lists 214

indentured servants 144indexes

errors 102every-name 115key to chancery court 94misread 102

omissions 116probate 108problems 116problems with 31–32, 41statewide 116, 124strangely arranged 94typographical errors 102

Index of Revolutionary War Pension Applications in the National Archives 300Index to American Genealogies 195Index to Genealogical Periodicals 195

Index to Indian War Pension Files, 1892-1926 301

Index to Mexican War Pension Applications 301

Index to Mexican War Pension Files 301

Index to Old Wars Pension Files, 1815-1926 301

Index to U.S. Invalid Pension Records, 1801-1815 299

Index to Volunteer Soldiers, 1784-1811 301

Index to War of 1812 Pension Files 301Indiana 222

Federal Land State 241Indiana Land Entries 254–255maps 73, 75Parke County 64–75private land claims 254research 64territorial papers 1800 to 1816 240Vincennes Donation Land 254vital records 70Wills 126–127

Indiana Biographical Index 67, 74, 79, 80Indiana State Library 72Indian Battles and Skirmishes on the American Frontier, 1790-1898 300Indian Pueblo 225Indian Wars

1816 to 1858 269indexes available 284timeline 295–296

Individual Grants 210inheritance

laws 103–104


relationship terms 101in-laws

not always included in extracts 115relationship terms in probate 101

interlibrary loan 174–178Internet

effective for tracing collateral lines 162record what you search online 155

Internet Siteswww.academic-genealogy.com 195www.amazon.com 194www.ancestry.com 4, 15–17, 24, 155, 173, 196, 272–273, 279, 284www.Ancestry.com 70www.archive.gov 272–274www.archives.gov 279, 285, 287, 299www.ask.com 189www.blm.gov 239, 242www.cemsearch.com 311www.cem.va.gov 278www.family.org 217www.familysearch.org 4, 15–17, 72, 88–94, 152, 169, 174–175, 179–180, 185, 196–199, 244, 248, 272–274, 279, 284, 288–289, 309

Library Catalog 174, 179–180, 185, 199

PERSI 201Wiki 174

www.findagrave.com 311www.footnote.com 15, 272–273, 279, 284, 287www.funeralnet.com 311www. genealogybank.com 173www.genealogybank.com 240www.genealogy.com 155www.google.books.com 72www.google.com 15, 162, 174–175, 189, 274www.gopher.com 189www.graonline.com 24, 199, 245www.libdex.com 178www.loc.gov 191, 195, 316www.namesinstone.com 311www.nehgs.org 201www.newspaperarchives.com 173www.oclc.org 72www.proquest.com 4, 15, 72, 162, 173–174, 180, 196, 279, 309www.usgenweb.org 4, 272–274, 311www.wikipedia.org 173

www.yahoo.com 189intestate

clues may be found in tax records 102definition of 83, 107–108how debts are paid 137place of residence of heirs given 100procedures 86, 107–138

inventory 87, 104, 108Iowa

Dutch newspapers 187Federal Land State 241public land 255

JJacobus, Donald Lines 195Jarboe, Betty M. 185Jefferson, Pres. Thomas 228Jesuit order 226Jewish

newspapers 191Johnstone, George 228jurisdictions 5, 167

KKansas

Federal Land State 242homestead land 255

Kentucky1790 census lost 191795 Census of Kentucky 601800 census lost 201890 census half survived 16bounty land inducement 222census records 54, 59Confederate & Union regiments 290erroneous spelling in records 77First Census of Kentucky, 1790 60land entries 255land grants 255metes & bounds survey system 208, 215migration to military bounty lands 54State Land State 243tax records 54wills 127

King Louis XV 226Korean War 269

LLabor (Spanish land term) 208lack of definitions 117

Index 327

Land and Property Research in the United States. 217, 265Land Companies 211, 230

British Empire 223–224Company of the Indies 226Company of the West 226grants 223–224Holland Land Company 224Hudson Bay Company 224Loyal Land Company 56–57, 224Ohio Company 223Plymouth Company 224speculation companies 224–225Susquehanna Company 224Virginia Company 1606 211

Land Recordsalien residence lands 210American State Papers 236base line 237Bureau of Land Management 239burned county reconstructed records 210cash sales 241caveat 210certificates of purchase 210charters 207citizenship requirement 242company grant 220, 230confiscated lands 210conveyances 209corporate land ownership 205corporation with stock holders 210county transfer abstracts 210credit entry 251custodians of 210deed abstracts 210deeds of trust 210desert land 241determine family wealth 9determine former residence 75difficulties locating 238–241disposition determined by 250donation land claims 249early settler lists 210entry case files 241entry papers 204federal lands 233–266find in genealogy software 122furlongs 236–237genealogical value of 203–205grants 203–218, 207headright 209, 213

headright grant 230home lots 241homestead 241, 242illustration of townships 237Indian treaties 234indicate neighbors 6individual grant 220, 230land entry 204land entry petitions 225land grant 1679 216land grants, value to research 213leases 241licenses 210locating 209locating in 20th century 244longevity of 204Louisiana Purchase 234meridian 237metes and bounds 208, 215, 238military land entry papers 243names of 210National Archives 239of the colonial colonies 219–232original entry 238ownership 7patents 211, 213plat books 210, 241preemption claim 241preemption warrant 58principal meridians 209private claims 236private claims to public lands 250private grievance claims 210private land claims 210private land transactions 243private purchase transfers 222Proprietary titles 205Public Domain 236quit rents 209, 221–222railroad lands 241rectangular method 238rectangular survey 209repositories 238–239research methodology 59–60right of settlement 57Royal titles 204sections 209special grants 210special purpose grants 220, 222, 230speculator 241squatters 54state land lotteries 210


stock/cattle raising 241survey 213surveyor’s measurements 237–238survey systems 204, 208territorial lands 210timber and stone 241topographical info eliminates some 78town lots 210townships 209transfer from Crown 206treasury warrant 57use to extend pedigree 25use with census records 12value of 238

Land Records of America and Their Genealogical Value 217language 145Latin American 209Latin Terms

38–39, 41–42Law, John 226Law of Primogeniture 106laws 103League 208Legacy Software Program 76legal terminology 117Legal Thesaurus 105legatees 85, 102, 116Le Moyne, Jean-Baptiste 225–226Le Moyne, Pierre 225–228letters of administration 108letters (symbols) 35–36libraries 178library catalog 141licenses 210Life in America in Two Volumes 169Lis Pendens 241List of the Officers of the Army of the United States from 1779-1900 276Livingston, Robert 229local courthouses

land records 211local customs

provide clues to family 142, 144locality

clues to 4–6, 24–25enter places consistently each time 77for life events 161how to find correct 74–75

research strategy 68types 66–67

Locating Your Immigrant Ancestor’s Homeland 65

Locating Your Revolutionary War Ancestor 300Lord Baltimore 207Lord Granville 207Lord Proprietors 206Louisiana 240, 290

Acadians 229American Territory 1803 229Federal Land State 242French colony 1682-1762 225–228French newspapers 187land distribution 235land records 209Pintado Papers (1795-1842) 255Purchase 234–235, 249Roman Catholic Church only recog-nized 144Spanish Colony 1762-1802 228territorial grants 255territory 229Ursuline nuns 227wills 127

Loyalistclaims in Family History Library 245–247definition of 285–286

Loyalists of New Jersey in the Revolution 286Loyal Land Company 224

Virginia 57Luebking, Sandra Hargreaves 24, 60, 191

MMaine

bounty land inducements 222metes & bounds land survey 215proprietorship 207quit rents 222State Land State 243wills 127York Deeds (1642-1737) 256

manners 142maps 12–13

census 157Civil War states & territories 294Family Maps (land of U.S. counties) 244

Index 329

case study from probate 100Dutch newspapers 187Federal Land State 242genealogy how-to 257Indian War 1763 295Polish newspapers 187Private Land Claims 257territorial papers 1805 to 1837 240

Michigan Genealogy: Sources & Resources 257microform 176migration

clues from census records 6–7clues from county records 264clues from land records 204clues from newspapers 189clues from periodicals 194clues from tax lists 50, 59conventional patterns of 144forces that divert movement 54map 6pattern 24, 168, 194, 238pertinent info for data entry 77to military bounty land 54trails 142, 157–159

military1910 census asks about Civil War 17bounty land defined 222bounty land warrants 251clues to service in land records 238colonial land grant 209, 216commander of French troops 226district 174district leader over tax collection 53districts as jurisdictions 4–5districts as locality clue 24district should be data entered 78district to include in data entry 4finding records at www.familysearch.org 179, 247, 249funding of expedition 206group connection 145, 158map of federal district 223naming pattern 149probate clues to service in 138records with country who paid them 227script 145service 223service as individual identifier 5, 7service in territorial area 5special purpose grant defined 222,

Finding aid to newspapers 173for research 194historical 3, 25migration 6Oklahoma and Indian Lands 259Spain to France 1800 206Tennessee (1790-1796) 262Virginia claim 263War of 1812 New York & Canada 285

maps, computer generatedNew York 71–73, 76

Marine Corp 287markings 117marriage

prenuptial 87settlements 87

Maryland1790 census 191830 some census losses 22had no bounty land to give 222land patents 256land patents or grants 211naming pattern among Anglicans 150proprietorship under Calverts 207State Land State 243wills 127–128

Massachusettsaverage land sizes 249comparison with other colonies 234–235joint-stock company 211military pre-service records 269naming patterns 149New Plymouth 256newspaper collections 176Plymouth founded by the people 211probate records 128–130proprietorship 207reading the double “s” properly 31State Land State 243

mercedes (Spainish land grants) 225merchants 206, 207metes and bounds

definition of 208states using this survey system 208

metes and bounds survey systemdefinition of 238, 251

Methodistnewspapers 191

Mexican War 284Michigan

1810 territorial census 20


230warrant and script defined 239

Military Bibliography of the Civil War 300Military Records. See Civil War; See also NARA; See also Revolutionary War

1910 Military & Naval Forces Census 17Alabama military warrants 252army records 273Artillery 288benefit 275, 277–302Benefit Records, ordering of 287bounty land 54, 278bounty land in Virginia 264burial 278categories of 267–268categories of benefit records 278–279Cavalry 288Civil War Draft Records 273clues to variant name spellings 270Confederate compiled service 274Confederate pension 288Confederate Pension Records 283desertion 271discharge papers 271Gulf War 288Infantry 288info needed to order a copy 287land warrants 278Marine Corp 273Medical 288Military Land Entry Papers on Public Domain 243militia 267–269, 274militia rolls 268muster-in rolls (enlistments) 269muster-out rolls (discharges) 269NATF Form 80 287Navy 273notice of captivity 271Official Rosters of each state 269Old Soldier’s Homes 278–279pensions 278post-service. See benefitpre-service. See militia, Official Roster, muster-in & muster-out rollspre-service defined 275Regular Army Officers 274service records defined 270–275Sharpshooters 288Union pensions 288

Union veterans 283value of 267–275Veterans Home 278–279Vietnam War 288War of 1812 pensions 279Web site 272–274World War II 288

Military Service Records: A Select Catalog of National Archives Microfilm Publications 300Military Time Line 295–296Milner, Anita Cheek 178Minnesota

case study working with newspapers 173–178, 181Family Maps of Otter Tail Co. 244Federal land grants 257Federal Land State 242public lands 257St. Paul Immigrant Center 178Swedish newspapers 187

minutes 88Mirich, Buda 269Mississippi

1800 territorial census lost 201810 district wide loss territorial census 201830 countywide losses of census 22battle for the river 228boundary problems 228Confederate state 290court records 130Federal Land State 242Federal Public Domain Land State 242Index to Wills, 1800 to 1900 130Private Land Claims of Mississippi and Missouri 257settlement of Louisiana by 228territorial papers 1809 to 1817 240township plats from 1795 249War of 1812 296

Mississippi River 228exploration of 226

MissouriCivil War border state with Confederate units 290Federal Land State 242grants by Ingmire 252grants of Missouri 257Land sales of Polk County 257

Index 331

Military land warrants 257Private land claims 257Private Land Claims of Mississippi & Missouri 257reading double “s” in state name 31Settlers of Missouri Territory 257

Mobile 227Monroe, James 228–229Montana

Federal Land State 242morals

folkways 142Morebeck, Nancy Justus 273Mortgage Lists 210mortuary

defined 305Mortuary or Funeral Home Directory 308records 312

Nname

spelling 40variants 40

namesbackcountry 150common 5, 66–67full complete name 161history 158New England 149nicknames 148–149patronymic 147patterns 146, 152, 157Puritan 150Quaker 150siblings 67–68spelling 77–78surname 66Tidewater 149transcribe all from probate 86uncommon 66–67variants 116, 163, 166, 283

NARA8 military record groups 272benefit records 279Boston branch 51Civil War, Union veterans 283Confederate Pension Records 283custodian of federal lands 210federal census records at 4locate & order records from 272–274

prior to 1908 land entry papers 239Prologue (official publication) 273record groups 13Revolutionary War 284Southern Claims files 291Web site 288Web site - World War I, II 283

Natchez IndiansLouisiana Governor defeated Indians 227

Natchitochessettlement of 226–227

NATF Form 86Copies of Veterans Records 273

National Archives and Records Administration. See NARANational Cemetery Administration 278

Web site of graves 278National Union Catalog of Manuscript Collections. See NUCMCNative American

newspapers 192Native Americans. See also Cherokee

as slaves 214Black Hawk War (1832) 269Cherokee Removals (1836-1839) 269Chickasaw - British trader 230Choctaw - British traders 230Creek War (1836-1837) 269excluded in records 116Florida (Seminole) Wars 269Georgia land removal 222Indian Wars 269, 284land claims 249land grants used to buffer tribes & settlers 225–227Natchez attack colonists 227Sac and Fox War (1831) 269treaties 249Winnebago War (1827) 269

Navyhow to find records 287Southern Claims Commission 291

Neagles, James C.U. S. Military Records 290

NebraskaFederal Land State 242land policies 258Public Domain 258

neighborsconnection 6


mercedes land grants 225Spanish and Mexican Land Grants 252

New Netherlandsjoint-stock companies charter 211no quit rents used 222proprietary government 206–207

New Orleanssettled in 1721 227

newspapers 171–192aids to 190–191anniversary notice 188bibliography 175business columns 189directory 175ethnic 178, 186–187, 192ethnic finding aids 192Gale Directory of Publications 175genealogical value of 171–173German language 186–187helpful to research 189history 175how to locate 173–179, 189–190indexes 178–181interlibrary loan 174in the Library of Congress 191large cities 186marriage & anniversary notices 188microform 175New York Times 178, 180obituaries. See obituariesobtaining an article from 177powers of attorney 189recording info from 188religious 178, 187–189religious locating aids 191relocation notices 189research tips 188–189unclaimed mail notices 189Union List of 175using probate notifications in 123value of local library 190

Newspapers in Microform: United States 176New York

Albany 70, 80census 70Confiscations of Loyalists 259Germans 180Holland Land Company 224, 258Italian newspapers 187

pertinent to enter in database 77, 121search 3study for relationship clues 142

NevadaFederal Land State 242Nevada territorial land 258

New Englandcolonies 205comparing land allocation 211English Puritans to America 144formation of a town in 231land entries 225land entry petitions 225naming pattern 149postal roads 229quit rents not used 222vital records 2

New Hampshirea royal province 205–207military pre-service records 269no bounty land 222probate 130Provincial and State Papers, 40 vols. 258quit rents 222State Land State 243

New Havensuppressed of its “power of the people” 205

New Jersey1679 land grant sample 2161790 census lost 191800 census lost 201810 district-wide census lost 211820 district-wide census lost 21average land size 234land grants 258Loyalists 286military pre-service records 269naming patterns 150no bounty land 222patents and deeds 258Quit rents 258royal colony 1702 to 1738 207State Land State 243Tax Records 54, 60warrants for surveys 258wills 130–131

New MexicoFederal Land State 242land grant papers 258

Index 333

North Dakotacase study 176Federal Land State 242

Northern Neck Grants and Surveys at Library of Virginia Web site 212Northwest of the River Ohio 240Northwest Territory

history & land system 209special purpose grants 222–223

Norwegianlanguage newspapers 192

NUCMCdefined 316how to use 313

Nugent, Nell Marion 220nuncupative

defined 85, 105

Oobituaries

abstracts & death notices 184–186card of thanks 186ethnic 186–187how to obtain copies 177in periodicals 194religious 187–188searching for 182–186using in research 181–188value of 190

Obituaries: A Guide to Sources 185occupations

as an individual identifier 12businessmen in census records 13corporate histories 198group 158merchants in census records 13

officersconsistently enter titles in database 77searching for in database 121

Official Records of Navies in the War of the Rebellion 289Ohio

affected by bounty land 222bounty lands 54Federal Land State 242French Grants 260Land offices 260metes & bounds used in part of state 208, 215military pre-service records 269

known first as New Netherlands 207Landholders of Northeastern NY, 1739 to 1802 258Landlords and Tenants in Colonial NY 259land papers - manuscripts 259maps 71, 73, 76map War of 1812 285Montgomery County 79–80newspapers 172, 179–180Ontario County 70, 72, 74, 79probate 131quit rents 258relinquished land to federal govern-ment 222State Land State 243transferred land to federal govern-ment 251

New York Public Library 274New York State Library 179–180New York Times 180

Obituaries Index 1858-1968 180Personal Name Index to the New York Times Index, 1851-1993 179

Nez Perce War 299nicknames 147nominating 150North Carolina

1790 census 19Anglican naming patterns 150Anson County (1750) 272Carteret, John 235Confederate state 290deed abstracts 260genealogy how-to books 106Granville District (1748-1763) 259guardianship 112–113intestate inventory 111Land Patents 259lost census records 54Loyal Land Company 56Militia List for 1750 document 271quit rents collected 222reconstructed census records 54response to a petition document 112royal & proprietary colony 206–207sent settlers to Louisiana 228settlement of estate paper 114State Land State 243vacant land entries 259wills 131–132


Ohio Land Company 224Old Seven Ranges area 236Refuge Tract 260wills 132

OklahomaFederal Land State 242illegal residents 260land grants 252, 260probate 132

Old Seven Ranges 236Old Virginia and Her Neighbours 169, 230orders 88Ordinance of 1785 236Oregon

Clackamas County 249donation land claims defined 251Douglas County 249Federal Land State 242Finnish language newspaper 176Genealogical Materials in Oregon Donation Land Claims 260Index of Oregon Donation Land Claims 260probate 132–133

Original Documents1790 Federal Census 181790 Tax List for Amelia County, Virginia 611800 Federal Census 191810 Federal Census 201820 Federal Census 211830 Federal Census 221840 Federal Census 23Administrator Court Order 109Church referral to new congregation 47Civil War Pension Certificate 288Confederate payment record 282deposition 1777 Rev War 48deposition 1864 Indiana 84executor named in will 1847 85Fluvanna Co., VA inventory 104Guardianship Account Notice 112Guardianship Account Report 113Intestate Payment of Services 109Inventory 1807 NC 111Land Grant NJ 1679 216Marriage affidavit from Rev War pen-sion 280, 281Militia List (1759) NC 271

Pension Increase Statement 298Quartermaster’s authorization to widow 282Response to a Petition 112Rev War service record 270Settlement Papers Intestate 1870 114Sexton’s Index Cards 308Sexton’s tombstone entry book 307Statement of Surety (Bond) 110Tax List Johnson Co., NC 1799 52town record 1750 231will 1682 45will 1792 46WWI Draft Registration Card 269

Orleans 240Orphans Court 88

PPacific Northwest 224PAF Software Program 76

Focus & Design, how to 121–123note consistency 77

palatinate 211paleography (see handwriting) 27–48

history 27symbols 28

patent 209, 278patronymics 147patterns 146pedigree charts 194Pennsylvania

average land size 234average land sizes 249electronic newspapers 180military pre-service records 269mountainous terrain 54newspapers 172, 180proprietary government 206–207Quaker, first settlers of 150quit rents 222State Land State 243Susquehannah Company Papers 261tax enumeration lists 51Warrants and Surveys of the Province of Pennsylvania . . . 261wills 133–134Wyoming Valley Land Records 224

Penn, William 207Pension Lists of 1792-1795: With Other

Index 335

Revolutionary War Pension Records 299Pension Records (Military) 278

Child’s 278Invalid’s 278Mother’s 278Widow’s 278

Peonia (Spanish land term) 208periodicals

citations, how to do 200Directory of Genealogical Periodicals 201German 199how to use 193–202indexes 74, 195Index New England Historical & Genealogical Register 201Index to DAR Magazines 201Index to Genealogical Periodicals 201methodology for using 200obtaining article copies 198types of 194–195value of 194

Periodical Source Index. See PERSIPERSI

defined 67, 200finding historical records 185how to use 196–197, 201locating tombstones in periodicals 310, 317periodical index 67used in case study 79

Personal Name Index to the New York Times Index, 1851-1993 179personal property tax 244Personnel of the Civil War 276petitions 87, 108Philippine Insurrection

pension records 285phonetics 29–30photocopies 119–120photo duplication order form 199Photoshop Elements Software 120places 117Plat Books

indexes 210Plaza 208plot purchases 312Plymouth Company 224political 146

Portuguese 209Post Offices 5power of attorney

defined 241legal notice as clue to migration 189

preemption warrant 58prenuptial

agreement 87, 105–106, 115Presbyterian

newspapers 191preserving information 119–120Principal Meridian 209private grievance claims 210Private Land Claims

defined 251defined as land record 210for military service 235

private purchase transfers 222probate

abstracts 102accounts 87–88accurately evaluating 117–119administrations 88administrator 138appeals 88codicils 88conservatorships 88data entering 121–122definition of 81definition of intestate records 108degrees 88dockets 88documentation 121estates 88executions 88executor 138finding clues 121flow chart to extend research with 25guardianship 88how to search 83–86how to use 81–106index 79indexes 102–103introductory info in published sources 119inventory 138judgment 88limitations to published 115lists of heirs 88minutes 88misread 102omissions 117


orders 88orphans 88packet 137positive aspects to published 117–118problems 88renunciations 88report elements 123settlements 88special considerations 101testamentary 88trustees 88use with census searches 12when to use 87wills 9, 88

profession 86, 122proofread 121property

administrator disposes of 86bond 108description 121, 122disposed by prenuptial 115division of 116intestate procedures 137ownership 3, 7real and personal 83real for dower 108records 9, 145use with census searches 12

Propioroyal lands defined 208

proprietarygovernments 206, 214–215titles 205

Proprietary Colonies 222ProQuest 174, 176Protestants 145Public Domain Land. See rectangular survey

centralized under BLM 248defined 209desert land 241indexes 210land transferred to 236stock raising 241survey measurements 236–238timber culture grants 241what is it 251

public libraries, major 4Puerto Rico, 1910 Census 17punctuation 35purchasers 121Puritan

Massachusetts 150naming patterns 149origins 144

Puritan Village: The Formation of a New England Town 231

QQuakers (Society of Friends)

naming patterns 150origins 144

queries 194quit rents 221Quit Rents 209quit rents (see also tax; land) 53, 60Quit-Rent System in the American Colonies 216

Rranges 236–237rank 122Raphael, Father 227Real property

definition 244records

groups 167original 12transcribing 31

rectangular surveydefined 209, 251used in public domain states 215

Redbook 249refugees 145Regimental Histories 289Regional Abstracts: 210Regional Record Service Facilities. See NARA

census records at 15–17pension and bounty land records 284records available at 4

relationshipsbrother-in-law 105collateral 166comparisons 166daughter-in-law 101father-in-law 101implied 99localities 166nephew 105step-daughter 101terms for 105

Index 337

relatives 86, 115religious

evidence of affiliation 100group connection 158newspapers 191–192refugees seeking sanctuary 146

renunciation 87, 108reports

computer generated 124conclusion, writing 167design 123–124elements 123hypothesis 169summation 155–159writing evaluation 167

repositoryhow to use 194

research 154research cycle 63Researcher’s Guide to American Genealogy 138

Research Guide to Loyalist Ancestors: A Directory to Archives, Manuscripts, and Published Sources 299research strategy

African American 4, 9, 11chronological list of events 167–168coming of age 3, 10, 11critical analysis 167Critical Thinking Approach 139Cumulative Research Strategy 65, 139, 159death 3descendant research 142family connections 6finding ancestor’s business 200–201flowchart for overcoming brickwall problems 151Folkways and Historical Review 65folkways as clues 142–145follow military leader 53genealogy research cycle 64goal setting 64Group Connection 65, 145, 159Group Enterprise 65, 145Historical Review 65Index to The Genealogist 201jumping to conclusions 11key elements for success 64known to unknown 68locating businesses 13

longevity 3, 9Naming Patterns 146neighborhood connection 12–13objective setting 140ownership 7record associates, check military 56record group research 65residence 4study the environment 142Surname/Locality Approach 5, 65–78, 123, 140understand ancestor’s environment 153

residence 86, 100, 122residency 223Reunion Software Program 76Revolutionary War

colonies ceded rights to land 235land acquired after 234militia rolls 268pension and bounty land records 284pension application records 279pension file 280pre-service records 275sample deposition 48service record defined 271service record sample 270special purpose grants 222

Revolutionary War Land Claims in Family History Library 245–247

Revolutionary War Pension Applications Index 283Rhode Island 206, 222

land evidence 261probate 134–135Proprietors of the Narragansett 261State Land State 243

Rider, Fremont 195Roman Catholic 144RootsMagic Software Program 76Royal Charter 206Royal Governor 234Russia 17, 236

SSac and Fox War 269Saldana, Richard H. 24scanned images 119–120Schwitzer, George K. 290Serbia 269


settlement 88settlement papers 115, 123settlers 142sexton

definition of 305index cards 308records 312, 315tombstone entry book 307

ship captains 212shorthand (handwriting) 29–31siblings 121, 156, 159, 162

consistently data enter 77Sitio de granado major 208Sitio de granado menor 208slaves 122

1790 census 181800 census 191810 census 201820 census 211830 census 221840 census 231850, 1860 slave schedules 151870 former slaves on census 15census evidence of 7free 4, 11from Africa to Louisiana 226imported into Louisiana 226individual identifier 24population in Louisiana 1803 229proper use of census 9uprisings 227

Slavesintroduced to Virginia 214

Social Security Benefits 17Social Security Death Index 183social status 7Solar de Tierra 208Solar (Spanish land term) 208Some of the Military Records of America, Before 1900: Their Use and Values in Genealogical and Historical Research 300

Source: A Guidebook of American Genealogy 170sources of information 161, 163Sources of Serials 195, 201South Carolina

bounty land only in state 222Charleston land 261Confederate state only 290Deed Abstracts 1719 to 1772 261

Index to Deeds of the Province and State of South Carolina 1719 to 1785 261Index to South Carolina Land Grants, 1784 to 1800 261jurisdictions 3land of the lower 96th District 261migration to Louisiana 228military pre-service records 269naming patterns 150probate 135proprietary government 206, 222proprietary government 1670-1719 207State Land State 243Warrants for Land in South Carolina 1672 to 1711 261

South DakotaAdministration of the Public Domain 261Federal Land State 242

Southern Claims Commission Recordsbarred-disallowed files 292defined and how to use 291–295value of for genealogists 292–294, 299

Southern States 172South of the River Ohio 240Spanish land grants

California 252claimed by 224New Mexico 225private land claims 235records in Cuba 211royal charters 207

Spanish territoryland terms 208–209map of 206, 224

special purpose grants 210, 230special signs (handwriting) 32–33speech 142spelling 29, 40, 41

Thorn 32spouses 77, 121squatters 235State Land Lottery Indexes 210State Land States 242–243state libraries 175statement of surety (bond) 110state-wide land grants 210

Index 339

Studies in Enterprise 198

Study of Escheat and Unclaimed Property Statutes 266

Subject Bibliography of the Second World War 300Suerte 208Suerte de Tierra 208superscript (handwriting)

words 32–33, 37, 41survey abstracts 210, 217Survey of American Genealogical Periodicals and Periodical Indexes 201survey systems 208suspended

words 32, 41Susquehanna Company

Connecticut 224Sutro Library 175, 274Swedish

language newspapers 192symbols (handwriting) 28, 30, 35

Ttape 120tax

1790 Tax List sample 61district 4, 53, 58, 174exemptions from 53extracts of lists 194feudal land tax 53genealogy clues 53, 59Kentucky 54New Jersey 54personal property 50, 53, 59poll 53quit rents 53Quit Rents of Virginia, The 60real property 50, 59records 6, 50–62research methodology 55–57, 59–60social status clues 53Virginia 54–56War of 1812 Direct Tax 52

Tennessee 541790 to 1796 changes 262bounty land 222Confederate state 290deeds 261metes & bounds 208, 215probate 135

State Land State 243territorial lands 210, 240–241testament 85testate 83testator 83, 102Texas

Biographical Gazetteer of 289bounty lands 262Confederate state 290donation land grants 262land records 208–209mercedes land grants 225metes & bounds 215Natchitoches settled 1714 by Spanish of 226public lands 262State Land State 243

The Confederacy: A Guide to the Archives of the Confederate State of America 299

The Mexican-American War: An Annotated Bibliography 301

The Union: A Guide to Federal Archives Relating to the Civil War 300thorn (symbol for “the”)

32Thracians 316time period

chronology 152estimation 161used in case study 74

tithables 53tombstone

Ancient Roman 313Inscriptions 310–311Queen of Bulgaria 313

topography 54maps 168

townhistory 146lots 210townsmen 142

townshipalphabetical listing 12clues from census 4defined 209history 156jurisdiction 174maps for research 157plats 249surveying of 236–237


traditions 155, 159, 167transcription 103

abbreviations 117dates 117errors 31–38, 117evaluating evidence 163lack of definitions 117legal terminology 117limitations 118markings 117omissions 117places 117

Treaties 210Treaty of San Lorenzo 228trustee 243typographical 103

UUnion Catalog of Newspapers 175. See also Newspapers Union ListUnited East India Company 223United States Cemetery Address Book 308University of Utah 175U.S. Military Records: A Guide to Federal & State Sources Colonial America to the Present 300

U.S. Military Records: A Guide to Federal & State Sources Colonial America to the Present 290Utah

Brigham Young University 175Carson County land 262Federal Land State 242Mormon Land System 262University of Utah 175

VVara 208–209verbatim 108Vermont

charters 263first settlers 263lease land 263Massachusetts grants in 263metes & bounds 208metes & bounds defined 215no bounty land 222

probate 109State Land State 243State Papers-land petitions 263

Vietnam War 269Virginia 19, 104

1787 Census 601810 Census of . . . 60adventurers defined 211average land sizes 249case study 55compared to other colonies 234–235Confederate state 290Council of Virginia 212English Duplicates of Lost Virginia Records 264grant surveys 264headright grants 230headright system 213, 234Indian Massacre of 1622 212Jamestown 212joint-stock companies 211land 57land bounty warrants 264land patents 264Land Patents and Grants 220–221lost census records 54Loyal Land Company 224military pre-service records 269naming patterns, Tidewater 149–150North Neck Grants and Surveys 212–213Ohio Land Company 224planters defined 211–212probate 118, 135–137Quit Rents of Virginia 1704 264royal colony 207Southern Claims Commission 292State Land State 243tax records 55Tidewater 235

Virginia Company of London 207, 212Virginia Northern Neck Land Grant 217vital records 2, 7, 17voting records

found in periodicals 194

WWar of 1812

clues to finding land records 249Direct Tax 52

Index 341

indexes to records of 284obtaining copies of pension files 299

warrantdefinition of 278lists 210

Wars 295–296Washington

Donation Land Claims 251, 264Federal Land State 242foreign language newspaper 176probate 137

waterways 157Welsh 147West Florida 228West Virginia

Confederate regiments in 290land grants 264metes & bounds 208metes & bounds defined 215probate 137Southern Claims Commission 292State Land State 243

Whiskey Rebels 299White, Virgil 297widow

clues in codicils 86dower right 87inheritance laws 103name 87

willscautions in using 101, 103defined 85handwriting samples 45–46nuncupative defined 85probated defined 101problems with probate 117proved defined 101search for in database program 122when to use 87

Winnebago War 269Wisconsin

Federal Land State 242Private land claims 264

witnesses 77, 102, 116, 121words

abbreviations 31contractions 32superscript 32suspended 32thorn 32

World War I 269draft registration card sample 269

Federal Records Center 283NARA Web site 283

World War IIFederal Records Center 283military records 269

World War I Memorial Book 284Wyoming

BLM records 265Federal Land State 242

Wyoming Valley 224

YYazoo River 226