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Research Help This information
was put together by the Peoria County Genealogy Society, and I'm using
portions of it here for the purpose of educating beginning Genealogists
starting their research. This research material is universal.
Table of Contents
My pedigree chart begins with me and provides space for details of my parents, my grandparents, my great-grandparents and my great-great grandparents. There is a space on the pedigree chart for the name, date and place of birth; date of marriage; date and place of death. 1. I am
number 1 on my chart. I may be either male or female and still be No.1.
If I am female I show my maiden name only, the complete name I was given
at birth. The newest method is to write the last name first, and always
to write the name in full.
1. BECK, Mary Jane
2. Number 2 is my father. for the rest of the pedigree chart, the even number will be for the males and the odd number for the females. 3. No. 3 is my mother. Here I can fold the chart in half and the upper portion is called my paternal line and the lower portion is called my maternal line. 4. My father's father is line no. 4 and identification should be complete as possible, and any missing information will be sought out. 5. My fathers mother 6. My fathers father 7. My
mothers mother
DO NOT use initials. DO NOT use nick names, except in parenthesis following the correct name. DO NOT change the spelling of the name to what you might think it should be. Record it as you find it in the records. (where it is spelled more than one way in the records, then more research will be needed to determine the correct spelling). Your lineage may be expanded beyond the five generations shown on this first chart (which should be numbered No.1) by beginning a new chart with the last name (fifth generation) on the first chart. See "above name continued on chart ___(place for number of the chart). If you will number these blank spaces as 2 through 17, these will be the numbers of the continuing charts. If you can still continue a line for more than 9 generations you will have when using a second chart, the third chart for that line may be numbered consecutively beginning with 18 ect. Your pedigree
chart does not fully identify your ancestors as does the FAMILY GROUP SHEET.
You should make a family group sheet on each couple shown on your pedigree chart. Again the name is written, last name first in capitals, followed by the given name or names. Always give the town, county and state or county for the place of identification. Always check and see if that person has married, as a child and as a parent. The family group sheet completely identifies the person thereon.
MAJOR
GENEALOGICAL RECORD SOURCES OF THE UNITED STATES
MAJOR
GENEALOGICAL RECORD SOURCES OF THE INDIAN OF THE UNITED STATES
1. BOOKS
AND MANUSCRIPTS:
2. CERTIFICATES:
3. NEWSPAPER
CLIPPINGS:
4. LAND
AND ESTATE RECORDS:
5. MILITARY
RECORDS:
6. MISCELLANEOUS
RECORDS:
When a researcher studies the facts involved in any research problem, those facts should suggest to him certain definite steps that he should take toward the solution of the problem. If the facts disclose that a person by the name of Silas Swampspook was born, married, and died on certain dates, those facts should suggest certain things to do, such as obtaining birth, marriage, and death certificates, examination of the probate proceedings in his estate, ascertain whether there has been a Swampspook family history published, and where there are any town, county or other place histories if the localities where the Swampspook family resided, and so on. The following list of questions is offered as an aid in assisting you to analyze your genealogical problems. It is not represented to you as complete, as there are certainly other questions that might be listed. The purpose this list is to assist you in your analysis. As you study the name, dates and places on your pedigree and answer these questions with respect to those facts you are certain to receive some very good suggestions of continuing your research. 1. Are there any birth, marriage, or death certificates obtainable? 2. Are any wills or administrations of estates obtainable? 3. Is is possible to obtain proof of birth, marriage, or death if any relatives from church records? 4. Did any of the persons serve in the Revolution of any of the Colonial, Indian, or Civil Wars? 5. Did a widow draw a pension because of the war service of her husband? 6. Consult records of Colleges, schools, societies, firms or corporations? 7. Would the Federal or State Census records help in the search? 8. Have you tried correspondence with persons of the same name? (Use HANDBOOK OF AMERICAN GENEALOGY, Telephone and City directories, also register of voters.) 9. Is it possible that information might be obtained from the following record sources: land, civil and criminal courts, probate, register of voters, tax rolls, or vital records? 10. Have you written to all the relatives of friends of the family to obtain all known information? 11. Are there any family histories in print on any of the families in which you are interested? 12 Have you searched town, county and state histories? 13. Have you corresponded with archives, state libraries, and historical societies? 14. Are
there any problems that might be solved through old newspaper files, advertising,
or querying?
The answers to these questions require knowledge as to where to obtain much of the information sought.
ORDERLY PRESERVATION OF NOTES (Ref: The Instructor Oct. 1964) As more people engage in research and as new researchers take up work previously initiated by others, there is a problem in avoiding duplication of research effort and in being able to properly document research finding. An orderly system of taking and preserving research notes becomes a real need and deserves the attention of researchers. Research is a continuing process. And as we must often present evidence from several sources over extended periods of search, it becomes evident that and effective system is necessary in recording this information. The scientist records his observations and experimentation's in careful detail and with strict accuracy, and he then carefully analyzes his finding before reaching his conclusions. Should the genealogical researchers do less than this? It could be stated that our basic objective in genealogical research is the family unit; identified completely and accurately, with references to support our statements. The researcher is trying to construct a family group sheet for each union on his pedigree chart with all the necessary genealogical facts on each individual. It is suggested that the family unit could be the nucleus of a good note keeping system. It is agreed that not one system is perfect for all areas of search. The problem of searching several parish registers in Scotland for the christening entry is somewhat different, note-wize, then searching county land and probate records in the United States for confirmation of a death date. However, it should be recognized that certain information is desirable in any orderly system. Some of the more important items of value in note keeping are as follows: The NAME OF THE RESEARCHER should be entered on research notes to avoid loss of material and to assist i the analysis if research finding. If it is worth writing, it is worth identifying. The DATE OF SEARCH can be a valuable guide to the searcher in your work. As new surnames are determined, the researcher may need to search again certain records previously searched. The date of search listed on research notes will assist your in this regard. Some researchers insist that the time of search is of no importance, but our experience is that the date if search should be indicated. The SURNAMES OF INTEREST might well be indicated as a guide and reminder. Often, we are looking for several different surnames in the same locality and a convenient listing or reminder will aid considerably. The LOCALITY OF INTEREST should be noted to avoid confusion in analysis work. the marriage extracts of a North Carolina county should not be confused with those of and English parish. Often, it is necessary to search all records of a particular town or county; and to be able to identify each record searched of a particular area would be important. The SOURCE DESCRIPTION is probably the area where most of us offend good research practices. This should be to the researcher what "chapter and verse" is to the missionary. For proper documentation and for future reference, we should identify each source by title; author, and year of publication; or by name and address, if obtained by personal interview. If a family group sheet is worthy of initiation it is worthy of proper documentation. The GENEALOGICAL FACTS obtained are, of course, our real objective and should be so listed as to indicate the context of the original source. Whether it is an extract, an abstract, or a manuscript copy of the entire document, it should reflect the meaning of the original. The researcher should be able to local and document and and all of his statements with speed and accuracy. How often have we been guilty of fumbling through page after page of notes looking for an extract important to our problem, but which cannot be found? Some researchers do not retain their notes at all but simply jot down the library call number. when the ink is dry, they are at a complete loss to know whence the information came. In many
fields if research the researcher lists his bibliographical information
(description of source) on cards or sheets of paper, and then after investigating
that source he lists his findings on that card or sheet of paper. Others
follow a system of listing each reference to be researched at any given
time. In this system the actual findings are listed in manuscript form
separate and apart from the listing of references to be searched. Whichever
system is used the researcher should be able to tell at once:
The following
system has been used successfully by some of the American researchers at
the Genealogical Society and by many genealogical students. This system
was designed for research in America and my not be workable in other areas
without modification. It is a work file only and leads the orderly arrangements
of extracts, abstracts, certificates, and manuscripts notes. Four basic
elements are involved in the system: namely,
The index or lists of searches indicates the references searched for one specific locality (town or county) in the U.S. The research findings are not listed on this at all, but a cross reference or extract number indicates where the actual findings are transcribed. As further references are located for that specific locality, they are added to the list of additional sheets as required. this list of searches is maintained in separate form from the actual notes taken and provides information as to what source has been searched for a specific locality and indicated where that information can be found; both in extract or manuscript form and in the original source. The list or index of correspondence provides the same detail for all letters written and received: Date written, Addressee, Purpose, Date received (reply), Remarks or comments, each of these being a separate column of the paper used. The actual notes taken in research are indicated as the manuscript note file (some have labeled this "research file") and may be made up of single sheets of lined paper or may be bound note books or ring binders. The notes taken are listed in their sequence of search. the searcher does not attempt to separate the data obtained either by surname or locality, but simply list his extracts, abstracts, copy work, and even his comments. These notes will shows the "extract number" (cross reference) from index or list of search and at a moment notice the researcher can refer from the index of search to the actual notes taken, or can refer from the notes taken to his bibliographical information on the index of search.
USING THE CENSUS IN OUR RESEARCH A census is an enumeration of the population of a country, state, city or town, usually conducted for the purposes of taxation and studies of population trends. As a genealogical source, a census enumeration can be very valuable record containing, as it does, items of names, ages, and various other statistical data. There are two main types of census enumeration--church and civil, although very few church census enumeration's are of any genealogical value as they record few items of identification. It will be discovered that the earlier census contain comparatively little genealogical information, while the more recent ones usually give a number of valuable items The use of census returns in the genealogical structure and in genealogical procedure is one of providing leads and clues, and in and of themselves rarely provide sufficient information to support or disprove any hypothesis. Census returns should be used to support other evidence or to provide the leads that will suggest searches in other specific genealogical records. While the general information shown in the census returns of the various countries is somewhat standard, there are sufficient differences in both the data recorded and the manner of jurisdiction, that a study of not only the various countries is necessary, but also of the different census returns in these countries. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA The first census taken by the Federal Government was in 1790, and every ten years thereafter a census has been taken. Not every census enumeration call for the same information, and each census will be treated separately by itemizing the information found in each particular return. 1790 CENSUS This census,
taken by Federal "Marshall's", listed the heads of families by name and
noted the remainder of the information relating to that family by numbers
only. The data shown in the 1790 returns is:
The information call for in the 1810 census was very similar to that requested in the 1800 return, with the additional column for all free colored persons being added. The information called for then in the 1810 return was: (1) Names of Head of Families.
The information called for in
the 1820 Census return was strictly the same as that in the 1810 Census,
with the exception that in the 1820 and additional column was called for
in the information relating to the males. This additional column numbering
those males between the ages of 16 and 18 years. This was in addition to
the column in which the number of males between the ages of 16 and 26 years
of age was called for.
This was the first United States
Census to use two schedules, the amount of information called for being
in excess of the previous returns. The data called for included:
1840 CENSUS Essentially the same information is recorded in this census as in the 1830 Census with the important addition in the 1840 return the schedule shows Revolutionary War Pensioners with their ages. This census was the first of
those of the United States that recorded the places of birth and which
listed the names of every person on each family.
1. The name of every person
whose usual place of abode on the 1st of June 1850 was in this family.
1860 CENSUS Essentially the same oas the 1850 census in all the important genealogical details, this is the second of the censuses of the United States that give information relating to places of birth and which lists all members of each family by names. 1870 CENSUS The information called for in
the 1870 Census was even more detailed than that contained in any of the
previous enumeration's. The data given included:
This is the first United States census to show relationship. In other respects, it is similar in the data it gives to the 1870 census. When writing to the National Archives for census details of families listed in the 1880 census, it is usual for genealogical abstracts to be sent, the information consisting of names, relationships, ages and places of birth. 1900 AND SUBSEQUENT CENSUS These later enumeration's contain essentially the same as the 1880 census
In addition to the Federal Census returns detailed earlier, most of the states carried out independent census enumeration's. the value of these is not particularly great in the additional information that they give, as the pattern of carrying out these State enumeration's was similar to the Federal returns. Their value is in the fact that they were taken in years between the Federal returns and so act as a bridge between the Federal Census enumeration's. Details of the State Census returns are itemized in a handy little publication, "State Censuses" available for sale at the Office of the Superintendent of Documents, United States Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. This booklet list the states and shows the dates of the various census returns carried out in a State, as opposed to a Federal, basis. The amount of information recorded in the State enumeration's varies according to the time and locality, but normally follows the pattern of the contemporary Federal Census.
In 1850, 1860 and 1880 census enumerators were directed to secure, in addition to the usually required census date, information as to all persons dying within the twelve months preceding the taking of the census. These lists, which were duly filed in Washington, became known as the "mortality schedules". These schedules contain valuable information for genealogists and local historians. While the details varied somewhat form state to state, the example from the Georgia is typical. The name of the person, his state of birth, date of death and age at death, as well as cause of death, are usually given. As these schedules antedate the establishment of vital records in the majority of the states, they are of especial value. They report 13% of all deaths during a 31 year period, and that 31 year periods just when those born in the 1790 and 1810 decades were completing the normal life span. It is astonishing that they have not long ago been made available for use. As a first step toward this end, a knowledge of the present whereabouts of the schedules is necessary. A number of years ago, when the mortality schedules had served their purpose, and the matter of their destruction as useless papers arose, the Daughters of the American Revolution requested them. After consideration by the appropriate committees of Congress, the Director of the Census was authorized to return each schedule to the State concerned by presentation to the state library, archives, or similar department, or to a recognized historical society of the state, at the request of such state agency or historical society, or in the absence of such request, to give them to the Daughters of the American Revolution in Washington.
THE SEVEN C's should be applied on each genealogical letter your write. They are: Clean, Correct, Clear, Courteous, Considerate, Concise, and Complete. It is very easy to violate any one of these seven c's, if we are careless. Always enclose a self addressed, stamped envelope, or postage, if the size of your envelope will be unsatisfactory for the purpose. Always identify the person whose lineage your are seeking. Do not give just a surname. Give a complete name (yes, you have one that is complete even if is a generation below the one you are seeking, it will help to identify). Give a time (yes you can estimate a date of some event, else you would not be seeking him); give a place (where lived, died, born, married, ect.), the one which will be most helpful or briefly list all place names. Give an event you are seeking such as a birth, a marriage, a death, a place of residence, so specify the event. Letters to family members should be friendly. Replies should be acknowledged. Thanks should be given both before and after reply id received. Return promptly any papers loaned you, and if possible, make and extra copy when you are copying them and return that, too, so your correspondent will be able to use the extra copy as a lending copy in the future. When writing to strangers, follow the seven C's above, and use discretion as to asking them to fill out forms of any kind. Some forms confuse some people; however, many times the forms will bring good results. Use careful judgment, in this. If writing to a public official or librarian, try to confine your questions to one only. You will be more apt to receive a reply that is helpful. If writing to a professional genealogist, send $3.00 - $5.00 to show you are willing to pay, but do not expect to buy a research order. Do not expect a busy editor or other person to write you a letter if a form or announcement of some kind will answer your question. Use large sheets of paper which will file easily. Write on only one side of the paper. Keep a carbon (you can pencil carbon too, and now computers can print two copies of the same document). Do include your name and complete address within the letter as well as on the envelopes, this is important. Remember to make your letter a good representation of yourself. You will be judged by the same. If you are irritated, write your letter, tear it up and wait a while, and write another.
USE OF PUBLIC RECORDS, ESPECIALLY PROBATE AND DEED RECORDS The majority of records used in genealogical research are public records which in the case of Florida law means: "all state, county, and municipal records at all time shall be open for personal inspection of any citizen of Florida." The other states which define public records or the right of inspection of public records are: Ala., Ariz., Cal., Del.., Ga., Id., Il., Ia., Kan., Ky, La, Mass., Md., Mi., Minn., Mont., Neb., Nev., N.H., N.J., N.M., N.C., Ny., Or., SD., Ten., Tex., Ut., Va., W.Va., Wis. PROBATE RECORDS: To probate is to offer proof; the settling of estates. Terms used: Testator:
The maker of the will; usually must be 21 years of age.
The probate record may be expected to be in the county seat where property was located at the time of the probate do search also the county where death occurred. In the case of minor children of the deceased, in many states, the child may select a guardian of his choosing after he is 14 years old. A natural guardian is a surviving parent. The proper or correct name of the court where the probate records are filed varies from state ot state and this information is given by state in the book Search and Research by Noel Stevenson. If the will is one of your ancestors wills, do not abstract it, or do so only until you can obtain a photostat, photocopy, or certified copy of the same. Keep in mind that a certified copy is one certified to be correct and can have errors and or omissions in it, and a photocopy may be one that will fade, so do check these points and keep them in mind. Documentary proof of your lineage requires copies of marriages, wills and any paper which contains proof of parentage, ect. TAX LISTS: The value of tax lists, found usually in the Tax Collector's offices of the Court House, consists of learning the various spellings of the names, exact places of residences and time which will pinpoint and ancestor in a given county, even in between the census years, or a more detailed account of places lived. In the case where a man is found paying one year, a woman if the same surname (his wife) the next year, it can be presumed he died between the two tax periods. Here available tax lists afford closer checks than census records. LAND GRANTS AND PLAT BOOKS: In searching deeds you may not find where or when your ancestor purchased land because that land was given as a land grant and will not always be found in Deed Books. The plat books should always be sought in the office where the deed records are kept, as a sketch of the plat of land, amount of acreage, date of warrant, description of land, boundaries, and neighbors, names of surveyor and witnesses, are given. In some areas the information may vary. Some plat books and grant books have been taken in by the state and are in the State Archives or Library, as are many of the early tax lists. DEEDS: In the early deed books you may find not only transfers of property (land), but transfer of slaves, mortgages, marriage contracts, deeds of gift, powers of attorney, receipts for portions of and estate transfer of title to land of a desceased who left no will to rightful heirs, or sheriff's sale of property; and even in some of the earlier deed books we find marriages, wills receipts. Some links to ancestry are proven from records in deed books, thought they usually require more search time.
BOND: A writing under seal by which a person binds himself to pay a certain sum on or before a future day appointed. Usually a condition is added that the writer shall do (or refrain from doing) a certain act on (or before) a time specified, or the obligation shall be void, but otherwise shall remain in full force. CODICIL: An instrument made subsequently to a will, and modifying in some respects. A codicil must be executed in the same manner as the will itself, and forms a part of it, superseding it so as as it is inconsistent with it. there ma be any number of codicils. DECEDENT: A deceased person. DOWER: that portion of, or interest in, the real estate of a deceased husband which the law gives to his widow during her life. ESTATE: The aggregate of property of all kind which a person leaves to be divided at his death. ESTATE SALE: or SALE BILL: The sale of one's estate, usually personal property made by his executor or administrator in the settlement of the estate after his death lists items, buyer, and prices EXECUTOR (or EXECUTRIX): A person appointed by the testator to execute his will, or to see it's provisions carried into effect after his decease. The executor is the personal representative of the testator. Executrix is feminine. ADMINISTRATOR: A person appointed by the court to carry out the administration of an estate. GUARDIAN: One who has, or is entitled to, the care and management of a person, or property, or both, of another, as of a minor or person incapable of managing his own affairs. HEIR: One who inherits or succeeds to possession of property after the death of it's owner. INTESTATE: Without having made a vilid will; as, to die intestate. Opposite to testate. INFANT: A person not of full age, minor. INVENTORY: An account, catalogue, or schedule made by and executor or administrator, of all the goods and chattels, and sometimes the real property of a deceased person. CHATTEL: Personal property. LEGATEE: One to whom a legacy is bequeathed. LETTERS OF ADMINISTRATION: The instrument by which an administrator is authorized to administer the goods or estate of a deceased person. LETTERS OF TESTAMENTARY: An instrument granted by the proper officer the the executor of a will, authorizing him or her to act as executor. POWERS OF ATTORNEY: To vest in another certain powers to act in one's behalf. Extent and limits usually detailed in writing of the power. PROBATE: The proof before a competent officer or tribunal than an instrument offered as the last will and testament of a person deceased as ot purports and is alleged to be; also and officially authenticated copy of a will approved. Preyed. Tried. Approved. ORPHAN: A child bereaved by the death of both father and mother, or less commonly, of either parent. ORPHANS COURT: In some states this is the same as a probate court, handling all probate matters. SURROGATE: In the state of New York and some other states, a judicial officer who has jurisdiction over the probate of will and settlement of estates. and often has power to appoint and supervise guardians of infants and other incompetent persons. The use of surrogate in this sense arose from the fact that these matters were formerly under ecclesiastical jurisdiction and were managed by the surrogates of the Bishops. (Surrogate, originally, a deputy of and ecclesiastical judge or Bishop.) TESTATOR: A person who leaves a will, or testament, in force at his death. TESTATE: To die having made a will. TESTAMENT: The same as a will. WILL: the legal declaration of a person's mind as to the manner he would have his property or estate disposed of after his death. A will or testament may be nuncupative (oral) or written. In the U.S. any type of property may be disposed of by will. NUNCUPATIVE WILL: A will given orally by the testator before witnesses who attest to its provisions and see to its probation before the proper tribunal after the testators death. ACCOUNTS: A common law action or statement of receipts and disbursements and the recovery of any balance due; also the writ by which it is brought. CAVEAT: A notice given by an interested party to the probate court to stop the proving of a will or the taking out of letters of administration until that party is heard in opposition. PARTITION: To divide into severalty; as to partition an estate among several heirs. PETITION: A written application to a court requesting it's action on some matter. RENUNCIATION: Act of repudiating or giving up of and administratorship or executorship. RETURN: The certificate of an officer stating what he has done about the execution of a writ and filing said document properly endorsed in the clerk's office. SETTLEMENT: A disposition of property for the benefit of some person or persons, usually through the medium of trustees.
DIFFICULTY IN USING PROBATE RECORDS One of the main drawbacks in the use of probate records is the legal terminology that is found in such documents. To the layman, such terms are difficult to understand, but there are a certain number of standard words and terms that are common to most probate records, and once these are understood, there is little if any, difficulty attached to the use of these records. Another of the obstacles that must be overcome in the use of probate records os one jurisdiction. the manner of probating or legalizing a probate record must be understood if this type of record is to be even located, let alone used. The determining of the court at which the Will was to be probated or at which the Letter of administration was to be issued os a problem that varies from country to country and from time to time within even the same country. A knowledge of the various systems of jurisdictions in the localities where research is to be carried out is therefore essential. The present location of the probate records is another of the obstacles in the path of the wise use of this type of record. The fact that a certain probate court had the authority to prove (probate) wills and deal with other associated matters does not necessarily mean that the records relating to such action will be found in the same probate office today. This same problem, however, is involved from time to time in the use of all genealogical records and so is not peculiar to probates. One of the main excuses for the failure to consult or even to consider probate records stems from a misunderstanding concerning which were likely to have left wills. There is an erroneous school of thought which has the opinion that as only a small percentage of people did actually leave wills, why waste time searching for what will turn out to be either a nonexistent probate record or one in which information of no genealogical value is likely to be found? Such a thought does not come from genealogists of any repute. It comes from those who do not understand the absolute necessity of searching ALL available sources and from those who lack the imagination and the spirit of "search, search, and search again" so necessary in a successful genealogist. The following list of the States
of the Union shows the usual method of probate jurisdiction in that state
and the present custodial of the probate records.
There are many abbreviations
commonly used in most descent type pedigree charts and public records irrespective
of their county of origin. this is because many of them are Latin abbreviations,
Some of these are:
APPENDIX: A supplementary section of a book, also ADDENDUM, an added note or remarks. ATLAS: A book of maps. * AUTHOR CARD: A catalog card with the author's name at top. AUTOBIOGRAPHY: An account of a person's life by himself. BIBLIOGRAPHY: A list of books on a given subject. CALL NUMBER: A number system assigned to a book based on the Dewey Decimal Classification System. DEWEY DECIMAL CLASSIFICATION: A numbering system based on the subject matter of books for keeping in order. DICTIONARY: A book listing words and giving their meanings. ENCYCLOPEDIA: A series of books containing information on all fields of knowledge. Also COMPENDIUM: An abridgment; a synopsis, a brief, condensed summing up. GAZETTEER: A list of geographical places with information about them. PREFACE: An introduction statement to a book. PERIODICAL: A magazine. READER'S GUIDE: A subject and author index to articles in magazines. REFERENCE BOOK: A book of information that is used only in the library. "SEE ALSO" CARDS: A cross reference card showing where additional information on a topic may be found. * SUBJECT CARD: A catalog card with topic or subject at the top. * TITLE CARD: A catalog card with the title on top. VERTICAL FILE: A subject file of pamphlet material. YEAR BOOK: A book giving information on a previous years. CARD CATALOG: A record of all books, on cards, to be found in the library. * Asterisk indicates the three ways each book is indexed.
Any record that provides items of a genealogical nature is a valuable record to the genealogist. The items of value may be of direct evidence to the problem under discussion, or they may give items of relevant circumstantial evidence. The mere fact that they contain some item of genealogical interest makes them worthy of consideration at least. whether or not such records will be obtained will depend of course on the issue or the problem under discussion and the actual contents of that record. There are these genealogical records whose contents can vary such a great deal that it may not be possible to determine beforehand whether or not they will contain the exact information required. A marriage record in the Church registers may be considered because an age at a dated event may be required, and a study of church records will have shown that a marriage record may give an age at the time of marriage. It will not be certain, however, that the actual marriage record gives and age at the time of marriage until the record been obtained and the various items of evidence have been evaluated. While there are the items that are likely to to be found in the various genealogical record sources, there are few records that can of certainty be said to contain all the specific items. There is, in genealogical records, the ever-present aspect of uncertainty that can only be removed when the actual record has been obtained. The Probate records, previously discussed, are a good example of this uncertain content aspect of a genealogical record. Military and Naval records are another good example. TYPES OF MILITARY AND NAVAL RECORDS The service record is perhaps the most commonly known of this type of record, and in the European countries as well as in the United States, is certainly the most genealogically productive. The other common type of Military and Naval record is the Pension record, and in the United States, it is this type of record that is perhaps the most widely and successfully used. These two main types of records will be discussed. The service records of the military personnel of the United States are of genealogical value in varying degrees, some of the service records giving dates and places of birth, while others give only the length of service, with dates of enlistment and discharge. Before service records can be used, however, it is necessary, in most cases, to know the name of the regiment or other unit of the army in which the veteran served, and in order to find this information other genealogical sources may have to be consulted. Many town and state histories include militia and service lists in which the name of the regiment or army unit may be given. By far the largest source of genealogical information connected with military and naval service in the United States is the pension claims of veterans. Claims for pensions, based on military service, commencing with the Revolution and continuing up to World War I, are filed in the National Archives and number in excess of four and a half million. A number of laws were passed by the Continental Congress, during the Revolution, for the relief of disabled veterans. Many of the states, to which was given the responsibility of administering these various acts, carried out their duties in this respect somewhat unsatisfactorily, and although the system throughout the states was standardized by the resolution of 7 July 1785, the enactment of these resolutions was still left to the individual states, and their carrying out was only as effective as the states choose to make them. The responsibility of the providing of pensions to disabled veterans of the Regular Army was covered by and act of Congress dated 30 April 1790, while a further act, dated 23 March 1792, included the veterans whose service was given in times of national emergency. Sect. 9 And be it further enacted, that if any person, whether officer of soldier, belonging to the militia of any state and called out into the service of the United States, be wounded or disabled while in actual service, he shall be taken care of and provided for at public expense. This act of 1792 was the first of a long list of laws providing pensions for the various emergency and volunteer forces and granted disability pensions to those whose disablement has been the result of service in the Revolutionary War. The amount of the pension paid was to be proportionate to the degree of disability involved. This last stipulation was the cause of much of the genealogical data that is contained in these records. In order to receive a pension grant, the applicant had first to prove his military or naval service and then the degree of disability. Such affidavits usually included date and place of birth, members of family, ect. the actual contents of these records will be discussed.
LOCATING THE UNITED STATES PENSIONS RECORDS Claims for pensions are filed in the National Archives, Washington, D.C. A fire in the War Office in 1800 unfortunately destroyed those documents relating to claims for pensions filed before that date. A number of the index volumes to these records were saved, but generally these are lacking in the amount of genealogical data they show and do not exist for many of the states. These indexes do show that and individual made application for a pension but beyond that are capable of giving little actual genealogical information. The contents, those of genealogical
interest, contained in these varied types of documents that may be found
in the service file of the veteran can be many and varied, or they can
be brief and of little value. Like probate records, their contents are
unknown factors until they have been obtained and searched.
1. Date and place of birth
or age at a given time.
Application for information of military service subsequent to 1812 should be made to the Adjutant General, Department of the Army, Washington, D.C.
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