Archive for » March, 2010 «

14
Mar
A Guide to Ellis Island
Debby

Ellis Island is a significant location when researching immigrants entering the United States starting Jan 1, 1892.  Not everyone entered through Ellis Island, but it is a starting point.  The vast number of immigrants (over 17 million) coming from so many countries, speaking so many languages, makes for an interesting search.

Sharon DeBartolo Carmack’s book Guide to Finding Your Ellis Island Ancestors provided me step by step instructions of where to look, what to look for, and what to do if I did not find my ancestors.

There are blank Immigration and Passenger List forms which will greatly help in tracking your work and understanding what you are reading on the original documents.

Category: Genealogy  Tags: , , , ,  One Comment
12
Mar
Reading German Penmanship Help
Debby

It is hard enough for me to read German, add to that poor penmanship and the occasional Latin word.  I was happy when I came across Deciphering Handwriting in German Documents by Roger P. Minert.

With the use of actual documents and handwriting samples in Deciphering Handwriting in German Documents, reading German documents has been made easier.  I am still no expert with German written documents written with poor penmanship, but I am one step closer to understanding the content and finding clues to my ancestors.

Category: Genealogy  Tags: , , ,  2 Comments
10
Mar
British Parishes Records Found
Debby

Ever wonder what records are available for your ancestors from England, Scotland and Wales? Using The Phillimore Atlas and Index of Parish Registers by Cecil R. Humphery-Smith, not only can you determine which years parish records are available for, you can also see at a glance (using alphabetic tables) where the records might be found.  The tables include original parish registers, Boyd’s and Pallot’s marriage indexes.

In addition to these wonderful tables are county boundary maps and topographical maps.  Seeing the topographical maps of counties allows for a better understanding of where ancestors may have moved and what parishes to look at.

Category: Genealogy  Tags: , , , ,  2 Comments
08
Mar
French Canadian Genealogy
Debby

Anyone researching French Canadians would definitely benefit from French-Canadian Sources, A Guide for Genealogists published by Ancestry.

Every country has quirks when doing genealogical research, and French Canadian research is no different.  Yes, knowing the language does help, but that is only part of the equation.  French-Canadian Sources explains naming patterns, historical timelines, and Feudalism and Seigneruial System.

Excellent records are maintained by the French Canadians with many going beyond the basic name, dates, and places. Primary and Secondary Sources are discussed in detail which helped direct me in where to look for what.

Category: Genealogy  Tags: , ,  One Comment
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