Mining the 1880 Census Mother Lode: Insanity and Idiocy

Are you
trying to move back one more generation on your family tree to identify your
ancestor’s parents? Here are a few places
that you may find their names.
trying to move back one more generation on your family tree to identify your
ancestor’s parents? Here are a few places
that you may find their names.
Census
Trace your ancestor as far back on the census as you
can. It is best to look at every census,
moving back 10 years at a time, just in case your ancestor did not live in the
same place. If you cannot find your
ancestor, widen your search to include other areas. The census closest to their
date of birth may show your ancestor living with their parents and
siblings.
can. It is best to look at every census,
moving back 10 years at a time, just in case your ancestor did not live in the
same place. If you cannot find your
ancestor, widen your search to include other areas. The census closest to their
date of birth may show your ancestor living with their parents and
siblings.
Death certificate
Sometimes
the informant on the death certificate was able to identify the parents of the
deceased person along with his or her full name and birth place. Also check the death certificates of each of
your ancestor’s children to see if it mentions the parent’s names.
the informant on the death certificate was able to identify the parents of the
deceased person along with his or her full name and birth place. Also check the death certificates of each of
your ancestor’s children to see if it mentions the parent’s names.
Obituary
If your
ancestor died before deaths were recorded, you may find an obituary that lists
parent’s names and other family members.
Check the local library where your ancestor lived for an obituary
index. Our 350+ researchers working
around the world can help you with this.
Most of the time historical newspapers are on microfilm, and one of our
researchers can send a copy of the obituary.
ancestor died before deaths were recorded, you may find an obituary that lists
parent’s names and other family members.
Check the local library where your ancestor lived for an obituary
index. Our 350+ researchers working
around the world can help you with this.
Most of the time historical newspapers are on microfilm, and one of our
researchers can send a copy of the obituary.
Funeral home records
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Virginia Funeral Home Record Created by Jeff Blaylock with help from Molly Forbes |
The funeral
home record is another place you might discover
the names of your ancestors’ parents and their birth places along with other
useful information. One of our
researchers can visit the funeral home in person or you might be able to
call and ask them for assistance. If the
funeral home no longer exists, check with other funeral homes or historical
societies in the area to find out who would have the records.
Delayed birth record
In some
states, people who were born before births were recorded applied for delayed
birth certificates. You can determine
the names of your ancestor’s parents and in some cases, their age at death from
these delayed birth certificates. Check or
have us check the vital records office in the state where your ancestor was
born to find out if this record exists for that state.
states, people who were born before births were recorded applied for delayed
birth certificates. You can determine
the names of your ancestor’s parents and in some cases, their age at death from
these delayed birth certificates. Check or
have us check the vital records office in the state where your ancestor was
born to find out if this record exists for that state.
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by Robin Foster © 2014, Genealogists.com. All rights reserved
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