Author: James L. Douthat

Genealogy

Genealogy Research Tips for Court Houses

James L. Douthat

Now I don’t mean “let’s go courting” in the way you are thinking because this is certainly not a romantic trip. We are going to a court house to do some research, but it can provide lasting joy if you find the results you need. The information at the court house could provide some of those missing links and help you get over the brick walls. Before you head to the courthouse, you will need to do some planning. You need to make sure the court house has the records…

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Beginning Genealogy Genealogy

Genealogy Research Principles

James L. Douthat

After more than fifty years doing research, I have two principles that I think are very important in your genealogical search. Many of your mistakes and brick walls will be cleared up once you learn one or two principle approaches to your research. PRINCIPLE ONE – KNOW THE GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY It is very important to know the geography of the area where you are looking. It is frequently, especially in the eastern half of the United States, that you are looking in the wrong place. A friend in Knoxville,…

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Death Records

Death Records

James L. Douthat

Death is one of those things in life that is certain. It happens to all of us if we live long enough. I am not making fun of death, but it is one of the events in each of our lives that we cannot escape. For the genealogist, the various records surrounding a death can help in your research. Even though the person has passed on, there are moments and dates that can be captured that will live on forever. The first milestone is the obituary. I have read thousands…

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Genealogy

Verify Your Genealogy Sources

James L. Douthat

We have all selected information from some book or source, especially when we are first beginning genealogy, only later to find out that it was wrong. It is so easy to find a source and take the information from it. All too often we do not verify the source or the information, and if we put this in print somewhere, we keep the error going forever. Generations will take our efforts as correct and it just keeps going. There are a number of sources to keep your eyes peeled for…

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Genealogy

Oral History in Genealogy Research

James L. Douthat

How many of us have had an opportunity to sit down with an older member of the family and get the straight information about our ancestors? How many times with this situation have we walked away feeling frustrated that we did not receive all of the answers that we wanted from that conversation? The real problem, in most cases, is that we walked into the situation unprepared and with mixed agendas. Frequently, we ask the wrong questions. We want to lead the conversation and not follow where it is going.…

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Land Records

Federal Land Records

James L. Douthat

If you have ancestors that went west in search of cheap land, you might want to try to find them in the Federal Land Records. From 1800 until 1908 these land records are found for all the states except the original thirteen colonies, Vermont, Maine, Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, Texas and Hawaii. These latter states were never part of the Federal public domain. This leaves about 30 present states as part of these Federal Public domain records. Thus you have a lot of latitude in locating your ancestors. If you…

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Genealogy

Genealogy Mistakes

James L. Douthat

In our genealogy research methods, we make many mistakes. Some of these we overcome and some of them linger throughout our efforts. If we can head them off in the beginning, we will be better off in the end. Here are a few that we have all been guilty of doing at some point in our efforts. 1. TAKING ONE SOURCE AND OVERWORKING IT – In the beginning most of us have relied on the census totally and consider this to be “gospel”. As we progress, we learn to use…

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Beginning Genealogy Genealogy

Researching Your Family Tree

James L. Douthat

One of the most usual questions asked when I go out to speak to a group is “Where can I go to find information?” It is hard to answer without knowing where the individual has been in the past. When I speak to beginners, it is much easier to answer. In fact, I am speaking on television in a few days and I prepared a sheet to give away to the audience. If this will help someone else, here it is. RESEARCHING YOUR FAMILY TREE 1. Don’t expect a “free…

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Deeds

Deed Records

James L. Douthat

In researching your family tree, don’t forget to check out the deed records. Sometimes the most subtle hints are found in the deed. You may find relationships, neighbors that married into the family, where the family migrated and later sold the land. A careful search of the deeds is well worth the time and effort. I just transcribed a deed for a possible ancestor. In this deed it mentioned the name of the wife and her parents. The deed began “In & for the consideration of the Love & Affection…

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Genealogy

Researching Female Names in Genealogy

James L. Douthat

Trying to find the family name of a female in the early records presents quite a challenge. The females name is not always given in most of the records including the marriage records. This is where the rubber hits the road for researchers. How do you locate this illusive name? You may or may not have the marriage record, and if you do, sometimes the last name is not given. There are records beyond the marriage records that might have the name you are searching. You will notice in the…

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