Brickwalls to Ancestry Organizations

An acquaintance recently presented a brickwall problem.  She wanted to join an organization similar to the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) or Colonial Dames.  These organizations want proof of relationships; some kind of document tying each generation to the preceding one.

As she did her research, she found that her second great grandfather and his wife had both died at relatively young ages.  He was listed with his parents in the 1850 census and then with his wife and two children in the 1860 census.  By the 1870 census the two children from the 1860 census and what appear to be two additional children are found in the grandparents’ household and no record can be found for the parents.

The dilemma is proving that one of the two additional children found in 1870—one being her great grandfather—was a son.  Currently, the evidence is circumstantial.

Possible solutions to this brickwall would be to find the father’s will and determine if the child is mentioned.  Another possibility is to find guardianship papers likely indicating the grandfather as the guardian of the four grandchildren, children of his deceased son.  A record like this would actually prove two generations:  children to father and father to grandfather.

If these records aren’t available, tying the siblings together could help prove the two younger were children of the same parents.  An obituary for one of the older children might provide information such as, “survived by brother George of Missouri.”  An obituary might list that he was the child of John, who died when he was only 6.  Another possiblity would be to find an obituary of the father's brothers or sisters to see if any mention is made of him.

 



 





This obituary lists both his father and what apparently is his maternal grandfather's name as well.  The balance of the obituary lists that he was survived by his mother as well as things he accomplished in his life.   This obituary would have broken a brick wall.

Some marriage records provide the names of parents, but that would be a rare, but choice find.

Never give up, but keep pursuing information about the generations involved.  Some random bit of information might tie the generations together.

Marriage Records

Marriage records are considered a good source of information—good meaning accurate--and can often break brickwalls.  Marriage records include certificates, indexes, Bible records, and announcements.

In Bullitt County, Kentucky, old marriage records often indicate the bride’s father’s name.  This is a great way to connect generations.  Many states have marriage indexes online which are helpful, including Illinois and Minnesota.  To determine if other states have records online search by state name and then “marriage records”.

Illinois:  http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/archives/databases/marriage.html

LICHTY, ELIAS D

RODERICK, CORA E

1876-12-21

CARROLL

This entry yields the groom’s name, bride’s name, and date and county of marriage.  Not always, but often, marriages occur in the area where the families live so researching the 1870 census for Carroll County could yield Cora or Elias’ family.  This marriage index may be searched by the bride’s name, the groom’s name and the search may be narrowed by county.

Minnesota:

http://www.mncounty.com/Modules/Certificates/Marriage/Default.aspx

WINONA

BRAPRRCOUEL

6/6/1873

BRAITHWAIT, PRESTON R

COULTER, ELIZABETH

Minnesota’s system is similar and provides an easy search as well.  This is only an index.  The actual certificate may be worth ordering to identify other information.

For example, Ontario Canada records found on Ancestry.com include parents names, places of birth, ages, and witnesses.  Witnesses are often relatives.  An extraction of one record follows:

                  Ontario, Registration District:  Simcoe  Division:  Vespra

          His name:  Alonzo Cornelius Knapp, 20, residence Vespra, born Waterloo, bachelor, farmer, parents, John and Hannah Matilda Knapp.

          Her name:  Mary Ann Richards, 18, residence Vespra, born England, spinster, parents:  James and Sarah Richards.
          Witnesses:  John Wesley Orchard of Vespra
                                Eliza Jane Parkhouse of Vespra
           Date and Place of marriage:  31 August 1876 at Vespra, Ontario
           Religious denomination of the groom:  Baptist
          Religious denomination of the bride:  Church of England
          Married by whom:  James McFarlane M Minister

          Marriage records are key sources to help build family relationships and should be included in family history searching.