18 replies to this topic

[Amigatec]

My GM name was Steepleton with 2 E's. I have it spelled with 1 E, and spelled as Stapleton. Tracing her line has been an absolute mess. I have the same person to different spouses, and there were around 30 kids, so I still have to figure for sure who was married to who. And yes unfortunately I did find some Lawyers in my background.

[Toolpartzman]

You mentioned handwritten documents, which have a unique issue. Handwriting back then was VERY important. The Old English style had lots of scrolling and flourishments so they are Double-tuff to read. Particularly an "F" is indistinguishable from an "S" and some others. So if you have problems try reading by making some swaps. Also if you can determine the "general subject" of the sentence helps also. I had a a very clear handwritten letter (1821) that took me months to decipher. Most of my research centered on 1792 to 1835 and went 100 years from there. The older the tougher.

[TAHOE]

 And yes unfortunately I did find some Lawyers in my background.

...could've been some back woods hillbillies making shine, just sayin' haha

 

 

Oh my wife is fourth cousins with Christie Brinkley

[Amigatec]

One of the real problems is the US Census before 1850, the census recorded the name of the Head of Hosuehold, and just counted the rest, no names. In 1850 they started recording all the names. I'll keep looking I still have a ways to go.