By: Mary E. Clay This is a story about a surname puzzle. A similar story could be told by many other African Americans trying to find their ancestors. The search for the surnames the ancestors took after they were freed can be a true test of one’s research abilities. This …
It has been brought to our attention that the American Community Survey (ACS) portion of the U.S. Census Bureau is eliminating questions concerning marriage and divorce. For those who believe this change would adversely affect their family statistical research, you have until December 30th to share your opinion with officials. …
By: Anissa Penn Davis, Kentucky State Historian: The General Society of Mayflower Descendants It is well-known that finding a female ancestor can be a daunting task. A researcher counts himself/herself lucky if a maiden name is found in a will. However, what do researchers do for those females who don’t leave …
By: James Gill, KHS Volunteer Some genealogists avoid using the censuses prior to 1850 because these enumerations do not name all the members of the household. Despite this handicap, the censuses from 1790 to 1840 can be very useful for tracking a family’s movements, for getting a general picture of …
When Native American Heritage Month rolls around, Kentuckians with Native American roots usually take notice. Regionally, Kentucky not only played a large part in migration patterns for several eastern tribes but it also sits very close to a major tribal area: The Eastern Band of the Cherokee. Many Kentuckians have …
Using Historical Newspapers to Solve a Genealogical Mystery By Kathy Reed My grandmother was secretive. Ask her how old she was. No definitive answer. What is your wedding anniversary? No answer for that, either. I remember one whispered conversation among older members of my family questioning whether or not my …