Upcoming Class

Here is a class that I am teaching in the fall.

PRINCIPLES OF GENEALOGY

Instr. Derek S. Davey, Professional Genealogist

Monday, Oct. 4-11-18--25-Nov. 1-15 (6 wks)

10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

(No class on Monday, Nov. 8 to allow students to attend the seminar on “The Financial Meltdown and Government Intervention”)

This class is designed for anyone interested in family history research. The instructor will teach you about genealogical principles and ethics, research tools, records and their use. Students in this class will learn how to research, organize, and evaluate their findings. Also included will be newspaper sources as well as records including vital, court, church, immigration, military, cemetery and burial, probate and land. The Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS) will also be discussed.

Derek began researching his own family when he was only 13 years old in 1974. He is an active expert on Ancestry.com. His specialty areas include computer genealogy, Civil War and New England research. He is a member of the National Genealogical Society, Genealogy Speakers Guild and the Association of Professional Genealogists.

Interpetation and Evaluation

One of the most important of sound genealogical research is the ability to use the information we find correctly the first time. We have all had instances where we get a document or fact that at the time does not seem to have significance, but we realize later that it was what we needed to resolve the pieces of the puzzle.
Special attention should be spent to the details. Take for example one of the most common documents that we use in genealogical research the marriage certificate. At first glance we may be just looking for the names of the people getting married, the date and location. Many other interesting facts though can be learned from this document. Why did people get married in a different location? Were they married in a church or by a justice of the peace? Who were the witnesses. Were the parents listed.
A common occurrence in marriage certificates was being married in a different location. Many people traveled to the next town or to a completely different state. In the case of my own family I have ancestors that were married in another state and came right back to where they lived. Another married in a different city that had not connection to either party getting married. Understand the circumstances that caused these events.
Another interesting clue is where did they get married. Were they married in a church? What was the denomination of that church? Once you identify the church you will be able to evaluate there records as they relate to your family. Traditionally the marriage occurs in the brides home church.
Witnesses like on any document are often overlooked by genealogist. There is normally a strong connection to the people that are listed on a document. Check out their backgrounds. This will often shed light on unknown family relationships.
Finally use the marriage document to find the parents of the bride and groom. All though it does not state this on every document more times than not it does. This is one thing in my professional research that I am amazed that people don't check.
Please send in any further questions or problems you might have. They will be answered in this blog.

Update on status

Well since I last posted here I have had lot's of changes happen in my genealogical life. I have started talking to various groups about genealogy across Ohio and Michigan. This has brought me in contact with many of my fellow researchers.

Recently I graduated from Boston University with a certificate in genealogy. This was a very difficult process, but helped me to improve my skills of research. The course was done online and was a very exciting process to go through.

Since May of 2009 I have been participating on Ancestry as a genealogical Expert. This has taken up a great deal of my time. This has also helped in developing my skills and has caused me to take my professional career to a all new level.

Genealogy has changed in many ways over the past year. I look forward to getting your feedback.

Update

I will begin to write again on a weekly basis. Please let me know if you have any ideas.

Huron Co. - Naturilization Records

The county of Huron is unique, because they had many gaps in recording the Naturalization records in the county. Records are stored in two separate locations. They are the Common Pleas Court and the archives in Bowling Green.

The records at the county level are located at the Common Please court in Norwalk. Dates are sporadic on their coverage. Here are the dates from the archives and they will be the same at the courthouse. Nat Records 1864-1893, Aliens 1903-1905, Declaration of Intent 1859-1905, Minors 1185-1903 and proof of residency 1864-1903 . Be sure to check ahead prior to looking for your records to make sure your relative falls within these dates. Be sure to get copies of the documents or take copious notes.

Searching for these types of records in Huron Co will be a challenge. Have a great day.

Wood County Public Library- Bowling Green, OH

When researching ancestors in Wood County you must do some of your research at the main library in Bowling Green. They hold a variety of sources that include.

Cemeteries

Bound indexes are available for the cemeteries in the following townships: Bloom, Freedom,
Grand Rapids, Henry/Jackson, Lake, Liberty, Milton, Montgomery, Plain, Perry, Perrysburg,
Portage, Troy, Washington, Webster, Weston. There are also indexes for Bradner (Town),
Eisenhour, Fort Meigs Union, and Oak Grove Mausoleum.

Census Records

The census for Wood County is on microfilm for the years 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870,
1880, 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930. The U.S. census for 1890 was destroyed by fire; the
Wood County special 1890 census of war veterans is available.

Bound indexes for the 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1890, 1900, 1910 are
available for Wood County, as well as indexes for the Ohio Census for the years 1820, 1830,
1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880.

Directories

Older Bowling Green City Directories, Wood County Directories and Bowling Green
Telephone Directories and Wood County Telephone Directories are shelved in the locked
case. A staff member will unlock these materials for your use.

Family Histories

The Local History area has many bound family histories catalogued as 929.2. These books
are shelved in a special Family History collection. Additional family history material in
notebooks, folders, and envelopes is located in drawers labeled Family History.
Ancestor charts are also available in the Local History area. The charts are in notebooks, and
there is a surname index that identifies the names that have a chart on file. There is also an
online index to the Ancestor charts. Copies of the charts are available for purchase through
the Wood County Genealogical Society.

Newspapers

The following newspapers are available on microfilm in the Local History area. An on-line
index is available for the Sentinel-Tribune only. This database provides partial indexing from
the 1960’s to 1995 and comprehensive coverage from 1995 to the present.
BOWLING GREEN ADVOCATE - May 18, 1866 – November 30, 1866
BRAD BRADNER ADVOCATE - October 26, 1894 – September 30, 1954
DS DAILY SENTINEL June 23, 1890 – present
DST DAILY SENTINEL TRIBUNE
ST SENTINEL TRIBUNE
NBWB NORTH BALTIMORE WEEKLY BEACON
November 27, 1884 – July 14, 1893
(WCOGS has been donating additional rolls – check microfilm drawer.)
PL PEMBERVILLE LEADER - November 28, 1890 – December 30, 1976
PJ PERRYSBURG JOURNAL - March 10, 1853 – July 28, 1939
(WCOGS has been donating additional rolls – check microfilm drawer.)
UNIQUE WEEKLY - March 8, 1907 – June 24, 1948
UNIQUE DERRICK- July 1, 1948 – December 25, 1958
WCFP WOOD COUNTY FREE PRESS - August 3, 1900 – February 4, 1910
WCS WOOD COUNTY SENTINEL - February 22, 1867 – December 27, 1906
WOOD COUNTY TRIBUNE - October 3, 1889 – September 25, 1890
MISCELLANEOUS NEWSPAPERS – ROLL NO. 1 AND ROLL NO. 2
BUCKEYE GRANGER - May 11, 1876 – February 28, 1878
MIAMI OF THE LAKE - October 5, 1836
WOOD COUNTY PACKET - March 20 – 27, 1839
PERRYSBURG NEWS - July 5, September 27, December 27, 1842
MIAMI OF THE LAKE ERIE - 1844 – 1846
OHIO WHIG - 1838 – 1840
NORTHWEST DEMOCRAT -1852 – 1854
MAUMEE VALLEY DEMOCRAT -1854 – 1856
WOOD COUNTY INDEPENDENT - 1862 – 1863
PERRYSBURG NEWSPAPERS – ROLL NO.1
FORT MEIGS REVEILLE - June 3, 1848 – May 31, 1851
PERRYSBURG STAR - June 7, 1851 – May 15, 1852
(INCLUDES THE START OF THE PERRYSBURG JOURNAL)

Vital Record Indexes

The following indexes are available to help with genealogical research in Wood County:
Probate Birth Records, Wood County, Ohio, Volume I, 1867-1880
Probate Birth Records, Wood County, Ohio, Volume II, 1880-1887
Wood County, Ohio, Marriage License Applications, 1899-1927: Bride and Groom
Indexes
Wood County, Ohio, Marriage Records, Volume I through Volume 4, March 1820 through
February 1867
Wood County, Ohio, Marriage Records, Volumes 5, 6, 7, and 8, March 1867 through
February 1888
Probate Death Records, Wood County, Ohio, Volume I, 1867-1887
Probate Death Records, Wood County, Ohio, Volume II, 1888-1901
Probate Death Records, Wood County, Ohio, Volume III, Dec 1901–Dec 1908
Index to Naturalization Records, Wood County, Ohio, Book One – Probate Court 1859-1925,
Book Two – Common Pleas 1849-1906, Addendum 1837–1841, 1847–1852
Index to Wood County, Ohio, Wills, Estates & Guardianships, 1851–1900.

Plan ahead for your visit. Create a list of things that you want to work on.

I will be back on Monday.

Huron County- Obituaries

The fantastic thing about obits in Northwest Ohio is that most of them have been indexed. All of the information is available on line and can be ordered on line. The wonderful list is located on the Hayes Obituary Index. RB Hayes Obituary Index

The other location to locate these records is at the library in Norwalk as well at the Norwalk County Genealogical Connections.

Make sure to make copies. Note the date and page as well as the name of the newspaper for these records.

Huron Co.- Wills

The discovery of a ancestors will offers valuable clues to ones life and relatives listed in the will. This document will provide valuable clues to a persons life that you will not find anywhere else in your search. Wills for the county of Huron exist in the court house at the probate court in Norwalk and the archives in Bowling Green.

The courthouse records are located in the Probate Court and run from 1852 to present. Be sure to know the approximate time of death and work back from that date to locate your will. Time varies on the filing of a will from days to years. Sometimes these searches can be extensive.

The archives in Bowling Green has those wills that run from 1903 to 1911. All these records are on microfilm.

Be certain to make copies of these documents so that your are able to trace all the names in the document. Wills offer valuable clues to blood relationships that may not be available in any other document. Daughters are often listed with maiden names and executors on the will may also be relatives with different last names.

Other than land records wills are the most valuable document in determining relationships within a family group. Have a wonderful day.

Huron Co.- Death Records

Death records in Huron County are stored and available at two different locations. The first is at the courthouse in Norwalk and the archives in Bowling Green, OH. Provide valuable information concerning our relatives and relationships.

The courthouse records start in Huron Co and run from 1867 to current. It is here that you can obtain the certified copies. As I always say if you are visiting in person be sure to call ahead to make sure they will be open when you are coming and be patient if you are going in person or mailing in your request.

The second area to locate the death records would be at the archives in Bowling Green. The archives has copies of both the index and the actual death records. Their information only runs from 1867 to 1908. All these files are on microfilm.

Findlay Hancock Public Library

For those of us that are conducting research in Hancock county the primary resource for information here is located at the public library. The room to visit is the local history room located at the main library. The collection includes-

• CDs
• Cemetery Indexes
• City Directories
• High School Yearbooks
• Family Histories
• Local History
• Microfilm/Microfiche
• Newspaper Index (limited availability)
• Newspapers-local (Mid-1800s to present)
• Obituary Index (Hancock County)
• Ohio Census
• Passenger Lists (including Germans to America)
• Vital Records: Birth (1908- Present), Death (1908- Present) and Will Indexes

So when researching Hancock county have a list of what you need to research and go.

I will be away from my computer for the next three days. Back posting on Tuesday.

Huron Co.- Marriage Records

The county of Huron started recording marriage records in 1818. This is a very early period of time as compared to many other counties. The records are located at the courthouse in Norwalk as well as the Bowling Green Archives. The records at the court house are up to now and up to 1977 in Bowling Green.

During my own research I have traced my ancestors through this county and I was amazed that they had marriage records as such a early date. All of the records are indexed and many of them have also been published. Be sure to pay special attention on marriage records to who the witnesses are on the document. They often provide valuable clues to family relationships that are often overlooked when doing your genealogy. Be sure to make copies of this document, because some of the names don't always stick out as clues immediately. In my family a person listed on a marriage record as a witness later was traced to be the maiden name of the mother once I traced the family back into Northeast Ohio.

Tomorrow I will be going over the death records of the county. Thank you again for your support and please send any questions or ideas you might have.

Genalogical research

What was it that first got you doing your genealogical research? In my case it started over thirty years ago. Was in my teens at the time and was very curious about where my family came from. My interest in history grew out of this and my eventually getting into speaking, researching for others and blogging on the topic. Please send me your stories.

I'm Back

Don't think to many folks check this blog out much, but I guess I will just write for myself and hope that people are able to come back to the site. I will resume covering the various records that are available for the various counties. If you have ideas on topics that you would like to see covered please do not hesitate to contact me.

Family Search Record

Watch out pay sites. Recently a site was developed that allows you to search many records previously available only on pay sites. Check this link out.

FamilySearch Record Search

Good luck in your search.

Huron County- Marriage Records

Marriage records are important for verifying and confirming relationships. In Huron Co., OH the records can be found at the Huron County Court House and the Bowling Green archives.

The records at the court house run from 1818 to present. This is again the place to obtain records that are certified. It is wonderful that the records reaching such a early date.

The Archives in Bowling Green has the marriage records from 1818 to 1977.

Be certain when checking marriage records for the witnesses on the document. They often can provide valuable clues of marriages and related surnames.

Good luck in your marriage hunt.

Outline of things to come

I will be attempting to keep up with this blog a couple of times a week. The blog will contain a review of the available records in a particular county. The review of the local libraries and other resources will also be included. Other surprises will come up along the way.

Please be sure to email on other ideas you may have concerning this blog. Tomorrow I will be starting the profile of a new county.

Welcome Back

It has taken some time to come to this conclusion, but I am going to start doing my blog again. Thank you for the many kind emails of motivation. They have done a lot to help me get to this point. Look for me to resume the articles beginning tomorrow.

Please send me any questions you might have concerning future articles. Please spread the word.

Temporary Stoppage

Over the last few weeks the amount of readership for this blog has decreased dramatically. To me this is a indication that I am not reaching the audience with interesting and helpful information. The amount of time I spend researching the daily blogs does not warrant the readership. Thank you for your support in the past.

In a few days I will make a final decision.

Upcoming week

I will be in upstate New York during the upcoming week so I am spending the weekend writing this weeks blogs ahead of time. Have a great weekend and I will continue my overviews on Monday.

Allen County Public Library- Ft Wayne IN

If you have not made the trip to the Allen County Public Library in Ft Wayne, IN you have missed out on one of the largest genealogical libraries in the country. It is well worth the trip. They have just redone it in the last year and have all there resources available in the racks. Here is a link to a tour of the library.

http://www.genealogycenter.info/video/

Have a great weekend.