June 5, 2026 Last week I discussed birth and death certificates. Two other types of vital records, marriages and divorces, are also important to genealogists. Marriage records are especially useful since they mark the merging of two families. They are also often the only source of a woman’s maiden name. A maiden name opens …
Accessing Birth and Death Certificates
May 29, 2026 Birth and death certificates are some of my favorite genealogical records. They contain all kinds of sometimes hard-to-find information. This can include exactly where someone was born or died, his or her parents’ names (including the mother’s maiden name) and more. However, birth and death certificates do not always exist or are …
The Draper Manuscript Collection
May 22, 2026 In just a few weeks, America will be celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. This is a good time to consider delving into the history of ancestors who may have played a role in that historic time. There are many good resources to help you pursue this research. …