Month: August 2017

Grandma was Born on a Messy Date

It is frustrating when they write over incorrect information on a record. Ida Trautvetter was baptized on 28 November 1915 at her parents’ home in Lima Township, Adams County, Illinois. There is no notation of why the children were all baptized at the same time. The church the family attended (at least sporadically) always had […]

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It’s All About the Definition

Many words used in legal documents have specific legal definitions. Failing to understand those terms can cause researchers to misunderstand the actual record they are using. When you aren’t certain, look it up. When you think you are sure, look it up. When you are sure, look it up. This way you can correct the […]

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Now in Ten AncestryDNA Circles

I’ve been returned to the AncestryDNA Circle for two of my great-grandparents, Riley and Nancy Jane (Newman) Rampley. I’m not certain why I was ever removed, but it’s good to be a part of the family once again. I’m now in ten circles as of this writing: Christianna (DeMoss) Rampley (born in the early 1770s probably in Harford […]

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Ancestral Clues and Lessons: Philip Troutfetter

Philip Troutfetter was born in Warsaw, Hancock County, Illinois, in the 1860s and died near Colby, Thomas County, Kansas, in 1911. There are several things I learned about research from Philip: Some people move a great deal. Philip lived in Illinois, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, and spent time in Cuba and Columbia, South America. After leaving […]

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Citing A Clipping

My citation probably isn’t in the correct form, but I’m thinking I have the essence of what is necessary. The “Mildred Hooper collection,” is a collection of newspaper clippings made generally from 20th century clippings from the Quincy [Illinois] Herald Whig. The clippings have been microfilmed and are available digitally on FamilySearch. They appear to have been microfilmed […]

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Image Available–But Not At Home

FamilySearch continues to put more and more material online in digital format. Some believe that one day it will all be as close as our nearest internet device. Maybe not. Probably not. While FamilySearch continues to create more digital images of records and while they have announced that microfilm will no longer be lent out to […]

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My Blogs

I maintain the following genealogy blogs: Rootdig.com—Michael’s thoughts, research problems, suggestions, and whatever else crosses his desk Genealogy Tip of the Day—one genealogy research tip every day–short and to the point Genealogy Search Tip—websites I’ve discovered and the occasional online research tip–short and to the point? Subscription/Unsubscription links are on the top of each page. […]

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House For Rent

Classified advertisements sometimes can provide perspective into a specific time period (gender expectations and salary levels can be among the discoveries one makes), but sometimes then can provide additional clues to specific people as well. Matilda Trautvetter of Quincy, Illinois, had a home to rent in Mt. Vernon, Illinois, in 1953.  Classified advertisements were necessarily […]

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