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THE GENCLASS NEWSLETTER - March 2008
http://www.genclass.com
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TOPICS:
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Tip of the Month: Locating Women in Naturalization Records
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Finding Those Elusive Female Ancestors
By Lisa A. Alzo, M.F.A.
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Upcoming classes: March and April
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Welcome
to the latest issue of the GenClass newsletter.
If
this is your first time reading this newsletter, welcome!
Our
monthly newsletter includes a featured article by an
expert GenClass instructor, a tip of the month, and
a list of upcoming courses. We’ve got some new
offerings coming up: “Finding Female Ancestors”
in March and
“Genealogy for Kids” in May.
March
is National Women’s History Month. Why not celebrate
by
finally finding that elusive female in your family tree?
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Finding Those Elusive Female Ancestors
by Lisa A. Alzo, M.F.A.
Do
you have one lurking in your family tree?
I’m
talking about that elusive female ancestor you just can’t
seem to find.
You know the one who is listed in your pedigree chart as Mary
(blank)
because you are unable to identify her maiden name; or the
first wife
of your great-grandfather who seemed to just “disappear”
after
the 1880 census, but you are unable to locate a death record
or burial plot, or the great aunt who supposedly came to the
U.S.
in the early 20th century but fails to turn up in any online
passenger list records.
The
research process for one elusive female ancestor can
be daunting at best; the search for two or more perhaps insurmountable.
There’s no question that finding our female ancestors
can seem a difficult
and seemingly impossible task when compared to their male
counterparts.
This is due in part to the fact that most genealogical records
prior to
the 20th century focus on men since they typically owned the
property,
controlled the government, businesses, etc.
Few women left diaries or letters, especially immigrant women
who spoke
little or no English. But sometimes the problem isn’t
that the records
are not available, but rather how thoroughly we investigate
the sources
presented to us. However, with a solid research strategy,
carefully
honed sleuthing skills, the ability to be open to possibilities
and take
risks, and a good dose of patience and persistence, you can
fill in
those blanks. Here are a few quick tips to get you started:
1.
Check all records for her husband, especially tax, property,
and naturalization records. Also check records for siblings.
Look for clues in photographs, newspapers, yearbooks,
bridal books, employment, convent, military, and other records.
2.
Note the possibility of more than one marriage and multiple
burial markers.
3.
Learn naming practices and patterns and note regional, cultural,
and
religious influences. For example, Elizabeth (English) vs.
Alzebeta (Czech & Slovak) vs. Erzebet (Hungarian). Investigate
different suffixes for female surnames and add these to a
woman’s name
when searching databases or European records.
4.
Pay attention to spelling variations, and handwriting/transcription
errors
when searching census, immigration or vital records.
5.
Create a timeline to place the woman’s life in historical
context.
Specialty software programs such as Genelines can assist with
this task: <www.progenysoftware.com/genelines_order.html#http://www.progenysoftware.com/genelines_order.html#>.
6.
Consider taking the “Finding Your Female Ancestors”
course at
GenClass <www.genclass.com>. If you’ve hit a brick
wall in the quest
to find information about your female ancestors, this course
covers
strategies and key sources to assist you with your research,
and will
guide you in the process of writing “her” story.
It may not be easy, but if the empty branches of your family
tree
include mostly women, but a bit of patience, persistence and
creative sleuthing can lead you to them. You have the power
to erase those blanks from your pedigree chart, to find those
missing pieces and break through the silence to tell
your female ancestors’ stories.
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TIP OF THE MONTH ----------------------+
Tip
of the Month: Locating Women in Naturalization Records
Between 1855 and 1922, wives and children became United States
citizens when
the husband did. After that time, women were required to file
independently.
After 1907, marriage determined a woman's nationality status
completely.
Under the act of March 2, 1907, all women acquired their husband's
nationality
upon any marriage occurring after that date. This didn’t
change the situation
for immigrant women, but U.S.-born citizen women could now
lose their
citizenship by any marriage to any alien. There were some
exceptions.
See <www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/1998/summer/women-and-naturalization-1.html>
for more information.
Until
next time—Happy Hunting!
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UPCOMING CLASSES -------------------+
Register
for a class at http://www.genclass.com
or at http://classes.genclass.com
MARCH
2008: Classes start March 1, 2008
*Adoption
Investigative Class
Detailed search advice and assistance for successfully
locating and reuniting adoptees and birth families.
*Canadian
Research - Part 1
This course does more than get you started. It takes you
deep into some of the country's best records - many on the
Internet.
*Eastern
European Genealogy Research - Part 2
This class will continue on from the basic Eastern European
research class, focusing on how to expand your research beyond
your own family into a more community-oriented protocol.
*Family
Tree Maker 2008 - The Basics
Advanced features, like books, trees, reports and web sites.
*Finding
Your Female Ancestors
Do you have elusive female ancestors in your family tree?
This course will show you how to track them down!
*Genealogy
Research in the Great Lakes States
This course will focus on generalized and locality specific
resources of six area states -Illinois, Indiana, Michigan,
Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.
*Lost
Friends and Family Investigative Class
Detailed search advice and assistance on the methods to use
for successfully tracing "lost" relatives and friends.
*Native
American Genealogy
Learn how to start your research for your Native American
Ancestors.
*Organizing
Your Family History
Learn the techniques to ensure efficient organisation of your
research.
*Salt
Lake City: Part 1
Access the largest genealogical library in the world. Perform
searches,
knowledgeably; and understand what you've found.
APRIL 2008: Classes start April 1, 2008
*Adoption
Investigative Class
Detailed search advice and assistance for successfully locating
and
reuniting adoptees and birth families.
*Canadian
Research - Internet Resources - Part 2
Part 2 builds on Part 1 and advances your research using
the most helpful records – with lots of practical search
tips, tricks,and advice.
*Lost
Friends and Family Investigative Class
Detailed search advice and assistance on the methods
to use for successfully tracing "lost" relatives
and friends.
*Salt Lake City: Part 2 - the Largest Genealogical Library
in the World!
Access the largest genealogical library in the world.
Continuing on from Part 1, this course takes you into the
sections that
most people never use - and what a mistake that is!
*Scottish
Genealogy
This extensive class will provide a detailed description of
what you need to know to track your Scottish ancestry.
Learn more at http://www.genclass.com
Register for a class at http://classes.genclass.com
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That's
all for now, until next month!
-- LISA ALZO, Newsletter Editor
============[
GenClass Information ]==============
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contact Micha Reisel, GenClass Administrator
at micha@genclass.com
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