Transcribing An Estate Inventory from 1792

For an upcoming article, I'm working on transcribing an inventory from Harford County, Maryland in the 1790s. What is included in this blog post are the rough images I made from the microfilm while at the Family History Library in Salt Lake. I copied the "title page" from the film, so I knew what the material was. I also included in the names of the files. A listing of my file names is included in the last image of this blog post. 

 There are two scans of the first page of Ann's inventory made at a differing level of light.

This image is the top of the next page that follows the actual inventory. 

And here are the file names that I used when saving the files. Are they the best way to go? I'm not certain. However, they did serve my purpose as they included the FHL roll number, the person that I was interested in and the page number. This roll of film I'm fairly certain only had one book. My intent is to leave me enough of a trail to create the actual citation when I need it, but not take "too much" time when I'm at the library.

We'll have a transcription of the inventory and a discussion of it (along with citation) in an upcoming issue. Interesting stuff.

Issue 3 is out

Check your email or email me at mjnrootdig@gmail.com if you did not receive.

What Was Thomas Frame's Occupation and was he from the "US?"

This is part of the passenger list for the family of Thomas and Elizabeth Frame who arrived in New York City on the Malta. Those who need a citation can see the source here--we'll include an Evidence-style citation in the newsletter, but I'm not putting those on the blog.

The question is what is Thomas' occupation. It also seemingly indicates that the family were already in the US. Those who want to see the entire image can click the thumbnail at the bottom of this post. Thomas and Elizabeth were English natives.

Issue 2 Is Out

Issue 2--Letters of Consent and a Bond from 1798--is out.

1798 Amherst County Consent-The Bride's Father

This is the letter from the father of Salley Tinsley who married Thomas Sledd in Amherst County, Virginia, where he gives consent for his daughter to marry Thomas Sledd in 1798. It will be discussed in a future issue of Casefile Clues.

I'm thinking that there is a reasonable chance that John wrote the letter himself, but I'm not certain.

1798 Amherst County Consent

This letter of consent from Joh[e]n Sledd was signed in 1798, presumably in Amherst County, Virginia.

I'm thinking that he might have actually written the document himself, but am not certain. The left hand side of the copy I have has been traced over by the person who sent me the copy.

This letter (and the one written by the bride's father) are discussed in an upcoming issue of Casefile Clues. 

August 2012 Trip to Allen County Public Library in Ft. Wayne

We have released details of our August 2012 group research trip to the Allen County Public Library in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, 1-5 August. Join us! Details are here http://www.casefileclues.com/acpl2012.htm

Issue 1 from Volume 3 Out

Issue 1 from volume 3 was just sent!

Short Genealogy Fundamental Webinars

Based upon several attendee suggestions, we've developed (or actually took materials from beginning classes I used to teach) a series of "Genealogy Fundamental" webinars on a variety of topics, including:

• What's in a Deed
• 1930 Census1880 Census
• 1850 Census
• Cash Land Sales
• 19th Century Will

More specifics are on our registration page. Emphasis is on analyzing and interpreting the document used as a sample, including "where next?" and citation. 

Pre-1920 Naturalization Record Webinar Released

United States Naturalization (NEW!) Records pre-1920 - This presentation is an overview of naturalization records in the United States prior to 1920, focusing on locating and understanding the records. Women's citizenship and derivative citizenship are also included. The recorded webinar and handout can be ordered for immediate download for $8.50.


If you paid to attend and were unable, please email me for the complimentary download link.

The Second Wesley Probate Wasn't Wesley After All

Regular readers will remember that in our issue on Wesley Jones estate, it was discovered that there apparently was "another" estate settlement for Wesley.
This is part of the index to estates for Macon County, Missouri, that appears on the Macon County, Missouri Genweb Site:

631	Jones, Wesley	Jones, Gerilda J.
632	Jones, Wesley	Jones, Wm

Problem is that the archives tells me that file 632 isn't for Wesley Jones. It is for Jesse Jones. That doesn't do me too much good.

The hope was that this additional packet would help with information on Wesley's children. Now that's not going to happen. Stay tuned.

William and Matilda in 1860?

The census image that is a part of this blog post contains a William and Matilda Rhodus in the household of John Rhodus in Breckinridge County, Kentucky in 1860. They were married within the census year. Casefile Clues readers will remember that in issue 52 (volume 2) we discussed another William and Matilda Rhodus who were married in the 1860 census year. That William and Matilda were living in Kentucky.

In issue 1--the next one to be released, we'll look at whether or not this couple is the same one discussed in issue 52. Readers will remember that our searches of the 1860 census so far have not located BOTH William and Matilda. Maybe this is them.

We will make the case, see the weaknesses, and where to go next in issue 1. Sometimes research is not always complete and demonstrating the process is a good thing as well.

Subscribe now and join the discovery.

Questions on Issue 52?

A subscriber sent me a question about issue 52--requesting clarification on a specific point.

The problem is that the message got deleted before I could answer it or blog about it. Unfortunately my smart phone is somehow set up that I can easily accidentally delete messages without sometimes realizing it.

So----if you had a question about issue 52, please resend.
Thanks.

Are these the Same Janes?

The image above is the first name of two individuals from the Macon County, Missouri, 1860 census. Taken by the same enumerator, the first names are written in different households in different townships. In issue 52 of Casefile Clues, I make the case that not only are these two names both the same, but they in fact are the same person enumerated twice.

This name is not that unusual, so there is more to our conclusion that these are the same person than simply the name.

The second name was interpreted years ago as something else, and Ancestry.com interpreted it as something different as well.

Subscribe now and I'll start your subscription off with issue 52.

Issue 52 is out

Issue 52 should be in your inbox. Email me if you did not receive it.

Thanks!

Our First Two Years of Issues for $25!

Purchase all year 1 and year 2 issues for $25. Issues delivered via email as PDF files.

Year 1 Issue Topics

Reposting as I messed up all the navigation on the blog:

Here are Year 1 issue titles (in reverse order)

• 52--Benjamin Butler in 1880 and 1870--correlating an 1880 and 1870 census enumeration when the head of household has a different first name
• 51--Clarifying Clara--a widow's War of 1812 Bounty Land application
• 50--Special Examiner's Report--Discussion of testimony taken by a Special Examiner in a Union Civil War Pension File
• 49--Levi Rhodes' War of 1812 Pension--A discussion and and an analysis of a War of 1812 pension issued in 1871.
• 48--Determining Your Own Chain of Migration--Ways to determine the unique migration chain that your ancestor took
• 47--Finding the Ellen--Finding someone in an 1870 census when she's a child and I don't have the names of the parents. Discusses proximity searches, eliminating false matches, etc.
• 46--Ira Located--the correct marriage record for Ira Sargent was located. This issue includes the image and a complete transcription, an analysis, additional searches that were conducted, and where to go next.
• 45--Organizing My Search for Ira--discusses brainstorming to locate the parents of Ira Sargent, how and why records were prioritized, and how records would be searched.
• 44--Philip Troutfetter in the Special Collections of the Kansas State Historical Society--fraud, postal investigations, and abandoned wives--all from one relative.
• 43--Unacquiring Property--ways your ancestor might have "disposed" of his real estate.
• 42--Multiple Johns--two brothers with the exact same name--apparently.
• 41--Brick Walls from A to Z--the title says it all--ideas for breaking those brick walls
• 40--Finding John--analysis, including charts and maps, in an attempt to find a missing 1870 census enumeration.
• 39--Multiple Marias--Analyzing more than one 1893 obituary for a Swiss immigrant in Iowa.
• 38--From their Mouth to Your Screen. Discusses all the "filters" information passes through.
• 37--Pullman Car Company Employment Records. Discusses several employment records from the Pullman Car Company in Chicago. Discusses William Apgar, Thomas Frame, Louis DeMar.
• 36--Where are they in 1840? Analyzes an individual who is "missing" from an 1840 census. Includes a discussion of how he was "found" and how land records actually solved the problem. Discusses Abraham Wickiser.
• 35--A 1910 Birth. Analyzes primary and secondary sources for a date and place of birth in 1910 and how differences might not be all that different. Discusses Ida Trautvetter.
• 34--Ready to Go? Discusses some things to contemplate regarding your genealogy material before you die.
• 33--Where there is a Will there is Confusion. Analyzes an early 19th century will from Maryland and what the different bequests likely mean and what potentially brought them about. Also discusses different ways some things can be interpreted. Discusses John DeMoss.
• 32--When There is No Probate. Some things to think about when there is no probate file.
• 31--Analyzing the Mortgage. Discusses an 1870 era mortgage in Illinois. Discusses John Ufkes and Rolf Habben.
• 30--Behind the Scenes Chaos. Discusses the importance of thinking about what "caused" a record to be recorded.
• 29--Un-American Activity. Discusses an invesigation by the fore-runner of the FBI into a German-American family in World War I. Discusses the Fecht family.
• 28--Do You Ear What I Ear? Discusses things to remember about how things are heard.
• 27--Analyzing Andrew Trask. Discusses work on an Mass. native (born ca. 1814) who lived in St. Louis, southern-Illinois, and western Illinois where he died in the 1880s. Focuses on analyzing and working on later records to discern patterns, etc. Discusses Andrew Trask.
• 26--Using Google Books.
• 25--Finding Valentine. Steps in locating a man whose only real mention is in an 1870 era estate settlement. Discusses how I organized my search for him.
• 24--The Brick Wall is in Your Head. Talks about ways you may have made your own genealogical brick wall.
• 23--You Ask and I Wonder. Things that pop in my head when a person asks a certain genealogical question.
• 22--Crossing the Pond.
• 21--One Clipping Leads to More.
• 20--Organizing 1870 Census Search--thoughts on organizing online census searches.
• 19--Public Sale--Analyzing an old sale bill.
• 18--Analyzing the Biography--Charting and Organizing what You Know Using a Biography
• 17--Working with the Professional. Getting started with the professional genealogist who is performing Chicago area work for me.
• 16--A Lot from Barbara's Lot. Clues from a series of records on a small lot in a town in rural Illinois betwen 1856 and 1905.
• 15--Finding Gesche's Girls. Tracking down an "evaporating" German native who "condensed" somewhere in the United States.
• 14--Jumpstarting Your Research. Just some ideas to get you started.
• 13--Brick Walls and the Census Taker
• 12--The Heirs Complete the Homestead
• 11--Is the Wrong Name Correct?
• 10--Connecting the Iras. Working to determine if two men of the same name are the same man.
• 09--Pre-1850 Census Analysis. Analzing pre-1850 census records for a family to determine the household structure. Discusses Thomas and Sarah Sledd.
• 08--Platting Out Thomas Sledd's Heirs. Platting out the estate division of the Thomas Sledd estate in Kentucky in the 1830s. Discusses Thomas Sledd family.
• 07--Looking for Ira's Lucretia. Working on my "brick wall" Ira through his sister Lucretia. mid-to-late nineteenth century work.
• 06--The Civil War Pension file of Riley Rampley. An overview of a Union Civil War pension record.
• 05--Finding a Chicago Christening. How a 1913 era Chicago christening record was found. Discusses Anna Apgar.
• 04--Multiple Parents
• 03--Preemption Claim. The Missouri pre-emption land claim of John Lake. Discusses John Lake.
• 02--Passport Records. Discusses an early twentieth century passport application. Discusses Robert Frame.
• 01--Lessons from an Estate Record. Analyzes an 1870 era Illinois set of estate records.

Year 2 Issues Of Casefile Clues

Topics from the first 51 issues of year 2 are shown below (order them here):

• Volume 2-Number 1--Problem-Solving--a variety of techniques for breaking through those brick walls.
• Volume 2-Number 2--A 1907 Committal--An insanity record.
• Volume 2-Number 3--A 1921 Divorce--looking at a 1921 era divorce from Chicago
• Volume 2-Number 4--Leaving John's Hands: Documenting Post-Death Land Transfers
• Volume 2-Number 5--The Acquisition of John Michael Trautvetter's 228 Acres
• Volume 2-Number 6--The Original Versus the Record Copy
• Volume 2-Number 7--Multiple Marriage Mayhem:
  Starting the Search for Emma (Sargent) Pollard Ross Oades Pollard Snavly Olenbaugh
• Volume 2-Number 8--A Handful of Problem-Solving Strategies
• Volume 2-Number 9--Two-Thirds of an Acre from Uncle John: A Partition Suit Proves a Sibling Relationship
• Volume 2-Number 10--A Minimal Estate Gives Some Direction: The 1886-1888 Probate of Benjamin Butler
• Volume 2-Number 11--Signing What We Could Not Read--immigrants unable to read English sign a 1870 era document that is incorrect and a lawsuit results.
• Volume 2-Number 12--Dad Raised my Daughter--A newspaper account of a court case in the 1880s discusses an early 1870 out-of-wedlock birth.
• Volume 2-Number 13--Using the 1860 Census to Formulate a Passenger List Search Strategy
• Volume 2-Number 14--Search Strategy for Benjmamin Butler in pre-1870 Census Records--this looks at ways to find the missing 1850 and 1860 census enumerations for man who "appears" in Iowa in 1870.
• Volume 2-Number 15--Pre-1850 Census--analyzing 1810-1840 census entries for Thomas Chaney in Bedford County, Pennsylvania.
• Volume 2-Number 16--Names in the Probate--analyzing various names in a probate settlement from 1903. Nicknames and diminutives were part of the problem.
• Volume 2-Number 17--Bridging a Twenty-Year Census Gap-1870 to 1860. Showing that an 1870 Iowa, 1880 Missouri, and an 1850 Michigan enumeration are for the same man.
• Volume 2-Number 18--Four Passports and a Foreign Death: George Washington Drollette. Analyzes four early 20th century passports and a US State Department death report from 1933.
• Volume 2-Number 19--Diplomatic Employment Applications. Analyzes and summaries letters of support for employment with the US State Department between 1901-1906.
• Volume 2-Number 20--Just One Wife Who Shaves Her Age. Records hinted that a man might have had more than one wife. Despite age discrepancies and first name variations, we've likely proven that there was just one wife.
• Volume 2-Number 21--1930 Census: Primary, Secondary, Original, Derivative, Direct and Indirect. You'll never look at a census entry the same way again-also shows how in this case, New York became Kentucky
• Volume 2-Number 22--Finding the Biegers in 1850. Organizing our search and our negative search results in an attempt to find a German immigrant living in Cincinnati in 1850.
• Volume 2-Number 23--Separating Two George Butlers--working on two men born in Michigan in the same year with a father of the same name.
• Volume 2-Number 24-A Minor Naturalization
• Volume 2-Number 25-Genealogical Potpourri
• Volume 2-Number 26-Looking for Benjamin-Formulating a Census Search
• Volume 2-Number 27-An 1849 Cash Land Sale
• Volume 2-Number 28-From 1820-1870 Analyzing Enoch Tinsley's Census Entries
• Volume 2-Number 29-Middle Name Issues: Finding Henry J. Fecht in 1870 and Passenger Lists
• Volume 2-Number 30-The Master Reports--An Assignment of Homestead and Dower in the 1890s
• Volume 2-Number 31-The Parents Sell 10 Acres-an 1880 era land transaction
• Volume 2-Number 32-Clues from a Pig Murder--an 1820 era Kentucky Court Case
• Volume 2-Number 33-Civil War Pension Application-Why My Name's Different
• Volume 2-Number 34-Staying Focused on Divorces and a German Immigrant
• Volume 2-Number 35-Strategies for a 1820 New York Birth
• Volume 2-Number 36-First Appearing in an 1847 Marriage
• Volume 2-Number 37-The Chattel Property Will from Maryland
• Volume 2-Number 38-Emmar Osenbaugh Civil War Pension-Proving 6 Husbands(1st Part)
• Volume 2-Number 39-1870-1880 Era Guardianship Proves All the Children
• Volume 2-Number 40-Moving Mother-Transferring a Life Estate in 1769
• Volume 2-Number 41-War of 1812 Bounty Land Application and Surrendered Warrant
• Volume 2-Number 42--An 1875 Poor Farm Admission for the Smith Family
• Volume 2-Number 43-An 1811 Tennessee Will
• Volume 2-Number 44-More Problem-Solving
• Volume 2-Number 45-Emmar Osenbaugh's Civil War Pension Part II
• Volume 2-Number 46-Comments on 1856 Missouri Revised Statutes
• Volume 2-Number 47-A Will Denied--and Why
• Volume 2-Number 48-Blank Children and Three Completers on a Birth Record
• Volume 2-Number 49-Petitioning to Administrate an Intestate Probate in 1869
• Volume 2-Number 50-Fighting the Will of Trientje Sartorius
• Volume 2-Number 51-With Little to Probate: The Estate of Wesley Jones
• Volume 2-Number 52-Iam What I Am: An 1860 Census Enumeration

Re-Evaluation for Issue 52

Issue 52 is being proofread.

In it, I revisit a case I looked at years ago and re-evaluate my conclusions. We will see that someone I thought I had in the 1860 census, I don't. Issue 52 makes the case very clear for who the mystery people actually are and the explanation (while detailed) hits on many issues of research.

And so finding this man in 1860 is on my list.

Subscribe now and join the discovery.

More Brick Walls from A to Z-Recorded Version

More Brick Walls from A to Z -(NEW!)-This presentation is a continuation on the popular "Brick Walls from A to Z" that was released earlier. The alphabet has been reused for additional ideas and quick suggestions for getting past those brick walls--aimed at all levels--with the intent of jumpstarting people's research. Introductory recording price of $6 won't last long. Includes recording and PDF of handout. 

The Most Likely Error

Out of all the pieces of information on a person in, say the 1860 US census, what piece do you think is the most likely to be incorrect--why?
(this was copied from our Facebook wall)

Cyber Monday Discount on Recorded Genealogy Webinars

25% off on all recorded genealogy webinars today! Code and webinar descriptions at http://rootdig.blogspot.com/2011/11/recorded-genealogy-webinars.html

The Janes in 1860

I'm looking at some census images from 1860--and think I might have figured out a set of "married females" living in an 1860 household. Links to full images are at the bottom of this post.

The image above is part of the 1860 census entry for Wesley Jones in Macon County, Missouri, that was discussed in issue 51 of Casefile Clues. The 26-year old is in the household and I'm am not certain who she is--is she a daughter with a wrong last name, a daughter-in-law, or what? The census indicates she and the Matilda after her, were married within the census year. There seemed to be something incorrect with a census entry that contained two females, same last name as the head of household, who were married within the census year. The question was what was incorrect about the entry? Or was anything incorrect about it at all?

Part of the problem is that the name of the female above Matilda has a name that is difficult to read.

The census entry below, also from Macon County, Missouri, and taken by the same census taker contains a Jane Green.

The question is--is that 26 year old in the Wesley Jones household also a Jane? The first letter in the "Jane" in Wesley Jones' household doesn't look quite like the other "J"s, but it seems reasonable.

I think I have the answer and we'll lay out the case (complete with citations) in issue 52. Like most situations, it's not overly difficult, but it wasn't solved in five minutes either. 

The full images can be seen below.

Corrected Issue 51

Anyone who wants a corrected digital copy of issue 51 can email me at mjnrootdig@gmail.com to request it. I'm not going to send out a mass email to everyone with the corrected version.

Correction to Issue 51-When was Iam Born?

Issue 51 contained a chart analyzing the households of Wesley Jones in the 1850-1880 census. In preparing an article on the daughter Matilda and her husband, an error on the birth year was noted for "Iam." The year range was not actually needed in the analysis done in issue 51. However, it is more crucial to the analysis of the identity of the mysterious "Iam."

The chart appears below. We're working on the article regarding this confusing "Iam."

Name	1850 Age[1]	1860 Age[2]	1870 Age[3]	1880 Age[4]	Birth year range calculated by using oldest and youngest census ages	comments
“Iam”		26			1823-1824 should be 1833-1834	“Iam” and Matilda were married within the 1860 census year. Both are enumerated as females. “Iam” may actually have been an in-law of Wesley Jones.

---

[1] 1850 U. S. census, Macon County Missouri, population schedule, District 52, p. 154B and 155, dwelling 511, family 520, Wesley Jones; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 1 October 2011); citing NARA microfilm publication M432, roll 405.

[2] 1860 U. S. census, Macon County, Missouri, population schedule, West Chariton Township, p. 109 (handwritten, upper right), dwelling 770, family 774, Wesley Jones household; digital image, Ancestry.com, (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 1 October 2011); citing NARA microfilm publication M653, roll 631.

[3] 1870 U. S. census, Macon County, Missouri, population schedule, Callao, p. 38B, dwelling 227, family 227, Wesley Jones; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 1 October 2011); citing NARA microfilm publication M593, roll 790.

[4] 1880 U. S. census, Macon County, Missouri, population schedule, enumeration district (ED) 131, Bevier, p. 10B, dwelling 81, household 86, Serilda Jones; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 1 October 2011); citing NARA microfilm publication T9, roll 701.

William Rhodus Before 1860

One of the difficulties with some individuals is finding them "before" their marriage. That is the case with William Rhodes or Rhodes who is shown here in his 1880 census enumeration in Chariton County, Missouri. Originally I "wrote off" the Rhodus spelling, but now I am beginning to think it was more of a potential clue than I realized. I also don't think his age in 1880 is 49, but rather it is 49--look at the "8" in the "18" for the age of son George.

The 1870 Census for William in Macon County, indicates the same spelling of his last name: Rhodus.

The name of the wife is different, but her actual name was Lucretia Matilda--explaining the difference. Notice that the ages are pretty much ten years different.

The 1900 Census for William (his last) shows him as a widow in Garfield County, Oklahoma. Again the last name is written as Rhodus.

The Rhodus spelling is significant, even if a few documents on his children don't always use that spelling.

We're wrapping up an article on William--where I think I've found him twice in the 1850 census. Stay tuned.

Welcome!

Welcome to our new subscribers who've joined us after our Black Friday (and Saturday! ) specials.

You should have received your first issue within a few hours of subscribing.

Those who would like to purchase back issues can do so here.

NEW samples of Casefile Clues

If it's been a while since you've looked at Casefile Clues, we've changed out our free samples for two new ones just tonight.

We've initiated new download procedures for free samples of Casefile Clues.

Visit this page, click "checkout" and enter your email  You do NOT need Paypal, you do NOT need a credit card, (name is actually optional). Do need an email address.

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A Chart for Wesley

This is part of a chart that was used in the last issue of Casefile Clues when we were analyzing information on Wesley Jones of Macon County, Missouri. In the issue, the chart took up an entire page--what's here is just a snippet of the entire thing.

Regular readers know that quite a few charts are used in the newsletter--subscribe within three days of this post and I'll start your subscription off with the issue in which this chart appeared.

Spend 30-Get 30% on Recorded Webinars

Until Sunday 20 November at 11:59 PM CST, we are running a Pre-Thanksgiving Sale on my recorded webinars--Spend 30 Get 30%.  Thanksgiving is pretty busy around here and it's easier to deal with issues before the holidays.

Spend $30 on recorded webinars, use the coupon code "three3" and you'll get 30% reduced from your order. You'll total order may be less than $30--depending upon your order. 

The recorded version and the PDF version of the handout can be purchased for viewing at your convenience. Presentations are generally an hour long. PDF of the handout is included.

• Using US Census on Ancestry.com (NEW!)--This presentation discusses search tips and ideas for using the US Census at Ancestry.com. There is also discussion on organizing your search before you start typing names and information in search boxes. You can purchase the recorded version of the webinar as a Windows media file and the PDF handout for $8.50. Add to cart here. 
• Brick Walls from A to Z--This lecture is based upon my article "Brick Walls From A to Z" and is geared towards the somewhat experienced beginner to intermediate researcher. Just a list of ideas to get beyond your brick walls discussed alphabetically. Handout included. Add to cart here. 
• Local Land Records in Public Domain States--This lecture discusses obtaining, using, and interpreting local land records in areas of the United States from Ohio westward where land was originally in the public domain. This lecture is geared towards those who have some experience with land records--advanced beginning and intermediate researchers.  $8.50 includes handout and hour-long lecture. Add to cart here. 
• DeedMapper (NEW!) Geared for the person who is not familiar with DeedMapper--which maps properties described in metes and bounds, allows users to map multiple parcels on the same map, manipulate plats, insert background images. This works through one example and discusses other features of the program. Add to cart here.
• Barbara's Beaus and Gesche's Girls--Case study of two German immigrants to the American Midwest in the mid-19th century. For $8.50 you will be able to download the media file and the PDF version of the handout. Add to cart here. 
• Court Records-Pig Blood in the Snow. This lecture discusses American court records at the county level where cases were typically originally heard. Discusses cases of main genealogical relevance along with searching techniques. For $8.50 you will be able to download the media file and the PDF version of the handout. Add to cart here. 
• Seeing the Patterns-Organizing Your Information. This lecture discusses the problem-solving process and a variety of ways to organize your information with the intent of getting the research to notice overlooked clues, patterns, trends, and information. $8.50 includes handout and hour-long lecture. Add to cart here.
• Determining Your Own Migration Trail/Chain (NEW!). You can purchase the recorded version of the webinar as a Windows media file and the handout as as PDFvia this link for $7. This lecture discusses ways to find the names of your ancestor's associates and ways to determine how your ancestor fit into a larger chain of migration. Geared towards advanced beginners and intermediate researchers.$8.50 includes handout and hour-long lecture 
• Using the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Website (NEW!). You can purchase the recorded version of the webinar as a Windows media file and the handout as as PDF for $8.50. This lecture discusses effective search techniques for the site, how to formulate your searches, how to trouble-shoot searches, a search template, and what records patents in the BLM site can lead to. Add to cart.
• The Missing 1840 Census Enumeration  (NEW!). This webinar discusses a couple "missing" from the 1840 Census in Ohio and how they were eventually found and the indirect evidence used. A good overview of using land records to solve a "non-land record" problem with some points along the way about organization and visualization. Suggestions for additional research are also discussed. Add to cart.

Buying Individual Issues from Year 2-Don't Wait!

Volume 2 of Casefile Clues is wrapping up. If you'd like to purchase individual issues, or less than the whole volume 2, please let me know at mjnrootdig@gmail.com.

After we wrap up year 2, I'm going to stop selling year 2 issues in "chunks" as it takes too much time to process these orders individually. After year 2 is finished, we'll sell the entire set of issues as one zip file.

Thanks!

Year 2 Issues--Topics and Ordering

Topics from the first 51 issues of year 2 are shown below (order them here): (email me at mjnrootdig@gmail.com if you need fewer than the first 51 issues).

• Volume 2-Number 1--Problem-Solving--a variety of techniques for breaking through those brick walls.
• Volume 2-Number 2--A 1907 Committal--An insanity record.
• Volume 2-Number 3--A 1921 Divorce--looking at a 1921 era divorce from Chicago
• Volume 2-Number 4--Leaving John's Hands: Documenting Post-Death Land Transfers
• Volume 2-Number 5--The Acquisition of John Michael Trautvetter's 228 Acres
• Volume 2-Number 6--The Original Versus the Record Copy
• Volume 2-Number 7--Multiple Marriage Mayhem:
  Starting the Search for Emma (Sargent) Pollard Ross Oades Pollard Snavly Olenbaugh
• Volume 2-Number 8--A Handful of Problem-Solving Strategies
• Volume 2-Number 9--Two-Thirds of an Acre from Uncle John: A Partition Suit Proves a Sibling Relationship
• Volume 2-Number 10--A Minimal Estate Gives Some Direction: The 1886-1888 Probate of Benjamin Butler
• Volume 2-Number 11--Signing What We Could Not Read--immigrants unable to read English sign a 1870 era document that is incorrect and a lawsuit results.
• Volume 2-Number 12--Dad Raised my Daughter--A newspaper account of a court case in the 1880s discusses an early 1870 out-of-wedlock birth.
• Volume 2-Number 13--Using the 1860 Census to Formulate a Passenger List Search Strategy
• Volume 2-Number 14--Search Strategy for Benjmamin Butler in pre-1870 Census Records--this looks at ways to find the missing 1850 and 1860 census enumerations for man who "appears" in Iowa in 1870.
• Volume 2-Number 15--Pre-1850 Census--analyzing 1810-1840 census entries for Thomas Chaney in Bedford County, Pennsylvania.
• Volume 2-Number 16--Names in the Probate--analyzing various names in a probate settlement from 1903. Nicknames and diminutives were part of the problem.
• Volume 2-Number 17--Bridging a Twenty-Year Census Gap-1870 to 1860. Showing that an 1870 Iowa, 1880 Missouri, and an 1850 Michigan enumeration are for the same man.
• Volume 2-Number 18--Four Passports and a Foreign Death: George Washington Drollette. Analyzes four early 20th century passports and a US State Department death report from 1933.
• Volume 2-Number 19--Diplomatic Employment Applications. Analyzes and summaries letters of support for employment with the US State Department between 1901-1906.
• Volume 2-Number 20--Just One Wife Who Shaves Her Age. Records hinted that a man might have had more than one wife. Despite age discrepancies and first name variations, we've likely proven that there was just one wife.
• Volume 2-Number 21--1930 Census: Primary, Secondary, Original, Derivative, Direct and Indirect. You'll never look at a census entry the same way again-also shows how in this case, New York became Kentucky
• Volume 2-Number 22--Finding the Biegers in 1850. Organizing our search and our negative search results in an attempt to find a German immigrant living in Cincinnati in 1850.
• Volume 2-Number 23--Separating Two George Butlers--working on two men born in Michigan in the same year with a father of the same name.
• Volume 2-Number 24-A Minor Naturalization
• Volume 2-Number 25-Genealogical Potpourri
• Volume 2-Number 26-Looking for Benjamin-Formulating a Census Search
• Volume 2-Number 27-An 1849 Cash Land Sale
• Volume 2-Number 28-From 1820-1870 Analyzing Enoch Tinsley's Census Entries
• Volume 2-Number 29-Middle Name Issues: Finding Henry J. Fecht in 1870 and Passenger Lists
• Volume 2-Number 30-The Master Reports--An Assignment of Homestead and Dower in the 1890s
• Volume 2-Number 31-The Parents Sell 10 Acres-an 1880 era land transaction
• Volume 2-Number 32-Clues from a Pig Murder--an 1820 era Kentucky Court Case
• Volume 2-Number 33-Civil War Pension Application-Why My Name's Different
• Volume 2-Number 34-Staying Focused on Divorces and a German Immigrant
• Volume 2-Number 35-Strategies for a 1820 New York Birth
• Volume 2-Number 36-First Appearing in an 1847 Marriage
• Volume 2-Number 37-The Chattel Property Will from Maryland
• Volume 2-Number 38-Emmar Osenbaugh Civil War Pension-Proving 6 Husbands (1st Part)
• Volume 2-Number 39-1870-1880 Era Guardianship Proves All the Children
• Volume 2-Number 40-Moving Mother-Transferring a Life Estate in 1769
• Volume 2-Number 41-War of 1812 Bounty Land Application and Surrendered Warrant
• Volume 2-Number 42--An 1875 Poor Farm Admission for the Smith Family
• Volume 2-Number 43-An 1811 Tennessee Will
• Volume 2-Number 44-More Problem-Solving
• Volume 2-Number 45-Emmar Osenbaugh's Civil War Pension Part II
• Volume 2-Number 46-Comments on 1856 Missouri Revised Statutes
• Volume 2-Number 47-A Will Denied--and Why
• Volume 2-Number 48-Blank Children and Three Completers on a Birth Record
• Volume 2-Number 49-Petitioning to Administrate an Intestate Probate in 1869
• Volume 2-Number 50-Fighting the Will of Trientje Sartorius
• Volume 2-Number 51-With Little to Probate: The Estate of Wesley Jones