The Family Tree Problem Solver: Tried-And-True Tactics for Tracing Elusive Ancestors (42 page)

A bibiliography or catalog of materials held by multiple libraries or repositories, such as the National Union Catalog of Manuscript Collections, a Library of Congress-generated finding aid for personal papers in institutions nationwide.

This term used to refer to all interest paid, not just illegally high interest as it does today.

On a 1910 Miracode index card, the house number of the indexed individual.

The most basic information available for a person; these statistics — found in vital records — include birth (abbreviated b), marriage date and place (abbreviated m), divorce date and place if applicable (abbreviated div) and death date and burial place (abbreviated d and bur).

A woman who followed a military regiment as a sutler or canteen keeper. Though exact numbers are unknown, many women served in this capacity during the American Civil War.

On a Soundex or Miracode index card, the number of the census volume in which the indexed name appears.

A list of registered voters for each state. Voter registration lists are sometimes the first public records of former slaves. Many states have microfilmed their lists or make them available on interlibrary loan.

A document in which a person outlines what should be done with his or her estate after death. The legal process to see that those instructions are carried out is called probate.

A person who sees an event and signs a document attesting to its content being accurate. Although family members often served as witnesses, don't assume that all witnesses are relatives — friends, neighbors and business associates also commonly witnessed documents.

What the signer of a document would often write if he couldn't write his name. A witness would typically label this “his mark.”

Genetic material passed down from father to son. Because surnames also pass from father to son, Y-DNA tests can confirm (or disprove) genealogical links through a paternal line. Y-DNA surname studies are the most popular application of genetic genealogy.

A name adopted by some Civil War Union volunteer regiments, who wore brightly colored uniforms, similar to the French light infantry units of the same name.

F
amily historians know there is no shortage of information to keep track of while researching ancestors. The research logs and worksheets in this appendix will help you record, organize, and analyze the data you collect. In this appendix you'll find these helpful templates:

Family Group Sheet
Biographical Outline of the Life Of
Birth Information Tracker
Parent Names Tracker
Marriage Information Tracker
Statewide Marriage Index Tracking Form
Immigration Information Tracker
Military Record Checklist
Deed Index — Grantees
Deed Index — Grantors
Cemetery Transcription Form
Death Information Tracker
Photo Identification Worksheet
Source List
Research Calendar
Research Journal
Note-Taking Form

Family Group Sheet of the
Family

Ancestor:

Record information on education, military service, marriage, children, illnesses, religious milestones, migrations, residences, jobs, family events, land purchases, court appearances, deaths and burials, etc.

Organize supporting evidence for your ancestor's' birth and see conflicting years or locations at a glance.

Ancestor:

Organize supporting evidence for your ancestor's parents and see conflicting names at a glance.

Ancestor's Name:

Organize supporting evidence for your ancestors' marriage and see conflicting years or locations at a glance.

Ancestor's Name:

Statewide Marriage Index for

Transcribe information from marriage indexes.

            Surname
Soundex Code