Latin terminology appears frequently in court minutes, probate files, land deeds, and other legal documents derived from English common law. Understanding these terms can clarify procedural actions, inheritance structures, and court decisions found in historical records. Term Meaning Ad litem For the purpose of the lawsuit (e.g., guardian ad litem). Alias Otherwise known as; alternate […]
Almshouses, poorhouses, and county farms were local institutions created to provide relief to the poor, elderly, disabled, and otherwise dependent members of the community. Records from these facilities can reveal residence, health conditions, family relationships, financial status, and burial information. Terminology varied by state and time period, making it important to understand the language used […]
This past week (February 13, 2026 to February 19, 2026), the following additions were made to The Newspaper Research Academy: ✅ Free Resources – 0 New Articles were added – 102 Total ✅ Research Guides – 5 New Guides were added – 121 Total ✅ Video Guides – 0 New Videos – 19 Total ✅ […]
State hospitals and county asylums were central institutions in many communities during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Families often turned to these facilities during times of medical crisis, financial hardship, or legal intervention. For genealogists, records created by these institutions can provide important clues about an ancestor’s health, family relationships, residence, and social circumstances. […]
Background Historical Occupation Profiles explain what ancestors actually did for a living and how those occupations shaped the records genealogists rely on today. Occupation Overview Textile mill workers spun, wove, dyed, and finished cloth in factories that became the backbone of early industrial America. From the early nineteenth century through the early twentieth century, textile […]
MyHeritage continues to add or update its record collections at a fast pace for us to search. For February 1-15, 2026, there are 2 new and 10 updated collections. The new and updated collections are: I hope that some of these are what you have been waiting for! Good Luck and Happy Hunting!
Ancestry.com continues to add or update its record collections at a fast pace for us to search. For the period of February 1-15, 2026, the new and updated collections are: I hope that some of these are what you have been waiting for! Good Luck and Happy Hunting!
Naturalization in the United States was typically a multi-step legal process rather than a single document. Researchers often search for “naturalization papers” without realizing that several distinct records may have been created over time — and that some immigrants completed only part of the process. Understanding how these documents relate to one another is essential […]
Military records are another useful set that will help you find out more about your ancestors. There are a ton of records that are available for free online, and there are some very robust collections (such as Fold3 and Ancestry) that have sizable online military collections as well. Typically, military records online fall into 5 […]
FamilySearch continues to add or update its record collections at a fast pace for us to search. For the period of February 1-15, 2026, the added/updated collections are: For a complete list of all added/updated collections, go to https://familysearch.org/search/collection/list I hope that some of these are what you have been waiting for! Good Luck and […]