International migration often leaves indirect clues across multiple records. Even when passenger lists or immigration records are missing, these indicators can suggest movement between countries. Birthplace and Census Clues Name and Cultural Indicators Naturalization and Citizenship Records Travel and Border Records Community and Social Clues Economic and Occupational Indicators Download the Quicksheet PDF To obtain […]
Author: Kenneth R Marks
Kenneth R Marks was born and educated in the San Francisco Bay Area, receiving a BS in Mathematics in 1968. His career was in Information Technology; with the last 20 Years as a software executive with Boeing, Pearson, and NASA. His genealogy career began in 2004. He is an expert in newspaper research for genealogy, as well as additional genealogy topics. He regularly conducts webinars on the subject and has authored three genealogy books. See the About page for more details.
The Ancestor Hunt, founded in 2008, is focused on helping genealogy and family history researchers of all skill levels to achieve their goals, by providing links to free online genealogy collections, and search tips and techniques, largely via easy-to-understand Quick Reference Guides.
Obituaries are valuable sources of genealogical information, but they are not always available or easy to locate. Understanding why an obituary may be missing can help guide research toward alternative sources. No Obituary Was Published Published in Unexpected Location Newspaper Coverage Gaps Name Variations and Errors Search Limitations Alternative Record Exists Instead Download the Quicksheet […]
Business incorporation records document the legal formation of companies and partnerships. These records can reveal occupations, financial activity, associates, and community standing, and often include specialized legal and business terminology. Term Definition Articles of Incorporation Legal document establishing a corporation. Assets Property or resources owned by business. Board of Directors Group managing corporate decisions. Bylaws […]
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 Firefighters were responsible for protecting communities from fires, responding to emergencies, and preserving life and property. In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, firefighting was often performed by volunteer fire […]
Migration often leaves a trail of records documenting departure, travel, and arrival. These records can help trace an ancestor’s movement and establish timelines between locations. Departure Records Travel and Migration Records Arrival and Settlement Records Community and Social Records Economic and Occupational Records Download the Quicksheet PDF To obtain the Quicksheet PDF of this information, […]
Obituaries are valuable sources of genealogical information, but they do not always exist or survive. When an obituary cannot be found, other records can provide similar details about death, family relationships, and community connections. Vital and Death Records Cemetery and Burial Records Newspapers and Local Sources Probate and Estate Records Church and Religious Records Government […]
Mortgage and lien records document financial obligations tied to property. These records can reveal ownership, debt, economic status, and relationships between individuals and institutions. Term Definition Amortization Gradual repayment of loan over time. Assignment Transfer of mortgage from one lender to another. Borrower Person receiving loan secured by property. Collateral Property pledged as security for […]
Wildcard searches are one of the most powerful — and most underused — tools in genealogical research. They allow researchers to find records even when names are misspelled, abbreviated, or recorded inconsistently. What Are Wildcard Searches Wildcard searches use special characters to replace unknown or variable letters in a word. Using the Asterisk (*) The […]
When a birth record does not exist, identity must be confirmed using a combination of other records and evidence. By correlating multiple sources, researchers can establish identity with a high degree of confidence. Census and Age Patterns Family Relationships Location and Residence Occupation and Social Clues Associates and Witnesses Name Consistency and Variations Baptism and […]
Negative evidence refers to the absence of expected information in a record. While it may seem less useful than direct evidence, the lack of a record or entry can provide important clues when interpreted carefully. What Is Negative Evidence Negative evidence occurs when something expected is not found. When Negative Evidence Matters The absence of […]