Local histories are one of the most overlooked resources in genealogy — but they often contain more narrative detail about ancestors than official records. Small-town histories, county historical volumes, centennial celebration books, and community anniversary publications were written to document local people, families, events, and achievements. Because many were produced for a town’s 50th, 75th, […]
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.
Between the mid-19th and early 20th centuries, newspapers used a wide vocabulary to describe marriage and engagement events. Many of these phrases did not include the literal word “married” — which means traditional searches often miss them. This Quicksheet has a large variety of marriage and engagement terms that help you to home in on […]
Business advertisements and trade notices were often the only printed records of small shops, family firms, or self-employed craftsmen. These seemingly routine ads provide valuable genealogical detail — names, partnerships, occupations, and sometimes even reasons for a business closing or changing hands. Phrases like “successor to,” “late of,” “retiring from trade,” or “estate of” can […]
Auction and estate sale notices were a public record of change — death, debt, relocation, or transition. When property, belongings, or livestock were sold, a legal announcement followed in the local newspaper. These notices often list names, addresses, property details, and even relationships, making them a goldmine for genealogists who read between the lines. Download […]
When your ancestor disappears from the records, don’t look for a stranger — look next door. Neighbors appear again and again in censuses, deeds, newspapers, and probate files. They often migrated together, intermarried, and served as witnesses or executors. Tracking the families around your ancestor builds a community map that can expose hidden kinship links […]
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, local newspapers published “Personal Mention” or “Local Happenings” columns — the community’s version of Facebook status updates. Reporters (and often readers themselves) submitted short notes about who was visiting whom, who returned from a trip, or who entertained guests for Sunday dinner. A single column could mention […]
Court records are among the richest, yet most overlooked, sources for genealogists. They can reveal names, relationships, occupations, property details, and even glimpses into your ancestors’ daily lives. These records go far beyond criminal cases — they document the legal, financial, and social fabric of a community. Download the Quicksheet PDF To obtain a two-page […]
Fraternal orders, benevolent societies, and community clubs were a cornerstone of American life from the mid-1800s through the mid-1900s. If your ancestor wasn’t listed in a census or newspaper that year, there’s a good chance they were recorded in the membership rolls of a lodge, union, or club. 20% of men in 1900 belonged to […]
When searching old newspapers and census records, we are often faced with unusual names of occupations, and we have no clue as to their meaning because the terms are not in use today. I have collected a list of about 360 old occupations and their meanings from a variety of sources. Dan Burrows and Jan […]
Funeral home records often pick up where obituaries and death certificates stop. They can provide personal details, informant names, addresses, burial locations, and clues about religion and finances. Why Funeral Records Are Valuable What You Might Find in These Records How to Locate Funeral Home Records Tips for Contacting Funeral Homes Other Records to Use […]