February 8, 2009
TRACING OUR
ROOTS
WHAT IS HER NAME? WHO IS SHE?
by Brenda Kellow
As often as
possible, I try to answer questions my reader’s send me about their research
problems. I received one that was interesting and goes along with Women’s Family
History Month in March. Although I cannot answer everyone’s questions, I decided
to examine the problem and try to help her.
The question was
from a woman who asked if her assumptions were correct about the wife and mother
dying before the husband since the probate records did not mentioned her name.
She further hypostasized the single child given to another couple to rear was
probably related and possibly a member of the mother’s family. The researcher
had documented the husband’s lineage through his father’s will, but had not been
able to identify his wife.
When the husband
died, the probate made no mention of her. After posting a substantial
guardianship bond of $7,500, the court gave three of their four children to one
family member, but gave custody of the remaining child to a distant relative.
She hypothesized that the single child went to a member of the family who was
likely to be that of the wife’s family. My thoughts are that the guardians were
friends or neighbors, but may certainly have been a relative of the wife or
husband. Another scenario is that the child was needed to help with family
chores in the store of a merchant or as a laborer on a farm, or the child could
have been placed there to receive special care for a medical problem.
Suggestions
given were to check for an obit in the newspapers and cemeteries for a tombstone
for the wife. Because of the substantial guardianship bond, the county court
minutes probably have written and signed quarterly accounts from the guardians
to the court itemizing equipment and property sales and purchases. These
quarterly reports would continue until the children reached majority or the
females married—whichever came first. A further check of probate records might
also give some clues.
To answer her
question, the hypotheses may be correct, but it is not good practice to
‘suppose.’ You need proof however substantial. It was not clear if she had
investigated the entire family, but if not they should be for this question and
many others may never be answered. It is important to research direct
bloodlines, but also you must include the collateral lines—aunts, uncles,
cousins.
WHO DO YOU THINK
YOU ARE? At 8 p.m. on April 20 NBC is broadcasting the American version of the
highly popular British show, Who Do You
Think You Are? It will feature well know people, but the first one is
produced by Lisa Kudrow and she will be presenting lineages of popular
celebrities, including hers, Sara Jessica Parker and Susan Sarandon. The promo
says this about the show, “The documentary series will lead celebrities on a
journey of self-discovery as they unearth their family trees that reveal
surprising, inspiring and even tragic stories that often are linked to crucial
events in American history.” Read more about it at
www.nbc.com/Primetime/who -do-you-think-you-are/.
FGS CONFERENCE IN LITTLE ROCK: This September 2-5, the
Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) conference theme is
Passages through Time with both
national and regional speakers. You can register online for one day or for the
full four days at www.fgs.org. The Peabody Hotel adjoins the Convention Center
and the Doubletree Hotel is across the street. Please make your hotel
reservations soon as the hotels fill quickly and you will not be able to get the
special genealogy at another hotel. Their website is
www.fgs.org/2009conference/index.php.
Brenda Kellow has a bachelor's degree in history,
teaches, and lectures on genealogy. Before retiring to publish her family’s
histories in 2007, Brenda held certification as a Certified Genealogist and as a
Certified Genealogical Instructor. Send reunions announcements, books to review,
and genealogy queries to: TraceRts@verizon.net.
