January 31, 2012
My name is Maggie Champion, and I am the sole proprietor of Maggie’s Genealogy Service. I am a professional genealogist, and a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists.
Please click on the links at the top of this page, or on the right side of this page, for more information.
You have reached my Blog page. My blog had its first post on Tuesday, 31 January 2012!
Thank you for visiting!
Maggie Champion
mcgen@cinergymetro.net
May 10, 2013
Hi Everyone,
I need to be away for a while, so will not be posting for a bit.
Be back soon, Maggie
May 7, 2013
Have you ever used the Family Search Catalog? Sometimes great finds are there?
Go to familysearch.org, and click on Catalog. Then, type in the place name in which you are interested.
Recently, I was trying to find a will of an ancestor. I typed “Kentucky, Oldham” in the place name space. When the catalog of items for Oldham County appeared, one of the items was “Kentucky, Oldham – Probate records (2).” I clicked on it, and “Will books, 1824-1917″ was one of the items that appeared. And, the item was available online! I found my ancestor’s will and probate record! What a find!
Not all of the items in Catalog are available online, but it is certainly worth the time to check and see!
Maggie
May 3, 2013
Recently, while searching for a relative in the census, I came upon an interesting situation
The relative was boarding with a fellow worker. The situation had to do with the fellow worker.
There was a head of the household, John. He was married to Mary. The “fellow worker” was Richard, and he was married to Jane.
John was listed as Head of the household, and his wife, Mary, was listed as wife.
Richard was listed as Brother-in-law, and Jane was listed as Sister-in-law.
Was Richard the brother of John’s wife, Mary, or was Richard the husband of Mary’s sister (Jane)? Was Jane the sister of John’s wife, Mary, or was Jane the wife of Mary’s brother (Richard)?
Something to think about!
Maggie
April 30, 2013
Have you ever had a relative who was a widow, and she cannot be found in the census following her husband’s death?
One possible reason for this is that she may have remarried after her “first” husband died. So, check for a marriage record for the widow. Keep in mind that she may have used her maiden name for her “last” name when she remarried.
Another possible reason for this is that she may have used her maiden or “first” last name in the next census. The reason for saying either her “first” name is that if she was married previous to her late husband, she may have used her other “first” husband’s last name in the next census!
I have seen “maiden” names, “previous marriage” last names, and “new husband” last names in the next census!
Maggie
April 26, 2013
Have you ever asked the above question of one of your relatives? I know that I have!
A number of years ago, I had been diligently searching for the death certificate of a woman. I knew she had lived in Florida, and she was buried in Florida. However, no death certificate could be found.
My client did not have any additional information on her death.
So, I began looking for her death certificate in the places where her children and grandchildren had been living about the time of her death – this date was from her gravestone. And, a discovery was made! She had died while visiting a grandson! And, he lived in Kentucky!
When I went to the county in Kentucky where she died, there was her death certificate, just waiting to be discovered!
So, if a record cannot be found where you know the person lived, check the residences of the children and grandchildren. You may find the record there!
Maggie
April 23, 2013
Have you found this website? I have, and am so glad that I have!
This website features the Arphax Publishing Company maps that we all find so useful in placing our ancestors.
At this site, one can look at a variety of maps. The site has state maps, county maps, township maps, land patents maps, road maps, and waterway and rail maps.
I find that this is a good supplement site when looking that the Bureau of Land Management patents. Much more information about each patent is found at HistoryGeo.com.
Take a look at it! historygeo.com.
Maggie
April 19, 2013
Ever wonder why a will or probate record cannot be located for your ancestor?
If your ancestor died at a late age, it could be that all of his property had already been given to those whom he wanted to have it.
I have an ancestor who I know died in a certain county in New York. However, no will or probate has been found. Looking at the previous census record, he was listed in the family of his daughter and son-in-law. And, the year after his death, in the next census, his daughter and son-in-law are listed owning their property – worth more than the previous census. It could be that my ancestor had already given his property to his daughter, so there was no need for a will.
Something to think about!
Maggie
