Author Archive
23 Jun 2018
Business Records
By Aaron Goodwin On 23 June 2018 In Uncategorized
In the March issue of NGS Monthly, “Occupations” reviewed some resources from NGSQ and the NGS Family History Conference for exploring how best to use your ancestors’ occupations as a research tool. In a posted comment on that
29 Apr 2018
Genealogy: What Matters to You?
By Aaron Goodwin On 29 April 2018 In Uncategorized
The New York Times recently published an opinion piece by author John Sedgwick with a title that refers to an old, familiar conflict: “The Historians Versus the Genealogists.”[1] Sedgwick begins by describing how historians typically view genealogists.
29 Apr 2018
Using Spreadsheets as Research Tools
By Aaron Goodwin On 29 April 2018 In Uncategorized
Some researchers use genealogy software to record and track their research. Others use word processing software, writing as they go. I’m probably like many in using a combination of both. But in certain instances, neither of these
28 Mar 2018
Occupations
By Aaron Goodwin On 28 March 2018 In Uncategorized
As far back as I’ve yet been able to discover, my ancestors were rural farmers like most of their neighbors, whether they lived in the Mid-Atlantic, the South, or the Midwest. Among that set, I’ve yet to
28 Mar 2018
Uxornecronyms: A Little-Known Naming Practice
By Aaron Goodwin On 28 March 2018 In Uncategorized
In his slim and excellent volume, The Name Is the Game: Onomatology and the Genealogist, NGS Fellow Lloyd de Witt Bockstruck coins the term uxornecronym: “the name of the first daughter born unto a second wife honoring
26 Feb 2018
Early 19th Century Vital Data from the National Intelligencer
By Aaron Goodwin On 26 February 2018 In Uncategorized
The National Intelligencer and Washington Advertiser began publication 31 October 1800. In 1810, the Washington Advertiser portion of the name was dropped, and the paper continued as the National Intelligencer until 1869. It then merged with the
26 Feb 2018
When Deed Books Are More Than Land Records
By Aaron Goodwin On 26 February 2018 In Uncategorized
In Locating Your Roots: Discover Your Ancestors Using Land Records, author Patricia Law Hatcher, FASG, FGSP, spends a couple of pages on one of her favorite topics: “Records in Deed Books That Aren’t Deeds.”[1] Hatcher uses the
31 Jan 2018
Dutch Naming Systems in Early America
By Aaron Goodwin On 31 January 2018 In Uncategorized
Among the NGSQ Archives are countless articles on sound genealogical research methodology. Some of those articles are so well-written and useful that they have become must-use resources for genealogists ever since. One such timeless contribution comes from
31 Dec 2017
Four Ways to Give Back to the Genealogical Community
By Aaron Goodwin On 31 December 2017 In Uncategorized
Giving back is critical for a community such as ours, one that is uniquely self-supporting and depends whole-heartedly on the kindness of strangers. The financial burden that societies bear to digitize records, create indexes, and educate