As we research our ancestors in historical records, we start to get to know them. As researchers, we learn about their wealth (or lack thereof), the type of land they owned, and their military service. We can learn about their religion and possibly even the contents of their household.

But do you ever wonder what your ancestors looked like?

How tall was your great grandfather? Which side of the family did you get your blues eyes from? What color hair did your ancestor have? Did you ancestors have any physical deformities?

Even if you have no photographs of your ancestors, you can find descriptions of their physical characteristics.

Let’s take look at 5 sources for finding a description of an ancestor’s physical characteristics and potentially a photograph. 

1. Draft Cards - A man’s physical characteristics were listed on WWI and WWII draft cards. Height, weight (slight, medium or stout), hair color, and eye color were recorded. Race was also included. If your ancestor had a physical deformity, that was listed as well.  

WWI Draft Card for Connie M. Howard of Lee County, NC (Source: Ancestry.com)

This example shows that Connie M. Howard of Lee County, NC was of medium height and medium build with brown eyes and black hair. No physical deformities are noted.

2. Civilian Conservation Corps Records - Part of the New Deal by President Roosevelt, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was a public relief corps dating from 1933-1942. The CCC program was specifically for unmarried and unemployed men. Roads, parks and improvement to other federal lands and natural resources were built by the CCC.  

A young man’s height, weight, eye color, hair color, complexion, and physical deformities were included on their admission and discharge papers.

3. Jail Records- Was your ancestor on the wrong side of the law? Admission records into a jail or prison likely will include a description of the inmate which can be very descriptive. In addition to the usual height, weight, eye and hair color, and complexion, descriptions of scars and tattoos are frequently included.

Take a look at the detailed physical description of 1866 Sing Sing Prison inmate Charles Miller.  Beyond the basics, we have a clear description of his scars and even how his mouth inclines to the left.

1866 Sing Sing Prison Admission Record (Source: Ancestry.com)

4. Passport Applications - Your ancestor’s passport application is another potential source to learn about your ancestor’s physical characteristics. Similar to the records above, passport applications asked for height, weight, eye and hair color, complexion and more.

As a bonus, you may find a photograph of your ancestor attached to the application.

1921 Passport Application of Abraham Jacobs (Source: Ancestry.com)

5. Yearbooks - High school and college yearbooks are another source for finding what your ancestor looked like by actually finding their photograph.  More and more yearbooks are being digitized and made available online. Researchers may be surprised to find how early yearbooks date back. In addition to searching for yearbooks on the large genealogy databases, check state archives and university digital collections.

Digital NC is one example where researchers of NC ancestors can find digitized yearbooks online dating back to 1890. The new MyHeritage Yearbook Collection is another.

Finding an actual photograph of an ancestor is not always possible, but researchers can search for descriptions of an individual’s physical characteristics.  Just as an individual’s household contents can be determined from wills and estate sales, an individual’s physical characteristics can be determined by searching the records he/she left behind.

Lisa Lisson is a genealogist, blogger and Etsy-prenuer who writes about her never-ending pursuit of ancestors, the “how” of genealogy research and the importance of sharing genealogy research with our families. Specializing in North Carolina and southern Virginia research, she also provides genealogical research services to clients. In researching her own family history, Lisa discovered a passion for oral history and its role in genealogy research. You can find Lisa online at Lisa Lisson.com.

As of 1 January 2018, Pinterest has over 175 million users.  Are you of them? Maybe you use Pinterest to save new recipes or to try DIY projects you want to tackle.

But….

Do you use Pinterest to augment your genealogy research? To collaborate with other researchers? If not, you may be missing out on a valuable asset in your research.

Pinterest users go to Pinterest to:

1. Be inspired.
2. Solve a problem (and genealogists have lots of “problems” to solve!).

What is Pinterest?

Initially, Pinterest started out as more of a visual bookmarking site. It still is, but Pinterest now functions very much like a search engine.

Used creatively Pinterest can be one of the best tools in a genealogist’s toolbox.  Virtual bulletin boards can be created on whatever subject the pinner chooses. Genealogy researchers can create themed boards based on their research interests.

Examples include:

• Location based research boards.  Example: North Carolina Genealogy or Irish Genealogy
• Genealogy topic boards. Example: DNA & Genealogy or Tracing Female Ancestors
• Surname Boards. Example: Talbott Genealogy

 Pins can then be pinned to the relevant board on the user’s page.

Sample North Carolina Pinterest Board

Think about Pinterest in an old school way.  Remember the corkboard bulletin board you had in your bedroom as a teenager?  You used thumbtacks to put up pictures, programs, corsages from a dance.

You pinned things on your bulletin board you wanted to remember for nostalgic reasons or for things you needed to remember coming up.

Pinterest can do the same thing. Only in Pinterest you can have as many bulletin boards as you like organized to fit your needs! Even better, you can share your bulletin boards and pins with others.

Sample Pinterest Boards

Pinterest as a Search Engine

Pinterest can be used as a search engine and this is where its power as a genealogy researcher’s tool really is. Just as you perform a search on Google, you can perform a search on Pinterest.

Type your search term(s) in the search box.  Pins related to your search term or keywords are displayed.  For example, if you are currently researching Irish ancestors, type “Irish genealogy” into the search bar at the top of the page.

A small portion of the search results for “Irish Genealogy” on Pinterest.

Results for the Irish genealogy are displayed. Click on the pin to get more details.

At this point you want to do one of  two things (or both):

1. Click on the image (again) to go to be taken to the webpage for that information
2. Save the pin to your board (ie.to a virtual bulletin board you have created) to review later.

Pinterest users can also search using hashtags such as #genealogy or #familyhistory.

Other Great Ways To Use Pinterest in Your Genealogy Research

As mentioned above, Pinterest can function as a visual bookmarking platform and a search engine. There are other ways Pinterest can benefit you as a genealogy researcher.

• Collaboration –  Group boards can be created allowing you to collaborate with other genealogy researchers and pinners on a topic of mutual interest.
• Follow Your Favorite genealogy bloggers and genealogy industry leaders – In Pinterest you have the ability to “Follow” other pinners including your favorite bloggers and industry leaders.
• Wish Lists – Are you saving up for more genealogy reference books? Create a board centered around your wish list.
• Research travel plans – Pin links to lodging, research repositories and local historical sites to reference as you plan your genealogy research trip.

Now It’s Your Turn!

• Create your own Pinterest account. (It’s Free!)
• Use the search bar at the top and start exploring genealogy related pins.

Lisa Lisson is a genealogist, blogger and Etsy-prenuer who writes about her never-ending pursuit of ancestors, the “how” of genealogy research and the importance of sharing genealogy research with our families. Specializing in North Carolina and southern Virginia research, she also provides genealogical research services to clients. In researching her own family history, Lisa discovered a passion for oral history and its role in genealogy research. You can find Lisa online at Lisa Lisson.com.

A well versed genealogist told me that when you lose an ancestor in south central Virginia in the 1830’s look in Georgia. Losing an ancestor took me from the basement of the Halifax County, Virginia court house to the genealogy records of Georgia.  

Look in Georgia?

The discovery of Georgia gold in 1829 led to the Georgia Gold Rush and an influx of people seeking their fortunes. Almost every surname in Halifax County, Virginia in the 1830’s can be found in Georgia. As it turns out, I was following the ancestor who was following the gold. Without learning the history of the time and the area, looking for my ancestors in Georgia would not have occurred to me. (Tip: Know the historical and economic events that would have impacted your ancestors.)

Now I needed to learn about the Georgia Genealogy resources.

Source: Library of Congress

Georgia Genealogy Resources

Georgia is made up of 159 counties.  Genealogical records for each county vary as is often found in the Southern states.  Fires, floods and natural disasters account for many of the record losses. Marriage and probate records were recorded by the clerk of the Ordinary Court. Land records were recorded by the Clerk of the Superior Court.  The Superior Court handled most civil cases as well. From 1805-1833, Georgia had a unique land lottery system to distribute lands that had been taken from the Cherokee and Creek Indians.  

Online Resources for Your Georgia Genealogy Research

• Georgia Archives – Your starting place for Georgia genealogy research.
• Georgia’s Virtual Vault – part of the Georgia Archives – Examples of available records include deed books, colonial wills, and death certificates.
• Digital Library of Georgia – Records from 60 institutions and 100 government agencies.
• Historic Newspapers of Georgia - part of the Digital Library of Georgia
• The Georgia GenWeb Project – A variety of resources provided by dedicated volunteers.
• Historical Georgia Maps – Historical maps dating back to the mid to late 1600’s.
• Vital Records – Site for the Georgia Department of Public Health.
• New Georgia Encyclopedia - This is a good resource on the history of Georgia.
• Family Search – Examples of Georgia records include Freedmen’s Bureau, probate and headright and bounty land records.
• Baptist Church Records – Historical Baptist church records at Mercer University. The finding aids are online, but most of the actual records are not. Contact the archivist for assistance.
• Georgia Land Lotteries – Information on each of the 8 land lotteries held between 1805-1833. If your ancestor participated in one of the Georgia land lotteries, know the eligibility rules for the participants. Clues to the participant’s age, marital status, arrival in Georgia can be gleaned.
  
  

African American Genealogy Resources

Are you researching African American ancestors in Georgia?  These resources may be of help.

• AfriGeneas - A website devoted to African-American genealogy research. Be sure and check out their online community, too.
• Low Country Africana - African American Genealogy in SC, GA and FL  - Beautiful website dedicated to African-American genealogy research of SC, GA, and FL ancestors.
• Freedmen’s Bureau Field Office Records, 1865-1872 (FamilySearch.org) – Includes records on rations, medical care, school reports and more.

Genealogical Societies of Georgia

Genealogical societies at the state, regional and local levels provide a variety of helpful resources.

• Georgia Genealogical Society
• East Georgia Genealogical Society
• Central Georgia Genealogical Society
• Southwest Georgia Genealogical Society
• Check out local county genealogy and/or historical societies specific to the locations of your ancestors. Often times, they have “an insider’s knowledge” on resources unique to an area or family.

Don't forget to the check out the Legacy QuickGuide: Georgia Genealogy by Stephanie Pitcher Fishman (PDF Edition)

Share your favorite Georgia genealogy resources in the comments below!

[Unfortunately, that gold seeking ancestor did not strike it rich and no family fortune in gold was discovered!]

Lisa Lisson is a genealogist, blogger and Etsy-prenuer who writes about her never-ending pursuit of ancestors, the “how” of genealogy research and the importance of sharing genealogy research with our families. Specializing in North Carolina and southern Virginia research, she also provides genealogical research services to clients. In researching her own family history, Lisa discovered a passion for oral history and its role in genealogy research. You can find Lisa online at Lisa Lisson.com.

If you research North Carolina or Virginia ancestors, you will not find it unusual to track your ancestors to Tennessee.  Do you know the best resources and sites to research your Tennessee ancestors?

Original Photo Source: Library of Congress

First Things First

Just as you would with any other new location you are researching, learn about the county and state where your ancestors lived. Research the county and state lines and any boundary changes that may have occurred during the pertinent time period. Refer to this interactive map of Tennessee’s evolving county borders.

Source: Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division

Tennessee State Library and Archives

The Tennessee State Library and Archives is a natural place to start your Tennessee genealogy research. You will find a variety of resource guides and online digital collections. Examples include Searching for Your Ancestors at the Tennessee State Library and Archives, Early NC/Tennessee Land Grants, and African American Genealogical Resources.  Be sure and check the Family Bible project and the historic Tennessee map collection, too.  Take time to explore the Tennessee State Library and Archive’s website as you begin researching your Tennessee ancestors.

Another great resource for Tennessee residents is the genealogy tab at the  Tennessee Electronic Library.  You will need to provide Tennessee zip code and phone number to gain access.

Tennessee Records in the State Archives of North Carolina

Initially, part of today’s Tennessee’s eastern counties were part of North Carolina.  In 1784, North Carolina ceded part of their western lands to the federal government, but set aside land for land grants to Revolutionary War veterans. Land grants for these counties can be found in the State Archives of North Carolina. 

Once Tennessee became the 16^th state, the county records for those previously North Carolina counties stayed with the county seats. A few early records for these counties were retained in North Carolina.  Refer to the Records relating to Tennessee in the North Carolina State Archives document for a listing of these records.

For a more detailed explanation of the formation of modern day Tennessee including the State of Franklin, go to the Tennessee State Library and Archives.

Lookout Mountain, TN Source: Library of Congress

Tennessee Genealogy Databases around the Web

Sometimes in genealogy research, the researcher needs to think “outside the box.” In other words, get creative in the search for records and resources to further your research and break down those brick walls.   Examples of good resources for the Tennessee genealogist include:

• The Tennessee GenWeb Project
• The Tennessee Genealogical Society
• Middle Tennessee Genealogical Society
• East Tennessee Historical Society
• Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives
• Be sure to visit individual counties genealogical and historical societies.

This list is not meant to be exhaustive, but a starting point for the researcher with Tennessee ancestors.

You can also start your Tennessee research by watching these webinars by J. Mark Lowe in the Legacy Family Tree Webinars library:

• What happened to the state of Frankland - Using Tennessee's Pre-Statehood Records
• Researching your Tennessee Ancestors

What are YOUR  favorite Tennessee genealogy resources? Tell us in the comments!

Lisa Lisson is a genealogist, blogger and Etsy-prenuer who writes about her never-ending pursuit of ancestors, the “how” of genealogy research and the importance of sharing genealogy research with our families. Specializing in North Carolina and southern Virginia research, she also provides genealogical research services to clients. In researching her own family history, Lisa discovered a passion for oral history and its role in genealogy research. You can find Lisa online at Lisa Lisson.com.

Most genealogy researchers are familiar with the population schedules of 1790-1940 United States Federal censuses. Many are not as familiar with non-population schedules such as the Agricultural schedule, the Mortality schedule or the Industry/Manufacturers schedules. These schedules are often underutilized, but can provide the researcher with valuable information about your ancestors.

Many of your ancestors were farmers and as such would have been recorded in the agricultural census records. The agricultural schedule was kept from 1850-1910. Unfortunately, not all of these schedules survived.  The 1890 schedule was lost due to the effects of the fire that destroyed the 1890 population census. The agricultural schedule of 1900 and 1910 were destroyed by congressional order.  The surviving Agricultural census records are for the years 1850, 1860, 1870 and 1880.  (These can be found on Ancestry.com. Ancestry.com can frequently be accessed for free at your local library or your local Family History Center.)

Why would your ancestor not be included on the agricultural schedule? In 1850 farms that did not produce $100 in products were not included.  In 1870 farms that produced less than $500 or that was less than 3 acres were not included.

Agricultural Schedule. Image from Ancestry.com.

Information Found on the Agricultural Schedule

1. The name of the owner, manager or agent of the farm.
2. In counties where tax and/or land records are missing, the agricultural schedule can place an ancestor in place and time.
3. The agricultural schedule can provide a look at an ancestor’s household.  What crops were raised (wheat, rye, Indian corn, oats, sweet potatoes, barley…..)   What livestock (horses, asses and mules, milk cows, working oxen, other cattle, sheep and swine) was owned and the value of this livestock. How many acres the farm contained, including improved and unimproved. 
4. Just like the population census records, your ancestor’s neighborhood can be seen. This is important since you can learn who was in your ancestor’s FAN club [Friends, Associates and Neighbors]. 
5. The agricultural census can help in differentiating between two people of the same name.
6. Another interesting thing the southern researcher can learn is what how the Civil War affected your ancestor’s farm and land values. 

Let’s take a closer look at the 1850 Agricultural Schedule

1850 Agricultural Census for Jesse R Haley of Halifax County, VA. Image from Ancestry.com

Jesse R Haley (~1802-1869) lived in Halifax County, Virginia. In 1850 Jesse owned his own farm consisting of 80 acres of land.  25 acres of land were improved and 55 acres were unimproved.  The land was valued at $240. Farming implements and equipment were valued at $10.  His livestock included 1 horse, 3 milk cows, 1 other cattle, 6 sheep and 22 swine. The livestock is valued at $136.  Jesse Haley grew wheat, indian corn, tobacco, oats, peas, irish potatoes and sweet potatoes.  The farm also produced 30 pounds of butter.

Now let’s take a closer look at Jesse Haley’s farm in 1860 Agricultural Schedule

Portion of the 1860 Agricultural Schedule for Jesse R Haley (Halifax County, VA). Image from Ancestry.com

Jesse R Haley was still living in Halifax County, Virginia on the same land next door to Nancy Tribble.  He now has 80 acres (40 improved and 40 unimproved) worth $600. His farm equipment and implements are worth $40.  He owns one horse, two milk cows, 2 working oxen, 3 other cattle, 22 sheep and 8 swine. His livestock is valued at $234. He grew indian corn, oats and tobacco valued at $985. He also grew peas, irish potatoes and produced 60 pounds of butter.

Between 1850 and 1860, Jesse Haley’s economic situation improved. He acquired more livestock and switched to predominantly sheep in 1860 as compared to swine in 1850. More milk cows led to an increase in butter production.

Unfortunately, Jesse Haley died in 1869, so the value of his land and farm after the Civil War in not known. Like others around him, it is almost certain the value of his farm was less than in 1860.

When searching your farming southern ancestors, be sure to look beyond the population census records.  The Agricultural Schedules of the United States censuses will provide you with valuable information and clues about your ancestor leading to new research possibilities.

 
Lisa Lisson is a genealogist, blogger and Etsy-prenuer who writes about her never-ending pursuit of ancestors, the “how” of genealogy research and the importance of sharing genealogy research with our families. Specializing in North Carolina and southern Virginia research, she also provides genealogical research services to clients. You can find Lisa online at Lisa Lisson.com.

Research in the South can be both challenging and rewarding. Historically, the southern states’ culture and economy have been deeply rooted in agriculture. As an agrarian society, many areas were not meticulous in keeping records. When living on farms any significant distance from the courthouse, taking care of business at home took precedence over a lengthy trip to the courthouse. Births and deaths might not be recorded until months or years later. Deed transfers within the family might not be formalized for a generation. As a researcher of the American South, it is imperative to understand the agrarian way of life.

Another challenge for the Southern researcher is burned counties.  Many counties have lost records over the years to fire and/or natural disasters.  Certainly the Civil War played a role in the loss of courthouse records. While research in a burned county can present a brick wall for the researcher, the brick wall is not insurmountable.

Don’t despair! Research of your southern ancestors will still be a rewarding experience.  

Daniel T. Richardson of Pittsylvania County, VA - ~1906 (Source: Personal Collection of Lisa Talbott Lisson)

5 Online Places to Find Your Southern Ancestors

1. The State Archives – More and more records are becoming available online for the genealogy researcher.  A good place to start is with the state archives where your ancestors lived. Each state will have its own unique holdings. For example, if you have North Carolina ancestors, visit the State Archives of North Carolina website. You will be able to search their holdings and explore their digital collections. Examples of what you will find include family Bibles, Civil War Pension Applications, and War of 1812 Pay Vouchers.  The State Library and Archives of Florida’s Florida Memory Collection is another good example of using a state archives’ available online records. On their site a sample of what you will find includes Spanish land grants, WWI Service Cards and Civil War Pension Applications.
   
   
2. State and Local Genealogical Societies – The amount of information found on state and local genealogical societies will vary quite a bit. The information is usually provided by the society’s volunteers.  Still, be sure to check these societies for where your ancestor lived. Depending on the individual society, variable local records will be available. For example, transcripts of individual will and deeds might be found. Photographs of local residents and landmarks are another example that may be found. Some of the information may only be available to the society’s members while others are available to the general public. These sites are certainly worth a look.
   
   
3. Documenting the American South (DocSouth) – The University Library at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) sponsors this online resource for southern history, cultural and literature. Among its collections are first person narratives of slaves, women, farmers and soldiers. Other collections include personal diaries and papers relating to the Civil War and slave narratives. DocSouth is an invaluable resource for any southern researcher.
   
   
4. The Library of Virginia – While obviously focused on the records of Virginia, many southern families of other states such as Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama can trace families back to Virginia.  The LVA website is also a valuable resource for learning about the southern culture and way of life.
   
   
5. The Digital Library on American Slavery – If you have African American ancestry, this site sponsored by the University of North Carolina at Greensboro is an excellent place to visit. Many slave deeds, runaway slave advertisements and slavery era insurance records may be found here.

Remember: For all the excellent records available online, there are many more that are not. To be complete in your research, sometimes you need to travel to a repository or use the assistance of a local genealogist.

Now…. Go grab a tall glass of iced tea and start exploring your southern roots!

You can learn more about southern genealogy research in these Legacy webinars:

• Researching Your Tennessee Ancestors
• Researching Your North Carolina Ancestors

 
Lisa Lisson is a genealogist, blogger and Etsy-prenuer who writes about her never-ending pursuit of ancestors, the “how” of genealogy research and the importance of sharing genealogy research with our families. Specializing in North Carolina and southern Virginia research, she also provides genealogical research services to clients. You can find Lisa online at Lisa Lisson.com.