Tracking Those Elusive Female Ancestors

Tracking Those Elusive Female Ancestors by Diane Inman, 2015

"Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. -- Abigail Adams to John Adams, March 1776

Prior to the 20 th century, it is typically difficult to locate and trace a woman. Most historical records were created for and are about men. Controlled the government.

Prior to the 20 th century, it is typically difficult to locate and trace a woman. Most historical records were created for and are about men. Ran most of the businesses.

Prior to the 20 th century, it is typically difficult to locate and trace a woman. Most historical records were created for and are about men. Owned most of the property.

Prior to the 20 th century, it is typically difficult to locate and trace a woman. Most historical records were created for and are about men. Woman took husband s name upon marriage.

Prior to the 20 th century, it is typically difficult to locate and trace a woman. Most historical records were created for and are about men. Male surname carried to next generation.

Prior to the 20 th century, it is typically difficult to locate and trace a woman. Most historical records were created for and are about men. Cultural treatment of women played a role.

Prior to the 20 th century, it is typically difficult to locate and trace a woman. Most historical records were created for and are about men. Women allowed it to happen.

Four Main Areas of Research The Individual Woman: Family situation Life experiences Culture Beliefs and interests

Four Main Areas of Research The Woman s Relationships/Family Relatives Friends Neighbors Customs

Four Main Areas of Research Where the Woman Lived Country Locality Family situation Historical significance

Four Main Areas of Research The Time Period Countries involved Social history Reasons to relocate

How will you proceed? What records will you need? Strategy What do you already know? What do you hope to discover? Who can you talk to? Remember the 5 W s: Who When Why What Where

Tips and Tricks Check all records for her male relatives. Consider the possibility of more than one markers. Learn naming patterns for the culture. Consider spelling variations. marriage and multiple burial Make a life timeline for her.

Birth Records Most Useful Records

Birth Records Marriage Records Most Useful Records

Birth Records Marriage Records Death Records Most Useful Records

Birth Records Marriage Records Death Records Church Records Most Useful Records

Birth Records Marriage Records Death Records Church Records Census Records Most Useful Records

Birth Records Marriage Records Death Records Church Records Census Records Cemetery Records Most Useful Records

Birth Records Marriage Records Death Records Church Records Census Records Cemetery Records Court and Probate Records Most Useful Records

Most Useful Records Birth Records Marriage Records Death Records Church Records Census Records Cemetery Records Court and Probate Records Newspaper Records

Most Useful Records Birth Records Marriage Records Death Records Church Records Census Records Cemetery Records Court and Probate Records Newspaper Records Military Records

Most Useful Records Birth Records Marriage Records Death Records Church Records Census Records Cemetery Records Court and Probate Records Newspaper Records Military Records Children s Names

Most Useful Records Birth Records Marriage Records Death Records Church Records Census Records Cemetery Records Court and Probate Records Newspaper Records Military Records Children s Names Immigration Records

Passports Other Useful Records A woman was usually listed on her husband s passport. Application information would usually include: Name, age, signature Place of residence Personal description Names or number of persons in family traveling Date Date and court of naturalization Date and place of birth of applicant, spouse, and minor children Date, ship, U.S. port of entry

Passports Other Useful Records Passports from 1791 to 1925 are in National Archives Record Group 59. The originals are at the National Archives in Washington, DC. Other links at: http://www.naturalizationrecords.com/usa/passports.shtml

Immigration Records: Other Useful Records National Archives The Historical Society of Pennsylvania Ellis Island

Legacy Quick Guide: Finding Your Female Ancestors by Lisa Alzo http://familytreewebinars.com/archived_webinars.php

SAMPLE: https://familysearch.org/search Search Keyword: Women yields almost 5000 entries America's women in the Revolutionary era : a history through bibliography, 1760-1790 by Grundset, Diaz, and Gentry

SAMPLE: https://familysearch.org/search Search Keyword: Women yields almost 5000 entries Index of references to American women in colonial newspapers through 1800 by Helen Evans

SAMPLE: https://familysearch.org/search Search Keyword: Women yields almost 5000 entries Descendants of Caspar and Rebecca Barger Strahl of Berks County, Pennsylvania : with observations on other ancestral Quaker families by George W. Andrews

https://familysearch.org/search Search Keyword: Women yields almost 5000 entries Availability of the materials: FamilySearch.org will tell you where to find copies. Read or download from online website Inter-library loan through UVA or other libraries

Woman in Civil War photos ($) http://www.fold3.com Search by: Woman s name

Woman in Civil War photos ($) http://www.fold3.com Search by: Husband s name (ie.mrs. ***)

Woman in Civil War photos ($) http://www.fold3.com Search by: Use terms wife, daughter, family

Woman in Civil War photos ($) http://www.fold3.com Search by: Roles: hospital, sanitary commission

Woman in Civil War photos ($) http://www.fold3.com Successful searches: Group of contrabands, including women

Woman in Civil War photos ($) http://www.fold3.com Successful searches: General O. C. Ord of Virginia with wife and child

Woman in Civil War photos ($) http://www.fold3.com Successful searches: Tent life of the 31 st Pennsylvania Infantry

Woman in Civil War photos ($) http://www.fold3.com Successful searches: Mrs. L. B. Wilson

Before 1907 http://www.archives.gov/publications/ prologue/2014/spring/citizenship.pdf Naturalization is a choice, not a requirement.

Before 1907 Expatriation Act - MAR 2, 1907 Any American woman who marries a foreigner shall take the nationality of her husband. Naturalization is a choice, not a requirement.

Before 1907 Expatriation Act - MAR 2, 1907 If the husband became naturalized, the wife regained her citizenship. Naturalization is a choice, not a requirement.

Before 1907 Expatriation Act - MAR 2, 1907 If the husband did not become naturalized, the wife had to go through the entire naturalization process to regain her citizenship after he died or they divorced. Naturalization is a choice, not a requirement.

Before 1907 Expatriation Act - MAR 2, 1907 If the government refused naturalization to the husband, there were no repatriation opportunities for the wife. Naturalization is a choice, not a requirement.

September 22, 1922 Cable Act sponsored by John L. Cable, Ohio Congressman It allowed women to repatriate or reapply for citizenship Naturalization is a choice, not a requirement.

Many of the first Asian women to come to the U.S. in the mid-1800s were disadvantaged Chinese women, who were tricked, kidnapped, or smuggled into the country to serve the predominantly male Chinese community as prostitutes.

The impression that all Asian women were prostitutes, born at that time, "colored the public perception of, attitude toward, and action against all Chinese women for almost a century," writes historian Sucheng Chan.

Chinese Exclusion Act - 1882 Chinese women denied entrance into the United States.

Chinese Exclusion Act - 1882 1930 Chinese wives were allowed entry if they had married a U. S. citizen before 1924.

Chinese Exclusion Act - 1882 1930 The War Brides Act - 1945 permitted wives and children of Chinese American citizens to apply for citizenship.

Chinese Exclusion Act - 1882 1930 The War Brides Act - 1945 Immigrants were detained at Angel Island Detention Center until 1940 and the Appraiser s Building in San Francisco until 1952.

Japanese picture brides - 1910 to 1919 By arrangement between families, women would marry in Japan, although the groom resided in the United States. The first American born generation of Japanese were called Nisei.

Japanese picture brides - 1910 to 1919 At the end of 1919 The United States would only issue a passport to Japanese women who emigrated with their husband. The first American born generation of Japanese were called Nisei.

Japanese picture brides - 1910 to 1919 At the end of 1919 World War II -1942-1946 Japanese were detained in internment camps. The first American born generation of Japanese were called Nisei.

Japanese picture brides - 1910 to 1919 At the end of 1919 World War II -1942-1946 Some Nisei joined the military. The first American born generation of Japanese were called Nisei.

Native Americans Matrilineal Matrilocal Membership is to a clan rather than to a family determined through the mother.

Native Americans Monacan Indians here in Virginia Chief Sharon Bryant

African Americans Special research techniques Dr. Shelley Murphy

Online Resources 90 sources for finding a woman s maiden name http://www.genealogyblog.com/?p=21263

Online Resources Cyndi s List http://www.cyndislist.com/female/general/

Online Resources The Hidden Half of the Family By Christina Kassabian Schaefer http://smile.amazon.com $43.50

Online Resources Tracing Your Female Ancestors From the publishers of Family Chronicle Internet Genealogy & History Magazine http://smile.amazon.com $9.95

Full name of father Online Resources MY LATEST FAVORITE Ancestry.com U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007 Maiden name of mother

Vocabulary Administratrix Consort Dower Et ux: Goodwife/Goody Gretna Green Now wife Spinster Bondmaid Dowager Dowry Executrix Grass widow Nee Relict Testatrix