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Strategy: Waterway and Canal RecordsBy Dale E. Lee and AI2026.01.07 Waterway and Canal Records When ancestors lived near rivers, canals, or other waterways, a rich but often-overlooked source of information becomes available: waterway and canal records. These documents, created to support the operation, regulation, and commercial use of waterways, can uncover occupational, migration, and social history details that standard records might miss. The Importance of Waterways in Historical Context Before railroads became dominant in the 19th century, rivers and canals were vital for transportation and trade. Communities often developed along waterways because they provided efficient routes for moving goods and […]

Strategy: Property Tax RecordsBy Dale E. Lee and AI2025.12.31 Property Tax Records Property tax rolls are often overlooked in favor of more familiar sources. Yet property tax records can offer a unique and revealing glimpse into your ancestors’ lives; often with a consistency and detail that other records lack. From confirming residency and family relationships to tracking economic status over time, these records are an indispensable tool for the determined genealogist. What Are Property Tax Records? Property tax records were created by local governments to assess and collect taxes on land and personal property. Typically maintained at the county, town, […]

Strategy: Boundary ChangesBy Dale E. Lee and AI2025.12.24 Boundary Changes One of the most overlooked aspects of genealogical research is understanding the shifting geography of our ancestors’ lives. While most researchers focus on names and dates, the places those ancestors lived; and how those places changed over time; can make or break a successful family history search. Boundary changes are a key reason why records seem “missing” when they may actually be filed in an unexpected county, state, or other location. Learning to track and interpret these changes can open up whole new avenues of discovery. Why Boundary Changes Matter […]

Strategy: Church Census RecordsBy Dale E. Lee and AI2025.12.17 Researching Church Censuses When tracing family history, most genealogists turn first to national or civil censuses. But for those who hit a wall with conventional records, another valuable, lesser-known resource lies within the walls of churches: church censuses. These religious surveys, conducted by various denominations to monitor membership, attendance, or demographics, can reveal deeply personal information and often bridge gaps in the public record; especially before or between government censuses. What Are Church Censuses? A church census is a type of internal record compiled by a congregation, diocese, or denomination. Unlike […]

Strategy: Slave Sale or Emancipation RecordsBy Dale E. Lee and AI2025.12.10 Slave Sale or Emancipation Records Genealogy research involving enslaved ancestors; or ancestors who were slaveholders; requires a unique and sensitive approach. Standard census or civil records often fall short when it comes to enslaved individuals, who were typically listed only as property or by age and gender. However, lesser-known resources like slave sale and emancipation records can open windows into family connections, locations, and personal histories that are otherwise obscured. Understanding the Historical Context Before diving into records, it’s vital to understand the historical context. Enslaved individuals were legally […]

Strategy: Fraternal Organization RecordsBy Dale E. Lee and AI2025.12.03 Fraternal Organization Records Genealogy is a quest to reconstruct the lives of those who came before us; to fill in the blanks of their stories and understand the communities they lived in. One of the most underutilized yet richly informative sources in genealogy research is fraternal organization records. These records; created by groups like the Freemasons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Elks, and similar societies; offer a unique lens into your ancestor’s affiliations, character, and connections. If your ancestor belonged to one of these societies, you may be able to uncover […]

Strategy: Boarding House RegistersBy Dale E. Lee and AI2025.11.26 Boarding House Registers While the usual resources are undeniably valuable, digging deeper often requires creativity and knowledge of less conventional sources. One such overlooked treasure trove lies in boarding house registers; a hidden gem for genealogists seeking to discover the lives of ancestors during transitional or undocumented phases of their lives. What Are Boarding House Registers? In the 19th and early 20th centuries, boarding houses were a common form of lodging for single men and women, recent immigrants, transient workers, or those just starting anew in a different town or city. […]

Strategy: Jury ListsBy Dale E. Lee and AI2025.11.19 Jury Lists Lesser-known sources can provide rich contextual details about our ancestors’ lives. One such underutilized resource is jury lists. Often tucked away in court archives or governmental reports, jury lists can yield surprising details; such as occupation, residence, age, property ownership, and even character evaluations. These documents don’t just confirm an ancestor’s presence in a certain location; they place that person in a civic context, surrounded by neighbors and peers, at a specific moment in time. What Are Jury Lists? Jury lists are official records of individuals who were summoned to […]

Strategy: Letters of IndentureBy Dale E. Lee and AI2025.11.12 Letters of Indenture Lesser-known resources like letters of indenture can offer rich, detailed insights; especially when researching early immigrants. These contracts, used primarily in the 17th through early 19th centuries, documented agreements between indentured servants and their masters and often reveal personal details not available elsewhere. What Are Letters of Indenture? A letter of indenture is a legal contract between two parties, usually binding one to work for another for a set period in exchange for something of value. In the colonial and early post-colonial eras, this “value” was often transatlantic […]

Strategy: City Voting MapsBy Dale E. Lee and AI2025.11.05 City Voting Maps Genealogy research often hinges on locating where ancestors lived at specific times. Census records, city directories, and property deeds are commonly used, but there’s a lesser-known, highly informative source worth exploring: city voting maps. These maps; created to delineate electoral boundaries such as wards, precincts, or election districts; can offer surprisingly rich insights into an ancestor’s community, residence, and even socioeconomic status. What Are City Voting Maps? City voting maps were developed by local governments to manage elections. They depict how cities were divided into electoral units; usually […]