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Archiver > RHEA > 1998-03 > 0889396714


From: PHHGENE <>
Subject: [RHEA-L] Re: Rhea research
Date: Sun, 8 Mar 1998 17:38:34 EST


Many of you are old hands at this but for those that aren't.......

Consider this as your rule for your family research
1. All material received from anyone is to be considered
as a clue only and not as fact or proof, even if it comes from me.
2. Look for documentation for all events. Documentation can come
in many forms. I am listing some below:
a. Wills and Estate Records
b. Birth Certificates (remember some women lied)
c. Death Certificates (remember that the person supplying
the information just lost a loved one. They are distressed.
They may not have known the correct information but thought
they did.
d. Census Records (remember that these were done
by part time workers. Some census takers obtained the info
from the neighbors or the husband that can not remember correctly, instead of
the Lady of the house, or the servant.)
e. Tax Records- (To avoid paying taxes on their male children, they
often gave a younger age for the male child until his age was obvious).
f. Marriage Records -( marriage without parental permission
required the bride to give a false age, if she was under age.) That
there are generally 3- 5 documents pertaining to the marriage.
Each document is equally important and sometime offers conflicting
information. Parental consent was often on a scrap of paper. Make
sure you ask for ALL records pertaining to the marriage. Just
because there was a bond did not mean that they got married.
g. Cemetery Records- The stone may not be the original and may
contain errors. Even if it is the original it may contain errors.
h. People used Nic Names on legal documents
i. Land Records can give you a good indication of the neighbors
in which the children may have married.
There are more and you will learn as time goes on.
Most of us know that our Rhea History is riddled with errors. We hope to
correct these. Don't lose contact with me. As we clear up errors, we will
continue to share with each other. We must continue to dig for wills, estate
records, cemetery records, Bible records and any other document available on
Rhea's.

We have made a lot of progress and we will make alot more, if we all stay
focused.

Pat

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