Ancestors: Tips and Tricks

September 2008 << Tips and Tricks

Ancestors is proud to present the best genealogical tips and tricks from genealogists around the globe. Every month, the Ancestors team selects a featured tip for you to use in your own genealogical work.

Do you have a tip or trick to submit? Just visit our tip submission page to find out how to send your favorite tips!

Here is this month's featured tip:

Many people don't like to think that they may have had a "criminal" or "outlaw" in their family. Check the old wanted posters, jail records, etc. for the areas that you believe your family came from. My family is Native American, and it is only within the last few years that people would even talk about their history in this area. My mother's family rode with Geronimo. I found mention of my great--- grandfather occasionally through newspaper clippings containing wanted posters. Also remember that a reservation registration is not necessarily accurate. Many natives feared giving Uncle Sam a paper trail to follow.

DeBorah Bankston