Unraveling the lineage of those who fought for American independence can be a rewarding yet challenging endeavor. Whether you are a seasoned genealogist or a beginner, researching Revolutionary War ancestors requires a blend of traditional family history and specialized military searches. This article serves as a comprehensive guide, offering insights into databases, location-specific resources, and…
As we head into 2026, I find it rewarding to look back at the genealogy paths I have navigated over the past twelve months. My work continues to specialize in the research of families across Eastern New York and New England. Because families migrated from New England through New York and further westward, my research…
If you’ve been researching your ancestors in New York for any length of time, you know the frustration: you’ve searched every index—Census, Vital Records, Probate—and you’ve hit a brick wall. The records just aren’t there. You are not alone! New York State presents unique challenges for genealogists, largely due to its decentralized record-keeping (towns, counties,…
The Wilson Family Papers, an archival collection at the University of Michigan, provides a detailed look into life in Clermont, New York, and the surrounding areas during the late 18th and 19th centuries. The collection primarily focuses on three generations of the Wilson family, particularly William Wilson (1756–1828), a prominent physician, judge, and estate manager…
My research is a journey through time, guided by the clues and insights found within historical documents. The published materials, manuscripts and collections I use to advance my research provide the foundation for my investigations. The 1855 New York State census is a valuable resource I often turn to when researching the state’s history in…
My genealogical research, both for clients and my own family history, has led me to discover some helpful online resources. I’m sharing these resources with you, in the hopes that they will assist in your own research efforts. This post focuses on a 19th century published history of Montgomery and Fulton counties in New York….
Genealogical research relies heavily on the wealth of information preserved in various research collections, and in this blog series, I explore some of the most valuable resources I utilize in my research. For this post, I’m focusing on Massachusetts probate records. Understanding Massachusetts Probate Records Massachusetts probate records, as well as probate records in general,…
My genealogical research, both for clients and my own family history, has led me to discover some helpful online resources. My intention is to create a series of posts to share these resources with you, in the hopes that they will assist in your own research efforts. This post focuses on an Albany newspaper called…
Importance of Guardianship Records Guardianship records, which were filed with the courts after a father’s death, are an important resource, potentially providing evidence of birth, marriage and death, as well as identifying family relationships. After a father’s death, his children were considered orphans. One or more guardians would be assigned responsibility for the children’s care,…
Harris Williams is my 2nd great grandfather and researching his life is how my interest in learning about my ancestors began. When I started out, there wasn’t anyone on either side of my family that I knew to be the “family historian”. My only living grandparent was my grandmother, Ellen (Williams) MacCammon. As you do…