Tracing Women Using Land, Tax, Probate, Military, Society, and Newspaper Records - International Institute: Difference between revisions

Land records are some of the earliest available genealogical records. Land records may reveal details such as if the father gave property to a couple as a dowry, and it immediately reverted to her husband’s name. Also, take into account that once married, a husband could sell a wife’s inherited property without her knowledge. Always check grantee (buyer) and grantor (seller) records to determine when the woman or her husband first appear as owning land and then when the land is sold, typically after the death of the woman or her husband. In the 19th century, due to the right of dower, a woman is identified when a couple sold land, and not when the land was purchased. Look for statements at the end of a deed that may indicate that “of her own free will” she agreed to have these lands sold. The last land sale may include a date of death which can help secure an obituary or death certificate. Also, check for all the heirs who may be selling and signing off on their parents’ land after their death. In addition, seek out key phrases such as “et ux” which is a Latin abbreviation meaning “and wife,” and “et al” which is Latin for “and others.” Finally, if you can’t locate a woman or her husband, look for their children or grandchildren. In the U.S., deed books originally belonged to the jurisdiction that created them (usually the county). Some counties moved records to another jurisdiction, while some established regional archives for the safekeeping of old records and other moved older records to state archives. Consult the [http://www.archives.gov/ NARA] website and the [http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en.html Bureau of Land Management]. You may view old records on microfilm and these can usually be ordered from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ [http://www.familysearch.org/ Family History Library]. Search the FamilySearch Library Catalog under the topics for Land and Property. Another valuable source is published abstracts. First, check with the local or regional genealogical society in or near your county (or town) of interest. In addition, abstracts may also appear in periodicals. You can use the electronic version of the Periodical Source Index (PERSI) to search for abstracts. Many libraries have PERSI on CD-ROM or a subscription to Ancestry.com or Heritage Quest that will allow you access to the database.  

Always check everything under the woman’s husband’s name as well, because many times the woman is listed only under her husband’s records. It is also useful to research the records of siblings, and collateral lines in the family.