Researching in Mississippi?

Mississippi Gulf Coast

Note proximity of Jackson and Harrison Counties

Biloxi Bay is home to many of our rich histories even as early as the late 1600s.  There’s Biloxi, of course, and a couple miles east sits Ocean Springs, “The City of Discovery,” and Pascagoula and west there’s Gulfport.  Although a relatively small area, it holds a plethora of records; probably more records than a researcher has time to scour in one visit, especially sine they are scattered throughout the region.

Preparing for a Visit

When taking genealogy trips, I usually do all the legwork at home.  Why waste precious time? Here are a few pointers:  Let’s say we want to concentrate on deeds and wills in Jackson County, Mississippi, the home of Ocean Springs and Pascagoula. We need to know the record keeping history of Jackson County, Mississippi. We learn immediately that the courthouse was plagued with fires, four of them, the latest being 1875.  That is not good news, but let’s not despair!

1)      First check the Family History Library (FHL) Catalog, to learn what is on “loan-able” microfilm.  Never waste time on a genealogy trip staring into a microfilm screen when you can do that for a month at a time at your neighborhood Family History Center, an approved genealogy library or a State Archive for only $5.50.  The only catch is that it may take a couple of weeks to receive the microfilms.  Remember, you can only borrow microfilms not books, so take note of the Format entry in the catalog. 

For our region, the FHL has land and property records, between 1854-1924.  But, it also has indexes between 1888-1893, and 1895-1896.  So if you are looking for records prior to 1854, an onsite visit to the Biloxi Bay area may be your best bet.  As far as indexes are concern, no need in ordering those if you are already going to visit.  The court ledgers should have an alphabetical index in the front of the book, or some form of cross-reference.

If you are doing slave research, be sure to research the slave master’s records.  You may find your ancestor listed in inventory lists, wills, deeds, etc.  Slaves were not only sold, but hired and shared between settlers.  They were also considered inherited property, so don’t forget the records of the offspring’s of the slave master.  Slaves may also have named their previous slave master in a law suit, usually after the civil war and only for character building, but not so common in Mississippi.

JACKSON COUNTY MISSISSIPPI
WPA SOURCES
Wills -- 1876-1925
Records of Administration -- 1874-1890
Marriages -- 1837-1919
Marriages-White- Vol 1&2-1875-1883
Deeds (Vol 5-8) 1879-1888
Tax Rolls --1819-1846

2)      My next stop is always to the local Genealogical Society website.  Why?  Sometimes, they guide me directly to the repositories I need.  Keeping the theme of Jackson County, Mississippi why not try the Ocean Springs Genealogical Society website.

Here you can go to “Research Links” and identify microfilms that the FHL does not have; such as the Wills for 1876-1925; and Deeds from 1879-1888.  Although I’m still not impressed, since Ocean Springs was settled around 1699 and incorporated in 1892, I take note. 

The most thrilling of all of this is the tax rolls of 1819-1846. By analyzing tax rolls, I can often find out quite a bit about my ancestor: who were the neighbors, did they own land, etc.  However, if you are doing slave research, these records are usually of no value to you.  But be sure to become familiar with the tax rolls.

A curious point - the Jackson County marriages are divided as Marriages 1837-1919 and Marriages-White 1875-1883.  Perhaps free-coloreds and ex slaves after 1864 are listed here.  Worth looking in the index for a name.

3)      As I mentioned before, I’m still not impressed, so where else to spend those few days while in Jackson County, Mississippi?  Why not visit the Mississippi Department of Archives and History (MDAH).  website. I’m an advocate that you become familiar with the website catalog reviewing County and District digital holdings, as well as online collections, prior to your local visit. 

Keeping our example of Jackson County, Mississippi, I tested the Online Catalog, “County Records on Microfilm.” and found once again that most everything – deed books, estate records, etc. - has only been preserved from 1872.  This is not unusual, as the state archives’ holdings are only copies of what is held in the local jurisdictions, but in this case it does not appear that there have been any efforts to reconstruct records. 

So What Now?  More Places to Research

A Bit of Local Geography  - Based on a quick reading, it appears Mississippi became a state in 1817, and the major mode of transportation was via water. There are groupings of holdings at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History cataloged as the Biloxi District and the Gulfport District.  Although the Biloxi District Court and Will records begin in 1868 (pretty late), the Gulfport District dates back to 1841. 

Yes, I know the Gulfport District is in Harrison County, but it is adjacent to Jackson County.  So, now the questions are how and when did the county lines historically change?  A little more research is needed here, so why not check a State Formation Map?  Jackson County was established in 1812, but in 1841 the western part became Harrison County.

Historical Newspapers - Although I wouldn’t spend too much time searching old newspapers on microfilms, especially if they can be ordered from the state archives or through the FHL and reviewed at your home location, I would recommend you become aware of the politics and newspapers of the time.  The MDAH has a comprehensive holding of Historical Newspapers. 

Note to African American researchers, you may wish to go through church newspapers such as the Star of Zion, AME Zion.  Check for a local African American History Museum.

Special Collections –

Public Libraries - Remember to go to the public library in town, which may have a collection of local historical papers or books.  Usually you can get assistance by calling the research librarians in advance. For African American researchers check for any Republican biased papers before 1900, they were more sympathetic to African American news.

University Collections - One last pointer: don’t forget the local university holdings.  They are unused goldmines.  Again, in this region, I would suggest African American researchers to be mindful of the local Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), even if they are located a few hours away.  Call in advance and become familiar with their holdings for your specific interest.

a3Genealogy

Accurate, Accessible Answers

a3genealogy@gmail.com

All Slave Research is NOT the Same

Researching A New England Slave From The 1600s

State	MASS	NH	NY	CON	RI	PA	NJ	VT
European settlement	1620	1623	1624	1633	1635	1638	1620	1666
First record of slavery	1629?	1645	1626	1639	1652	1639	1626?	c1760?
Official end of slavery	1783	1783	1799	1784	1784	1780	1804	1777
Actual end of slavery	1783	c1845?	1827	1848	1842	c1845?	1865	1777?
Percent black 1790	1.4%	0.6%	7.6%	2.3%	6.3%	2.4%	7.7%	0.3%
Percent black 1860	0.78%	0.15%	1.26%	1.87%	2.26%	1.95%	3.76%	0.22%

   Chart: Slavery in the North, Douglas Harper, 2003; online http://www.slavenorth.com

I received a message today from a reader who had a problem that all researchers of slaves would love to have.  She ran into a brick wall on her slave ancestor from the 1600s!  The 1600s?  That means, I suspect, she got through the Civil War, and backed up past the Revolutionary War, and was able to trace an ancestor to the 1600s! She even knew the slave master’s name.  What?  How?

This ancestor was from the Northeast.  Of course, like all of us, she wanted to continue her search using a comprehensive slave database.  Well, there are several slave databases scattered about, but none are comprehensive.  So what is a researcher of slaves to do?

You start researching and delving into the slave master’s records, and you begin to hone your analytical skills.  Yes, you should have paid attention in school.  For starters, pull the slave master’s will, deeds, and other relevant property records (that may include land records).  Why? These records most often named the slave by name (usually by first name, but may have a second name/surname if previously owned).  Slaves were valuable property and to be inherited in many cases.  There were even serious court fights over the ownership of a slave and the off-springs of slaves. 

Don’t forget to peek around the New England Historical Society in Boston for slave master records, even if your person wasn’t from Massachusetts. This repository holds a surprising amount of resources.

Now the analytical part! 1600 New England slave trafficking had a different flavor than that in the south. Just look at the chart above. Sure it too was part of the Atlantic Slave Trade, but practices and customs were different. Many slaves during this time were brought over with the masters, or purchased right off the ship, even though some did come from the south. So be sure to become familiar with where the slave master originated and lived (England, Portugal, etc).  Be familiar with customary practices of transporting and selling slaves for that area.  

By the Revolutionary War, slavery was practically wiped out in the US north east.

a3Genealogy

Accurate, Accessible Answers

a3genealogy@gmail.com

Wisdom Wednesday - 8870 Formula Every Time

Exact Dates with Subtraction

 

Basic math can help even genealogist.  Let’s take a walk through the cemetery armed with only a birth date, and without your beloved calculator. And VOILA, you finally find Mrs. Ancestor’s tombstone!  Mrs. Ancestor’s grave marker (or death record) reveals important information.  She died at 83y, 11m,29d on 28 March 1901 (I’ve found my share of these types of etchings).[1]

 

Very basic math would place Mrs. Ancestor birth year as 1818 (1901 minus 83years).  But we have more information on Mrs. Ancestor now.  Ignoring the reason her loved ones declared it important to put 83y 11m 29d on her tombstone; this added information has helped me break a few cases. Armed with the 8870 formula, I can determine an exact birth date.

Solution

Let’s use the 8870 formula on the spot, at the tombstone, without a calculator to quickly derive at the answer.  There’s no need to count backwards. This method can also be used to verify the accuracy of your birth data, or may create questions if the birth year you have the one calculated by the 8870 formula is correct.

Apply the Formula*

Tombstone Facts on Mrs. Ancestor

Died:                                       March 28, 1901 

Age on Tombstone:                 83y 11m 29d

Birth date:                               unknown

Death              19010328        March 28, 1901

Age                 -  831129         83y 11m 29d

                       18179199

                      -       8870         Constant – 8870 Formula 

Birth date        18170329         March 29, 1817

Nuances

There are times that you will get answers that don't work out perfectly.  For example you may get 13 months or 58 days.  If this is the case, base the answer on 12 months, 30 day  (i.e. 13 = 1 more year; whereas 58 days needs one more month and 28 days (58-30 =28 days).

More Information

If you do not wish to do this by hand, there are handy dandy calculators on the computer.  Try the Tombstone Calculator at Ancestor Search.  The Board for Certification of Genealogists webpage provides many examples and an explanation of the nuances.                 

This method has been used by genealogists for years.  Now you have the secret formula.

a3Genealogy

Accurate, Accessible Answers

a3genealogy@gmail.com

[1] This is an example: I filled in the days with 29, to avoid the complication of nuances.  Tombstone does not read 29d.  Read the BCG nuances to learn how to calculate a birthdate without the days. 

*This example has been simplified. 

Tombstone Tuesday - Dating Tombstones

Let’s Review the Basics

Sandstone Grave Marker

 When walking the cemetery finding Mr. Ancestor, an unmarked grave in the cemetery plot can still lead to hints. For one, don’t forget to note the material of the tombstone, especially of unmarked grave.  This detailed information can be helpful when trying to distinguish generations in families that reuse names.  Such was the case with the five sons of Oney Martin and Alford Martin.  The eldest son was Alford, as were two grandsons and one great-grandson.  None had readable dates on their tombstones. 

I have also used this method to determine when the marker was placed on the grave.  This may provide hints to erroneous dates, especially, when a marker is placed years after the ancestor’s demise. When the material of the tombstone does not match the death date of the deceased, it is important to take note.

Headstone, Tombstone, or Grave Marker?

“The terms headstone, tombstone, grave marker and gravestone are used synonymously. But it wasn’t always that way. At one time, tombstones and gravestones were actually different things. The terms tombstone and headstone were originally used to describe the stone lid of a coffin, while a ‘gravestone’ was the marker that was placed on top of the gravesite.”[1]

Matching Dates/Eras with Tombstone Materials

The following information has been reprinted for genealogists periodically. I most recently saw it in an archived copy of the Harper County Connections (Kansas) genealogy periodical.[2]

1650-1890	Sandstone or brownstone (a type of sandstone) was often used in Colonial America.  Brownstone deteriorated quickly.
1796-1830	Slate material or fieldstone.  Pioneers used wood slates, but few exist due to natural decomposition.
1830-1849	Limestone and marble (a re-crystallized form of limestone, but quite expensive) dissolve slowly due to the mild acid of rainwater.  These flat topped hard marble inscriptions become less readable over time. Although 1830-1849 is the most common period marble and limestone tombstones may be seen, this date may be extended from 1780-1930.
1845-1868	rounded or pointed soft marble with cursive inscriptions.
1850s -present	Masonic four sided-stones
1860-1900	pylons, columns and exotic style monuments
1874-1914	sand-cast zinc monuments or “white bronze” was marketed as a more durable and less expensive material than marble.
1900s	granite most common

Can’t Make Out the Date?

Try using a 75 watt black light bulb (in any lamp) and cast the light directly on the written message.

a3Genealogy

Accurate, Accessible Answers

a3genealogy@gmail.com

[1] Headstones and Memorials, A Short History of the Granite Headstone. http://www.headstonesandmemorials.com/History_of_the_Headstone_Granite_Headstone_History.php;  Online access 22 Jun 2010

[2] Harper County Connections, “Bits N’ Pieces” (original source note “from the Michigan USGenWeb page).

French Genealogy Blog

 Researching Ancestors from France?

The educational and informative French Genealogy Blog, authored by professional genealogist Anne Morddel, encourages readers to research French Heritage. As Morddel lives in France, she is able to also keep her readers up to date on any Fédération Française de Généalogie policy changes that may affect online genealogical research as she did in her post "Bad News."

Like most Professional Genealogists, I prefer going directly to the source and reading the information in the native language, so I appreciate Morddel’s close attention to providing the necessary links.[1] For those who do not consider themselves as Francophone researchers, Morddel’s English translations will be much appreciated.

About French Records
If you are searching for your French ancestry, you are in luck. I would rate the France genealogical records as being excellent after 1789 - 1910; great after mid 1600s; and fair between 1334 and mid 1600s.[2]

Where to Find More Information
A thorough“Beginner’s Guide to Researching Your French Ancestry” may be found at the About.Com:Genealogy website. This website goes into depth on “Where are the Records?” and “Where to Start?” What the reader will find most helpful is the breakdown and historical facts of each record type, i.e. births, census, etc.

Portals to France
The Library of Congress "Portals to the World" website is bookmarked on my work computer. It lists about six “go to” resources on its “Genealogy: France” page. Each of these sites are populated with links and pages that the France researcher will cherish. Cyndi’s List has a large selection of help websites for France research in English.

Kathleen Brandt

a3Genealogy

Accurate, Accessible Answers

a3genealogy@gmail.com

[1] See author’s "Experience and Qualifications"
[2] French records are held as private records for 100 years.

Confederate Ancestors Fed Up

Missing in 1870 Census, Found in 1880?

www.fotolog.com/deluxecat/47429429

Situation

The civil war ripped Confederates of their land, possessions, and slaves. They no longer felt safe and were discontent with the Reconstruction and changes in their way of living. They felt as “outsiders” in their own country.

Solution

Up to twenty thousand southerners left the United States between 1865-1885, for a 30 to 60 day passage and new life in Brazil.[1] Most of these exiles were from Alabama, Texas, and South Carolina. However, 12 of the southern states were represented in Brazil. It is estimated that many of these expatriates, returned to the United States, the others and their descendants became Confederados.[2]

For Genealogists – Descendants of Confederates

Your ancestor may have decided to leave the USA for a few years, or indefinitely, after the Civil War. Children birth places and names may be the first clue. Local newspapers are also a good source. Ship records and Brazilian immigration records may also assist.[3]

Why Brazil?

In spite of pleas from Gen Robert E. Lee to not leave the south, the disenchanted Confederates answered the call of Emperor Dom Pedro II of Brazil. Pedro offered land grants and transport assistance. Land was offered at 22 cents an acre, with four years credit and the expatriates successfully farmed and planted cotton.[4] A big attraction of Brazil was that slavery was not abolished until 1888.

Confederado Communities?

The Confederates settled in São Paulo and Paraná provinces in the American colonies of Americana, Campinas, Juquiá, New Texas and Xiririca. There were also colonies in Espírito Santo and Santarém. The Baptists/Protestant Campo cemetery, for the Confederados is located outside Santa Barbara do Oeste. Campo is the meeting place for festivals and is usually filled with fried chicken, cornbread and southern cuisine. The largest, “Festa Confederado,” raises awareness of the Confederados every April and the Confederate flag is proudly flying on the 4^th of July celebration.

Although the Confederados were in a Catholic dominant country, their communities survived around the English speaking Protestant churches. English was spoken with a southern drawl as late as the 1950’s.[5] And, the descendents of the Confederate colonists still call themselves Confederados.

Even though the original settlers were not accustomed to the racially mixed families and the large population of Brazilian free coloreds The present day Confederados have embraced the Brazilian culture,. Whereas, early settlers did not intermarry with the Brazilians, due to their racial mix, present day descendents of the Confederados reside in all provinces of Brazil, and they freely intermarry.[6]

Why Return to the USA?

There were diseases like malaria and smallpox that drove many colonists to return to America. In addition, not all of the soil was good for farming, and Brazil abolished slavery in 1888. There was also civil unrest in 1932.

Ex-slaves Went Too?

It was not too uncommon for a freed-slave to travel to Brazil in order to upgrade his “colored” status. Although slavery was still legal in Brazil for 23 years after emancipation in the USA, free coloreds in Brazil were given many more opportunities than those given to the ex-slaves during the Reconstruction Era.[7]

For More Information

A full bibliography and overview is given in Confederados: South Goes South: American Perspectives on Southern Immigrants to Brazil by Ernest R. Rheaume is online.

a3Genealogy

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a3genealogy@gmail.com

[1] “30-60 day passage” reported in Brasil: migrações internacionais e identidad. http://www.comciencia.br/reportagens/migracoes/migr16.htm Online access 15 June 2010. Although there are no accurate numbers of those who left, in 1872 the most accurate data records approximately 4,000 exiles. The numbers range between 3 thousand and 20 thousand. Some historians believe the numbers were intentionally lowered as to not cause a mass exodus. Movimento de passageiros norte-americanos no porto do Rio de Janeiro; 1865-1890, autor and researcher Betty Antunes de Oliveira, (a descendent of a Confederado) documented up to 20 thousand colonists in Brazil.

[2] It is estimated that up to 60% of the exiles returned to the USA.

[3] The Confederados often moved in religious and community groups. The Brasil: migrações internacionais e identidad identifies the number of Americans who landed on the shores of Brazil in 1867.

[4] The Confederados: Forgotten Descendants of the Confederate States of America http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/41849/the_confederados_forgotten_descendants.html?cat=37

[5] Brazil, No promised land for Confederates: http://www.brazzil.com/2004/html/articles/apr04/p107apr04.htm; Preserving the Culture: http://www.comm.unt.edu/histofperf/tonyspenser/Preserving%20the%20Culture.htm; online access 15 Jun 2010

[6] No promised land for Confederates: http://www.brazzil.com/2004/html/articles/apr04/p107apr04.htm

[7] Black people in Brazil who had white ancestry were not considered “black.” In 1976, the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (BGE) reported a classification system whereby the citizens were able to identity themselves using skin color; and, there were 134 terms.The Brazil reader: history, culture, politics. Levine, Robert M. and Crocitti, John J; online access Google Books; pgs. 386-390. Racial Classifications in Latin America http://www.zonalatina.com/Zldata55.htm; Online access, 15 June, 2010.

Wyandotte County Kansas, Records

Naturalization and Immigration

Wyandotte Couty Courthouse, Kansas City, Kansas

Finally made headway with the Wyandotte County Courthouse in Kansas City, Kansas. a3Genealogy now has access to the original Naturalization and Immigration ledgers at the courthouse for clients.

Must Preserve the Records

As researchers we all want historical records and ledgers to be preserved. But, we also need these historical documents to be accessible, even if it is in digital format or microform. Not all records have been microfilmed or digitized. Yet, like many county courthouses, Wyandotte County has enforced a rule that the public can no longer directly handle the ledgers. I can understand this, as I have seen the results of years of mishandling these valuable documents.

In order to preserve the books, an appointed volunteer from the Wyandotte County Unified Government pulls requests periodically. Although this solution works in theory, in reality it has been less than acceptable for many reasons:

1. Hired researchers and professional genealogists want to ensure quality and completeness if not by doing the researcher themselves, then by a reputable peer.


2. It is frustrating requesting a Naturalization Petition Record and only receiving the Declaration (even though the Petition was in the adjacent book.


3. Professional genealogists and hired researchers need proper citations, and a log/report/review reporting which books were searched (positive or negative)


4. Hired researchers/professionals are often working under a time agreement.

Why Hire a Researcher When the Service is Free?

A full understanding of the ever changing immigration and naturalization provisions as they were implemented in the county, the state, and at the Federal level and an understanding of the workings of the County and District Court systems allows the researcher to thoroughly search within all the relevant records. Plus, the client deserves (and has paid for) a properly documented final report with the relevant documents or information on a negative search.

The Solution

The Wyandotte County Courthouse has agreed that along with their current system of pulling records, a3Genealogy may also have access to the original records as needed for those who need professional services.

Kathleen Brandt

a3genealogy@gmail.com