Picture this: You’re researching an ancestor who appears in records from Tennessee, Alabama, and Texas. The same person in three places or three different men? With common names genealogists face this puzzle constantly. But what if you found a signature so unique it became like a fingerprint? Signature Analysis: How …
While researching Nashville Penitentiary convicts, I noted the prisoner Lacy Witcher (and many other prisoners) was “Pardoned under the Act of 1836” (see image 1). What was this act? Was it simply for good behavior or was there another reason, such as prison over-crowding or perhaps an outbreak of a …
I’m happy to announce that my article “Two Doctors and A House: Dr. Andrew J. Harris and Dr. Clara E. (Olds) Harris, Osteopaths in Nashville, Tennessee” has been published in the Tennessee Genealogical Society‘s journal, Ansearchin’ News. A Family Artifact Leads to Genealogical Research As genealogists, we’re always drawn to …
Figuring out the date of an old photograph can be pretty tricky. Hairstyles, clothing and furniture that change with fashion can help date a photo. Because fonts come into and out of style, they are another tool for establishing when a photograph was made. What Is Branding on Old Photographs? …
I’m excited to share that my article “Edith ‘La Reina’ Rule (1902-1973): Hollywood Psychic to Genealogical Source” has been published in The California Nugget, the journal of the California Genealogical Society. La Reina’s life showcases the remarkable resilience of women in early 20th-century America. She survived the frontier, reinvented herself …
