The Perils of Settling the West Country #kentuckypioneers #genealogy

The Perils of Settling the West Country

Tips by Jeannette Holland Austin

During the time that families were venturing into Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio to take up land grants, Indians were marauding, raiding and taken white women as slaves. Yes! Throughout this region women and children disappeared never to be seen again. During the 1730s there was a movement along the wagon trail road leading out from Philadelphia as well as Wilderness Trail which led as far west as the falls of the Ohio River. The historians documented the career of Daniel Boone, however, other Boone families from Philadelphia also ventured out. The Boones had lots of children, and some of them were quakers. They moved through Virginia and Kentucky with other relatives and friends. What I am saying is that Daniel Boone was not the only adventurer into Kentucky; a large movement was afoot. The reason: land grants.
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Index to Kentucky Wills and Estates

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Genealogy Holiday Discount

Over the holiday we are offering a discount for 1-year's membership in Georgia Pioneers (8 genealogy websites) for $135.00 (instead of $150.00).  To take advantage now please click here

Offer expires Monday, May 27th!

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Index to Kentucky Wills and Estates

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Tax Defaulters are Important Genealogy Resources #kentuckypioneers #genealogy

Tax Defaulters are Important Genealogy Resources

Tips by Jeannette Holland Austin

All tax digests lists persons who have defaulted on their taxes, usually enumerated as the last page of each district. The tax digests are not alphabetical, so we have to thumb through all of the pages to find anything. The default list does not necessarily reflect persons who refused to pay their property taxes. Rather, from the point of view of the genealogist it lends itself more as a report of those who have either died or removed to another county. If the date is close to a mortality census (every 10 years), you can look there. Otherwise, if the person is old enough to have died, then searching the local cemeteries in the area is indicated. People were on the go and we have to be detectives.  . . . more . . .

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Index to Kentucky Wills and Estates

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Tales Told by Old Cemeteries #kentuckypioneers #genealogy

The Tales Told inside Old Cemeteries

Tips by Jeannette Holland Austin

The tales told in old cemeteries are both written and unwritten. Relatives often erect an obelisks which defines the lives of their ancestors at the entrance of the cemetery and the DAR marks the burial location of Revolutionary War Soldiers. It is the result of a ton of research performed by interested persons. The unwritten part lies in the the graves themselves. I once found a concrete slab covering a sunken grave of an uncle born in 1795. This would not have occurred had I not first cleared away the thorny briars. Soil indentions inside the family plot could suggest the burial of an infant or small child. Everyone was buried inside the family plot except uncle Joe. His grave was discovered in a neglected wooden area. The old slate tombstones did not last long. They often broke and fell into the dirt. Did you search nearby sheds and wooded areas? I was surprised to find several slate tombstones stacked inside an old barn in the general vicinity of where the old family home once stood. 
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Index to Kentucky Wills and Estates

SPECIAL GENEALOGY OPPORTUNITY NOW for yourself and friends! $7 (auto expires after 1-month) Try it out now to see if you can find your ancestors

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How Lost are your Ancestors?

How Lost are your Ancestors?

Tips by Jeannette Holland Austin

It seems that finding some ancestors is only a dream. Let us face facts, everyone does not create records of themselves. They don't purchase land, pay taxes, register their marriages or file estate records. Some people avoided census takers, or were missed because they resided at a county border or near the frontier. So, what to do? Here are some suggestions. First search the tax digests for likely counties. These digests are never alphabetical. Do not forget to look for defaulters for this may be a clue of when they left the area. Another place to search is the Minutes of the Inferior Court where mention is made of road overseers, commissioners of various public offices, etc. Also, check the Superior Court records looking for law suits.

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Index to Kentucky Wills and Estates

SPECIAL GENEALOGY OPPORTUNITY NOW for yourself and friends! $7 (auto expires after 1-month) Try it out now to see if you can find your ancestors

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