{"id":99998,"date":"2024-08-05T10:39:42","date_gmt":"2024-08-05T14:39:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.genealogybank.com\/?p=99998"},"modified":"2024-08-06T09:05:55","modified_gmt":"2024-08-06T13:05:55","slug":"finding-grandma-resources-for-20th-century-research-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/finding-grandma-resources-for-20th-century-research-part-1.html","title":{"rendered":"Finding Grandma: Resources for 20th Century Research (part 1)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction:<\/em><\/strong> In this article, Gena Philibert-Ortega gives tips and links to help you research your family\u2019s 20th-century women. Gena is a genealogist and author of the book \u201cFrom the Family Kitchen.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Genealogy is more than researching ancestors from the distant past. Whether it\u2019s documenting our parents and grandparents or a recent immigrant family member to the United States, researching female ancestors from the 1900s is something we should exhaust before researching ancestors from previous centuries.<\/p>\n

With that in mind, what 20th-century sources should you consider? The following are some records to begin your search.<\/p>\n

\"Photo:
Photo: two elderly women in matching floral-print dresses.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Photo credit: https:\/\/depositphotos.com\/home.html<\/a><\/p>\n

Birth, Marriage, and Death Records<\/strong><\/p>\n

Birth, marriage, and death records provide genealogists with what they need to connect an ancestor to their parents or spouse. The nice thing about the 20th century is that most states were compliant in registering birth, marriage, and death records at some point. \u201cMost\u201d is not ALL. Some states didn\u2019t have 100% vital record compliance until closer to the 1940s, specifically birth and death records, but you should still look for vital records for all your 20th-century ancestors.<\/p>\n

To learn more about records that exist, consult the FamilySearch Research Wiki<\/a> and search for the state your ancestor lived in for information on vital records and where to find them. Many records are not available online \u2013 you may need to order them from the state or county. Consult the Center for Disease Control<\/a> website for state contact information.<\/p>\n

Don’t forget to seek out vital record alternatives when the actual certificate doesn’t exist. For example, historical newspapers, such as GenealogyBank\u2019s Historical Newspaper Archives<\/a>, provide a great alternative. Other options include church and cemetery records. These alternatives may not be perfect, but they hold valuable clues.<\/p>\n

\"Photo:
Photo: three women sharing memories.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Photo credit: https:\/\/depositphotos.com\/home.html<\/a><\/p>\n

Google<\/strong><\/p>\n

Why am I suggesting Google as a genealogy source for your 20th-century female ancestors?<\/p>\n

Chances are you conduct a Google search for all kinds of reasons, but Google is also an excellent place to search for an ancestor named on a non-genealogy website or an unknown-to-you cousin\u2019s website.<\/p>\n

To conduct a search for your ancestor on Google remember to conduct multiple searches using various search techniques. For example, an exact phrase search (where two or more words are encased in quote marks, for example, \u201cJane Smith\u201d) or an advanced search to find all that is available. Finally, once you search her name, click on \u201cMore\u201d at the top toolbar. A dropdown menu will appear, then click on \u201cBooks\u201d to focus your search on the books and periodicals found in Google Books.<\/p>\n

Newspapers<\/strong><\/p>\n

20th-century newspapers include the names of women in articles documenting family life, activities, and occupations. Women\u2019s Pages include content that names women. Articles about women clubs and their members appear. Women enter their recipes in newspaper recipe contests. They appear (sometimes with photos) in columns dedicated to reunions, milestone anniversaries, engagements, and weddings.<\/p>\n

\"Women's<\/a>
Grand Forks Herald (Grand Forks, North Dakota), 15 October 1921, page 7<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

My biggest tip for newspaper research is to be mindful about your searches and what names and name variations you search for. Her name might have been Margaret Smith, but what was her nickname? Was it Peggy? What about her married name? Through much of the 20th century, women were known by their husband\u2019s names, so searching for Margaret Jones won\u2019t help. Instead, you need to search for Mrs. George Jones and all the name variations for his name (Geo. Jones, G. Jones, etc.).<\/p>\n

The benefit of digitized newspaper content is the ease of search, which leads to newspaper articles you weren\u2019t expecting. Start searching GenealogyBank\u2019s Historical Newspaper Archives<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Photo:
Photo: screenshot of GenealogyBank\u2019s search results page.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Genealogy Tip:<\/em><\/strong> Make sure to read GenealogyBank\u2019s FAQs<\/a> for tips on searching.<\/p>\n

What Are You Researching?<\/strong><\/p>\n

In some ways the 20th century is the easiest to research because we are more familiar with what records exist. However, don\u2019t let that lull you into a false sense of genealogical security. There are those ancestors you can\u2019t find in the census or seem to have been dropped off from outer space, leaving no record behind. Make sure that you understand the record set and how to search in order to get exhaustive results.<\/p>\n

Explore over 330 years of newspapers and historical records in GenealogyBank. Discover your family story! Start a 7-Day Free Trial<\/a><\/p>\n

Note on the header image:<\/em><\/strong> two grandmothers sitting on a dock together. Credit: https:\/\/depositphotos.com\/home.html<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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