Genealogy Hints
Genealogical Society of Marion County, IndianaWhat are church records
Church records may include births, christenings, confirmations, marriages, deaths, burials, and other events.
cemetery
Check for cemetery records with the church, Sexton and Funeral Directors. Visit the cemetery and take a picture of the tombstone. Check the obituaries in that time frame.
Denomination
Be sure you have the correct church/religious denomination. If you're not sure, search the churches closest to home first and then broaden your search in ever-widening circles. Cemetery, Funeral Director, and Obituary records frequently provide church information.
Probate
Probate records refer to wills, inventories, letters of administration and guardianship. They are usually held at the county courthouse unless archived and they are indexed by the name of the testator.
Will types
There are three types of wills: - Attested, Holographic and Nuncupative. The attested will is the most common and is prepared for the testator. - A holographic will is written by the testator himself. - A nuncupative will is the deathbed wishes of the testator, recorded by a witness present at the bedside. All wills must be witnessed.
executor vs administrator
An "executor" is named by the testator and is required by the court to post a bond. An "administrator" is appointed to handle the affairs of one who dies intestate (without a will).
legal age records
Use Poll tax records and jury lists as evidence of legal age.
ANCESTOR, COLLATERAL
ANCESTOR, COLLATERAL - an ancestor NOT in the direct line of ascent, but coming from the same ancestral family.
ANCESTOR, DIRECT
ANCESTOR, DIRECT - a person from whom you are descended. A descendant is a person who is descended from an ancestor. Loosely used interchangably with relative.
RELATIVE
RELATIVE - someone with whom you share a common ancestor but who may not be in your direct line.