When the family tree of your 4th great grandparents is *really* hosed up.

He was 13, she was 10 when their first child was born? Really?

#GenealogyProblems

The surname is *clearly* legible right there as a witness on the deed, so you *know* they're a family relation of some degree. And though the first name is a little iffy, it's clear enough that you should be able to name match it to one of the relatives residing in that area at that time in the 1870s.

But it's not lining up, even considering plausible nicknames of any of the known relatives.

#GenealogyProblems

Help with interpreting a property description. #GenealogyProblems

Historical property descriptions were, shall we say, *terse*. For example:

e hf n e 3 9 s 3 w

This is from an 1840 Jackson County, IL notice of unpaid taxes.

I know this involves sections, townships, ranges, etc. (I think the first part is "East Half..." and then I'm lost.

Web searches describe how to read modern descriptions, which are not this concise.

#Genealogy

Records of my earliest positively known paternal ancestor show that our surname has been regularly misspelled for over 200 years. 🙄

#GenealogyProblems #Genealogy

Okay, Mr. 1880 census taker, so this 22-year-old guy is both Single AND Married and residing in the household as a boarder.

And while we're here, is the married 14-year-old girl boarding in the same household his wife?

Please clarify for me just what the hell you're trying to record here if it wouldn't be too much trouble.

#GenealogyProblems

JFC, that 1890 census debacle again rears its ugly head.

#GenealogyProblems

If you work on your family tree, chances are you will find a NPE. Sure enough, I have three in a row.

Listening to a song by Elle King brings it home:

"I was born a little wrong, but that's alright (that's alright)

You can bet your ass I'm crazy bonafide"

#ancestry #familyhistory #npe #Genealogy #genealogyproblems #geneadons

When the genealogy database states that a great grandmother's cousin was married on July 28, 1885, followed by a subsequent marriage on August 4, 1885--that's ONE WEEK LATER y'all!

<cracks knuckles and limbers up the fingers>

Time to dig into the sources!

#GenealogyProblems #Genealogy