Melanie McCombFor my American friends, Happy Independence Day!
Do you have any patriotic ancestors who showed their loyalty to the American cause during the American Revolution? This doesn't necessarily mean fighting in the war!
PNW Deb@shamrockgenealogist I do! And I am working to get all of the records I need to join the DAR. I’m stuck at my great grandfather’s birth. He was born in 1863 in Illinois and the first record of him is the 1870 census in Iowa. Illinois didn’t keep birth records until 1900. Unfortunately his birth info wasn’t on the marriage record. 🤷♂️
@DebR Have you checked for a delayed birth record? He may have applied for a passport at some point. You also may want to search for a baptism record (if applicable). Otherwise, you can use other records like probate and land deeds that show interactions with his parents.
@shamrockgenealogist There is no delayed birth record but I’ll check for probate records. He was one of only 2 children and his brother died young so he would have been the only heir. Thanks for the advice!
@DebR If his death record also names his parents, that will help as well!
@shamrockgenealogist I know who his parents are. Both sides of my family immigrated here in the 1600’s and I have been able to go back several generations. The challenge is proving it! If only I had ask my grandmother all the questions I have now…She died in 1989.