Google ancestor writings

How to Google ancestor writings for ancestry research.

In reviewing the writings of my ancestors—whether they were letters, journals, postcards, notes, or emails—I found interesting (and valuable) information, such as the following:

Dates and places of events and experiences are essential in the writer’s life.

  • Details of day-to-day life.
  • Personal opinions and perspectives.
  • Concerns and priorities.
  • Thoughts and feelings.
  • Hopes and dreams.
  • Facts and dates about relatives and neighbors.

Exciting views of historical happenings that were current events (wars, elections, epidemics, and so on).

Background information about living conditions, prices, and other daily happenings.

The writings can be lively and full of energy—some fresh and intimate, some dull and non-descriptive, and most plainly spoken— simply sharing a moment in time, putting to paper something they felt needed to be said. I’ve found the documents in many places, including attics, closets, basements, bookshelves, in the homes of your known relatives, in possession of distant cousins located through research, and in libraries, archives, genealogical and historical societies, and other specialized collections. I have also found my ancestors’ writings in antique shops, used book stores and flea markets—especially in places near the subject’s residence—and through websites designed to reunite diaries, photos, bibles, and other memorabilia with the families from which they were separated.

I have used the information to find dates of life events to further research; to find names of family members, neighbors, and others who interacted with the family; to gain insight into the personality of the ancestor; to put the ancestor’s life into the context of time and history; to pull interesting details or excerpts for a family or personal history, I am writing, and finding clues of medical conditions that may continue to affect family today.

Diaries and Journals

The terms diary and journal are used interchangeably today. No matter what you call them, these accounts are the autobiographies of ordinary people like your ancestors, and these may be the only existing records of their personal lives. Along with genealogical data, diaries give you a wonderful glimpse into someone’s daily life, thoughts, and attitudes. A diarist may also record feelings on national events, such as a war or its impact on family and the community.

Google Ancestor Writings

The Internet is an incredible resource for finding diaries, journals, postcards, letters, and other writings, and I have found family documents on Internet sites of library collections. For example, as I was doing research for a presentation, I found thirty letters written between Thomas Jefferson and my ancestors in the Jefferson Papers and fifteen journal entries relating to my ancestors’ pioneer experiences in the Mormon Pioneer Overland Travel, 1847-1868 collection.

To Google ancestral writings, enter the following information:

  • Names of ancestors (direct and collateral lines)
  • Surnames (include various spellings)
  • Names of individuals the ancestors were known to have worked with or had relationships with
  • Places they lived and visited
  • Important events they lived during or were a part of, such as the civil war, influenza, or pioneer treks

A Note About Spellings

You will find that spelling was informal and inconsistent in old records. Do not dismiss the name ‘Hewes’ if you are searching for ‘Hughes.’ In an early census enumeration, census takers reportedly spelled ‘Reynolds’ differently. As you get deeper into genealogical research, you will become an expert at guessing how many ways a name may be spelled (or misspelled).

Google Other Ancestor Records

The following is an overview of the common 18 types of ancestor records that I have found constantly valuable in my historical and genealogy research and hundreds of other resources I have learned to research and use through the years. When I mastered researching these resources, I could quickly expand my research to other records to help me connect the pieces of my genealogy puzzle.

Google Ancestor Records
Cemetery Records Census Records Church Records
Civil Vital Records Directory Records Family Histories
Histories and Biographies Land Records Maps
Message Boards, Mailing Lists, and Wiki’s Military Records Naturalization Records
Newspaper Records Photographs Probate Records
Publications and Periodicals Ship Passenger Lists Writings of Ancestors

In my profile of each resource, I have included what you will find, how to use the resource, and research insights for each resource. I would encourage you to use this section as a starting point from which you can search out and find other genealogical tutorials, and guides that help to provide deeper insights.  The common websites that researchers first think of are Ancestry, Archives, FamilySearch, FindMyPast and MyHeritage.

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