Tennessee Family Files–When Possible, Begin Here

For the past three days I have been searching Tennessee family files in several libraries.   Family files are vertical files stored in file cabinets or in loose leaf binders,arranged alphabetically by surname.  Some may be by subject or about one person.   Most public libraries have these vertical files.

And I want to share with you some of the great stuff I found…Like

__ family Bible pages

__photocopies of original, loose wills and estate settlements

__Revolutionary War pension files

__DAR membership applications

__militia pay vouchers

__family correspondence

__genealogies compiled by genealogists

__genealogies compiled by family members–especially by the men in your family

__genealogies  with handwritten corrections by family members

__land documents including tax receipts

__family data written in the margins of small paperback books

__maps, contemporary and modern, often with notes written on them

__newspaper clippings

__obituaries, copies from the newspapers and transcripts

__photographs–often without captions

__research notes and transcripts of records on assorted pieces of paper

Hundreds of pages of copies–

As fast,  as I could, I made photocopies of these materials–hundreds of pages of copies for analysis and documentation of the pedigree lines I am researching in East Tennessee.

Some libraries will also make photocopies of the contents of these family files by email and postal mail request.  Be sure you specify that you want the above materials copied.  And it is always a good idea to find out, in advance, how many files they  hold for each surname you have.  And what their page cost is–expect to pay 20 to 50 cents per page.  Libraries try to make a little extra income from their copy machine.

Using local family files leads you to greater success in tracing the correct lineage, especially when you find two or more persons share the same names.  Your favorite Tennessee genealogist, Arlene Eakle  http://arleneeakle.com

PS  I’m off to search the family files and periodicals in the East  Tennessee Historical Society library.  Stay tuned for more research tips and goodies.

This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink.