Over the past few years, the folks who publish Family Chronicle, Internet Genealogy, and the History Magazine have created a series of journals offering a collection of previously published article, gathered together on a single topic. Here are some of the journals we have already reviewed:
- Tracing Your War of 1812 Ancestors
- Life During the Civil War
- Outlaws and Villains
- Tracing Your Female Ancestors
- Tracing Your Irish Ancestors
- Tracing Your English & Scottish Ancestors
- Tracing Your European Ancestors
The same group, Moorshead Magazines, has now brought us Tracing Your Colonial American Ancestors. At 82 pages printing offers 18 articles by popular contributor David A. Norris. The contents of this collection of articles are described by Norris himself:
“Many Americans can trace at least part of their ancestry back to people who lived in the colonial era. Each of the original American ‘Thirteen Colonies’ was unique, and within them, the counties and towns had their own distinctive characteristics. Fortunately for the genealogists today, the Internet, libraries, archives, books, and microfilm are all available to help find and understand family history information from the colonial era. I hope that this guide will provide useful ideas and tips for the reader who is digging into the fascinating history of this time”
Contents
Colonial Newspapers
Newspapers of the day can offer more than just news about your ancestor, but also a look into their daily lives
Maps of Colonial America
Between websites, atlases and modern reproductions, there are lots of places to find maps from the colonial era
Revolutionary War Records
We look at some rich resources for early births, marriages, maiden names and more
Birth, Marriages & Deaths
Tips and hints for locating more vital record information for colonial ancestors. Look outside the box!
The New Calendar
The change to the new calendar in 1752 left a mess for future generations of historians and genealogists
Passenger Ship Records
There are many passenger records for colonial ancestors that have been published or place online
Tax Roll & Colonial Censuses
A look at colonial censuses, along with tax rolls and tithables as helpful census substitutes
Militia Records
It wasn’t all coins and paper money; quite often our ancestors relied on barter and credit
Colonial Money
Along with probate and land records, court records offer some of the richest resources for your research
Colonial Court
Along with probate and land records, court records offer some of the richest resources for your research
The French and Indian Wars
Four European wars spilled over into the histories of many New World families
Indentured Servants
There are a number of easily accessible published and online sources to help you locate your ancestor
Voting & Poll Books
Most election lists are long lost, but scattered lists of voters remain for some of the colonies
Political Committees
Opposition to British rule created new types of family history records
Probate and Land Records
Some of the best information you will discover will come from the land and probate records of your ancestors
Colonial Weights & Measures
The US inherited some British systems of measurement, but differed on others after American independence
Brands, Ear Marks & Strays
Records of your ancestors’ livestock can be a gateway to the past
Predator Bounty Records
Records of bounties on various types of predators or “animal nuisances” can add color to your family history
Get a copy of Tracing Your Colonial American Ancestors or any other the magazines listed above from Family Roots Publishing.