Using Gazetteers and Atlases for Genealogical Research

The county gazetteer (a geographic dictionary) or atlas published in the late nineteenth or early twentieth century is a treasure. The pen sketches of the homes and farms are priceless. The wagons and farm implements in the yard, the crops growing—these reflect a way of life. Also included are township maps, many showing the name of the property owners on their section of land. Nearby cemeteries may be noted. These not only help in establishing the family's residence, but may also lead to the location of a family cemetery. Acreage, occupation, and even their place of nativity may be included. The names of the neighbors can also be helpful.

The Historical Atlas Map of Santa Clara County, California, published by Thompson & West of San Francisco in 1876, includes a Business Directory. Businessmen are listed by name, address, occupation, nativity, year they entered the state, when they came to the county, their post office, and the number of acres owned. You learn that Sheriff J. H. Adams came in 1849 from Illinois during the gold rush, and that Dr. Benjamin Cory of Ohio came even earlier, in 1847. These wonderful atlases are not to be overlooked. Some pen sketches measure 12" X 14" whereas others are 8" X 12" or other sizes. They are unique in design and historical significance. Some of the commercial companies, such as Thompson & West, Lewis Publishing, and others specialized in such histories, preparing them for many counties and states. The originals are collector's items.

If you can find a pen sketch of your family's home or farm in an early atlas, a good reproduction of it will be wonderful for framing.

On cyndislist.com scroll to “Maps, Gazeteers & Geographic Information” for numerous items of interest. Sometimes volunteers have transcribed the whole of an early voting register. Check out the marvelous site for Yuba County, California's voting register at www.cagenweb.com/yuba/registers/registers-index.htm for an example. Included are 1872, 1876, 1877, 1879, 1880, 1886, 1888, 1892, and 1894, with more in progress. All easily accessed through the search feature provided! You'll find entries for those whose nativity was England, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, and more, and virtually every state.

He Voted with Pride

Some areas may have published their early voting registers. In California, the published registers of many counties before 1900 are in libraries. They include data not easily obtainable from other sources. The Great Register for Santa Clara County for 1892 includes age; physical description (height, complexion, color of eyes, color of hair); visible marks or scars, if any, and their location; occupation; country of nativity (usually shown as the state); place of residence; post office address; date when naturalized; place where naturalized and by which court; date of registration; and whether sworn.

A marvelous sense of the man—what he looked like, how he made his living, if he was an immigrant—are all revealed. John Cotler, a farmer, was age 58 and born in Ireland. He was naturalized 17 August 1855 in the U.S. District Court in Boston. His descendants now know where to find his naturalization papers. Charles Cranz, age 74, was born in Germany, naturalized on 10 April 1840 in Canton, Ohio, and now lived in California. You learn, too, that he was 5' 7" tall, with a light complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair, and a farmer by occupation. Though not all states have such detailed registers, determine what is available for the county of your search.

City Directories: Home Sweet Home

The availability of city directories varies. Larger cities, such as Philadelphia, Boston, Baltimore, and New York have directories extant from the early or mid-1800s and some from even earlier. Small towns may at first be included in the directories of their neighboring cities but probably had their own in later years. Very rural and sparsely settled areas might have all the towns in the county in one volume.

Want to know if there is a city directory online? Go to www.citydirectoryrecords.com. Remember, no directory listing online is complete—find two or three others, too, but this one will get you started.

It is unlikely that within a county, the city directories are all housed in the same repository. In mid- and large-size communities, each has its own library and maintains a set of its own directories. After you establish where in the county your family lived, determine if the town has its own collection. These directories will not only place your ancestors in the county or town at specific times, but may lead you to the old home, perhaps still standing.

Additionally, watch for the following:

• Others of the surname listed at the same address; they are relatives.
• Widow's listing, giving her deceased husband's name and occupation.
• Individual's first listing in the town, to indicate arrival or coming of age.
• Individual's last listing in the town, to indicate departure from the area or death.

If the directory has a reverse listing by street address (called a householder's index), check for neighbors. Some may be married daughters (families often lived in close proximity). After you learn their occupations, you can follow your ancestors from job to job. Even the date of death might be pinpointed within a year or two if the husband and wife are listed in one directory, and if in subsequent directories only one appears as a widow or widower. If the whole family disappears from the directory entirely and does not reappear in subsequent issues, they probably moved from the area.

Another useful section in the city directories is that of businesses. If your ancestor was a tailor, examine the business listings of tailor shops. Also examine the advertisements. They are charming, and you may be rewarded with your ancestor's ad entreating the public to purchase the finery he or she offers.

Learning with School Records

If you know what school your family attended, and it is still in existence, contact them for school records. They may be reluctant to furnish records from their files but sometimes will if sufficient time has elapsed. If the school is no longer standing, try the county department of education. If you do not know which school they attended, examine the city directory for the appropriate time period and determine which schools are listed on nearby streets.

She Grew Roses; He Went to Lodge

Clubs, lodges, and fraternal organizations may still hold records of your family. Some have national headquarters and will answer inquiries if an SASE is included. The published county history, previously discussed, may give some information on the organizations that existed when your ancestors first lived in the area. Determine if any are still in existence. Many have websites.

If your ancestor was a member of the Chamber of Commerce or other civic organization, get in touch with them. Even if they don't maintain records of past members, they may remember them and offer some recollections. They may have retained newsletters or minutes of their organization that can add pizzazz to the life history you are building.

The women might have joined garden clubs, knitting circles, reading circles, and church-affiliated groups. Try to find them. It will give you a glimpse of their personalities to know their interests and hobbies.

Excerpted from The Complete Idiot's Guide to Genealogy © 2005 by Christine Rose and Kay Germain Ingalls. All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. Used by arrangement with Alpha Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.

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