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One of the more difficult feats in tracing your roots is discovering the original surnames of your female ancestors. It makes no difference whether you prefer the term "birth name" or "maiden name," uncovering that information can be elusive.
These tips are for those who are still searching for data that will enable you to add another branch to your family tree.
MARRIAGE LICENSE APPLICATIONS: Most counties systematically began keeping these records by 1885. Early applications contain the names of the bride and groom and often the names of their parents. By the late 1880s, occupations and previous marriages were added. Maryland has never required the names of the parents.
If the bride was married before, she may be using her first marital surname instead of her birth name.
Marriage license applications are public records, almost always indexed, and are usually found at the county courthouse. Some are on file with the town clerk. Older applications are typically kept at the state archives.
DEATH BOOKS: Many county courthouses keep death books that record information before the state took over the task of maintaining vital statistics.
DEATH CERTIFICATES: Depending upon the date, death certificates may be a county or a state record. Municipalities and county health departments may keep separate death records.
FUNERAL HOME RECORDS: These documents tend to furnish more data than death certificates.
CEMETERIES: Find an epitaph reading "Mable Mumflower, nee McCulloh" and you'll have the maiden name. A cluster of nearby tombstones all bearing the same surname may be the woman's family.
LOCAL HISTORY BOOKS: Local histories are not necessarily accurate. People paid to be included in the tome. The books may prove useful, though, especially if you expand your research to collateral relatives. WAR PENSION RECORDS: If a married veteran got a pension or his widow did, you'll find evidence of the marriage in the file.
WILLS AND PROBATE RECORDS: Got a hunch that your ancestor's maiden name was Gallentine? Troll through wills and probate records for Gallentines in that county, paying special attention to probate records for unmarried collateral relatives. You may get lucky.
OBITUARIES: Parents' names and/or names of her brothers may be included in a woman's obit. A word of caution. Sometimes no distinction was made between biological brothers, half-brothers and step-brothers. SOCIAL SECURITY CARD APPLICATIONS: These records include the mother's maiden name and, if applicable, the applicant's maiden name.
NAMING TRADITIONS: Many ethnic groups used the mother's maiden name as a middle name for their sons. In the 1700s and 1800s, many German immigrants in Pennsylvania gave their sons a middle initial that stood for the mother's maiden name.
The mother of George L. Murray, for example, was Mary Long.
- Read past Donna Murray Allen columns online at www.sptimes.com Type "Donna Murray Allen" in the search box. You can write to Allen c/o Floridian, St. Petersburg Times, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731, or e-mail her at rootscolumn@yahoo.com Her Web site: www.rootsdetective.com which includes information on classes and lectures.
* * *Donna Allen will teach a three-part Intermediate Genealogy class at Eckerd College starting Jan. 10. Topics include military records, immigration and citizenship records, and writing a family history. Log on to www.rootsdetective.com or call Tom Santee at 727 864-8085 for details.