by Justin Durand Recent genealogical research into frontier-era figures led me to examine the life and lineage of Michael “Mike” Roark, a relatively obscure outlaw associated with the 1878 Kinsley Train Robbery. While Roark has been noted in historical accounts of 19th-century crime, little has been done to trace his personal history or genealogical roots….
Untangling the Story of Lawrence (Alloway) Howery
I’ve been meaning to write this post for a while. I often get messages from other genealogists who are confused by the case of Lawrence (Alloway) Howery. And to be fair, the confusion is understandable—his life story involves adoption, name changes, and multiple family households. With some luck, this post can serve as a one-stop…
Notable Kin
The person links below are to FamilySearch. Other links are to sites with additional information. American Revolution These men fought to liberate the thirteen original colonies from England between 1775 and 1783. California Gold Rush Civil War Clergy Colorado Gold Rush Colorado Pioneers Colorful Characters Danites The Danites were a group of Mormon vigilantes. Gateway…
Recording maiden names in genealogy
The so-called “genealogy standard” is to use birth names for everyone, even in cultures where it doesn’t make sense. The “encylopedic standard” makes more sense. As a mental shorthand, I think of it as “best known as”. For example: Cokayne [formerly Adams], George Edward (1825–1911), genealogist, born at 64 Russell Square, London, on 29 April 1825,…
Maiden names and aliases
“In England, as well as in France and other continental nations, down to the seventeenth century, married women and widows not infrequently retained their maiden names, generally, however, with an alias ; and in certain parts of Scotland and Wales, such persons still sign by their maiden name in legal documents, even though described in them…