Invisible Women Ancestors

Locating Maiden Names in the Cemetery

The cemetery may be the only place where you will find proof of the existence of a female ancestor. This is especially true if she died young and had little time to leave official records of her existence.

Clues Among the Stones

If you have found your female ancestor through a published cemetery transcription, then try to visit the cemetery yourself to view the tombstone. You may find family members buried in the same row, or in neighboring rows. This is especially true if she died within the first few years of her marriage. If your female ancestor died in childbirth, then her child is usually buried with her or next to her. Look for any surviving burial records, though their availability will vary widely by time and place. If the cemetery is associated with a church, then be sure to check the church burial and funeral records as well.

Details Found in Cemetery Records

While at the cemetery, make note of the exact spelling of your female ancestor's name, the dates of her birth and death, and her spouse's name, if listed. Be cautious, however, when jumping to conclusions based on this information as tombstone inscriptions are often incorrect. Also keep in mind that women married men of the same given name more frequently than you might think, so don't just assume that the name on her tombstone is not her maiden name. Continue looking for evidence in other sources.

Next > Women in Census Records

More of this Article

Intro: Invisible Women Ancestors
Women in Marriage & Divorce Records
Women in the Cemetery
Women in Census Records
Women in Land Records
Other Records to Search for Female Ancestors