Researching Women Ancestors

The primary records which mention women, especially prior to the 20th century, include vital records, census records, cemetery records and land records. Yet, these records may not always provide the clue to a woman's maiden name that we need to find her parents and trace her line back in our family tree. When you've exhausted those possibilities without success, however, these often overlooked records may also provide a clue.

Church Records

You can usually find a woman's maiden name on church marriage records. Baptism and christening records also often contain the maiden name of a child's mother. Check for godparents, they are often related to the child. Women also participated in many church activities, so membership records may also be of benefit.

Wills

Wills and probate records will usually include the names of the children or, in the cases where a parent outlives his child, the grandchildren. Surnames of female children along with their husband's names are often listed. Married women prior to the late nineteenth century did not leave wills, as all of their possessions automatically went to their husband.

Military Records

Women have served in the military throughout history. Many of them participated disguised as men in the U.S. Revolution and the Civil War. You are more likely, however, to find your female ancestor mentioned in the pension record created by her husband, or as the mother or widow of a deceased veteran.

Newspapers

Early newspapers often contained notices of births, marriages, divorces, deaths and other good genealogical information. County or local newspapers commonly list more biographical data than do newspapers in large cities.

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