Sample Research Results
The Cardwell Report is an example of a client with a specific query looking for proof of a relationship.
Cardwell Synopsis: The client suspected John D. Cardwell to be the husband of Frances Bishop and father of Elita Elizabeth Cardwell, but had no proof of this relationship.
Utilizing probate records in Coffee County, Alabama I was able to find the evidence the client needed. In the probate record of Jane H. Bishop dated November 3, 1871 the administrator of the estate J. E. Bishop lists the known heirs of Jane H. Bishop as “M. F. Cardwell wife of John D. Cardwell dec.”. “M.F. Cardwell” was previously known to be living in the home of her brother John E. Bishop along with her only living daughter Elizabeth Cardwell in 1880 Coffee County Alabama.
The Cesena Report is an example of a client who purchased a package looking to have as much information and clarification as possible provided on her grand father.
Cesena Synopsis: The client requested additional information on her great great grandfather Frank Cesena and his two known siblings; the family had immigrated to the Bay Area in California and was possibly originally from Baja Sur Mexico.
Utilizing US Census records, City Directories, California Voter Registration records, Baptism records, California probate records, World War I Registration Cards, and historical maps for the San Jose area I was able to sort out the two known Frank Cesena’s in the Bay Area at this time, provide additional information on the family of Frank Cesena including an additional sibling of which the family had no record, and take the family back generations to the Pueblo de San Jose. I was able to provide a map of the family’s land holdings in 1847 and show how that land transformed as the gold rush hit California. Through the available records I was able to confirm the father of Frank Cesena, Ramon Sotero Cesena was born in San Jose del Cabo, Baja Sur, Lower California, Mexico in 1839, confirming the family’s immigration story.
DeSoto Parish – Origins of an African-American Family
DeSoto Parish Synopsis: The client requested any information that could be located about her African-American family in DeSoto Parish Louisiana. The client had provided information on the family to the early 1900s.
Utilizing US Census records, Louisiana Death records, Louisiana Marriage records, World War II Registration Cards, and City Directories I was able to provide information on the family back to the time of their enslavement as requested. DeSoto Parish is a rural Parish in north west Louisiana bordering on Texas. The Parish was formed in 1843 and by 1860 was still very small with 13,298 inhabitants, 8,507 were enslaved, 4,777 were white, and 14 were free colored. In later records all family members indicate they were in Louisiana by 1860, they were not included in the free colored category so they are believed to be part of the 8,507 enslaved population. From the available documentation I was able to find information on Melvin Mose Simpson born ca. 1820 in South Carolina and his wife Mariah Haunter born ca. 1820 in Virginia, Jack Still or Sill born ca. 1845 in Tennessee and his wife Zula Hardy born 1850 in Louisiana, Hannah Tracy (maiden name unknown) born 1825 in Georgia, William Hardy born ca 1812 in North Carolina and his wife Lou (maiden name unknown) was born ca 1827 in South Carolina, and Alford or Alfred Freeman born March 1824 in Georgia and his wife Serena Smith b ca 1837 in Alabama.
Additional research has been done looking to connect the family members to those who owned slaves in DeSoto Parish in 1860, good leads have been found, but no concrete connection has yet been located. Additional information on whether a branch of the family had been mixed race was also requested and confirmed through available records.