Speaker for the Dead: A Genealogy Blog
LGBTQ Genealogy – Part 6
The Term “Partner” in Census Records
The utilization of the term “Partner” in State and Federal census enumerations during the 20th century offers a unique window into diverse households. An illustrative example is the 1915 New York census entry for Anne Clark and Adele Albro, who were enumerated as Partners.
The […]
LGBTQ Genealogy – Part 5
Census Records
Genealogists rely on census records to meticulously track individuals and families across time and place. Discovering an ancestor consistently residing with the same partner across multiple census records serves as a compelling clue that they were in a committed relationship. Let’s delve into an example discussed in last […]
LGBTQ Genealogy – Part 4
Famous and Infamous Census Records
One of the primary record sets that genealogists consult is the United States Decennial Census. The US Census Bureau maintains a dedicated webpage titled “Famous and Infamous Census Records,” showcasing census records over the decades that feature notable individuals, both celebrated and controversial.
Within […]
Geraldine, Who are You? – Part 1
Part 1 of 2
Eighteen years ago, my husband and I adopted a baby boy at birth. He has brought much joy into our lives, including the joy of doing his birth family’s genealogy. My son is a Mayflower descendant […]
LGBTQ Genealogy – Part 3
Presentism
I first encountered the term “Present-ism” while reading Thomas MacEntee’s blog. Presentism is the awareness of being cautious not to apply today’s cultural norms to past societies. This principle is relevant to all genealogy subjects and particularly crucial when exploring the lives of LGBTQ ancestors.
Our ancestors did […]
The Apple Tree – A Genealogy Parable
Walking with my husband one evening, we noticed that our neighbors had planted a new tree in their yard. We stopped to admire the trellis and pinned branches. I thought from the leaf shape that it may be an apple tree. I could have continued our walk, but curiosity said […]
LGBTQ Genealogy – Part 2
Speaking Truth
When chronicling the stories of our ancestors, we aim to present the most authentic account of their lives. However, when it comes to LGBTQ ancestors, some family historians express reservations, hesitant to “out” their ancestors or arguing that their forebears chose to keep this aspect of their lives private […]
LGBTQ Genealogy – Part 1
As genealogists, our task involves reconstructing family histories from genealogical records, striving to uncover the identities and life experiences of our ancestors. Marriage and birth records play a crucial role in confirming relationships, essentially revealing the individuals with whom our ancestors shared intimate connections. We are often asking if a […]
