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| Mother had "No Love" for Fiance |
Would you love to know not only your family tree, but the
family dynamics? Were there family feuds, tensions, ugly gossip? But how can
you get that information for your genealogy project? How does a researcher prove that family members were
at odds with one another? The top four family feud research resources are 1) newspapers for local gossip
2) court records - keep an eye out for frivolous lawsuits 3) deed/wills can stipulate
relationship demands, or purposely exclude family members, sometimes with an
explanation 4) military records. Yes, I said military records.
What Can Be Found In
Military Records?
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Who Signed for Minor? The Guardian
Family Correspondence
Many researchers fail to obtain the full Personnel Service File of their veteran ancestor. Sure, some of those WWI and WWII files are not available due to the 1973 National Archives Fire in St. Louis, but others have been salvaged. And if the file has been preserved, know that it could be the key to your ancestor’s family life. Did someone other than a parent sign for a minor to serve in the military? Why? Was there a guardian? Have you read the letters from girlfriends, fiances, aunts and other family members. They can be telling.
Insurance Beneficiary
Papers. Researchers often overlook the beneficiary
papers of the serviceman’s insurance benefits. But actually the assigned
beneficiaries can often give cause to raise an eyebrow. Did your single ancestor name a sibling vs. a
living parent as beneficiary.
Pension Records. In the Civil War Pension Record of Nelson Strader (alias Mason), the family's dirty laundry was exposed. It is here that we learn that Nelson thought his wife Mary was mean, and left her for Louisa. The military depositions and affidavits used for the military to untangle the love triangle left the family researchers enough information for a Hollywood movie. Not only did these records proffer family relationships, but they gave us a peek into the community dynamics.
Many researchers fail to obtain the full Personnel Service File of their veteran ancestor. Sure, some of those WWI and WWII files are not available due to the 1973 National Archives Fire in St. Louis, but others have been salvaged. And if the file has been preserved, know that it could be the key to your ancestor’s family life. Did someone other than a parent sign for a minor to serve in the military? Why? Was there a guardian? Have you read the letters from girlfriends, fiances, aunts and other family members. They can be telling.
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| "Neither the Marine nor Family are on friendly terms with the Mother" |
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| Response to Estranged Mother |
Kathleen Brandt
a3Genealogy.com
Accurate, accessible answers
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