Blogs
This week’s #FridayFind is how to decode an Orssippenbuch!
Confused by an Ortssippenbuch? Last week’s #FridayFind explained what these German lineage books are; now, learn how to decode them! Symbols like ∞ for marriage and numbers guide you through family histories.
TIP #2: Make sure your materials have the support they need.
Mechanical wear is easy to spot, like when a box isn’t fully filled and materials slump or fold over. To fix this, use an adjustable spacer to replicate the pressure from other folders.
This week’s #FridayFind is…. Ortssippenbücher!
Ortssippenbücher, or "town lineage books," compile German church and civil records, streamlining genealogy research—provided you’ve traced your line back to a specific town first!
TIP #1: Preservation is usually easier and cheaper than conservation or recovery
Preservation is key when it comes to maintaining archives—it’s often easier and cheaper than conservation or recovery. In Backlog’s new series on archival tips and tricks, we’ll explore how to prevent common issues, tackle manageable problems, and recognize when it’s time to call in a professional. Stay tuned to protect your treasures for generations to come!
This week’s #FridayFind is St. Louis’s Spanish roots!
St. Louis's history includes French, German, and lesser-known Spanish influences. An 1856 plat map highlights the U.S. grappling with honoring Spanish land grants after the Louisiana Purchase.
This week’s #FridayFind is an… itemized list of all the murders that occurred in St. Louis in the year 1880?
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported 27 murders in 1880 under the sensational headline, “A Bloody Record of Red-Handed Murder”—proof that sensationalism isn’t just a modern media trend!
This week’s #FridayFind is a marriage fraud!
On September 27, 1908, Anton and Rosa de Mercurio secured a marriage certificate, claiming they wed in Italy to avoid Missouri's prohibition on cousin marriages. However, they never obtained a marriage license, risking a $500 fine.
This week’s #FridayFind is an unfortunate cause of death.
Backlog often uncovers unusual details, but Maria Eveslage’s death record takes the cake: at 69, she’s listed as dying of hemorrhoids. Couldn’t it just say “natural causes”?
This week’s #FridayFind is a pair of early 20th century census annotations!
In the 1920 census, Jack Sabin's mother tongue is listed as "Russian," with "OL" (Other Language) above it and "Rom" (Romania) above "Bessarabia," reflecting the region's complex linguistic and political history.
From vivid deaths to thrilling 19th-century thefts, past newspapers differ from today. This week’s #FridayFind explores what was deemed newsworthy in a 1916 newspaper!
The Modern View captured the travels of its tight-knit community, from business trips to college returns, highlighting the comings and goings of local residents.
Last week’s find was the craftwork of a silversmith. This week’s #FridayFind is how you can find said craftwork.
Curious if your ancestor left behind physical items from their occupation? Beyond censuses and directories, explore databases like Ancestry’s “U.S., Craftsperson Files, 1600-1995” to uncover their craft and connections!
Tracing your family’s lineage can be a treasure hunt (or maybe a wild goose chase when you hit a brick wall). This week’s #FridayFind, however, isn’t quite so metaphorical.
Gotlieb Mayer’s craftsmanship as a silversmith and jeweler lives on at the Chrysler Museum of Art—explore his work here.
Since 1790, the U.S. census has been a once-in-a-decade tradition of data collection. But this week’s #FridayFind highlights a rare exception to this long-standing statistics-gathering routine!
In 1880, St. Louis conducted the Federal Census twice, vying with Chicago for the title of the fourth-largest U.S. city. Unsatisfied with the initial results, city officials demanded a second count, rejecting the first enumeration, as shown above.
We may be a few days late for April Fools’ Day, but this week’s #FridayFind is no joke!
In 1885, Enoch Beakley, leader of a counterfeit money ring, was arrested after officers found molds for forging gold and silver coins in his home. Hundreds of dollars had already been circulated. Have you discovered any crimes in your family history?
This week’s #FridayFind is a full house, even by 20th-century standards.
Multigenerational households often include grandparents or young adults, but imagine five generations under one roof! In 1952, the Keelings of 902 West 39th Street, Kansas City, ranged from 2-year-old Stephen to their 98-year-old great-great-grandmother.
Happy Women’s History Month! This week’s #FridayFind is a 20th-century career woman.
The 1940 Federal Census shows Bernice Clark earned $780 (about $17,000 today) as a uniform inspector—32% above the median income for women and more than any other member of her family, regardless of gender.
This week’s #FridayFind isn’t a draft card but a pension index card!
Civil War records, like pension index cards, can reveal your ancestor’s military service details, such as rank and unit. For example, George Carpenter served in Company G of the 3rd Indiana Cavalry and later the 145th Indiana Infantry, achieving the rank of Corporal. You can even request pension files from the National Archives for deeper insights!
This week’s #FridayFind isn’t the height of your great-grandfather but his “other obvious physical characteristics that will aid in identification.”
Most draft cards list basics like height, weight, and eye color, but occasionally, the free-form section holds unique details. Our genealogists uncovered one such fascinating example above!
This week’s #FridayFind is the height of your great-grandfather…?
Genealogy isn’t just names and dates—it’s about uncovering personal details too! Draft cards, for example, provide insights like height, weight, and eye color, offering a glimpse of your ancestors beyond the family tree.
This week’s #FridayFind is an elusive date of death.
Did you know baptismal records can sometimes include a death date? While rare—especially for those who emigrated—it’s not impossible. For instance, John Meyer’s record notes, “obiit 1878 Juni 18,” providing a key detail about his life.