Shocking Facts About Genealogy

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If you’re trying to trace your family history, start with a census. Although records at the beginning of the rolls are easily readable, those at the end are blurred. Worse, you’ll likely get caught up in the raging debate over whether a family member was Scotch-Irish. You may even curse Mrs. O’Leary’s cow for making the 1890 census impossible to read.

Genetic genealogy leads to a murder investigation

The state of Washington recently announced grant funding for local law enforcement to use genetic genealogy to investigate murder cases. These funds have already helped solve three cold issues using the technique. One grant went to the Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Department for an abduction investigation in 2003, and another to the Pullman Police Department to study two home invasion sexual assaults in 2003 and 2004. In addition, 20 more investigations are underway.

Genetic genealogy has many uses in the criminal justice system. In one case, it was used to identify the Golden State Killer, a former police officer who was found guilty of murder. It also led to the first exoneration of an innocent man and to the first conviction by a jury. It is also being used to investigate child thefts.

Gospel writers didn’t fact-check their ancestors’ stories

The two gospels, Luke and Matthew, are essentially a rehash of Mark’s story, adding some sayings of Jesus and some historical details. Yet, their accounts are highly inconsistent and contradictory. It’s doubtful that the Gospel writers would have knowingly plagiarized their ancestors’ stories, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t research them.

Differing ethnicities on Ancestry DNA test

When you take an AncestryDNA test, you will often get results of differing ethnicities. You may have a few different races in common, or you may not have any at all. Either way, the results can leave you confused and feeling disappointed. Fortunately, there are several ways to find out your real ethnicity and where you originated.

One option is to purchase a DNA test from 23andMe or AncestryDNA and build your family tree with the results. Both companies offer extensive pools, which means you can find many distant relatives. In addition, they provide a lot of resources to help you build a family tree. If you’re interested in Jewish DNA or another particular ethnicity, you should choose a test that explores these details.

Finding ancestors in census records

One of the best ways to find ancestors is to search census records. You can jump back and forth in time and see your ancestor at different stages of life, from childhood to adulthood. Sometimes, you can see your ancestors with their parents, siblings, or children. By doing so, you can extend your family tree by a generation. However, you must ensure that you read every single category to avoid missing vital clues.

Before you search for your ancestors in census records, it’s best to know what information is included in them. The information in the census varies from year to year, but the most common questions include the name of household members, ages, birthplaces, occupations, citizenship, military service, and more. You can also find details about where the household members lived, including cemeteries and churches. You can also check on this website https://www.genealogybank.com/explore/newspapers/all they might help.

False information in online trees

You have probably seen some online trees about genealogy that contain inaccurate information. Sometimes this is the result of poor research or faulty conclusions. It is also possible that relatives provided incorrect information to authorities. This can be due to record mismatches, faulty sources, or logical fallacies. However, intentional falsehoods can also occur. People have been known to invent connections to rich people and publish false information online.

One of the most common ways to spot false information in online trees about genealogy is by examining the source of information. If you find a tree with an error, you should contact the person who posted the tree and request that the inaccuracy is corrected. You can also ask others to verify the information if you are unsure.

Using ship passenger lists to find ancestors

Ship passenger lists are an essential source of family history information. They typically include the full names of those who traveled on board, their destination, and their arrival date. Occasionally, these lists also include physical descriptions and information about relatives. This information can help you locate ancestors and trace their history. For example, you can use a ship passenger list to trace your family’s European origins.

You can also find information about an ancestor’s last residence and their handwriting. The country of departure is sometimes different from their last residence, so checking the details of the ship’s arrival and out can help you determine the exact distance they traveled. You can also use information from ship passenger lists to locate immigration records for your ancestor.

How To Prep Your Home for Sale

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house for sale free

If you plan to sell your home soon, there are probably a lot of things on your mind. Some of those things may be figuring out how to boost your home’s appeal on the market. While some may think this is a difficult task, the reality is that there are many simple ways you can majorly improve your house’s appeal to buyers. 

Fix Up Your Kitchen

The kitchen is often one of the busiest rooms in the home, and because of this often undergoes significant wear and tear. To catch a buyer’s eye, remodeling your kitchen can be a good idea. However, if you can’t quite afford to overhaul your whole kitchen, doing smaller things like getting kitchen range hood installation or putting in new backsplash tile can still give it an updated look. 

Refresh Your Paint Colors

Freshening up your paint is also a good idea if you’re looking for ways to appeal to buyers. While you may love bright, bold or dark colors, these kinds of colors may not always appeal to the average buyer. To help ensure that your home’s appeal is more universal opting for more neutral colors can be a good idea. Some popular neutral colors include gray, charcoal, beige, taupe and off-white.

Work on Your Curb Appeal

The inside of your home isn’t the only part that matters, how the outside of it looks is important, too, and working on your home’s curb appeal can be a great way to help catch a potential buyer’s attention right off the bat. For some, landscaping can be a good idea, but in many cases improving your curb appeal can be as simple as making sure that your lawn is mowed and any shrubbery you have is trimmed.

When planning to sell your home, there can be a lot to think about, especially when you’re trying to make it more appealing to buyers. The good news is, though, that there are many simple and effective fixes like updating your kitchen and working on your curb appeal. 

Ensuring Your Dream House Isn’t a Nightmare: What To Inspect Before You Invest

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Surprises can be great for special occasions like birthdays or gender reveals, but not so much when you’re buying a home. Making sure your family’s biggest investment is exactly what you bargained for is critically important to your peace of mind during this exciting process. Fortunately, a home inspection can take the guesswork out of whether or not the house you’ve got your eye on is a solid investment for your family’s future. A comprehensive inspection report will provide you with details about your potential new residence. Here are the big-ticket items you can’t afford to ignore.

Reliable Roof

The roof is your home’s protective shield against rain, snow, hail, ice, wind, and falling tree limbs. A sturdy roof is key to ensuring your home is dry, structurally sound and energy efficient. Because climate plays a big role in the type of roofing required, be sure to look into roof repair Sacramento before you buy the home.  

Efficient Electrical

Knowing your home has updated wiring, properly grounded outlets and a right-sized service panel will go a long way toward safeguarding peaceful dreams free from fears of fire. All outlets, light switches and smoke detectors should be in working order. Be sure to ask the inspector if the electrical panel is expandable enough to accommodate any future remodels or additions you’re envisioning.

Healthy Heating and Comfortable Cooling

The age and maintenance history of the HVAC system is vital information for making a savvy home-buying decision. Smooth-running systems not only keep your home at a pleasant temperature but also save money. While you may have to eventually replace the furnace, being able to plan and budget for it ahead of time is much less stressful than suddenly finding yourself without heat in the middle of a snowstorm.

Buying a home can be exhilarating, overwhelming, stressful and rewarding, all at the same time. The last thing you want is to be surprised by a big repair bill after you move in. A home inspection can alert you to potential pitfalls and help you make the best-informed decision for you and your family. 

Choosing the Right House Plan for Your Family

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Best Home Improvement Plans

Designing your dream home can be one of the most exciting things you will ever do. There are many things to consider before finalizing your plans for Austin custom homes. You must consider what works best for your family; home size, budget and location play a major part in the decision process for most families. Consider the following things to keep in mind while designing your dream home.

Size of Family

One of the most obvious things to keep in mind is the size of your family. You will likely want a bedroom for each person, and you may even want an additional guest bedroom. You must also consider if you need a home office, exercise room or other amenities. You should also think about if your family is planning to grow in the future.

Financing Available

While it can be easy to get carried away on Pinterest looking at home designs, you have to consider what your budget is. If you do not have all the cash upfront, you will need to look into financing. You must determine how much a bank is willing to lend you, and that can play a major part in the size of your home.

Resale Capability

A lot of families plan to stay in their dream home forever. Others, though, may move around frequently and have to consider selling at some point. Think about what the resale value of your home will be in the area that you choose. Decide if there is a good market in your location and how easy it would be to sell if needed.

Designing a custom home can be a dream come true for many families, but it is important to consider these key things. When you spend your time doing careful research and planning, you can be on your way to living in a home you love for years to come.