Case Study Part 2

Looking for Original Sources

In this case study we will use the information obtained from the first case study to locate original records of the events described. 

  1. Download the GEDCOM for the second case study.
  2. Obtain and open the Research Log from Case Study 1. We will use the information gathered here in order to find more records for the family.

  

Immigration Records

  1. In class we have talked about several immigration records websites including castlegarden.org and ellisisland.org. Based on the information we have obtained from the censuses, which website would most likely have the immigration information for John Heimbigner?

 
 

  1. Search the appropriate website for John Heimbigner. If you do not obtain any results try using alternate spellings of the name or the * wildcard option. Remember that John immigrated in 1878 and would be about 16 years old. Record your results below.

 

  1. After this, search the website again for all people of the same last name as above in 1878 and record the first names below.

 

  1. Enter any new information you have found into RootsMagic.

 

 
 
Marriage Records

  1. Investigate the Marriage collections available at Ancestry.com and FamilySearch for Washington State.
    1. Explain why we are not able to find the marriage records for John and Anna
      1. (Hint: look at the source information) 

 
 

  1. Go to www.digitalarchives.wa.gov and search for John Heimbigner. Select the marriage portion of the results. There you will find the records for John's marriage to Anna and Catherina (Katherine).

 

  1. Go to the original documents by pressing on the image link on the right hand side of the page.

 

  1. Enter any new information in RootsMagic.

 
 

Death Records

  1. Go to familysearch.org.

 

What types of records can we search in order to find death information? 

       Where should we start looking for John and Anna's death records? 

    1. Browse the records and go down to the state of Washington. Click on the Washington Death Certificates Collection and perform a search for Anna.
      • Important questions to ask when looking...
        • Where was she living?
        • Who was she married to at the time?
        • Between what years must she have died?
        • She should be listed as Anna M. Heimbiguin.
        • Enter any new information in Roots Magic
    2. Search for John at FamilySearch keeping in mind the same questions as above.
      • You will find that there are a number of records. They are all either John Heimbigner or his children with him listed as a father. The actual John Heimbigner certificate is the one where his spouse is listed as Katie Heimbigner (Katie being short for Catherina, who we found earlier).

    Obituary Records

    1. Go to www.usgenweb.org and then go to the state of Washington. Select Adams county. Select Adams county obituaries. Find the year of John's death as listed on his death certificate, (select 1927 part 4) and he will be the first name on the page.

       

    2. What new information do you obtain from the obituary?

       

    3. Enter this information in the Roots Magic File.