Seven Sources for Seeking Scoundrels

Janice Nickerson
Apr 4, 2025
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Content

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Welcome
46s
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Introduction
6m 16s
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Police Records
7m 29s
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Criminal Court Records
15m 32s
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Civil Court Records
2m 11s
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Jail Records
5m 38s
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Church Disciplinary Records
6m 29s
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Juvenile Reformatory Record
3m 50s
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Announcements / prize
1m 18s
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Questions / answers
2m 03s

About this webinar

Janice loves researching scoundrels and black sheep – they leave behind such wonderful records! This webinar looks at seven types of records family historians rarely use: police records, criminal court records, jail records, coroner’s records, church disciplinary records, divorce records and juvenile reformatory records.

About the speaker

About the speaker

Professional genealogist Janice Nickerson loves a good challenge whether it’s identifying elusive ancestors, tracking disappearing descendants or telling richer family stories. In addition to helping her private clients discover the richness of th
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Key points and insights

In her lively and insightful webinar, “Researching Scoundrels and Black Sheep: Criminal and Institutional Records,” professional genealogist Janice Nickerson pulled back the curtain on lesser-used historical sources that can reveal fascinating, sometimes scandalous, details about ancestors who lived outside the lines. As part of the 24-Hour Genealogy Marathon, Nickerson guided viewers through eight categories of criminal and institutional records—most of which lie outside the usual genealogical toolkit. Whether your ancestors were lawbreakers or law enforcers, these records can dramatically enrich your family history with depth, context, and vivid storytelling.

Key Takeaways:

  • Think Beyond the Census and Church Registers: Nickerson introduced lesser-used sources like coroner’s inquests, police blotters, jail registers, and juvenile reform records. These not only offer unexpected personal details—addresses, occupations, even handwriting—but also bring to light the social and legal systems that shaped your ancestors’ experiences.
  • Scoundrel Stories Make the Best Case Studies: Through dramatic, real-world examples—like Daniel Sullivan, a 19th-century Toronto troublemaker who appeared in multiple courts over 17 years—Nickerson demonstrated how to follow a subject across jurisdictions using court dockets, newspaper reports, and penitentiary records. These narratives show the value of comprehensive, cross-source research.
  • Records for the “Ordinary” Can Be Extraordinary: Many offenses, like public drunkenness or unshoveled sidewalks, brought everyday people into the criminal justice system. Records from local jails, church disciplinary committees, or debtor calendars can provide vital clues to social status, family tensions, and even migration patterns that more traditional records might obscure.

This presentation is a must-watch for anyone hoping to uncover untold stories and connect with the full complexity of their ancestors’ lives. Watch the full webinar at FamilyTreeWebinars.com and discover the unexpected treasures that scoundrel research can unlock.

Don’t forget to download the extensive syllabus packed with links, definitions, and record type explanations. It’s a valuable reference whether you’re just starting out or diving deep into criminal justice archives, and it will help you turn even the most notorious ancestor into a rich and revealing chapter of your family history.

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  1. AP
    Anita Payne
    3 weeks ago

    Excellent, learnt lots. I appreciate the time the presenter put in to putting it all together.

    Reply
  2. WS
    William Stegeman
    3 weeks ago

    Another great webinar.

    Reply
  3. JT
    Jean Tempke
    3 weeks ago

    Excellent presentation – very organized with great infiormation on specific types of records to look for and interesting illustrative examples. Gave me lots of ideas of records to investigate for a couple of my “scoundrel” ancestors.

    Reply
  4. LB
    Linda Baer
    3 weeks ago

    another great session

    Reply
  5. PD
    Pamela Dorn
    3 weeks ago

    This webinar was surprising. I had no idea of all the different types of legal records that were kept.

    Reply
  6. KB
    Kathi Booth
    3 weeks ago

    Interesting topic and great presentation. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

    Reply
  7. GJ
    Gwen Jackson
    3 weeks ago

    Many new sources for records!

    Reply
  8. CL
    Clara Lawver
    3 weeks ago

    Fascinating. These would be good reading even if you weren’t looking for a particular person. Thank you Janice for the detailed syllabus.

    Reply

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