Landowners but legal laymen, America’s early justices of the peace served up ground-level justice and local governance, creating records unparalleled for genealogists.
A genealogist with a law degree, Judy G. Russell is a lecturer, educator and writer who enjoys helping others understand a wide variety of genealogical issues, including the interplay between genealogy and the law. She has a bachelor’s degre
My paternal grandfather’s given names were John Pelham, and for years he went by “JP,” Sure enough, when his kids (my father) got into school, he became JP. It certainly helps find things about him since many notices and activities were required to be printed in the local newspaper. It helped define his FAN club.
Thank you for this wonderful webinar, with a whole arsenal of suggestions for locating records (and the name of a Washington County “marrying JP” in addition, for whom I will definitely be searching.)
Amazing! I have many, many, many JP’s in my ancestry. I had no idea that there would be info available. I hope I can find their info to include in their stories.
AS usual Judy Russell’s webinar was full of information. This topic – Justices of the Peace was totally new to me but with the information Judy provided I feel I could look for information relevant to my family.
The mastery of law is an essential component of this Genealogist to impart to other Genealogists. She arms us to incorporate these valuable documents in our research on ancestors, Excellent delivery. Enjoyed Ms. Russell.
When it comes to finding the law... cheat. (Using resources like Cyndi's List!)
This was part of the webinar, Celebrating 2,000 webinars! Plus 10 tips you can use today.
When it comes to finding the law... cheat. (Using resources like Cyndi's List!)
This was part of the webinar, Celebrating 2,000 webinars! Plus 10 tips you can use today.
Names weren't changed at Ellis Island, but in courts, legislatures and elsewhere both formally and officially -- and on the fly. As genealogists, we need to know why names were changed, and how those changes might be recorded, if we want to have a chance at finding out what's in a name.
Names weren't changed at Ellis Island, but in courts, legislatures and elsewhere both formally and officially -- and on the fly. As genealogists, we need to know why names were changed, and how those changes might be recorded, if we want to have a chance at finding out what's in a name.
Time and time again, we’re told to look at records in the context of the law at the time and in the place where the records were created. Easier said than done! With 50 states and the federal government all passing laws, how do we find the laws we need? One answer is Google Books—if we use it to full advantage.
Time and time again, we’re told to look at records in the context of the law at the time and in the place where the records were created. Easier said than done! With 50 states and the federal government all passing laws, how do we find the laws we need? One answer is Google Books—if we use it to full advantage.
Is this man John the father or John the son? Could that man be my ancestor who married in 1802? Knowing a person’s age is often the key to distinguishing between two people of the same name. But if no record gives a birthdate, how do you know how old…
Is this man John the father or John the son? Could that man be my ancestor who married in 1802? Knowing a person’s age is often the key to distinguishing between two people of the same name. But if no record gives a birthdate, how do you know how old…
Inventing America – Records of the U.S. Patent Office
Americans have always been tinkerers and inventors. Records of the U.S. Patent Office can enrich any family's history. Where are they and what can they tell us?
Americans have always been tinkerers and inventors. Records of the U.S. Patent Office can enrich any family's history. Where are they and what can they tell us?
There's a difference between searching and researching, and understanding how the law impacts records and research is critical to the reasonably exhaustive research needed to meet the Genealogical Proof Standard. Learn how the law impacts records -- and how finding the right law for the right place and time is...
There's a difference between searching and researching, and understanding how the law impacts records and research is critical to the reasonably exhaustive research needed to meet the Genealogical Proof Standard. Learn how the law impacts records -- and how finding the right law for the right place and time is...
As colonists and as citizens of the new United States, Americans were fiercely protective of their right to petition their government. Whether the issue was forming new counties, building bridges and highways, or some matter of public concern, our ancestors made their voices heard in legislative petitions that are a…
As colonists and as citizens of the new United States, Americans were fiercely protective of their right to petition their government. Whether the issue was forming new counties, building bridges and highways, or some matter of public concern, our ancestors made their voices heard in legislative petitions that are a…
The Private Laws of the Federal and State Governments
Few researchers realize that many early federal and state laws were private laws -specifically for the benefit of individuals or families. The records can be fabulous for genealogists. Learn how to find these genealogical gems in federal and state collections.
Few researchers realize that many early federal and state laws were private laws -specifically for the benefit of individuals or families. The records can be fabulous for genealogists. Learn how to find these genealogical gems in federal and state collections.
To understand our ancestors' lives - why they did what they did, we need to understand the law that governed their lives in so many ways. Knowing the law our ancestors lived by helps us make sense of the records they left and find clues to more and different records.
To understand our ancestors' lives - why they did what they did, we need to understand the law that governed their lives in so many ways. Knowing the law our ancestors lived by helps us make sense of the records they left and find clues to more and different records.
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My paternal grandfather’s given names were John Pelham, and for years he went by “JP,” Sure enough, when his kids (my father) got into school, he became JP. It certainly helps find things about him since many notices and activities were required to be printed in the local newspaper. It helped define his FAN club.
Thank you for this wonderful webinar, with a whole arsenal of suggestions for locating records (and the name of a Washington County “marrying JP” in addition, for whom I will definitely be searching.)
Thanks, Judy, for another wonderfully informative talk! It’s always a pleasure to learn from you!
Amazing! I have many, many, many JP’s in my ancestry. I had no idea that there would be info available. I hope I can find their info to include in their stories.
AS usual Judy Russell’s webinar was full of information. This topic – Justices of the Peace was totally new to me but with the information Judy provided I feel I could look for information relevant to my family.
The mastery of law is an essential component of this Genealogist to impart to other Genealogists. She arms us to incorporate these valuable documents in our research on ancestors, Excellent delivery. Enjoyed Ms. Russell.
Five + . Especially the “various names and titles” and Civil – Crimnal – Governmental responsibilities. Thank you Judy.
Very interesting!!! We know that a third great grandfather was a justice of the peace. Looking forward to further searching his election. Thank you!