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| Two unidentified women pose for a photo in the 1920s. Photo is courtesy of the Arkansas State Archives. G6156.37 |
Women are often
referred to as “hidden members of the family.” Early in American history, women
had few rights. For example, men usually controlled all the property, including
their wives’ property, and a woman often only
received an inheritance if there were no males in the family.
So, how do
researchers find information that restores women in history?
The first
step is to fully document your male ancestors for clues to female family
members. For example, you might find a woman’s full name on birth records or
mentioned in obituaries for men.
After you
have information about the men in your family, you can use the information to
create a timeline of events linked to the woman’s life. This could include
census, marriage, birth, death and church records.
Not all
records will be helpful or available, however. For example, before 1850, women’s
names were only listed in census records if they were heads of household. Women
who were married or living with a male relative were only counted with a number
and age range.
Women were
listed with their first and last names, ages and places of birth from 1850 to
1940. By 1880, the U.S. Census included marital status. That means you can
start to trace marriages, which will lead you to marriage licenses.
Information
on marriage licenses include maiden names. The license may also include a note
from the bride’s brother, who vouched for her age, or a note from her father,
who gave permission for her to wed. In some states, such as Ohio and Louisiana,
parents’ names are listed on the licenses. Marriage licenses are often recorded
in county records that are available on microfilm at the ASA, and some may be
searched through Ancestry.com, which is available for free at the ASA.
Other county
records, such as deeds, probate and court records, can provide additional
information. Deed records can include a wife’s name and some women owned
property. Probate and will records also can help one understand connections
between wives, husbands and children. Divorces records can provide a woman’s
maiden name, and because women couldn’t legally file lawsuits in early
Arkansas, these records may uncover male relatives who filed on their behalf.
Once you’ve
combed those records, try searching newspapers and church records. Women often were
involved in their communities and churches. Local newspapers filled pages with social columns listing
visitors to homes and social events, wedding announcements, ladies club news,
sewing hints, recipes, church news and divorces. It can be worth taking time to
go through a weekly or daily newspaper for information. Sometimes the
information you find in a newspaper can lead you back to a court record you
missed. The Arkansas State Archives has newspapers from communities across the
state available on microfilm. Select digitized newspapers made be searched by
keyword online on Chronicling American or through Newspapers.com,
which is available for free for Arkansas newspapers at the ASA.
Church
records can be a wealth of information. The information in church records may
vary depending on the denomination, but all contain vital information, such as
godparent names and birth names. You may also find information about baptisms,
bat mitzvahs or confirmations, marriages, birth dates and more. Church records on marriages and deaths sometimes
recorded more details than civil records.
Military records can also sometimes provide information
about women, either those that served or those related to men who served in the
military. Widows of soldiers often applied for pensions, such as the
Confederate Pensions Applications searchable at the ASA.
In the late 19th century, many women’s
organizations and clubs were founded. Some patriotic hereditary organizations,
such as the Daughters of the American Revolution and the United Daughters of
the Confederacy, offer a treasure trove of information about women and their ancestral
lines. Other organizations focused on specific causes and education can provide
details of the interests and activities of women in their communities. The
papers of many of women’s organizations are housed at the Arkansas State
Archives.
The Arkansas State Archives has many
collections related to women and women’s organizations in Arkansas. A Guide to Women’s History Resources at the
Arkansas State Archives is available online at http://ahc.digital-ar.org/cdm/ref/collection/p16790coll13/id/288 with a selection of women’s history
collections available at the ASA. This is not a comprehensive list, so please contact ASA staff for additional information.
Researching the women in your family is challenging, but patience is the key to success. Stop by our Arkansas State Archives or our branch archives and let us help get you started.
Researching the women in your family is challenging, but patience is the key to success. Stop by our Arkansas State Archives or our branch archives and let us help get you started.
For more information or to request help
with your research project, contact the Arkansas State Archives at 501-682-6900
or visit our website.
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