Category Archives: Fearless Females

Upcoming Appearance: Finding Your Female Ancestors Genealogy Lecture at Pratt Library

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Since March is Women’s History Month, the Accidental Genealogist is pleased to be giving a talk on “Silent Voices: Telling the Stories of Your Female Immigrant Ancestors” for the 2018 Maryland State Library Resource Center’s Annual Genealogy Lecture on Saturday, 10 March, sponsored by the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore. 

I am honored to be in the company of two other excellent lecturers, Elissa Scalise Powell, who will present “Hiding Behind Their Skirts: Finding Women in Records”
 and Barbara Vines Little, who will present “Femme Covert or Femme Sole: Women and the Law” and the three of us will participate in an afternoon panel discussion/Q&A session: “Daughters, Mothers and Wives:  Researching the Women in Your Family Tree.”


2018 SLRC Annual Genealogy Lecture 
Finding Your Female Ancestors
 will be held on Saturday, March 10th, 2018
 at the Maryland Historical Society, France Hall 201 W. Monument St., Baltimore, MD 21201 from 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.  Click here for registration information.

The full agenda and program description is listed below.

Agenda

10:00-10:30 Refreshments, Announcements

10:30-1:15 Lectures:
 
1 – Elissa Scalise Powell:  “Hiding Behind Their Skirts: Finding Women in Records”

2 – Lisa Alzo:  “Silent Voices: Telling the Stories of Your Female Immigrant Ancestors”

1:15-2:00 Lunch

2:00-3:20    Lecture:  
Barbara Vines Little:  “Femme Covert or Femme Sole: Women and the Law”

3:20-4:30 Q&A Session:  
”Daughters, Mothers and Wives:  Researching the Women in Your Family Tree”


Program Descriptions

“Hiding Behind Their Skirts: Finding Women in Records”
 – Women traditionally and historically have not participated as fully as men in creating records and therefore are not as accessible to researchers. Research for our women ancestors must be done by connecting them to others in their family, social, economic and church circles. Maiden names may be discovered on the records of the women’s children, church records, and courthouse records. The trick is to ever-widen the sphere of influence and discover all possible records referring to the subject and her family. This lecture gives concrete examples of how to search for the lost women on our pedigree.

“Silent Voices: Telling the Stories of Your Female Immigrant Ancestors” – While most historical records have been created for and/or about men, making it more challenging to research and write about female ancestors, this session will demonstrate effective ways to discover your female ancestors and how to document the important roles their lives played in culture and society. Ms. Alzo will also discuss various methods for writing about your female ancestors (from short, informative biosketches or profiles to writing a complete book), along with options for publishing your family history.

“Femme Covert or Femme Sole: Women and the Law”– This lecture covers English common law and its effect on women from the colonial period through the Civil War. A woman, whether servant, slave or free, frequently lost and gained property and other rights based upon her age and marital status. In order to successfully research women, it is necessary to understand these rights and how and under what conditions they changed.

“Daughters, Mothers and Wives:  Researching the Women in Your Family Tree“
 – Bring your questions and brick walls related to researching female ancestors to this moderated question and answer session with our guest speakers. Don’t miss this opportunity to pick the brains of three distinguished professional genealogists with almost 85 years of combined experience.



Copyright, 2018, Lisa A. Alzo, All Rights Reserved
http://theaccidentalgenealogist.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Back for a Third Year: Fearless Females: 31 Blogging Prompts to Celebrate Women’s History Month

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In March 2010 I launched a series of 31 blogging prompts for celebrating and honoring the “fearless females” in our family trees. Many bloggers participated and I was asked if I planned on running them again. So, to mark National Women’s History Month (beginning Thursday, March 1), I’m listing the 31 prompts below. You can choose to do some of them, or all of them–there’s no pressure–it’s meant to be a fun exercise to focus on the women and make sure their stories are told!
Enjoy!
————–
Fearless Females: 31 Blogging Prompts to Celebrate Women’s History Month
[Group of young womenreading in library of normal school, Washington, D.C.]Library of Congress, (Johnston, Frances Benjamin, 1864-1952, photographer.); REPRODUCTION NUMBER: LC-USZ62-100288 (b&w film copy neg.) DIGITAL ID: (b&w film copy neg.) cph 3c00288 http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3c00288
Blogging Prompts
March 1 — Do you have a favorite female ancestor? One you are drawn to or want to learn more about? Write down some key facts you have already learned or what you would like to learn and outline your goals and potential sources you plan to check.
March 2 — Post a photo of one of your female ancestors. Who is in the photo? When was it taken? Why did you select this photo?
March 3 — Do you share a first name with one of your female ancestors? Perhaps you were named for your great-grandmother, or your name follows a particular naming pattern. If not, then list the most unique or unusual female first name you’ve come across in your family tree.
March 4 — Do you have marriage records for your grandparents or great-grandparents? Write a post about where they were married and when. Any family stories about the wedding day? Post a photo too if you have one.
March 5 — How did they meet? You’ve documented marriages, now, go back a bit. Do you know the story of how your parents met? Your grandparents?
March 6 — Describe an heirloom you may have inherited from a female ancestor (wedding ring or other jewelry, china, clothing, etc.) If you don’t have any, then write about a specific object you remember from your mother or grandmother, or aunt (a scarf, a hat, cooking utensil, furniture, etc.)
March 7 — Share a favorite recipe from your mother or grandmother’s kitchen. Why is this dish your favorite? If you don’t have one that’s been passed down, describe a favorite holiday or other meal you shared with your family.
March 8 — Did one of your female ancestors leave a diary, journal, or collection of letters? Share an entry or excerpt.
March 9 — Take a family document (baptismal certificate, passenger list, naturalization petition, etc.) and write a brief narrative using the information.
March 10 — What role did religion play in your family? How did your female ancestors practice their faith? If they did not, why didn’t they? Did you have any female ancestors who served their churches in some capacity?
March 11 — Did you have any female ancestors who died young or from tragic or unexpected circumstances? Describe and how did this affect the family?
March 12 — Working girl: Did your mother or grandmother work outside the home? What did she do? Describe her occupation.
March 13 — Moment of Strength: share a story where a female ancestor showed courage or strength in a difficult situation.
March 14 — Newsmakers? Did you have a female ancestor who made the news? Why? Was she famous or notorious? Did she appear in the social column?
March 15 — Write a six-word memoir tribute to one of your female ancestors.
March 16 — If you could have lunch with any female family member (living or dead) or any famous female who would it be and why? Where would you go? What would you eat?
March 17 — Social Butterfly? What social organizations or groups did your mother or grandmother belong to? Sewing circle, church group, fraternal benefit society or lodge? Describe her role in the group.
March 18 — Shining star: Did you have a female ancestor who had a special talent? Artist, singer, actress, athlete, seamstress, or other? Describe.
March 19 — Have you discovered a surprising fact about one of your female ancestors? What was it and how did you learn it? How did you feel when you found out?
March 20 — Is there a female ancestor who is your brick wall? Why? List possible sources for finding more information.
March 21 — Describe a tender moment one of your female ancestors shared with you or another family member.
March 22 — If a famous director wanted to make a movie about one of your female ancestors who would it be? What actress would you cast in the role and why?
March 23 — Create a timeline for a female ancestor using your favorite software program or an online timeline generator such as OurTimelines.Post an image of it or link.
March 24 — Do you share any physical resemblance or personality trait with one of your female ancestors? Who? What is it?
March 25 — Tell how a female ancestor interacted with her children. Was she loving or supportive? A disciplinarian? A bit of both?
March 26 — What education did your mother receive? Your grandmothers? Great-grandmothers? Note any advanced degrees or special achievements.
March 27 — Do you know the immigration story of one or more female ancestors? Do you have any passenger lists, passports, or other documentation? Interesting family stories?
March 28 — Do you remember your mother’s best friend? Your grandmother’s? How and where did they meet? How long were they friends? What activities did they share?
March 29 — Create a free Fold3 Memorial Page or a Genealogy Trading Card at Big Huge Labs for a female ancestor. Some of you may have created your own card back in September 2009 following Sheri Fenley’s post over at The Educated Genealogist. This time, the card is for your female ancestor. Tell us about who you’ve selected and why and then post a link to what you’ve created.
March 30 — Did you receive any advice or words of wisdom from your mother or another female ancestor?
March 31 — Pick one female ancestor and write a mini-profile (500 words or less).
BONUS: Take all of your postings and turn them into a memory or tribute booklet for future generations.
Post an entry on your Blog when you have created your tribute. Tell us how you did it (what format, how you printed it or digitized it, etc.).
Copyright, 2010-12, Lisa A. Alzo
All Rights Reserved

http://theaccidentalgenealogist.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Fearless Females Blog Post: March 3: Names and Naming Patterns

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March 3 — Do you share a first name with one of your female ancestors? Perhaps you were named for your great-grandmother, or your name follows a particular naming pattern. If not, then list the most unique or unusual female first name you’ve come across in your family tree.



My name “Lisa” is a form of Elizabeth, which was my paternal grandmother’s name My mother wanted to name me “Holly” but my aunt who is also my godmother suggested the name “Lisa” because it was a popular name at the time. Holly is a nice name, but I’m glad that my mother listened to my aunt–because I like my name.


Copyright, 2011, Lisa A. Alzo

All Rights Reserved

http://theaccidentalgenealogist.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Back by Popular Demand: Fearless Females: 31 Blogging Prompts to Celebrate Women’s History Month

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In March 2010 I launched a series of 31 blogging prompts for celebrating and honoring the “fearless females” in our family trees. Many bloggers participated and I was asked if I planned on running them again. So, to mark National Women’s History Month (beginning Tuesday, March 1st), I’m listing the 31 prompts below. You can choose to do some of them, or all of them–there’s no pressure–it’s meant to be a fun exercise to focus on the women and make sure their stories are told!

Enjoy!

————–
Fearless Females: 31 Blogging Prompts to Celebrate Women’s History Month


[Group of young women reading in library of normal school, Washington, D.C.]Library of Congress, (Johnston, Frances Benjamin, 1864-1952, photographer.); REPRODUCTION NUMBER: LC-USZ62-100288 (b&w film copy neg.) DIGITAL ID: (b&w film copy neg.) cph 3c00288 http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cph.3c00288

Blogging Prompts

March 1 — Do you have a favorite female ancestor? One you are drawn to or want to learn more about? Write down some key facts you have already learned or what you would like to learn and outline your goals and potential sources you plan to check.

March 2 — Post a photo of one of your female ancestors. Who is in the photo? When was it taken? Why did you select this photo?

March 3 — Do you share a first name with one of your female ancestors? Perhaps you were named for your great-grandmother, or your name follows a particular naming pattern. If not, then list the most unique or unusual female first name you’ve come across in your family tree.

March 4 — Do you have marriage records for your grandparents or great-grandparents? Write a post about where they were married and when. Any family stories about the wedding day? Post a photo too if you have one.

March 5 — How did they meet? You’ve documented marriages, now, go back a bit. Do you know the story of how your parents met? Your grandparents?

March 6 — Describe an heirloom you may have inherited from a female ancestor (wedding ring or other jewelry, china, clothing, etc.) If you don’t have any, then write about a specific object you remember from your mother or grandmother, or aunt (a scarf, a hat, cooking utensil, furniture, etc.)

March 7 — Share a favorite recipe from your mother or grandmother’s kitchen. Why is this dish your favorite? If you don’t have one that’s been passed down, describe a favorite holiday or other meal you shared with your family.

March 8 — Did one of your female ancestors leave a diary, journal, or collection of letters? Share an entry or excerpt.

March 9 — Take a family document (baptismal certificate, passenger list, naturalization petition, etc.) and write a brief narrative using the information.

March 10 — What role did religion play in your family? How did your female ancestors practice their faith? If they did not, why didn’t they? Did you have any female ancestors who served their churches in some capacity?

March 11 — Did you have any female ancestors who died young or from tragic or unexpected circumstances? Describe and how did this affect the family?

March 12 — Working girl: Did your mother or grandmother work outside the home? What did she do? Describe her occupation.

March 13 — Moment of Strength: share a story where a female ancestor showed courage or strength in a difficult situation.

March 14 — Newsmakers? Did you have a female ancestor who made the news? Why? Was she famous or notorious? Did she appear in the social column?

March 15 — Write a six-word memoir tribute to one of your female ancestors.

March 16 — If you could have lunch with any female family member (living or dead) or any famous female who would it be and why? Where would you go? What would you eat?

March 17 — Social Butterfly? What social organizations or groups did your mother or grandmother belong to? Sewing circle, church group, fraternal benefit society or lodge? Describe her role in the group.

March 18 — Shining star: Did you have a female ancestor who had a special talent? Artist, singer, actress, athlete, seamstress, or other? Describe.

March 19 — Have you discovered a surprising fact about one of your female ancestors? What was it and how did you learn it? How did you feel when you found out?

March 20 — Is there a female ancestor who is your brick wall? Why? List possible sources for finding more information.

March 21 — Describe a tender moment one of your female ancestors shared with you or another family member.

March 22 — If a famous director wanted to make a movie about one of your female ancestors who would it be? What actress would you cast in the role and why?

March 23 — Create a timeline for a female ancestor using your favorite software program or an online timeline generator such as OurTimelines.Post an image of it or link.

March 24 — Do you share any physical resemblance or personality trait with one of your female ancestors? Who? What is it?

March 25 — Tell how a female ancestor interacted with her children. Was she loving or supportive? A disciplinarian? A bit of both?

March 26 — What education did your mother receive? Your grandmothers? Great-grandmothers? Note any advanced degrees or special achievements.

March 27 — Do you know the immigration story of one or more female ancestors? Do you have any passenger lists, passports, or other documentation? Interesting family stories?

March 28 — Do you remember your mother’s best friend? Your grandmother’s? How and where did they meet? How long were they friends? What activities did they share?

March 29 — Create a free Footnote Page or a Genealogy Trading Card at Big Huge Labs for a female ancestor. Some of you may have created your own card back in September 2009 following Sheri Fenley’s post over at The Educated Genealogist. This time, the card is for your female ancestor. Tell us about who you’ve selected and why and then post a link to what you’ve created.

March 30 — Did you receive any advice or words of wisdom from your mother or another female ancestor?

March 31 — Pick one female ancestor and write a mini-profile (500 words or less).

BONUS: Take all of your postings and turn them into a memory or tribute booklet for future generations.

Post an entry on your Blog when you have created your tribute. Tell us how you did it (what format, how you printed it or digitized it, etc.).

Copyright, 2011, Lisa A. Alzo
All Rights Reserved

http://theaccidentalgenealogist.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Fearless Females Blog Prompts March 2010

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Thanks to all the bloggers who participated in the Fearless Females Blog Posts during the month of March. Hope you enjoyed the prompts and now have a nice collection of stories and memories about your favorite female ancestors!  I also appreciate all the positive and interesting comments many of you left on various posts!

I had fun and hope you did too!

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Fearless Females Blog Post: March 31 — Mini-Profile

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March 31 — Pick one female ancestor and write a mini-profile (500 words or less).


I decided to write a profile for my grandmother’s sister, Anna Fencsak Bavolar.
Anna Fencsak Bavolar was born on May 15, 1893 to Ilona and Mihaly Fencsak in Freeland, PA.  She arrived in America in 1911, and was matched for marriage to George Bavolar by her sister, Mary Ceyba.  Not long after the birth of her first daughter, Mary, Anna returned to Slovakia to care for her mother, who was ill and now re-married to Mihaly Zelenak.  During that time Anna experienced conflict with her step-father who was a possessive person and did not want Anna there looking after her mother.  Ilona died in 1917, but World War I delayed Anna’s return home until 1920.  Anna and her husband eventually had four more children.  Anna’s son George was killed trying to jump on a moving truck.

Anna died in 1959 from “myocardial infarction,” and “congestive heart failure.”
Copyright 2010, Lisa A. Alzo
http://theaccidentalgenealogist.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Fearless Females Blog Post: March 30 — Words of Wisdom

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March 30 — Did you receive any advice or words of wisdom from your mother or another female ancestor?





My mother taught me to believe in myself and that just because someone else had more money, more advantages, or more opportunities that I shouldn’t feel they were better than me, or that this made me less of a person.  She also taught me not to give up just because something seemed difficult or impossible to accomplish.  Mom was a very smart woman and while at the time I couldn’t understand the lessons or principles she was trying to teach, I can truly appreciate them now.

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Fearless Females Blog Post: March 28 — Best Friend

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March 28 — Do you remember your mother’s best friend?  Your grandmother’s?  How and where did they meet? How long were they friends?  What activities did they share?


My mother’s best friend growing up was Dolores.  I don’t want to infringe on her privacy so I won’t post her last name or a photograph or any more details.  But I know that my mother was very close with her.  While Dolores moved to another state, the two still kept in touch over the years with letters and Christmas cards. Many years ago, when I threw a surprise party for my parents 50th wedding anniversary, I invited Dolores and she came!  My mother was so surprised–the two hugged and cried and spent the weekend sharing memories. I know it meant so much to my mom to have her best friend there.  It was one of those extra special moments in time that you will always remember.  


I’m not sure about my grandmothers.  They were close to many of their neighbors and women they knew from church. 




Copyright 2010, Lisa A. Alzo
http://theaccidentalgenealogist.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Fearless Females Blog Post: March 27 — Immigration Story

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March 27 — Do you know the immigration story of one or more female ancestors?  Do you have any passenger lists, passports, or other documentation?  Interesting family stories?

The immigration story of my grandmother Verona was what prompted me to begin my genealogical research.  She was the last of her siblings to immigrate to America, arriving at age 22 with her niece Mary, who was 16.

She was detained for several days at Ellis Island for medical reasons.  I wrote about her experience in my March 19th “Fearless Females” post , “Have you discovered a surprising fact about one of your female ancestors? ” and posted an image of the ship’s manifest that documented she was detained.  



Copyright 2010, Lisa A. Alzo
http://theaccidentalgenealogist.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Fearless Females Blog Post: March 26 — Education

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March 26 — What education did your mother receive?  Your grandmothers? Great-grandmothers?  Note any advanced degrees or special achievements.


My mother graduated from high school but did not go to college (her parents could not afford it). Mom was very smart and good at math.  But she went to work after high school and after she married my father worked part time.  I think she sometimes regretted not being able to go to college, and she worked very hard to make sure I was able to, and was so proud that I went to graduate school to earn my M.F.A. degree.



My grandmothers each had what was  likely the equivalent of an 8th grade education, but by no means were they unintelligent women.  They were at a disadvantage being immigrants and, but somehow they managed their households, raised their children, were able to hold down jobs speaking very little English.




Copyright 2010, Lisa A. Alzo

http://theaccidentalgenealogist.blogspot.com/atom.xml