RLP 362: A Day at the Alabama Department of Archives and History

This podcast episode centers around Diana's research trip to the Alabama Department of Archives & History (ADAH) in search of information about her ancestor, Thomas B. Royston. Diana shares how she wanted to fill gaps in his timeline, particularly regarding his move to Chambers County, Alabama. She details the process of researching at ADAH, from registering and receiving a research card to working with archivists. Diana sought tax records specifically, as they often reveal residency. An archivist assists her, navigating the catalog and suggesting manuscript collections like tax assessments and court records. Although many items yield no information, they find an 1842 tax assessment listing Thomas B. Royston, which places him in Chambers County earlier than previously thought. She learns he owned slaves and certain items, and discovers details about his neighbors. Diana compares her findings at ADAH with what is available online and at FamilySearch.

Diana also discusses using the library's books and discovering an 1855 state census record which lists the composition of Thomas B. Royston's household, including the number of enslaved individuals. This information adds to her knowledge of his life and property. Diana provides tips for researching at state archives, such as pre-visit research, using the online catalog, and asking archivists for assistance. Listeners will learn about the types of records available at archives, the research process, and how tax records and census records can add to genealogical research. They will also learn the importance of working with archivists and not solely relying on online sources.

This summary was generated by Google Gemini. 

Links

A Day at the Alabama Department of Archives & History: Thomas B. Royston’s Tax Record - https://familylocket.com/a-day-at-the-alabama-department-of-archives-history-thomas-b-roystons-tax-record/

Sponsor – Newspapers.com

For listeners of this podcast, Newspapers.com is offering new subscribers 20% off a Publisher Extra subscription so you can start exploring today. Just use the code “FamilyLocket” at checkout. 

Research Like a Pro Resources

Airtable Universe - Nicole's Airtable Templates - https://www.airtable.com/universe/creator/usrsBSDhwHyLNnP4O/nicole-dyer

Airtable Research Logs Quick Reference - by Nicole Dyer - https://familylocket.com/product-tag/airtable/

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