Giving Up Secrets
What do you do when you get your hands on an old letter like this one found hiding in the wall?
1. Check the Address
Armed with the address on the letter, look for Griffins in city directories. George A. Griffin is listed all the way back to 1871. According to the 1880 census, he had a wife named Maizy and several children.
2. Look for a Wedding
Based on the oldest child’s age, George and Maizy were likely married around 1872. Check Ancestry.com or
3. Read the News
Search for the wedding story in newspapers at Ancestry.com or use other newspaper indexes. A brief notice in the Hometown News recorded the witnesses as George’s brother Andrew and Maizy’s sister Anna Louise.
4. Revisit the Census
Search the 1870 census and you’ll find a Chandler family in the state of Maizy’s birth with daughters Maizy L. and Anna L.
The father is a farmer, and his children are all listed as being born in the state. Check a county history for more biographical information.
5. Bring It Forward
Use the Griffin children’s names to track the family forward in directories, obituaries, censuses, and other records to find living descendants. Then keep your fingers crossed—they might have some old photos of the house and the Griffin family to share.
Paula Stuart-Warren, CG, is a nationally known genealogical lecturer, writer, and consultant. She may be reached at PSWResearch@comcast.net.
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