Our Quaker Ancestors Finding Them In Quaker Records

In 1675, George Fox, the founder of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), devised a system of record-keeping, which is both meticulous and extensive, and has continued for over 300 years. Meeting records kept by the Friends are rich in detail and those searching for Quaker ancestors can expect to discover a wealth of information in them, as soon as they learn how to use them. The early Quakers had characteristics and a manner of speaking which were quite their own and maneuvering through the records requires special research insights. Now, for the first time in over 25 years, a book has been written which acquaints Quaker researchers with the intricacies of meeting records. And for the first time ever, it was written by someone who understands the Quakers, so researchers are introduced not only to the different record types and the most effective use of those records, but to the Quakers themselves. The author is a 10th generation descendant of multiple lines of Quakers who came to the colonies in the earliest years. She has lived the life of a Quaker, is a professional genealogist, and now shares her insights with those searching not only for the names of their Quaker ancestors, but for the back stories as well. Learn why the Quakers disowned their members for infractions yet still welcomed them to worship rather than shunning them - which was the common practice in other religions. Ever heard of the Underground Railroad - guess who most of the "conductors" were? Why did they risk life and limb to buy and free slaves? What about the Quaker refusal to bear arms - how did they manage that during the Revolutionary War when it was unfolding right there in Pennsylvania? This book begins with a brief history of the Quakers, including their devotion to the New Testament of the King James Bible which, in their day was newly available to the common man. Turning their back on both the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church, the Quakers formed their own religion and sealed their fate when they refused to pay tithes to either church. Thousands were put into prison or sold into slavery, but they persevered and grew stronger in their faith. After nearly 20 years of persecution, quite miraculously, William Penn was given land in the new colonies; land which was roughly the size of England! Penn practically gave the land away and there the Quakers found a place to grow, free from persecution. All of this activity is tracked in the Quaker records, including each family's migration to America and their settlement in the colonies. Penn enacted a self-limiting government in his colony and began some inspired new legal practices which were eventually incorporated into the U.S. Constitution. Other chapters include details about Quaker words and phrases; records organization; the unique ways in which Quakers dealt with Indian tribes, kept a calendar, dressed, spoke the Plain language, held weddings, and conducted business. The print book includes many images, tips, and guides, including a case study that walks the reader through the research process for tracing Quaker ancestors.

Discover your roots! Everything you need to start your Irish ancestry is in this book. You'll learn how to investigate the various generation of your family, the events that shaped their lives, the details about how they lived, and the story of their emigration.Inside you'll find: • Guidelines for determining an Irish ancestor's place of origin • Advice for accessing Irish cemetery, land, church, estate, census, and military records • Civil registration of births, marriages and deaths as well as emigration lists • Sources and strategies for researching Irish ancestors that settled in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, England, Scotland, Wales, and the Caribbean Plus answers to common questions: How far back in time can you expect to trace your family; and how does Protestant Irish research differ from Catholic Irish research?

Mr. Dobson continues with his series of booklets pertaining to unexplored aspects of Scottish genealogy. The first of these new titles is his Scottish Quakers and Early America, the aim of which is to identify members of the Society of Friends in Scotland prior to 1700 and the Scottish origins of many of the Quakers who settled in East Jersey in the 1680s. Quakerism came to Scotland with the Cromwellian occupation of the 1650s. Scottish missionaries eventually spread the faith to various locations throughout the country, including Aberdeen in the Northeast, Edinburgh and Kelso in the southeast, and Hamilton in the west. The Society of Friends never grew to large numbers in Scotland, however, owing to its persecution by both the Episcopal and Presbyterian churches, as well as civic authorities. Understandably, a number of Scottish Quakers ultimately emigrated to the North American colonies; for example, there were some Scottish Quakers among the landowners of West Jersey as early as 1664, and between 1682 and 1685 several shiploads of emigrants left the ports of Leith, Montrose, and Aberdeen for East Jersey. Drawing upon research conducted in both Scotland and the United States in manuscript and in published sources, David Dobson has here amassed all the genealogical data that we know of concerning members of the Society of Friends in Scotland prior to 1700 and the origins of Scottish Quakers living in East New Jersey in the 1680s. While there is great deal of variation in the descriptions of the roughly 500 Scottish Quakers listed in the volume, the entries typically give the individual's name, date or place of birth, and occupation, and sometimes the name of a spouse or date of marriage, name of parents, place and reason for imprisonment in Scotland, place of indenture, date of death, and the source of the information. Without a doubt this is a ground-breaking work on the subject of Scottish emigration to North America during the colonial period.

Explains difficulties of Quaker genealogical research and offers suggestions of where to search and whom to contact in searching for more information.

Genealogists and other historical researchers have valued the first two editions of this work, often referred to as the genealogist's bible."" The new edition continues that tradition. Intended as a handbook and a guide to selecting, locating, and using appropriate primary and secondary resources, The Source also functions as an instructional tool for novice genealogists and a refresher course for experienced researchers. More than 30 experts in this field--genealogists, historians, librarians, and archivists--prepared the 20 signed chapters, which are well written, easy to read, and include many helpful hints for getting the most out of whatever information is acquired. Each chapter ends with an extensive bibliography and is further enriched by tables, black-and-white illustrations, and examples of documents. Eight appendixes include the expected contact information for groups and institutions that persons studying genealogy and history need to find. ""