Is there a black sheep ancestor somewhere in your family tree? If so, you are probably curious about some of the stories that have been handed down over the years. How much truth is there in what you have heard, and how much has been embellished or covered over? Perhaps your family prefers to let sleeping ghosts lie – until you discover interesting details while conducting what you thought was a routine check of the census records.
Researching or discovering a black sheep ancestor can be fascinating, yet it can be very difficult for you and for your family. When discussing what you find with living family members, use care and be tactful. Others in the family may know about the misdeeds of your ancestor and may have been keeping mum for a reason. Let your conscience be your guide, and as tempting as it is, do not go gossiping with others outside of the family.
With the release of the 1940 Census, many genealogy researchers are looking at Census data from that year and other years. How interesting it must be to turn to your ancestor’s record in the census and discover that his occupation is listed as “Drunkard”, or that she is noted to be a “woman of ill repute”. If your ancestor was alive for the 1880 Census, be sure to check out the “Defective, Dependent and Delinquent” list for additional details.
If your ancestor was a criminal, there may be additional information in courthouse records, newspapers, and prison records. You may find that you learn more about your black sheep ancestor than you do about any other ancestors in his or her generation simply because of the added items in their paper trail. If you are lucky, the additional records may disclose details about other family members who were living at the time.
Photo by hyperlux on morguefile.com.