Top 10 Places to Find Maiden Names By Kimberly Powell; Genealogy Expert Discovering the maiden name of a female ancestor can sometimes be difficult, but can lead to a whole new branch of your family tree. New surnames, new families, new connections. Try these ten places for clues to maiden names of the women in your family tree. 1. Marriage Records The most likely place to locate a woman's maiden name is on her marriage record. These can include not only the marriage license, but also the marriage certificate, marriage announcements, marriage banns, and marriage bonds. It is generally necessary to know the spouse's name, marriage location and approximate marriage date to find these records. For the remainder nine places, check the rest of the article at: http://tinyurl.com/jfm75eb Uncover Hidden Family Relationships in Estate Records By Kimberly Powell, Genealogy Expert Wills and probate records can be a rich source of names and family relationships for individuals researching their family history. Wills often (although not always) name surviving heirs, along with their relationship to the deceased. For individuals who died intestate, the probate records which document the handling of the estate through the court may include a list of heirs, along with their place of residence. There are times, however, where the genealogical evidence buried in these records is not as direct as we might like. But that doesn't mean the answers aren't there! When examined carefully and thoroughly, estate records may also be able to help you pinpoint when the individual died, deduce which child was the eldest, or uncover names of unnamed heirs, in-laws or other relatives. 1. Who Was Appointed Administrator? When an individual died intestate (without a will), the court's first order of business upon being notified of the death was to appoint an administrator to oversee settlement of the estate. In most jurisdictions and time periods, the right to administer an estate usually belonged first to the decedent's next of kin, generally the surviving spouse. If this individual relinquished their right to serve as administrator, the court generally went to the next family member in line—most often a son, son-in-law, or daughter—although next in line" could vary depending on both law and circumstance. Some jurisdictions required that the administrator live in the county, for example. If a relative was not available to serve as administrator, the court may have appointed a creditor, or someone else with an interest in the estate. For the remainder four items, please check below: http://tinyurl.com/hdzntj6 Fashion Throughout History Sources for Researching Historical Clothing, Fashion and Accessories By Kimberly Powell, Genealogy Expert What people wore, how the clothing was made, and who made it, can offer important insights into social and personal history. Clothing and fashion accessories, as well as hairstyles and makeup often convey a great deal about the men, women and children who wore them, and about the society in which they lived. Whether you want to learn more about the clothing worn by your ancestors, research clothing of a particular era for a book or character, or use clothing styles to help assign a time frame to a vintage family photograph, these research sources and timelines of fashion and costume history may have the answers you seek. 1. An Online Exhibition of Canadian Dress: The Confederation Era (1840–1890) This well-done online exhibition from the Canadian Museum of History in Québec includes information and accompanying photos on women's fashion in Canada during the Confederation Era (1840–1890), including everyday clothing fancy clothing, outerwear and accessories. Explore further and you'll also find sections on men's wear, children's wear and working wear. For the remaining nine items, check: http://tinyurl.com/z9hfmcx