This came from one of my other list.I thought I would pass it along in case it might help someone else. Sharon Dover Romanek Maiden names Tips on finding maiden names from the 1992 Jackson County, Michigan >> > Genealogical Society: >> > >> > Nothing will give greater clues to maiden names than the witnesses to old >> > wills. In the lower left hand corner of most deeds, you will find signatures >> > of two to four witnesses. The first is always from the husband's side. The >> > next is almost always from the wife's side and that is to protect her >> > one-third dower right under law. >> > >> > Mortgages: In the 1800s and before, it was traditional when the daughter >> > married, as part of her dowry, for the father to either >> > cover their mortgage or carry a note for his son-in-law. If you can find to >> > whom their mortgage payments were made, 70% of the time it will be the >> > bride's father.