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Kathleen and Vickie begin a search in the Indian Territory (Oklahoma ) for Vickie's great-grandmother Ellen's maiden name. Kathleen's advice? "Let's let's go back to the starting gate." She outlined 10 resources/steps to review even before the DNA analysis.  The more information gathered on the family for your DNA analysis, the more success you'll have toward reaching your goal.  This Do it yourself genealogy work will help Vickie build a strong foundation to stand on when she starts swinging the hammer on her family brick wall.

What was Ellen’s Maiden Name?

1.     Organize. Separate family units (i.e. children from first and second husbands, and  grandchildren.)
2.     Local Records. School census and enrollment documents will provide birthdates and parentage hints, and possible extended families.  Review school records for all of Ellen’s children and those under her care.
3.     Church Records. Marriage records often name parents, and family members as witnesses.  Local preachers may have kept records. You may uncover Ellen’s maiden name through her family connections.
4.     Vital Records. Birth certificates, delayed birth certificates, and death certificates may name mother’s maiden name. These may also assist with #1: separating family units.
5.     Social Security Application ($$). This may not be fruitful at this time, as the children of Ellen may not know their mother’s maiden name. But, be sure to re-evaluate the cost/risk benefit.
6.     Marriage Records. Marriage applications often name mother’s maiden name. Review the marriage records for all children of Ellen.
7.     Midwife Records / Family Bibles.  Midwives typically know the families and may have recorded Ellen’s maiden name. Don’t forget to research the midwife. Many families had a midwife in the family. 
8.     Newspapers (Local and Online). Obituaries and even court recorder published announcements may proffer names and relationships. Who was Ellen’s family?
9.     Land Records. James (and/or Ellen) owned their land.  How did they acquire it?  Land deeds may provide hints to Ellen’s family, parents, or name first husband, if applicable.
10. Native American Records / Applications (NARA).  Don’t forget the rejected applications also.  

 Our goal here was to identify records that often name mother’s maiden name.
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