Having spent two or three weeks working on genealogical research projects and a special chart project, I’m back to researching/writing/editing the next issue of Digging History Magazine.  The issue will be out in early September and will feature a number of topics which I’ve had on the back burner for awhile:

• Courtship, Marriage and Divorce: Early American Style – a look at courtship, marriage and divorce in early America — customs, laws, finding records and more.
• Ye Olde Runaway Marriages:  Tying the Knot at a “Gretna Green” – Have you ever found it difficult to locate an ancestor’s marriage record?  Perhaps they didn’t wed in the county where they lived.  Maybe the couple, like my own great grandparents, traveled to a distant county where the marriage laws were a bit more lax, or where no one knew them (my great grandfather was 19 and my great grandmother was only 13).  A fascinating history and lots of stories!
• Mining Genealogical Gold:  It Pays to PERSI(st):  uncovering buried treasure in newsletters, magazines and journals – A look at one of the research tools many family history researchers may never have heard of.  The Periodical Source Index (PERSI) is maintained by the staff of the Genealogy Center of the Allen County Public Library (Ohio).  According to their web site PERSI is the premier subject index for genealogy and local history periodicals, consisting of more than 3 million citations to readily-available periodical sources.  The article will feature techniques, tips and examples of stories to be uncovered.
• Oh, Dear!  The Pitfalls of Genealogical Research (gold mine or land mine)?  This particular article covers the “Oh, Dear!” moments most genealogists have come across in their research.  These days many people are uncovering devastating family secrets through DNA testing, but in early America you might find references to ancestors accused of witchcraft or even incest.  When we come across these shocking facts, how should we respond?
• The Dash:  Virgil Edwin Earp (1879-1959) – The premise of this article was formed when a YouTube video appeared in my feed.  Wyatt Earp’s nephew was appearing on the wildly popular 1950s quiz show, The $64,000 Question.  He was also regaling viewers with tales from the Old West (his category was the “Wild West”).  Had he really killed a man at the age of 18?  Was he really born in storied Tombstone?  Given the scandals surrounding the show (and others), did Virgil get the answers ahead of time (he won $32,000).  It will be a fascinating article about not only Virgil’s life and quiz show appearance, but a great deal of Earp family history (I am related to this family through my maternal grandmother who was an Erp/Earp).

It will be a great issue, filled with stories, tips, book reviews and more!  Look for it in the magazine store in early September.  Or consider a subscription and never miss an issue!