Back in 2019, my theme for Women's History Month was "I'm in the Book." I used that month to illustrate all of the different types of directories that include women's names. Directories and personal telephone books are typically a home source you might come across after someone has passed. It might seem like the type of ephemera that should be thrown away. However, directories can provide some insight into her life.
 |
| From the collection of Gena Philibert-Ortega |
Take, for instance, this example of a National Roster of the Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic (1933-1934). This directory is a list of names, affiliations, and addresses of women who held leadership positions in the LGAR. It also includes some other national groups like the Grand Army of the Republic and the Women's Relief Corps. What this directory is not is an every-person member list.
This is a directory that the owner may not be named in, so what good is it? Just having it suggests she was a member of the LGAR. What that suggests is that she had a family member (a blood relation) who was a Union soldier, sailor, marine, or nurse. Their website states membership in LGAR is for:
"All female blood relatives, ten (10) years of age or over, of honorably discharged Union Soldiers, Sailors and Marines of the Civil War, 1861 to 1865, also ex-army nurses of that War, are eligible for membership" (http://www.lgarnational.org/Membership.html)
Owning this directory (and if she lived during those dates) suggests she (or a family member) was a member. I would take that and try to determine what records exist for her membership as well as look into a soldier, sailor, marine, or ex-army nurse who was related to her.
When we find directories, we need to go beyond what they include and ask questions. These questions can include:
- Who is included in this directory?
- Who is absent?
- What can I learn about this group?
- Could my ancestor have been a member?
- Do I have any other home sources that include this group?
No comments:
Post a Comment