Re: Geneology Thread: Where did we come from?
I know my grandfather married someone before my grandmother, but there is only a single marriage record. No divorce, no kids, no nothing.
Plus my family doesn't really know about it either. Very frustrating.
Couple of things- depending on time frame-
-some census will note if this is first, second marriage and at what age first married- try looking for your GF without listing a wife, only his name- don't use exact search.
-check town or state census
-town directories will list person and the wife/kids sometimes or if widowed- even if they don't it gives you yr by yr where someone is which can be helpful - if they stick to a place then move it can give you time frame to look at other sources
-local newspapers (look in libraries or town halls) can sometimes have wedding, engagement or obits that you might not otherwise find.
-check the cemetery where GF is buried to see if they have anyone else by the last name
-check for divorces. You never know. I have one person who my mother never knew got divorced. Thought the dude died. She got a divorce in 1900.
-check births Use GF last name without listing a woman. I know you said no births but you never know. Sometimes doing a search with a time frame of before the date you know he got married the second time can be helpful- you need to do it the tedious way and manually read thru everyone
-try listing query on ancestry
-also- did he or his family change names/spelling? I know my GGF did. Searching for yrs using wrong name