RGV Hispanic Genealogical Society

06/09/2026

Summer hours start on Monday, June 8th!

06/09/2026

Keep in mind the very real possibility that your ancestor had no tombstone. This reasonably fresh grave doesn't even have a temporary marker as many do.

The takeaway here is that your ancestor may have been buried sans tombstone. They may have been cremated and their remains scattered in an unknown location.

Or if they had a stone, it may have deteriorated beyond repair.

No stone decreases the chance they are located in FindAGrave.

The cemetery may have records--if you know where they were buried. Death certificates, funeral notices, death notices, and obituaries may also indicate where a person is buried.

What other sources for burial location can you think of?

--Michael

06/09/2026

❌ marks the spot, or in this case, the person who provided the info in the 1940 and 1950 Census.

Tip: Identify the Informant
In the 1940 & 1950 Census, look for an X in a circle next to a name. This identifies who provided the info. Knowing who answered may explain potential errors.

06/07/2026

For Genealogists: Cemetery Photo Tips

Gena Philibert-Ortega writes: I think cemetery photography is a great way to spend a vacation. I would guess that you may also use vacation opportunities to take a few grave photos to share online. There’s no doubt that mobile devices make it easier than ever to take photos at a moment’s notice, but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t think through the photo-taking process so that the end result is a photo that is focused and provides all the details researchers need. I’m not a professional photographer, but the following are some tips that mean the difference between a great photo that is useful to family historians and one that is not. Read more: https://tinyurl.com/yebfd7nu

Photo: Greenwood Cemetery grave marker, Upton, Wyoming. Credit: Gena Philibert-Ortega.

06/07/2026

64 Genealogy Items to Collect from Your Home (Updated Quicksheet)

Are you just starting your genealogy research? Are you going to write your autobiography or a bunch of family stories? Maybe you are going to write a biography of your grandmother? In any case, you are surrounded by genealogy-related items in your home (or in your grandmother’s home. This Quicksheet has a list of the kinds of items that will not only help to document information for your family tree but also will be a part of your documented family history.

Get the Quicksheet PDF at https://theancestorhunt.com/blog/64-genealogy-items-to-collect-from-your-home/

06/07/2026

06/07/2026

05/30/2026