How can I locate genealogy before my great grandfather,Melvin Bate Boswell?

Question

My Father was Wayne Boswell, Grandfather, Melvin Goolie Boswell and Great Grandfather Melvin Bate Boswell. I have seen several different spellings of the name Bate. Family information says our ancestors came across on a boat from either England or Ireland. I was told we have Scottish, Irish descendants. One of the Boswells owned a lot of property along with his brother in Whiteville and was split between them I believe, Peacocks funeral home sits on part of the land. Behind the funeral home on private property is a woman and mans headstone with the Boswell name. That possibly could be one of the brothers and his wife.  No one is allowed to go on the property. I'm not sure how to locate any records on them, many records were recorded in a book back then or not at all. My Daughter passed away this year and i would love to trace our Family history for the children and grandchildren to be able to see their roots. I would love to know for myself as well. All of my Mothers immediate Family has passed away, She was Pauline Barnhill Boswell. Not much information was given on her side of the family. Given the family health conditions, this would be good to know. Any information you may have would be appreciated or information on where I may search would be appreciated  as well.Thank You

Answer 1

FamilySearch is a great free source for documents like census and marriage records.  Ancesry is a pay site, but it has documents that FamilySearch doesn't have.  If you build profiles for the people you know, then it will be easier for other folks to connect.

Here is the 1940 census for Wayne and his family (from FamilySearch):  "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KWS7-ZMB : 13 February 2020), Wayne Boswell in household of M G Boswell, Whiteville Township, Columbus, North Carolina, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 24-31B, sheet 6A, line 17, family 93, Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 2893.

and a link to Melvin Goolie's death information, which gives you dates, places, and confirms parents' names:  "North Carolina Deaths and Burials, 1898-1994", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FZRJ-8FG : 21 January 2020), Melvin Goolie Boswell, 1956.

The marriage record for Melvin Sr. lists his parents' names, taking you back another generation:

"North Carolina Marriages, 1759-1979", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F88W-4N2 : 14 February 2020), M. B. Boswell, 1876.

And the 1850 census shows Melvin's parents and siblings: "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4YB-17N : 4 April 2020), Melvin B Boswell in household of Goldsbury Boswell, Columbus county, Columbus, North Carolina, United States; citing family 329, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

Comments

Thank you. Im starting my search.

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Happy hunting!  Goldsberry Boswell was a soldier in the War of 1812 and his pension papers give his wife's maiden name: "United States War of 1812 Index to Pension Application Files, 1812-1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X8C6-R4K : 11 March 2018), Nancy Young in entry for Goldsberry Boswell, ; citing military unit Pvt Capt John Sellar's Co NC Mil, NARA microfilm publication M313 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 840,440.

People often settled near their parents and other family members, so looking at the actual census images for other Boswell's living near Goldsberry might help you find his parents.

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Thank you.