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This is a new page and it will updated as new tips are contributed. If you have a tip that you feel might be useful to other researchers
please send it to Ken & Laurie Huffman.
From the Jackson County, Michigan Genealogical Society, 1992:
Wills: Nothing will give greater clues to maiden names than the witnesses to old wills. In the lower left hand corner on most wills, you will find signatures of two to four witnesses. The first is always from the husband's side. The next is almost always from the wife's side, and that is to protect her one-third dower right under law.
Mortgages: In the 1800's and before, it was traditional when the daughter married, as part of her dowry, for her father to either cover their mortgage or carry a note for his son-in-law. If you can find to whom their mortgage payments were paid, about 70% of the time it will be the bride's father.