You know the dance. You know you've done it. The one every researcher does after finding something new. The one where you want to jump up and down and shout to everyone that you found the document, contacted a cousin with the family Bible, made a DNA connection, or found a new branch to your tree. The one that is met with glazed stares and eye rolls.
This weekly series enables everyone to tell about their Genealogy Happy Dance moment.
Share by scrolling
down and add your story to the comments section, or you may also link to a blog post about what had you dancing this week.
 |
"Sumter, South Carolina, United States records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939L-F6BH-W?view=explore : Dec 7, 2025), image 459 of 467; South Carolina. County Court (Sumter County).
Image Group Number: 004752940 |
|
|
|
| |
Once again, FamilySearch Full Text Search comes through when I'm looking for documents with information about my ancestors. It's particularly helpful when looking for records where the individuals were not included in an index.
There are so many clues to family connections and to who their neighbors were, and finding them in other records can help you pinpoint an ancestor in time and place.
After the death of Samuel J. Wesberry on January 5th, 1858, my third great-grandfather, Thomas McRady, was appointed as one of the appraisers. He signs the document with his mark at the bottom. This document helps me understand where he was in 1858 and gives me a clue to his standing in the community through his appointment. It's also a great example of how names can be spelled differently in one record. His surname is spelled McReady and McRady in this one. Both are used frequently in documents.
Thanks again to FamilySearch for making Full Text Search available!
What were you celebrating?
Share your Happy Dance Moment for the week, and let's celebrate together!
