Genealogical Research Using Business Records

Genealogical Research Using Business Records

Regardless of one's economic status, a person will usually keep records pertaining to their employment or finances. This is especially true if a person has investments of any sort and must comply with tax regulations. Over the years, people often pack such records in boxes and put them in storage. In some cases, these materials are never looked at for decades. These records can hold a vast wealth of personal information. For the genealogist who is willing to take the time to inspect them, these records can be a gold mine of information. An excellent research tool to study in preparation for work in this specialized area is: The Source: A Guidebook Of American Genealogy edited by Loretto Dennis Szucs & Sandra Hargreaves Luebking. Revised Edition. Salt Lake City, UT: Ancestry Publishing, c1996.Call Number: Genealogy Ref. 929.1 Szu. Chapter 10 discusses research in business, employment, and institutional records. This chapter covers pages 337-384.

Some examples of these records would include the following:

Bank Bonds & Bank Statements. These records will give you a picture of the ancestor's family and economic status. These can cause a researcher to search out the history of records of banks and financial institutions. When did your ancestors begin using banks? In the 1800's and early 1900's people became interested in banking. Most of the banks in existence during this era were state owned. They had little long term success. Many families had a few shares of stock in the state bank. Your state archives is the best place to find these records, unless the bank has survived into the present era (very rare). If so, the bank should be the first stop in your search.

Employment Records. These records usually serve to force a researcher to investigate the history of where the ancestor worked. The researcher will find information concerning strikes, wages, working conditions (including injuries that disabled or killed an ancestor), and the economic profile of the business. If your ancestor was union man or women, labor union records should be searched. Labor union records are generally open to the public, but you might be required to furnish proof your ancestor belonged to the union before access is provided. Some union refuse to allow any access to their records without a court order. This also applies to some companies. One good source we have for a history of companies is the twenty volume set of International Directory Of Company Histories edited by Thomas Derdak. Chicago, IL and London, England: St. James Press, 1988. Call Number: REF 338.74 Int. You can also track name changes for companies by using the Capital Changes Reporter. Chicago, IL: Commerce Clearinghouse, Incorporated. Call Number: Financial Shelves-Reference Desk. This set of materials is updated on a monthly basis. Names are tracked back to the 1800's.

Insurance Policies. Many old trunks and boxes contain insurance policies or papers. They may be worthless, but can contain a rich history. You must determine why your ancestor was interested in a particular type of policy. These applications may still be in existence, giving medical and health information about your ancestor.

Stock & Bond Certificates. These certificates are often found in old trunks and boxes. Older certificates gave sketches of the companies at the time of issue. It can be interesting to see how a company started out in its infancy and compare it with its position today (if the company has
survived). Do you have an ancestor who bought Coca-Cola stock during the 1920's? When the stock went public in 1919, a share was worth $40.00. Today, with the results of stock splits, that one share could be worth close to $140,000. A good source to check on old stock and bond certificates is the Directory Of Obsolete Securities. Jersey City, NJ: Financial Information Incorporated. Fort Myers-Lee County Library has the 1997 edition.

Compiled by Bryan L. Mulcahy, Reference Librarian, Ft. Myers-Lee County Library, 7/9/98