 Colonial-era records—from town books to land deeds—hold valuable clues for early American genealogy Researching ancestors in Colonial New England can be a rewarding but challenging journey. As I’ve been working through a family line in this region, I’ve found it helpful to reflect on and share some tried-and-true strategies that make the process smoother—and more successful. Whether you’re tracing your early American ancestors for the first time or revisiting a long-standing brick wall, these tips may help you extract more value from colonial records and perhaps even break through barriers you didn’t realize you had. Here are five essential tips I keep in mind while navigating 17th- and 18th-century records: 1. Cast a Wide Net for Phonetic Variations Spelling was not standardized in colonial records, and this applies to both surnames and place names. I’ve encountered multiple phonetic spellings of the same name within a single document or even in different sections of the same parish register. Scribes wrote names as they heard them, and spelling could shift depending on who was recording the information.
2. Use Multiple Source Types—And Compare Abstracts Colonial records were often incomplete, inconsistent, or have suffered damage over time. To compensate, cross-reference your findings across various record types:
3. Learn the Language of the Time Colonial records come with their own learning curve. Understanding period-specific abbreviations, handwriting styles, and terminology is essential to avoid misreading a valuable clue.
4. Don’t Stop at the Town Line Colonial boundaries were fluid, and record-keeping practices varied dramatically between towns—even between neighboring ones. If you hit a wall in one location, check surrounding towns, counties, or even colonies.
5. Keep Historical Context in Mind Colonial history wasn’t just a backdrop—it actively shaped the lives and records of our ancestors. Wars, disease outbreaks, changing borders, and religious schisms all impacted how and where records were created—or whether they survived at all.
Final Thoughts These five research tips have served me well as I continue my deep dive into Colonial New England genealogy. While colonial records can be cryptic and fragmented, they are also rich in detail for those willing to dig beneath the surface and take a broader, contextual approach. When we remain flexible in spelling, vigilant in cross-referencing, and attentive to geography and history, we greatly improve our chances of connecting the dots and telling a fuller family story. If you’re working on colonial ancestors too, I’d love to hear what strategies have worked for you. What are your favorite tips, surprises, or success stories? More Genealogy Research TipsGet more genealogy research tips, under the Genealogy Research Tips category. More Top GenealogyMore Genealogy RecordsLearn about more genealogy records and resources, under the Genealogy Records category and the Genealogy Resources category, along with on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page.
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5/18/2025 Revisiting My Roots: Tracing the Life of My 6th Great-Grandfather, Michael Howlett (Hulet, Hulett, Hewlett)Read Now A peaceful colonial New England scene, evoking the rural landscape of 18th-century Connecticut where Michael Howlett (Hulet) once lived. For the past three days, I’ve done something I don’t often get to do: focus entirely on my own family history. And not just any part of it—but a line I haven’t seriously worked on in over a decade. What began as a quick revisit turned into a deep dive that consumed my every spare moment, and it reminded me why I love genealogy so much. So today’s blog post is a little different. It’s the first in what I hope will be an ongoing series documenting one ancestral line at a time, beginning with my 6th great-grandfather: Michael Howlett—a man whose descendants carried the name in many forms, from Hulet to Hulett, Hewlett, and back again. 🧬 Meet Michael Howlett (Hulet, Hewlett, Hulett, Hulet)Michael Howlett was born around 1677, likely in Newton, Massachusetts—though some sources point to Boston. His parents were John Howlett and Abigail (Powell), and in 1704, Michael married Experience Newton in Newton, Massachusetts. Together, Michael and Experience raised a large family--nine children born over a 20-year span. Around 1708, the family moved to south Killingly, Connecticut, where Michael purchased land and helped shape the early history of that area. It is unknown when he died (as I have not found any record of it), but many have him passing away around February 1774 in Killingly at the age of 98, which would mean he lived an impressively long life (not likely for that time). 🏡 A Man of the Land—and of the CovenantOne of the fascinating records I uncovered was Michael’s adult baptism at the Putnam First Congregational Church (then known as North Killingly Parish) on December 15, 1717. That same day, he entered into the church covenant and was officially admitted as a member. This detail—often overlooked in genealogies—offers insight into both his faith and community involvement. That community, by the way, was not without its tensions. South Killingly, during Michael's time, was known for irreconcilable religious differences that made life there less prosperous and more turbulent. Yet Michael remained, raised his family, and contributed to the settlement’s development. 📜 Children of Michael and Experience (Newton) Hulet:
*Note: Since all the vital records are abstracts of some kind, I will be using "about" for the dates found in them. Josiah married a Lydia (Lydia Unknown at this time and no marriage record has been found) and had 12 children; although, they seem quite old to have had the later children, but records show these children to be born to a Josiah and Lydia and they are the only Josiah and Lydia in the area and are on the records with other family members. All of their children were born in Killingly CT. Impressively, he d. after 1797, according to his sister, Experience's dated will. Children of Josiah and Lydia:
Daniel married Abigail Unknown and they had one child (only 1 child listed in his will and the same child being the only one found in vital records) who was born in Killingly CT. Daniel d. 1789 Killingly CT, according to his probate (his will was dated: 7 Jul 1789 and inventory of his estate was taken in Sep). Children of John and Sarah:
Nathaniel married Susannah Unknown and they had 5 children, the 1st being born in Killingly and the rest in Plainfied. He d. sometime between Jan-May 1790 (his will was dated 21 Jan 1790 and the inventory of his estate was taken 1 May 1790). Children of Nathaniel and Susannah:
John married Sarah Searls on 4 Dec 1746 in Killingly CT. All of their children were born in Killingly CT. Children of John and Sarah:
Oliver (my 5th great grandfather) married 1st Sarah Bensley, who died 8 FEB 1759 in Killingly and had 5 known children (with a possible 6th that some others have but I have found no record of), and 2nd Elizabeth Searles (possibly a sister to his brother’s wife-still looking into it) on 15 Nov 1759 in Killingly. All of their children were born in Killingly CT. Impressively, he d. after 1797, according to his sister, Experience's dated will. Children of Oliver and Sarah:
Experience married Ebenezer Kingsbury on 23 Feb 1743/4 in Plainfield CT and she died on 6 Nov 1803 in Plainfield CT. According to their wills, census records, and negative findings in vital records, they had no living children. 🔍 Research Tools and Resources
I’ve also been evaluating secondary sources with caution. While many compiled genealogies list children like Michael or Nehemiah, I treat them as unconfirmed until supported by documentary evidence. These phantom ancestors are a good reminder that names in trees aren’t always facts—they’re hypotheses that need testing. 📜 Notes of Records Used
A Note on Name Variations In colonial New England, surname spelling was far from standardized. This line alone has appeared in records as Howlett, Hewlett, Hulett, and Hulet—sometimes even in the same family or generation. Don’t let spelling limit your searches! 📚 What’s Next? In the next post in this series, I’ll shift the spotlight to Michael’s son and my 5th great-grandfather, Oliver Hulet, exploring his life, marriages, and their children—many of whom began to move into western Massachusetts and beyond. This series is part research log, part narrative, and part resource guide. I hope it inspires you to revisit your own lines with fresh eyes or perhaps helps you discover a new connection. Feel free to follow along—and if you’re a descendant or fellow researcher on the Hulet/Howlett line, I’d love to hear from you. Stay tuned for the next chapter in this family story. *Note: This post will be updated when there are new research findings, so it may constantly change. Have you ever returned to an old family line after years away and found something new? Or are you working on early New England ancestors too? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
 Ask your mom these 5 meaningful questions this Mother’s Day and preserve her story for generations to come! Mother’s Day is the perfect time to show appreciation for the women who raised us—and also an opportunity to preserve their stories. Whether you’re spending today with your mother, remembering her, or honoring a grandmother, aunt, or other maternal figure, don’t miss the chance to ask (or answer) a few simple but meaningful questions. As a genealogist, I know that the small conversations we have today become the precious records of tomorrow. So this Mother’s Day, try asking these five questions—either directly to your mother or someone who knew her well. 1. What was your mom like growing up? This question opens the door to stories about your grandmother’s childhood—stories that often aren’t written down anywhere. You might discover a surprising detail about her school days, friendships, or personality. 2. What is your favorite family tradition from childhood? Whether it’s Sunday dinners, birthday rituals, or how holidays were celebrated, these traditions help shape our identity and deserve to be remembered—and perhaps even revived. 3. Do you remember your grandmother’s cooking (or recipes)? Food is often tied to memory. Ask about the dishes that brought comfort or joy in childhood. Even better, write down the recipes or prepare one today in her honor. 4. What was your hardest or proudest moment as a mother? This question invites reflection and can uncover powerful, personal stories of resilience, sacrifice, or joy. It’s one of those questions that often yields unexpectedly touching responses. 5. Is there a story you want passed down to future generations?Sometimes mothers just need to be asked. This is a gentle prompt to encourage legacy-sharing in their own words—a gift not just for you, but for your children and grandchildren as well. Whether you ask one question or all five, today is a chance to connect, reflect, and preserve part of your family history. If your mother is no longer here, consider journaling your answers to these questions as you remember her—or asking a relative who knew her well. Let this Mother’s Day be more than flowers and cards. Let it be a celebration of story, memory, and legacy. What would you ask your mother today? Share your favorite questions—or answers—in the comments below.
 A Genealogy Breakthrough: The Power of Digitization, OCR, & Newspaper Archives For over a decade, I’ve researched the life of my 3rd great-grandfather, John Neilson Beveridge, a Scottish coal miner who immigrated to Pennsylvania in the mid-19th century. While I had been able to trace his birth, marriage, and children in Scotland—and later his death in the U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules—his life in America remained elusive. Until now. This week, I made an unexpected and powerful discovery: two digitized newspaper articles on Newspapers.com that shed new light on his final years in Pennsylvania. These are the only articles I’ve ever found about him in the United States. And they add significant context, mystery, and emotion to his story. 1. The Death Notice — February 1880The first article appeared in The Pittsburgh Post on February 9, 1880. It is a death notice for John Beveridge, revealing more than just his passing: “John Beveridge, a coal miner, died at Wilkinsburg on Saturday, from congestion of the lungs, which was brought on by a severe cold contracted at a meeting of the strikers. Out of these facts arose even a rumor that the man had died of starvation.” This short but striking obituary does more than list a death—it places John in a moment of labor unrest and hints at difficult living conditions. I had already located his death via the 1880 U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedule, which recorded February 1880 and the cause as pneumonia. But this article not only confirms that data—it deepens it. The phrase “a meeting of the strikers” suggests he was actively involved in labor movements, possibly advocating for better conditions during a time of growing tension between miners and mine owners. The mention of a rumor of starvation paints a grim portrait of economic struggle, perhaps worsened by illness and hardship in Wilkinsburg.  John Beveridge Death Notice: February 9, 1880 2. The Attack — April 1855The second article is far more dramatic and emotional. It recounts a brutal attack on John Beveridge and his wife Margaret, which occurred around midnight at their home. The details are shocking: “Brutal Outrage. A Scotchman, named John Beveridge, Boss minor at the works of Brook & Beury, at Branchdale, narrowly escaped with his life from an attack by a party of Irish men (so he recognized them,) on Tuesday night last. According to his story (in short,) before Esq. Reed, of this place, next day, the assailants, three or four in number, attacked his house about midnight, battered down the door, fired a pistol at his wife, discharged the contents of another in his arm, and beat him in the most violent manner—his life being saved most probably, by his accidental falling in the scuffle through a hole into the cellar, whence he escaped. The party then riddled the house with stones—the wife and children having secreted themselves in the upper story. No specific cause is assigned for the attack. Beveridge bears a generally good character. Another aggravated case occurred at the new mines, on the Forest Improvement Co.’s lands, on Monday. The workmen have been on a “turn-out” there for some two weeks. One of them, (we have not learned the name,) who complained that his wife and child were sick, and that he could not afford to remain idle, went to work; when a party went into the mines, brought him out, and shamefully beat him. No arrests have been made here, either, so far as we know. — Pottsville Miners’ Journal.” Reading it for the first time was definitely horrifying. For years, I had puzzled over why Margaret and the children returned to Scotland after immigrating to the U.S. in August 1850. They are clearly documented back in Scotland by the 1861 census, and one of the daughters later migrated to Australia. I had always wondered: Why would a wife and mother return to Scotland without her husband? While this article may not offer a definitive answer, it certainly provides possible context. The trauma of the assault, the risk to the family, and John’s declining condition may have influenced Margaret’s decision to return to the familiarity—and perhaps safety—of her homeland.  John Beveridge and Family Attacked-1855 Why This Find Matters These two articles, newly indexed and only now discoverable thanks to ongoing digitization efforts, are a perfect reminder that you should always revisit your searches. Digitized newspaper collections continue to grow, and the accuracy of search functions improves as OCR technology advances. It’s also a testament to how much depth and color newspapers can bring to our family history. A death that was once just a record of time and cause has become a human story involving labor activism, illness, and hardship. A family mystery about a return migration is now potentially tied to an act of violence that once made headlines. This experience reinforces several genealogical lessons:
Final Thoughts These two articles, though brief, have transformed how I understand my ancestor’s journey. What had been a thin record of migration and death is now a textured story of survival, community strife, and possible tragedy. If you’ve hit a dead end with an ancestor, especially one in the 19th or early 20th century, it’s time to revisit the newspapers. You never know what might be waiting there—quietly waiting to be discovered. More on Genealogy RecordsMore Genealogy ResourcesLearn about more family history and genealogy resources under the Genealogy Resources category and on my dedicated Genealogy Resources page.
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