Bibles are mysterious things:
Not all families have them as it depends on the religion of a family, the family religion can change over time and if there was a family bible at some stage, it may well and truly be lost now, the religion or dedication may not have been passed down. The family bible is not only a religious tool but a wealth of family information. It is known that the bible was a place dedicated to jotting down when a baby was born or when someone was getting married; the bible was a place that was precious to the owner and the go-to place for special information.
In a bible, you can find underlined passages, and little notes written in the margins, all this can bring insight into who your ancestors might have been.
“To hold a bible that was owned by one of your ancestors is truly a magical feeling.”
The Bible has been around since at least 1611 and for some households; it was the only book owned so it was truly a place for everything to be written.
The Bible in some families is the pride of place in their hearts and day-to-day living so it stands to reason that they would record their family’s life events in this cared-for bound extension of their life.
If your ancestors migrated from one land to another their bible came with them and there may be hints on dates of when this may have happened jotted somewhere in the pages they may have highlighted a prayer for their journey.
Most genealogists rate inheriting a bible or being able to read the Ancestral Family bible as the number one piece of the puzzle they can find. (not all family bibles hold such treasures, unfortunately).
If you can find a bible that has been handed down through the generations in your family, you may find dates and information that may not have been recorded anywhere, including official registries. (just be mindful that those dates may not always be correct).
Don’t overlook other people’s bibles close to your family member, if you are researching a slave ancestor for example the births of those born on the plantation may be recorded in the plantation owner’s bible or if your Ancestor was a servant for a household, any births may be recorded in a household bible and if your family didn’t have a bible, the neighbour may have jotted down some dates in their bible, especially if they were invited to the christening or wedding.
Finding your Family’s bible may be a challenge.
If your family had a bible and if it still exists try asking older family members, do they know of or do they have a handed down family bible, they may not realize what treasure this may be and it could be shoved in a draw or stashed in attic or storage shed somewhere.
You could try google searching for a Family Bible type the surname and family bible into the search engine and see what you uncover. Some people buy old bibles, a site called Bible Records Online owned by Tracy St.Claire is a prime example she purchases old bibles and transcribes for her site, it is searchable so have a look and see if you can find anything that helps you.
eBay is another place you can try for old family bibles as some people buy them and resell and you may one day be in luck and find a treasure, so keep trying you never know if it’s going to turn up.
Post a query in your local historical society or on forums for surnames you never know a distant cousin may have what you are looking for and be able to share information with you. (some links to Genealogical Societies are under Helpful Website Links on my website).
Post as much info as possible on what you are searching for, for example, “I am seeking the Bible for the Stewart family, in the Banff local around 1815” put enough information to help others help you.
If you find that Ancestral Bible a good tip is to open it carefully it may be in need of repair and could just fall apart in your hands, make sure your hands are clean and free of oils or lotions.
If it can be repaired get someone experienced to repair, photocopy/scan, or photograph the pages from the bible so you can work with the copies to decipher any information rather than handling the original multiple times if the pages are too fragile to scan hand write the information before sending it to be repaired.
Stashed in that bible may also be photos, prayer cards newspaper clippings christening cards, postcards, and pressed flowers, before removing these lovely pieces of memories. Take note of what pages they were inserted in, they may be helpful if they are still in the original place the owner placed them. They could have been moved and just put into any page over time, but good to note just in case.
Just because you have found that heirloom Bible does not mean all the entries are correct, double check for accuracies with original documents where you can, but it is a great place to narrow down your search timeline.
If a bible was updated over the years, the information may have been transcribed into a new bible and dates could have been transcribed wrong.
Don’t assume the entries were written at the time of the event so recollection could have been altered.
You may find Non-family members’ names and dates in the bible too, these are good to note as a person to look into if you hit a brick wall with some of your Ancestors as there may be clues in their history to help you through a brick wall. These Non-family members’ names could be neighbours or friends that are close to the family, and you never know your family names may also appear in their family bible if they had one.
Here are 5 main reasons the Family Bible is so Important for Researching your Family History:
- Names and Dates – While it might seem like basic information, names, and dates are crucial when it comes to piecing together your family tree. The family bible’s birth, marriage, and death records can provide important information about your ancestors and their immediate families.
- Personal Notes – One of the unique features of the family bible is that it often contains personal notes and inscriptions that tell a story about the family. These notes can offer valuable insights into the family’s culture, values, and beliefs. They can also provide clues and leads for further research.
- Historical Context – The family bible can provide a historical context for your research. It might include references to significant events, such as wars or natural disasters, that impacted the family’s lives. This can give you a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities that your ancestors faced.
- Preservation – Family bibles are often treasured heirlooms that are passed down through the generations. As a result, they tend to be well-preserved and in good condition. This can be especially valuable for researchers who need to access primary sources that are a hundred years old or more.
- Connection to the Past – Perhaps the most important reason why the family bible is so vital for family history research is that it connects us to our past. By reading the same words and holding the same pages as our ancestors, we can feel a sense of connection and continuity with those who came before us. This helps us to enrich our understanding of who we are and where we come from.
In conclusion, a family bible is an essential tool for anyone researching their family history. It offers not only vital information, such as names and dates but also other benefits, such as personal connections to the past. By exploring our family bibles, we can gain a deeper understanding of our ancestors and their stories.
Happy Bible Hunting Kinfolk Researchers.
A Labyrinth of Kinfolk.