Giving them a Voice: Identifying Your LGBTQ Ancestors in Your Family Tree

Navigating through old, handwritten records, dealing with the absence of documentation, overcoming language barriers, and sifting through unverified family legends—all while considering the historical context—makes tracing our lineage a remarkable feat. This task becomes even more intricate when an ancestor was marginalized by society and even their own families.

Achieving an accurate representation of our family history is paramount. While some might argue that documenting a person's sexual orientation or gender identity is unnecessary, I strongly disagree. I want to truly know my ancestors—not just their names, birthdates, and places of residence, but who they were as individuals. Understanding their lives, the events they experienced, and the relationships that influenced their character is as crucial as recording their vital statistics. These personal details enrich our comprehension of our ancestors, providing a more holistic and profound connection to our past.

To assist those researching their LGBTQ ancestors, I have compiled some tips and resources that I have discovered that can aid in uncovering and understanding their histories. Tracing the lives of LGBTQ individuals in your family tree can be particularly challenging due to historical societal stigmas and lack of documentation, but these strategies can help illuminate their stories.

• Investigate the social climate of the areas where your ancestors lived. Determine whether the region was particularly hostile or unfriendly toward LGBTQ individuals. This understanding can shed light on whether your ancestor felt compelled to conceal details of their life or relocate to a more accepting and friendly environment. Consider looking into historical attitudes, laws, and notable events related to LGBTQ issues in those locations to better understand the context in which your ancestor lived.

• Familiarize yourself with the different lingo or code words used by LGBTQ individuals during the era you are researching. Knowing this specialized language will help you identify subtle clues in historical records that might otherwise be overlooked. Terms and phrases that were commonly used within LGBTQ communities can reveal significant information about your ancestor's identity and experiences.

• Examine records for subtle clues, such as two individuals of the same gender listed as heads of household in a census. Pay attention to terms like "housekeeper," "friend," or "companion," especially if the same person is consistently listed through changes in location or residence. These terms were often used to describe close relationships that may have been romantic or significant in other ways. Tracking these patterns can provide valuable insights into your ancestor's personal life and relationships.

• A person's occupation can also offer important clues. Professions that were more transient, such as barber or florist, could indicate LGBTQ individuals, as these jobs allowed for quick and easy relocation if they were outed or if their environment became increasingly hostile. These occupations provided a level of mobility and flexibility that was advantageous for those needing to adapt swiftly to changing social climates.

• Delve into the local newspapers from the areas where your ancestors lived. I cannot overstate the value of these resources in your research. Newspapers were the social media of their time and can provide a wealth of information. They can help you gauge whether a community was progressive or hostile toward the LGBTQ community. Unfortunately, in many places, homosexuality was criminalized, and newspapers often featured specific columns dedicated to local crimes. These columns might provide indirect evidence or context about your ancestor's life and the challenges they faced.
  

These are just a few strategies to help you discover and identify your LGBTQ ancestors. By bringing their stories to light and giving them the voice they may not have had during their lifetimes, you acknowledge them as valued members of your family. This recognition not only honors their lives but also fosters a sense of strength and healing for both your ancestors and for us today. Embracing their full identities enriches our understanding of our family's history and preserves their legacy with the dignity they deserve.

If you want more information and tips on researching your LGBTQ ancestors I recommend:

• Stuart Blandon Traiman's Blog: Visit www.sixgen.org for insightful articles and guidance on LGBTQ genealogy.

• Cyndi's List: Explore the LGBTQ category on Cyndi's List, which provides a comprehensive directory of resources and tools for researching LGBTQ ancestry.

• Storied.com: For an online family tree platform that offers more relationship options, check out Storied.com. It has a free version and a subscription-based version that includes access to newspaper archives, which can be invaluable for uncovering historical context and details.

We invite you to share your success stories and the discoveries you made about your LGBTQ ancestors. Comment below with your experiences, including any tips or tricks that helped you uncover their histories. We would love to hear from you!