If you are interested in finding out if your ancestors were witches, there are several steps you can take to explore this possibility. Firstly, you can begin by gathering information about your family history. This can involve talking to relatives, digging up old documents such as birth certificates, marriage records, and even wills, and conducting research using genealogy databases. Once you have collected enough information about your ancestors, you can begin looking for any signs or clues that may suggest a connection to witchcraft. This can involve examining names, occupations, or any unusual stories or rumors that have been passed down through the generations. It is important to keep in mind that witchcraft accusations were often based on superstition and fear, so any evidence should be taken with caution.
Not everyone who was accused or an accuser left descendants, and some of them disappeared from history altogether. Abigail Williams, one of the original group of girls who began the accusations that started the trials, disappeared from Salem Village as a teenager and no record of her has been found after her departure from the town. But plenty of people did leave descendants. If one of your ancestor was an accused or an accuser, you are part of one of the most notorious and intriguing periods in American history, one with a cause that is still being debated today.
You will also find artifacts, such as items that belonged to both the accused and the accusers, letters to other towns inquiring on the whereabouts of suspected witches, and even letters to the King of England asking him to intervene in the proceedings, so the witch madness would stop. In the town of Salem, the Peabody-Essex Museum has the original handwritten transcripts from the witch trials, where you can read the actual words that were spoken at the trials and who said them.
It is important to keep in mind that witchcraft accusations were often based on superstition and fear, so any evidence should be taken with caution. Another avenue you can explore is the study of local folklore and history. By investigating the regions or villages where your ancestors lived, you can learn more about the beliefs and practices of the time.
Witches in the Family? Resources for Researching the Families of the Salem Witch Trials
Do you have a connection to the Salem witch trials of 1692? How do you know? Here are some resources for finding out, and for tracing your Salem witch ancestry.
Listen to the Podcast on YouTube | iTunes | Google | SpotifyAre you interested in the history of the Salem witch trials of 1692? Do you wonder if you have a genealogical connection to any of the people involved in it? It's a unique distinction since not everyone in New England was involved. If you have an ancestor who you can connect to Salem Village of Danvers in some way, you may just have a witch trials connection.
The town of Salem was not the exact location of the witch trials. Though the trials bear the name of the town, it was actually neighboring Salem village where the witch trials took place. Today, Salem Village is known as Danvers, and you will find several original buildings and sites associated with the trials there.
Any ancestor who lived in Danvers or in its earlier incarnation as Salem Village may have parents, grandparents, great-grandparents or other more distant direct ancestors who lived there and who were involved in the witch trials. Keep tracing the line back, and you may just discover a name that is associated with the witch trials.
When it comes to witch trials genealogy, there are two groups you should concentrate on… the accused witches and the accusers. Sometimes, you might find that you have direct ancestors in both groups. There were dozens of people in both groups, as well. However, only 19 people were actually executed for witchcraft. All but one of these people were hanged, while the remaining one was pressed to death because he would not plead guilty or not guilty.
The pressing was meant to force a pleading, but Giles Cory refused to plead, knowing if he did, his property would be taken by the town and his children could not inherit it. His wife, Martha, was hanged for witchcraft a few days before he was pressed. The names of all of those who were executed are now on benches on a memorial in the town square in Salem proper. If you find you are descended from someone who was executed for witchcraft, you are in a very unique group, indeed.
The vast majority of people who were accused of witchcraft were never executed for it. Many of them plead guilty, knowing they would be spared if they did so (only those who insisted they were not guilty were executed). Others stayed in jail until the witch mania was over and the town realized its mistake; these people were then set free.
Not everyone who was accused or an accuser left descendants, and some of them disappeared from history altogether. Abigail Williams, one of the original group of girls who began the accusations that started the trials, disappeared from Salem Village as a teenager and no record of her has been found after her departure from the town. But plenty of people did leave descendants. If one of your ancestor was an accused or an accuser, you are part of one of the most notorious and intriguing periods in American history, one with a cause that is still being debated today.
If you discover a possible connection to someone involved in the witch trials and want to investigate it further, or you know you are descended from someone who was involved and want to learn more about the person, there are many resources available to you.
In the town of Salem, the Peabody-Essex Museum has the original handwritten transcripts from the witch trials, where you can read the actual words that were spoken at the trials and who said them. You will also find artifacts, such as items that belonged to both the accused and the accusers, letters to other towns inquiring on the whereabouts of suspected witches, and even letters to the King of England asking him to intervene in the proceedings, so the witch madness would stop. This museum is one of the foremost places for research on the Salem witch trials in the country.
The Bloodlines of Salem website has some good information on the trials, as well as a section on notable descendants of the accused and the accusers. About.com has a site full of links to good resources on witch trial genealogy. You can also check the family trees of the accused and the accusers on Ancestry.com and trace them far backward in time or all the way forward in time with ease.
In addition, there is a lineage society you can join based on your descent from someone who was accused. The name of the society is The Associated Daughters of Early American Witches. Not many people qualify for membership, so if you have a witch trials accused ancestor and you're a woman, be sure to get your paperwork in and display your credentials proudly.
The Salem witch trials are still very much a part of the American identity. They are an event that has never been forgotten and lives on in the national imagination. Discover your own witch trial ancestry, and know you are part of something incredibly tragic and fascinating at the same time, and something that will never be forgotten.
If you discover a possible connection to someone involved in the witch trials and want to investigate it further, or you know you are descended from someone who was involved and want to learn more about the person, there are many resources available to you.
Look for any references to witch trials, witchcraft accusations, or witch-related activities in the area. This can provide valuable context and shed light on the possibility of witchcraft in your family tree. Additionally, you may consider seeking assistance from professional genealogists or historians specializing in witchcraft. They can provide expertise and guidance in navigating historical records, interpreting evidence, and uncovering any potential connections to witchcraft in your ancestry. They may also be able to point you towards additional resources or documents that could be helpful in your search. It is important to approach this investigation with an open mind and remember that the term "witch" was often used loosely and subjectively. Accusations of witchcraft were often driven by fear, societal tensions, or personal vendettas, rather than any real evidence of supernatural powers. Therefore, it is crucial to consider historical context and not jump to conclusions based solely on family stories or rumors. In conclusion, finding out if your ancestors were witches can be a fascinating journey into your family history. By collecting information, studying local history, and seeking expert guidance, you can gain a better understanding of the beliefs and practices of the time and uncover any potential connections to witchcraft in your lineage..
Reviews for "Witches in Your Family Tree: How to Investigate Your Mysterious Ancestors"
1. Samantha - 2 stars:
I was really excited to read "How to find out if your ancestors were witches" as I have always been fascinated by witchcraft and the supernatural. However, I was quite disappointed with this book. It lacked depth and substance, and it felt more like a pamphlet rather than a comprehensive guide. The author barely scratched the surface when it came to providing useful information or practical tips. Overall, I found the book to be a letdown and would not recommend it to those seeking genuine insights into their family history.
2. Michael - 1 star:
I found "How to find out if your ancestors were witches" to be overly sensationalized and misleading. The title made it seem like this book would offer genuine methods and techniques for tracing one's witch ancestry. However, all I found was a collection of vague anecdotes and unsubstantiated claims. The author failed to provide any reliable sources or historical evidence to support their theories. Instead, they relied on sensationalism to grab the readers' attention. I was highly disappointed and felt like I wasted my time and money on this book.
3. Jessica - 2 stars:
As someone who is genuinely interested in exploring their roots and ancestry, I was hoping "How to find out if your ancestors were witches" would be a helpful resource. Unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The book lacked proper research and instead relied on outdated stereotypes and misconceptions about witches. It failed to provide any practical guidance or reliable techniques for uncovering one's witch ancestry. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking legitimate information on this topic.
4. John - 1 star:
I found "How to find out if your ancestors were witches" to be filled with unfounded claims and wild assumptions. The author seemed more interested in promoting their personal beliefs and biases rather than providing accurate information. There was a lack of proper citations, and the book felt more like a work of fiction rather than a well-researched guide. I was extremely disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to anyone serious about exploring their family history.