I would like to find out if I am a decendent of one of the salem witches.
2006-11-11 17:04:13 · 12 answers · asked by michele_creamer 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Genealogy
You need to do a family genealogy. That requires a lot of work. But it's a safe bet, if you were descended from one of the witches, your family would already have told you numerous stories about it. Since you don't know about it, it's safe to assume you are not.
Alternatively, we could throw you in a pond and see if you float!
2006-11-11 17:18:38 · answer #1 · answered by lowerbearville 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You might try contacting the Salem, Massachusetts public library or their historical society. Never assume that you are NOT a descendant; if there's some folklore about it in your family, there may be a grain of truth.
You may be related, but not descended, because many of the so-called "witches" were childless single women or widows who were going to inherit property from their fathers or husbands. The town fathers didn't like this idea so accusing the women of witchcraft was a good way to dispose of them and take their land.
But you may be a niece or cousin, removed by several generations. Do you have New England ancestry? Where were your grandparents raised? Now would be a good time to start writing down all these details while the old folks are still alive, if not to answer your Salem question, but to make a record for future generations.
Most genealogists do research "from the bottom up and the top down"--i.e. they get personal information from a client about the last three generations of the family [or more], and then use published records from centuries past to work down to the oldest generation the client can come up with. I've traced my family back to the year 984 AD by this method.
New England has the best resources by far for your research, BTW.
2006-11-11 18:45:35 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The website I have referenced in the "Know your source" section has actual geneology books for sale. If your ancestors wrote a geneology book, you could find out information there. That is where I would start. Also, going to Salem, NH and doing some research at the public library in that town would help. Another library would be a library in Salt Lake City. The best library for geneology in the US.
Another place to go is the local city hall. They might have some historical public documents that you can read through...
Good luck. Doing geneology is not an easy task. I hope you find what you are looking to find. That is pretty neat to have an association with the salem witches.
2006-11-11 17:23:10 · answer #3 · answered by beingsmartisrelative 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Noone was once Burned durring the Salem trials. they have been hanged, or drowned. and None of them have been Wiccan. Wicca was once no longer based as a faith untill the 1940's while Gerald Gardner began publishing books approximately it. he claims that it comes from an old line of ecu witches. however has no historic proof. the Burning instances, wherein folks have been burned on the steak have been in Europe, and occurred so much earlier than the Salem trials. additionally there may be No proof that any Witch was once ever truthfully stuck attempted and killed for being a witch. many folks have been killed since they have been accused of witchcraft. and in a couple of of those circumstances a Neighbor stood to achieve their land for farming or cattle functions. particularly effortlessly the Pagans and witches are shrewd adequate to combo in with society, and no longer get stuck.
2016-09-01 11:08:44 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would recommend going to a genealogy club and getting some information on how you can look into your family's past. A lot of my family does this, and it can be rewarding when you tell others you had a famous ancestor. The odds are likely you do have a famous ancestor. Once you get that information you will hopefully be able to derive what you're looking for.
2006-11-11 17:07:09 · answer #5 · answered by zerorepeatedone 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
1. Go to your local public library.
2. Do research.
3. Read some books.
4. Voila! Information.
5. Good Day.
2006-11-11 17:06:37 · answer #6 · answered by soxrcat 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Hello dear!
You are not! Your ancestors survived while all the witches were burnt and their children did not make it!
2006-11-15 05:17:25 · answer #7 · answered by soubassakis 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Her are a couple good listings of the particular trials with names of the accused.
2006-11-13 02:32:14 · answer #8 · answered by FabMom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are no such things as Salem witches, so rethink your quest.
2006-11-11 17:14:12 · answer #9 · answered by huckleberry 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Have your friends hold you underwater for 20 minutes. If you live, you are the decedent of a witch.
2006-11-11 17:12:31 · answer #10 · answered by hankthecowdog 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋