On Saturday, when the library is only open 9-5, I continued working my way through the Bradley County microfilm—mostly tax records.  What the FHL holds is primarily tax book indexes though a few of the actual books were filmed including 1890 so while the indexes indicate that relatives owned enough to be taxed the 1890 book tells you what they owned and owed as well as gives you a fair idea of their neighbors. I managed to get through all of the indexes and the relevant portions of the 1890 Tax Book—largely Palestine Township. In retrospect what I didn’t get to were the early tax books they did have filmed. They’re on my list for next time or my list to order into the Lansing Family History Center—whichever comes first.

The two sections from page 47 of the 1890 tax book below shows one of the entries for my 3rd Great Grandfather Stephen Martin (father of Mattie Martin and grandfather of Rhodie Rogers Trotter) followed by his son-in-law, Austin York.

1890TaxBookp47a 1890TaxBookp47

This day’s research was also an example of technology not always being fast. Running down the time stamps for all the things I scanned… it took hours to get everything I wanted just out of the 1890 Book. I was the last person on the scanners on the 2nd floor that afternoon just trying to cram in my last two copies as the closing announcements ran. Some days you’re on a roll and on others things just take forever.

Happy hunting,

Jess