30/10/2023
Using Artificial Intellegence to help with your genealogy.. I use timelines to track my families and their data. AI will summarize your timeline to a concise story. When asked about additional research ideas, it gave me the following suggestions on my Banta line,
To add depth and dimension to the family history of Albert Banta and Mary Polly Wigham, consider the following research suggestions:
Second Marriage: Further investigation is needed regarding Albert's reported marriage to Rachel C Comingore Banta in 1833 while still being married to Mary Polly. Understanding this could provide insight into the family dynamics or rectify a potential record error.
Children's Lives: Delve deeper into the lives of their ten children. This could include details about their marriages, occupations, children, and notable events in their lives.
Tax Records: The tax records from Mercer County that list various members of the Banta family in the late 18th century are intriguing. Detailed research here could reveal more about the family's economic status, land ownership, or involvement in local community affairs.
Extended Family: The marriage bond signed by Joseph Wigham suggests he had a significant role in Mary Polly's life. Researching his relationship to Mary Polly and his background can provide more context about the Wigham side of the family.
Migration Patterns: It would be worthwhile to research why Mary Polly was buried in Ligonier, Indiana, and not in Kentucky. This could reveal migration patterns or other family connections in Indiana.
Local Histories: Local histories of Harrodsburg and Mercer County during the 19th century can provide context about the times Albert and Mary Polly lived in, including socio-economic conditions, community events, and any potential involvement of the Banta or Wigham families in notable local happenings.
Census Records: The 1810, 1820, 1830, 1840, 1860, and 1870 census data were mentioned but not detailed. These could offer insights into the family structure, occupations, and neighbors, providing a fuller picture of their lives.
Photographs and Letters: Sourcing photographs, letters, or personal diaries of family members can offer intimate insights into their daily lives, relationships, and personal perspectives.
Wigham Surname Variations: The discrepancy between "Wigham" and "Wiggins" in records suggests that there may be alternate spellings or transcription errors. Exploring these variations can lead to additional sources or records.
Banta Family in Mercer County: Given the prominence of the Banta name in tax records, diving deeper into the broader Banta lineage in Mercer County can reveal connections, relationships, and possibly the origins of the family before their time in Kentucky.
By pursuing these avenues, one could gather a more comprehensive and detailed understanding of the lives of Albert Banta, Mary Polly Wigham, and their descendants.
