Q: I have a great-grandfather who was in prison in Massachusetts sometime around 1915-1940. I don't know why or exactly where. Is there a way to get the prison records or for me to find out where he was imprisoned and why? Any help is appreciated. -- Tina

A: First let me caution you in pursuing such a question. As genealogists we often can't stand to have an unanswered question. As humans, though, we sometimes wish we hadn't pursued the answers to certain questions. Once we discover the truth behind family secrets, we may never tell anyone in the family but we still have to come to terms with what we discovered.

You should use what you know about your great-grandfather and follow the genealogist's golden rule. That is, work from the known to the unknown.

The first step I would take is to...

Read More of This Article - Click Here.

• Read Past Tips