Marilynne K. Roach — Genealogical Lessons from the 1692 Salem Witch Trials

Marilynne K. Roach

The Salem Witch Trials can teach a researcher many and varied lessons running from the obvious (don’t accuse your neighbor of witchcraft on spectral evidence alone), to the importance of geography, neighborhood dynamics, and handwriting, among other potential clues when identifying specific individuals. Using examples from the events of 1692, Roach’s presentation will discuss several techniques that can help genealogists unravel more ordinary (and less tragic) historical questions in their own family history.