New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-09-09
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WOMAN GENEALOGIST.
AN OCCUPATION THAT is FASCINATING
AS WELL AS REMUNERATIvE.

The tracing of genealogies as profession has
been reserved for men until recently. Within a
few years. however one or two women have adopt
Ell it with the success that might have been ex-
pected in a work requiring patience aptitude for
detail and quick intuition, all qualities regarded
as distnctivey feminine.
Miss Maud Venice Gates OF this city is Of
the few women biologists. She said to Tribune
representative few days ago:
Il am surprised that more women have not gone
into geneaiogy; it is particularly suited 10 them
Even their faults become virtues in it, the jump
ing at conclusions, which is imputed to them
defect. often is of the highest value. Not that
mere hasty deduction is to be accepted. Geneaogy
is the most exact Of sciences and every step must
be clearly traced. but often the road seems TO
have ended and one looks around in bewilderment.
Then far Off perhaps is seen gIimmer of light,
and enc hastens toward 1t. 1t may be in the wrong
direction: it may leave one far away before,
butt may be the open door desired. and 1t is just
that quick perception Of possibilities that makes
success.
1T is the uncertainty and elusiveness that con-
stitute the charm Of genealogy for who has
the temperament it, but they make it madden
ing to those who have net. One must be willing
10 spend hours and days, often lengthening into
weeks, in delvinl among old records IN libraries,
writing people who may be related to the
family for whose lineage She Is searching, porting
half effaced inscriptions in old churchyards.
She must be willing. when one cleT fails that has
other ana follow II with the patience My
sister and ! work together in most cases and our
experience this summer will give a fair idea of
what genealogist must expect al any time.
we we're commissioned TO trace the great-great-
grandfather of a young woman who wished join
the Colonial Danes She felt certain that her fore
bears were of Colonial Importance, but link
Of The chain missing. and she has money
enough 10 carry out any wish, she determined TO
find the lost ancestor. 1t was thought that a clew
\ might he found in Maine and my sister went there
u during the old Home Week when families gath
cred from all parts of the country while searched
the Astor Library another quest
My sister went first to Machias where she found
that sea captain Of the name she sought had
lived in ST. Georges Township. The township con-
tanned about dozen towns that did not fright
en- her She searched those towns until she found
another clew, which led her to an orphan boy
adopted years ago by family OF different name.
There the scent seemed TO he lost The boy could
not be identified. She learned that relative of
the family adopting him lived about fou: teen
but she prepared to go. Alas, everybody seemed
10 be claiming and the horses were all IN the
Stitch up and take her there Imagine her Joy to
ind there an old family Bible, with entry. This
day David and Mary Blank, being childIess, adopted
John --.' II the she sought, but his
parents had 10 be traced. and the search led her
70 Massachusetts, TO Vermont down to Martha S
Vineyard, then in triumph TO New-York.
Her experiences would make story. Waiting
connect with train somewhere miles distant; liv
ing on the queerest Of food, all cake and pie; cajo
ang people into driving her TO distant points by
talking entertaningly politics. clans and
Holsters the three topics within their ken, were
''it IS no wonder that people lose their ances-
ters The country records are kept in the most
where they often are destroyed by fire Every
year makes the search more difficult. too.
The greatly Increased interest in genealogy
comes, Of course from the patriotic societies
formed in late years To gain admission to the