Looking Back: College records a good source for genealogist

Genealogical researchers are eager to explore all possibilities when looking for information about their ancestors. They check census, birth, marriage and death records, talk with family members and go through court and military records trying to locate family. Other records most do not think of checking out are those of students and faculty kept by colleges and universities, according to Stuart Sanders of Danville. He is  Community Services Coordinator for the Kentucky Historical Society in Frankfort.Sanders recently spoke to the Boyle County Genealogical Association about interesting finds at Centre College, and William and Mary University in Virginia, two colleges to which he has ties. He is a Centre graduate, and his father is a professor at William and Mary.“These records are important to genealogical research,” Sanders said. “They place students, friends, teachers and their political views at the time they were in school. The records can help paint a broader photograph of ancestors.”College catalogues show names, hometown addresses, classes the student took, admission and religious requirements, boarding expenses and school calendars.Students had to pass challenging tests for admittance, which are part of the records. Early colleges and universities had extremely strict rules.“If a student was convicted of a crime, he was expelled,” said Sanders. “They were not allowed to carry weapons, go to the theater, balls, dance or visit taverns.Religious studies were important to many early colleges, including Centre. Students were expected to take classes in religion.Prominent people in recordsResearch into college records show that some students later became Confederate and Union generals, and other top-ranking officers. Many served in state legislatures, were judges, doctors and surgeons.Faculty and college board of trustee meeting minutes, financial reports, teachers’ salaries, endorsements, expenses, school newspapers, alumni files, photos and newspaper clippings about students are among the college records. “Badmouthing faculty was not a good idea,” said Sanders. “It could be a reason to be dismissed from the college.”Some information is onlineWashington and Lee University, and Centre, have student information online. Sanders said in some instances, information about a former student will include birth and death dates and career information.  Washington and Lee has Virginia-born graduates from 1700 to 1800s. Many of their descendants were educated in Kentucky and others went back to Virginia colleges. Sanders said the Breckinridge family attended Virginia colleges before moving to Kentucky. College records show the connections with early Kentucky and Virginia families. They also show migration patterns of pioneers.Records at colleges and universities are open for research, according to Sanders.“College records sometimes show a different side of successful men as they grow into adulthood,” said Sanders. “You’ll find many skeletons in college records when searching your family history.”