Your ancestry research has hit a roadblock. While your father’s side stretches back generations, you have no answer to your mother’s lineage. This imbalance is common, leaving countless family histories incomplete.
Ignoring maternal lines means missing half your genetic heritage and pivotal stories that shaped your family. Think of the immigrant great-grandmother or the matriarch who saw your ancestors through hardship. These narratives, crucial to understanding who you are, are often buried in paternal records.
Fortunately, knowing where and how to look can complete the picture of who you are and where you come from.
» Explore our family history database and trace ancestry through your mother’s side
A quick primer on matrilineal societies
Before we dive into the difficulties in tracing the maternal lineage, let’s look at how matrilineal systems work. In such societies, we trace descent through the mother’s side, which means the children inherit their family name, property, and status from their mother.
Women are a central figure in all matrilineal societies, influencing social and economic life. For example, they have authority among the Minangkabau people in Indonesia, controlling the family’s resources.
Because women are so important, the families are a bit different than the usual dad-mom-kids structure. Cherokee, Navajo, Tlingit, and Hopi Native American tribes have the men move into their wives’ households or maintain separate residences. Some anthropologists refer to this event as the “visiting husband” phenomenon.
Sociologist Judith Buber Agassi points out that matrilineal structures can manifest even within patriarchal societies. [1] For example, the Kibbutzim communities in Israel have more egalitarian gender roles compared to traditional Jewish communities. Women are often leaders that make decisions, and they even raise the children communally.
» Check out the difference between maternal and paternal lines
Why is maternal ancestry harder to trace?
As we’ve seen, matrilineal structures can exist even in historically patriarchal societies, but tracing maternal ancestry can prove more challenging than it looks. Patrilineality — tracing descent through the father — is deeply ingrained in most cultures. In fact, you may have already built your family tree along paternal lines, never worrying about your maternal.
Well into the 1970s in the U.S., it was common for a woman to be known by her husband’s full name—especially in official documents and newspaper articles. For example, records didn’t refer to Mrs. Jane Doe’s maiden name. Instead, you would often find her listed as Mrs. John Doe.
Women also didn’t work outside the home or engage in activities that would leave a paper trail, such as owning property or holding official positions. The lack of documentation might make you feel like the paternal line is more important than the maternal.
Maternal lines can be harder to trace due to the missing maiden names, but they make up half of who you are. Below, I’ll show you my process so you can get started on the right track.
» Learn how to fix inconsistencies in your family tree
3 steps to find a missing maiden name
It’s still a common practice for women in the U.S. to take their husband’s surname after marriage. This custom can complicate your research when looking for your female ancestors.
That’s why we’ll take a look at the three of my go-to research methods for finding missing maiden names:
- Search for local histories: In the late 1800s and early 1900s, it was common for a person to document the history of the place they lived in. These local history books are useful because the author usually tried their best to push the town’s history back to the settlement of the area. You can visit the MyHeritage catalog and look for names you recognize and see how they might fit into your family puzzle.
- Find a plat map of the area: Next, find the earliest plat map of the area where your family is living. They have the names of those who own the land, so you can look and see what families are close by. Researching those families could give you the name of a daughter that matches the one in your family whose maiden name you are looking for.
- Visit lineage sites and societies: Lastly, look on lineage sites like MyHeritage to see what publications they have on the area your family lived in. It’s also common for U.S. states to each have their own “First Families of ______” society that you can join. The websites that promote them are often full of information that you can access to continue your search.
» Discover more about matronymics
Tracing maternal lineage: Essential records
Census records
Census records are often unhelpful in researching matrilineal history. But, some of these documents list extended family, which means they could reveal someone with a different surname. It could be a wife’s parent, so you may end up identifying the maiden name if you investigate them more.
Birth and death records
Another place to look is on a child’s birth and death records. They often list the father and mother’s names, so finding one or the other can move the research back to another generation. Some death certificates are also available to order across the country. For example, Missouri automatically makes those older than 1968 available to the public for free to the public.
Will or land sale documents:
While not always the case, wills and land sale documents might mention a woman’s maiden name, especially if there are payments made to relatives who are married to women with the same surname. When researching female ancestors, consider all potential family relationships, including those with people who may have different surnames but are closely connected
Church records
Quaker records stand out when researching the maternal line because they are very detailed. They often include extensive family information, such as parental names, including the mother’s maiden name. In addition to birth and marriage records, the documentation consists of church business entries, which may prove useful.
On the other hand, Catholic church records similarly cover various sacraments, including baptism, confirmation, and marriage. Each file also typically lists detailed information on parents, which often includes the mother’s maiden name.
Marriage and divorce records
Marriage and divorce records often contain the maiden names of brides. Many women changed their surnames upon marriage, making it challenging to trace their lineage. His information can serve as a springboard to find additional records, such as birth certificates or census data, that may further clarify family relationships.
Using DNA testing to trace the maternal line
In cases of adoption, tracing the maternal line depends entirely on the circumstances. In the U.S., from 1859 to 1924, 250,000 children were on the orphan trains, waiting to be adopted by families who needed farm, house, or business labor. These kids often started not knowing their full names, so their origins are unclear after moving far away from their birthplace.
In these instances, only a DNA test can help clear up the confusion, and there are several types you can try:
Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)
mtDNA passes from a mother to her children. This type of genetic markup continues back unbroken to its origin, which we call the mitochondrial Eve, but you can’t use it to prove a maternal lineage. All mtDNA tests do is illustrate a group of women who you most share this type of genetic markup with. It gives you a sense of the shared place, culture, and migration pattern.
Autosomal DNA
Autosomal DNA passes from both parents, but it dilutes as it travels backward — becoming unreliable by the fourth or fifth generation. Descendants that share this genetic markup have more avenues of research to explore that helps them find that maternal connection.
In my research, I’ve had trouble finding maiden names once I enter the 18th century. The 1850 listed one of my female ancestors as just E. By 1860, the document had her indexed as Ellen. I found her marriage license and it listed Ellen Thompson as having married John Thompson. While I knew that it was possible they would marry someone with the same name, I could find no parents for Ellen no matter how hard I tried.
I decided to take an autosomal DNA test and it showed a connection with someone who had her as Ellen McCann. After more research, I proved that was indeed her last name and the marriage license had been transcribed inaccurately. I don’t know that I would ever have known who Ellen was if it weren’t for DNA testing.
While a DNA test isn’t necessary, it can open doors. After i took it, holes that showed up directly related to grandmother’s maiden names started filling in. I was able to connect with relatives that have so far filled in three missing surnames after the results came back.
The missing half of your family ties
As you delve into your maternal ancestry, you’re not just tracing a family tree; you’re contributing to a broader movement to redefine your identity. The stories you uncover may challenge existing narratives and reveal unexpected cultural connections.
This shift towards exploring maternal lineages is more than a genealogy trend; it’s a step towards a more inclusive and accurate understanding of our nation’s diverse heritage. By piecing together these overlooked narratives, you help create a richer tapestry of your family history.
Today, the tools for this exploration are more accessible than ever. DNA testing, family history databases, and community forums dedicated to maternal line research make it easier to connect with distant relatives and break through research barriers.
» Start tracing ancestry through your mother’s side with a DNA test
