Unless you can unplug yourself completely from the outside world, you’re probably being inundated with reminders of the upcoming election. Here in Indiana, “inundated” is an understatement. I have to say though that it’s heartening to see such interest and passion, with so many people so engaged and involved in the political process.

Last night I spent a little time exploring the political ties of some of my ancestors. I know that several of my ancestors dabbled in politics through newspaper articles and that’s where I started my searches. I found one family mentioned repeatedly in the Brooklyn Eagle online as a delegate from the 5th Ward in Brooklyn to the state Democratic convention. Another article mentioned some hard feelings between him and the powerful mayor of Brooklyn at that time.  The Brooklyn papers are full of mentions of him in attendance at weddings and funerals, and other events.

Although our ancestors may not make it into the history books with their political activities, they will often make it into newspapers, local histories, and other records where we can uncover them.  Here are some resources that can help you seek out your ancestor’s political ties:

Resources

• Historical Newspapers at Ancestry
• Political Graveyard
• Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774-2005
• Biographical Directory of the American Congress
  

Articles

• Hunt Down Your Family Politicians, by Mary Penner 
• Chasing Random Thoughts and Brooklyn Politicians, by Juliana Smith 
• “Tracing the Politics of Past Generations,” by Candace L. Doriott
  Genealogical Computing, October 2004
• Using Ancestry: Inside the California Voter Registration Database, by Denise Platt Stewart 

Voter Records at Ancestry

California

• California Voter Registrations, 1900-1968

Illinois

• Chicago Voter Registration, 1892 Census & Voter Lists 
• Chicago Voter Registration, 1890 Census & Voter Lists
• Chicago Voter Registration, 1888 Census & Voter Lists
• Bureau County, Illinois Voters and Tax-Payers Directory, 1877

Kansas

• Kansas Election List, 1854 
• Kansas Voter Registration Lists, 1854-1856 Census & Voter Lists 
• Leavenworth, Kansas Voter Registration, 1859

New York

• List of registered voters in the city of New York, for the year 1880
• Poll list of the election for representatives for the city and county of New-York, 1761 
• Poll list of the election for representatives for the city and county of New-York, 1768 
• Poll list of the election for representatives for the city and county of New-York, 1769 
• Census of the electors and total population of the city and county of New York, 1807

Texas

• Republic of Texas Poll Lists for 1846

Non-U.S.

• Australian Electoral Rolls, 1901-1936 
• Lithuania: Tax and Voters Lists, 1839 to 1949, various years 
• Russia: Duma Voter Lists, 1906-1907
• Russian Empire: Grodno Gubernia Voters List, 1912

Image: Election Day in New York, 1864 (Illus. in: The Illustrated London news, 1864 Dec. 3, p. 560.) Click on the image to enlarge it.