Ancestry’s Updated ThruLines: What I Like and What I'd Like To See In Future Updates

The updated layout of Thrulines appeared in my account yesterday.  I think it's a great visualization tool.  It lets you see how many DNA matches have been identified AND fall within the specifications to show up on Thrulines for each branch as you can see in the image below of my Thrulines out to my 2nd Great Grandparents.  

There is nothing that checks to see if the matches are on the correct side though and even if you do evaluate and add or choose not to add there is no option to mark a match as "not valid thru this line."  Case in point, my paternal 2nd cousin once removed (also paternal for him) who is also a maternal 4th cousin once removed (thru his maternal lines) but shares no DNA thru the maternal connection. He shows up in the Thrulines of the Paternal line and the Maternal line. While we are close enough thru the maternal line to have many shared maternal cousins I know he doesn't share DNA with me thru that side because he doesn't share any DNA  with my Mom who has also tested at Ancestry.

Below is a look at my Paternal Grandmother's branch.  The Thrulines doesn't offer the next generations for my 3rd Great Grandmother, Margaret Frizzell. This is due to pedigree collapse as she is a sibling of James M Frizzell my 3rd Great Grandfather(they are the children of Nathan Frizzell and Ruahama Weaver.  It also doesn't show a duplicate of Nathan and Ruahama in card view.  I can't remember if it did prior to the layout change or not.  Regardless they would need to handle pedigree collapse the same over all views of the new display.  I'm guessing it would do the same on a repeat grandfather who had children by multiple wives.  

You can change back to the classic view (at least for now) by selecting Thrulines card view option from the menu on the left. .

When you evaluate the connections a side bar pops out much like it does when you are running comparisons in Hints

Vertical View of match's line of descent from
Polly Jakes sister of my 3rd Gr Grandfather, James Jakes(1788-1847)
of Franklin Co., Virginia

View I see when I click on Samuel Bird, son of Polly Jakes

The image above shows the timeline view

Just below that is the option to toggle Sources which for this one included: 

Records (7) 

Ancestry Member Trees (3)

Photos (1)

Family (6)

What I Like:

• Multiple View Options: Flexibility to switch depending on research needs.
• At-a-Glance Overview: A larger, cleaner overview across several generations.
• Dynamic Zoom: Seamless zooming in and out on horizontal or vertical views.
• Better Layout of Details in the Evaluating Process

What I’d Like to See Next:

• An "Evaluate & Dismiss" Feature: The ability to mark a proposed connection as invalid and remove it from view.
• Parent Side Filtering: Automatically suppressing match suggestions that contradict verified Parent Side assignments. While this wouldn't eliminate incorrect connections that happen to sit on the right parent's side through a different line, it's a great start and would clear up many common errors.

Do you have the new view yet?  What are your thoughts?  

Dunklin Co. Missouri--John Lightfoot Admin of Estate of Milton Lightfoot(Nov 1906)

 Letter of Administration granted to John Lightfoot for estate of Milton A Lightfoot dec'd

Milton Lightfoot departed this life on the 1 day of November 1906, intestate, leaving the following children and heirs at laws, residing as follows, to-wit Rosa Taylor, William Lightfoot, John Lightfoot, Vera Crews, Rena Ridge, and Alice Lightfoot all who reside in the County of Dunklin and State of Missouri, and stating that he will make a perfect inventory and faith fully administer the estate, pay on debts as far as the assets will extend and law direct, and account for and pay all cost which shall come to his knowledge or possession. And it appearing to the court that said Milton Lightfoot, died possessed of Property of a probable value of One Thousand dollars($1000)

It is ordered that Letters of administration of the goods, chattel, credits and effect of said deceased be issued to the said John Lightfoot and that he enter into bond to the state of Missourrit in the sum of Two Thousand Dollars($2000) With two or more sufficient securities residents of this county conditions according to law.  

Now on this same day comes John Lightfoot and files his bond in the sum of Two Thousand Dollars($2000) as such administrator with G.W. Simpkins and J W. Burres? as security.
The court after examining said settlement doth approve the same.

Source
Dunklin Co Missouri Probate Records. Book 11 , p 539 & 540 November Term 1906, Letter of Admin by John Lightfoot for estate of Milton A. Lightfoot dec'd; image, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89LS-N9WF-2 : accessed 12 July 2026) IGN 7632571(Item 1 of 4) Image 26 of 846. Continued from IGN 007632570(Item 3 of 3) Image 558-9 of 814.

Mamie Jakes Ashley & daughter Harriette Ashley Churchwell

I've written previously about brothers James Jakes and George Jakes, who married sisters Margaret C Morrow and Catherine Morrow, as well as their descendants. You can find one of those posts about Robert Jakes and his wife in this post about Mr. & Mrs. Robert Jakes. I guess I tend to write more about these Jakes Morrow cousins because of the double connection.  I descend thru George Jakes and Catherine Morrow.

Today, I am sharing more information about Robert and Clementine (Pearson) Jakes' daughter, Mary Margaret "Mamie" Jakes Ashley.

Mary Margaret "Mamie" Jakes Ashley (1900–1986) My 2C2R(2x)

Mary Margaret "Mamie" Jakes was a native of Nashville, Tennessee. She graduated from George Peabody College for Teachers (now part of Vanderbilt University) in Nashville. After receiving her B.S. from Peabody, she traveled abroad for a year and completed graduate work at Columbia University upon her return.

On Saturday, July 24, 1926, she married Thomas Converse Ashley at the Nashville home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Jakes Sr., on Gillespie Avenue. At the time of her marriage, she was serving as the director of physical education at the Georgia State Woman's College (later Valdosta State College) in Valdosta, Georgia.

Mamie lived in Valdosta for over 55 years before moving to Savannah, Tennessee, in her later years. She was a member of Valdosta's First Christian Church.

Following a long illness, she passed away at the age of 85 on Thursday, April 24, 1986, at the Hardin County Nursing Home. She is buried alongside her husband at Sunset Hill Cemetery in Valdosta, Georgia.

Harriette Dasher Ashley Churchwell (1928–2016) My 3C1R(2x)

Tom and Mamie's only child, Harriette Dasher Ashley, was born on May 25, 1928, in Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia. Harriette earned a teaching degree from the University of Georgia. She went on to teach at Agnes Scott College, where she coached tennis, basketball, synchronized swimming, and cheerleading. An avid sports fan, she particularly loved playing sports, singing, and cheering on the Atlanta Braves.

Throughout her life, Harriette lived in Valdosta and Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Savannah and Memphis, Tennessee. She was active in her communities, serving as a worship leader at First Presbyterian Church in Savannah, Tennessee, and participating in the Junior Auxiliary and the Savannah Bridge Club. Later in life, she attended Farmington Presbyterian Church in Germantown, Tennessee.

Harriette passed away at the age of 88 on October 3, 2016, in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee, and was laid to rest in Savannah Cemetery in Savannah, Hardin County, Tennessee. She was survived by four daughters and seven grandchildren.

Sources:
"Miss Mary Margaret Jakes Becomes Bride of Thomas Converse Ashley", Nashville Banner, July 25, 1926, p. 13; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/nashville-banner-jakesashley-marriage-a/170883371/ : accessed August 8, 2026), clip page for Jakes/Ashley Marriage Announcement by user aandainia

"Mary Jakes Ashley(obituary)" The Jackson Sun, April 25, 1986, p. 16; image, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-jackson-sun-obituary-for-mary-jakes/203391758/ : accessed August 8, 2026), clip page for Obituary for Mary Jakes Ashley by user rmbeckman.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/44370281/mary_margaret-ashley: accessed August 8, 2026), memorial page for Mary Margaret “Mamie” Jakes Ashley (26 Oct 1900–24 Apr 1986), Memorial ID 44370281, citing Sunset Hill Cemetery, Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, USA.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/44370441/thomas_converse-ashley: accessed August 8, 2026), memorial page for Thomas Converse Ashley (16 Jun 1898–25 Oct 1971), Memorial ID 44370441, citing Sunset Hill Cemetery, Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, USA.

Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/170918472/harriete_dasher-churchwell: accessed August 8, 2026), memorial page for Harriete Dasher Ashley Churchwell (25 May 1928–3 Oct 2016), Memorial ID 170918472, citing Savannah Cemetery, Savannah, Hardin County, Tennessee, USA.

Occupations in 1810 Census of Mason Co., KY

While researching a family unrelated to my own, I stumbled across what is a goldmine for anyone researching ancestors in Mason Co KY. In the 1810 US Federal Census for Mason Co Kentucky the enumerator(John McKee--assistant to the marshall of Kentucky) also recorded occupations for some of the heads of household in addition to the regular information he was required to log.

An example of some of the occupations listed in the Maysville District of Mason County Kentucky:

• Blacksmith
• Butcher
• Cabinetmaker
• Candle Chandler
• Cooper
• Ferryman
• Hatter
• House Carpenter
• Innkeeper
• MD & Innkeeper
• Merchant
• Merchant & Mill
• Minister of the Gospel
• Nailer
• Potter
• Printer
• Raker
• Saddle Treemaker
• Saddler
• School Master
• Shoemaker
• Stone Mason
• Tailor
• Tobacconist
• Waggonmaker

Finding extra notes like these in early census records is always such a fun surprise. Beyond occupations, enumerators occasionally jotted down notes. It’s a great reminder to always check the original handwritten images rather than relying solely on indexed transcripts.

Have you ever stumbled across unexpected marginal notes or hidden details while searching through census records? If so I'd love to hear about it in the comment section below!

Ancestry’s "Describe This Event" Tool

Have you noticed the new BETA "Describe This Event" option popping up on facts in your Ancestry family trees? If you have the feature it would show up in facts or timeline of a profile as seen in the above image. It's been active in my account for several weeks so I’ve been testing it out, and while it has a lot of potential for streamlining how we document our ancestors' lives, it definitely comes with a few caveats. Because it generates information strictly from linked records, it is heavily susceptible to transcription errors and misinterpretations. If an indexed record has an error or misreads a handwriting detail, that error is included in the generated summary even if there are corrections that have been made for it.  As with any AI generated text, there can be misinterpretations. Thankfully, the edit function allows us to clean up those transcription mistakes and add missing details manually

One of my biggest frustrations with adding detailed citations or notes directly to source records in Ancestry has been running into strict character limits. So far, the Description field doesn't seem to have that issue. Having an open space to write comprehensive event details, or lay out proof arguments without hitting a character limit wall is a huge win for thorough researchers and hopefully will inspire others to be more detailed in their research.

I’m still waiting to get access to the updated version of ThruLines. I’m eager to test out the new layout and navigation once it rolls out to my account.

Tennessee Non-Population Census Manufacturing Schedules

 

Below are links to the U.S. Non-Population Manufacturing Schedules for Tennessee on FamilySearch. You will need to log in to view them, but account registration is free.

While these schedules can be spotty for certain years and locations, they are a fantastic genealogical resource as they offer a window into local business networks and reveal the craftsmen, millers, and merchants with whom your ancestors may have traded.

1850 Industry/ Manufacturing Schedule--TN: Anderson-Wilson counties
(NARA Series T1135, Roll 30)

1860 Industry/ Manufacturing Schedule--TN: Monroe - Wilson counties
(NARA Series T1135, Roll 32)

1870 Industry/ Manufacturing Schedule--TN:  Anderson - Lewis counties

(NARA Series T1135, Roll 33)

1880 Industry/ Manufacturing Schedule--TN:  Anderson - Lawrence counties; Lewis - Wilson counties

 (NARA Series T1135, Roll 35)

 (NARA Series T1135, Roll 36)

The 1850 schedule for Bedford County TN only covers Districts 20-25, but is a good example of the assortment of industries in the area. If you are lucky enough to have an area that has multiple years available, comparing them would be a great learning exercise.

1850 Bedford County Tennessee Dist 20 21 22 23 24 25 Industry/Manufacturing Schedule Images via FamilySearch.org
image 9 of 190
Name	Business name	Raw Material	Power	Product
Nicholas Anthony	Mill & Flour	Logs and grain	water &saw	Flour & Meal
R L Landris & Cummins	Tanner	Hides and Bark	Hand
Heard and Russel	B Smith	Iron	Hand power	Sundaries
George W Heard	Wool Carder	Wool	Water	Wool
George Hufman	Mills SawMiller	Logs	Water & saw	Plank
John and A Hufman	Miller Flour	Logs	Water & saw	Flour & meal
James Maupin	Tanner	Hide	Hand	Leather
image 10 of 190
B M Burow	Blacksmith	Iron & coal	Hand	Sundaries
John B Pearson	Tanner	Hides & bark	Hand	Sides Soleboot Skins
George H Castle	Tanner	Hides & bark	Hand	Sides Sole Leather
Joshua M Hix	Blacksmith	Iron & coal	Hand	Sundaries
Mathew Cuningham	Blacksmith	Iron & Coal	Hand	Sundaries
John Coleman	Blacksmith	Iron & Coal	Hand	Sundaries
J G and J Evans	Manufactor	Hemp	Hand	Balings Rope Twine
John P Henry	Cabinet Maker	Plank & ?	Hand	Furniture
Samuel Nealy	Blacksmith	Iron & Coal	Hand & Fire	Sundries
Samuel Thompson	Blacksmith	Iron & Coal	Hand & Fire	Sundries
A Smith & Co	Miller	Logs	Water Saw Stones	Plank
John Chandlier	Miller	Logs	Water Saw	Plank
James W   E??y	Wagon Wright	Iron & Coal	Hand	Wagon & Carts
Frost and Heise	Tanner	Hides & Bark	Hand	Sides Sole Leather Skins
J W Bearden	Gun Smith	G Barrells G lock	Hand	Guns
Kindred Pearsen	Tanner	Hides & Bark	Hand	Sides Sole leather skins
Charles Pearsen	Hatter	Wool	Hand	Wool Hats
A Phillip	Tanner	Hides cord & cork	Hand	Skins and Leather
C T Phillip	Sadler	harnesses	Hand	Saddle & Bridles
William Hall	Blacksmith	Iron & coal	Hand	Sundaries
Daniel Dean	Blacksmith	Iron & coal	Hand	Sundaries