c., ca. (abbreviation) about or around, from the Latin word circa. cem. (abbreviation) cemetery. cemetery records cemetery caretakers usually keep records of the names and death dates of those buried, as well as maps of the grave sites. They may also keep more detailed records, including the names of the deceased's relatives. In addition to these paper records, you will find tombstones. Tombstones can provide information such as birth and death dates and the names of other family members. census records a census is an official enumeration of the population in a particular area. In addition to counting the inhabitants of an area, the census generally collects other vital information, such as names, ages, citizenship status, and ethnic background. The United States government began collecting census data in 1790, and has done so every 10 years since that date. Selected states have also conducted their own censuses over the years. chr. (abbreviation) christened. christian name names other than a person's last name church records church records are the formal documents that churches have kept about their congregations through the years. Churches normally record information about christenings, baptisms, marriages, and burials. The type of information you will find in the records are the name(s) of the individual(s) involved, the date of the event, the location of the event, and the clergyman's name. You may find additional information, such as parents' names (father's full name and mother's maiden name), the names of witnesses to an event, and the individual's (or family's) place of residence. civ. (abbreviation) civil civil law laws concerned with civil or private rights and remedies, as contrasted with criminal law; body of law established by a nation, commonwealth, county or city, also called municipal law. codicil supplement or addition to a will; not intended to replace an entire will. collateral line line of descent connecting persons who share a common ancestor, but are related through an aunt, uncle, cousin, nephew, etc. conf. (abbreviation) confirmed. consanguinity the degree of relationship between persons who descend from a common ancestor. A father and son are related by lineal consanguinity, uncle and nehpew by collateral sanguinity. comm. (abbreviation) communion, communicant. common ancestor person through whom tow or more persons claim descent or lineage. communicant person receiving communion in a religious ceremony or service. confederacy Confederate States of America; group of southern states that seceded from the United States from 1860-1865. consort wife, husband, spouse, mate, companion. conveyance legal document by which the title to property is transfered; warrant; patent; deed. cousin child of an aunt or uncle; in earlier times a kinsman, close relative, or friend. CW Civil War, War of the Rebellion, War beteen the States, 1861-1865.