Should I include jobs that last under 1 year on my resume?

I have a tricky situation. In 2005 I was laid off and it took me about 5 months to find a new job and a month to wait for my start date. I had the job for under one month before the company got shut down- mortgage industry! So another 4 months before being hired for my next job. The owner of that company lost his franchise rights within 7 months of start up. And at this point, I tried to switch careers. Unable to secure work in my desired profession and about to run out of unemployment, I had to quickly take another position with another start up- that was bought out in 4 months! That makes for 4 years on my resume with three jobs all lasting between 1-7 months. My questions are:
1. Should I list them?
2. If I do, should I state on my resume that the companies were either sold or dissolved so potential employers don't think I job hop?
3. I have owned my own part- time business since 2002 doing pet care and elder care management. Should I list this rather than the start-up fails above to keep employment stability on my resume? I've heard from some people not to list self employment, especially if the company isn't even incorporated or registered.

Any help or advice will be appreciated; especially from direct hire recruiters if possible. That is, those who actually review resumes and make the decision to call people in for interviews.

Most employers that I've ever heard about run background checks, and those checks will show every job you've ever had anyway. I'd rather need to explain a short term job, than a job pops up to them that I didn't mention.

You'd better list them. Anything is going to look better than a gaping hole.

I don't know how you indicate that the companies were sold unless you do it in your cover letter. I don't know if including that info on a resume is appropriate or not. Resumes usually just show where you worked and when; they don't usually reflect the why you're no longer there part.

I'd also list your part-time gig.

Trust me, anything is better than a gaping, glaring hole, which is hard to get past.

nick in Somerville, Massachusetts said: Most employers that I've ever heard about run background checks, and those checks will show every job you've ever had anyway. I'd rather need to explain a short term job, than a job pops up to them that I didn't mention.

This isn't true, not yet anyway. I have had a few jobs of short duration and they don't show up.

What does show up is a 2 year job I had in Alaska? I have never been to Alaska. Heh!

Now if you are applying to the CIA, that is a different conversation.

Is there seriously a service that employers can use that will show where you've worked and when? That is a bit big brother.

well, every time you get hired, you fill out a W-2. Somewhere along that line is public information, and while a background check may not give exact dates, it should at least mention that you worked for corporation xyz and what year.

I don't know....I wouldn't leave out a job. As I said, explaining why you were only there three months is better than not mentioning it at all, and then they find it themselves and wonder why you're "trying to hide it."