If you think there should be an estate for an ancestor, make certain to look for a deed even if court records are not located. In some cases, if there was just the widow’s inheritance to settle up after her death the only record might be a quitclaim deed where the heirs transfer property to one of their siblings. There might not have been any need for an estate settlement. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
Keep in mind that in the cases of intestate estates, a court might not be concerned about relatives who die young, never marry, and do not leave any issue. If John dies without children and had six siblings, the court might only list those four who left heirs of their own. The court is concerned with determining heirship–not with compiling a complete genealogy. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
Does that research project seem too large? Maybe it is. Pick a smaller task or research goal to start on and go from there. Don’t think about building the whole house in one day. Worry about the first brick, digging that first bit for the basement, etc. Then maybe you will at least get SOMETHING done–even if it isn’t EVERYTHING. Your descendants will appreciate something small that got completed versus some grand plan you never got started. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
When was the last time you took a hard look at some conclusions and research you did in the early days of your family history adventure? Any chance you made a mistake? ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
If you need a map of baselines and meridians within the United States, there’s a good one here: http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/Visitors/PrincipleMeridiansAndBaselines.htmland if you don’t know what base lines and meridians are for, take a look at the Bureau of Land Management website. Baselines and meridians are used to describe ruralproperty in those states where land was initially transferrred to private ownership by the federal government insetad of the individual colonies. Those of you who only have urban ancestors or east coast ancestors might not need these links…. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
When interviewing that relative, keep in mind that there just might be some things they either do not know, never knew, or just cannot remember. It happens to all of us occasionally. Sometimes it is easier to just say “don’t know” when asked for a name or a piece of information. And sometimes it’s the truth. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
I record every name exactly as it was written on the document. Sometimes though I struggle with what name to “use” for an ancestor when they had more than one name. I try and use what they used for the majority of their life. My great-grandmother I have listed as Fannie Rampley. Her name on her birth certificate was Frances. But from her marriage on, every record lists her as Fannie. She signs “Fannie Neill” or “Fannie I. Neill” (Iona was her middle name) on legal documents. She (or likely her children) had Fannie put on her tombstone. I transcribe the records using whatever name they say. But I have her listed as Fannie in my database as it really appears that’s what she preferred. ———————————— Check out […]
Need some perspective on your ancestor? Try reading a local and national newspaper on the day he was born, died, married, etc. While not every national or world event impacted your ancestor, reading the newspaper might bring some additional thoughts to your research. And that’s never a bad thing. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
Don’t assume no one has ever published part of your family history. A little searching located a genealogy published in 1987 on the family of my great-grandfather’s sister’s husband. It contained pictures and a great deal of information I did not have. Search out the in-laws! ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
Use compilations of others as clues, not as proven facts to be copied down with nary a thought. Make certain you reduce the chance you perpetuate the mistakes of others by trying to validate their conclusions and information. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
When asking relatives questions, try and avoid planting ideas in the mind of the person who is answering your questions. You want the interviewee to remember as much as THEY can. Suggesting answers might cause them to “agree” with you when they shouldn’t. Of course, ask for clarification if necessary. Asking if you heard correctly is different that suggesting an answer in the first place. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
Yesterday’s tip was “how was life different” for your ancestor? Today think about what aspects of your ancestor’s life were the same. There has to be something. Think about what motivates you, what tasks you have to perform every day, every week, etc. Which ones did your ancestor have to perform as well? Any clues in those tasks? Any clues in those motivations? In some ways we aren’t all that different from our ancestors. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
If you’re stuck on an ancestor, make a list of ten ways your ancestor’s life was different from yours. These ways can include lifestyle, educational level, ethnic background, native language, physical environment, what they ate for supper, etc. It just might get you thinking. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
If your ancestor owned property (whether it was a small lot or a large acreage), determine how it came into and left his possession. Either document could provide vital clues. But both ends of the transaction are important. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
Try a new genealogy website, read a how-to article from a journal, work on a family you’ve never worked on before. Keep your genealogy mind engaged. Get off the cycle of searching for the same names in the same places in the very same ways. Getting outside your comfort zone may help you break that brick wall. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
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