When searching for a family in an everyname census, search for the family member whose name is the least likely to be spelled or enumerated incorrectly. It is no guarantee you will find the right people, but sometimes it’s easier to find John than it is to find Fredericka. The problem with some names is that they have quite a few diminutives that may make them harder to find. Of course, unusual names spelled correctly are easier to find also–as long as they spelled correctly. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
If your ancestor goes “poof” and comes back 5-10 or so years later, have you consider they headed west for the Gold Rush or any other event that caused people to pack up and leave in a hurry? Some families found life wasn’t all what they thought it would be in their new location and returned to where they were from. And of course, the direction might not have been west at all. It’s just worth remembering that your anecstor might have moved somewhere in hopes of better opportunities and, when finding those opportunities weren’t what they thought they would be, eventually headed “back home.” ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
Was your family one of those that kept heading west every few years, leaving family behind in numerous locations? Have you searched for other relatives in those “left behind location?” If your ancestor left Amherst County, Virginia, in 1801 your research in Amherst County should not stop in 1801. There might be other family members left behind whose records provide clues about your direct line ancestors. There might even be descendants in the area today who could provide research help. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
There are words that some genealogists get confused. Cite and site are two of them–we’ve just thrown sight in for fun. To cite means to indicate the source of some material and to indicate that source in a way that others can locate the material that was used. The site is a location where something is or where something took place. And of course, sight means to see something. So if you use a cemetery as your source and you visit it yourself, you have used your sight to cite the site. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
We have announced a reduced schedule of genealogy webinars for May 2012.New presentations include: What is Not Written Charts, Charts, and More Charts We’ve also rescheduled two presentations that had to be postponed earlier this year, including Google Docs. If you already signed up, you do not need to do so again. We’re looking forward to some great sessions. You can learn more about the sessions or register at: http://www.casefileclues.com/webinars_neill.htm ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
Document transcriptions should always be made as close to the original document–errors and all. Sometimes it is clear that the original document is in error. It is not the job of the transcriptionist to correct the error. Instead put the word sic in brackets after the error, like so “I John give to my daughter William[sic] the farm on which I now live.” Sic indicates that the word was copied from the original and the error was not done on the part of the transcriptionist. Use sic whenever it appears that the original is incorrect. If you feel the need to comment on the error do so in a commentary that clearly is separate from the transcription ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
For years, I was unable to access the records of one church my ancestors attended because when I went to try and see them I was told that the pastor was gone and no one else had a key to the safe in which the records were kept. Later on a whim I contacted the denominational archives and learned that the records I needed had actually been microfilmed and were in their collection. Have you contacted the archives of the denomination with which the congregation was affiliated to see if they have a copy or the records or any additional information on the church in question? It may be worth a try. Just last week I learned that the records of another church I need have been microfilmed […]
Our last set of $5 webinars are on the following topics: Illinois Research The Probate Process US Naturalization Records pre-1920 Local Land Records in Public Domain Land States Newspaper Research The link for more details and ordering is here: http://genealogytipoftheday.blogspot.com/p/discounts_05.html Sale on these is over in 36 hours–don’t wait. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
Remember that just because several documents give the exact same information it does not mean that information is correct. The same person can give the same incorrect information for several documents or records. What it means is that they were consistent. It is possible that information listed on only one record is correct when what is listed on multiple records is not. Sometimes. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
Have you checked passport records for ancestors who might have traveled overseas? Before the 1910s many Americans traveled abroad without a passport, but after that time a higher proportion of travelers obtained passports. One relative traveled to Mexico in the 1920s for his work and obtained a passport to do so. Another relative was a Red Cross nurse who went to Europe shortly before the first World War and completed a passport application with significant information. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
If you have found someone in the newly released 1940 census, have you looked at the very far left hand side of the page? Some enumerators made notes about their enumerees there–some of which can be good clues for further research. One enumerator in Warsaw, Illinois, made notes about which homes were owned by an estate that had not yet been settled. Scanning down the name column to find your person is good, but after you have found them, look at the entire page. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
In some cultures and time periods, if a child died the parents might use that same name for the next child of the same gender. I have one 18th century German couple who named three children Reenste. After the first Reenste died, the next daughter was given the same name. After the second Reenste died, the next daughter was named Reenste. Fortunately the third Reenste lived to adulthood. Did your family use the same name more than once? ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
Due to popular demand (and because our Google followers never got the notice), we’re offering again our discount price ($5 each–save 40%–regularly $8.50) on our most popular genealogy methods lectures through 11:59 Sunday 22 April 2012If this email and links don’t display property, try this link. Creating Research Plans. This presentation discusses how to create your research plans, how to set goals, how to not set goals, when you are proving and when you are not, and other key concepts. Of course, we have a few charts as well. Our attempt is to be down-to-earth and practical. I realize that most genealogists are not going to write journal articles, however our research needs to be as thorough as possible and our analysis and method well-thought out or we’re not […]
Never assume that a county or a city will only have one place, cemetery, etc. with the same name. I learned that lesson the hard way years ago. The county where most of my family lived since 1850 had two Webster Cemeteries–located in different parts of the county. Who would have thought Webster was that common of a name. Always doublecheck that you have the right cemetery, street, church, school, etc. Researchers in urban areas are used to problems of “the names the same,” but rural researchers need to keep it in mind as well. There’s a blog post here on the Webster Cemetery for those who are interested. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
After the excitement of locating a document wanes, look at all the information it contains. Consider the reliability of the person providing the information and then compare and contrast it to information you already have? Are there consistencies? Are there inconsistencies? What new records or sources are suggested? Always compare what you have just located to what you already know, keeping in mind that any document can be totally accurate, totally inaccurate, or somewhere in between. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
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