This place of birth discrepancy chart is not perfect–but it serves as an illustration.

Whenever information is confusing or overwhelming, I ask myself if there is some way that I can make a chart using the information that I know. Sometimes the final chart helps to reach a conclusion or decide where to go next.

Other times just thinking about the chart and the process of creating it causes me to realize that there are records or details I do not have. That sometimes gets my research going.

At the very least I have a summary of the information I have.

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4 Responses

  1. I LOVE charts. I’m always drawing out rough little diagrams when I get confused. I keep them with my notes of that family member. If I frequently need the same info, I’ll create a blank chart I can print and fill in the blanks. If sorting would be useful for the info I’m charting, then I’ll create it in excel.

    This is particularly useful for same name family members. I have a pair of “Mary Pollys that are aunt and niece. Charting their records was the only way for me to finally conclude there were two of them. The same with a James Swan, James S. (father and son) and a cousin James. Whew! It’s so nice to finally get them sorted into their proper places on the tree.
    Jan

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