One of the things that can block our research efforts are things that we “know” about our relative that are simply not true .
One problem-solving approach is to turn the computer off, put away your phones, and avoid your files. Then write down everything you know about your problem ancestor, including:
- place and date of birth,
- areas of residence,
- names of parents,
- names of other relatives,
- educational level,
- religious preference,
- occupation,
- name(s) of spouse(s),
- names of children,
- ethnic background,
- social class,
- comparison to their peers (financially better off, not financially better off, etc.),
- anything else,
- shoe size.
Let the list sit for a while–preferably a day or more. See if you can add anything to it. Then after a few days, see which of those things you actually have documentation for. Anything for which you don’t have documentation may not be true (even documented items may not be true, depending on the documentation).
Those undocumented things you think you know about your ancestor could be building your brick walls. How would your research change if they were not true?
Get more tips in our Genealogy Tip of the Day book.
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