I was working with some deeds at the Family History Library in Salt Lake and for some reason instead of taking notes with the deed volumes and page numbers as indicated in the index, I made scans of the index entries. It was a good thing I did. What I thought was volume “C” was actually volume “E.” When I didn’t find the desired entry, I quickly went back to my scan and realized what I thought was a “C” was really an “E.” If I had to go back to the index it would have wasted time. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
When transcribing a document–even in your software program–consider including a quick citation in brackets at the beginning of the transcription. The brackets will tell readers that the information is not part of the transcription. It will also tell your readers where you obtained the material in case the citation in your database doesn’t get printed out with the transcription. Something like [Coshocton County, Ohio, Will Book C, page 212] is better than nothing. Speaking from personal experience. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
Before you work across the pond with your ancestor or even across the country, make certain you have done all your research in the area of settlement first. Don’t neglect basic sources in that area–they may contain unexpected clues. Get your groundwork all done before you start working further back. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
I spent a some time experimenting with a Chicago newspaper database recently, hoping to find a death notice for a relative there. The man worked for the Pullman Car Company in the paint shops and I knew I’d be lucky to get a death notice at all. No death notice. But he was mentioned in the society pages when his daughter came to visit and apparently he was actively involved in several local social clubs where he held offices. Don’t assume your ancestor won’t be in the paper. I didn’t get the death notice, but I did get a few clues. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
We offered this to our Facebook fans yesterday and are repeating it here. You can get my webinar “Using the US Census at Ancestry.com” free by using code uscensus at http://www.casefileclues.com/webinars.htm Simply put “Using US Census at Ancestry.com” in your cart and use “uscensus” as your coupon code. Enjoy! ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
Henry Smith leaves a widow and eight children when he dies in 1820. It is possible that she is the mother of all his children, some of his children, or none of his children. Simply surviving him does not make her the mother of all his children. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
Avoid making unplanned genealogy trips a distance from where you live–particularly if you are unfamiliar with the hours and the facility. Make certain the facility will be open. If visiting the office that holds court records, find out what day(s) of the week are court days and try to avoid those days. Consider not making your last day of research Friday–that way you’ve got an extra day if you make a last minute discovery. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
I have put two new webinars on the docket for later this month, based upon requests of attendees. “Crossing the Pond (part 2)” will concentrate on using, interpreting, and understanding passenger lists between 1820 and 1920.“American Revolutionary War Material on Fold3” will discuss what revolutionary material is on Fold3 and effective search strategies. Material from this era is not just for veterans of that conflict.Details are located at the site below (where you can also register). Join us by visiting:http://www.casefileclues.com/webinars_neill.htmThanks!Michael ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
If your ancestor died with a widow surviving with minor children, a guardian might have been appointed by the local court. This guardian frequently was not the widow. The widow was the natural guardian who had physical custody of the child. The guardian appointed by the court was a guardian to oversee the estate the child inherited. The guardian of the child’s estate did not necessarily take custody of the child. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
To celebrate my annual trip to the Family History Library in Salt Lake, we are running our $5 special from now until I depart for Salt Lake on Monday afternoon at 4:00 PM CST. Our $5 sale concentrates on a variety of methodology items, including: Creating Research Plans The Genealogical Proof Standard Female Ancestors Making and Proving Your Case Court Records Seeing the Patterns and more. To see the entire list and get the linking to the discount prices, visit this page: http://blog.casefileclues.com/p/5-webinar-sale.html We’re hoping to get new tip of the day ideas and blog post material in Salt Lake. Stay tuned. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
Keep in mind that before 1906, naturalization procedures were not consistent throughout the United States and it is always possible that your ancestor had not quite met the residency requirements before he naturalized. Use dates of naturalization as estimates for when an ancestor immigrated–keeping in mind he might have lived in the United States longer than the minimum time or he might have shaved a year or two off for whatever reason. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
When was the last time you read up on a source or type of record that you know little about? When was the last time you read a how-to article or a research guide? Did you either read it online, without surfing on three other sites at the same time? Or did you print it out and read it and take notes on it while NOT looking at online databases and your email at the same time? Learning something new may help your research. Trying to learn it while not multi-tasking is a good idea as well. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
I will be making presentations at the following conferences over the next month. Northland Genealogical Society-June 2012-Kansas City, MO Southern California Genealogical Jamboree-June 2012-Burbank, CA National Palatines to American Conference-June 2012-Indianapolis, IN Check out the blog posts for more information. And if you are in attendance–please introduce yourself as a blog reader. Thanks! ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
If the estate records of your ancestor indicate she died “intestate” that means there was no valid will that was admitted to probate. There might have been a will, but that will was denied probate by the judge. That will should be filed with the court. Read it if you can. Sometimes it’s clear why the will was denied and sometimes it is not. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
Have you written down those stories your grandparent or older record used to tell you? Have you written down those stories of things you did as a kid? If not, hop to it. Your dead relatives can wait another day or so. Your memory might not! ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
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