If you can type quickly make certain that at some point in time you actually read the document that you’ve transcribed. Fast typists sometimes don’t always comprehend what they are typing–at least I don’t. A recent document indicated at the end how the person signing the document was related to another individual. When I re-read the original document again that phrase had been used twice in the document. My transcription was correct and I had typed the relationship twice. But I certainly did not remember that first reference although I obviously read it. Think about it after you type it and make certain something didn’t just pass through your mind without being retained. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
I’ve been working on finding people from the 1940 census and I’ll admit that I relied on memory for one thing and now I wish I had not because I was wrong. For some reason, when I was making my 1940 list, I got it in my head that my wife’s great-grandfather had died and his wife had married her second husband by 1940. In doublechecking the spelling of the second husband’s last name (Fluegel), I realized that husband number one died in 1941, which means I should be looking for her with him (and his last name) in 1940. Don’t rely on memory. Even when you think you’re right. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
The release of the 1940 census without an index has me thinking about which people I will search for manually and which ones I will wait for until the index comes out. There are some people that I am certain enough of their residence that I can look for them. There are others who are in rural areas where searching will not take an inordinate amount of time. There are others that I do not have good addresses for and are living in urban areas. Looking for them may take hours, if not days. In those cases, I’m going to wait for the index. Sometimes one has to decide if the time spent is worth it. In those cases there’s likely nothing “earth-shattering” in the enumeration and my […]
Don’t always assume that census ages are incorrect. I found the entry for my children’s grandmother in 1940 and I thought there had to be a mistake–as I knew there were no twins in the family and their children were listed with ages: Two 7 year olds One 5 year old One 4 year old One 2 year old One 1 year old One under a year–7/12 The ages were correct–just a lot of children close together and the census date combined with the birthdates didn’t help either.You can see the image here. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
Last minute registrants can sign up for $4! Everyone’s crazy about the 1940 census…including me–I’ve found 11 of my ancestors and a few others in the first few days since it’s release. We’re going to help those who need it see how to navigate the free 1940 census sites. Our focus is on how to search and use the sites. I’m not an employee of any of the sites and don’t have any agenda other than helping you to use them. On 5 April 2012 at 7:30 PM Central time (Thursday–rescheduled ), I’ll be presenting a webinar on using the free 1940 census sites. Not all have everything uploaded (NARA does), but we’ll see how to navigate, download, and work with the free 1940 census images that are […]
I’ve been looking at 1940 census and was reminded that one should always make certain to analyze every tick mark and notation on the census (or any record for that matter). Some abbreviations on the census are statistical and have nothing to really do with the family’s entry specifically. Other items can be clues. Marriage and other records can contain small clues as well. The marriage register may list your ancestor as Sally Jones and the marriage license may list her as “Mrs. Sally Jones.” And that’s a big difference. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
Hasty research leads to brick walls, lineages that make no sense, and pedigrees that say things about an ancestor that never actually happened. There is no rush to the vast majority of genealogical research. Take your time. Make certain you really do have the same person in place A that you think you have in place B. Ask yourself if that family connection is logical and does that “far-fetched” tale really make sense. You can also reduce the chance of this sort of mistake by using online trees as clues, not grabbing the first match that appears “close,” and giving yourself some “soak time” between making a conclusion and using it to begin more research. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
The 1940 census images will be released on 2 April 2012 and those used to indexed census records are in for a challenge. My 1940 census webinar discusses ways to find addresses to help with 1940 census work, finding the correct enumeration district, using the enumeration district maps, and more. The webinar (including handout) can be downloaded for $4.00. Get ready for your 1940 census search. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
Here are a few links to articles from Modern Mechanix on the 1940-1960 census enumerations. Not a complete discussion to be certain, but an interesting one nonetheless. 1940 1950 1960 ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
Despite what some may think, the Family History Library in Salt Lake City does not have “everything.” Despite what the ads may imply, Ancestry.com does not have “everything.” Despite what we may think, the internet does not have “everything.” Nothing has “everything.” ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
In some locations, there may be a city, township, and county all with the same name. Make certain you know to which location someone or something is referring. In United States locations, a city and township with the same name are not necessarily the same place. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
I just wrapped up my webinar on the “Genealogical Proof Standard for the non-Professional” today. We discussed: exhaustive searches compilation and citation resolving conflicts and a variety of terms and definitions Quick easy examples were given–complex problems can’t be used as numerous illustrations in an hour session. My goal was to get concepts across–and I think we did that. I could have kept talking for another hour. The intent of the session was to make the point that all of can learn something from implementing the standards in our research–whether we intend to “publish” or not. The recording (video and audio) along with the handout, can be ordered securely here for $8.50. Download is immediate and you can view as many times as you want. ———————————— Check out […]
Proofreading your transcriptions of records and your research conclusions is always advised. Don’t proofread right after you finished something. Let it sit for a day or so if possible and go back to it. You’ll be surprised how many things you’ll catch when the material is cold. And that will help you with some of those research challenges that we sometimes create ourselves. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
If you’ve got an estate settlement for your ancestor, look at the names of the people who owed him money. Any chance they are relatives? ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
We are supposed to cite our sources so that others can find the material we found, we can go back to it if necessary, and we know what version, image, etc. we used. Those are all good reasons for citing our genealogical sources. Personally I cite my sources because I learn about the sources when I do it. Thinking about how the copy/image came into my possession, who created it, where it was originally filed/stored makes me a better researcher. Citing makes me a better researcher–even if no one ever reads a thing I write or thing I’ve cited. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
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