When a record is located, try and compare it to other records of the same type or in the same series. How is the record for your relative different from other records? How is it similar? Some differences, such as name, date, etc. identify the record as being for your ancestor as opposed to someone else. But make certain the “boilerplate” of the document is the same as others in the series. Differences, such as a phrase or word that does not appear in other documents may indicate a clue. Analyzing a record in comparison to others is especially helpful when looking at church records which often are kept in loose paragraph format before standard forms were used. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day […]
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Did any of your ancestor’s siblings receive or apply for a military pension? If so, there’s a chance your ancestor provided testimony as to service, marriage, or other information. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
Filing quickly is good–things get misplaced. However rushing to do you data entry may not be a good idea. Some records do not clearly indicate relationships precisely. Most genealogical database programs require specific type of relationship–you can’t just say “related.” Analyze what you find. Draw conclusions and determine the family structure. Then put the relationships in your database. You can enter individuals in a database program without indicating the relationship. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
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If you cannot find an older relative in a census, make certain you have looked with all their children. They may be hiding there, perhaps with an incorrectly spelled last name that you have not thought search for before. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
Don’t correct an original when making a transcription. Copy it as it is written. If you know spellings, etc. are wrong–comment on them separately and clearly indicate that the comments are yours. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
While you should always keep looking, keep in mind that there are times when no record exists for an event. The earlier in time you get, the more likely this is. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
Have you been working for too long on one family or one problem? Let it sit for a while, perhaps a week or two and work on something else. A month away may allow you to come back with a different perspective and notice something you did not notice before. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
NARA M850–Pension Payment Cards are completely online at www.archive.org. Great free resource–I blogged about it here, with details on how to search them as there is no finding aid for them at www.archive.org http://rootdig.blogspot.com/2010/03/pension-payment-cards-on-archiveorg.html ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
Keep in mind that you can never be one hundred percent certain that any one record is one hundred percent correct. There is always the chance of an error. Never “fix” what appears to be an obvious error either. Transcribe exactly as written and put your commentary elsewhere. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
Anglicization is the process of translating a name into English. Many immigrant Anglicized their names after arrival–but rarely at Ellis Island. Remember that some non-English names could be translated. The Swedish Anders became Andrew, as did the Latin Andreas. For non-standard names or those that had no real translation, the ancestor might never have Anglicized or might have simply taken an English name that was “close.” Focke may have become Frank or Trientje might have become Tena. Trientje actually has a root similar to Katherine, but most of my Trientjes who Anglicized their name opted for Tena instead. Remember that your ancestor was not a linguist–so don’t over analyze that translation of his name. And problems with Anglicization is part of the thing that was the issue with […]
Did your ancestor live in a county in the first years after it was formed? Is it possible the boundaries were somewhat in flux in those early years? You still might want to check the records of the “old county” for a few years after the new one was formed, just in case. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
Remember that a “one-letter” typo can make all the difference. An “a” at the end of Johann can make it Johanna, not only changing the name but also changing the gender. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
My wife has an ancestor who “disappeared” ca. 1918 shortly after he and his wife had marital problems. It is possible he changed his name. It is also possible he enlisted in the service during World War I and never returned to the area where he was from (either because he died or he simply chose to live somewhere else). Another ancestor of my wife’s died in his early 30s in the early 1860s. It is too early for a death certificate, but I do have his estate records. Now I am wondering if he died in the Civil War. Keep in mind the time frame. Was there some national event that could explain your ancestor’s absence or demise? ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the […]
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