When writing any genealogical note, commentary, etc. avoid the use of relationship terms without the name of the person attached to it. “Grandma gave me this picture.” “My Uncle told me where Grandpa was born.” What Grandma? What Uncle? What Grandpa? You may know to whom you are referring–will someone else? If you indicate in the first paragraph that you are talking about “Grandma Matilda Johnson,” it’s not necessary to refer to her using that complete phrase in every sentence that follows. That makes your prose bulky. However, otherwise you should be clear about exactly to whom you are referring. This is especially true in families where names are used more than once. My mother has three Aunt Ruths. One was always referred to with her last name, […]
There is a good chance that within the next year, my address will change even though my residence will not. When the post office closes, we’ll have a different address even though we never really moved at all. In fact our new post office will be in a different county. Is it possible that your ancestor’s address changed even though she never moved at all? ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
The US federal government first began keeping records of passenger arrivals in 1820. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
Until Sunday 20 November at 11:59 PM CST, we are running a Pre-Thanksgiving Sale on my recorded webinars–Spend 30 Get 30%. There’s more information here on my other site. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
For those who don’t know, I have three daily sites: Genealogy Tip of the Day–one how-to tip every day–http://genealogytipoftheday.blogspot.com/ Daily Genealogy Transcriber–one piece of handwriting to read every day–http://genealogytranscriber.blogspot.com/ Genealogy Search Tip of the Day–one database or online search technique–as I think of them–not every day–http://genealogysearchtip.blogspot.com/ I also have two other blogs: Rootdig–also free where I blog about general research ideas, things that confuse/frustrate/irritate me, etc. —http://rootdig.blogspot.com Casefile Clues–where I blog about things I’m working on for my newsletter Casefile Clues–http://blog.casefileclues.com Enjoy. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
Before you post a question or query to a message board, email list, etc., try and remember to include enough information so that a person can help you. This typically includes the name of the person for whom you are looking, an approximation of the date of the event, a guess as to the place of the event, sources you have tried, etc. You need not go into a paragraph discussion about everything, but just asking for help finding Grandma in the 1930 census is not sufficient. Researchers should know: Grandma’s name Where Grandma probably lived When Grandma was probably born Who might have been living with Grandma in the 1930 census ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
Is it possible that your ancestor changed his name simply because he wanted to and with no official paperwork to document the change? For much of American history (and possibly in other locations as well), names could be changed with little formality. If your ancestor naturalized after 1906, his naturalization papers may mention the change. Land records may occasionally reference a change, especially if the name on a deed of purchase is different from the name on a deed of sale. Probate records may indicate if the deceased used any other names. And lastly, pension records may also provide alternate names, aliases, etc. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
We’ve announced our schedule of genealogy webinars in December of 2011. Registrants who are unable to attend can receive (at no charge) download links for the recorded webinar and handout. Topics include: More Brick Walls from A to Z Constructing Families from pre-1850 Census Records American Naturalization Records Before 1920 Sarah & Susannah: Two 18th Century Virginia Woman and Their Property Each webinar is $8 or you can sign up for all 4 for $28. Details at http://www.casefileclues.com/webinars_neill.htm ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
I’ve been working on the children of a Wesley Jones who died in Missouri in 1872. Researching the family is somewhat difficult as two daughters also married men with common last names. Completing the family group is an exercise in what is common. To make it somewhat easier, I’m researching the son with a somewhat unusual first name first along with his sister whose husband’s name was not as common as Jones. Then I’ll work on the other children in the group. The hope is that information on the children with less common names will shed light on the others. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
I have copies from a facility that shall remain nameless. The copies were made from a set of microfilm the facility had of the records. The copier that was used was not great and parts of my copies are very difficult to read. There is a chance that copies made from the Family History Library’s microfilm might be easier to read. And copies made from the original records (which are in the courthouse) would probably be even better yet if I could get there or have someone who could. If what you have is not a great copy, is it possible to get a better one elsewhere? ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
When using a document that contains several dates make certain you grab the right date for the right event. A marriage record may contain the date of the license, the date of the marriage, and the date of the recording. Make certain that the date you put as the marriage date is the marriage date and not one of the other dates on the document. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
If you are really stuck, consider starting over and documenting every piece of information from scratch. Don’t throw away what you already have, but put it aside and start with the “most recent” facts and re-work your way through the research starting with your raw material from scratch. It might even be advised to wait a few days before working on the family again to allow yourself time to forget some of the information. Ask yourself along the way questions, including: How do I know these two records refer to the same person? Am I recording assumptions as facts? Could I explain the research process to someone unfamiliar with the family? It may seem like a lot of work, but sometimes it is what it takes. ———————————— Check […]
Sometimes I avoid using online trees, GedCom files, etc. for as long as possible–avoiding them completely if I can. I’m working on a family of my wife’s in Missouri and there are online files about this family, but most have the same gaps that I do and others repeat undocumented claims made by researchers decades ago. In this family, I’m finding that a better use of my time is to review original materials (or digital copies of them) and really research the family from scratch. Going through the compilations of others was not getting me anywhere and seemed to be an ineffective use of time. There are times where I have used online trees to get good suggestions or leads. This family (which I won’t name), just isn’t […]
We are giving away 100 copies of my “Brick Wall webinar”–free. Simply go tohttp://rootdig.blogspot.com/2011/10/recorded-copies-of-recent-webinars.htmland order the “Brick Wall webinar” use brickwall for your coupon code. That’s it. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
If you are using paper to take handwritten notes, never ever use slips of paper smaller than your hand. You will lose them. I even avoid anything smaller than 8.5 by 11 inches because it’s too easy to get lost. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
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