As we eventually work our way into warmer weather, genealogists start to think of making research trips to far-off courthouses. Here a some quick thoughts before heading out (pre-planning is always advised): Make certain of the courthouse’s hours If you’ll be using court records, in court in session a certain day of the week (which you may want to avoid) Can you bring a portable scanner, can you take digital pictures? What other options are there for making copies? What records can you access yourself and which ones have restricted access? Is there a local historical or genealogical society who may be able to give you specific research advice? ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
When genealogists look at their ancestor’s will, they usually pay attention to the witnesses. They should as those names can be clues. However, witnesses are not necessarily related to the deceased. They may simply be neighbors. An ancestor wrote her will in 1902. The witnesses were not relatives. When I looked them up in the 1900 census, the ancestor who wrote the will and the two witnesses were all enumerated on the same census page. Just remember–the witness should not be named in the will. That’s usually considered a conflict. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
I usually use scanned copies of documents to transport them, save them, and enlarge them. I don’t often have cause to do much more. However recently, I received a copy of a letter where only the front had been copied. The letter had been folded in thirds with something being written on the back. Luckily it bled through. Scanning it, rotating it, and flipping it horizonally made it easy to read. A mirror would have worked or I could have held it up to the light, but this was much easier. Here is a blog post showing both images and how it worked. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
Sometimes when I’m stuck in analyzing a document, especially one that is lengthy and may mention several events or dates, I pick out every date and put the events in a chronology. I look also at statements that don’t mention a “specific date” and ask myself if those statements suggest a date or time frame. You might be surprised at what you realize you have overlooked. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
Remember the purpose of the record when analyzing the information it contains. A birth certificate really is about the birth and minor errors in where the mother was born (if the certificate even contains that information) might not have been considered material. A probate judge was concerned that a person was dead and that probate proceedings should start, but might not be overly worried about the person’s precise date of death. A census was to count people and provide other certain statistical information for the government. The enumerator might not have been overly concerned if occasionally he confused a few children with step-children. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
You won’t remember that fact, where you found it, where you put it, or who is in that picture. Write it down, type in your genealogical database, identify the picture, etc. You will not remember and the only thing you will remember is that you wished you had written it down. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
A great place to start that search for that “old” place name is the USGS GNIS http://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnispublic/http://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnispublic/. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
If Aunt Margaret tells you someone is her “cousin,” what does she really mean? First cousin, second cousin, etc.? To the genealogist it makes a difference because first cousins (who share grandparents) are different from second cousins (who share great-grandparents). First cousins once removed are of different generations from the common ancestor–the grandparent of one was the great-grandparent of another. It’s not necessary to confuse Aunt Margaret. Instead of getting her to tell you the precise word, have her explain the way they were related, generation by generation, or ask her about how they were related. You can figure out the precise word later. And asking those questions may elicit more information anyway! ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
Genealogy software programs can help genealogists cite their source. Whole books, such as Evidence Explained, have been written providing guidelines for tracking where information was located. Remember that if nothing else, a citation should provide enough detail to get you back to the page in a book or piece of paper that provided you some information. If it doesn’t, it’s probably not adqeuate. A relative said, “a newspaper in 1909 mentioned” a certain relative. At the very least, the name of the paper, date of publication, and whether it was the print, microfilm, or digital version would have been helpful. It’s not always necessary to be 100% in the form of your citation, but it should allow someone else to re-find what you found–even if that “someone else” is you. […]
We are currently running a sale on the first 68 issues of my weekly how-to newsletter, Casefile Clues, which sponsors Genealogy Tip of the Day. Click here for more information. We’ll be back with a new tip tomorrow, ready to start off 2012! ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
I have been reading First Generations: Women in Colonial America for the past several days. It has given me some insight into the Colonial experience of women and cause to think about a few things in ways I never have. Is there a history text or sociological study that might expand your knowledge even if it doesn’t directly expand your family tree? ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
Think about your genealogy resolutions for 2011. Pick one small one that you can reasonably obtain. Write it down on a post-it note and put it on your computer. If it won’t fit on a post-it note, it’s probably too long! ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
When locating records and putting them in your files, make certain that just because the “name’s the same,” that you actually have the same person. Make certain age, location, implied social status and other information “match.” Sometimes records that you think are on the same person, are actually referring to two separate people with the same or similar names. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
Don’t forget that Genealogy Tip of the Day is sponsored by my newsletter Casefile Clues. Casefile Clues discusses genealogy sources, methods, and practices, and cites it sources. There is more information on our blog http://blog.casefileclues.com/ or our website http://www.casefileclues.com/. Casefile Clues is not your typical how-to newsletter. Samples are free by sending an email to samples@casefileclues.com. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
Remember that the children may not know their mother’s maiden name and what they do know is not first-hand information. They may think their mother’s step-father was her actual father. They may never have met her father and may have a totally “mixed” up version of the name in their head as a result. Or they may be entirely correct about their mother’s maiden name. It depends upon a lot of factors, but keep in mind that information children provide about their mother’s maiden name is not first hand information. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
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