Google searches are great, but sometimes it is nice to browse the virtual stacks. Cyndi at Cyndislist.com has been linking and categorizing websites for a decade. If you’re stuck, needing a break, or needing to jumpstart your research, take a look at the links she has for your state or country of interest. There is certain to be something on Cyndislist you haven’t seen before. It is just about like browsing the library stacks and making random finds. http://www.cyndislist.com ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
This is not meant for readers as readers of my site were not the problem. It was not a “fan” or a “follower” who used my whole body of tips on their site under the guise of it “helped me get more attention.” When you put a big fat ad between the tip and my name, that doesn’t make it clear. When you include the website name, but do not include an active link, it makes the chance that someone actually visits my site very small. I was raised in the sticks, but I’m not stupid. Just because it is not on paper, does not that copyright does not apply. Just because you can copy and past it in two seconds does not mean that you should. Just […]
Have you re-interviewed relatives recently? Sometimes this can be particularly helpful if you have made new discoveries about things your relative might have had first or second hand knowledge of. Do you locate a family living next to the interviewee’s parents in 1920 that had the same last name as the mother and whom the interviewee never mentioned? Does an estate settlement mention a family member living in a location that was “news” to you? Your relative may know something. New details may jog the respondent’s mind about things you never even knew to ask the first time around. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
Ancestry.org is using tips from Genealogy Tip of the Day without permission. See my post at http://rootdig.blogspot.com/2010/03/ancestryorg.html If anyone knows how to contact them, please let me know. I’m getting stuck behind privacy protection. —————————– UPDATE Ancestry.org has removed my tips from their website as of approximately noon central time today. My thanks to several fellow genealogists who provided some useful tips in dealing with this problem. Your help is appreciated. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
Is it possible that a record was recorded in two places? Civil records may be recorded at both the state and local level? Or multiple copies of a record may exist if the originals have been microfilmed or digitized. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
Have you considered whether changes in county, township, or other boundaries are creating research headaches? ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
Can you account for how your ancestor obtained every acre of property he owned at his death? In reviewing records on one ancestor, I realized I had deeds for all of his acquisitions except for 34 acres. Not a large amount of property, but in this case several deeds were within the family and tracking that 34 acres might be the key to discovering new family relationships. And if it doesn’t, then I’ve honed my research skills for a time when it does help! ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
Remember that if your ancestor died and left no probate, it does not mean that there are not records settling up his affairs. There may be deed or non-probate court records that effectively settled the ancestor’s estate without a “probate” settlement. It pays to look. This very topic was the focus of an entire Casefile Clues issue–1 Number 32. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
Finding too many deeds for too little time when researching your ancestor at the county courthouse? When time is limited, the “etal” deeds should be high on your priority list. “Etal” means “and others,” meaning that at least one person besides your ancestor is listed on the deed. These deeds have a better than average chance of involving a spouse or an inheritance. And if you only get time to look at the “etal” deeds, make a note to that effect in your research log. That way you will know what you have (and have not) done. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
Help spread the word about “Genealogy Tip of the Day.” Let others know about our daily “shot in the arm” for your genealogical research at http://genealogytipoftheday.blogspot.com.Thanks! ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
Years ago, I had several people in a beginning genealogy class tell me that my ancestors were unique–not everyone had ancestors who left the kinds of records mine did and that my ancestors must have been different. I don’t think so. Part of it is just in how hard you look. None of my ancestors were particularly wealthy. A few lived hand to mouth and several barely hung on during the Depression. Yes, most were farmers, but not all were landowners and those that were owned typical farms for their era (agricultural census records are a great way to make these comparisons). My in-laws left records too and they were not all farmers. Even the city dwellers who didn’t own their homes left records. The key is learning […]
If great-aunt Myrtle is having difficulty remembering things from her past, consider downloading or getting copies of music that was popular during the time period you are trying to get her to remember. Music may be the impetus to get her memories flowing. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
Do you have ancestors for whom employment records might answer some questions, or at least provide you with some information you were not already aware of? Rural ancestors rarely have these records but those with urban ancestors might want to see if records of their ancestor’s former employers have been archived or stored somewhere. Personally I haven’t used employment records too much, but am working on a set of records for an upcoming issue of Casefile Clues. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
The day you decide your genealogical skills do not need tweaking is the day you probably should take up a new hobby. All of us involved in genealogy should be learning something every day. Becoming a better genealogist is a daily process of growth. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
County Recorder’s offices typically have a series of miscellaneous record books where they will record copies of things that do not fall into the typical record categories. I have seen copies in these books of: out of state divorce decrees out of area death certificates medical licenses legal agreements not related to property or real estate One never knows what one will encounter in these records. Give them a try! ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
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