Once in a while try looking for information in a source or record where it “couldn’t be.” The information you seek may just be there. I found an 1893 estate settlement that provided the place and date of birth for the deceased–in a foreign country to boot. Not something I expected at all! ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
Remember no expert is perfect. And no one knows everything. A well-known lecturer indicated in a handout that all land records contain metes and bounds description that mention lines and many times mention neighbors. Federal land states infrequently mention metes and bounds and when they do, names of neighbors aren’t always mentioned. Metes and bounds are used in state land states. Turns out the “expert” had only done East Coast research and assumed all land records were the same. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
It is easy for some genealogists to get lost in the research and forget the original purpose of the records we use. Deeds were to transfer real property, probates were to settle estates, courts were to settle disputes, etc. Most records were not created for genealogists. Remember that. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
Once in a while the genealogist needs to remind themselves that there might not be an answer to a question. This does not mean that one does not keep looking, but that sometimes there just are not the records available to answer the question, determine the parentage, connection etc. Sometimes knowing when you have exhausted all avenues is a good thing to know. Of course, it also might be advised to ask an expert if you really are at the end of your genealogy rope. A certain publication made me take similarly worded paragraph out of an article because it was “too negative.” I think it’s realistic and honest which is a much better way to be. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
I am offering a St. Patrick’s Day discount on a subscription to my weekly genealogy how-to newsletter Casefile Clues along with all the back issues. More information is on the Casefile Clues website. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
A Google search turned up online scans of old land patents. I clicked on the link and I was told that I needed a username and password. My budget for memberships was exhausted and I got distracted and forgot about it. A few days later I came upon the page again and decided to ask if there was anyway to get temporary or “pay-per-view” access for the few documents I wanted immediately. Turns out there was no fee and I was given the generic access codes. You never know until you ask…..so ASK! ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
If any “Tip of the Day” readers, fans, or followers, would like sample copy of Casefile Clues, email me at mjnrootdig@gmail.com and I’ll fire one off to you. ———————————— Check out GenealogyBank’s Offer for Tip of the Day Fans!
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!
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