[Genealogy] Math for Genealogists, Citing without Knowledge, DeedMapper

[Michael John Neill]

Reminder that this mailing is separate from our Genealogy Tip of the Day.

In this issue:

Math for Genealogists
Citing Without all that Knowledge
Deedmapper Introduction


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Math for Genealogists
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Up your genealogy math skills with this presentation
https://genealogytipoftheday.com/index.php/2024/09/23/math-for-genealogists-2/

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Citing WIthout All that Knowledge
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I read a blog post about citing research process and sources supposedly
geared towards a beginner but really seemed to be directed towards a
genealogist with quite a bit of experience. The post seemed to miss a key
point:

we don’t always know all that stuff

I understand if I say the will of Barbara Haase in Hancock County,
Illinois, mentions her deceased daughter Francis Trautvetter, I need to be
clear what I mean by “will” and I need to cite clear what version of the
will that I used. But someone whose travels into genealogy has just started
won’t be aware of all the possible iterations of Barbara’s will there are:

   - the paper original in the courthouse
   - a microfilm copy of that original paper
   - a digital image of that microfilm copy of the original paper–either on
   *Ancestry.com* or *FamilySearch*
   - the record copy of the will written in the county’s will record book
   - the microfilm copy of that will record copy
   - a digital image of that microfilm copy of the will record book
   - a reference to the will’s mention of Frances in an original paper
   petition by the executor filed at the courthouse
   - a microfilm copy of that petition
   - a digital image of the microfilm copy of that petition, either at
   *FamilySearch *or at *Ancestry.com*

If I’ve not researched too much in a certain area, I may not be aware of
all the various formats in which local records can be accessed. While I
should learn as much about the records as possible, it’s not necessary to
know all those details to create a citation. You can be clear about how you
accessed something without knowing all the possible places the information
could be available. The essence of citation (particularly for local
records) is:

   - What is this record?
   - When was it created?
   - When was it recorded?
   - Where was it recorded?
   - Who originally created this record?
   - In what format was it originally created?
   - How did this record get to me (how did I access it) and in what format
   did I access it?
   - When did I access it?

There may be times when a few of these questions can’t be
answered–especially the exact day for the creation and recording. But if
you have these answers you’re on your way.

That’s true even if the punctuation in your citation isn’t perfect.

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Introduction to DeedMapper
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Curious about DeedMapper? Never used it to plat properties, but want to
know more? Check out our presentation at
https://genealogytipoftheday.com/index.php/2025/04/18/deedmapper-webinar-released/

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Until Next Time!

Michael

Michael John Neill
Genealogy Tip of the Day
http://www.genealogytipoftheday.com
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