[Genealogy] Derivative Sources, Asking Why, and More

Michael John Neill mjnrootdig at gmail.com
Mon Jan 19 10:32:31 CST 2026 

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19 January 2026
Genealogy Update

**Derivative Sources
** Midwest Genealogy Center Research Trip
** NotebookLM for Genealogy
** Asking Why
** Other New Webinars

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Derivative Sources
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Derivative sources are only used by wayward genealogists who have not seen
the light of original sources. A curse on the genealogical research of
anyone who uses derivative sources.

A curse on anyone who makes such grandiose statements.

There are times when derivative sources can and should be used. The key,
like the key to most things in life, is discernment and deciding when such
sources will augment work that has already been done or when they are
needed for clarification.

Let’s say that I have the record copy of a will written in 1903 and
admitted to probate later that same year. When the will is admitted to
probate, the court clerk makes a record copy of the will in the will record
book. The original will is contained and filed in the packet of loose
probate papers.

The original will is the original source. The record copy of the will,
while the legal equivalent of the original will is, by most genealogists’
definition, a derivative source because it is a transcription of the
original.

The original is what I should use. But let’s say that there are a few words
I cannot read on the original. In that case the record copy may contain
writing that is easier to read or maybe he was able to read words that I
cannot. There are times where using the record copy can help me to
interpret the original.

Derivatives are not always bad. This is just one time they can help us to
more completely understand an original.
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Midwest Genealogy Center Trip-Deadline Extended
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We've extended the deadline to register for our genealogy research trip to
Independence, Missouri. We still have openings for this May 2026 trip and
are still accepting registrations. Details on our website
<https://genealogytipoftheday.com/index.php/mid-continent-genealogy-library-october-2025-research-trip/>
.
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NotebookLM for Genealogy Released
--------------------------

Now released for immediate download: NotebookLM for Genealogy

Ever wanted to create graphics, mind maps, and other graphics for your
genealogy research easily? Now you can and we’ll show you how. Notebooklm
at Google.Create audio and video overviews, mind maps, reports, quizzes,
infographics, and slide decks from your uploaded files, genealogy
documents, and the like. NotebookLM is not perfect by a long shot, but it
may give you insight into your own research. We will take a responsible
genealogical approach to using Notebooklm. It is a tool and like any tool
needs to be used carefully and judiciously. We won’t necessarily agree with
all the conclusions it reaches, but thinking about its insights and trying
to prove/disprove them or analyze them further may enhance our research in
ways we did not expect.Order now–download immediate. Hour long presentation
and handout included
<https://michael-john-neill.dpdcart.com/cart/add?product_id=248457&method_id=271366>
.

See sample infographics on our blog post at:

https://genealogytipoftheday.com/index.php/2026/01/14/notebooklm-for-genealogy/


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Asking Why

--------------------------------------------

One needs to wonder, but one needs to avoid drawing conclusions that are
not supported by the documents.

I’ve been reviewing estate settlement records on three members of the
Behrens/Sartorius family who died in Adams County, Illinois, between 1883
and 1889

   - Herman Sartorius–husband of Volke Behrens–died in 1883.
   - Ulfert Behrens–father of Volke (Behrens) Sartorius–died in 1889.
   - Fredericka Behrens–mother of Volke (Behrens) Sartorius–died in 1889.

The Behrenses died less than 24 hours apart and yet separate estates were
opened for both of them. Ulfert who died first, had a will and did not
leave any property to his wife. In fact, he bequeathed his wife’s clothing
in his will, probably because they were both ill at the same time. For
reasons that are not explained, an estate was opened up for Fredericka so
her widow’s award from her husband could pass through probate.

When Herman died, Ulfert was appointed administrator of his estate. Ulfert
had to liquidate the entire estate to pay Herman’s bills. Because there was
no real estate of any value, guardians were not appointed for Herman’s
children when he died.

When Ulfert and Fredericks died, Volke was appointed guardian for her
children for apparently one reason: to sue her parents’ estate for the
wages of her two children who lived with their grandparents.

At first the guardianship for Herman Sartorius’ children did not make
sense,  six years after he died and when he was nearly broke at his death.
But Trientje could not sue the estate for the wages of her children unless
she was appointed guardian.

It’s often about context. There’s usually a reason for things–we just need
to sometimes look  a little deeper to find it.


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January 2026 Full-Text Search at FamilySearch Webinar

Intro price ENDING--regularly $37.50--save $30

-----------------------------

We’re excited to offer this revised presentation on the full-text searching
at *FamilySearch*--reflecting changes made to the site since this was
recorded in August 2025. We’ve redesigned our presentation as this
functionality continues to change. And…we have an extensive handout
complete with forms to help you find more people.

If you have purchased an earlier version of this presentation--email me at
mjnrootdig at gmail.com for the code to order this revision for $10.
Fully Utilizing Full-Text Search: Revised for January 2026

Your purchase includes:

   - *A 90 minute (or more presentation)* you can view as often as you want.
   - *Detailed handout* with charts and forms to help organize your
   searches. Charts and forms sent as separate files you can edit and
   customize and not as a locked PDF you have to re-create yourself as a new
   document.

We’ll be including and discussing:

*Determining what is in Full-Text Search—*what you can access at home and
what you will have to be in a FamilySearch facility or affiliate to access.

*Seeing How AI Transcriptions are different*—they aren’t like the
transcriptions made by humans. That can change your approach.

*Remembering that Full-Text means every word*—approaches need to differ as
we aren’t looking up a name in an index any more.

*Asking Who* is in the record? We aren’t just searching for the main person
like we did with traditional indexes. We’ll discuss how to determine who
could be mentioned in a record.

*Determining How to search?* There are a variety of ways to search and
filter results. We’ll see how each one works to help determine the best
strategy.

*Creating search strategies*—how full-text search changes your approach and
why just dumping terms in search boxes is not always effective.

*Determining what you found* The interface does not always make this clear.
We will show you how to get beyond the confusion and help you get enough
detail for a citation.

*Creating effective problem-solving approaches*—what to do when you cannot
find something you want.

*Demonstrating practical examples*—completely new people and families from
our previous presentations.

Available for immediate download for $30
<https://michael-john-neill.dpdcart.com/cart/add?product_id=246272&method_id=268990>.
Complete handout included and additional forms.

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Common Names When Using Full-Text Search?

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Having difficulties with common names when using the full-text search at
FamilySearch? Take a look at our presentation on this very topic.

Common Name webinar:

https://genealogytipoftheday.com/index.php/2025/11/04/common-names-at-familysearch-full-text-webinar/

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Michael John Neill
Genealogy Tip of the Day
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