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Solving Tough Research Problems—Overcoming Brick Walls: Difference between revisions
Solving Tough Research Problems—Overcoming Brick Walls (view source)
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These are the basics. Use these strategies on every genealogical problem, especially really tough ones. | These are the basics. Use these strategies on every genealogical problem, especially really tough ones. | ||
8. '''''Start with a well-documented family group record.''''' Compile a family group with a [[Cite Your Sources (Source Footnotes)|source footnote]] for '''''every''''' source that mentions the family. [[Adding a Custom Event to a PAF Family Group Record|Show '''''every'''''event]] for '''''every''''' family member (not just birth, marriage and death events), including census, migration, military service, jury duty, acquisition or sale of land, and wills. This family group record becomes a road map of clues to suggest further places to research. | 8. '''''Start with a well-documented family group record.''''' Compile a family group with a [[Cite Your Sources (Source Footnotes)|source footnote]] for '''''every''''' source that mentions the family. [[Adding a Custom Event to a PAF Family Group Record|Show '''''every''''' event]] for '''''every''''' family member (not just birth, marriage and death events), including census, migration, military service, jury duty, acquisition or sale of land, and wills. This family group record becomes a road map of clues to suggest further places to research. | ||
9. '''''[[Research Logs|Research logs]].''''' Keep good ''research logs'' for each family.<sup>9</sup> List the objective of each of your searches, for example, list John Doe’s name and the type of event (birth, marriage, or death). List every record you plan to search BEFORE you search it. If you do not find what you seek, write “nil” on the log so you know you have already searched there and do not need to repeat that search. Too many “nils” show you should search elsewhere. If you DO find it, summarize what you found (person and event). Also list letters you write, phone calls, and Internet searches and results on your ''research log.'' | 9. '''''[[Research Logs|Research logs]].''''' Keep good ''research logs'' for each family.<sup>9</sup> List the objective of each of your searches, for example, list John Doe’s name and the type of event (birth, marriage, or death). List every record you plan to search BEFORE you search it. If you do not find what you seek, write “nil” on the log so you know you have already searched there and do not need to repeat that search. Too many “nils” show you should search elsewhere. If you DO find it, summarize what you found (person and event). Also list letters you write, phone calls, and Internet searches and results on your ''research log.'' | ||