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Solving Tough Research Problems—Overcoming Brick Walls (view source)
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=== Expand the number of sources used. === | === Expand the number of sources used. === | ||
17. '''''Be thorough.''''' Be prepared to search ALL the records of your ancestor, ALL his kin and associates, during ALL periods of their lives, in ALL the jurisdictions where they lived, and ALL possible repositories. For example, use all types of census schedules including local copies where they exist. Analyze all the tax records, land and property records, mortgages, each and every variety of estate probate papers. Study surrounding entries looking for neighbors and associates. Find every document available.<ref>Mills, “Dissecting the Research Problem.”</ref> Think about and watch for associated papers created at the same time as the ones you have already found. | 17. '''''Be thorough.''''' Be prepared to search ALL the records of your ancestor, ALL his kin and associates, during ALL periods of their lives, in ALL the jurisdictions where they lived, and ALL possible repositories. For example, use all types of census schedules including local copies where they exist. Analyze all the tax records, land and property records, mortgages, and each and every variety of estate probate papers. Study surrounding entries looking for neighbors and associates. Find every document available.<ref>Mills, “Dissecting the Research Problem.”</ref> Think about and watch for associated papers created at the same time as the ones you have already found. | ||
18. '''''Substitute record types.''''' Stay focused on one question, but change the record type you search to find the answer. See [[United States Record Selection Table]] to identify alternative record types you could use to find answers to your genealogical question. | 18. '''''Substitute record types.''''' Stay focused on one question, but change the record type you search to find the answer. See [[United States Record Selection Table]] to identify alternative record types you could use to find answers to your genealogical question. | ||
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19. '''''Use Wiki articles as a checklist.''''' State and national articles describe record types useful for those places. Search EVERY record type. NOTE: All of the information from the original research outlines has been imported and is being updated by the genealogical community. | 19. '''''Use Wiki articles as a checklist.''''' State and national articles describe record types useful for those places. Search EVERY record type. NOTE: All of the information from the original research outlines has been imported and is being updated by the genealogical community. | ||
20. '''''Switch jurisdictions.''''' If the answer you want isn’t found in county records, then search at the town, state, and national levels for similar records. Write or search catalogs for larger or smaller jurisdictions of the organization. | 20. '''''Switch jurisdictions.''''' If the answer you want isn’t found in county records, then search at the town, state, and national levels for similar records. Write for or search catalogs for larger or smaller jurisdictions of the organization. | ||
21. '''''Area searches.''''' Look in neighboring counties or towns. Conduct an area search of surrounding towns and counties within 5, 10, or 25 miles of the place where they lived. Gradually expand distances searched. | 21. '''''Area searches.''''' Look in neighboring counties or towns. Conduct an area search of surrounding towns and counties within 5, 10, or 25 miles of the place where they lived. Gradually expand distances searched. | ||
22. '''''Try an exhaustive preliminary survey.''''' Look in the [https://familysearch.org/search/collection/list ''International Genealogical Index''], [https://www.familysearch.org/#form=trees ''Ancestral File''][https://www.familysearch.org/#form=trees , ''Pedigree Resource File'',] and[[Family History Library Internet Favorites|''Search Family History Web Sites'']]. Thoroughly search for John Doe’s family in ''every'' source in [[United States Genealogy|United States Genealogy]] and [[United States Biography|United States Biography]] and in Wiki article for John Doe’s state. Look up the family name in the appropriate “Regional Indexes” cited on pages 440-41 in the first edition of Arlene Eakle and Johni Cerny’s [https://www.familysearch.org/search/search/index/catalog-search#searchType=catalog&filtered=true&fed=false&collectionId=&catSearchType=call_number&searchCriteria=973+D27ts&placeName=&author_givenName=&author_surname= ''The Source: A Guidebook of American Genealogy''] (Salt Lake City: Ancestry, 1984). [FHL book 973 D27ts]. | 22. '''''Try an exhaustive preliminary survey.''''' Look in the [https://familysearch.org/search/collection/list ''International Genealogical Index''], [https://www.familysearch.org/#form=trees ''Ancestral File''][https://www.familysearch.org/#form=trees <u>, </u>''Pedigree Resource File'',] and [[Family History Library Internet Favorites|''Search Family History Web Sites'']]. Thoroughly search for John Doe’s family in ''every'' source in [[United States Genealogy|United States Genealogy]] and [[United States Biography|United States Biography]] and in Wiki article for John Doe’s state. Look up the family name in the appropriate “Regional Indexes” cited on pages 440-41 in the first edition of Arlene Eakle and Johni Cerny’s [https://www.familysearch.org/search/search/index/catalog-search#searchType=catalog&filtered=true&fed=false&collectionId=&catSearchType=call_number&searchCriteria=973+D27ts&placeName=&author_givenName=&author_surname= ''The Source: A Guidebook of American Genealogy''] (Salt Lake City: Ancestry, 1984). [FHL book 973 D27ts]. | ||
23. '''''Search more libraries and archives.''''' Research the local county and state historical and genealogical societies, state library, law library, | 23. '''''Search more libraries and archives.''''' Research the local county and state historical and genealogical societies, state library, law library, archives, government documents library, and National Archives. | ||
=== '''Search records of kin, neighbors, and associates.''' === | === '''Search records of kin, neighbors, and associates.''' === | ||