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Solving Tough Research Problems—Overcoming Brick Walls (view source)
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=== '''Use methodical logic, deduction, inference, and inspiration to shed new light on the problem.''' === | === '''Use methodical logic, deduction, inference, and inspiration to shed new light on the problem.''' === | ||
26. '''''Create a master research plan.''''' Identify a problem. Set a research goal. Figure out which records are likely to contain answers | 26. '''''Create a master research plan.''''' Identify a problem. Set a research goal. Figure out which records are likely to contain answers and which repositories to use. Track 'em down. Write up and share the results. | ||
27. '''''Correlate and integrate records of neighbors.''''' Even "landless" ancestors may be traced by creatively using data about neighbors and correlating it with facts about the problem ancestor. Identify census and land office neighbors. Organize and sort what you know and look for similarities and dissimilarities. Keep asking what your correlated sources imply about subtle relationships | 27. '''''Correlate and integrate records of neighbors.''''' Even "landless" ancestors may be traced by creatively using data about neighbors and correlating it with facts about the problem ancestor. Identify census and land office neighbors. Organize and sort what you know and look for similarities and dissimilarities. Keep asking what your correlated sources imply about subtle relationships or further records and clues.<ref>Mills, “Rural Strategies: Correlation of Land Other Records.”</ref> | ||
28. '''''Study migration patterns.''''' Rivers and mountains channeled migration trails into predictable patterns. When you know where a family settled, you can often infer where they came from. First settlers often named their new town after the place they left behind. | 28. '''''Study migration patterns.''''' Rivers and mountains channeled migration trails into predictable patterns. When you know where a family settled, you can often infer where they came from. First settlers often named their new town after the place they left behind. | ||
29. '''''Try to disprove uncertain connections.''''' Use a process of elimination to find ancestors. If a person died too early, lived too long, or lived in the wrong place, he isn’t yours. Drop people from the list by finding their death records (or by finding them in records after your person died). Always attempt to disprove what you think is the last remaining link too. Test new information by comparing it with what you already know. | 29. '''''Try to disprove uncertain connections.''''' Use a process of elimination to find ancestors. If a person died too early, lived too long, or lived in the wrong place, he isn’t yours. Drop people from the list by finding their death records (or by finding them in records after your person died). Always attempt to disprove what you think is the last remaining link, too. Test new information by comparing it with what you already know. | ||
30. '''''Listen to your feelings.''''' Use inspiration and intuition wisely as a guide to your research. | 30. '''''Listen to your feelings.''''' Use inspiration and intuition wisely as a guide to your research. | ||
== '''D. Continuing Education and Follow Up''' == | == '''D. Continuing Education and Follow Up''' == | ||