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Solving Tough Research Problems—Overcoming Brick Walls (view source)
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<br>See also [[United States, How to Find Genealogy Records]]<br> | <br>See also [[United States, How to Find Genealogy Records]]<br> | ||
[[Image:Brick wall 2494.jpg|thumb|right | [[Image:Brick wall 2494.jpg|thumb|right]]Use this checklist of concepts and research techniques to help you solve a variety of difficult research problems. | ||
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| valign="middle" bgcolor="#ffff99" align="center" | Persistence, innovation, and thoroughness are rewarded.<br> | | valign="middle" bgcolor="#ffff99" align="center" | Persistence, innovation, and thoroughness are rewarded.<br> | ||
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Your attitude about tough family history research problems has a big impact on your chances of success. Whether you think you can, or whether you think you cannot—you are right! Develop a relentless “track-‘em-down” attitude pursuing and analyzing all sources.<ref name="one">Elizabeth Shown Mills, "Genealogical Mindset Principles of Scholarship" (lecture in Course 4 Advanced Methodology Evidence, Institute for Genealogical and Historical Research at Samford University, Birmingham, Ala., 13 June 2005).</ref> Never give up on the problem, and never give up searching for new ideas and ways of researching the problem. Hunt down the answers no matter what it takes. | Your attitude about tough family history research problems has a big impact on your chances of success. Whether you think you can, or whether you think you cannot—you are right! Develop a relentless “track-‘em-down” attitude pursuing and analyzing all sources.<ref name="one">Elizabeth Shown Mills, "Genealogical Mindset Principles of Scholarship" (lecture in Course 4 Advanced Methodology Evidence, Institute for Genealogical and Historical Research at Samford University, Birmingham, Ala., 13 June 2005).</ref> Never give up on the problem, and never give up searching for new ideas and ways of researching the problem. Hunt down the answers no matter what it takes. | ||
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|+ '''COMMON CAUSES OF RESEARCH PROBLEMS AND THEIR SOLUTIONS''' | |+ '''COMMON CAUSES OF RESEARCH PROBLEMS AND THEIR SOLUTIONS''' | ||
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6. '''''Do not trust copies selected by someone else.''''' If possible, look at the original with your own eyes. | 6. '''''Do not trust copies selected by someone else.''''' If possible, look at the original with your own eyes. | ||
7. '''''Make friends with the librarians and archivists.''''' Being nice to the staff at a library or archives often pays big dividends. CAUTION: It is '''not''' always to your advantage to be considered a genealogist. | 7. '''''Make friends with the librarians and archivists.''''' Being nice to the staff at a library or archives often pays big dividends. CAUTION: It is '''not''' always to your advantage to be considered a genealogist. | ||
== '''B. Fundamentals''' == | == '''B. Fundamentals''' == | ||
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12. '''''Look for John Doe's death documents.''''' Look for obituaries, church burials, church bell tolling lists, funeral sermon eulogies, funeral home records, funeral cards, tombstones, sexton’s records, insurance, pensions, Social Security, death certificates, family Bibles, wills, estate papers, and land sales papers. | 12. '''''Look for John Doe's death documents.''''' Look for obituaries, church burials, church bell tolling lists, funeral sermon eulogies, funeral home records, funeral cards, tombstones, sexton’s records, insurance, pensions, Social Security, death certificates, family Bibles, wills, estate papers, and land sales papers. | ||
13. '''''Local histories, biographies, and genealogies.''''' Town and county histories often have biographical information about citizens. Look in the [https://www.familysearch.org/#form=catalog Family History Library Catalog]. Use Place Search from the drop down put in STATE, or COUNTY –then use key word in drop down put in HISTORY for counties, or STATE, COUNTY, TOWN – HISTORY for town histories. Repeat for the topic BIOGRAPHY and again for GENEALOGY. | 13. '''''Local histories, biographies, and genealogies.''''' Town and county histories often have biographical information about citizens. Look in the [https://www.familysearch.org/#form=catalog Family History Library Catalog]. Use Place Search from the drop down put in STATE, or COUNTY –then use key word in drop down put in HISTORY for counties, or STATE, COUNTY, TOWN – HISTORY for town histories. Repeat for the topic BIOGRAPHY and again for GENEALOGY. | ||
== '''C. More Advanced Research Strategies''' == | == '''C. More Advanced Research Strategies''' == | ||
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15. '''''Organize, review, and evaluate the evidence.''''' Summarize the problem. Rearrange relevant sources in a different logical order. Review old sources for overlooked clues. Separate what you assume from what you know. Sort and weigh the evidence. Analyze information for relevance, directness of the evidence, believability of the source, likelihood of the event, transcription errors, accuracy of data, and consistency with other facts. Write a formal research report to clarify your thinking. Write why you searched where you did, what you found or did not find, and what that means; construct a [[Cite Your Sources (Source Footnotes)|well-documented]] family group record; and list what should be searched next, why, how long that will take, and the likelihood of success. | 15. '''''Organize, review, and evaluate the evidence.''''' Summarize the problem. Rearrange relevant sources in a different logical order. Review old sources for overlooked clues. Separate what you assume from what you know. Sort and weigh the evidence. Analyze information for relevance, directness of the evidence, believability of the source, likelihood of the event, transcription errors, accuracy of data, and consistency with other facts. Write a formal research report to clarify your thinking. Write why you searched where you did, what you found or did not find, and what that means; construct a [[Cite Your Sources (Source Footnotes)|well-documented]] family group record; and list what should be searched next, why, how long that will take, and the likelihood of success. | ||
16. '''''Use forms to create new brain connections and raise questions.''''' Create in-out lists to help track each piece of family land. Compare changes in census answers over the years. Ask questions beyond the detail that is obvious. Suggested forms: Holes to fill in a person's life, Source citations that need completing, Facts that need better evidence, Facts that seem questionable, Ancestral associates and their roles.<ref>Mills, “Dissecting the Research Problem.”</ref> | 16. '''''Use forms to create new brain connections and raise questions.''''' Create in-out lists to help track each piece of family land. Compare changes in census answers over the years. Ask questions beyond the detail that is obvious. Suggested forms: Holes to fill in a person's life, Source citations that need completing, Facts that need better evidence, Facts that seem questionable, Ancestral associates and their roles.<ref>Mills, “Dissecting the Research Problem.”</ref> | ||
=== Expand the number of sources used. === | === Expand the number of sources used. === | ||
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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]. | 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, archives, government documents library, and National Archives. | 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.''' === | ||
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24. '''''Find John Doe's children.''''' Thoroughly research the children to find clues about the parents. | 24. '''''Find John Doe's children.''''' Thoroughly research the children to find clues about the parents. | ||
25. '''''Research neighbors and relatives.''''' People move in groups. The neighbor often came from the same place as your ancestor. Plat your ancestor's land and run the deeds of each neighbor. Find out who the witnesses on documents are.<ref>Elizabeth Shown Mills, "Rural Strategies: Correlation of Land Other Records" (lecture in Course 4 Advanced Methodology Evidence, Institute for Genealogical and Historical Research at Samford University, Birmingham, Ala., 16 June 2005).</ref> [[Research a Family in Community Context|Study a family in community context]]. Study people in the area with the same surname and with different surnames in the same house. Identify census neighbors at least 12 before/after. Near a county/state line, study families over the line. Comb the area for same first names, origins, or jobs.<ref>Elizabeth Shown Mills, "Censuses: Analysis, Interpretation Correlation” (lecture presented in Course 4 Advanced Method-ology Evidence, Institute for Genealogical and Historical Research at Samford University, Birmingham, Ala., 13 June 2005).</ref> | 25. '''''Research neighbors and relatives.''''' People move in groups. The neighbor often came from the same place as your ancestor. Plat your ancestor's land and run the deeds of each neighbor. Find out who the witnesses on documents are.<ref>Elizabeth Shown Mills, "Rural Strategies: Correlation of Land Other Records" (lecture in Course 4 Advanced Methodology Evidence, Institute for Genealogical and Historical Research at Samford University, Birmingham, Ala., 16 June 2005).</ref> [[Research a Family in Community Context|Study a family in community context]]. Study people in the area with the same surname and with different surnames in the same house. Identify census neighbors at least 12 before/after. Near a county/state line, study families over the line. Comb the area for same first names, origins, or jobs.<ref>Elizabeth Shown Mills, "Censuses: Analysis, Interpretation Correlation” (lecture presented in Course 4 Advanced Method-ology Evidence, Institute for Genealogical and Historical Research at Samford University, Birmingham, Ala., 13 June 2005).</ref> | ||
=== '''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.''' === | ||
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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''' == | ||
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32. '''''Get help.''''' Do genealogical good deeds in hopes that others will someday help you. Write to and join local genealogical and historical societies for help. Place queries in their newsletters. Write to small-town newspaper editors and place a query in their newspapers. Place queries at genealogical web sites on the Internet and repeat from time to time until you get results. If the surname is unusual, telephone people with the same name. Nationwide telephone directories are available on the Internet. Leave a message in a Zip-Lock bag flag by a grave just before Memorial Day. [[Hiring a Professional Researcher|Hire a professional genealogist]]. Pray for help. Submit ancestors for ordinances. | 32. '''''Get help.''''' Do genealogical good deeds in hopes that others will someday help you. Write to and join local genealogical and historical societies for help. Place queries in their newsletters. Write to small-town newspaper editors and place a query in their newspapers. Place queries at genealogical web sites on the Internet and repeat from time to time until you get results. If the surname is unusual, telephone people with the same name. Nationwide telephone directories are available on the Internet. Leave a message in a Zip-Lock bag flag by a grave just before Memorial Day. [[Hiring a Professional Researcher|Hire a professional genealogist]]. Pray for help. Submit ancestors for ordinances. | ||
33. '''''[[Sharing: a good way to FIND ancestors|Share]].''''' Give in order to receive. Contribute to the [https://www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Family_History_Library#Donations Family History Library’s Wiki], to Family Tree Makers’s ''[http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/wftonline/ World Family Tree Pedigrees]'', to the [http://www.everton.com/b/magazine.html ''Everton's Genealogical Helper Magazine'']’s Computer Roots Cellar, to Keith A. Johnson’s ''[http://members.ozemail.com.au/~grdxxx/ Genealogical Research Directory],'' and to family group sheet exchanges advertised in ''Everton's Genealogical Helper Magazine''. Send a copy of John Doe’s family history (include your address) to each county library and to each state and county genealogical society where John Doe lived. Publish an article on the family in their local genealogical periodical. Register your address in directories of members of genealogical Internet web sites and submit your genealogy to their libraries. [[Create a genealogy web page|Put your genealogy on a web page]] and register your site with major search engines and lists. Other researchers will start to contact you and share added details. | 33. '''''[[Sharing: a good way to FIND ancestors|Share]].''''' Give in order to receive. Contribute to the [https://www.familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Family_History_Library#Donations Family History Library’s Wiki], to Family Tree Makers’s ''[http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/wftonline/ World Family Tree Pedigrees]'', to the [http://www.everton.com/b/magazine.html ''Everton's Genealogical Helper Magazine'']’s Computer Roots Cellar, to Keith A. Johnson’s ''[http://members.ozemail.com.au/~grdxxx/ Genealogical Research Directory],'' and to family group sheet exchanges advertised in ''Everton's Genealogical Helper Magazine''. Send a copy of John Doe’s family history (include your address) to each county library and to each state and county genealogical society where John Doe lived. Publish an article on the family in their local genealogical periodical. Register your address in directories of members of genealogical Internet web sites and submit your genealogy to their libraries. [[Create a genealogy web page|Put your genealogy on a web page]] and register your site with major search engines and lists. Other researchers will start to contact you and share added details. | ||
== Sources == | == Sources == | ||
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{{featured article}} | {{featured article}} | ||
{{H-langs|en=Solving Tough Research Problems-Overcoming Brick Walls|es=Cómo resolver problemas difíciles de investigación: Rompa los obstáculos}} | {{H-langs|en=Solving Tough Research Problems-Overcoming Brick Walls|es=Cómo resolver problemas difíciles de investigación: Rompa los obstáculos}} | ||
[[Category:Beginners]] [[Category:Research_Analysis]] [[Category:FamilySearch_Research_Classes_Online]] | [[Category:Beginners]] [[Category:Research_Analysis]] [[Category:FamilySearch_Research_Classes_Online]] [[Category:"New to Genealogy"]] | ||