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Solving Tough Research Problems—Overcoming Brick Walls (view source)
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5. '''''Do not trust indexes''''' ''(that do not answer the main question)''. If he '''should be''' in the index but '''is not''', search the record page-by-page until you find him. Even if you do find him in the index, thumb through the records for places they missed him in the index until you answer the research question.<ref>Elizabeth Shown Mills, "Land Records" (lecture in Course 4 Advanced Methodology Evidence, Institute for Genealogical and Historical Research at Samford University, Birmingham, Ala., 15 June 2005).</ref> | 5. '''''Do not trust indexes''''' ''(that do not answer the main question)''. If he '''should be''' in the index but '''is not''', search the record page-by-page until you find him. Even if you do find him in the index, thumb through the records for places they missed him in the index until you answer the research question.<ref>Elizabeth Shown Mills, "Land Records" (lecture in Course 4 Advanced Methodology Evidence, Institute for Genealogical and Historical Research at Samford University, Birmingham, Ala., 15 June 2005).</ref> | ||
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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. | ||
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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 | === '''Use logic, deduction, inference, and inspiration.''' === | ||
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. | 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. | ||
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{{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:New_to_Genealogy]] | [[Category:Beginners]] [[Category:Research_Analysis]] [[Category:FamilySearch_Research_Classes_Online]] [[Category:New_to_Genealogy]] {{-}} | ||