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| valign="middle" | 2. Poor research logs | | valign="middle" | 2. Poor research logs | ||
| valign="middle" | Partially fill out logs BEFORE looking at each source. This includes each search’s goal (person and event you seek to document).<ref>G. David Dilts, "Research Logs: The Most Important Tool for Organizing Your Family History," [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/2250993referer=brief_results ''Genealogical Journal''] 30 (2002): 10-11. [ | | valign="middle" | Partially fill out logs BEFORE looking at each source. This includes each search’s goal (person and event you seek to document).<ref>G. David Dilts, "Research Logs: The Most Important Tool for Organizing Your Family History," [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/2250993referer=brief_results ''Genealogical Journal''] 30 (2002): 10-11. [FS Library Book 973 D25gj v. 30 2002].</ref> | ||
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| valign="middle" | 3. Inadequate research documentation | | valign="middle" | 3. Inadequate research documentation | ||
| valign="middle" | Document and organize AS YOU GO.<ref>Carol Harless, et. al., [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/82725149referer=brief_results ''PAF Documentation Guidelines''] (N.p.: Silicon Valley PAF Users Group, 1993), 1 [ | | valign="middle" | Document and organize AS YOU GO.<ref>Carol Harless, et. al., [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/82725149referer=brief_results ''PAF Documentation Guidelines''] (N.p.: Silicon Valley PAF Users Group, 1993), 1 [FS Library Book 005.3 H224].</ref> | ||
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| valign="middle" | 4. Stagnant thinking on the problem | | valign="middle" | 4. Stagnant thinking on the problem | ||
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3. '''''Focus on one question at a time.''''' Pick ONE event (for example, John Doe’s birth) and search until you find it. Stick with it. Gather anything you find on the family and associates, but concentrate on the event you selected. Do not change focus until you either find it or exhaust '''all''' possibilities trying. | 3. '''''Focus on one question at a time.''''' Pick ONE event (for example, John Doe’s birth) and search until you find it. Stick with it. Gather anything you find on the family and associates, but concentrate on the event you selected. Do not change focus until you either find it or exhaust '''all''' possibilities trying. | ||
4. '''''Look for alternate spellings and nicknames.''''' Some ancestors are listed by nicknames (Polly for Mary, Bob for Robert), by a middle name, or by initials. See [[Guessing a Name Variation]]. Also search for alternate spellings. Clerks misspell names all the time, and indexers have difficulty reading them. Think phonetically. For lists of possible spelling substitutes see pages 331 and 336 of Kory L. Meyerink, ed., ''Printed Sources: A Guide to Published Genealogical Records''. (Salt Lake City: Ancestry, 1998). ({{ | 4. '''''Look for alternate spellings and nicknames.''''' Some ancestors are listed by nicknames (Polly for Mary, Bob for Robert), by a middle name, or by initials. See [[Guessing a Name Variation]]. Also search for alternate spellings. Clerks misspell names all the time, and indexers have difficulty reading them. Think phonetically. For lists of possible spelling substitutes see pages 331 and 336 of Kory L. Meyerink, ed., ''Printed Sources: A Guide to Published Genealogical Records''. (Salt Lake City: Ancestry, 1998). ({{FSC|719674|item|disp=FS Catalog book 016.9293 P96m}}). Failure to find some quirky versions of the individual's name is a red flag that you probably are not being imaginative enough during your searches. | ||
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> | ||
<div style="float: left; width: | <div style="float: left; width: 100%"> | ||
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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10. '''''[[Document AS YOU GO!|Document and organize AS YOU GO]].'''''<ref>Harless.</ref> When you search a document but it has no information about your ancestor, his kin, or his neighbors, write "nil" in the results field. If you DO find something, do the following before you look for any more documents (or lay your head on your pillow): | 10. '''''[[Document AS YOU GO!|Document and organize AS YOU GO]].'''''<ref>Harless.</ref> When you search a document but it has no information about your ancestor, his kin, or his neighbors, write "nil" in the results field. If you DO find something, do the following before you look for any more documents (or lay your head on your pillow): | ||
a. [[Copying Sources|Photocopy the new source document]]. | |||
b. Identify the source (footnote information) on the front of the photocopy. | |||
c. Write your own document filing number on the back of each photocopy. | |||
d. Log the new document number and summarize the events/people you found on all appropriate logs. | |||
e. Transfer new family data from the source to appropriate family group records. | |||
f. Enter new [[Cite Your Sources (Source Footnotes)|source footnotes]] for every piece of data on a source, even if that event already has a note. | |||
g. Add a preliminary assessment of the data and its reliability to the end of each source footnote.<ref>Mills, “Dissecting the Research Problem.”</ref> | |||
h. Print the updated family group record. | |||
i. File the new family group and photocopy. | |||
11. '''''Search worldwide indexes for John Doe's family name.''''' For a list of worldwide database indexes use the links at the end of the Wiki article "[[Major Databases for Beginning United States Research|Major Databases for United States Research.]]" | 11. '''''Search worldwide indexes for John Doe's family name.''''' For a list of worldwide database indexes use the links at the end of the Wiki article "[[Major Databases for Beginning United States Research|Major Databases for United States Research.]]" | ||
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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/ | 13. '''''Local histories, biographies, and genealogies.''''' Town and county histories often have biographical information about citizens. Look in the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog FamilySearch 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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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. | 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 | 18. '''''Substitute record types.''''' Stay focused on one question, but change the record type you search to find the answer. See [[United States Record Finder]] to identify alternative record types you could use to find answers to your genealogical question. | ||
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. | ||
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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 <u> | 22. '''''Try an exhaustive preliminary survey.''''' Look in the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/list ''International Genealogical Index''], [https://www.familysearch.org/#form=trees ''Ancestral File''], and [https://www.familysearch.org/#form=trees <u> </u>''Pedigree Resource File'']. Thoroughly search for John Doe’s family in ''every'' source in [[United States Compiled Genealogies]] 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 {{FSC|226731|item|disp=''The Source: A Guidebook of American Genealogy''}} (Salt Lake City: Ancestry, 1984). [FS Library 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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Some really tough problems are solved as a result of learning more or by good follow up. | Some really tough problems are solved as a result of learning more or by good follow up. | ||
31. '''''Get an education.''''' '''Read''' how-to genealogy books for John Doe’s state and nation. Study histories of John Doe’s town, county, and state. Subscribe to periodicals of local genealogical societies where John Doe lived. Subscribe to Internet e-mail lists for the area where John Doe settled, his ethnic group, or religion. Read case studies in magazines like | 31. '''''Get an education.''''' '''Read''' how-to genealogy books for John Doe’s state and nation. Study histories of John Doe’s town, county, and state. Subscribe to periodicals of local genealogical societies where John Doe lived. Subscribe to Internet e-mail lists for the area where John Doe settled, his ethnic group, or religion. Read case studies in magazines like {{FSC|39597|item|disp=''National Genealogical Society Quarterly''}} to learn how to solve tough problems and give you hope. '''Take classes''', attend lectures, join in computer “chat” sessions, and go to [[Upcoming Conferences|genealogical conferences]] about the area where the family settled, their ethnic group and religion, and about genealogical research methods. '''Travel''' to the places where John Doe’s family lived to see cemeteries, neighbors, old folks, archives, libraries, churches, genealogical and historical societies, and learn about the local way of life. | ||
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 | 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 websites 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. | 33. '''''[[Sharing: a good way to FIND ancestors|Share]] and collaborate.''''' Give in order to receive. Share your genealogy and pedigree with one or more sites such as FamilySearch [https://familysearch.org/tree Family Tree], FamilySearch [https://familysearch.org/tree Pedigree Resource File], Ancestry.com [http://trees.ancestry.com/ Family Trees], RootsWeb [http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/ WorldConnect], or [https://www.onegreatfamily.com/Home.aspx OneGreatFamily.com]. Share your genealogy on social media like '''''Facebook'''''. [[Hiring a DNA Testing Company|Test your DNA]], and share the results with public DNA databases. Leave some family history, or a query, on an Internet genealogy [[Message Boards|message board]]—and repeat for several months. Contribute to the [https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Help:Wiki_University_How_to_Contribute Family History Research Wiki]. Send a copy of your ancestor 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 websites 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 ([http://www.cyndislist.com/submit/ Cyndi's List]). Other researchers will start to contact you and share added details. | ||
== Sources == | == Sources == | ||
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== Related Content == | == Related Content == | ||
*[ | *[http://www.many-roads.com/tips-opinions-pointers/the-brickwall-checklist/ The Brickwall Checklist] | ||
*[[Burned Counties Research]] | *[[Burned Counties Research]] | ||
*Jones, Thomas W. | *Jones, Thomas W. {{LearningCenter2|227|Inferential Genealogy}}. (120 minute video online) [https://www.familysearch.org/help/helpcenter/learning-center Research Classes Online], 2010. | ||
*[[:File:Identifying Your Ancestors and Overcoming Hurdles.jpg|Poster: Identifying Your Ancestors, and Overcoming Hurdles - a process summary of multiple best-practice FamilySearch articles written by experienced genealogists]] | |||
[[es:Cómo resolver problemas difíciles de investigación: Rompa los obstáculos]] {{-}} | |||
[[Category:Brick | [[Category:Brick Walls]] | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
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