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*Find ways to '''''collaborate''''' with other genealogists, archivists, and librarians on solving the problem. Get help where ever you can.<br><!--{12072793477230} --> | *Find ways to '''''collaborate''''' with other genealogists, archivists, and librarians on solving the problem. Get help where ever you can.<br><!--{12072793477230} --> | ||
= Find | = Find Alternatives = | ||
When a record goes missing, there may be some other records available with the same information. | When a record goes missing, there may be some other records available with the same information. | ||
=== Record Type | === Record Type Alternatives === | ||
Stay focused on one person and event in that person's life, but change the record type you search to find the event. Here are some ideas to help you find good substitutes for missing burned county records. | Stay focused on one person and event in that person's life, but change the record type you search to find the event. Here are some ideas to help you find good substitutes for missing burned county records. | ||
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'''''Record Selection Tables.''''' Use the “[[United States Record Selection Table|Record Selection Table]]” on the Wiki (or just before the "Map of the United States" in the [http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/RG/Guide/Usout.asp#map_of_the_united_states ''United States Research Outline'']) to identify alternative record types you could use to find documentation for various events. <br>'''''Death records.''''' More records result from death than any other event. Perhaps the event you want to document will be mentioned in a record created at the time of death.<br>'''''Land records.''''' These records are so important they are usually the first to be re-recorded after a disaster. Local title companies, the state, and feds may have land records too.<br>'''''Local histories and biographies''''' may be based on sources that were not destroyed in the disaster.<br>'''''Censuses''''' (federal and state) were rarely stored at the burned courthouse. They show family changes over time.<br>'''''Tax records''''' show residence and neighbors. If they were not stored at the burned courthouse they may be a source of information about your family.<br>'''''Newspapers''''' mention our ancestors, and a copy somewhere usually survives a disaster. First see if nearby newspapers have been digitized and are available on the Internet. If not, you can get a microfilm copy of almost any newspaper through inter-library loan at college or public libraries. Use the [http://www.neh.gov/projects/usnp.html ''U.S. Newspapers Program''] (www.neh.gov/projects/usnp.html) will help you find newspapers and obtain newspaper microfilms.<br>'''''Legislative petitions''''' were sent to the state capitol and show residence and neighbors.<br>'''''Collections.''''' Use the ''Genealogy'' section of each [http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/RG/frameset_rhelps.asp?Page=./research/type/Research_Outline.asp&ActiveTab=Type state research outline] to identify important collections in that state to research for your ancestors. | '''''Record Selection Tables.''''' Use the “[[United States Record Selection Table|Record Selection Table]]” on the Wiki (or just before the "Map of the United States" in the [http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/RG/Guide/Usout.asp#map_of_the_united_states ''United States Research Outline'']) to identify alternative record types you could use to find documentation for various events. <br>'''''Death records.''''' More records result from death than any other event. Perhaps the event you want to document will be mentioned in a record created at the time of death.<br>'''''Land records.''''' These records are so important they are usually the first to be re-recorded after a disaster. Local title companies, the state, and feds may have land records too.<br>'''''Local histories and biographies''''' may be based on sources that were not destroyed in the disaster.<br>'''''Censuses''''' (federal and state) were rarely stored at the burned courthouse. They show family changes over time.<br>'''''Tax records''''' show residence and neighbors. If they were not stored at the burned courthouse they may be a source of information about your family.<br>'''''Newspapers''''' mention our ancestors, and a copy somewhere usually survives a disaster. First see if nearby newspapers have been digitized and are available on the Internet. If not, you can get a microfilm copy of almost any newspaper through inter-library loan at college or public libraries. Use the [http://www.neh.gov/projects/usnp.html ''U.S. Newspapers Program''] (www.neh.gov/projects/usnp.html) will help you find newspapers and obtain newspaper microfilms.<br>'''''Legislative petitions''''' were sent to the state capitol and show residence and neighbors.<br>'''''Collections.''''' Use the ''Genealogy'' section of each [http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/RG/frameset_rhelps.asp?Page=./research/type/Research_Outline.asp&ActiveTab=Type state research outline] to identify important collections in that state to research for your ancestors. | ||
=== Jurisdiction | === Jurisdiction Alternatives === | ||
The county records may have burned, but the town, state, or federal governments may have similar records. Do not forget to check in neighboring towns and counties too. Try an area search. Draw a circle around the home of your family and search all the jurisdictions with the circle. Slowly expand the circle searching the area farther and farther from home. | The county records may have burned, but the town, state, or federal governments may have similar records. Do not forget to check in neighboring towns and counties too. Try an area search. Draw a circle around the home of your family and search all the jurisdictions with the circle. Slowly expand the circle searching the area farther and farther from home. | ||
=== Repository | === Repository Alternatives === | ||
Make friends with librarians and archivists at local repositories and ask where various kinds of records ended up. When hunting down documentation for an event look for it in each of these kinds of repositories; | Make friends with librarians and archivists at local repositories and ask where various kinds of records ended up. When hunting down documentation for an event look for it in each of these kinds of repositories; | ||
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*National Archives branches | *National Archives branches | ||
=== Kin or Associate | === Kin or Associate Alternatives === | ||
If research on the main family members fails to produce results, try studying relatives and associates. Make a list of people who show up in records of the family and study how closely and frequently they were in contact with the family.<ref>Ibid.</ref> If necessary, track down the kin and associates to learn more about your family. | If research on the main family members fails to produce results, try studying relatives and associates. Make a list of people who show up in records of the family and study how closely and frequently they were in contact with the family.<ref>Ibid.</ref> If necessary, track down the kin and associates to learn more about your family. | ||
'''''[[Research a Family in Community Context|Study the family in community context]].'''''<ref>Mills, “Genealogical Mindset & Principles of Scholarship.”</ref> Get to know the neighbors and relatives. This means you use the census and land records to: | '''''[[Research a Family in Community Context|Study the family in community context]].'''''<ref>Mills, “Genealogical Mindset &amp;amp; Principles of Scholarship.”</ref> Get to know the neighbors and relatives. This means you use the census and land records to: | ||
*extract full information on people in the area with the same surname | *extract full information on people in the area with the same surname | ||
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*identify census neighbors, at least 12 before/after—note who owned land | *identify census neighbors, at least 12 before/after—note who owned land | ||
*if near a state or county line, study people with the same surname in nearby areas | *if near a state or county line, study people with the same surname in nearby areas | ||
*comb the neighbors for families with similar naming patters, origins, or occupations | *comb the neighbors for families with similar naming patters, origins, or occupations | ||
= Think About Your Burned County Research in New Ways = | = Think About Your Burned County Research in New Ways = | ||