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| link1=[[Research Process|Research Process]] | |||
| link2=[[Obtain and Search the Records|Obtain and Search the Records]] | |||
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| link5=[[Search_the_Records|Search the Records]] | |||
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Following the careful, thorough search procedures below will help you learn more about your ancestors: | Following the careful, thorough search procedures below will help you learn more about your ancestors: | ||
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== Look for Indexes == | == Look for Indexes == | ||
Indexes can be very valuable, but some may be incomplete and some records may have been misinterpreted. Some indexes include only the name of the main person the record is about and may not list parents, witnesses, and other | Indexes can be very valuable, but some may be incomplete and some records may have been misinterpreted. Some indexes include only the name of the main person the record is about and may not list parents, witnesses, and other important information in the record. Some names may have been omitted. Most compiled and many original records have indexes. Some indexes are published separately, especially original records. | ||
{| style="width: | {| style="width: 316px; height: 48px" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="12" align="center" border="1" | ||
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| valign="middle" align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" | '''Do not trust indexes that don't work.'''< | | valign="middle" align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" | <center>'''Do not trust indexes that don't work.'''</center> | ||
|} | |} | ||
Do not trust indexes (that do not list your ancestor). If he should be in the index but is not, try an [[Guessing a Name Variation|alternate spelling of the name]]. Or, 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. | Do not trust indexes (that do not list your ancestor). If he should be in the index but is not, try an [[Guessing a Name Variation|alternate spelling of the name]]. Or, 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. | ||
== Search for the Whole Family == | == Search for the Whole Family == | ||
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Search for one generation at a time and do not attempt to connect anyone who lived more than a generation before your proven ancestor. | Search for one generation at a time and do not attempt to connect anyone who lived more than a generation before your proven ancestor. | ||
{| style="width: | {| style="width: 258px; height: 58px" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="12" align="center" border="1" | ||
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| valign="middle" align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" | '''Search for complete families, not just individuals.'''< | | valign="middle" align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" | <center>'''Search for complete families,<br>not just individuals.'''</center> | ||
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== Establish Search Ranges == | == Establish Search Ranges == | ||
{| style="width: | {| style="width: 374px; height: 35px" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="12" align="center" border="1" | ||
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| align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" | '''Establish reasonable ranges for your searches.'''< | | align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" | <center>'''Establish reasonable ranges for your searches.'''</center> | ||
|} | |} | ||
<div style="float: left; width: 100%"> | |||
Often you do not begin a search with exact information about you ancestor. The marriage date may have been approximated from the birth date of the first child; you may not know the town or native spelling of the place where they lived. To increase your likelihood of success, establish reasonable ranges for your searches. Learn to [[Select Records | Often you do not begin a search with exact information about you ancestor. The marriage date may have been approximated from the birth date of the first child; you may not know the town or native spelling of the place where they lived. To increase your likelihood of success, establish reasonable ranges for your searches. Learn to [[Select Specific Records#Helpful_Guessing_Skills|guess well]]. For example, identify the following: | ||
*'''''[[Guessing a Place|Geographic areas]].''''' Your information about an ancestor’s residence may not be correct or specific. Some residents near boundaries may be listed in several jurisdictions. Search all appropriate jurisdictions. For example, if you find children's baptisms in a church register, but not the parents' marriage, look in the records of neighboring churches. | *'''''[[Guessing a Place|Geographic areas]].''''' Your information about an ancestor’s residence may not be correct or specific. Some residents near boundaries may be listed in several jurisdictions. Search all appropriate jurisdictions. For example, if you find children's baptisms in a church register, but not the parents' marriage, look in the records of neighboring churches. | ||
{| style="width: | {| style="width: 388px; height: 56px" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="12" align="center" border="1" | ||
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| align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" | '''When searching original records, search every jurisdiction where the family may have lived.'''< | | align="center" bgcolor="#ffff99" | <center>'''When searching original records, search every<br>jurisdiction where the family may have lived.'''</center> | ||
|} | |} | ||
*'''''Area search.''''' You may need to look through the records of neighboring areas. Families often moved to nearby towns, or were recorded in records of neighboring jurisdictions, even those not charged with keeping records from their town. Local histories may help you determine local migration patterns. | *'''''Area search.''''' You may need to look through the records of neighboring areas. Families often moved to nearby towns, or were recorded in records of neighboring jurisdictions, even those not charged with keeping records from their town. Local histories may help you determine local migration patterns.<br> | ||
*'''''[[Guessing a Date|Time period to search]].''''' Determine the range of time in which the events could have occurred. For example you may want to search military records for the time period when the person was between 15 and 45 years of age. Dates obtained from some sources may not be accurate. Look several years before and after the date you think an event occurred. | *'''''[[Guessing a Date|Time period to search]].''''' Determine the range of time in which the events could have occurred. For example you may want to search military records for the time period when the person was between 15 and 45 years of age. Dates obtained from some sources may not be accurate. Look several years before and after the date you think an event occurred. | ||
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== Be Thorough == | == Be Thorough == | ||
A minor detail in a record may be the specific information you need to trace the family further. Look for small clues. Note the occupation of the person and the names of witnesses, godparents, neighbors, relatives, guardians, and others. Search for references to prior residences. Knowing where the family came from is crucial to continued research. | [[Genealogical Proof Standard|Be reasonably thorough]] in order to compare and contrast several records of the same event. A minor detail in a record may be the specific information you need to trace the family further. Look for small clues. Note the occupation of the person and the names of witnesses, godparents, neighbors, relatives, guardians, and others. Search for references to prior residences. Knowing where the family came from is crucial to continued research. | ||
The information you are seeking may be out of sequence or misfiled in a record. Perhaps it is a part of another file. Poor record keeping, improper preservation, or improper microfilming may have missed or misplaced the record. If you do not find information where it should be, check the catalog entry for any notations or explanations about the record. | The information you are seeking may be out of sequence or misfiled in a record. Perhaps it is a part of another file. Poor record keeping, improper preservation, or improper microfilming may have missed or misplaced the record. If you do not find information where it should be, check the catalog entry for any notations or explanations about the record. | ||
If the catalog entry does not explain the arrangement of the record, look for introductory material in the record. The records may be arranged in alphabetical or chronological order or by geographical proximity. | If the catalog entry does not explain the arrangement of the record, look for introductory material in the record. The records may be arranged in alphabetical or chronological order or by geographical proximity. | ||
== Know Limitations == | == Know Limitations == | ||
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== Multiple Families == | == Multiple Families == | ||
On occasion, several different families you are interested in may have lived in the same location and therefore be in the same records. If you are searching for several persons in the same record (see [[ | On occasion, several different families you are interested in may have lived in the same location and therefore be in the same records. If you are searching for several persons in the same record (see [[One Research Objective at a Time|One Research Objective at a Time]]), be sure to carefully watch for all of them. Don't try for too many. Describe the results on each appropriate research log. | ||
{{Principles}} | {{Principles}} | ||
[[Category:Obtaining and Searching the Records]] [[Category:Principles of Family History Research Series]]</div> | |||
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