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Censuses provide the framework for much of the family history research that we do. Because of this, it is useful to consult the instructions that were given to census enumerators. They are online at the University of Minnesota’s website. The confusing and shifting definitions and “racial” categories are a reminder that race is a fiction […]
When researching African-Americans, the criticality of the 1870 census cannot be understated. That year is called the “Brick Wall” for good reason. Considered personal property, enslaved people were not enumerated by name before 1870 (free blacks were). Most African-Americans were enslaved prior to the Civil War. Since most former slaves remained near where they had […]
I cannot overemphasize the importance of seeking original records during our research. In this era of Ancestry.com, transcriptions, indexes and databases are becoming accessible at a dizzying rate. While databases and indexes are useful, we must remember that they can never be a replacement for the original record. Common Issues Original records can be hard […]
In our research, we’ve got to include all the siblings in each generation. This is called collateral research. Your collateral ancestors are those who descend from siblings of your ancestors; people who are not your direct ancestors. I promise you that researching them alongside your direct ancestors will uncover new information about your family. This […]
In a previous post, I talked about the need to continue learning and developing our genealogical skills. Recently, I subscribed to Michael John Neill’s Casefile Clues. It’s been a good addition to my toolbox and I want to recommend his newsletter to others. I’ve always been partial to case studies because I am able to […]
What are the ways we can keep getting smarter and better at this genealogy thing? Here’s my list of ways I have used and continue to use to sharpen my skills. Classes Take a class. There are often genealogy classes at community colleges. Check your local listings for the non-credit program. I taught one for […]
You want to take all the joy out of a genealogist’s day, just bring up the subject of source citations. I have seen faces go from glitter to gloom when you bring it up…LOL. Nevertheless, it’s one of my 10 Key Genealogical Principles, and sooner or later, if you want any of your research to […]
When I teach my classes, I start with the following list of what I call my “10 Key Genealogy Principles.“ These are the most useful techniques and strategies I have learned in my years of research. They are what continue to help me to solve my biggest genealogical puzzles. One or more of these principles are […]
The best way for me to analyze genealogical information is to create a picture, table or a chart. It allows me to see patterns, to see gaps in my research, and to make tentative conclusions. Even in engineering school, visualizing math problems helped me to solve them. We all have different learning styles and styles […]
