By Barry J. Ewell
Once you know what information you're looking
for, ask yourself where you might find it. Then choose one source or
record to on which to focus your research. For example, if I had the
objective of finding the birth date of an ancestor, I would ask these
questions: "What type of records could I find a birth date in? Where are
these records kept? How do I get access to the records?" And so forth. I
then record all questions, thoughts, and findings in my research log.
Saturday, September 13, 2014
Genealogy: Build an identity profile about ancestors
By Barry J. Ewell
The identity of the ancestor is more than a name. It is every known detail of a human life, which includes information about the individual, their relationships and their origin.
Begin by targeting your research location. Search for any document created during the time your ancestor lived. Make sure you understand the circumstances under which every document was created, continually comparing, contrasting and questioning details.
The identity of the ancestor is more than a name. It is every known detail of a human life, which includes information about the individual, their relationships and their origin.
Begin by targeting your research location. Search for any document created during the time your ancestor lived. Make sure you understand the circumstances under which every document was created, continually comparing, contrasting and questioning details.
Genealogy: Focusing on one ancestor at a time keeps the work simpler
By Barry J. Ewell
When doing family history work, it's important to focus on one ancestor, one question and one record at a time. I refer to this as the "Power of One."
Conducting genealogy research means finding answers to questions. When I first started researching my ancestral lines I found myself overwhelmed with questions I wanted to answer for each ancestor, such as the following:
When doing family history work, it's important to focus on one ancestor, one question and one record at a time. I refer to this as the "Power of One."
Conducting genealogy research means finding answers to questions. When I first started researching my ancestral lines I found myself overwhelmed with questions I wanted to answer for each ancestor, such as the following:
Genealogy: Home is a valuable source for family information
By Barry J. Ewell
Every research project begins at home. Whether you are looking for information for the first time or searching through your personal research folders, your home is a valuable source of family information.
Take time to look for records you might already have. Use the following list as a guide to sources of information that you might find in your home or in the home of a relative.
Every research project begins at home. Whether you are looking for information for the first time or searching through your personal research folders, your home is a valuable source of family information.
Take time to look for records you might already have. Use the following list as a guide to sources of information that you might find in your home or in the home of a relative.
- Birth: Birth certificate, adoption record, baby book
- Citizenship: Alien registration, deportment papers, naturalization papers
- Civil and legal activity: Bonds, contracts, guardian papers, summons or subpoena
- Death: Death certificate, funeral book, memorial cards, obituary, will
Genealogy: Obtain and search the record
By Barry J. Ewell
As a genealogist/family historian, we are continually searching for the records our ancestors left behind. They come in all forms such as vital records (like birth, marriage and death certificates), census records, land records, military records and more. Oftentimes, however, we only look for the name of an ancestor, dates and places.
Do you know that every record you find, an additional search has the potential to give many clues that will lead to more documents, resources and family members than what you searching the document for?
As a genealogist/family historian, we are continually searching for the records our ancestors left behind. They come in all forms such as vital records (like birth, marriage and death certificates), census records, land records, military records and more. Oftentimes, however, we only look for the name of an ancestor, dates and places.
Do you know that every record you find, an additional search has the potential to give many clues that will lead to more documents, resources and family members than what you searching the document for?
Genealogy: Detailed, exhaustive research will yield success in genealogy pursuits
By Barry J. Ewell
Genealogy is a skill requiring preparation and planning, detailed and exhaustive research, and careful correlation, analysis and reporting.
Preparation and planning
Develop a research plan based on analyzing and defining the research problem you seek to resolve. Preparation and planning requires that you place the problem in its legal and social context, identify related and associated individuals, and identify relevant resources, tools and methods, as well as the pros and cons in the use of those resources.
Genealogy is a skill requiring preparation and planning, detailed and exhaustive research, and careful correlation, analysis and reporting.
Preparation and planning
Develop a research plan based on analyzing and defining the research problem you seek to resolve. Preparation and planning requires that you place the problem in its legal and social context, identify related and associated individuals, and identify relevant resources, tools and methods, as well as the pros and cons in the use of those resources.
Genealogy: 9 tips to focusing family history research
By Barry J. Ewell
It's very easy to start researching one line of thought, become interested in another, and change direction, all in a matter of a few minutes. Soon you're surrounded with papers, documents, names, dates and locations and are left with a head full of swirling questions.
You will find your research more productive if you clearly identify your research goals, develop a research plan and focus on their completion. The following are a few ideas for keeping your research on track and manageable.
1. Focus on specific sections of your genealogy at a time. This can be:
It's very easy to start researching one line of thought, become interested in another, and change direction, all in a matter of a few minutes. Soon you're surrounded with papers, documents, names, dates and locations and are left with a head full of swirling questions.
You will find your research more productive if you clearly identify your research goals, develop a research plan and focus on their completion. The following are a few ideas for keeping your research on track and manageable.
1. Focus on specific sections of your genealogy at a time. This can be:
- A specific family line or surname
- A specific time and place
- A specific family unit
- A specific question to solve
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