So your ancestor's name is just too common - Smith, Jones or some other name that you just can't seem to narrow down the field with? Look at the neighbors find the most outrageous name, either given or surname and search for that.
Yes, I know if they moved or if your family moved you'll be out of luck. Chances are you'll be fine and hopefully successful in your search. Sounds better than going thru 975,689 entries searching for John Q. Smith.
Happy Researching!
Showing posts with label Tricks and Tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tricks and Tips. Show all posts
04 October 2012
09 August 2012
Alice Isn't The Only One Who Falls Down Rabbit Holes
Call me old fashioned but sometimes I just have to see it on paper. When I research on line I print out one (1) yep you saw that, ONE family group sheet and that is what I research from. The reason I don't research on line with the whole data base open is simple - rabbit holes.
You know what I'm talking about - this fact leads to this link, this link leads to that link, that link leads to... you get the idea. Soon you have no idea where you came from or where you originally started, much less what you were originally looking for.
Two simple tricks to help with those...
1. I print out one group sheet or one personal summary. Not six generations. ONE. Yes, you heard me right. Pick one family or one person and print out a group sheet or individual summary. The blank spots show you the rest of what you need to do.
2. Evernote or a word processing program. Why? To track the websites that you visit and what you found there. Later you can transfer those into your personal research note file for the person or family that you were researching.
One last idea - When I do print out that group sheet or personal summary - its on paper that I recycle from other print jobs.
**Clipart image from my friend - Michael Reck
26 April 2012
Tricks & Tips Thursday - Who Said Everything Costs Money?
Usually when I hear people rattle off how ALL genealogy should be free I get a bit scruffy and irate. After all records do need temp controls and such to stay viable. Today, another view point for my Tricks & Tips blog...
There is alot of free records available, and not all of them are on free sites. By using your search engine (google, yahoo or Mocavo) alot of times you'll find things that maybe aren't on free sites. Many states are putting up their own records on library & state archive sites that maybe you should search out and make use of.
A couple of good examples of what I am talking about would be the Georgia Virtual Vault and the Missouri Archives Vital Records . The Missouri link has an additional link on that site that leads to death certificates thru the late 1950's. All for free. Vital records, military records and more, all free simply by using your brain and your search engine.
Remember the old ad for the telephone books that used to mention something about letting your fingers do the walking? Well instead of walking thru the phone book maybe its time you let your fingers take a stroll across your keyboard and see just how much free stuff for genealogy is really available out there...
There is alot of free records available, and not all of them are on free sites. By using your search engine (google, yahoo or Mocavo) alot of times you'll find things that maybe aren't on free sites. Many states are putting up their own records on library & state archive sites that maybe you should search out and make use of.
A couple of good examples of what I am talking about would be the Georgia Virtual Vault and the Missouri Archives Vital Records . The Missouri link has an additional link on that site that leads to death certificates thru the late 1950's. All for free. Vital records, military records and more, all free simply by using your brain and your search engine.
Remember the old ad for the telephone books that used to mention something about letting your fingers do the walking? Well instead of walking thru the phone book maybe its time you let your fingers take a stroll across your keyboard and see just how much free stuff for genealogy is really available out there...
19 April 2012
Tricks & Tips Thursday - So Much To Do
Ever get a last minute call to go research and find you really aren't prepared? If you make good use of that software you purchased you would be.
Using the to do list in your software really makes life so much easier for you. And you'll never ever have to feel as though you aren't prepared for any research trip.
In Legacy, you can make general to-do's or person specific to-do's. Each to do is attached to a specific reposititory. Which means you can print a list for any given repository that you wish to research at and go!
Another great option is to print the place list for the specific are that you are off to. At least with a list of names you aren't exactly going in blind. I do that with cemeteries. When I know I'm going to be headed out to a specific cemetery I simply go in the place name list, find that specific cemetery and ask the software for that list. Once I have that list I am off and running.
Making good use of your genealogy software & to do lists... a very good thing.
Using the to do list in your software really makes life so much easier for you. And you'll never ever have to feel as though you aren't prepared for any research trip.
In Legacy, you can make general to-do's or person specific to-do's. Each to do is attached to a specific reposititory. Which means you can print a list for any given repository that you wish to research at and go!
Another great option is to print the place list for the specific are that you are off to. At least with a list of names you aren't exactly going in blind. I do that with cemeteries. When I know I'm going to be headed out to a specific cemetery I simply go in the place name list, find that specific cemetery and ask the software for that list. Once I have that list I am off and running.
Making good use of your genealogy software & to do lists... a very good thing.
05 April 2012
Tricks & Tips Thursday - Cemeteries & Missing Females
When you are photographing the headstones of your ancestors be sure to look at the stones in the area. You may find missing married daughters or other family members buried nearby.
Many times when I find a couple and I know I have missing daughters or sisters, I look around for females with that first name whose age is somewhat near that of the person I am missing.
Once I find candidates I photograph the headstone, noting who she is buried with. When I get home I start looking to see if I can find a marriage record and/or other documentation to prove or disprove the theory.
Many times when I find a couple and I know I have missing daughters or sisters, I look around for females with that first name whose age is somewhat near that of the person I am missing.
Once I find candidates I photograph the headstone, noting who she is buried with. When I get home I start looking to see if I can find a marriage record and/or other documentation to prove or disprove the theory.
29 March 2012
Tricks & Tips Thursday
When viewing names on the census or other handwritten forms and you find you can't read a letter(s) in the names, take a minute and look around the page and see if you find the same letter(s) used in another name.
You may find that another name that shows the letter done totally different and its not what you thought it was.
For example, to see how the person writing did the letter "S" I look for names that are clearly Smith.... For "J" I look for Jones or John... many times just finding the letter(s) in another area, where maybe the handwriting is so scrunched or garbled brings the letter(s) into clear view.
I've found this tip to be very useful especially on census forms. Good luck & happy hunting!
You may find that another name that shows the letter done totally different and its not what you thought it was.
For example, to see how the person writing did the letter "S" I look for names that are clearly Smith.... For "J" I look for Jones or John... many times just finding the letter(s) in another area, where maybe the handwriting is so scrunched or garbled brings the letter(s) into clear view.
I've found this tip to be very useful especially on census forms. Good luck & happy hunting!
22 March 2012
Tricks & Tips Thursday
One of the best tips I can give you is simply - "spelling don't count". Yep you heard me correctly. Time and time again I've heard, "that can't be my family the name isn't spelled the way my grandmother always said it was spelled".
While I can appreciate grandma's attention to detail and wanting the family name spelled what she believed was the correct way, I also understand the logistics of having a German talking to a Swede, or an Italian, or vice versa.
Working for Mr. Brown Eyes in the tax business that we own, I've come to understand more clearly the census takers issues. We have alot of different ethnic backgrounds coming to our service and when they call, try as I may, the name gets spelled the way I hear it. Often times its not close to what ends up on the tax return. Luckily for me they don't see how badly I can scramble their names. Its not intentional, but it does happen. I'm sure the census takers in the early years had the same issues.
When you think of the situations when the census taker was in the field, perhaps it was raining, storming, snowing or who knows what else. Maybe the couple he was interviewing had 10 kids all of them running around wanting attention. Perhaps the couple was reluctant to give information so you got what you got. Who knows?
Whatever the reasons, no matter how badly butchered, spelling don't count! So keep that in mind next time you are searching for your ancestors on the census or in other records.
While I can appreciate grandma's attention to detail and wanting the family name spelled what she believed was the correct way, I also understand the logistics of having a German talking to a Swede, or an Italian, or vice versa.
Working for Mr. Brown Eyes in the tax business that we own, I've come to understand more clearly the census takers issues. We have alot of different ethnic backgrounds coming to our service and when they call, try as I may, the name gets spelled the way I hear it. Often times its not close to what ends up on the tax return. Luckily for me they don't see how badly I can scramble their names. Its not intentional, but it does happen. I'm sure the census takers in the early years had the same issues.
When you think of the situations when the census taker was in the field, perhaps it was raining, storming, snowing or who knows what else. Maybe the couple he was interviewing had 10 kids all of them running around wanting attention. Perhaps the couple was reluctant to give information so you got what you got. Who knows?
Whatever the reasons, no matter how badly butchered, spelling don't count! So keep that in mind next time you are searching for your ancestors on the census or in other records.
15 March 2012
Tricks & Tips Thursday
Out of sight out of mind. Sound familiar? Sure it does! Unless you are one of those super organized persons, everyone does it.
You find a photo you want to scan, a reciept for your file, someone sends an obit on your fifth great uncle. So you put it away. And forget all about it. Lost forever in the deep dark hole called filing cabinets.
Yeah that's what I'm talking about. A tiny bit of organization can put an end to that. Here's how...
On my desk I have a file stand. Its a metal one that I "borrowed" from Mr. Brown Eyes. He never used it. So I saw it one day and now its mine. Anyway. Its metal and it has slots in it for folders.
What I did is, make a folder for my tax receipts, things I want to scan, papers I want to transcribe... the list goes on and on, but you get the idea. A simple holder with file folders, each neatly labeled.
Now when an obit comes in the mail, or I have a receipt from mailing something business at the post office, I just go right over the stand, pick the appropriate folder and drop in the paper. Every now and then I do the transciptions (usually take that folder with me when I know I'm going to have spare time waiting somewhere), or whip out the Flip Pal Scanner and do the scanning. Point it is, I now have the folders in one place out in plain sight. NO more out of sight out of mind!
Now if I could just find a way to add more hours to the days....
You find a photo you want to scan, a reciept for your file, someone sends an obit on your fifth great uncle. So you put it away. And forget all about it. Lost forever in the deep dark hole called filing cabinets.
Yeah that's what I'm talking about. A tiny bit of organization can put an end to that. Here's how...
On my desk I have a file stand. Its a metal one that I "borrowed" from Mr. Brown Eyes. He never used it. So I saw it one day and now its mine. Anyway. Its metal and it has slots in it for folders.
What I did is, make a folder for my tax receipts, things I want to scan, papers I want to transcribe... the list goes on and on, but you get the idea. A simple holder with file folders, each neatly labeled.
Now when an obit comes in the mail, or I have a receipt from mailing something business at the post office, I just go right over the stand, pick the appropriate folder and drop in the paper. Every now and then I do the transciptions (usually take that folder with me when I know I'm going to have spare time waiting somewhere), or whip out the Flip Pal Scanner and do the scanning. Point it is, I now have the folders in one place out in plain sight. NO more out of sight out of mind!
Now if I could just find a way to add more hours to the days....
08 March 2012
Tricks & Tips Thursday
Ever been in the middle of a research session, stumble across a marriage record, but close the record and put it away because you couldn't identify the people involved..... YET? Maybe a week, a month or maybe even a year passes and suddenly you know who that couple is! Suddenly they are part of your data base. You know you saw that date and info SOMEWHERE.... but where?
I used to do that. No more! All of my major surnames have a spread sheet on my computer. Each surname sheet is sorted by the surname, but includes brides name, grooms name, SOURCE document, information such as date of license, date of marriage, place of marriage, and a note field for other items that vary from place to place.
Now when I find someone I don't have in my data base but the area is right, the name is right... it gets recorded on my spread sheet. No more wondering where or when I saw that record, I have the information on my spread sheet and its right at my fingertips.
I used to do that. No more! All of my major surnames have a spread sheet on my computer. Each surname sheet is sorted by the surname, but includes brides name, grooms name, SOURCE document, information such as date of license, date of marriage, place of marriage, and a note field for other items that vary from place to place.
Now when I find someone I don't have in my data base but the area is right, the name is right... it gets recorded on my spread sheet. No more wondering where or when I saw that record, I have the information on my spread sheet and its right at my fingertips.
01 March 2012
Tricks & Tips Thursday
We live in a very mobile society. With the creation of phones and other portable devices that are made to make your on the go life much easier, it seems we are always in touch. I personally seem to have my laptop with me 99.9% of the time when I go out. If its not my laptop its my iPad. My phone is always with me.
Because of all this mobility it makes it easy to make good use of your time. Due to the amount of information processing I do - whether census, photo's or just data entry of things I want added to my data base, I've found an easy way to work on the go.
Over the past few months, as I was undergoing the great office/desk clean up, as I found things I wanted added to my data base, I scanned them to my thumb/flash drive. I have several that I keep laying around "just in case". I designated one a "to do" drive. On it are documents, photo's and such that I've scanned but I know are not named, edited or linked.
I keep it with my laptop and when I know I'm going somewhere that may have a wait, whether 20 minutes or an hour, I take it with me. There are days when I pick my grandsons up from school or wait for the bus to drop the oldest one off. I go and sit and wait with the laptop and my drive and I edit and name photo's and documents. When I go to my desktop again I simply pull out the flash/thumb drive and move the photo's to the directory where they belong and link. I wasn't bored and I something got accomplished. WIN!
Happy Researching!
Karen
Because of all this mobility it makes it easy to make good use of your time. Due to the amount of information processing I do - whether census, photo's or just data entry of things I want added to my data base, I've found an easy way to work on the go.
Over the past few months, as I was undergoing the great office/desk clean up, as I found things I wanted added to my data base, I scanned them to my thumb/flash drive. I have several that I keep laying around "just in case". I designated one a "to do" drive. On it are documents, photo's and such that I've scanned but I know are not named, edited or linked.
I keep it with my laptop and when I know I'm going somewhere that may have a wait, whether 20 minutes or an hour, I take it with me. There are days when I pick my grandsons up from school or wait for the bus to drop the oldest one off. I go and sit and wait with the laptop and my drive and I edit and name photo's and documents. When I go to my desktop again I simply pull out the flash/thumb drive and move the photo's to the directory where they belong and link. I wasn't bored and I something got accomplished. WIN!
Happy Researching!
Karen
23 February 2012
Tricks & Tips Thursday
Be sure to look at each & every family on a census page. You never know who is living down the page or even next door.
Missing a daughter? Watch for other females with the same given name living nearby. When you find them use local marriage records to confirm the relationships.
Many times when I find someone in my direct line in a township I go line by line thru the township (unless its hundreds of pages) and see who can find that might possibly be lurking there as welll.
You'll be surprised at what you find.
Happy Researching!
Karen
Missing a daughter? Watch for other females with the same given name living nearby. When you find them use local marriage records to confirm the relationships.
Many times when I find someone in my direct line in a township I go line by line thru the township (unless its hundreds of pages) and see who can find that might possibly be lurking there as welll.
You'll be surprised at what you find.
Happy Researching!
Karen
16 February 2012
Tricks & Tips Thursday - How Many Rabbit Holes Can You Explore?
I really hate it when I decide I need to do a bit of genie surfing and I end up not really finding anything. Usually that happens because I end up chasing down way too many rabbit holes.
You know what I mean, you do it too, you just haven't admitted it... yet. Chasing down rabbit holes is when one leads to another, leads to another and soon you have 42 windows open and you really didn't find anything, and none of it was really what you wanted anyway.
Today's tips are quite simple actually. Both have to do with those rabbit holes.
First - Always keep a word doc or some sort of notepad (electronic preferred) open when you are surfing. When you find a link that you think you might come back to, copy & paste it on your notepad. Then you'll never have to worry about closing the page or not being sure what was where.
Second - When I get in the mood to do online research, whether I'm using Ancestry or Mocavo, I always print off one or two group sheets on the family that I want to work on. If the rabbit hole doesn't have that family, I don't go there. No exceptions. Staying focused by using the group sheets really helps keep you on track so that you don't just go off chasing any rabbit down the holes, searching for whatever comes along.
Hope these two tips help!
Karen
You know what I mean, you do it too, you just haven't admitted it... yet. Chasing down rabbit holes is when one leads to another, leads to another and soon you have 42 windows open and you really didn't find anything, and none of it was really what you wanted anyway.
Today's tips are quite simple actually. Both have to do with those rabbit holes.
First - Always keep a word doc or some sort of notepad (electronic preferred) open when you are surfing. When you find a link that you think you might come back to, copy & paste it on your notepad. Then you'll never have to worry about closing the page or not being sure what was where.
Second - When I get in the mood to do online research, whether I'm using Ancestry or Mocavo, I always print off one or two group sheets on the family that I want to work on. If the rabbit hole doesn't have that family, I don't go there. No exceptions. Staying focused by using the group sheets really helps keep you on track so that you don't just go off chasing any rabbit down the holes, searching for whatever comes along.
Hope these two tips help!
Karen
26 January 2012
Thursday Tricks & Tips
When you have a research trip coming try this for organizing your to do lists.
Print off the home page of all libraries & Archives you plan on visiting, to that add your to do list for each one. If you have cemeteries to visit locate them on line and print off their website as well, then adding your personal to do lists.
I also include maps, directions and hotel reservation information.
After making sure I have it all, I bind it all together with a comb binding machine. I can keep notes on everything from my research to my thoughts on the hotel. All in one place, all neatly bound, no loose papers to drop or leave behind.
Print off the home page of all libraries & Archives you plan on visiting, to that add your to do list for each one. If you have cemeteries to visit locate them on line and print off their website as well, then adding your personal to do lists.
I also include maps, directions and hotel reservation information.
After making sure I have it all, I bind it all together with a comb binding machine. I can keep notes on everything from my research to my thoughts on the hotel. All in one place, all neatly bound, no loose papers to drop or leave behind.
19 January 2012
Thursday Tricks & Tips
When you are looking for your ancestors on the census, make notes of who is living nearby. It never hurts to note who is living nearby so that when you can't find your ancestors because of bad indexing or other reasons, you can search for the nearby neighbors and perhaps that will lead you back to your family. Pay close attention to unusual names. At times searching for them can be easier than searching for John or Elizabeth!
Hopefully the neighbors didn't move back to Missouri!
Hopefully the neighbors didn't move back to Missouri!
12 January 2012
Thursday Tricks & Tips
Today's tip - Always record your ancestors address when you can find it. Whether in city directories, a county history or even on a census. Record it in your software, either in notes or as a fact. I use "residence".
When I was trying to locate Mr. Brown Eye's great grandparents in Elyria I knew they had not gone back to Germany, but I was unable to locate them. I had the address from a previous census, it had been written in the margin. I went back into the census where I could not find them, used the address I had and there they were, living in the same spot. Problem - they were indexed as Kauffman not Krugman.
When I was trying to locate Mr. Brown Eye's great grandparents in Elyria I knew they had not gone back to Germany, but I was unable to locate them. I had the address from a previous census, it had been written in the margin. I went back into the census where I could not find them, used the address I had and there they were, living in the same spot. Problem - they were indexed as Kauffman not Krugman.
05 January 2012
Thursday Tricks & Tips
I've decided its time to start a new Thursday topic. I've been pondering this addition for a while. So every Thursday will be a trick or tip that will help you in some aspect of your research.
Today's tip - When doing census research use the "strangest" name of any given family for your search. I find that using the most uncommon name helps a bit with locating families. Hopefully there will be fewer of those more uncommon names in your search. In my husband's tree, I've been searching for uncommon names such as - Pryor (Prior) Breeding and Fanny (Fannie) Rash.
And yes, those are actual names in his family tree. Strange but true!
Do you have tips or tricks you'd like me to share with other readers? Just send them to me at karen at miprofgenie dot com - leaving out the spaces of course, or leave them in my comments section!
Happy Researching!
Karen
Today's tip - When doing census research use the "strangest" name of any given family for your search. I find that using the most uncommon name helps a bit with locating families. Hopefully there will be fewer of those more uncommon names in your search. In my husband's tree, I've been searching for uncommon names such as - Pryor (Prior) Breeding and Fanny (Fannie) Rash.
And yes, those are actual names in his family tree. Strange but true!
Do you have tips or tricks you'd like me to share with other readers? Just send them to me at karen at miprofgenie dot com - leaving out the spaces of course, or leave them in my comments section!
Happy Researching!
Karen
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