Research Strategies
The following articles are about Research Strategies
Tracing Your Ancestors From The Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad (UGRR) was an informal network of individuals loosely organized to aid the escape of American slaves out of slave-holding states and into free Northern states, Canada and South into Mexico. Read More
It’s 10 PM - Do You Know Where Your Genealogy Data Is?
After years of researching your family history with visits to local repositories, field trips to ancestral lands or far-flung cemeteries, and hours spent online tracking clues, can you quickly answer the following questions Read More
Homestead Records: A Glimpse Into Your Ancestor’s Past
The Homestead Act of 1862, considered one of the most significant pieces of legislation in American history, persuaded eastern-European immigrants, adventure-seekers in the East, and women seeking independence to embrace the notion of founding a home place Read More
How To Identify A Photograph Without Looking At The Picture
There are many ways to squeeze information from a photograph, some of which have nothing to do with the contents of the picture. So if you are expecting an article on how to identify a photo by the clothes the people are wearing (or anything else you see in the picture), you are in for a surprise. Read More
Family Reunion Sense and Sensibility
Every other year, my husband's family gathers for a reunion. It's the glue that keeps the family together. They've been doing this since the 1950s. For the planners it's an exhausting two-year process that culminates in a week long hug fest that welcomes generations of cousins from around the globe. Read More
Five Strategies For Finding Forgotten Females
Every genealogist has at least one. I'm talking about the "Lost Lizzie" or "Elusive Edna" whose maiden name is left blank in your family tree. Indeed researching female ancestors can be one of the most challenging tasks in genealogy, but yet one of the most important to help trace family lines to the previous generations. Read More
Volunteer Projects Help Family Historians
Picture this...you're just starting your quest for information on your family. What you might not know is that there are many valuable free resources that can help you begin your search. I've listed several volunteer driven websites below that are dedicated to making family history resources free to everyone. I encourage you to use these tools and help out by becoming a volunteer! Read More
Genealogy Resources At The Public Library
There is a great genealogy resource near you. It contains free accessed to the latest "how-to" books, magazines and historical materials. Computers with the latest genealogy databases are waiting for you to use them. There are classes, lessons, special events and a staff whose sole purpose is to help you find the information you need. Read More
Mobile Ancestors: Why They Moved And How To Find Them
Our ancestors moved - A LOT! Though there were families who remained in the same town or nearby for generations, there were also a lot of people who moved. And, many of those people might have made a few stops along the way to their ultimate destination, only staying a few years here and there. Read More
Blogging Your Family History
You may have encountered a "blog" during your last search on Google or a genealogy colleague may have mentioned an article they read on a well-known family history blog. You keep hearing the term blog and wonder: "Am I missing out on a way to improve my research?" Read More
Using Social Media For Genealogy Research
Over the past few years, social media has received a lot of hype. But what is it, really? Why would you ever want to use social media? What kinds of Web 2.0 sites are there, and could they improve your genealogy? This article will answer all those questions. Read More
Planning A Genealogy Research Trip
You have scoured bookshelves and archives at your local genealogy library, ordered periodicals and books through inter-library loans, and borrowed the Family History Library microfilms that hint to your ancestor's comings and goings. Read More
Fear Of Citing
Fear of the unknown whether it is flying or citing sources can be paralyzing, so much so that many genealogy researchers avoid using source citations altogether. May be it seems too much like school or perhaps they think it unnecessary. Read More
Added Value: Non-family Diaries and Letters
I love to read diaries and letters. I am fortunate that some of my ancestors actually kept diaries and their children and grandchildren saved the wonderful little books. They also bundled up letters with ribbons and passed them down to their children. Read More
Get Organized: Basic Forms For Beginning Genealogists
A good genealogist is an organized genealogist. Consistent use of four organizational tools - pedigree charts, family group sheets, research logs and correspondence logs - will help you start out right. While many additional forms are available... Read More
Advancing Your Genealogical Research Into The Digital Age
Go to any genealogical library and you will see people hunched over piles of papers and books, writing in notebooks retrieved from huge wheeled briefcases. In the past you would have found me in the same category... Read More
Source Citation: A Genealogist's Best Friend
Have you heard the saying that "Diamonds are a girl's best friend?" Well, source citations should be considered a genealogist's best friend. You might think that genealogy documentation or the family tree is most important, but without the source citations,... Read More
Finding Ancestors with Common Names
Common names present a problem for every genealogical researcher, regardless of their level of experience. For researchers with less experience it can seem like an almost impossible task, but it need not be. The most important step to find an... Read More
"You'll See It When You Believe It"! Your Outlook Can Result in Research Success
You've heard the skeptical announcement, "I'll believe it when I see it!" Such a critical attitude is understandable when the subject is something like lowering the national debt. However, in the world of genealogy, an all-encompassing, inclusive, positive outlook will... Read More
You Found Them Where? Getting Around Misspelled Names.
Continuing your genealogy research despite misspellings can be quite a challenge. Years ago our ancestors' names were commonly misspelled. Maybe spelling just wasn't important back then. Maybe it was haste, typographical, sloppy writing, poor pronunciation, inability to understand foreign accents... Read More
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