Just a Thought Regarding Names by SusiCP1@gmail.com
Surfing through my tree, realized we need a form that contains our surnames and who else is
researching them.
Especially if you are a very early Immigrant to this part of the world.
Always amazed to find how many others have the same families as my family does.
Today opening an email another family member name surfaced to the top.
Suspecting also that We're Related is also doing this if both sides of the trees are accurate.
But beware not every tree given on that site is true. Make sure you check. Though I have solved two brick walls using it by conversing with the one I supposedly connected with. WE DID.
Some lines I have not worked on because there are so many lines to trace if you are early Immigrant.
Missing the old Roots Web forums where we kept track of each others surnames and could communicate and we find links much quicker and friendly than now. When are the rest of the Roots Web data coming back. The SWEET TREE done by my cousin is needed by many. A lot of work went into creating these pieces of information for other researchers to utilize.
GenealogyWise.com has a Surname Files section to discuss surnames with. I have broke two more brick walls using them. They also have a chat area where you can discuss these items to clarify various situations.
We will talk more on GenealogyWise.com come to our Educational Classes. 21 Nov. Lemon Grove, CA
Randy Seaver will be talking about Family Search at Bonita-Sunnyside Library 3 Nov. 1 to 4 PM
Sunday, October 28, 2018
Thursday, October 11, 2018
Methods to Follow Hard to Find People
Methods to Follow Hard to Find People By Susi Jones Pentico
# 2
This will upset some but others will just chuckle. Sometimes I dig until I can not dig any more for awhile and when I am away from the problem, the solution is right before my eyes.
Yes, there is such a thing as over doing and over seeing and not seeing what is right in front of us.
So if total despair has set in, set it aside, leave it alone, do something completely different.
Many times you will be amazed at the comment you missed the dates you read but did not read and information in your face.
For actually looking, one needs to expand the mind and not look at such a narrow space of place or time. I loved George Schweitzer for his so savy ways of expanding his research.
1. Start at the place last known. 2. Expand out 50 miles, expand out again to 100 miles.
2. The earlier the time frame the generally farther one needed to expand the search.
3. Remember their names were varied. Try all variants.
4. One thing he ( Dr. Schweitzer) told us was," Write down the family story" whether true or not. As you work the problem through, generally there is truth in part to most stories. IE basis for story was the beginning truth."
5. Use all normal methods for research: Wills, Probates, School Records, Tax Records {there were several types of taxes then} Business licenses*, marriage records, Obituaries, Land Records, and census. Census is only as good as the person giving the information, so not always correct. It may have been a child or neighbor whom answered the questions.
* I found birth information in a Tax Application Form in Maryland for one of my Ancestors, which verified what I suspected but was not what the family had as a record for birth. I of course shared it with all involved. time period 1780's.
6. Remember records went where the person desired to place them not always were today we would think they would be. Our laws are different today.
7. Make sure you make a Timeline of the events and of the person's life. I use a single page for that information to be kept together. The Gaps may help you to realize what is missing.
8. Check SAR/ DAR Records for the surname of interest. I had forgotten that one and lost 40 years digging for someone. Ironic I used it for others but thought he was to old to be Rev War.
9. Share your information with other family members or with friends, many times talking out a
problem will bring it in better light to see.
10. Never give up. You may never find all you want but even collateral information can verify
a certain amount of validity.
No. 3 will be next.
# 2
This will upset some but others will just chuckle. Sometimes I dig until I can not dig any more for awhile and when I am away from the problem, the solution is right before my eyes.
Yes, there is such a thing as over doing and over seeing and not seeing what is right in front of us.
So if total despair has set in, set it aside, leave it alone, do something completely different.
Many times you will be amazed at the comment you missed the dates you read but did not read and information in your face.
For actually looking, one needs to expand the mind and not look at such a narrow space of place or time. I loved George Schweitzer for his so savy ways of expanding his research.
1. Start at the place last known. 2. Expand out 50 miles, expand out again to 100 miles.
2. The earlier the time frame the generally farther one needed to expand the search.
3. Remember their names were varied. Try all variants.
4. One thing he ( Dr. Schweitzer) told us was," Write down the family story" whether true or not. As you work the problem through, generally there is truth in part to most stories. IE basis for story was the beginning truth."
5. Use all normal methods for research: Wills, Probates, School Records, Tax Records {there were several types of taxes then} Business licenses*, marriage records, Obituaries, Land Records, and census. Census is only as good as the person giving the information, so not always correct. It may have been a child or neighbor whom answered the questions.
* I found birth information in a Tax Application Form in Maryland for one of my Ancestors, which verified what I suspected but was not what the family had as a record for birth. I of course shared it with all involved. time period 1780's.
6. Remember records went where the person desired to place them not always were today we would think they would be. Our laws are different today.
7. Make sure you make a Timeline of the events and of the person's life. I use a single page for that information to be kept together. The Gaps may help you to realize what is missing.
8. Check SAR/ DAR Records for the surname of interest. I had forgotten that one and lost 40 years digging for someone. Ironic I used it for others but thought he was to old to be Rev War.
9. Share your information with other family members or with friends, many times talking out a
problem will bring it in better light to see.
10. Never give up. You may never find all you want but even collateral information can verify
a certain amount of validity.
No. 3 will be next.
Monday, October 8, 2018
Answer to No. 1 What do You Do?????
So what do you do when a living member does not share knowledge you need.
This was a great interactive conversation from all in attendance as to how to get family around
a road block.
1. First mentioned was asked something about that persons youth to them?
Did you enjoy school, or playing sports?
2. Do newspaper, church bulletin research for family news.
3. Look for other members of that generation if they can recall the things they did
when younger.
4. Ask about various events in their life? ie Did you like to cook, or work outside,
were you happier doing inside chores verses outdoor chores. Did you chop wood?
5. Also one I learned at Grand Rapids, which was really a reminder and not being
applied. Ask a neighbor of the person you are wanting to share time with what they remember
of their time with them.
6. Did they go to school with them or know the family? Many small towns, everyone knew everyone and can fill in some of the blanks.
7. Do not give up. Think of something that you know about them that they have liked or enjoyed in your presence.
8. Review your notes and see what you can pick up from what you have.
9. Check census, church records, school records, tax lists, wills and probate papers of the
family members in question.
10. Never give up, though you may have to lay it aside and go back to it with fresh thoughts.
Sunday, October 7, 2018
Lost Ancestors Being Resurrected.
Lost Ancestors Being Resurrected
Saturday at the Bonita-Sunnyside Library we had some great interactive exchanges for doing research and finding answers.
Those not there truly missed a lot of shared data floating in the air. Of course there were as many questions as there were comments and answers.
Some tidbits were:
What do you do when the living ancestor will not share knowledge the family knows is there?
What is the best method to track family if there is no one to talk to?
What do you do to document this small amount of information?
How long have you all been doing research?
What could we tell them about DNA ? We told them about Randy Seaver starting a class the third
Wednesday of the month 12 to 2 pm at the Chula Vista Library, 4th and F St.
I showed them my painted DNA and told them I am not well versed in it yet but still learning.
We all discussed the various DNA affiliates we were familiar with. There are many. FTDNA is one of the oldest, My Heritage.com, Ancestry.com and 23 and Me are also available plus newer ones.
I have used about half of them and have a preference.
How to review a book for family via Surname indexes was discussed.
The information you can garner from a Probate Record of an ancestor is very vital if you do not know what they did. The tools of their trade or profession are normally in the inventory.
Regions discussed were: Alabama, Louisiana, North and South Carolina.
We also briefly mentioned Georgia. Indian Heritage, Black Heritage and mixed and Creole.
Sorry you weren't there.
Thanks Grand Rapids for the terrific Event with so much knowledge to learn and share.
Sorry Computer doesn't like me tonight.
Saturday at the Bonita-Sunnyside Library we had some great interactive exchanges for doing research and finding answers.
Those not there truly missed a lot of shared data floating in the air. Of course there were as many questions as there were comments and answers.
Some tidbits were:
What do you do when the living ancestor will not share knowledge the family knows is there?
What is the best method to track family if there is no one to talk to?
What do you do to document this small amount of information?
How long have you all been doing research?
What could we tell them about DNA ? We told them about Randy Seaver starting a class the third
Wednesday of the month 12 to 2 pm at the Chula Vista Library, 4th and F St.
I showed them my painted DNA and told them I am not well versed in it yet but still learning.
We all discussed the various DNA affiliates we were familiar with. There are many. FTDNA is one of the oldest, My Heritage.com, Ancestry.com and 23 and Me are also available plus newer ones.
I have used about half of them and have a preference.
How to review a book for family via Surname indexes was discussed.
The information you can garner from a Probate Record of an ancestor is very vital if you do not know what they did. The tools of their trade or profession are normally in the inventory.
Regions discussed were: Alabama, Louisiana, North and South Carolina.
We also briefly mentioned Georgia. Indian Heritage, Black Heritage and mixed and Creole.
Sorry you weren't there.
Thanks Grand Rapids for the terrific Event with so much knowledge to learn and share.
Sorry Computer doesn't like me tonight.
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