#10 Methods of Online Search

Methods & Sources for Successful Online Research

Lesson #10

The Internet for genealogy research accounts for 35 to 40% of Internet usage. To be successful you must be disciplined in using good research principles Before you go online you MUST have a plan or you can get sucked into a whirlpool of information that doesn’t fit, or that ends up being another discouraging dead end. Be sure to keep a log and note you successes as well as your failures. Note also those websites that deliver, and those that don’t ( can you really access the records online here ?). Understand WHAT you need, and go beyond your immediate surname search. Research success using the Internet today is the fulfillment of dreams. It is not merely a matter of access but of successful research strategies using a combination of all available resources, solid research principles, and accurate and adequate records and consistent record keeping.

WHAT TO DO BEFORE YOU GO ONLINE

I. RECORD THE FACTS (Separate Facts from Traditions) including:

A. Surname, looking for variant spellings. (Soundex at rootsweb.com

B. Time-frame , Death, Marriage, or birth

C. Jurisdiction (location; a town or parish, county , or state, country )

D. Where were the children born?. When did they live one state? When did they arrive in another state?

F. What sources ( records ) are available in that jurisdiction and time-frame for that surname?.

II TO UNDERSTAND THE RECORDS OF AN UNFAMILIAR AREA- guidance is available at: www.familysearch.org ,www.ancestry.com, to name a few

A. In Familysearch .org, click on home page under” Research Helps.”

B. Select RESEARCH GUIDANCE from the options provided.

C. Either scroll down to the state or country you are interested in or click on the letterboxes to take you to the beginning of the list by that letter.

D. Select the time period of interest to you.

E. When the search strategy comes up study the

1. Historical background

2. Methodologies for beginners

3. Search strategies - they will keep you from making the mistake of leaving out critical

resources known to solve research problems in these areas.

UNDERSTAND ABOUT THE AREA IN WHICH YOUR ANCESTOR LIVED

VISUALIZE BY USING PERIOD MAPS - You are searching for period maps.

A. ANIMap from www.Goldbug.com (fee based) or from familysearch.org (free)

B. Learn about maps, gazetteers, and atlases.

C. http://www.cyndislist.com/ - good finding aid for online sources

D. www.Google.com (Boolean search “ ) name of country+city+map

E. http://www.rrhistorical.com/rrdata for historical railroad information.

III GOAL: Locate potential siblings and children of the targeted individual.

A. Critical in order to recognize the next generation back.

B. They may have the evidence you need in their records.

CONSIDERATIONS FOR ONLINE SEARCHES

IV. WHAT ARE YOU SEARCHING FOR?

A. Identify unique characteristics that make your ancestor stand out from others.

1. Religious affiliation ; LDS , Huguenot, Quaker, Catholic Mennonite etc

2. Social or financial status ; farmer or royal

3. Occupation - what trade records, or schooling records exist, or biographies

4. Military service.

5. Associations they may have belonged to.

B. If you don't know what to do next, return to www.familysearch.ora, RESEARCH GUIDANCE and see what they tell you.

C. Choose what are the best source options - During the time period selected - In the jurisdiction you are searching for the surname you are looking for.

E. Take time to analyze what you have learned or need to learn, e.g.:

1. What are the customs of a particular church’s records? Could you find a christening there? Would sponsors be listed? Is there a central repository for their records? What will they tell you? “ a good reference book is “Sources”by Szucs & Luebking, available at FHC.

2. Why is social status important? Where would you find this information?

3. Why is the occupation important? Where would occupational records be

located?

4. Learn to use the Family History Library Catalog (FHLC) and other online

catalogs to your advantage.

a. Learn the categories of records by name, e.g. archives, bible, church, history, land, probate, vital records, etc.

b. Learn how the records are organized in the catalog.

c. Learn how to obtain access to those records for your research. ONLINE or ORDER films from the Library for use at the local Family History Center

V. WHO ARE THE ASSOCIATES? Make a Complete List
A. Use state-wide electronic index to locate your ancestor and his/her associates. SUPER SITES for original documents and preliminary surveys include:

1. http://pilot.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html#start Familysearch indexing project

2. www.Ancestry.com

3. http://www.genealogy.com/

4. http://www.usgenweb.org/

5. http://www.rootsweb.com/
6. www.familysearch.org look at ancestral file, IGI. And especially the Pedigree Resource File soon to replaced by New Family Search

7. New.familysearch.org just rolling out for our temple district

8. http://www.worldvitalrecords.com/

B. Are your people the natives of the state, the county, etc.? Remember to be looking for possible brothers and sisters., and other extended family members If not, from where did they come and when?

VI. SEARCH STATE-WIDE INDEXES (Watch for Family Concentrations)

A. Census records www.Ancestry.com uses unique locality feature.

B. Census records www.Genealogy.com enhanced for printing.

C. ProQuest records for other census searching options.

E. For jurisdictional changes use ANIMAP , or Evertons” Genealogy Helper”

VII. USE EXISTING DOCUMENTS FOR ASSOCIATES

A. Neighbors on tax, census, or land records.

B. Witnesses on marriage, christening, probate records.

C. Use land location clues to find associates.

E, Follow in-law relationships as families are very "tight" in the south.

IX. ANALYZE WHAT YOU FOUND.

XII. MAKE A LIST OF ALL NAMES YOU FIND that may connect to your family (Don't rely on memory)

XIII. ADD SURNAMES FROM CHILDREN OR GRANDCHILDREN'S GIVEN NAMES


XIV. SEARCH FOR ORIGINAL RECORDS ON LINE ..


XVI. ADD ASSOCIATES NAMES FOUND IN ANCESTOR'S DOCUMENTS


XV. RECORD POTENTIAL SIBLINGS AND CHILDREN OF THE TARGETED PERSON AND FOLLOW THEM FORWARD TO PROVE OR DISPROVE HYPOTHESIS


XVI. REPEAT THE PROCESS ON ALL NEW PEOPLE.

adapted and enhanced from Karen Clifford’s presentation at 2005 Genealogy Seminar St. George