Advanced Genealogy Research Techniques

Break through brick walls in your genealogical research

"Easy to read, provides clear explanations, examples and is well-illustrated, thus definitely meeting the needs of libraries and individuals seeking a book to guide family historians who are beyond the basics and need help solving problems."--FORUM magazine

Learn how to use innovative methods to unearth hard-to-find ancestors. Advanced Genealogy Research Techniques shows you, step by step, how to uncover elusive details by taking advantage of specialized tools and software programs and using proven best practices for breaking through the brick walls that have hindered your progress.

You’ll get professional advice on formulating a research strategy, understanding the details you discover, keeping careful track of your data, analyzing the evidence, and developing hypotheses. Real-world case studies demonstrate how you can apply the systematic procedures presented in this practical guide to your own research--and achieve success!

• Examine the brick wall in detail to find potential weak spots that can be exploited into a breakthrough
• Use brute force techniques that leave no stone unturned
• Obtain exact copies of original records rather than derivative sources
• Research the family, associates, and neighbors (FANs) of your brick wall ancestor
• Consult with your family, friends, and colleagues to get a fresh perspective on your research
• Use crowdsourcing--genealogy societies, online forums, social media, blogs, wikis, and podcasts
• Apply technological solutions, including DNA testing and specialized genealogical software
• Get tips on hiring a professional genealogical researcher with the appropriate credentials and references
• Revisit your brick wall problem after honing your research skills
• Review your evidence, develop a research strategy, and keep a meticulous research log

Introduction
When the Going Gets Tough…
…the Tough Get Going
The Brick Wall Metaphor (and Why It Matters)
Eight Ideas for Getting Past the Brick Wall
What You’ll Need Before You Set Out
Chapter 1. Examine the Brick Wall in Detail
Reexamine in Detail the Evidence You Have Already Discovered
Focus on Details You May Have Missed or Overlooked the First Time
Census
Birth Certificate/Index
Marriage License/Index
Death Certificate/Index
Obituary
Tombstone/Cemetery
Photograph
Now That You Have More Details…
Organize What You Have in a Genealogy Database Program
Names
Dates
Places
Create an Ancestor Timeline
Gather All of the Evidence You Have Collected
Organize Everything Sequentially
Reread Everything
Compile a Timeline
Incorporate Historical Newspaper Research
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
Summary
Sources Used in This Chapter
Chapter 2. Use Brute Force
Indexes
Transcriptions
Extracts
Abstracts
OCR in Detail
Sources of Secondary Information
Family Histories, Online Family Trees, and Personal Web Pages
Application Forms to Societies and Other Organizations
The “Reasonably Exhaustive Search”
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
Summary
Sources Used in This Chapter
Chapter 3. Go Around the Wall
The Broader Technique (and What to Call It)
Spouses
Parents and Children
Other Relatives
Beyond the “F”
Another Important Use of the FAN Club Technique
Other Names
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
Example 4
Summary
Sources Used in This Chapter
Chapter 4. Talk to a Friend
Why Share a Brick Wall Problem?
With Whom Should You Share the Problem?
How to Share a Brick Wall Problem
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
Summary
Chapter 5. Use Crowdsourcing
Genealogy Societies
Online Forums—An Overview
Electronic Mailing Lists
Electronic Message Boards
Facebook Groups, Google+ Communities, and GenealogyWise
Finding the Most Relevant Online Forum
The Etiquette of Online Forums
Blogs, Wikis, and Podcasts
Blogs
Wikis
Podcasts
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
Example 4
Summary
Chapter 6. Apply Technological Solutions
DNA Testing: A Very Brief History
Types of DNA Testing
mtDNA Testing
Y-DNA Testing
Autosomal DNA Testing
Deep Ancestry
Mutations
Mitochondrial Eve
Y-chromosomal Adam
Haplogroups and SNPs
Ethnic Mixtures
Companies That Perform DNA Testing
Specialized Genealogical Software
GenSmarts
Clooz
Evidentia
Summary
Chapter 7. Hire a Demolition Expert
What Can a Professional Researcher Do for Me?
Professional Genealogist
Accredited Genealogist
Certified Genealogist
Other Organizations Representing Professional Genealogists
Geographic Specialization
Specialty Areas
Contracting with a Professional Researcher
If and When Things Go Wrong
Summary
Chapter 8. Rest Up and Attack the Brick Wall Another Time
Learn
Books
Articles
Blogs
Wikis
Recorded Audio and Video Programs
Live Webinars
Face-to-Face Presentations
Practice
Monitor
Summary
Chapter 9. Put the Techniques to Work
Review the Evidence
Develop a Research Strategy
Determine the Questions You Want to Answer
Identify All Potential Resources
Obtain Exact Copies of the Original Records
Analyze Evidence and Develop Hypotheses
Keep a Research Log
A Paper Research Log
Use a Spreadsheet
A Blog as Research Log
Use Your Genealogy Database Program
Software Utility Programs
The Case of Mary Ann Reilly Smith
Some Final Remarks
Index