3 crucial tips that can assist you in your research:
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Tips & Tricks to Follow you into the new year
January 2022 | By Shannan
3 crucial tips that can assist you in your research:
- Always remember that the information could be inaccurate in one way or another. The Family Tree Problem Solver gives a great example of this in their discussion of tombstone inscriptions, but this can also be extrapolated to other areas of your search. The author, Marsha Hoffman Rising, states that inaccuracies can happen since “the individual who was buried there probably did not order the tombstone nor did he supervise the carving”. Additionally, due to age or other damage to the stone it may not be easy to read, which could cause further inaccuracies. (pg.32) You can get around this issue by having at least two primary sources as confirmation, though be aware that they can still contain errors. For more information on differentiating primary vs. secondary sources here is an overview by The Genealogy Assistant blog.
- If you are uncertain about where to start in your search on a topic or feel overwhelmed with reading a full book, Genealogy at a Glance is a great option. They are laminated booklets by the Genealogical Publishing Company. These booklets give a concise, but detailed overview of resources on specific topics. The library currently has 34 booklets available in the Genealogy shelves that can be accessed while inside the library.
We have recently acquired 8 updated editions on these topics:
3. Try to understand the local area and time period to get further insight on the ancestor. This can involve checking with local historical societies, libraries, and universities. They will all have comprehensive historical details, if not information directly about the ancestor(s). Local social media accounts focused on genealogy and history are also your best friend. These organizations are also great for accessing primary sources not available online.
“We need to haunt the house of history and listen anew to the ancestors’ wisdom.” -Maya Angelou
SAY I’m dead: A family memoir of race, secrets, and love
By E. Dolores Johnson
“Fearful of violating Indiana’s anti-miscegenation laws in the 1940s, E. Dolores Johnson’s black father and white mother fled Indianapolis to secretly marry. Johnson searched her father’s black genealogy and then was amazed to suddenly realize that her mother’s whole white side was missing in family history. Johnson went searching for the white family who did not know she existed. When she found them, it’s not just their shock and her mother’s shame that have to be overcome, but her own fraught experiences with whites.”— Provided by publisher.
Notable Moments this month in history
This is available through History.com, with links to additional information on each event. Please also use the links to explore further events that happened during each day in history.