BRAIN ORGANIZING
Last week, I wrote about getting our paperwork organized. This can help us keep on track in our research. Sometimes, that is not enough.
When things are going well in our genealogical research, we are forging ahead- clues everywhere, leads to follow, and pieces falling into place.. Most of the time, we are moving slowly with gradual progress. Then, there are the times when we have seemingly exhausted all the trails, but still have not found the information we need. That is the dreaded genealogical brick wall.
That is the time I sit back and do what I call 'brain organizing'. I ask myself: What crucial clue is missing? Did I head off in the wrong direction? Is there some piece of information that I already have that may help me get moving again?
I have collected a number of sites that contain ideas that will help me answer these questions. These I have organizied into four categories.
CHECKLISTS
these provide lists of common and less common records that may give you information and clues
Checklist of Home Sources - a guide to records you might find in the homes of relatives
Things to Ask About or Write About - records listed by where you will find them
Sources of Genealogical Information - records listed by the type of information you are looking for
How-to get past Genealogy Road Blocks - another list by type of information you are looking for
GEMS OF BASIC RESEARCH
Genealogy research requires an endless amount of research skills. I found these articles helpful in honing my skills when I'm stuck.
articles by Michael John Neill from "Ancestry Daily News" (scroll down to his article on these pages)
Errors in Genealogical Records Are Not Always Outright Lies
Be Thorough and Keep Your Eyes Open
a couple of good basic ideas from Myra Vanderpool Gormley
a basic research strategy by Searcy (also, look at her example)
BRAINSTORMING CLUES
a clue may be hiding in a source you haven't looked in yet
When Your Family History Research Hits the Wall - places to look you may not have thought of
Patterns: They Don't Just Appear on Ancestral Quilts - another great article by Michael John Neill that shows you ways to look at your data from different angles
You Can Succeed in Your Family Search, Even If You Don't Have a Clue - an article from "Heritage Quest" by Richard G. Horvath, gives you the inspiration you need to keep perservering in you research
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