Issue 42.16
Inevitably when doing family history and genealogical research, we come to what is known as a brick wall. The brick wall is the point reached where available documents and records fail to give us the necessary information we need to continue on to the next generation. Brick walls can sometimes remain unanswered despite several attempts of using the data available in records, keepsakes and other information. One method of breaking through the wall is expanding out and researching the family and friends of the person in order to find relevant information.
Start research based on a person’s siblings, relatives, cousins and extended family members. Their records may be of value by providing information that links to the genealogical research question. Often people are unable to search for the required information in the records of the ancestors directly. Researching the siblings frequently will help. I am amazed at how adding the sources in FamilySearch Family Tree is providing additional information. Maybe one ancestor’s record doesn’t list the mother’s maiden name, but you start researching that ancestor’s siblings, and you will likely find it listed.
Neighbors can also be clues, because often they traveled to new areas of the country together. They can also help when you just cannot find your ancestor on a census record when you are quite sure they should be there. Perhaps the same neighbors who lived next to them in 1880 also lived next to them in 1870, try searching for the neighbor’s names. Information collected by the neighbors and acquaintances of an ancestor may possess some important pieces of information or a record. People used to migrate and form societies and neighborhoods that were closely linked to one another. Many of them were part of a distant relationship as well, and this way there could be a chance you will discover your great grandmother’s maiden name by visiting the hometown or meeting her relatives.
People who attended the same schools, churches, or were part of the same community could have information about each other pertaining to their personal and professional lives. Community histories are often a wealth of knowledge about the people who lived in the area and may even include stories about your ancestors.
For more information, contact Shanna Jones shannasjones@msn.com