iHCPL GENEALOGY #70 : GENEALOGY 2.0

HA!HA!HA!

Exercise 2.

Footnote is an intriguing site for sharing information. The "spotlights" can give some valuable information - such as the spellling of a name, a photo. It offers a one stop place where family members and thers may find that missing link and combine their search efforts.

However, the authenticity of some information may be called into question - such as the one spotlight purported to be the atomic bomb note written by President Truman.

All in all, I think it is a useful tool and one that may help missing members find one another. For example, missing family members may find one another by sharing and finding the same photo here.

iHCPL :#69 DATABASE RESEARCHING

Exercise 1: Conduct a search in Ancestry.com or HeritageQuest for historical records concerning somebody in your family. Were you successful? If not, what difficulties did you encounter? How could you improve your search results?

I found me on Ancestry.com in the U.S. Public Records Index! However, my street address was listed as "drive" instead of "street."

Rather than difficulties - I found new tools. We have lost track of some family members whose census information may not be available. Our search for them may be improved by using other available databases such as the U.S. Public Records Index, U.S. Phone Directories. The searches may be refined by using as many previous addresses as we can find. So now we're collecting old addresses and if the homes are still there perhaps we can do title searches, etc. This is a new trail that our family committee has set off on hopefully, with success.

iHCPL #68: DETECTIVE WORK

Genealogy # 68: Detective Work

Exercise 1.
Have you ever pursued an oral history project?

I participated in a National and State Historical Register submission for a local neighborhood. The recording of the oral history of community residents was a wonderful experience. Before one elderly lady would speak with us, she had to “interview” us - to see if we could pass her reliability and respectability test. My friend and I passed and were granted the interview.

Preparing for the interview doesn't just mean preparing good questions. The personality of the one being interviewed is also important. With this lady, she was the teacher - we were the students. We learned lot about local history and about how to interview; and it was a wonderful experience.

Would you consider doing one to record your family history? Who in your family would be a good subject ?

Our history is being recorded through the voices of family members. We are beginning with the eldest who make excellent subjects to pass on traditions and history. They have much information and insights to share. Preserving their stories is a wonderful way to preserve our family history.


Exercise 2.

The following oldest burial information was found on the Find-A-Grave website:
Birth: unknown
Death: Sept. 17, 1913
Son of Ernest & Ellen Bonnett
Burial:
Canaan Cemetery
Chilton County
Alabama USA
Plot: 155
Created by: Cemetery Walker
Record added: Mar 16, 2006
Find A Grave Memorial# 13634954

iHCPL #67: GENEALOGY GENESIS

Yes, I have researched my genealogy in the past. In fact, I am still researching because I am looking for lost relatives and it is a family journey that may never end. Therefore my advice for newcomers is the following:

1. NEVER GIVE UP when you reach a dead end or hit that brick wall. It may be a long time – but breakthroughs in technology such as mitochondrial DNA testing or release of new information may lead you to an unlikely place, open a door, or shed new light.

2. PREPARE FOR THE UNEXPECTED. Genealogical research does involve family – a dusty closet may open up and a skeleton or 2 just might fall out.

3. ORGANIZE AND STAY ORGANIZED AND REORGANIZE. Even if it is slow going at first, you may find yourself traveling down many different paths. Even if you’re moving fast , it is important to stay focused and be skillful and diligent in organizing all those notes, all those piles of records, all those photo albums, etc. Remember to keep a basic roadmap to serve as a guide as the information grows.