Project 4: Research

Class Outlines:    Basic

Examples of common mistakes include:

• Collecting ancestors, without verification or sources
• Incorrectly identifying ancestors
• Trying to connect with a person in the past by going forward in time
• Not recording what you find
• Not looking for siblings of ancestors
• Skipping generations, or including a generation that is too short

1. Beginning: Learn about research pitfalls for beginning genealogists.
   
   ☆ LT—Research Pitfalls of Beginning Genealogists
   ☆ AR—Beginner Mistakes and How to Avoid Them—18:26 - 2013   
   • Getting hung up on spelling
   • Avoiding the spelling issue
   • Adding records too quickly
   • Avoiding adding the wrong record
   • Jumping back too quickly
   • Avoiding jumping too quickly
   • Focusing only on direct ancestors
   • Avoiding blinders
   
   
   
   
2. Common Mistakes: Learn how to avoid these mistakes that genealogists often make.
   
   ☆ AJC—3 Biggest Mistakes in Genealogy Research - 2020
   ☆ AF: Don't Make These 8 Mistakes in Your Genealogy Research - 2018


3. Watch these videos for more information about common mistakes in family history research.
   
   ☆ AC—Common Mistakes in Genealogy, Part 1—22:46 - 2012
   
   
   ☆ AC—Common Mistakes in Genealogy, Part 2—26:54 - 2013
   
   
   


4. Learn how to overcome bad habits and be smarter in your research.
   
   ☆ FL—Genealogy Research in the 21st Century Part 2: Overcoming Bad Research Habits - 2020
   ☆ CR—10 Tips to Be a Smart Genealogist—7:52 - 2023
   
   
   


5. Assumptions: Avoid preconceived notions in research, such as: "The genealogy information given to me must be correct;" "Records are always complete and accurate;" "All events have exact dates and places available."
6. Learn about mistaken assumptions in genealogy research.
   
   ☆ AC—Preconceived Notions—29:05 (start 3:00) - 2014
   
   
   ☆ RT—Perilous Assumptions - 2019


7. Other: Understand how mistaken identities occur and how to avoid them.
   
   ☆ GC—Mistaken Identity

Class Outlines:    Basic

1. Understanding Terms: Be familiar with terms that may have confusing uses in genealogy:
   • Word meanings
   • Latin terms
   • Old medical terms
   • Name and word spellings
2. Record Problems: Read the articles to discover possible record problems and how to address them.
   
   ☆ GC—Potential Problems with Records
   ☆ LDS—Dealing with Errors


3. Learn how to overcome problems caused by misindexed records.
   
   ☆ AF—MisIndexing — A Common Brick Wall and How to Get Around It - 2019


4. Watch this video to learn about how to deal with unreliable evidence.
   
   ☆ AAC—Working With Unreliable Evidence—4:46


5. Learn about "revolving door" ancestors, or those who have been added to shared online trees without proper sources.
   
   ☆ JT—What are revolving door ancestors and why do they exist? - 2021


6. Here are some additional tips for working with information in records.
   
   ☆ AAC—Look at Both Sides of Documents—3:05
   ☆ FHD: Why You Should Stop Your Research and Reexamine Every Single Genealogy Record You Have


7. Here are some tips for dealing with multiple birthdates in a family tree.
   
   ☆ CR—Solving the Mystery of Multiple Birthdates in Family History—11:19 - 2022
   
   
   

Class Outlines:    Intermediate

1. Parentage: Document parentage accurately, as explained in this Ancestry video.
   
   ☆ AC—Documenting Parentage—31:30 - 2016   
   • Direct evidence
   • Indirect evidence
   • Negative evidence
   • Summary
   
   
   
   


2. Learn to avoid following the wrong lines in your research.
   
   ☆ PR—Barking Up the Wrong (Family) Tree


3. Learn how to deal with finding multiple people with the same name as your ancestor.
   
   ☆ BYU—Double Trouble: Avoiding the Same Name Trap—32:16 - 2019   
   • What is the "same name trap"?
   • Case Study 1
   • Case Study 2
   • Case Study 3
   • Tips: File your notes
   
   
   
   
   ☆ FL—Revisiting a Research Project—Men of the Same Name - 2020


4. Learn how to work with ancestors who may have changed their names.
   
   ☆ AJC—When Ancestors Changed Names - 2022




Analyzing Evidence



1. Analysis: Learn how to do critical analysis of your research findings.
   
   ☆ FS—Evaluate the Evidence
   ☆ LT—5 Tips for Evaluating Conflicting Evidence


2. Here are more tips for evaluating evidence in the records you are working with.
   
   ☆ LT: Evidence Analysis Explained Part II: Evaluating Genealogy Information
   ☆ LT: Evidence Analysis Explained Part III: Evaluating Genealogical Evidence


3. Get an introduction to record contradictions and discrepancies.
   
   ☆ FS Wiki—Contradictions and discrepancies
   ☆ AAC—Accuracy and Error in Records, Narratives, and Other Sources—9:49


4. Resolving Conflicts: Learn more about how to resolve conflicting evidence.
   
   ☆ AC—Resolving Conflicting Evidence—38:13 - 2014   
   • Start with what you know
   • Move from the known to the unknown
   • Collect and analyze all sources
   
   
   
   ☆ LDS—Dealing with Contradictory Evidence


5. Use these approaches to handle conflicting evidence in research.
   
   ☆ CH—Basics of Evidence Analysis, Part Five: Resolving Conflicts - 2024
   ☆ RT—When Details Disagree: 8 Ways to Resolve Conflicts - 2019


6. Learn about correlating genealogy evidences.
   
   ☆ GTV—Correlation of Evidence—6:57 - 2019
   
   
   


7. Here are some tips for handling genealogy documents that disagree.
   
   ☆ 5 Tips to Use When Genealogy Documents Disagree


8. Explore the Evidence Analysis Process Map by Elizabeth Shown Mills.





Reaching a Conclusion

1. Watch this video for tips on recognizing when your research information is correct.
   
   ☆ AAC—How Do I Know When I Am Right? (video series)


2. Learn how to write solid conclusions for your genealogical research.
   
   ☆ RT—Where's the Proof? Organizing and Writing Genealogical Findings

Exercise
• * Proficient: Find an ancestor whose notes or Person page information indicate conflicting evidence or a problem with parentage. Then use the key points in the articles and video above to develop a plan to resolve the differences.

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Class Outlines:    Intermediate

1. Correlation/Inferential: Use the Correlation (Inferential) approach to piece together records. This helps you can draw conclusions that are supported by the evidence, even though specific facts may be missing.
   
   ☆ Using "Correlation" to Reveal Facts that No Record States
   ☆ FS Wiki—Inferential Genealogy


2. Cluster Research: Use "cluster genealogy" to research friends, associates, and neighbors (FAN) of your ancestors.
   
   ☆ MH Wiki—F.A.N. Club
   ☆ FTM—Ways to Solve Genealogy Problems with Cluster Research


3. Learn how to find missing ancestors by researching other people.
   
   ☆ AJC—How to Find Your Ancestor by Researching Other People - 2016
   ☆ BYU—Locating Your Ancestors Using Clusters—55:29 - 2017


4. Learn to use spreadsheets to track your progress with cluster research.
   
   ☆ FHF—Easiest Tools to Use for Cluster Genealogy Research—9:27 - 2023
   ☆ GTV: Tricks to Making Cluster Research Faster—16:29 - 2018


5. Case Studies: Explore practical case studies in genealogy research.
   
   ☆ TH—Genealogy Case Studies - 2019


6. Watch this example and learn about the value of case studies.
   
   ☆ BYU—Case Study: Double Trouble with Elizabeth Hepton—49:03 - 2020   
   • The value of case studies
   • Red flags on Elizabeth's page
   • Principles of problem solving
   • Check sources
   • Check the Change Log
   • Summary of clues
   • Next steps
   • Fixing incorrect merge
   
   
   
   


7. Explore the "Live and Unrehearsed" research videos on the Goldie May YouTube channel for examples of real-time case studies.
8. Calendars and Dates: Learn how to overcome problems with calendars and dates in your research.
   
   ☆ GC: Dangerous Dates
   ☆ FE: Approximating Family History Dates

Creative approaches to research can help you make progress when traditional methods aren't working well.

Class Outlines:    Intermediate

1. Tips and Tactics: Read this article to learn about proven tips and tactics that reach "out of the box" for results.
   
   ☆ FS—Tips and Tactics—8 pgs. - 2010


2. Learn how to reach the next level in your genealogy resarch.
   
   ☆ LDS: Moving Research Skills to the Next Level


3. Learn to use creative approaches in your research.
   
   ☆ APL—Finding the Things We Are Not Looking For—33:36 - 2022
   
   
   
   ☆ AC—5 Tips to Jumpstart Your Research—7 pgs. - 2016
   


4. Children and Others: Learn how to find missing ancestors by searching for their children.
   
   ☆ LDS—Find Missing Ancestors by Searching for Children
   ☆ FHD—Siblings Are Likely the Key to Solving Your Family History Riddles


5. Mind Maps: Use "mind maps" as explained in this article.
   
   ☆ Mind Mapping for Genealogists - 2012
   ☆ FL: Look at Your Family in a Whole New Way with a Mind Map - 2016


6. Swim Lanes: Learn how to use "swim lanes" to track your research when dealing with complex issues.
   
   ☆ RT—Swim Lanes: A New Analysis Tool for Tricky Situations in Family History Research—4:27 - 2022
   
   
   

Class Outlines:    Basic   |   Intermediate

1. Finding/Using Photos: Use existing photos to further your research work. Look for photos that arouse your curiosity or that seem to have a story to tell.
   
   ☆ FS—Use Photos to Enhance Your Research - 2015
   ☆ GC—Using Photos in Your Research


2. Learn how to find family and historical photos online.
   
   ☆ LT—How to Find Family Photos Online
   ☆ AAC—Finding Ancestral Photos Online (video series)


3. Here are 30 tips from Findmypast on using family photos for genealogy.
   
   ☆ FMP—30 Tips for Using Family Photos for Genealogy - 2020


4. Dates: Learn how to date photographs in their approximate times.
   
   ☆ GC—Dating Your Photographs
   ☆ BYU—Identifying Old Photos by Time Period or Date—46:36 - 2022   
   • Daguerrotype
   • Ambrotype
   • Ferrotypes
   • Carte de Visite
   • Cabinet cards
   • Other mounted photographs
   • Using photographers to date photos
   • Building a reference guide
   
   
   
   


5. Explore the PhotoTree site for photo identification tools.
6. Clues: Find historical fashion clues for your photographs, in the articles below and on the Fashion History Timeline.
   
   ☆ AF—How to Use Women's Clothing to Identify 19th Century Photographs - 2021
   ☆ FTM: Finding Photo Clues in Historical Hat Styles


7. Find hidden secrets in old photos.
   
   ☆ FTM: Quiz: Can You Read the Hidden Clues in this Old Photo?


8. Learn about reviewing and studying photographs.
   
   ☆ AAC—Reviewing and Studying Photographs—2:45
   ☆ AF: Identifying Old Photographs: How to Do It and How It Can Help Your Research - 2015

Taking/Editing Photographs

1. Here are some tips for taking better family history photos.
   
   ☆ BYU—How to Take Better Photos for Genealogy—66:31 - 2020   
   • Exposure
   • Focus
   • Camera Movement
   • Composition
   • Is equipment important?
   • What is a megapixel?
   • Basic parts of a camera
   • Camera vs. scanners
   • Post-production editing
   • What makes a great photo?
   
   
   
   


2. Learn basic skills for editing your photos.
   
   ☆ BYU—Editing Photos for Genealogy—70:29 - 2020   
   • A quick look at some of the problems
   • Underexposed
   • Out of focus
   • What photos can't I fix?
   • What programs should I use?
   • Basic editing
   • Steep learning curve
   • Steps
   • Can we fix this?
   • What are the ethics of editing?
   
   
   
   

1. Questions: Know what questions to ask before declaring a "brick wall".
   
   ☆ LDS—Questions to Ask Yourself Before Declaring a Brick Wall


2. Solutions: Here are some tips and strategies for breakthroughs in your research.
   
   ☆ PR: Expert Strategies on Breaking Down Brick Walls Study
   ☆ FMP—13 Tips to Try when Your Family Tree Leaves You Stumped


3. Here is some helpful advice on cracking your genealogy brick walls.
   
   ☆ AC—Breaking through Your Genealogy Brick Wall—32:06 - 2013


4. Learn tips in these articles for handling challenging situations.
   
   ☆ GC—Impossible and Improbable
   ☆ AJC—Brainstorming Through a Brick Wall - 2017


5. Watch the videos in this series to learn how foundational thinking can help solve brick wall problems.
   
   ☆ AAC—When You Find a Brick Wall, Develop Foundational Thinking (video series)


6. Reaching Out: This case study highlights the value of reaching out to break through walls.
   
   ☆ LT—Solving Genealogy Brick Walls By Reaching Out


7. Negative Results: Learn how "negative results" can be helpful in your research.
   
   ☆ LT—The Upside of Negative Results