All of my genealogy time and effort is focused on how to trace hard-to-find ancestors–yours and mine.\u00a0 Some years ago I adopted a research system that guarantees a high rate of success.\u00a0 Results require precision:<\/p>\n
When I become distracted by new sources that have just been published and appear on the new book shelf, the thought goes through my mind–do these sources apply to the locations I am currently researching?\u00a0 Do they fit my most difficult to research family?\u00a0 Where can I find these sources to use?<\/p>\n
My first thoughts are about my blogs and you gentle readers who write me for suggestions on tracing your most difficult research families.\u00a0 Then my mind turns to the presentations I am scheduled to make before audiences–which of these new resources can I share with you?\u00a0 What illustrations can I select that will mean something to you?<\/p>\n
Finally, there are the times that I work for several hours researching a very difficult family line–unable to fit the persons together into family units.\u00a0 And I decide that perhaps I missed something significant in the records already looked at.\u00a0 So I re-trace my steps… \u00a0 re-read the documents…\u00a0\u00a0 re-read the documents aloud…\u00a0\u00a0 Let me share an example:<\/p>\n
Richard Hodierne, silk<\/span> weaver<\/strong> of Coventry England, had several apprentices:<\/p>\n Note the differences–first, there are a potential of 6 Richards.\u00a0 More likely 3 or 4 separate Richard Hodiernes depending on if the ribbon<\/span> weaver is the same Richard as the silk<\/span> weaver.\u00a0 The ribbons made in Coventry were made of silk.\u00a0 And Richard Hodierne, the silk weaver was trained as a ribbon weaver.<\/p>\n Don’t be distracted<\/strong>–the focus should be on the Richard who was put to apprenticeship by the Overseers of the Poor<\/em>.\u00a0 This Richard had no choice–he came under the authority of the Poor Law.\u00a0 He is a different Richard<\/strong> than the Richard who is the son of Richard.\u00a0 So for sure there are three Richards.\u00a0 Two<\/span> men in Coventry had sons named Richard. Only one is christened in St. Michael’s parish.<\/p>\n If the records were always complete–both Richards would be christened.\u00a0 And named in the parish register.\u00a0 And you know the records–any record category–is rarely complete.\u00a0 You find extra persons named in other record categories that you must account for.\u00a0 Beware of pedigrees built from one source alone!!<\/strong><\/p>\n Re-reading the documents, and re-reading the documents aloud highlighted the differences in the entries–differences that must be addressed.\u00a0 Your favorite genealogist, Arlene Eakle\u00a0 http:\/\/arleneeakle.com<\/p>\n PS\u00a0 All of my examples come from the genealogy research I do for my clients.\u00a0 And those clients come from a broad enough background that I can select those most likely to be relevant to you gentle readers.\u00a0 I thank you for your attention to my blogs and your attendance to my presentations at genealogy conferences across the country.\u00a0 Watch for my updated schedule.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n All of my genealogy time and effort is focused on how to trace hard-to-find ancestors–yours and mine.\u00a0 Some years ago I adopted a research system that guarantees a high rate of success.\u00a0 Results require precision: Working step-by-step through the basic … Continue reading \n
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