Genealogy Do-Over Week 4 Cycle 4: 23-29 October 2015

Genealogy Do-Over - Week 4, Cycle 4: 23-29 October 2015

The premise: Each time you enter search criteria in an online search form – be it a Google search or Ancestry.com search, track it. There is actually a worksheet tab in the Research Log template called Search Attempts where you can enter data. So what do I track? The Date I performed the search. The Website where the search was used. Notation of a specific Database where the search was performed, if applicable Type of search (this field is becoming less relevant over time and I may just remove it) The Criteria used for the search, i.e. “AUSTIN John Ralph birth” or “Last name = AUSTIN, First name = John . . .” Results is where I add the URL link And I enter my analysis or thoughts about the search in the Notes field. And why do I track searches? One reason: I can take the search criteria I use on Ancestry.com and see what results I get over at MyHeritage or at FamilySearch. Another reason: Very often new records are added to a record set or a record set is re-indexed. It pays to return to the record set and repeat the search to see if new records are found. What I Plan to Do: Continue tracking my searches as time permits. All-In Participant Options: Consider tracking your searches. Take a minute and enter three searches – perhaps the ones you do most often. See if tracking the searches and entering a link for each search can save you time. Modified Participant Options: This topic may not be relevant since many doing a Go-Over are not actively researching, just reviewing and editing current data. ******* It is SO important to keep track of searches! I think of a search as a map ... sometimes it leads you to expected places, and sometimes to unexpected ones!

30 October 2015 - 31 Days to Better Genealogy - Day 30

31 Days of Genealogy - Day 30 Day 30 - Find a Genealogy Buddy

Your To-Do Think about the people in the circles you already are in. Do you know of any who are interested in genealogy? Talk shop with them sometime! If you don't have any family historians among your friends and co-workers, start attending the meetings of your local genealogy society. You'll definitely find some like-minded people there. It probably won't happen with just one meeting, but I can almost guarantee that you'll enjoy the experience.

29 October 2015 - 31 Days to Better Genealogy - Day 29

31 Days of Genealogy - Day 29 Day 29 - Explore Local Historical Societies

Your To-Do Identify at least one historical society in the area where your ancestors lived. Look at its website and/or Facebook page to see what they have to offer.

Jefferson County, Ohio (home of John Robson Richard's family)

Macoupin County, Illinois (home of the Allen and Peter family)

Cowley County, Kansas (home of a LOT of the family)

28 October 2015 - 31 Days to Better Genealogy - Day 28

31 Days of Genealogy - Day 28 Day 28 - Volunteer With FamilySearch Indexing

Your To-Do Sign up for FamilySearch Indexing and index at least one batch in a collection of your choosing. Have fun with it! I enjoy indexing/transcribing ... gives me great practice on reading OLD script

27 October 2015 - 31 Days to Better Genealogy - Day 27

31 Days of Genealogy - Day 27 Day 27 - Take a DNA Test

Your To-Do Consider your research goals and explore which type of DNA test best fits those goals. DNA tests can be on the pricy side. (When 23andMe recently relaunched its test, they doubled their price to $199.) Be sure to do your homework first so you take the right test for what you want to find out.  My DNA Profile

26 October 2015 - 31 Days to Better Genealogy - Day 26

31 Days of Genealogy - Day 26 Day 26 - Explore Your Local Library

Your To-Do Check out your local public library. See what databases they offer (and which ones are available from home). Also see what special collections they have and what events they have coming up.  ***** I'd also add to check the state library as well. They will often have genealogical records from all counties. The INDIANA STATE LIBRARY encourages email questions, and "ask a librarian" posts ... and they'll help in the quest ... http://www.in.gov/library/3257.htm lists the overview of the genealogical collection for the ISL.

23 October 2015 - 31 Days to Better Genealogy - Day 23

31 Days of Genealogy - Day 23

Day 23 - Explore Internet Archive

Your To-Do

Think about an aspect of one of your ancestor's lives. Perhaps military service, religion, or residence. Go to Internet Archive and do different searches based on that. When you find an interesting resource, search within that one for the surname you're looking for. While you're there, do some general reading as well. Context is always a good thing!

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