Wallbusters
Brickwall is the status name when a genealogist researches an ancestor for an extended period and just cannot make any progress. It can often help genealogists have “another pair of eyes” review existing data and do research in a different way to help solve a brickwall. In September 2020, a small group of volunteers from the Genealogy Association of Colleyville was formed to study brickwall cases, offer suggestions and generally provide that other set of eyes on brickwall case information. The group was named the “Colleyville WallBusters,” (CWB). The CWB team provide this service free-of-charge to both members of the Association and to non-members.
Beginning on October 8, 2020, members of the CWB met weekly (via Zoom) and reviewed a selected case with the idea to offer recommendations on how to proceed with a search or sometimes actually breaking through a brick wall - or at least loosening a few bricks. Members who requested the case review were invited to the zoom meetings to provide additional information, answer questions.
The Colleyville Wallbusters
Members of the Genealogy Association of Colleyville are invited to complete a two page questionnaire in order to request assistance with their brickwall case. By July 31, 2021, Initial reviews were completed for the first 16 cases. Complete success was achieved in several cases. CWB was also able to provide most requestors with new information to help advance their research. Additional cases have been received bringing the case total to 25 as of May 4, 2022 and 39 as of July 31, 2023. CWB does return to ‘old’ cases from time-to-time to see if a second look will reveal something new.
Case information was initially posted on Google Drive then moved to Microsoft OneNote. In addition to the notes for each case, the CWB OneNote notebook also has a spreadsheet of Familysearch.org reference numbers, the requesting person’s contact information etc. The CWB recording secretary also maintains a research log with meeting notes to supplement video recordings of zoom meetings.
While Genealogy Association of Colleyville members receive priority in their requests, CWB has reviewed many cases from non-members. Whether you are an Association member or not, if you would like CWB to help with your brickwall, please write to colleyvillegenealogy@gmail.com and provide a little information about your genealogical brickwall.
In the sub-pages in this section of the website we plan on posting some cases details where perhaps researchers elsewhere in the world may have additional information or ideas that they might wish to share with CWB through our email address: colleyvillegenealogy@gmail.com. The cases notes are provided by the requestor and posted with that person’s permission.
The topic for the Genealogy Association of Colleyville meeting on January 3rd 2024 is "Wallbusters Reveal". The handout for the team presentation and panel discussion can be downloaded using the link below.
Brick Wall Questionnaire
If you would like to submit information about one of your brick walls to Wallbusters, please fill out the form, below: