Master Ancestry.com Fundamentals
Learn to use the search filters effectively (exact vs. phonetic matching)
Understand the difference between indexed records and browsable collections
Save promising records even if you're not certain - you can evaluate them later
Build Your Foundation with Newspapers.com
Search for obituaries first - they often contain multiple generations of family information
Look for birth announcements, marriage notices, and social columns
Check local papers from areas where your ancestors lived
Don't forget to search maiden names and nickname variations
Government Records through Archives
Start with vital records (birth, death, marriage) from state and county archives
Research land records for property ownership and family connections
Explore probate records for family relationships and economic status
Multi-Platform Strategy: Comprehensive Coverage Approach
Use Ancestry as your primary hub but don't rely on it exclusively
Cross-reference findings across multiple databases to verify accuracy
Keep detailed research logs noting which databases you've searched and what terms you used
Find My Past for British Connections
Essential for English, Welsh, Scottish, and Irish ancestry
Stronger coverage of UK parish registers and military records
Unique collections like British phone books and electoral rolls
Immigration records for ancestors leaving the British Isles
MyHeritage for International Expansion
Excellent for Eastern European, Scandinavian, and Jewish genealogy
Strong newspaper collection from smaller towns and international sources
Unique family tree matching technology
Historical map overlay features for understanding geographical changes
American Ancestors for Colonial Lineages
Specializes in pre-1850 New England research
Access to compiled genealogies and published family histories
Mayflower and colonial society records
Scholarly articles and research methodologies
Fold3 as Your Primary Military Resource – Service Records Strategy
Start with compiled military service records (CMSR) for Civil War ancestors
Progress to pension files - often contain extensive family information
Research unit histories to understand your ancestor's military experience
Look for muster rolls and regimental records for additional details
Cross-Reference with Ancestry
Use Ancestry's military collections to fill gaps
Check draft registration cards for WWI and WWII
Research family members who may have served but didn't receive pensions
Look for military census records and veteran schedules
Newspapers.com for Military Context
Search for local coverage of military units and battles
Find homecoming stories and casualty reports
Look for letters to the editor from soldiers or their families
Research local military company formations and departures
DNA Research Integration:
Take DNA tests with multiple companies (AncestryDNA, 23andMe, MyHeritage, FamilyTreeDNA)
Learn to interpret ethnicity estimates and confidence intervals
Focus on shared matches to break through brick walls
Use chromosome mapping tools for advanced analysis
Join surname study groups and geographic DNA projects
Ethnic and Religious Specialized Resources:
Jewish Genealogy: JewishGen, Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society records, synagogue records
African American Research: FreemansBureau records, Freedmen's Bank records, slave schedules
Native American: Tribal enrollment records, Indian census rolls, Bureau of Indian Affairs records
German/Eastern European: Castle Garden records, passenger ship manifests, church records
Irish Research: Griffith's Valuation, Catholic parish registers, Famine memorial records
Local and Regional Research:
Contact local historical societies and genealogical societies
Visit courthouses for records that haven't been digitized
Research local cemeteries and funeral home records
Explore city directories and telephone books
Check local museum archives and university special collections
Documentation Best Practices:
Always cite your sources completely
Keep research logs with dates, databases searched, and results
Create a filing system for both digital and physical documents
Back up your research regularly in multiple formats
Use genealogy software to organize your findings systematically
Verification Techniques:
Follow the genealogical proof standard: thorough search, complete citation, analysis and correlation, resolution of conflicts, written conclusion
Look for multiple sources to confirm each fact
Be skeptical of information that seems too convenient or perfect
Understand the difference between primary, secondary, and derivative sources
Breaking Through Brick Walls:
Research siblings, neighbors, and associates of your direct ancestors
Look for spelling variations and nickname possibilities
Consider migration patterns and historical context
Use cluster genealogy - research entire family groups together
Try reverse genealogy - start with a known descendant and work backward
Research Mistakes:
Don't assume two people with the same name are the same person
Be cautious about accepting other researchers' work without verification
Don't ignore records that seem to contradict your research - investigate discrepancies
Avoid getting distracted by famous people who might share your surname
Don't rush - thorough research takes time and patience
Technology Traps:
Don't rely solely on search algorithms - browse collections manually too
Be aware that OCR (optical character recognition) isn't perfect - try multiple search terms
Save original images, not just transcriptions
Keep local copies of important records in case they become unavailable
Networking for Success:
Connect with other club members and share ideas
Join local genealogical societies and attend meetings
Participate in online forums and Facebook groups
Attend genealogy conferences and workshops
Connect with others researching the same surnames or geographic areas
Share your research findings with the genealogical community
Collaborative Research:
Coordinate with distant cousins you've found through DNA or traditional research
Share costs for obtaining records from distant repositories
Exchange research findings and family photographs
Work together on large projects like cemetery transcriptions or family reunions
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