Tax records have three distinct advantages compared with pre-1850 U.S. census records. Many tax records: Are produced annually; Predate the 1790 census; and Possess more than a list of names. Tax records are often sidelined in our genealogy research because censuses are more widely available and have been popularized because of their availability. Compared toContinue reading “Tax Records are Better than Early Census Records”
Category Archives: FAN Club
New Full-Text Search at FamilySearch Uses Artificial Intelligence
Last week at Rootstech, FamilySearch announced a new experimental feature to search several unindexed collections. This enhancement harnesses artificial intelligence (AI) and optical character recognition (OCR) to quickly search several valuable record collections. It has the potential to not only drastically cut search time, but it may also help break through brick walls. Full-text SearchContinue reading “New Full-Text Search at FamilySearch Uses Artificial Intelligence”
Genealogy Ping Pong: Alternating Between Documentary Research and DNA
Ping Pong is the perfect metaphor to describe how to use both documentary records and DNA to break down genealogy brick walls. The strategy begins by analyzing evidence from documentary records and then using your findings here to guide the analysis of your DNA matches. Next, use the patterns observed within your DNA matches toContinue reading “Genealogy Ping Pong: Alternating Between Documentary Research and DNA”
How to Use City Directories to Resolve Genealogical Questions
If you’re like me, you probably know what city directories are but couldn’t imagine how to really use them in your genealogical research. Sure, city directories list a person’s name, occupation, and address, which we can trace annually through time. But what else can we do with that information? Can you use it solve challengingContinue reading “How to Use City Directories to Resolve Genealogical Questions”
Genealogical Evidentiary Networks: A Tool for Presenting Indirect Evidence
Organizing and presenting indirect evidence can be a challenge. Using the Genealogical Evidentiary Network diagram can help you write overcome these challenges. #ancestry #genealogy #familyhistory
Poor Ancestors are not Invisible: Part 3, Debtor Records
Courthouse debtor records can provide valuable insights into understanding the plight of our ancestors and may also discover important vital statistics. Several case studies highlight the rich information found in these sources. #ancestry #genealogy #familyhistory
Poor Ancestors are not Invisible: Part 2, Poorhouse Records
Poorhouse records can provide valuable insights into understanding the plight of our ancestors and also discover important vital statistics. Several case studies highlight the rich information found in these sources. #ancestry #genealogy #familyhistory
Poor Ancestors are not Invisible: Part 1, Pension Applications
Pension applications can provide valuable insights into our poor ancestors’ lives including vital statistics. Several case studies highlight the rich information found in these sources. #ancestry #genealogy #familyhistory
Land Deed Witnesses: Clues to Family Relationships
Land deeds provide more information than the locations of where our ancestors lived. Witnesses can help break through stubborn genealogical brick walls. #ancestry #genealogy #familyhistory