Time Horizon 

Ttime Horizon by  nicola2002f (pixabay.com)

 

How far do you see into your future? It turns out, not only does that vary widely, but it makes a huge difference in how we live our lives. The same was true of our ancestors, but the reason I'm writing about this is that it governs how we choose to do our work. When I was young, I was interested in knowing more about my family history, but did not have the know-how. These days, many aspects are easier, but it seems like I'm running out of time. And that's OK, because it helps to focus. For more about this, listen to The Best Years of Your Life, part of the Hidden Brain podcast. 

So how can I do ALL the THINGS?  I think the best way to focus is to first, listen to my heart. What do I truly want to investigate, do for someone, or even finish up? So it starts with a question, which can then become a plan. It is important to me to write it down, so even if there is interruption, the project can be resumed. Then, use the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS) until the the goal is reached, and the story is written. It is in writing that holes in the research are revealed, or unresolved conflicts send you back into the process. 

Most of us began without a clear plan, and just plucked the low-hanging fruit from our tree. However, deep understanding of the lives of our ancestors will not reveal itself without both focus and desire, and some digging. 

Genealogical Proof Standard

I use the GPS as the workflow, because as research continues, citations are written, analysis of findings continues, resolution of conflicts perhaps brings new evidence to bear, and the cycle continues until the conclusion finishes it—for now. 

 

It is convenient for me to use my Google Drive, which I can access from either of my computers, or even from my phone. So it is easy to create a research plan, which can be as detailed as necessary. In fact, as databases are identified,  citations are started; as findings are made, all that remains is to add the details, date of access, etc. The easier it is, the more likely the citations will be complete, helpful, accurate and detailed.

 

These days, not only do we all have access to the FamilySearch Research Wiki, we can also access "deep research" AI tools for free. The can widen your focus beyond typical "genealogy" records, and learn about all aspects of your person's life. Create a detailed timeline and attach those citations to it. Timelines are vital tools for analysis and understanding and often help when resolving conflicting evidence. For instance, in a tree for my grandson, either two men with the same surname married the same woman, or perhaps brothers did? I will need a very intensive timeline or a table of all the facts to work that out before proceeding. The more specific details often tell the story.

Before research begins, what tools are needed? As I'm building out a tree, I work from what is already known, and fill in starting with "skeleton" records, such as census, marriage records and if possible, death records. Usually I start in Ancestry because my DNA is there (if applicable) and the hints can be useful. 

FamilySearch is a good next stop, because there are even more fundamental records such as tax, land, probate and court, which become crucial before 1850, when only heads of household are named in the census. Don't stop there if you want record images, old photos, or fellow cousin-researchers. Be sure to see what records others have attached to the people you are researching, but analyze before attaching to your tree. Same-named people are not always the same person, for instance.

In my effort to have a complete tree for my grandson, his other grandpa recently agreed to take a DNA test, and gave me access to the little tree he'd been building. As I moved beyond Ancestry and looked at MyHeritage, I found his parents' marriage license. While transcribing the record, I noticed that it said that the marriage certificate was on the back! Hurried back to MyH to see if they had the back, which they did. Not only that, but they had the original hand-written application. What a gift! Steve is delighted to see his parents' handwriting when they were so young. 

Continue to look methodically in all the larger databases, and work your way down to the smaller repositories, libraries and archives. Specialized or regional groups such as JewishGen, German societies, Geneanet, historical and hobby groups such as railroaders. Remember to include the FANs, the family, friends, associates and neighbors. These are the people who witness weddings, wills, deeds, and put up bonds. 

If you are using DNA evidence, all the testing companies and "third-party" sites such as Gedmatch, Wikitree, DNAPainter, DNAGedcom, and others might provide the tools you need to investigate or support your project. 

I've found that DNA evidence is most useful for support if the record searches, historical reading, and cycling through the GPS is well advanced. Notice localities as well as surnames. As the tree grows with the addition of your DNA matches back to the common ancestors, the research cycle continues. 

Notice that last step in the GPS: write it up! And get that story told to the world one way or another. One excellent way is to send it to m.strickland@skcgs for publication right here! Also, you can create a PDF of your document and upload and attach it to most of the trees out there. My favorite place is Wikitree, where the biography section of each profile is a permanent place to publish their stories. You can also create free-space pages for documents or stories that apply to multiple people or families, and link that to those individual profiles.

 

Valorie Zimmerman