Double Down

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publicdomainvectors.org/en/free-clipart/Blacksmith-sketch/63288

Double Down

Why do you do genealogy research? For me, it's about finding more cousins. Others want to uncover the stories that were not passed down, prove their connection to a group of ancestors such as Revolutionary soldiers, pioneers, their links to an ancestral village, or an early group of immigrants. 

I think it is important to think about what you really want because focusing your attention to a specific goal naturally increases your enjoyment, skill and success. Along the way, notice what tools you use to find and document your discoveries, and research how to best use those tools. Create a work flow that optimizes the time you have and improves your end product. 

What is your dream? A trip to the old home place? A book about the family? A family reunion, or large DNA project? The more detailed your dream, the more effective your work will be.

As I improve my DNA tree, I work in the Ancestry.com online tree and use "Pro Tools" daily; and I also use the Ancestry search and catalog, indexes, timeline and gallery along with other online resources. I also have access to Newspapers.com, and Fold3 thanks to a group subscription. Thank you, MaryAnn for keeping that going! 

I also have a Windows partition on my (linux) computer where I run both RootsMagic and FamilyTreeMaker. I use both applications primarily as a backup to my Ancestry tree, and try to ensure that my ancestors are accurately recorded and sourced along with many of their FAN club (Family, Friends, Neighbors & Associates) in the FamilySearch Family Tree and ultimately, in Wikitree.

Critical for my goal is an accurate Ancestry tree. Here DNA works in tandem with historical records. Do the basic records independently support the names, dates and relationships in the tree? Do the DNA matches I've added to my tree and the size of their match fall within the norm of the identified relationship with me and matches in common? Or is there an as-yet unidentified other ancestor boosting the size of the match? In other words, is a sixth cousin sharing far too many cM? Time to dig deeper into their tree, using matches in common and Pro Tools. Blaine Bettinger's Shared cM Project is a help in these situations, along with What Are the Odds and Banyan DNA.

Ultimately though, the basics are where I double down. Eliminate duplicate profiles, and use the descendant tree view to check that all the children in lines of interest have been followed down to the 1950 Census. There is no shortcut to pounding out the basic work. Following the Genealogical Proof Standard is the best way to do that, over and over again. When the basic tree is solid, the next phase will be wading into deeper water, which for me are court and land records. Newspaper notices are already giving me some indications of when and where to begin those searches, both online and eventually, some courthouse and archives trips.

I plan to write about some of this work along the way, and hope to hear from readers about your struggles and progress too!

Valorie Zimmerman

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Send your stories to m.strickland@skcgs.org






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