The second session that I attended at the Federation of Genealogical Societies 2010 Conference was “Advanced Web Methods & Sources,” presented by Karen Clifford, AG®, FUGA. The description for this session was: “When name searching online isn’t enough, focus on the missing elements of a person’s identity. Then use key web sources to find those elements that, used together, build links to the next generation.”
I found this presentation to be not so much about web methods as about general research methods, with a few web sources thrown in. In fact, the first note I made was to “use the same strategies for internet and non-internet research.”
My notes included:
- Remain organized
- Record ALL possible details
- Stay focused on a goal: keep a pedigree chart & family group sheet in front of you while researching.
- Research every location for three generations.
- List the names of siblings and children – look for naming patterns.
- Write the goal on a research planner: planners give you time to list records & places to search in advance in order to solve research problem.
- By studying the locality, more sources will be found.
Some web sources:
- A genealogy-specific search engine: http://www.genealogyplace.com/
- NUCMC – the National Union Catalog of Manuscript Collections (this was mentioned in several sessions that I attended).
- (She mentioned many other web sources, but these were the only two with which I was not already familiar.)
A few thoughts:
- I do not currently use a research planner. I can see how it would invaluable if I were doing client work and working on a specific problem that had to be completed within a time frame. However, I work on so many things and tend to jump back and forth, that research planners just seem like extra work and more paper. How about you? Anybody using research planners?
- I did like the idea of keeping the pedigree chart and/or family group sheet in front of me while researching to help stay on task. Another idea I liked (and I can’t remember if it was from this presentation or another one) was to write your research problem on a sticky note and stick it on your monitor – that way it is right there in front of you all the time you are working.
- I tried the Genealogy Place search engine and it seems pretty good. It automatically formats advanced searches, so that you don’t have to.
This is not intended to be a transcript or even a synopsis of the lecture, but rather reflects some of the things that I learned.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
The idea of keeping a FGS and pedigree in front of you is a great idea and one which I haven’t used. I mean I have my genealogy program and all the info but it seems like having those two forms in front of you (up to date) might make one think more.
I am starting to use a research planner with the problem/question posed at the the top of it.
Michelle Goodrum´s last [type] ..Sorting Saturday – An Organizing System for Slides
I don’t use a research planner, yet; still use the old “to do” list.
Greta Koehl´s last [type] ..Researching in Greenville
Me too. I am all about the to-do list. : )
Hi Tonia
I tend to loose focus and I think this is a very relevant point that you have brought up.
There is so much resources available that I tend to get side tracked
Regards
Laura
Laura from familytreesearchuk.co.uk´s last [type] ..Family History Search
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