Showing posts with label Research. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Research. Show all posts
Monday, November 05, 2007
Sharing the Bounty
Over at Family Matters, Denise Olson is sharing a veritable treasure trove of genealogical on-line resources. The links she's been posting are part of the collection at the Genealogy Research Resources Group at Diigo, a self-described "social annotation" site. I had not used Diigo until now, but it seems simple and a great way to share your discoveries. I'm sharing things that I've come across that may be otherwise a bit difficult to find. Check it out! And see the Genealogy Research Support Group that Denise has started at Diigo.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Interviewing Family Members in the Field
How many times have you heard somebody [or even yourself] say, "I wish I had asked [insert name of now-deceased family member here] about this!" That's the family historian's lament. It's also sometimes the motivation to seek out far-flung family members to get their stories.
"Getting their stories" is the essential nature of what needs to be done. On the other hand, accuracy is just as important a value as "getting the story." What's the best way to accomplish both goals?
Uncle Fred is likely to be put off if you bring a court reporter or a bank of microphones connected to a large tape recorder and start by saying, "State your name for the record, please." This approach will guarantee in most cases that you won't get the story!
On the other hand, you may not get the story seated in Uncle Fred's favorite dark bar, tossing back a few, and trying to write facts down on a cocktail napkin.
I think the "right" approach varies with the family member, although there are some basics that I like to use in every case.
First, I like to conduct the "interview" in a place comfortable for the family member, but where photos or documents may be easily accessible. That rules out the dark tavern! The family member's home at a quiet and convenient time often works best.
Craig interviews his cousin Sylvia Jones (not pictured) in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 29, 2007. At left is Craig's aunt, Delorise Gines, in whose kitchen they are seated. [Photo copyright Sherise Diamond. Used with permission].
Let your relative know in advance what questions you're interested in, so they might think about the subjects and perhaps find documents and photographs that are related.
Ask your questions in a friendly, conversational manner. How do you record the answers, especially if some answers are long narratives? A lot of people are uncomfortable in the presence of a recording device and others get distracted by a listener who's writing.
Assess in advance how your relative feels about recording devices. Sometimes this can be done simply by asking the relative; other times you may have to ask someone else or come to a conclusion based on what you know about the person.
I often take my laptop with me and before I get down to the actual "interview", I show my relative some of the work that I've previously done. Sometimes I'll show them a color chart of their ancestry as far as I know it, or sometimes I'll show them a photograph of an ancestor. These techniques are friendly ways to get folks talking. Since they've seen me with the laptop, they're not surprised when I type notes occasionally while they're talking.
Many of the best "interviews" take place in very informal circumstances. In Kansas City, for example, I went to a family birthday party at a well-known seafood restaurant. I sat next to a family member with whom I had not spent much time on this trip. He was full of stories that I had not heard. Most of these were a little short on specific dates, but there was enough "meat" to follow up on the specifics later on.
Even an interview that commences informally can transition to a more formal interview at the right time. For example, while looking at a photograph that the family member has produced, the interviewer will want to record certain basic information--now may be the time to get out the digital voice recorder.
I also take my camera and portable scanner with me.
The key issue is to make the family member feel comfortable, respected, and trusting of the interviewer. This means that the family member must perceive that the interviewer is seriously interested and will not belittle or denigrate the family member.
What techniques do you use to "get the story" from family members?
"Getting their stories" is the essential nature of what needs to be done. On the other hand, accuracy is just as important a value as "getting the story." What's the best way to accomplish both goals?
Uncle Fred is likely to be put off if you bring a court reporter or a bank of microphones connected to a large tape recorder and start by saying, "State your name for the record, please." This approach will guarantee in most cases that you won't get the story!
On the other hand, you may not get the story seated in Uncle Fred's favorite dark bar, tossing back a few, and trying to write facts down on a cocktail napkin.
I think the "right" approach varies with the family member, although there are some basics that I like to use in every case.
First, I like to conduct the "interview" in a place comfortable for the family member, but where photos or documents may be easily accessible. That rules out the dark tavern! The family member's home at a quiet and convenient time often works best.
Craig interviews his cousin Sylvia Jones (not pictured) in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 29, 2007. At left is Craig's aunt, Delorise Gines, in whose kitchen they are seated. [Photo copyright Sherise Diamond. Used with permission].Let your relative know in advance what questions you're interested in, so they might think about the subjects and perhaps find documents and photographs that are related.
Ask your questions in a friendly, conversational manner. How do you record the answers, especially if some answers are long narratives? A lot of people are uncomfortable in the presence of a recording device and others get distracted by a listener who's writing.
Assess in advance how your relative feels about recording devices. Sometimes this can be done simply by asking the relative; other times you may have to ask someone else or come to a conclusion based on what you know about the person.
I often take my laptop with me and before I get down to the actual "interview", I show my relative some of the work that I've previously done. Sometimes I'll show them a color chart of their ancestry as far as I know it, or sometimes I'll show them a photograph of an ancestor. These techniques are friendly ways to get folks talking. Since they've seen me with the laptop, they're not surprised when I type notes occasionally while they're talking.
Many of the best "interviews" take place in very informal circumstances. In Kansas City, for example, I went to a family birthday party at a well-known seafood restaurant. I sat next to a family member with whom I had not spent much time on this trip. He was full of stories that I had not heard. Most of these were a little short on specific dates, but there was enough "meat" to follow up on the specifics later on.
Even an interview that commences informally can transition to a more formal interview at the right time. For example, while looking at a photograph that the family member has produced, the interviewer will want to record certain basic information--now may be the time to get out the digital voice recorder.
I also take my camera and portable scanner with me.
The key issue is to make the family member feel comfortable, respected, and trusting of the interviewer. This means that the family member must perceive that the interviewer is seriously interested and will not belittle or denigrate the family member.
What techniques do you use to "get the story" from family members?
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
We're in Kansas City!
We made the trip from St Louis to Kansas City in record time this afternoon with the GeneaBlogie staff photographer (aka Photo Grrl) at the wheel of a 2007 Pontiac Firebird Grand Am. Photo Grrl went to college in Leavenworth, Kansas, several decades ago and is well-familiar with all the speed enforcement agencies between KC and St Louis. On this trip, she showed she still has the right stuff as she evaded every trap the local yokels, county mounties, and state smokies could devise.
Though tired out by the hypersonic journey, we had dinner with Aunt Delorise Gines and made plans for research adventures in northwest Missouri. We'll be heading out to several cemeteries, to the Clay County Archives, the KCMO and KCKS public libraries, and one or two other places. We'll be scanning Aunt Dee's extensive collection of photographs and funeral programs. On Saturday, we'll have a mini-family reunion of sorts.
Though tired out by the hypersonic journey, we had dinner with Aunt Delorise Gines and made plans for research adventures in northwest Missouri. We'll be heading out to several cemeteries, to the Clay County Archives, the KCMO and KCKS public libraries, and one or two other places. We'll be scanning Aunt Dee's extensive collection of photographs and funeral programs. On Saturday, we'll have a mini-family reunion of sorts.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
The Reserach Trip Gets Much, Much Better
[Posted from the St Louis Public Library, St Louis, Missouri] Life on our big research trip has gotten much, muuch better! On Friday, I explored the well-maintained genealogical collection of the St Louis Public Library at the central branch downtown, as well as the archives of the St Louis Post-Dispatch and the now-defunct St Louis Globe-Democrat. The complete archives of these newspapers are available only on microfilm at the St Louis Public Library. On Saturday, we headed across the Mississippi River to the town of Prairie du Rocher, Illinois. We had several pleasant surprises there, from a friendly and helpful encounter with the local police, to an enlightening chat with the parish priest, and then, most surprising of all, a chance encounter with an internationally-known historian!
On Sunday, we basically rested, but found time to go through and scan a treasure trove of old photographs. On Monday, we found another cache of old and valuable photographs. Today, we're back in the library in the morning, and then out Calvary Catholic Cemetery in the afternoon.
So lead has turned to gold. And I've learned a few practical things as well. Later, I'll write about all the things I've mentioned here as well as the practical lessons learned.
We're headed to Kansas City tomorrow.
On Sunday, we basically rested, but found time to go through and scan a treasure trove of old photographs. On Monday, we found another cache of old and valuable photographs. Today, we're back in the library in the morning, and then out Calvary Catholic Cemetery in the afternoon.
So lead has turned to gold. And I've learned a few practical things as well. Later, I'll write about all the things I've mentioned here as well as the practical lessons learned.
We're headed to Kansas City tomorrow.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Research Resource: Uncommon Resources
Randy Seaver has posted about a talk by Ann J. Miller concerning lesser-used research resources. I've not heard that talk, but I have had some experience with some of these resources. Here I explain where and how to find some of them. Not all are online and some are not available in microform, either. So finding some of these records requires the good old fashioned hard working genealogical research.
Land and property records
These are mostly available on microfilm from the Family History Library. More recent records are available online in many jurisdictions. A good example is the Jackson County, Missouri site. These sites vary in terms of what is available and whether there is a charge. Jackson County, Missouri, provides PDF copies of documents for no charge. On the other hand, Nacogdoches County, Texas, charges a modest fee ($2.00-$3.00) for copies of documents. [its documents are handled online by a commercial concern].
Probate records
These records include wills and guardianship records. The records are mostly available on microfilm from the FHL. Only a few jurisdictions have these records online. An example is Nacogdoches County, Texas. Probate records include information about many folks other than the decedent. You will learn about children, spouses, executors, appraisers, accountants, and lawyers. For example, last year, I wrote to the Milam County Clerk in Cameron, Texas, for the probate files of Reuben Henry Sanford and Martha Sanford. I learned a number of things that I did not know.
In 2005, I went to Thomaston, Georgia, to examine records of Upson County. I looked through original probate records in the chambers of the local probate judge. It was quite interesting. If you live close enough to the jurisdiction in which you are researching or if you have reason to go there, looking through the ancient books adds another lively dimension to your research adventure!
Assessment and tax records
Mostly available on microfilm from FHC. More recent records are available online in many jurisdictions. See for example, Aransas County (Tex.) Assessment District.
Court records, including divorce records
Some are available on microfilm from FHC. More recent records are available online in some jurisdictions. Examples include the Missouri circuit courts and the Los Angeles Superior Court. Online sites vary in terms of what is actually available. Note that California's legislature is considering a bill to restrict divorce records---seems to have been motivated by a rich guy's embarrassment about having his financial information available to public in a property settlement. It's not clear that this controversial bill will pass.
Obituaries
As Randy notes, obituaries can supply information about not just the deceased, but for parents, siblings, and children. There are several commercial site on-line such as obitsarchive.com and newspaperarchives.com. A number of public libraries have obituary indexes, usually in cooperation with a local newspaper. A good example (heck, the best example) is the Corpus Christi Public Libraries site. They will e-mail or snail-mail copies of obituaries from the Corpus Christi newspapers. Not all libraries will do that.
Passport Applications . . .
. . . have a variety of information. But note that passports were generally not required before 1941. Passport applications up to March 1925 can be found at the National Archives and Records Administration and from April 1925 to the present at the State Department. To obtain the passport files of a deceased person, you must file a request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This the same provision of law under which you obtain the Social Security applications (SS-5). The State Department has a handy "FOIA Letter Generator" that makes this process simple. I'm going to try it and will report back on how long it took, etc. You can also request the passport files of a living person with proof of their consent.
More to come on uncomon resources!
Land and property records
These are mostly available on microfilm from the Family History Library. More recent records are available online in many jurisdictions. A good example is the Jackson County, Missouri site. These sites vary in terms of what is available and whether there is a charge. Jackson County, Missouri, provides PDF copies of documents for no charge. On the other hand, Nacogdoches County, Texas, charges a modest fee ($2.00-$3.00) for copies of documents. [its documents are handled online by a commercial concern].
Probate records
These records include wills and guardianship records. The records are mostly available on microfilm from the FHL. Only a few jurisdictions have these records online. An example is Nacogdoches County, Texas. Probate records include information about many folks other than the decedent. You will learn about children, spouses, executors, appraisers, accountants, and lawyers. For example, last year, I wrote to the Milam County Clerk in Cameron, Texas, for the probate files of Reuben Henry Sanford and Martha Sanford. I learned a number of things that I did not know.
In 2005, I went to Thomaston, Georgia, to examine records of Upson County. I looked through original probate records in the chambers of the local probate judge. It was quite interesting. If you live close enough to the jurisdiction in which you are researching or if you have reason to go there, looking through the ancient books adds another lively dimension to your research adventure!
Assessment and tax records
Mostly available on microfilm from FHC. More recent records are available online in many jurisdictions. See for example, Aransas County (Tex.) Assessment District.
Court records, including divorce records
Some are available on microfilm from FHC. More recent records are available online in some jurisdictions. Examples include the Missouri circuit courts and the Los Angeles Superior Court. Online sites vary in terms of what is actually available. Note that California's legislature is considering a bill to restrict divorce records---seems to have been motivated by a rich guy's embarrassment about having his financial information available to public in a property settlement. It's not clear that this controversial bill will pass.
Obituaries
As Randy notes, obituaries can supply information about not just the deceased, but for parents, siblings, and children. There are several commercial site on-line such as obitsarchive.com and newspaperarchives.com. A number of public libraries have obituary indexes, usually in cooperation with a local newspaper. A good example (heck, the best example) is the Corpus Christi Public Libraries site. They will e-mail or snail-mail copies of obituaries from the Corpus Christi newspapers. Not all libraries will do that.
Passport Applications . . .
. . . have a variety of information. But note that passports were generally not required before 1941. Passport applications up to March 1925 can be found at the National Archives and Records Administration and from April 1925 to the present at the State Department. To obtain the passport files of a deceased person, you must file a request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This the same provision of law under which you obtain the Social Security applications (SS-5). The State Department has a handy "FOIA Letter Generator" that makes this process simple. I'm going to try it and will report back on how long it took, etc. You can also request the passport files of a living person with proof of their consent.
More to come on uncomon resources!
Monday, June 04, 2007
Walter Scott of Spokane, Washington: The Rest of the Story
Miriam took up where I left off on the brief study of Walter Scott. She's done a marvelous job. See it here. It was fun to "collaborate" with her on this. It goes to show what can be done when folks combine their efforts.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
The Earth Shifts on Its Axis; New Planets Discovered
These things didn't happen in the physical world, but they seem to have happened in the genealogical universe over the past few days. These things have all been reported elsewhere, but let me summarize:
The Earth Shifts on Its Axis
FamilySearch announced its "Records Access Program":
Within days of my post damning World Vital Records with faint praise, they:
All of these things change the genealogical research universe as we've known it. And as far as I can tell right now, it's a positive change.
The Earth Shifts on Its Axis
FamilySearch announced its "Records Access Program":
to increase public access to massive genealogy collections worldwide. For the first time ever, FamilySearch will provide free services to archives and other records custodians who wish to digitize, index, publish, and preserve their collections. The program expands FamiliySearch's previously announced decision to digitize and provide online access to over 2 million rolls of copyrighted microfilm preserved in the Granite Mountain Records Vault. A key component of the program allows FamilySearch and archives to team with genealogy websites to provide unprecedented access to microfilm in the vault. The combined results ensure a flood of new record indexes and images online at www.FamilySearch.org and affiliated websites.New Planets Discovered
Within days of my post damning World Vital Records with faint praise, they:
- Announced an agreement with FamilySearch (formerly the Genealogical Society of Utah) to provide its content free to more than 4,500 Family History Centers worldwide. The agreement also includes access in the FHCs to FamilyLink.com, a "social genealogical Web site that enables individuals to connect with genealogists from more than 1,600 cities."
- Announced a partnership with the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, Inc., whereby the historic collection of Ellis Island passenger arrival records will now also be freely available to visitors of both wolrdvitalrecords.com and familylink.com. (Full disclosure: I was a board member of the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, Inc., from 2002 to 2005).
- Announced a partnership with Quintin Publications for access to thousands of genealogical and historical databases.
All of these things change the genealogical research universe as we've known it. And as far as I can tell right now, it's a positive change.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
The Wrong Longs?
The discovery of my great-grandfather's death certificate has raised a number of issues, the first of which is that I may have been researching the wrong family as my great-grandfather's parents and siblings. How could that happen? Easy. Just watch this.
My great-grandfather's name was James William Long. I assumed for my initial research purposes that he was born in Kansas City, Missouri. I assumed that because credible witnesses told me that he had lived in KCMO "all of his life." My grandmother, his daughter Annie Florida Corrine Long, was born in Kansas City and left there only twice (to come visit her daughter, my mother). This assumption was furthered by the enumeration of James Long in the 1900 census, which gives his birthplace as "Missouri." [How do I know that this is the right James Long? Well, his wife is stated to be "Mary E." and I can verify from other primary sources--like the marriage license itself--that James W. Long and Mary E. Johnson of approximately the same ages were married in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1888. The children listed are also verifiable from other sources].
My James Long doesn't seem to be on the 1880 census. But, ah, here on the 1870 census for Kansas City, is a James Long of the right age, 4 years old. He lives with his parents, James and Nancy. Now that mother's name doesn't seem to fit some other research, but, oh well, first names and middle names are frequently interchanged in census records. His siblings are Charlie, Fred, Hannah, and Rebecca.
My Aunt Delorise (my mother's younger sister) had told me that she didn't know her grandfather's father's name. She had heard him referred to as "Old Man." She thought his mother's name was "Pauline," or something like that. She wasn't sure. And she wasn't sure of his siblings' names.
So the James Long on the 1870 census--the only one who matches what I'm looking for in KCMO--must be the one I'm looking for. Right?
Well, James William Long's death certificate says he was born in Shawnee, Kansas. The informant is his daughter, Christina Long Neal, a generation older than Delorise. So let's look at the 1870 census for Shawnee, Kansas. And there is a James Long of the right age, 4 years old. His parents apparently are Richard and Palinay (Pauline?) Long. His apparent siblings are Joseph, John, Regetha, and Eliza. But wait a sec, this says he was born in Missouri!
So which Long family should I be researching?
As I once said here, paraphrasing my former neurologist, "There are no easy cases in genealogy."
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