Genealogy Tips and Links

Comment

Comment by Cindy Abrams on July 15, 2009 at 11:09pm

Don't forget to look for other letters at the beginning of surnames. For example, I am researching the Large family, I have found the name indexed as "Sarge" because the cursive "L" appeared to look more like an "S".
Taken from http://www.genealogy.com/48_donna.html :
Handwriting and Spelling
In handwritten records the letters may be hard to distinguish. An I may look like a J. It is easy to confuse a W with an M or a T with an F. If you are unsure of where you are in an index, look at the next group of names. If the next group is G, then you know the previous one is F and not T. If the name you are looking for begins with a letter that sounds like another, C and K, for example, you should consider looking under both letters. A, D, and G can be mixed up when someone is transcribing from the spoken word rather than written. This is especially prevalent in census records. While an F can be mistaken for a T in written records, it can be confused with an S when spoken.

There doesn't exist a name that can't be spelled at least two different ways. Be sure to check all variant spellings — Gardiner, Gardner, Gardener, Gardinier and even Garner. If the index is strictly alphabetical, each spelling will appear in a different place with a name like Gardman in the middle.

Comment by Emiko Lanier on July 15, 2009 at 10:06pm

Thank you Paul, Debbie and others for the free on-line search for genealogy study.

Comment by Unknown Ancestor on July 15, 2009 at 5:23pm

I wish, but my PC memory is full of photos and music, and even GenyWise is running slow. Then there was the Ning shutdown today.
What do you think of the Ancestors series overall?

Comment by Unknown Ancestor on July 15, 2009 at 9:39am

Ask your local PBS station to rebroadcast the Ancestors series. Repeated viewings always prompt a new idea. All of the basics are covered, from "Archives" to "Vital Records".

Comment by Richard Hill on July 15, 2009 at 6:33am

To learn about DNA testing in genealogy check out my web site, DNA Testing Adviser.Personally, I'm an adoptee who identified my birth father through a DNA test designed for genealogists.You can read my story on the site.

Comment by Debbie Gibson on July 14, 2009 at 5:37pm

I am host of Adams County, IL on www.genealogytrails.com great place for free data and we never charge.

Comment by Rick Leonard on July 14, 2009 at 3:07pm

OK, Paul, I have to know why you chose Marion County, Ohio as an example? I had some ancestors there at one time.

Comment by Rhoda Lynn De Flon on July 14, 2009 at 8:05am

Thanks, Paul, I will try your tip!

Comment by Paul Drake on July 14, 2009 at 7:10am

Select the county, area, State or site you need to see, then Google that site with your directions, e.g., Gooogle {Marion county OH deaths free} or perhaps {VA vital statistics 1850 free}. There are thousands of such sites; add the word "free" to your Google searches.

Good luck Paul

Comment by Rhoda Lynn De Flon on July 13, 2009 at 10:24pm

My question to fellow researchers is this: What are your favorite FREE Genealogy websites? I am full member at Ancestry, and also member of NEHGS, but would like to find more free sites. I do use USGENWEB.

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