| Description |
xiv, 290 pages : illustrations ; 28 cm |
| Contents |
Introduction: Why the Sleuths? -- Putting a Down Payment on Success -- Focus of the Book -- What's the Answer? -- First Things First: Getting Organized -- At Any Beginning-Focus -- What's the Problem? -- Planning for Research -- Developing a Plan -- Spontaneity -- Preliminary Planning -- Mapping Out a Plan -- Planning Methodically -- Talking About the Problem -- Example of a Written Plan -- Questioning As a Tool of Planning -- Categorizing Search Questions -- Broadening the Scope: Cluster Genealogy -- Why the Cluster? -- Who Is the Cluster? -- Next of Kin -- Extended Family -- Neighbors, Friends, and Associates -- People With the Same Surname -- Reconstructing the Cluster -- Cluster Genealogy in Progress -- Documenting Research -- Who Documents Their Work? -- What Does It Mean to Document Your Work? -- Why Do We Need to Document Our Work? -- Where and When Do We Cite Our Sources? -- How Do We Cite Our Sources? -- Considering Specifics -- Sources in the Family -- Gathering Information: Research -- General Principles of Research -- A Word About Sources -- Suggestions for Effective Research: A Review -- Observe, Analyze, and Evaluate As You Research -- Working With Dates -- Using Public Records -- Strategies for Using Census Records -- Strategies for Using Probate Records -- Strategies for Using Land Records -- Strategies for Using Tax Records -- Mistakes We Make in Research -- Examining Evidence: The Gray Cells in Action -- Evidence -- The Smallest Chink of Light -- Evidence at Work -- The Little Cells of Gray -- Hypotheses and Theories -- Seeking the Truth (Proof) -- Research and Analysis: The Question of Rev. William Harrison's Death Date -- Arranging Ideas: Progress Reports -- Preliminary Hearing -- Listening to What We Say -- Committing Your Work to Paper -- Progress Report on a Study of William Coleman Sr. -- Reporting: Case Solved -- Writing About the Successful Project -- Introducing Chapters Nine, Ten, and Eleven -- Finding the Parent Generation: The Search for Isaac Heldreth's Parents -- What Was Known When the Search Began -- Setting the Stage -- With Eyes and Mind Open -- Looking for Solid Evidence -- On Location -- What Is the Clue? -- The Missing Link -- Finding Slave Ancestors: The Search for the Family of Archie Davis Sr. -- What Was Known When the Search Began -- Early Research -- Focus on Mother -- What Was Known at This Point About the Family of Archie Davis Sr.? -- Focus on Wife -- Family Oral Tradition Plays a Role -- Some Examinations -- Plan B -- A Wild Possibility? -- Reviewing the Results in Claiborne County -- One More Step up the Hill -- Finding the Parent Generation: The Search for Ann (Robertson) Croom's Parents -- What Was Known Before the Search Began -- What Was Known From the Paternal-Line Search -- Proof of Isaac Croom's Surviving Children -- Isaac Croom's Marriages -- Preliminary Census Check -- Reviewing the Initial Evidence -- Search for Birthplaces -- Survey Research in Louisiana -- Clues in Land Records? -- First Proof of Relationship -- Research Based on Isaac Croom Sr.'s Land Records -- Cluster of Isaac Croom Sr.'s Associates -- The First Georgia Survey: The 1840 Census -- Texas? -- The Wake-Up Call -- Right Under My Nose -- Number One Suspect Emerges -- The Missing Link? -- One More Question Answered -- The Hypothesis -- The Critical Link -- Preparing for Adventure: An Overview of the Basics -- At the Beginning -- Focusing the Search -- Repositories of Genealogical Information -- A Word About Sources -- Suggestions for Effective Research -- Documenting Research -- Dates in Official Record Books -- The Calendar Change -- Strategies for Effective Census Research |
| Summary |
Comparing genealogical research to the work of famous literary sleuths, the author outlines methods for solving frustrating research problems by developing a plan, documenting evidence, and examing clues in the records |
| Notes |
Includes index |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (pages 276-279) and index |
| Subject |
Genealogy.
|
| SUBJECT |
United States -- Genealogy -- Handbooks, manuals, etc.
http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh2007100034
|
|
United States -- Genealogy.
http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh2007100033
|
| Genre/Form |
Handbooks and manuals.
|
|
Handbooks and manuals
|
|
Handbooks and manuals.
|
| LC no. |
99088395 |
| ISBN |
1558705325 alkaline paper |
|
