Experimenting With Spreadsheets

Come along as I attempt to create a functional spreadsheet to parse a large number of Smiths. The end product is probably not the finished product as this is just an experiment. Your feedback is welcome!

How Do You Solve a Problem Like Smith?

The following post looks more like a rough draft than a finished piece; however, I am leaving it as-is in the hope that it emphasizes the importance of being cautious with transcriptions! If there is an image available, look at it! I wasted time researching three irrelevant people for this post because, in my haste, I trusted a transcription.

I’d wager that it’s inevitable. Sooner or later in our genealogical research, we will come across the dreaded surname “Smith.” I have stumbled upon one of the offenders, myself—Samuel Smith…of Connecticut, just to narrow it down. With 20 years of genealogy experience under my belt, this should be no problem, right? 👀

Lessons Learned: Alternative Possibilities

In my last post, I discussed the importance of stepping away from your research when you encounter a brick wall, as well the importance of changing your perspective once you have decided to revisit the problem. Perhaps this post is pretty much just a reiteration of the latter statement, but its significance bears repeating. When you become absolutely fixated on the details of your problem, you are not seeing the whole picture. Viewing your issue through such a limited scope also means you become blind to alternative possibilities.

Lessons Learned: Search the Periphery

Sooner or later in our genealogical research, each of us will find ourselves up against the dreaded brick wall. That is unfortunately the nature of our hobby. And the further back we go, those brick walls will eventually become insurmountable. However, don’t throw in the towel too easily. Oftentimes, the stumbling block is us. We become so focused on our problem that we can’t see the forest for the trees. That’s when it’s time to step back for a while. When we return, it is best if we shift our perspective a bit.

Lessons Learned: DNA Testing Companies

I am not the best person to go to for information about genetic genealogy. In fact, I skirted through 17 years of schooling without ever having taken a formal biology course because I was afraid of having to dissect some poor critter. Because of this, this blog post will be relatively short. I did, however, want to touch on it because DNA testing is a great way to connect with distant cousins who may be researching some of the same ancestors, and maybe even break through a brick wall.

Lessons Learned: Miscellaneous Websites

I’ve already written a blog about the best free website for genealogical research. Today I’m going to list some other free websites that I love to use (or some that others love to use). I hope you will find them just as useful.

[Update: I have decided to update this post as I discover new websites, so check back once in a while!]

Lessons Learned: More (Mostly) Free Resources

Libraries

One of the best genealogical resources may be right in your own backyard: your public library. Your local library is a great place to check out a book on how to get started on your family history; however, public libraries offer so much more than books and other media. They often host community workshops on various subjects (including genealogy), children’s programs, and many are now offering a library of things. They also are a genealogist’s friend. At your local library you may find: