Category Archives: Research

Category focuses on Research in Genealogy and History as it relates to Genealogy.

Use Advanced Searches If Possible

Unless I am searching for an extremely unusual name, I always determine if a site has an advanced search page. Being able to search on as many fields in the database gives me more flexibility and allows for more creative searches than just ones conducted on first names.

Flip Flop Those Names

When searching first and last names in a database, consider interchanging the first and last names. It can easily happen in the creation of a database or in the taking of the census. The chance is slightly higher if the first and last names are ones that could “go either way.”

If your ancestor was named Johnson Gibson, is there a chance he is listed somewhere as Gibson Johnson?

Experiment with What You Know is in There

When learning how a new database search interface works, experiment with wildcards and other search functions using names you have already located in the database. This is the best way to learn how search terms work, especially when the FAQ page is not well-written or non-existent.

Was Grandma A Native Born Alien?

In the United States, during the time before the Cable Act, a native born American woman would lose her citizenship status if she married a man who was an alien. This explains why the 1920 census for my children’s great-great-grandmother indicated she was an alien even though she was born in New York State. Her husband was an unnaturalized Greek immigrant.

Did your female ancestor lose her citizenship because her husband was an alien?

How much difference does a letter make?

Remember that a “one-letter” typo can make all the difference. An “a” at the end of Johann can make it Johanna, not only changing the name but also changing the gender.