Ancestry.com: How One Hint Led to PAGES of Genealogy Discoveries

[@ickster23]

I have the opposite problem. I have to stay on task and not go down all the rabbit holes some hints reveal. I mark it "for further research" once main objectives are complete.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

I'm in the same boat at times. Which is why I have to rely on my writing projects and genealogy research plans to stay focused. However, I love to check in on my favorite ancestors to see what cool discoveries sites like Ancestry finds for me while I'm off doing other things. (But the temptation to get off track is great.)

[@guylainep1639]

I know what you mean. But even while staying on track, don't forget to note it, in case you miss a golden opportunity to find out more about a family. In the case of the Canadian WW1 soldiers, since the US did not enter the war until 1917, it was fairly common for Americans to come to Canada to enlist from 1914 to 1917. Sometimes they were rejected, but the file still exist and has some cool information. and with more and more new sources being added to Ancestry and familysearch, it is very easy to get distracted.

[@whychromosomesmusic5766]

Ditto here. I finally found at least one solution. Since I love writing things down in spiral notebooks I ordered 20 of them at one time. And then I had to order 20 more! I make sure to label them according to the research project (either by surname or more lately by location such as county/counties of my research). And I make it a point to only record information pertinent to the subject within that notebook. If the information in question pertains to more than one notebook then I record it in both of them. And I always try to make complete notes for the source of the information such as the exact microfilm frames of the exact titles of the collections at the Family Search Catalog. I have also created Word reports of the information. I contact my research associates and send them those reports in attachments if they request them.

[@jacquelineruff9918]

Thank you for this helpful video!! I found this channel not too long ago and find your videos SO helpful!

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

I'm so glad!

[@nicholasoliver5278]

Great tip and example! I do wonder how people save these "files" to their trees rather than having to upload 1 page at a time, are there options to create an electronic file with multiple images? So much to learn!

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

I use PDFill to link multiple images (or PDFs) into one file for upload. Here's the link www.pdfill.com/

[@whychromosomesmusic5766]

Another great video as always. I love all of your enthusiasm for this subject. I have been researching almost exclusively in Family Search for probably months now. Only recently discovered the wonderful treasure trove of records for myself and other fellow researchers, that can be obtained simply by choosing "Catalog" and specifying a location (such as a county) and separating which are available online and focusing on those (as the FHC's are probably all still closed). I am primarily a surname researcher so I would add that another reason for one to search backward and forward through records arranged alphabetically by surname is just that -- finding records of OTHER persons with the same surname who may be close relatives or distant relatives. Most of the leaves at Ancestry have led to other's family trees which may or may not be sourced. However going to the actual record collection at Ancestry (not just the page within the Hint) will reveal on the right hand side of the page of the record in question -- a long list of other records that may be for the same person -- censuses, vital records, probate, etc. I usually use that page for my searching and then go accordingly. However, I'm not sure how any of that can match up to the DAR and WPA records in the Family Search Catalog (Bible, marriage, church, etc.). A large number of those are Un-Indexed, but, to me that is part of the excitement of looking through them! The Thrill of the Hunt! lol Hope you and yours are doing well. Sorry if I don't come around as much. I just finished one of my many projects. That was transcription of Italian church parish records (original microfilms available at Family Search) for a particular town in 1838: 50 baptisms, 10 marriages, 38 deaths plus 3 stillbirths that were not baptized. Apparently, the parish categorized those separate from newborns who died but whom they managed to baptize before they did.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

Come when you can. I love reading your commentary (even if I'm late to see it.) Thanks for your service with Italian church parish records. What a blessing that project will be!

[@whychromosomesmusic5766]

@@FamilyHistoryFanatics Thanks for your positive comments. Right now the "project" is all in spiral notebooks. The main problem I have with Italian research is the given names "Prenomi." There were actually very few of them that they used within a community. So it is easy to get them confused. The good thing is that the communities (then and now) were not of any large population. However, even as early as the 1830s and 1840s there was a bit of moving around from different communities. But, the one HUGE good side to Italian research is that they seemed to be fanatic record keepers and recorded facts about everyone on most documents. More than contemporary American and UK Vital Records. Full names and nicknames, names of fathers (or both parents), names of grandfathers, godparents (their fathers), ages, occupations, places where they were from, places where they currently resided, designations of individuals who were deceased at the time of the record, exact date and approximate times of births, baptisms, deaths and declarations death (made by named informants), place where death occurred sometimes naming the house. So even though a lot of the same given names were used there were a number of details given to help separate who was who. Some commentators say, "Here are the main items of genealogical importance that you need on this document." That is only partially true. If you don't know how to read the entire document you can miss some very important details. Such as stillborn babies "appena nato/nata" who were not baptized "senza battesimo" and were buried outside of the cemetery enclosure "fuori della cinta del cimitero." Only knowing the "basic genealogical information" will not tell you that. Plus if you have Italian ancestry learning the language is a really great way to connect with your heritage. And will, of course, help you to communicate with your "cugini" (cousins) in Italy.

[@whychromosomesmusic5766]

Also to make the name problem more clear - it was not uncommon for the husband and wife to have the SAME surname. For example, PERONA, was a VERY common surname in the town of Prascorsano and FALLETTI was a VERY common surname in the town of Pertusio. It would not be unusual for there to be more than one couple named Antonio Perona and Maria Perona (Perona being her maiden name) living at the same time in Prascorsano AND it would not be unusual for there to be more than one couple named Giovanni Falletti and Cattarina Falletti (Falletti being her maiden name) living at the same time in Pertusio.

[@guylainep1639]

Thanks for the videos. They provide great hints people starting out.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

Glad you like them!

[@DaimlerSleeveValve]

Canada has long been putting things online for free. One of the early ones was the Attestment sheets. One of those found one of my mum's distant cousins, a butcher from Bolton, Lancashire, signing up for the Great War in Winnipeg. Then I looked up the typical Winnipeg weather and figured out why he might want to head back across the Atlantic.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

Thanks for letting me know. While this collection is new-to-me (as I haven't been researching the Zumstein lines in Canada as much in recent years), I'm happy to hear others are familiar with the collection. I love that hints can prompt us to explore these records when we need something 'new to do."

[@guylainep1639]

Yes and putting the CEF (Canadian Expeditionary Forces) records for soldiers of WW1 was one of their big project. It took them years to digitize all the files, in addition to attestation papers. They are absolute gold mine of information and in many cases include the year of death if a headstone was included. Also, in one case, the soldier moved to US and it gave his address and occupation in the US. Great stuff.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

So true!!! I just wish I was retired so I could spend more time climbing my Canadian tree. Instead, I have three more kiddos to get through their school years. I'll enjoy them while I can and look forward to the future when I can really dive into the Canadian records.

[@DaimlerSleeveValve]

@@guylainep1639 Just been researching for someone else and found their relative, a tailor born in Co. Antrim, signed up in Toronto and spent two years in the UK. His record gives his place and date of death - Los Angeles in 1965. It also shows details of his second wife. Very useful!

[@DaimlerSleeveValve]

It is worth learning a few standard military terms and abbreviations. For example what you thought said "Bri" for "Britain" was "Bn" which is the standard abbreviation of Battalion The Depot Battalion is basically "at home", training and recruiting, rather than overseas. The Canadian service records have to be the most complete, not having suffered from "weeding" to reduce their physical size in storage. One of my lot has 76 pages, not including pages without handwriting on them.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

I do not disagree with the need to learn military terminology. As I suggested, the record is a new discovery but the major principles is this... don't just look at the first image and not explore the pages before and after. Additionally, I share so I can learn from folks willing to offer their feedback. I appreciate all of your great comments.

[@DaimlerSleeveValve]

Looking at the records themselves, Robert had what many would call an "easy" war. Joining up aged 21 in May 1918, he arrived in England in August 1918, but never crossed the Channel to the front, despite what is claimed on his Discharge Certificate. He spent about four months of his time in the UK at the "Khaki University".

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

Thanks for the feedback. Family legend says that he decoded German messages in the Khaki University.

[@sr2291]

Exactly.

[@steveschulte8696]

He, R. V. Zumstein, was attached to the 1st Depot Battalion on (1st Dpt Bn). He was transferred to the 1st Central Ontario Regiment. He was detached to the London Area, and drew subsistence for London so he could eat. While in London, England, he was attached to the Khaki University of Canada. He held a temporary appointment to Acting Sergeant. He reverted back to Private before he sailed home. There seems to be little evidence of action in battle.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

THANK YOU!!!! I'm still trying to process everything I discovered and I'm excited to see folks sharing their time and knowledge. Have a spectacular day!

[@steveschulte8696]

@@FamilyHistoryFanatics The family did not seem to have moved far between 1901 and 1918. Wellandport is on the south boundary of Gainsborough Township, Lincoln county, Ontario. There is a Delayed Birth Record from Ontario and the Attestation Papers from his recruitment.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

Thanks so much for your insights. I'm blessed to receive this help.

[@dw55355]

I had a surprising find in a revolutionary war widows pension file of my 6th great grandmother Amy. She didn't have any document to prove she married Isaac before he was discharged so she got a witness to the wedding to do a deposition, when I saw the name, my eyes starting tearing up, I couldn't believe it, the witness was my 6th great grandmother Deborah, she said the wedding was at her father's inn, gave his name, location of inn, her age, her birthplace, and the year she married Elisha my 6th great grandfather! Deborah had been a brick wall for me! I don't think I would of ever found this had I not also been a descendant of Isaac and Amy.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

That's Awesome!!!! I'm so sad I didn't see this sooner.

[@whychromosomesmusic5766]

BTW I have United Empire Loyalist ancestors from Essex County, Ontario, Canada myself. Main surnames are Fox (Fuchs in German) and Wigle (Weigele in German). I have very strong matches to others from these same genetic lines. I must have received quite a lot of that DNA.

[@whychromosomesmusic5766]

And Scots Presbyterian ancestors from Saint-Louis-de-Gonzague, Beauharnois County, Quebec.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

Way cool. My Confirmed UEL surname is Comfort.

[@whychromosomesmusic5766]

@@FamilyHistoryFanatics Maybe we might be related.

[@guylainep1639]

LAC has digitized those records foe free on their website

[@tinplategeek1058]

Sorry but what or who is LAC?

[@solarismorenz]

@@tinplategeek1058 Library and Archives Canada its the national archives in Canada. If someone has canadian ancestors its a good place to get familiar with their website

[@tinplategeek1058]

@@solarismorenz Thank you, I've found a few relatives who emigrated in the 19th Century from England and looked at their records on Ancestry when they had a free USA/Canada weekend. So nice to have another way of looking at the records as my Ancestry account is currently only paid access to UK/Ireland records.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

Thanks for that insight. Now that these records are on Ancestry, the hints help me not only find my ancestors (when I'm busy on other projects) but also attach them to my family tree. I love one-stop services. BTW... I have used the Library and Archives of Canada for Census records for years. It's a bit wonky to search their census collection, but I do love that the records are free to search and save.

[@guylainep1639]

@@FamilyHistoryFanatics Not everyone can afford the World Edition of Ancestry, so knowing that the records can be accessed for free, even if your membership does not give you access to the records is pretty important. I wonder fi the hints for Canadian records work even if your membership only gives you access to the US records?

[@hazelmeldrum5860]

Libraries and Archives Canada has this free and downloadable

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

That's awesome. Thanks for the tip.

[@dianerix497]

Always go a couple of records before and after

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

Yep!!! It's amazing how many people forget to do this (myself included at times. oops!)

[@michaelwhalan9783]

I just had a DNA cousin match with name that starts Zums....

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

Cool!!!!

[@healthyliving2091]

Signature of soldier is his actual signature.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

Thanks. I thought so but I didn't have enough to verify and confirm so I wanted to be careful making any false assertions.

[@healthyliving2091]

@@FamilyHistoryFanatics I greatly appreciated your tips going forward and backwards through the records.

[@FamilyHistoryFanatics]

Thanks. It's always good to share the simple tips because we all forget them at times.