Brick Wall Ancestors Need a Search Party

You want to know more about your family. The problem is that you don't know how to move forward from where you are. It can be overwhelming and confusing until you realize there is a pattern to follow that makes climbing your family tree easier. Learning this 5 step methodology can transform the way you do family history from a haphazard endeavor with limited results, to a sequential effort that will always outline your next steps. Join us for this fun, interactive party-like experience that will ensure you are no longer stuck in your family history progress.

[@michelleslifeonrepeat]

My frustration is when the family names get repeated and middle names used as primary name. Example John Thomas Smith married Mary Ellen Cook. Then on the census they use the names Thomas John, or Ellen as a first name. Then it goes onward upwards. And since they have large families, there are 5 John Thomas upward who also married a Marry Or an Ellen. It’s so hard.

[@feliciagaffney1998]

Looks like there's another video from the conference with this topic. It may be of help. It came up under this video as a suggested video to watch. "Who is my ancestor? Tracing individuals with similar names."

[@lawrencepayteniii7915]

Yes, that can be so aggravating. And everyone's names were very common.

[@michelleslifeonrepeat]

I could not even imagine asking a stranger to take a DNA test to help me in my search. I can’t even get my family to do it. They don’t want their information out there for privacy matters.

[@feliciagaffney1998]

But the worst they could say is no. Maybe they don't do genealogy... doesn't mean they may not decide it sounds like a cool idea, since forensic DNA is in the news. Maybe they say no, but have to think about it, and come back to you in a few months and agree to do it. Share your research with them and show how interesting it could be to make this connection.

[@JoyousGenealogist]

This was great info. I was also wondering if by searching for the marriage record of the other brother or another sibling of this person you may find the parents on their marriage record. Would that be a good clue to follow also?

[@alexandracruz5243]

I have found a lot of information researching the siblings of my ancestors.

[@JoyousGenealogist]

@@alexandracruz5243 good to know! I think it's another way we should research to find out more clues

[@alexandracruz5243]

@@JoyousGenealogist Yes, for sure, even the kids of the siblings. I found some relatives as Godparents in their baptism records and it helped me to identify the family. It's especially useful when the ancestors have a very common name.

[@laurahazel6884]

Siblings can yield vital records in the right time frame (born later, died later) than our "spotlight" elusive ancestor. My brick wall Irish immigrant was one of 12 children. I collected ALL twelve siblings' death certificates in NYC, and on the 12th (!) one, finally, there was the mother's maiden name!

[@annesugden488]

This is a great for thinking outside of the box.

[@SarPoe]

Great reprise!!

[@harrymyhero]

I've never heard of Family Search Wiki until now

[@CristaCowan]

It's a gold mine!

[@feliciagaffney1998]

I found a Census record for someone... I think it was a Samuel. But, truly... I honestly cannot tell if it is Samuel or... there was another name. Like James, maybe. Which the first half of the name, it makes sense J's can look like S's 200 years ago with not too neat handwriting... I will have to find it at some point and come back and add onto my comment. I don't remember now if the indexer had transcribed it in the way I think it should be. I don't remember if I have compared the letters to other letters on the page to see if I can tell which name the enumerator intended it to be... but it is crazy how some names you would think are completely different can look exactly the same in 19th century cursive.

[@conniebosley7370]

The story handed down for my son's Great-Great-Great-Grandfather is he murdered someone in Pennsylvania where he was born. He changed his name and fled to Arkansas where he married owned a farm and had children. We can only find him on the 1900 Clark County Arkansas census record. How can we find his parents and siblings?

[@kearamciver955]

He wouldn’t happen to be a Daniel or Moses would he? I’m having the same problem with my gg grandfather

[@feliciagaffney1998]

Check newspapers for the story of the murder? Do you have death information which can give a birthdate? Or approximate? But then... he could possibly have changed his age/birthdate, too. DNA matches? I'm not one to ask about DNA. But that may be your only breadcrumb trail. Do you know where in PA?

[@conniebosley7370]

I do not.@@feliciagaffney1998

[@williamallan7915]

are the Biblical trees that come down to this day correct, and who were they done by

[@jaredlash5002]

Biblical trees which seem to show descendants in the modern / early modern time period were often based on medieval genealogies for royalty which aimed to provide legitimacy (i.e., divine right to rule). There are very few, if any, western lines that can be traced back to antiquity. The subject is called "descent from antiquity" if you would like to do further research on it. The earliest one can reasonably go back using history is likely Ealhmund of Kent (circa 780) or Arnulf of Metz (circa 582-643). Even then you're dealing with questionable records or stories, forged pedigrees to provide legitimacy, and ignorance over who a father may have been (Maury wasn't born yet to say whether someone was or was not the father).

[@dianashelton1371]

Where can we find the diagram?

[@feliciagaffney1998]

The bullseye 🎯?