Conquer Brick Walls in Your Family Tree

[@newmyr-2556]

I recently used that text search at Family and it appears I've broken down a brick wall I've been struggling with since 2002.

[@JosephSmith-mb7jj]

Congrats! Same here! It's a powerful search engine!

[@LanceHall]

I have a huge brick wall and I am researching multiple families that show up heavily in our dna matches and trying to figure out timelines and hypothesize possible parents

[@Hamuel]

I've built a few trees of my matches' shared ancestors in the past few months

[@hstryrpts]

I went down the rabbit hole with the David Rumsey Map Collection tip! What an incredible resource for contextualizing pioneer ancestors! Thanks for recommending it. I've bookmarked the site and downloaded several maps. Do you have any videos or tips on tearing down brick walls with pioneer ancestors whose emigration predates statehood and court or county records? Birth, marriage and death or burials have been impossible to find as even organized churches and cemeteries were rare.

[@aprilwicker6611]

Connie - you have talked about research notes and source citations before, but this video IS THE BEST EXPLANATION AND EXAMPLES! I am bookmarking this one for many future references. Thank you!

[@GenealogyTV]

Awesome. Thanks

[@BenAlembik]

Hey Connie! Good morning, can you make a video explaining exactly how you discovered Henry Gustave Henley’s father? I have the same problem. My 2th great grandmother was born out of wedlock and I want to discover her father’s name

[@jessikamoore5033]

Mine was, too.

[@GenealogyTV]

Hi Ben. This is an old episode but I think it best explains how I narrowed it down. I still have not solved it with absolute proof. I have it narrowed down to two brothers, one being the father. I'm still working on it. Hopefully more DNA evidence will come to light. Check out this episode. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qn7Ocop7gsdqb68

[@fabianmckenna8197]

Good luck with that........ My wife's aunt had two children to her husband then a child registered in mother's name only, so no father's name. I think she ended up being adopted as her death certificate at the age of five showed a different surname and a guardian in attendance. The whole family closed ranks on that one so no news at all even though the couple remained married until their deaths.

[@moniquemacdonald4086]

Thank-you Connie for such informative videos. I have spent the last two months watching many of them, and it has guided me to many new ways to research! After almost 14 years working on my family tree I think I have finally solved the identity my great-grandfather's father. My great-grandfather was born out of wedlock. He was one of 4 childern born to my great-great grandmother, and he and his siblings were all given her surname and the birh certificates of all them lists no father.

[@GenealogyTV]

Wonderful! Thanks for supporting the channel.

[@tammywilliams2035]

Your method / design for research notes helped me tremendously !! And also your method using excel files for mapping out the DNA cousins was a game changer !! Thank you so much for all that you do to help us with our research. Those two items alone unlocked so much more progression for me.

[@paulaseiple336]

When you learn new info on a brickwall person, do you recommend immediately adding that info to the other spouse and/or children as appropriate or just make a note to do that at a future time - or - just know that when you move on to work on the spouse or child that you need to check back to see if you have accumulated new information that affects their story (such as moves, family additions, new county lines, divorces/marriages).

[@GenealogyTV]

For me, just when I move to the research on the family members.

[@Idellphany]

I was never a research notes person, but you have convinced me to start there on my 2 brick walls. Thank you again for a great vid!

[@GenealogyTV]

Great to hear!

[@HarmonyHillsHomeandGarden]

Great info and great process. I've done this on one of my more difficult ancestors, and it really did help me fill in the gaps. But it's hard to document info in research notes when you can't find relevant documents in the first place. How does this method apply to ancestors before, say, 1850, when records are scarce?

[@GenealogyTV]

Same process. Document everything you do find in chronological order. As more records are found and come online hopefully you can piece together the details.

[@pbcanal1]

Something to consider... Find a Grave is very helpful, but the way the sites are managed is nothing but unhelpful. Would it be possible to do an interview with Find a Grave and ask your audience for their concerns?

[@GeraldM_inNC]

FG will answer that they are not a genealogy site, rather they are a site for locating the graves of family members and giving them an opportunity to leaves photos, memories and flowers. I know because I've had it out with them. Their sole concern is with the feelings of the living ancestors, not with genealogy.

[@pattyh2410]

I have found errors in Find a grave, and contacted the point of contact. I have yet to get a response.

[@GeraldM_inNC]

@@pattyh2410 The managers of the memorials refuse to accept correction even if you have firm documentation to support it, and FG's mods refused to get involved.

[@pattyh2410]

@@GeraldM_inNC that is what I gathered. Too bad.

[@eujackmac]

Thank you so much for this video. I have research notes but they aren’t organized in one central location. It seems that when I’m researching information for one ancestor, I find a ton of information for another which makes it difficult to stay on track. From now on, I’ll just remember GONE! 👍😃

[@catsknit23]

I'm revving up my notes on a brick wall GGGrandfather, and I added all the historical stuff in his timeline, but put it in green. It has not only big things like the Civil War starting but also all the boundary changes of his county. Keeping it in green helps me focus on the his main events but they are there to help.

[@DonnieReno]

I definitely want to watch this later when I have time. My great grandmother was Mary F. Smith and I know from census records that she was born in Indiana but I haven’t been able to find her family. Also my 2nd great grandmother, Mary Smith’s mother in law, Indiana Jones was born in Indiana as well, in 1818, probably in Floyd county, but I can’t figure out her parents either. I only know they were from Pennsylvania.

[@sandyd-h9563]

I wish there were something like this for UK records. Find My Past is close, but not as detailed. If I ever find USA people in my tree, I will sign up to learn about how to research their records.

[@carlaporath7076]

What a FABULOUS video---so informative!!!!! Thank you....

[@shelton1567]

Thanks Connie. Are your research notes on paper on your computer or both? Do you have a video on the structure of the organization of all your notes? I’ve learned so much from watching your videos.

[@GenealogyTV]

I use word for my research notes, so they are on my computer, but could be printed if I wanted... but I never do... because they are constantly being updated. Here is a playlist of videos about research notes. kzbin.info/aero/PLiMXWjHlj5RSjs3MExHoP5xShSejkN0iu

[@ziontrigg]

My great-grandmother was a woman named Helen Lenora Stone. While she lived, she claimed her birth records were destroyed in a fire. I know her husband was Bert Hugh Rose, so I can easily find marriage records for them. I can also find census data for Bert and Helen's family which includes their children, Patricia and Dixie Lee (my grandmother). The problem with the census data is that she claims Kentucky as her birthplace sometimes, and Texas other times. Also, I know from my mom that Helen's birth name was Ethel, but she was allowed to change it because of the fire that destroyed her birth records. From her marriage records, I know she claims her father's name was Louis Carter Stone and her mother was Mary E. Maxwell. The problem with Maxwell is that I can't find any marriage records for any individuals called Louis Stone and Mary Maxwell in Texas or Kentucky. I can, however, find marriage records for Louis Stone and Mary E. Petty in Texas. I suspect my G-Grandma Helen (Ethel) was trying to remember details from her childhood she simply didn't fully know. The census data I've found indicates her birth year to be between 1912 to 1917, with the year getting progressively later the older she got (she was also allowed to choose a new birthday, 3 April, which was Easter and her favorite holiday because of the fire, so she didn't know her exact age, even to the year). Oh, I should also mention she may have been an orphan, but I'm unsure of the details there. Finally, my mom claims Ethel had a sister named Minnie May. Anyway, all this is to say that her known details are very confusing and possibly wrong. I won't give up trying to solve this mystery, though! The prospect of finding more lost ancestors is too exciting! Thank you for the video, I hope it helps in my research 😊

[@GenealogyTV]

Research the sister Minnie May too.

[@joelwolski]

Family Search's full text search recently added "US Plantation Records" and some probate records from Australia and New Zealand.

[@sr2291]

Nice :)

[@GenealogyTV]

YES!

[@peggies5704]

Loved this video. I am going to give this a try for my most difficult brick wall - a 2nd Great Grandfather in Scotland. Have his marriage record and some census - supposed parents. This has driven me crazy for decades!

[@GenealogyTV]

Good luck! I hope you find what you seek.

[@neecie645]

I watched all 34 minutes expecting you to say “ok, let’s see how to break down a brick wall about my ancestors father. Or mother’s maiden name.” So, how did all this documenting break down any walls??? I don’t get it.

[@fabianmckenna8197]

Scotlandspeople.gov for Scottish research.

[@roterakaten636]

Just stumbling across your videos. Pretty helpful. I am currently tracing my lineage through the ages. The further back i have gotten is about 1400/1500s. Know i am contacting foreign governments tryingnto find more information and go further back.

[@GenealogyTV]

That’s incredible!

[@roterakaten636]

@GenealogyTV i actually found out my mom is a direct line to the revolution for the colonists. My dad's side is my direct link to the crown for the revolution. My mom's ancestor dads side served in the VA army for the revolutionary war. My dad's ancestor on his dad's side served as a hessian solider, who was captured and then started fighting for the colonists. Which I find amazing. Also have family on both sides of the ACW.

[@sharontabor7718]

Marriage return problems aren't merely ancestral issues. I met a couple several years ago. They were planning a 25th-anniversary vow renewal ceremony and couldn't find their marriage license. They inquired at the courthouse for a copy and.... the minister had never returned the license. They were never legally married. They had a large church wedding covered in the newspaper (when there was once a society page in local papers). I never found out if they were able to post-date their license. Can you imagine the legal issues that might have arisen if something major had occurred during their first 25 years of marriage?

[@GenealogyTV]

Wow

[@grantfahlman1815]

Connie, I think you have finally convinced me this is a necessity for me. I have watched a number of your videos on this topic, or those in which you have talked about it, and I have kept thinking I may do this... if/when I have no other choice. Well, I think I may have reached that point being as I have a brick building in front of me in not being able to find anything on my paternal great-grandmother. She was wife number one (of three) for my great-grandfather and the spelling of her family name has appeared with two different formats in family materials (Aumann and Amann). Even worse, I have wondered if there could be other spellings, depending on different vowels/letters being used (Auman, Aman, Amenn, Amen, etc). I need to find something otherwise I'm going to start thinking I may have some ghosts in my family tree!

[@GenealogyTV]

You can do this. Research Notes! I have faith in you.

[@marygrether1]

thanks, I have been trying 2-3 ancestors, not just one. So I have backed up regrouped, one ancestor line at a time! again thanks for that tidbit.

[@oneeyethedrd]

I have one very frustrating ancestor: my great grandfather. The only record of him before adulthood is a single 1880 census showing him age 9 and born in Kentucky but living with an unrelated older couple (relationship shown as “adopted”) in Missouri. His brother is 8, living as a boarder with another unrelated family in a different county in Missouri. DNA has connected to two families in Kentucky as the parents but no records have been located to explain what happened. Not sure how to proceed.

[@lawrente]

Great information! Question...How do I begin using Research notes now that I'm into research for the past 40 years?

[@GenealogyTV]

Here is a playlist about Research Notes kzbin.info/aero/PLiMXWjHlj5RSjs3MExHoP5xShSejkN0iu

[@karenjenkins7460]

I have a large brick wall. My dads stepsister, whom I love, and she has always just been my aunt. Me, my mom, and my brother did our DNA and so did my dad's stepsister neice and nephew. When we got the results the niece and nephews were related on my mom's side of the family. So I had my aunt (dads stepsister) take the DNA and she is related to my mom and to me and my brother. She is only 50cm to my mom and less to us. I can't figure out how to find the connection.

[@deborahpitts03]

Hello, I hit a brick wall. My ancestors that I am looking for has different birthdays on all found documents. I can’t decipher which birthday is the correct birthday. I cannot find his siblings nor his parents. Do you have any advice that would me.

[@GenealogyTV]

Resolving conflicts can be a challenge. The trick is evaluating the records for their potential accuracy. See this video "When facts don't agree" kzbin.info/www/bejne/eaipk2CKeqt3arM

[@LoriElskerMusik29]

Every Brick Wall video you upload I watch. In hopes it will take me one step foward. I think my case(s) in my own tree is too complex. My great grandfather father unknown & his wife my great grandmother parents unknown. Orphan? I now paid $10 more a month to see how my DNA matches match eachother. Nice! I think of Crista Cowan help besides yours. I need google map. Smiles 😊

[@BrandiFink]

Am I too early for the handout? I'm so excited to watch this video!! It's exactly what I need right now.

[@GenealogyTV]

I was late uploading it. Sorry. kzbin.infomembership

[@brianwilkenson6998]

Connie, can't get to document for this presentation. Link says unavailable

[@GenealogyTV]

I was late uploading it. Sorry. kzbin.infomembership

[@warrensmith2902]

Most of the time this works. Still waiting for one brick wall to fall. Been working on John L Smith for twenty years now. I know tons about him in Indiana and Illinois, Even went back to St. Joseph IL. and did some library research looking for an obit. Still can't find his parents. I know that Family Search, about a year ago, scanned a lot of Maryland files, Just haven't found a clue yet to his parents.

[@stevelaursen1691]

My gramma was raised by a family from 8 years old. we caled them aunt and uncle all mt life. they called each other sisters. how do i get them connected into my tree. thanks

[@junebutka6571]

A great overview. It works.

[@karmagal78]

I had a grandaunt that told me that her parents married in New York. Didn’t make sense as my great grandmother was born in Kansas and that’s where the family settled. I looked into Kansas after years of finding nothing in NY. Found it in Kansas. We were under the assumption that my paternal grandparents married in Nebraska in the town that they lived in. Found out that they had married in Kansas (grandma was a teacher. Our theory is that they married in Kansas so that the school board wouldn’t know. She did have to quit, though, because a year after they married, my aunt was born)

[@GenealogyTV]

Good super sleuthing.

[@saraschneider6781]

Are you currently taking clients?

[@GenealogyTV]

Only academy students right now. I teach you how to do the research. 😀

[@jessikamoore5033]

I have several brick walls and unknowns due to NPE's and there not being any documentation, etc. My 4th great grandma is one for example. No information has been found for her prior to her marriage who is not my biological grandpa. There is not even a marriage record for them.

[@erinfecik2612]

I'm not able to get to the handout...why? TIA

[@GenealogyTV]

I was late uploading it. Sorry. kzbin.infomembership

[@GeraldM_inNC]

I have a brick wall regarding my paternal grandmother's parents, one from a Palermo background and the other from Genoa. I have their names but nothing more. I joined Ancestry DNA specifically to solve this problem, but my only relevant DNA matches were to common ancestors in the 18th Century and before -- no clues how these ancient ancestors link up to my grandmother's parents (born mid-1860s), about whom I can find nothing but their names, Giovanni Anelli and Elena Razore. I have put in countless hours and achieved nothing.

[@jeanksiazek9223]

I checked and they do not have any records for state of Nebraska. On Family Search Expand your search with Full Text.

[@jeanksiazek9223]

Oops Connie they do for probates but not Wills .

[@mixmediaproductions]

Dar info led to a mixed finding on Family Tree where a marriage had been tagged to a man, but it was another man in another state. And, DAR passed it. But, I found by date and lineage that the man we wanted was found by tracking the wives. Man with dates and wife can not be another man with the same wife..

[@mixmediaproductions]

Reuben 1753 married Abigail in 1777 where they had Abigail in 1782 and Reuben in 1788 with 7 more. -- the problem was a lineage with Seth+Sarah, where Abigail was tagged to Seth..In reality, Abigail + William, Not Martin provided a smo

[@mixmediaproductions]

Provided the smooth lineage expected back to the correct person.. while William + Abigail were in another State. Because, Martin had a son named Martin.. as well.

[@hollyprincipato3287]

I have a "Brick Wall" that I can't seem to break down. It is my Great Grandfather. I have been given a couple of names that have not planned out

[@spanishfly7709]

Maybe I can help

[@debragrubbs1038]

How to become a client?

[@GenealogyTV]

I am not taking on any client work right now. However, the GTV Academy is a great place to learn from me how to do your research like a pro! GenealogyTV.org/Academy

[@dog_vanlife]

I have living relatives that don't want to share information, what can I do.

[@GenealogyTV]

Respect their wishes.

[@fabianmckenna8197]

How hard can it be........ Your mum and dad marriage and birth. Their parents death, marriage and birth. Their parents death, marriage and birth. Etc, etc, etc. No need for relatives input but just means a bit of work to get there.

[@ruthking7884]

I have no way to break through my brick wall. It is from my great great grandfather, who committed suicide in 1874 at the age of 38. He found his wife in bed with his best friend and went out to his barn and hung himself....no will, his land went to his wife. Much info was not recorded as suicides were shameful and not spoken about back then. Now where I am in Canada. Ships passenger lists were not recorded until mid 1860's. Sadly my ancestor arrived in Canada between 1855-1860. He first appeared in Canada on the census in 1861 at the age of 25. According to his birth and death and census records he was born in Scotland in 1836....according to what I have discovered his name was a common one and there is more than one person of his name born in Scotland in 1836....I can only eliminate the ones who died in Scotland as I knew he died here in Canada.

[@Hamuel]

No descendants of him have DNA tested? A second great grandparent should be fairly easy to solve with DNA

[@ruthking7884]

@@Hamuel We have a few but they are all in Canada thus far and he is as far back as we can trace. We have no idea if he was an orphan, an only child or what....we only know he arrived from the old land and appears to have come alone .... we think he came over when he was 21 in 1857. But again no ships passenger lists were recorded until after 1865. He married and had 7 children before he committed suicide. But any records his older kids may have kept were destroyed and erased because of the stigma of suicide back then.

[@jessikamoore5033]

​@Hamuel not really. I Don't know who my one 2nd great grandpa is and I don't know who a 3rd grandpa was to a 2nd great grandma, and so on

[@GenealogyTV]

You might consider using DNA to help solve where in Scotland he was from.

[@GenealogyTV]

You might try transferring your DNA to MyHeritage.

[@TheAngelin2000]

you want to let them know to put a tree up and not put a private tree, because other families are looking for you, and can compare family members. also, set up a tree and get a DNA test. Not only you will find more families, but you will also get other families that can find you. my tree grew double. found lost family. will be worth the cost. believe me, I'm cheapo also, men always doubt that if your child is yours, this is the cheapest way.

[@GenealogyTV]

Thanks for sharing.