CLUBS & GROUPS | LIFE IN SOLERA | OCTOBER 2021 | 31
Overcoming Brick Walls
In genealogy research, the farther you go back on your tree the
more likely you are to come to a "brick wall." This is when you cannot
find information on family members in the next generation going
back in your tree or on certain members of a current generation.
When this occurs, what should you do?
First, look at what databases have gotten you this far. You have
probably explored some of the main ones, such as Ancestry.com or
FamilySearch.com, so do a double check that you have exhausted all
possible bits of data on familial members from these sources.
Second, start to look at databases that cover where people lived,
such as state and national censuses, church records, land deeds, state
or national archives, and many others.
Thirdly, do not forget we now have DNA databases that you can
explore to compare your DNA with others to find familial matches.
This may allow you to overcome the "brick wall" and to also open up
new branches to your tree based upon the DNA relationships found.
Lastly, if these do not help your overcome the "brick wall" in one
familial line, it may point to a new familial line for you to work.
Sometimes finding new 'cousins' can help you overcome the problem
by coming at it from a different direction within your tree.
To help you realize some of the multitude of data sources available,
I strongly suggest a subscription to Family Tree Magazine, the Lost
Cousins Newsletter, and other genealogical publications to get more
information to help you overcome your "brick wall." You can also
contact one of us in the Ancestry Group to determine if there might
be other sources not mentioned above for you to explore. We meet
on the fourth Friday of the month at the Clubhouse. ~ Bill Cramsie
ANCESTRY GROUP
