The sleuth book for genealogists : strategies for more successful family history research

TITLE_DISPLAY:

Personal Author:

Croom, Emily Anne, 1943-

Publication Information:

Cincinnati, Ohio : Betterway Books, c2000.

Format:

Books

Physical Description:

xiv, 290 p. : ill. ; 28 cm.

Subject Term:

Genealogy.

Geographic Term:

United States -- Genealogy -- Handbooks, manuals, etc.

ISBN:

9781558705326

Available:*

Library	Material Type	Shelf Number	Child Count	Shelf Location	Status	Item Holds
Searching... Branch	Book	929.1 C.88	1	Stacks	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable

Comparing genealogical research to the work of famous literary sleuths, the author outlines methods for solving frustrating research problems by developing a plan, documenting evidence, and examing clues in the records.

Foreword	p. xiii
Introduction: Why the Sleuths?	p. 1
1 Putting a Down Payment on Success	p. 3
Focus of the Book
What's the Answer?
First Things First: Getting Organized
At Any Beginning-Focus
What's the Problem?
2 Planning for Research	p. 12
Part I Developing a Plan
Spontaneity
Preliminary Planning
Mapping Out a Plan
Planning Methodically
Talking About the Problem
Example of a Written Plan
Part II Questioning As a Tool of Planning
Categorizing Search Questions
A Reference Section
3 Broadening the Scope: Cluster Genealogy	p. 40
Why the Cluster?
Who Is the Cluster?
Next of Kin
Extended Family
Neighbors, Friends, and Associates
People With the Same Surname
Reconstructing the Cluster
Cluster Genealogy in Progress
4 Documenting Research	p. 54
Who Documents Their Work?
What Does It Mean to Document Your Work?
Why Do We Need to Document Our Work?
Where and When Do We Cite Our Sources?
How Do We Cite Our Sources?
Considering Specifics
Sources in the Family
A Final Word
5 Gathering Information: Research	p. 65
General Principles of Research
A Word About Sources
Suggestions for Effective Research: A Review
Observe, Analyze, and Evaluate As You Research
Working With Dates
Using Public Records
Strategies for Using Census Records
Strategies for Using Probate Records
Strategies for Using Land Records
Strategies for Using Tax Records
Mistakes We Make in Research
6 Examining Evidence: The Gray Cells in Action	p. 105
Evidence
The Smallest Chink of Light
Evidence at Work
The Little Cells of Gray
Hypotheses and Theories
Seeking the Truth (Proof)
Research and Analysis: The Question of Rev. William Harrison's Death Date
7 Arranging Ideas: Progress Reports	p. 122
Preliminary Hearing
Listening to What We Say
Committing Your Work to Paper
Progress Report on a Study of William Coleman Sr.
8 Reporting: Case Solved	p. 137
Writing About the Successful Project
Case Studies
Introducing Chapters Nine, Ten, and Eleven
9 Finding the Parent Generation: The Search for Isaac Heldreth's Parents	p. 141
What Was Known When the Search Began
Setting the Stage
With Eyes and Mind Open
Looking for Solid Evidence
On Location
What Is the Clue?
The Missing Link
10 Finding Slave Ancestors: The Search for the Family of Archie Davis Sr.	p. 150
What Was Known When the Search Began
Early Research
Focus on Mother
What Was Known at This Point About the Family of Archie Davis Sr.?
Focus on Wife
Family Oral Tradition Plays a Role
Some Examinations
Plan B
A Wild Possibility?
Reviewing the Results in Claiborne County
One More Step up the Hill
11 Finding the Parent Generation: The Search for Ann (Robertson) Croom's Parents	p. 163
What Was Known Before the Search Began
What Was Known From the Paternal-Line Search
Proof of Isaac Croom's Surviving Children
Isaac Croom's Marriages
Preliminary Census Check
Reviewing the Initial Evidence
Search for Birthplaces
Survey Research in Louisiana
Clues in Land Records?
First Proof of Relationship
Research Based on Isaac Croom Sr.'s Land Records
Cluster of Isaac Croom Sr.'s Associates
The First Georgia Survey: The 1840 Census
Texas?
The Wake-Up Call
Right Under My Nose
Number One Suspect Emerges
The Missing Link?
One More Question Answered
The Hypothesis
The Critical Link
Appendix A Preparing for Adventure: An Overview of the Basics	p. 203
At the Beginning
Focusing the Search
Repositories of Genealogical Information
A Word About Sources
Suggestions for Effective Research
Documenting Research
Dates in Official Record Books
The Calendar Change
Strategies for Effective Census Research
For Further Discussion
Appendix B Guide to Documentation: Examples of Style	p. 219
I. Published Books
II. Articles in Journals
III. Electronic and Internet Sources
IV. Newspapers, Letters, and Interviews
V. Public or Unpublished Documents and Records
VI. Sources in the Family
VII. Bibliography
Endnotes	p. 250
Bibliography	p. 276
Bibliography of Sleuths
Bibliography of Selected Works Mentioned in the Text or for Further Reference
Index	p. 281

Available:*

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

Summary

Table of Contents