Barbara asks me

"Mr. Drake... as a newcomer in what order should I begin a search for any new family member I discover?....  Thanks"

The answer varies with the individual doing the search. I very first call or write to EVERY known family member or distant cousin who MIGHT have heard of that person or his family.  If you are not doing interviews on a continuing basis, you are not doing adequate searching.    

Since by discovering such a "new" family member, you almost surely also discovered a "where" for that person; where they were on a date certain at least for that single event or entry. I then go very first to the county website for that "where", make notes of what is there available, noticing also what is NOT there.  I will later search the net for those records that are missing there. 

Next I go to the census that covers that date, glean all possible facts from  there, and then check the next and the previous censuses to determine over what span of years your person likely was in that county (be sure to check the "genesis" of that county).

Then I return to the county website, exhaust - EXHAUST - all the records there available, join that county society if the ancestor lived there for more than a year or so, submit queries, and make acquaintances with members.

Next, I go to the internet to see who else, if anybody, has inquired or written about THAT individual or any members of his/her immediate family if I have identified any of those. AND, I always check the "Persi" indices for articles.  

I never accept on first encounter the work of ANYONE except the most well known and accomplished researchers.  Unless and until I am satisfied that the research someone has done is worthy of my time, I put such sources aside for consideration later.  The net and the available records are too vast to waste time with those who are not thorough.

I make very careful citations to the sources where all info is found. If we are cousins and you reveal some new fact to me, I will expect you to tell me precisely where you found that evidence.  

Enough for now, Barb.  These ideas are but mine, however such have worked for me over many years, and others may have good ideas to add to this. Good luck.   Paul   



 



        


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