#genchat CHALLENGE: Using Tax Records to Knock Down Your Brick Wall

Have you used tax records in your genealogy? 

You should probably think about it, if you haven't. #genchat on May 25, 2014 was all about tax records, and what there is to gain from them as a genealogy source. 

Think beyond property. We had mentions of taxes on hen's, prostitutes, dog licenses, and way more! There is much to be learned from taxes and the associated paperwork. Use them as a substitute for census records, let them fill in the gaps of your ancestors life. 

Seek them out locally first, in the county Courthouse and in city administration buildings, then work on a broader level to identify where your ancestor may have been listed. 

Tonight's #genchat CHALLENGE: Using one of your "brick wall" ancestors and knock down the wall by identifying and pursuing tax records. 

The scope of what you might find could surprise you! Taxes have been around for a very long time, so use that to your advantage! 

As always, share what you find so we can all continue to learn from each other. Use your blog, social media, website or any other format to share your process and results, and then let us know! 

This #genchat CHALLENGE should result in some very interesting local records being discovered! Be sure to connect with your local genealogy society, as well, for even more information. 

#genchat CHALLENGE: Practice Makes Perfect!

"Citation is an art, not a science."

~ Elizabeth Shown Mills

Evidence Explained, Second Edition, p.41

©Ancestral Journeys, 2014

Our #genchat discussion tonight was all about citations. Yes, they can be confusing. Yes, they can be tedious. But they are also necessary. 


Tonight's challenge is to practice, practice, practice.


Select one record set you use often, for example the U.S. Federal Census', and go back through your research and ensure that each record you have is cited correctly. By repeating the same citation over and over, while changing the dates, locations, and names, you are well on your way to being able to create a citation by memory. Once you have the basics, it is much easier to apply the practice to all the records in your collection.


Resources for this challenge, and for citations moving forward in your genealogy:

1. Elizabeth Show Mills, CG, CGL, FASG. Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace. Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, Maryland, 2012. 
2. Elizabeth Shown Mills, CG, CGL, FASG. QuickSheet: Citing Online HIstorical Resources Evidence! Style*.  Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, Maryland, 2012. 
3. Evidence Explained Website, Blog, and Forums: https://www.evidenceexplained.com/
4. Evidence Explained Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/evidenceexplained
5. Evidence Explained on Twitter: @EvidenceExplnd
6. The Chicago Manual of Style Online. University of Chicago Press, 2010 - 2014. http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/home.html
7. Chicago Manual of Style Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Chicago-Manual-of-Style/139396659150
8. Chicago Manual of Style Twitter:  @ChicagoManual

Remember that the ultimate goal is not necessarily about how you cite your sources, just that you do cite your sources. 

So get in there! Practice on one record set that you have a lot of material from, and then move on to other parts of your genealogy. Find a system to methodically and habitually create citations every time you look at a new record. Build a place for citations into your research log, your notes, or other organizational system. Create a document of those "commonly used" citations, so you can copy/paste the basics and only adjust the details. Choose whatever works for you, but do it. And do it today! 

Share with us via social media, blog or other medium what you learned, what habits you are trying to develop, what system you set up. Tell us what worked for you and what didn't, and reach out to the #genchat community for guidance, support, and encouragement in establishing this process for yourself. This can be daunting to some, you do not have to do it alone. 

#genchat Challenge: Mapping Your Ancestors

Tonight on #genchat, we discussed US Migration Routes. Although this chat was specifically discussing the United States, numerous area's around the world experienced land rushes, massive migration, and other significant moments of human movement.

Tonight's challenge, should you choose to accept it:


Map your families migration around the globe. 


This could be done on paper, electronically, or using a good old fashioned map and push pins. Create a visual representation of how your family ended up where it did, depending on what you know already.


What can you learn from this process? What do you see on the map that you may have missed otherwise?


Does it have to be global?

Well, no. Focus on the ancestor or ancestral line that will benefit your research the most right now. I say global because not all of us have US migration routes to map, nor do we all have far to travel. Think about putting your map,  your ancestor, on a very detailed level. County boundaries, even town boundaries, can make a difference and lead you to another clue.



Share what you find! Share your maps! Think about where they might have stopped along the way, what they might have seen. I'm looking forward to your creations!

Using a county map such as this one may prove beneficial. 

#genchat CHALLENGE: Exploring NARA

In last night's #genchat, we discussed using the National Archives and Records Administration, commonly known as NARA, in our genealogy journey. Many participants had yet to fully explore the collections available in our national collection, so this week's challenge is designed to get you into the records and find out what might be of value to your research.

Denver Branch of the National Archives and Records Administration
Photo: ©Jen Baldwin, 2012 - 2014

Your challenge, should you choose to accept it...


Identify one record set that might help you at NARA, learn how to access it and write it up. No purchase required, but go into this as if you are going to request the records and get it ready for yourself. 


(Maybe you will even be encouraged to order the records soon!)


Here is mine.


I decided to dig into the possibility of finding one or two of my miner's in NARA's collection. The men I am researching came to the Colorado gold fields and took various routes to success. One ended up being a cattle rancher with property in Nebraska and Colorado; the other spent a decade investing in various mining operations before heading home to New Jersey. One of the best lines I got from my initial research of NARA records was this:

Think of possible ways your ancestor interacted with the Federal Government. Then pursue those records.

Examining the holdings at the Denver branch, I found that they have Bankruptcy Case Files. I think it is likely that either or both of these men may have found themselves in this circumstance. It's just a hunch, really, but its worth investigating, I think. Although the information online is limited, they have bankruptcy, civil cases, court of appeals and criminal cases; all available to order.


Just these files does not warrant a full trip to the Denver branch for me, however. I need to find more and have a full list of potential research in order to make this drive (about two hours one way for me). I utilized the "Guide to Archival Holdings: Alphabetical List of Record Holdings" for Denver to dig a bit deeper.


Due to the various bits of information I have about these two men, I was able to locate two additional sources that may help me. List includes the title and Record Group (RG) number:

• Attorneys, United States RG 118. This collection specifically refers to US Attorneys appointed under the Department of Justice. Although I have not uncovered any evidence of that, there is still a possibility that my guy may have been involved in a case dealing with a US Attorney, making this a far-fetched, but still valid, resource for me. Before I pursue it however, I will do more local work into his career as an attorney. 
• Bureau of Mines, US RG 70. The record description indicates the dates of 1860 - 1996, so it begins early enough to potentially cover data on either or both of my guys. The description does not detail what is included in the earliest years of the set (1860-1900), so additional work on my part is required to understand if this is a valid resource for me or not. 

I will also need to examine the collections at the Kansas City facility to examine the possibility of records on the miner turned cattle rancher.


I would invite you to take a closer look at the potential resources held at NARA. Look from a national perspective, but also at what each individual branch has in its collections.


Will you accept the CHALLANGE?

Our next #genchat will be March 14, on the topic of "Early Census Years." You can find the full schedule on Conference Keeper. 

#genchat CHALLENGE: the Ultimate Genealogy Tech Tool of the Future!

Your challenge, should you choose to accept it... 

I wasn't even going to do a challenge tonight! Honest! I wasn't! But, the crowd demanded it, and so, it shall be done. Tonight's discussion was based on technology; as the community comes off of the high that is RootsTech, it was an appropriate topic. What did we gain from the conference? What is new, what is out? Are we on "tech overload" or do we just not have the right tools to effectively match our research goals? 

Your challenge today is to imagine the ultimate tech tool of the future. What will it be? What will it look like? 

I have thought often of a "dream software," and tonight, it was given a name: Genealogy Office. My tech tool of the future includes the best of all worlds; it should include the features of... 

• The best genealogy software (including the ability to preserve social history, citations, and more)
• Photography and scanning, photo editing
• Excel
• Word
• Social media connections for sharing
• Blogging platform
• Research log 
• Research plan
• Research trip planning - including a live map with links to Starbucks, my favorite restaurants and nearby libraries and courthouses
• It will connect to all the major free and subscription websites for research tools
• It will connect to BillionGraves, findagrave and any other grave app
• It will bring the best of OneNote (or Evernote, depending on your preference)
• it will include features found in Publisher, Scribner, mind mapping

Essentially, I want one software package that will combine all the software I currently use for genealogy - including websites and apps - into one big system. I don't want to have to open any other program. Ever. (Oh, and it has a voice, like Siri. Kinda.) 

So tell me... what is your dream genealogy tech? 

Share it on social media, in the comments here, however you like; just be sure to include a link so we can all read about it! 

Thanks for accepting the #genchat CHALLENGE! 

#genchat Challenge! What Have You Missed?

Your challenge, should you choose to accept it....

Tonight on #genchat, the topic at hand was "Capturing all the details: one document at a time."  We discussed the idea of re-evaluating what you already have found; and why you may have missed details on the first review. Many suggested transcribing as a good way to ensure you "see" everything, also included were the idea's of reading the document out loud, reading repeatedly over the course of a week, or sharing it with a friend to compare notes.


Nearly all of the participants, myself included, admitted that there is a need to do this regularly. We simply cannot believe that one review of a source, especially a complicated one!, is enough.

What might you have missed?
Image: personal collection of author
1897 Town of Breckenridge Clerk & Recorder log book

Your challenge today is to find a record that you already have in your research, and to re-evaluate it. Try to find one that you have had difficulty with in the past, or one that was challenging to you for some reason. Make this a tough assignment on yourself! It is a "challenge" after all!


Blog about your experience with this record, or share in some other manner, before our next official chat on February 14th.  Tell us what you found originally, and what the re-assessment process did for you. Did you find new information? Were you thorough the first time around?  Be sure to share the link with me!



Remember! Once you have completed the challenge, share it with me! Thanks for accepting the #genchat CHALLENGE! 

S.M.A.R.T.ER in 2014

Has it been two weeks already?


10 Jan 2014 was the first #genchat of 2014, and as the host, I decided to be a little tricky. I threw a surprise up at the very end, with my new #genchat challenge! Each chat on Friday evenings will include a little extra bonus for those that are willing and able to take me up on it. Nothing too serious, all in good fun and with the purpose of continuing the conversation, the thought process, the education after the chat is over.


Besides, every time we do #genchat, at the end of the hour the comments are always, "it's over already? Can't we chat some more?"  This is your chance to chat more.


I cannot very well issue a challenge to all of the participants without being willing to face it myself. The first challenge was to write a S.M.A.R.T. goal that some how related to your genealogy for 2014. I've decided this year to try to balance my research time more evenly between my paternal and maternal lines; I've been quite focused on Oscar for several years. I need to take some time to let all my other ancestors whisper into my soul.


Therefore, my S.M.A.R.T. goal is focused on Eilert Heerten, and his family.

Headstone for Anna and Eilert Heerten.
Personal files of the author.

Eilert traveled to the United States with his brother. My goal is to identify that brother with certainty, and trace his spouse and descendants to determine if there are currently living descendants. The deadline for this research to be conducted is 1 Aug 2014. After utilizing all of the resources that I have reasonable access to, I will complete the process by producing a research report outlining my findings. 

S.M.A.R.T.ER in 2014

I do like a good challenge.


I am happy with my established goal, and I think that I have a good start on establishing a pedigree from Eilert's brother to current day.


During the chat, though, I stated that one of my goals for 2014 is to "grow #genchat." I do want to expand the community, and the reach, of these chats, as I think they have proven to be a valuable resource and genuinely beneficial experience for the participants. I am deeply proud of #genchat, and everything it has become. I would love to just host chat after chat after chat.


Here is my #genchat goal, more defined:


In 2014, my goal is to promote and market the #genchat community so that there are 75-100 people on the chats on a regular basis (regular = at least one chat a month for six months at this participation level). I will accomplish this by reaching out to societies, offering Twitter "lessons," and partnering with organizations in the genealogy community. I will host as many chats as possible from national conference venues and attempt to engage an audience that is not as active on social media. The timeline is as follows: 

• Host three #genchat's from society meetings (in person or virtually) in the first six months of 2014. 
• Partner with a national organization by 1 March 2014 to help promote #genchat and increase participation. 
• Recruit a team of #genchat cheerleaders to assist in carrying the #genchat message into the far corners of the country by 1 Jul 2014. 

#genchat is a very special community to me, and one that I treasure. It is also one of my highest priorities for 2014, both as a genealogist and as a business owner. I am committed to maintaining the chat's high level of quality, while equally committed to keeping the atmosphere fun, non-judgmental and positive. 

If I am able to accomplish these two goals, I will certainly be S.M.A.R.T.ER by the time 2014 is over. I am very much looking forward to the research challenge, as well as working to make #genchat bigger and better in its second year. 

#genchat challenge : SMART goals

2014 is going to be a big year for #genchat, and tonight, I was able to *surprise* everyone on the chat with one of the reasons why: 

The #genchat CHALLENGE

That's right! On our first chat of the year, I was able to throw in a little curve ball, and I'm looking forward to providing a new one each time. (If you haven't yet had the pleasure of participating in #genchat, you can read all about it here.) 

Your challenge, should you choose to accept it... 

The topic tonight was your 2014 genealogy goals. Have you created any? How do you plan to stay on track? Who holds you accountable? And are they S.M.A.R.T.? Your challenge for the start of 2014 is to write one S.M.A.R.T. goal that relates to your genealogical research in the coming year. You can tweet it to me (@ancestryjourney or @confkeep), you can leave it in the comments here, or connect via Facebook, G+ or email. Just let me know before the next #genchat on January 24. 

What is a S.M.A.R.T. goal? 

So many of you asked. One of you taught it to your students this week. 

S.M.A.R.T. goals are defined as a goal that is specific, measurable, attainable, results-focused, and time-bound. 

• Specific: Goals should be simplistically written and clearly define what you are going to do. This is the what, why, and how of the S.M.A.R.T. model. 
• Measurable: Tangible evidence that you have accomplished the goal. 
• Attainable: The goal should stretch you slightly, but defined well enough so that you can achieve it. 
• Results-Focused: Goals should measure outcomes, not activities. 
• Time-Bound: Linked to a time frame that creates a practical sense of urgency, or results in tension between the current reality and the vision of the goal. Without this tension, the goal is unlikely to produce a relevant outcome. 

(Above information provided by UHR: http://www.hr.virginia.edu/uploads/documents/media/Writing_SMART_Goals.pdf. Follow the link for a great PDF on writing goals in this fashion.)

Remember! Once you have your goal, share it with me! Thanks for accepting the #genchat CHALLENGE!