Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is about U.S. tax records and the various types you might encounter. Each state decided how to tax their citizens a little differently. Colonial Virginia had tithables and quitrents. Later, these were replaced with poll taxes. Most tax records fall into three categories, which we discuss - poll, real property, and personal property. Nicole shares how poll taxes in North Carolina help determine the ages of John Johnson's sons and separate him from other men of the same name. We also discuss a combined tax record on a preprinted tax form in Cass...
Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is about using tax records to solve genealogy research questions. This is the first of a three part series about tax records. Our examples are from U.S. research, but most countries tax their citizens, and the same general principles apply to researching there as well. In this part of the series, we tell you about three steps for extracting information from tax records, putting the data in a research log, correlating the data in a table, and then writing a summary of your conclusions. Diana solved a case about three generations of the...
Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is an interview with Hazel Scullin, who solved an unknown parentage case in her family using DNA. Hazel is a recent graduate of Brigham Young University with a BA in Family History. She walks us through the steps she used to come to a conclusion about the father of her grandmother, Jeanie. Jeanie was born in Salt Lake City in 1943, and her biological mother was from San Diego. Using traditional genealogy research and DNA evidence, Hazel found Jeanie's father. Listen in to find out how! Links Hazel's Twitter https://twitter.com/HazelNutTreeGen Hazel's Email: hazelskyscullin@gmail.com ...
Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is about the locality guide step of the Research Like a Pro process, and how you can use DNA information in this part of the process. Even if you don’t like to travel, your DNA has been places! There are myriad places where our countless ancestors lived over the course of time. Many of these ancestors passed their DNA on to us. We each have a multitude of DNA segments that can be traced back to specific ancestors or ancestral couples. An exciting aspect of DNA research is that it can help us...
Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is about determining which of the many people of the same name and same place is your subject. How do you make sense of a complicated situation such as two individuals with very similar identities? It takes thorough research of all family members, analyzing the data, and then understanding the locality. Diana tells about the Edward Sullivan project, and how she solved it. Links Will the Real Edward Please Stand Up? Separating Men of the Same Name Research Like a Pro eCourse Study Group - more information and email list Research Like a...
Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is about how to incorporate DNA information into the timeline and analysis part of a research project. The timeline and analysis portion of the Research Like a Pro process is at the beginning. It helps you determine your starting point, because you look at all the sources you already have. After you test your DNA, you have an additional source that will help you in your family history research, that can be included in this phase. In the context of using DNA in genealogical research, you are a source that gives information –...
Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is an interview with Certified Genealogist® Kimball Carter. We discuss Kimballs' fourth great grandmother, Anne Carter, and the challenging research he undertook to determine her identity and relationships. Anne died in 1789 in Westmoreland County, Virginia and appears in numerous family trees and authored works as the wife of Thomas Carter. Her maiden name was given variously as Neale, Hunter, or Claytor. Kimball noticed some discrepancies in the research about Anne and spent years researching colonial Virginia records to discover the truth about her spouse and origin, finally determining that she was not...
Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is about the most efficient way to write reports. We discuss the pros and cons of writing as you research and writing at the end of your research. We discuss the process of analyzing the source and information in the records you find in your research notes and report, and when to correlate the information that you find. Listen in to find out what conclusion we came to - is it better to write as you research or write your report at the end of your research? Links RLP 9: Report Writing- Episode...
Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is about how to use timelines to help you get started with your research project. As you gather all the sources about your objective that you already have and put them in a timeline, you'll notice holes, make connections, have ideas for your research plan, and may even discover that you already have the answer. We talk about different ways to make timelines and recommend our favorite method. We also discuss Diana's case study of separating two Swedish men of the same name in Massachusetts and how a timeline was invaluable for coming...
Today's episode of Research Like a Pro is about how to focus your DNA research with an objective. If you feel overwhelmed by all the matches and all the test results you have, perhaps focusing on one research question could help. Maybe you want to confirm a relationship or focus on a brick wall ancestor. We discuss how to create an objective with genetic genealogist Robin Wirthlin. Links What Do You Want to Know? 3 Steps to Focus Your DNA Research by Robin at Family Locket Creating an Objective for a DNA Research Projectby Diana af Family Locket Relevant previous...
