Genealogy is not a one-and-done hobby (or profession). It is a cycle of asking a research question, making a plan, executing it…then starting over with a new question.
But sometimes you have to go back to what you think you already know to be true and revisit your work because some new clue pops up that has you wondering…Is my prior research correct?
In this blog post, I’ll use one of my ancestors to show how taking a second look at your research can be a good thing.
In genealogy, as in many things, we always want to be moving forward. But sometimes if you review what you’ve done, you will make a giant leap forward with a new clue or possible answer to your research question.
Here are a few reasons you might want to hit the pause button and look back on what you already have:
10 Reasons To Go Back In Your Research
- Correct Mistakes: Going back to your past research lets you catch any errors or inaccuracies you might have missed before.
- Updated Information: Things change, and new records become available all the time. Revisiting your research keeps you up-to-date with the latest findings in genealogy.
- Find New Leads: Sometimes, what seemed like a dead end in the past could now lead to new discoveries with fresh perspectives and additional resources.
- Improved Analysis: As you gain more experience in genealogy, you may develop better analytical skills. Revisiting old research allows you to apply these skills to uncover more.
- Fill in Gaps: You might have missed important details or overlooked potential connections in your initial research. Revisiting it helps you fill in those missing pieces of the puzzle.
- Validate Sources: Verify the reliability of your sources. What seemed credible before might not hold up now.
- New Tools: With advancements in technology, there are constantly new tools and resources available to genealogists. Revisiting your research gives you the chance to use these tools for better analysis.
- Fresh Perspective: Time away from your research can give you a fresh perspective. You might notice patterns or connections that you didn’t see before.
- Correct Biases: We all bring our biases and assumptions to our research. Revisiting past work allows you to recognize and correct any biases that may have influenced your conclusions.
- Personal Growth: Genealogy is a journey of discovery, not just of your ancestors but also of yourself. Revisiting your research allows you to use new skills you’ve acquired as you gain experience.
An Example In My Family
I’m continuing to look at the McKamey family line, my maternal side. John C. McKamey was my 3x great-grandfather and the father of John McKamey who died in the Fraterville Mine Explosion.
In my tree I have John C. McKamey married to Nancy Seiber, but when searching on Ancestry, the name Zerelda Tunnell keeps popping up as married to John C. McKamey. What’s going on?
Like me, I’m sure many of your ancestors were not that creative when it came to naming their children so they used the same names… a lot! This is the case with the two John C. McKamey’s here.
I went back and looked at all the records I had and verified the lineage of my John. I’m confident he was born to Andrew and Margaret McKamey.
Then I researched the second John (and Zerelda) and found completely different locations and records that help separate them. They were cousins! Here’s a chart that makes it a little easier to visualize:
As a bonus, the women John and Andrew married had the maiden name of McKamey and were possibly sisters. So I may be looking at two McKamey brothers who married two McKamey sisters.
Since the McKamey surname is so prevalent in this portion of my tree (for maiden and married names), I think it’s time to make sure it is all correct. While I think I’ve got it figured out, I will go back to the beginning and analyze each record to make sure it is attached to the proper John C. McKamey. Satisfaction isn’t always found in discovering something new.
Finally
Separating men (and women) of the same name can get a little tricky. Try to find occupations or locations that help make them unique individuals. And remember to document everything in a research log. Making a timeline of each of their lives is also a good thing to keep them apart.
Genealogy tip: It might be good to revisit some of your early work when you were a new genealogist. Back then you didn’t have the skills you have today. Since you know more and know to look for more, go back and see what you missed the first time.
If you have two people of the same name and you’re having trouble telling them apart, call me. This type of genealogy research is important to make sure you have the correct people in your tree.
