Have you ever sat down with a Sudoku puzzle? At first, it can look impossible. A few numbers are scattered across a blank grid, and your mind goes blank. But then you spot one open square that has to be a five. That five leads to a two… which leads to a seven. Suddenly, things start falling into place. Genealogy can feel the same way.
When you hit a brick wall in your family tree, it’s easy to feel stuck. You’ve got bits and pieces of information, but nothing fits. Then one small clue, maybe a date or a name, lets you see something that you didn’t before.
In this post, I’ll show you why genealogy is a lot like Sudoku and how that kind of thinking can help you make real progress in your research.
I have a confession to make…I love playing Sudoku. I’m a math girl, so anytime I can play with numbers, I’m in. While I was playing the other day, it struck me that Sudoku is not linear…you jump around A LOT! And don’t we do that in our genealogy research?
So, let’s see how solving actual puzzles can help us figure out our brick wall ancestors (or at least get a little closer).
Start With What You Know
Every Sudoku puzzle starts with a few numbers already filled in. If it’s an online puzzle, they may give you a hint right off the bat. The trick is to work from there, using logic and staying patient.
In genealogy, you do the same thing: start with what you know and make a plan for how to proceed.
That means:
- Talking with older relatives to get a family oral history
- Finding out parents’ and grandparents’ names and birthplaces
- Scouring birth, marriage, or death certificates, you have in your possession
These are your “given numbers.” Everything else needs to connect back to them with evidence. Before you jump five generations back or chase a surname across the ocean, make sure the earliest people in your tree are locked in place with solid sources.
Related blog post: How To Start A Genealogy Project From Scratch
Look for Patterns, Not Just People
Solving a Sudoku puzzle isn’t about random guesses; it’s about finding patterns. Maybe a row has six numbers already, so you can narrow down where the missing ones must go.
Genealogy works the same way.
Rather than just looking for one person, start watching for patterns in:
- Naming conventions (like a son named after the grandfather)
- Migration paths (families moving together)
- Neighbors showing up in multiple records
Let’s say you can’t find your great-grandmother in the 1900 census. You do find her brother and sister living on the same street as the family in 1910. That’s a clue worth chasing.
Related blog post: How To Use The FAN Club In Your Genealogy Research
One Clue Can Unlock The Rest
Sudoku players know the feeling when you finally crack a tough square, and suddenly five more answers fall into place. That one breakthrough creates a ripple effect across the whole puzzle.
The same thing happens in genealogy.
My 2x great-grandfather, John Dunahoo, served in the Civil War. Every (and I mean EVERY) online tree has an Eliza as his mother. All the evidence suggests otherwise (for example, she would have been 12 when John was born, etc.). But still, they all agree on Eliza. When I got John’s pension file from NARA, a letter he wrote to help his case said his mother died when he was young. I now have information that leads to her identity and that of his siblings.
That’s how it works. A small discovery in one place often opens the door to many more.
Related blog post: 1 Big Reason To Look At Your Genealogy Research Again
Follow the Evidence
In Sudoku, if you guess and write down the wrong number, you can mess up the whole grid. It’s the same with genealogy. Guessing or assuming something, especially without checking the evidence, can lead you way off track.
It’s tempting to say, “This must be the right John Smith because he’s about the right age and lives nearby.” But in genealogy, especially with common names, you need more than “close enough.”
Genealogists use what’s called reasonably exhaustive research. Check every possible match. Compare birth years, spouse names, children’s names, occupations, and locations. Let the facts guide you.
Related blog post: 10 Simple Steps to Fix Mistakes In Your Family Tree
Brick Walls Are Just Puzzles You Haven’t Solved Yet
The hardest Sudoku puzzles can leave you stuck. You go back and forth, staring at the same few boxes. But that doesn’t mean it’s unsolvable. It just means you haven’t found the right angle yet.
Brick walls in genealogy feel like that.
Maybe your ancestor disappears after 1880. Or you can’t find proof of a maiden name. It’s frustrating, but not impossible. Step back. Rethink your approach. Try different record types, timeframes, or strategies:
- Search for siblings or children
- Look at probate or land records
- Review city directories or tax lists
- Use DNA matches for new leads
Sometimes all it takes is time (and a second look) to see what you missed. If you’ve tried everything, take a break for a bit. A fresh mind can reveal what’s been right in front of you.
Related blog post: Why It’s Good To Take A Genealogy Research Break
Finally
Genealogy is a puzzle. It’s not always quick or easy. But it’s so satisfying when you figure it out.
Next time you’re stuck, try thinking like a Sudoku player:
- Start with what you know and cite your sources
- Follow patterns
- Let logic guide you
- Trust that even the toughest puzzles can be solved, eventually
Your ancestors left clues, and they’re counting on you to figure it out. Pick up your pencil and get started!
Genealogy tip: Documenting what you find can be key to breaking through your brick wall ancestor. Writing makes connections in our brain that we couldn’t see before. It takes a little extra time, but you’ll be so happy you did!
My clients hire me to help them solve their ancestors’ puzzle. You can too! Just click below to schedule a free 30-minute consultation.
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