Blog | Gray Stabley Genealogy Services

Following In Their Footsteps

It’s hard to believe fall has arrived. It’s always been one of my favorite seasons (thanks mom). Living in New England, I really enjoy the crisp air and beautiful colors.

It’s also when I get back to my newest hobby. In the last year, I have learned to crochet. It was a bit frustrating at first, but I’m getting the hang of it. I’ve only been making blankets so far. One I’ve kept and the others I’ve given away as gifts.

It’s nice to think I am following in the footsteps of my grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-aunt (all on my mom’s side) as they all knitted, crocheted, and left behind treasures with amazingly fond memories. Here’s a blanket I made with a vest and bonnet my great-grandmother and great-aunt made for my mom.

Even though these items are nice, the real “stars” of the crochet world in our family are these afghan squares that were supposed to be made into a blanket but never quite got there. Instead, they acted as hot dogs and hamburgers for the make-believe restaurant we ran as kids in my grandparent’s house in Knoxville, Tennessee. Their heating system had metal grates in the floor that served as our oven and stovetop. We would tear up different colored paper and offer our “special sauce” with every meal. Of course, whoever would “eat” our concoctions pretended to enjoy every bite.

The afghan squares are now a piece of art in my office. My brother, sister, and cousin have something similar to this in their homes. It may not be the prettiest craft I’ve made, but it’s nice to look across the room and see this piece of family history. It always brings back wonderful memories of my childhood.

Genealogy tip: Don’t let family history items sit in boxes where you can’t enjoy them. Bring them out, repurpose them and enjoy all the wonderful feelings they bring.

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Where To Start In Your Genealogy Research

Starting (or restarting) your genealogy journey is like setting off on a new adventure through time. There are hidden, forgotten, or lost ancestors just waiting to be found. But do you ever feel like one of these signs? Not sure which way to go in your genealogy research?

In this blog post, you’ll learn the process to start on the right foot and stay focused throughout your research.

Signs found in Salt Lake City representing where to start in your genealogy research

The answer is “You Are Here.” Start where you are. That may sound very simplistic, but often the simple ways are the best.

Start With What You Know

In finding your ancestors, you have to begin your genealogy research with what you know and work backward. Start with the details of your life (birth, marriage, etc.) then add anything you know about your parents and grandparents.

For most of us, the vehicle we use to gather this information is an online tree. That can be through Ancestry.com ($), FamilySearch.org (free), or any other website which provides tree-building capabilities.

Craft A Research Question

You may say “I want to learn everything about Aunt Sally.” But patience and planning are the real keys to discovering more. Whether you are just doing genealogy for fun or you’re a professional, the beginning step is always the same…the research question.

In my ProGen Study Group, we had to write a research report for one of our assignments. It began with a simple question…”Who was the mother of Susanna Krewson, born about 1829 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and married Andrew Bothell on 26 August 1847 in Newtown, Bucks, Pennsylvania?” For more on the answer to this question, see Slowing Down.

Of course, I want to know everything I can about Susanna and her family, but I can’t do that all at once. Notice the question included information about her that helps me figure out which Susanna Krewson I’m talking about (in case there was more than one in the town). These identifying characteristics come in handy when there are multiple people of the same name in the same place at the same time.

Research Plan

Once you know what you want to find out, it’s time to search the records. You may want to just dive in, but in the long run, it won’t be as productive and you’ll probably frustrate yourself in the process. Ask yourself what kind of records will help answer your research question the best.

The FamilySearch Wiki has a wonderful record finder to help you start your search: (https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/United_States_Record_Finder). Put the records in the order that makes the most sense to you. Now, you can dig in.

Research Time

The records I chose to look at were Susanna’s father’s will, census records, church records, and her parent’s Find A Grave memorials. Sometimes you may find a record or two that directly answers your question. Yay!!

In my case, I had to put together many different records to come up with the conclusion that Jane Parker was Susanna’s mother. And that’s okay too…it’s fun delving into a variety of records to put a puzzle together.

Write, Write, Write!

Once you’ve come up with an answer, write about what you’ve found and share it. There are so many ways to do this. You can write a blog, a Facebook post, or even an email. You can also write a short paragraph and upload it to FamilySearch. Find the way that is easiest for you.

Then it’s time to move on to another question. I don’t know where or when Susanna died, so perhaps that will be what I want to find out next.

Finally

Genealogy research can be overwhelming if you don’t follow the process and stay organized. By crafting a unique research question, plan and execute efficient research, and write about what you’ve found, you’ll stay focused and get more done.

Genealogy Tip: Always start with a genealogy research question to find out one thing about your ancestor. Add identifying characteristics to differentiate your person from anyone else who happened to have the same name.

Need help crafting your research question? Not sure which direction to go? I’m here to get you started on your journey to the past. Click the button below and let’s go!

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3 Ways Libraries Can Help Your Genealogy Research

Libraries are fantastic resources for genealogy research. There’s not a genealogist around who doesn’t visit some type of library, often.

In this blog post, we’ll explore three simple ways libraries can supercharge your quest to find your family. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned pro, get ready to tap into the hidden resources that libraries offer for your genealogy research adventure.

We’ve known how wonderful libraries are since we were kids. Now that we’ve grown up it’s time to use the library in our genealogy research.

Here are three ways libraries can be incredibly helpful:

Access to Archives and Historical Records

Libraries are the home to extensive collections of archives, manuscripts, newspapers, and other historical documents that can be invaluable for tracing family history.

Local Records

These repositories may contain a wealth of local records, such as:

City directories
School records
Church registers
Tax lists.

For example, a library in a small town might hold records of births, marriages, and deaths dating back centuries. New England is a region that has documents that date back that far.

Preserved Documents

Libraries often preserve items like

Old maps
Wills
Land deeds
Court papers

These documents offer rich information that can fill in our ancestors’ stories. For instance, examining property deeds can tell us about land ownership patterns and migration routes, showing family movements, and community ties over time.

Expertise

Librarians are experts in navigating these archives. Use them – that’s what they are there for. They can guide you in locating relevant resources, interpreting old documents, and overcoming research problems.

By tapping into the gems found at the library, genealogists can piece together their families a little easier and with more accuracy.

Genealogy Databases and Online Resources:

In addition to their physical collections, many libraries offer access to subscription-based genealogy databases and online resources, such as Ancestry, Fold3, and Findmypast.

These databases contain extensive collections of records spanning centuries, including

Vital records (birth, marriage, and death certificates)
Military service records
Immigration records

As much as we’d love to subscribe to all of these ourselves, we can’t afford everything. Using the library edition of these popular databases is the way to go. Remember, however, you will not be allowed to save your work on their computer. Bring a thumb drive with you. You may also have time restraints to allow others to use the computers, too.

Expert Assistance and Workshops:

Librarians are invaluable when it comes to digging into your family history. They are knowledgeable about genealogy and local history and can offer personalized support to guide you through your research.

Whether you’re struggling with deciphering old handwriting or understanding tricky terms in historical documents, they are the ones to ask. Plus, libraries often host workshops and talks by genealogy professionals, covering everything from DNA testing to courthouse research.

So, by tapping into these resources, you can improve your genealogy research skills, deepen your understanding of the past, and connect with fellow genealogists along the way.

My Library Visit

I want to give a huge shout-out to the staff at the Maine State Library. I am thankful that there are wonderful people, like the staff at MSL, to help me discover my ancestors.

The research on my Krewson/Kroesen line has led me time and time again to a book, The Croesen Families of America by Warren D. Cruise. (Gateway Press, Baltimore, Maryland 1998). It’s out of print, but locations where to find a copy are at WorldCat (www. worldcat.org).

Picture of the cover of The Croesen Families of America by Warren D. Cruise for my genealogy research

The nearest one was a few hours away in Boston. I knew I wanted to spend more than a day with this book, so I headed to the Maine State Library in Augusta to see if they could help. A few copies of the book were at other state libraries so I thought an interlibrary loan was possible. I made my request and crossed my fingers.

Several days later I received an email that said it was not available. Perhaps, I could get an index from the book, but that was about it. I was going to be happy with anything, but unbeknownst to me, the staff kept looking.

A couple of weeks later I received another email saying they found a copy of the book from a library in Independence, Missouri and it was on its way to Maine!

The library staff went above and beyond to help me and I couldn’t be more appreciative. As far as research goes, I realize this is an authored source, but I don’t care! This book has history, family group sheets, maps, deeds, wills, and bios from associated families. It is a treasure!

I have written blog posts about my Krewson line. You can read one of them here.

Finally

Libraries are invaluable resources. Whether you need the collections they house, their knowledgeable staff, or the online databases they have, libraries can be a crucial step in a successful genealogy journey!

Genealogy Tip: With so many resources online, don’t forget the brick and mortar sources of genealogy research information. From libraries to historical societies, there’s more to learn than what’s online.

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