My Research

The research technique used for each ancestor will vary according to their locality and the years you're researching. In general, I follow the process I've summarized below:

• Start with what you know and go to a large genealogy site.
• I use Ancestry.com as my starting point. I add the person and wait for hints, then carefully check each hint. Establishing proper relationships is important and often difficult.
• I look at user-provided trees first but the data collected in these should be used as just a hint. Some users are meticulous in authenticating facts and relationships, but many are not. In the early days I falsely claimed relationships to Benedict Arnold and several kings because I relied too much on user-provided trees. Tentatively add these names to your tree, then continue verifying and adding facts.
• Search first for authenticating records about births, marriages and deaths. In addition to certificate and license information, draft registration, military records, and Social Security records can be very helpful.
• Examine census records to track the family growth, location, and various facts about members of each family. The government asked for different information in some of the census years. Drill down on the actual form and add the data that is helpful. Before 1850, the U.S. census did not list individuals in the family -- only the head of household and the number of types of people (grouped by age, gender, race, etc.) The post-1850 census records can be invaluable. As of 2018, census years through 1940 are Online.
• Next, I look at resources outside of Ancestry. Google offers a lot of interesting information on the Internet. It will direct you to user trees - the same caution as Ancestry applies. The newspaper archive sites can yield interesting information.
• When I've looked at all my leaf hints on Ancestry and added what facts I find outside of Ancestry, I do a general search and look particularly for wills. Not many are posted, but those that are can include valuable information in proving relationships.
• Occasionally I've contacted users on Ancestry who appear to have information about shared tree members. Some have contacted me. I've met several "cousins" who have shared valuable information and artifacts (and it's fun "meeting" them).
• Check for information on all the siblings and children. At times this provides info on the direct ancestors.
• Hire a professional genealogist. I've done his about four times, and it resulted in good results three times.
• Repeat the steps periodically.

List of Resources and Their Value

1. Ancestry.com. Ancestry has proven to be my most valuable resource. Over the years, it has added much data from resources I first used outside of Ancestry. Paid subscription after trial period.
2. AmericanAncestors.org by New England Historic Genealogical Society is an invaluable research tool for researching my Marblehead ancestors. They are expanding their data base to include records from other parts of America, but so far, I haven't found anyone with roots outside of New England. Paid Membership based.
3. Newspaper Archive sites such as Newspapers.com and GenealogyBank.com can provide valuable information. I use both since a search on one sometimes yields results when the other does not. Paid subscription.
4. Vital Records of Massachusetts to the End of the Year 1849. This has proven to be a wonderful resource for Massachusetts families. Ancestry appears to have incorporated the database, but I still use this resource to see a list of all recorded births, marriages, and deaths by town in one place. It has helped immensely in establishing familial relationships.
5. FamilySearch.org is operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and has a huge database of records from all over the world. Access is free. I check this site as part of research on every direct ancestor. Check the citation information. Much is user submitted and may not be reliable.