If
you’ve hit a brick wall in your family history research, you’re
not alone. Whether it’s incomplete or “missing” information,
an undetermined maiden name, unknown ancestral village, or locating
foreign records, the dreaded dead end is the genealogist’s worst
nightmare. Learn research techniques to turn your roadblocks into breakthroughs..
Bio:
Lisa A.
Alzo
Lisa Alzo,
grew up in Duquesne, Pennsylvania, and earned a Master of Fine Arts
degree in Nonfiction Writing from the University of Pittsburgh. She
is the author of six books: Three Slovak Women, Baba's Kitchen: Slovak
& Rusyn Family Recipes and Traditions (both by Gateway Press), Finding
Your Slovak Ancestors (Heritage Productions), Pittsburgh's Immigrants,
Slovak Pittsburgh, and the recently released, Sports Memories of Western
Pennsylvania (all by Arcadia Publishing), as well as numerous magazine
articles. Lisa has spent more than 17 years researching her Slovak roots.
She is the Second Vice President for FEEFHS, and also serves as on the
Board of Directors for the Czechoslovak Genealogical Society International.
Lisa is a frequently invited speaker for national conferences, and genealogical/historical
societies. For more information see www.lisaalzo.com
LESSON
TITLES
Lesson
1: Introduction
a. Brick Walls, Pitfalls and Dead Ends
b. What Do You Already Know About the Ancestor
c. Who, What, When, Where and Why?
d. Reviewing the Documentation/Information
e. Organize and Reorganize Your Materials
Lesson
2: Are You Sure?
a. Go Back to the Original Source
b. Asking Questions and Verifying Information
c. Beware of False Assumptions
d. Replacing Folklore with Fact
e. Check online and traditional sources
Lesson
3: What Do You Want to Know?
a. Write Down What You Need to Find
b. Where Do You Look for Answers?
c. Check Name Variations and Surname Spellings
d. Learn Boundaries (town, city, county, state, country)
e. Prepare a Timeline
f. Think Collaterally: Work Sideways with Siblings and Cousins
g. Cluster Communities
h. Putting Down Roots (Locate Land Records)
i. Note the Neighbors (Utilize Census Records)
j. Follow Fellow Travelers (Review Immigration Records)
Lesson
4: Those "Problem" Ancestors
a. Surprises (Adoptions, illegitimacy, etc.)
b. Blacksheep Ancestors
c. Female Ancestors
d. "Missing" Ancestors
Lesson
5: Revisit, Revitalize and Rejuvenate
a. Start Over
b. Try a Fresh Perspective
c. Find a "Fresh Pair of Eyes" (Asking for Help)
d. Don't Give Up
e. Take a Break - Avoid Burnout
Lesson
6: Busting Through
a. Tips and Tricks
b. Research Strategies
c. Underused Sources
d. It's Okay to Cheat (a little)
e. Genealogy While You Sleep!
Lesson
7: The "Empowered Genealogist"
a. Secrets of Successful Searching
b. Identify Key Contacts
c. Enhance your Research Skills (classes, conferences, and practice)
d. Take Action
e. Help Someone Else
Lesson
8: I Found My Elusive Ancestors, and So Can You!
a. Sample Case Studies
b. Network With Other Researchers
c. Brick Wall Mailing Lists and Forums
d. For Further Reading: Articles and Books and Blogs
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Lisa A. Alzo