Searching in the Maryland State Archives

I visited the Maryland State Archives in Annapolis. I was looking specifically for militia and volunteer Revolutionary War records for a client in hopes of getting birth information of his ancestor or additional family data. It’s not everyday that we find an ancestor in the states during the Revolutionary War, but believe me, there were a lot of Tucker’s.

Needless to say, the search became a needle in the haystack, but the experience was quite successful. The Maryland State Archives’ staff was the most helpful and knowledgeable group I have worked with in a State Archive (and I have visited many for research). The volunteer, that day, was resourceful and had experience in searching for that allusive soldier. She was able to suggest many overlooked options. Unfortunately, time was limited to too few hours and after giving the Tucker family about 5 hours Pro-Bono (do genealogist get to use this word?), my search had to come to an end. Anytime, I go to a new State Archive, I give my customers about 2 hours free. I chop this time up to my “education – learning the repository, retrieval system, and the online website and resources.” But, in this case, I was so intrigued; the customer got a full five hours, in addition to his paid time. (I applied the customer’s paid time to the NARA and DAR research I promised to do in DC.)

I was guided to the Maryland online site to begin my research. I would suggest you do this prior to going: http://www.msa.md.gov/. I also suggest you review the “Reference & Research” site: http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/homepage/html/refserv.html. Be sure to go to “Special Collections.” http://speccol.mdarchives.state.md.us/msa/speccol/catalog/cfm/dsp_online.cfm
This is where you can obtain more information on church records, maps, newspapers, etc.

Your choices are many and for this reason you should limit your search prior to arriving, based on your time. It will take a couple of days to get access after you set up a username password online. Note, however, at the Archive you have immediate access.

For me, I count this visit as educational hours; and for the client, well, he got a lot more than he bargained for and that’s always a plus. What’s even better is I’m familiar with the Maryland Archives, (in Spanish I would still use conocer not saber) and although I didn’t find that Tucker needle, my research for the client at the Md. State Archives, was thorough.


Kathleen Brandt

a3Genealogy

Accurate, Accessible Answers

a3genealogy@gmail.com

Are You Analyzing Your Data?

Anna Charlotta was NOT Alma Charlotta

Swedish Research

I suggest to beginners to collect their data, but don’t just pull document after document to prove your ancestor’s existence without understanding what the data is telling you. What is your ancestor’s story? It is written between the lines, hidden within one word, or in one obscure date.

I recently pulled no less than 30 pages of Swedish records on a Samuelsson family that I was following. I copied birth, marriage, household examinations and death records for a period of about 50 years. Then, I paused!

The best way to analyze your data is to write about it. Begin writing for yourself or your client, not when the project is finished - since it will never be finished – but when you believe you have sufficient data to tell a story. Then, you will find your holes, which will keep you focused toward finding “the rest of the story.”

With magnifying glass in hand, I realized that my Samulesson’s marriage record revealed that he was a soldier in the Swedish military and had served in both France and England. It was buried between his homeplace and date and marriage date. Just “aft. sold P. France, Lon England…”meaning formerly soldier. . Why not find out what was going on in the 1850’s in Sweden that would warrant such a service?

I mistakenly assumed two children as being one: Anna Charlotta and Alma Charlotta (Samuelsdotter). But in analyzing church records and various household examinations, it was clear that these were two different daughters born within two years of each other. With this knowledge, I was able to find the death record of Anna Charlotta and her losing battle with smallpox. She was born and gone, before her sister Alma ever entered this world but who was given Charlotta as her baptismal name also. With the quality of the microfilm copies on Genline, it was easy to mistake Alma for Anna and not realize that they were two individuals not one. But, by reviewing all the documentation, the one household examination with Anna’s birth date was uncovered. Was smallpox in an epidemic stage in Sweden in 1860?

By analyzing data, you not only can prove a hypothesis, you are able to uncover social history and culture and make your story more interesting. Sure the dates are useful, but it’s the story we are after.

Happy researching and analyzing. Hoping you uncover your story!

Kathleen Brandt

a3Genealogy@gmail.com

Originally printed 9 Sept, 2009, Are You Analyzing Your Data?

Fun Emergency Projects

I have this rule that I don’t do emergency projects for clients. First of all one would have to wonder, what is an “emergency project”. Well, it’s the one that you have less than two weeks to do, the deadline is immoveable, and the job was not scheduled or expected so it has to be fitted in the work schedule.

So what am I doing right now? An emergency project. I have been 99% successful in saying “I’m sorry, but I would be unable to assist you on this project.” But what do you do, if the project is for one of your best clients and he has a business trip in 10 days in the area of his GGGGrandparents. Let me add, he is traveling from California to Missouri. For me, the answer was easy – you assist the client and plan on sleeping very little for the next 8 days (the package should be in the overnight and to arrive on day 9).

I pulled the needed file from my archival system immediately and reviewed my final report before I even answered the request. I sketched out a plan of how to attack his specific requests of land locations and living direct lineage or distant cousins in three remote counties of Missouri. Yep…I can do this in 20 hours (all I could possibly give up in 8 days) and have the package prepared for him.

I am half way through with the project now - Day 4. I will finish up county two today, and start with county three. I have already sent him what I considered to be time sensitive data and have actually given him a page and a half of a preview of what to expect based on a few questions he has sent me for his preparation. His excitement vibrated through his email response. He actually called me “heaven”.

No, I’m not a travel agent, but 27 phone calls later, I have found him local hotels, places he must see with directions, and very needed host/hostess names for the area. This is a remote area with directions given as “the oiled road south of town”. No name, just that it goes between the church and the cemetery and over the hill. It took me a few questions to figure out that the “oiled road” was a blacktopped one. Opposed to what?

This is the interesting part. As a genealogist, I would not normally call half a town to see if they knew of my subject. Time is limited so I normally spend it on county courthouses, city halls, libraries, genealogy societies, etc. I don’t normally spend client hours talking to a farmer on Rt. 1 who starts a chain of telephone numbers and names accompanied by failing health anecdotes and recent family deaths worthy of a town directory and a gossip column. No…I don’t usually start any project like this. But, it is a great way to get social history and a feel for a location if your client is off to the wilderness. And, I have gathered gads of additional genealogical tidbits of his family by doing so, including finding a local genealogist, who happens to be a distant cousin, and has a database of over 27000 relatives. We were easily able to pinpoint that they were 6 cousins, once removed. Now this is the contact your client really needs. And I will probably lose his business to this distant cousin, but isn’t that what we all want – an exhausted history of our family?

Hope you are saying yes to the possible, and breaking a few of your own rules for a little genealogy fun!

Kathleen

a3Genealogy

Accurate, Accessible Answers

a3genealogy@gmail.com

Need a Break

I had an opportunity to assist a client in planning a genealogy trip. At my regular fee, my client asked me to find direct line or distant relatives in the area, telephone numbers, repositories of family information, and a listing and location guide of sites of interest. This included land sites of his forbearers.

Now this project might not sound like fun for some, but for me, it was a blast and a welcomed break. Besides that, it was an unexpected revenue generator for my upcoming vacation.

After having worked in genealogy dungeons for the past 12 weeks (court house basements, dusty moldy archives and my 13x15 office at a computer, my eyes and back (from lifting 20lbs ledgers of wills, estates and court records) needed the break.

So after reviewing the customer’s folder for Scotland and Schuyler County, MO, clarifying my client’s goal and defining the length of time of his visit, I began planning my attack.

Having never done this for a client, I applied rule Number One: Do it as you would like it to be done! The result was a fifteen page visitor’s guide customized for my client. I began the guide by giving him a weather review for his upcoming trip. And then I addressed his four goals. I had spoken to over 30 people in Scotland and Schuyler County in the areas he was to visit and in doing so was able to identify the experts of Bible Grove, Memphis and Downing Missouri and who were excited about being a host/hostess for his 3 day visit. I attached land plats with sketchy directions to family cemeteries and the original family church, where one of his ancestor’s pictures still hung.

I talked to a half dozen distant relatives and gathered as much as possible about the culture of the area. Many of the members of the community were non-alcoholic drinking church goers, so why not let my client know that suggesting the local bar might not be appropriate.

Upon several references, I was even was able to recommend a local hotel where one of his distant cousins was the operator and a native of Bible Grove.

I guided my customer to the local museums and contacted the Genealogy/Historical Society in advance so they would expect his arrival, this also allowed me to confirm hours open.

And the coups de gras, was my names and address list, alphabetized by both county and interests.

Name Alpha by First Name

Association

Phone

Notes

and then by county, for example -

Associations in Scotland County

Name

Phone

Notes

I have to say that I don’t have aspirations of being a travel agent, but this was twenty hours of remembering why we do genealogy: to get to know just a bit of the path of our ancestors.

Plan a trip for you or a client. Why not follow a bit of their trail?

Kathleen

a3Genealogy

Accurate, Accessible Answers

a3genealogy@gmail.com

Genealogy Library Visit

Tools and Resources - Genealogy Library Visit Recipe

1 genealogy notebook *see Recipe for Efficient Preparation
3-4 sharpened pencils (or ink pens preferably with an eraser)
1 library card (if not a member, you will need to apply immediately, so take ID)
1-2 hours (depending on the resources available at the library)
1 knowledgeable reference librarian
1 tools and resource checklist

Your first library visit should be at a genealogy library. Find the genealogy section of the library or the reference desk and introduce yourself to the friendly knowledgeable reference librarian. They will have the tools you need, so take the checklist of needed tools and don’t leave the library until you have asked about the following: family tree forms or descendent forms, list of available genealogy resources, local genealogy clubs and contact information, library sponsored genealogy workshops/seminars, location of genealogy books and how they are sorted, access to ancestry.com, remote access to library databases, especially HeritageQuest. Be sure to take lots of notes while at the library, because by the time you go home, do chores and make dinner, you will have forgotten the details.

While you are there have the librarian start you on Ancestry.com How do you long on? What does it provide? Remember you are just exploring, but put in a grandmother’s name and information and play with this database while at the library.

Verify that your library card is up to date and you have remote access to the library’s databases (ancestry.com normally is not available remotely). Your library should have at minimum the following databases. Be sure to ask which of the following are accessible from home, and have the librarian show you how to access their databases remotely if you would like to do research at 3:00am from the comforts of your laptop:

America’s Genealogy Bank – historical newspapers and books and documents
America’s Obituary & Death Notices – wide-range of newspaper obituaries
Digital Sanborn Maps – fire insurance maps from 1867-1970
Heritage Quest – census records up to 1930

This week become acquainted with all of these databases by searching a relative (grandparent) that was born before 1930. Just play and see what you find. If you were born as late as 1970 you should have at least one relative’s name that was born before 1930. If not, ask you parents or aunts about someone interesting in the near past that you would like to begin with. Do not start with the “coming to America”, just someone a name within two generations of you if possible. Keep a log. This is just to familiarize yourself with the various databases.

The only other database you should discover this week is “familysearch.org”. You can access this from your library’s internet or from home. Be sure to thoroughly review each tab to see what is available. Be sure to look under Research Helps to see what is available under different states and countries.

Remember, we haven’t begun research, but we are getting to know the resources. Happy playing and remember this is a life project, so pace yourself.

Kathleen Brandt
a3Genealogy - accurate, acessible answers

Beginners Genealogy Recipe Book - Preparation

I get 10-12 requests a week for mentoring newbies into the life of a genealogist. So, why not break it up into a seven course recipe book? We can move slowly from one step to the next. If you have questions, need more detail information, or just plain confused, send me a note and I will address to all. Enjoy the Preparation Step.

Recipe for Efficient Preparation

1 computer, preferably laptop
1 genealogy software database (check the used bookstore)
1 printer (preferably a 5 in 1 type setup for copies and fax)
1 external backup system (may be a flash-drive or CD)
1 telephone
1 online directory (your favorite)
1 local library (or more based on convenience and resources)
1 large notebook binder (may substitute the equivalent of a yellow pad, but will want a storage unit for papers)
3-4 sharpened pencils (with an eraser)

Setting Up:
Set aside a block of time. Call your local library branch to find the best genealogy library in your area. In the first page of your notebook, start a directory page of resources. Be sure to make a checklist of the following: Library Name, telephone number, genealogy reference librarian’s name, Heritage remote access availability from library, and Ancestry.com library access. Be sure to ask if there is a dedicated area for genealogical research. Also, check if there are time limitations for computer use and if this time limitation applies to the genealogy area. Mark off any library that does not allow for extended computer for research. You will need to do some research using library databases (i.e. Ancestry.com) at the library for now. (No need to purchase this software yet, will address later).

Your Genealogy Software:
Install genealogy software. You’re just getting started, so you only need the basics for organization – a names and data database with a notes page and a place to store photos. Try your used book store for an inexpensive one.

If you are using a CD or flash drive as your backup, be sure to label them and set aside. If you are using an external backup system, I suggest you set up the file folder now.

You are now ready to visit your genealogy library.

Balancing Crisis and Clients

I could have just as easily called this blog “don’t forget your clients when you have a family crisis of spousal Leukemia diagnosis and a month of hospitalization and upheaval and mayhem in your life.” Or, I could have called it “prioritize, prioritize, prioritize, and be realistic!

So, on day three after the diagnosis, a bone marrow biopsy, admission to the hospital, and beginning chemo, I had to address a few business issues. I had one deadline for a final report in 2 days, luckily for me all research had been completed and the first draft of the report had been sketched; I had just signed on a new large customers not due until November; was in mid search of the Wochenschau films; and ending the search on the allusive Wm. Williams. Right…William Williams. And, on the day, I received a down payment for customer number four who I didn’t have to start for a couple of weeks, according to the contract.

I may have mentioned this in a previous blog, but I schedule my jobs according to the estimated time of a job, and I usually have one large and two small jobs going every month. Very little overlap occurs on large jobs, except I usually am writing a final report, while doing a set up on another. This is a career, not a suicide attempt!

I think the “check in the mail” thing jolted me into reality. Three precious days had past and only two days left before my final report was due. Well, I was not about to cheat my client. My reputation is based on very few things, but one of them is timeliness, the other is thoroughness. And, although I don’t believe my personal affairs should in anyway affect my customer, I did realize that I needed more days to complete the report. So, I grabbed the laptop, that had been with me at the hospital and home, and began to communicate. I had to let the client know that I was finalizing the final report, but due to this “life problem” I would need an additional week. Yep, clients are human and compassionate, especially if you keep them abreast of progress all along, giving them frequent updates, and my client was no exception. Plus the word Leukemia does not equate with sore throat. He granted me the week to finalize, compile, double check, and recheck my cited work. This was to both of our advantage, because reports need to be clear and concise to limit follow up questions or confusion. And this client was a respectable genealogist himself, and a repeat customer.

Wm. Williams posed a bit more of a problem. But, the truth is travel was out of the question for now, and I needed to research some files that could not be removed from an archive about four hours a way. What good is networking if you don’t consider it as a resource. Reality: I couldn’t go. Resolution: use my trusted genealogists peers in the field. Not any genealogists, but one who worked at the archive. This allowed for my research to continue and move forward. Time not wasted!

Wochenschau, although a tedious job, was do-able from the laptop, but once again, I had to use my resourceful peers. This time genealogists at the NARA in D.C. Believe me, I don’t pull these favors normally, but it was nice to know that I had developed the relationship and was able to take care of customers seamlessly. Again, time was not wasted, and the end of the month deadline was met, exceeding expectations.

My point is not to juggle customers and workload, but to be resourceful, and face reality. Reality: I couldn’t do anything in the hospital but stare at my husband and talk to him. Resolution, I had a laptop and a phone at my disposal.

We, as genealogists, have contacts throughout the nation in archives, in societies, from conferences, etc. It pays to do “random acts of kindness” periodically, and in return others remember your good deed, and are willing to pull together in a pinch. It is also important to remember not to abuse your resources. But most of all, communicate with your clients, and never cheat them of the job they paid for: thorough research, and a comprehensible thorough final report. With a little creativity and setting of priorities, it all can be done.
Hope you are keeping all balanced and providing the best research for every client! A page out of Sponge Bob: This is "the best (genealogy) day ever!"

Kathleen

a3Genealogy

Accurate, Accessible Answers

a3genealogy@gmail.com