A Mission: Genealogy Community Tip: revisit your documents from time to time. You will be surprised at what a fresh pair of eyes (even your own!) can uncover.
In the genealogy program I use, Family Historian, it is easy to add witnesses as a person in your database and link them to the event (e.g. marriage, press report of a funeral etc.) Occasionally it is invaluable. I need to revisit my early research for this reason and add them. It can also be useful in constructing FANs networks, too.
I sometimes utilize Evidentia software to go back through documents with a fine tooth comb. Sometimes it doesn't yield any new insight, but sometimes it clarifies my thinking and the paths I'm taking.
Great advice and something that I advocate all the time and also something that I have written about myself. As the information and names that you collect grows, so does your need to go back over those old documents and wills. Is the unknown witness on a marriage certificate now a recently discovered in-law?
That’s the beauty of what we do. As new information and records are discovered it can reaffirm what we already know and also give us vital clues to allow us to take the next steps.
Paul, that is exactly what I found a few weeks ago when I was reexamining my G-G-Grandparents marriage return. The name of the witness hadn't rung any bells when I first got hold of the return several years ago, but now it does. And just like that I've got a new line of inquiry! Very exciting!
When I first started researching Leonora Kearney - the mother’s name in Wikipedia was listed as Honor Browne granger. I finally found an Honora Browne who gave birth to an honora Kearney. Yep one and the same. No idea when the child’s name was changed to Leonora. As to Honor Granger? She was the step mom.
In the genealogy program I use, Family Historian, it is easy to add witnesses as a person in your database and link them to the event (e.g. marriage, press report of a funeral etc.) Occasionally it is invaluable. I need to revisit my early research for this reason and add them. It can also be useful in constructing FANs networks, too.
I sometimes utilize Evidentia software to go back through documents with a fine tooth comb. Sometimes it doesn't yield any new insight, but sometimes it clarifies my thinking and the paths I'm taking.
I agree with you Cath. You just never know when something will occur to you given a second look.
Great advice and something that I advocate all the time and also something that I have written about myself. As the information and names that you collect grows, so does your need to go back over those old documents and wills. Is the unknown witness on a marriage certificate now a recently discovered in-law?
That’s the beauty of what we do. As new information and records are discovered it can reaffirm what we already know and also give us vital clues to allow us to take the next steps.
I definitely agree with you Paul. I would always suggest a second look at witnesses. You just never know who you might find.
Paul, that is exactly what I found a few weeks ago when I was reexamining my G-G-Grandparents marriage return. The name of the witness hadn't rung any bells when I first got hold of the return several years ago, but now it does. And just like that I've got a new line of inquiry! Very exciting!
Review, review, review!
Second harvest always yields something.
It does David.
When I first started researching Leonora Kearney - the mother’s name in Wikipedia was listed as Honor Browne granger. I finally found an Honora Browne who gave birth to an honora Kearney. Yep one and the same. No idea when the child’s name was changed to Leonora. As to Honor Granger? She was the step mom.
Great find through a second look Diane.
Great advice! I've also discovered that repeating searches on Newspapers.com every few months brings up new results due to new editions and AI.
Great idea Lisa.
As one of my colleagues says “research means re-search. Go back and look at that document again!”
I love that Nina!
Thanks Jennifer!
So true! Great examples to illustrate the point.
Thanks Jill