Don't Be Afraid to Ask
Let's start sharing our favorite research, writing, and sharing tips here. Short and simple, readily accessible to all of us here on Substack. A new section from Deborah Carl of YourFamilyQuest.
If you want to start or improve your genealogy publication on Substack, this is where you want to be — . Here you’ll connect with other genealogy Substack writers in a supportive community of genealogists at various skill levels. Many of those members are willing to share what they’ve learned while researching and while writing on Substack.
“Don’t Be Afraid to Ask”
Original Land Grant Application from Jabez Spencer to Governor Benning Wentworth
In 2024, the Campton Historical Society did not know if the original application existed. I emailed the New Hampshire State Archives, and not only did it exist, but the clerk sent me a copy the next day with permission to publish it.
Variation: Don’t Be Afraid to Ask, Again
Evidence of a Marriage around 1812 between Charles Bentley and Betsey Bowen
I wrote to the Greenfield, New York, Town Historian around 1995 and asked if he had any evidence of the marriage. Nope. In 2019, I again asked the Greenfield, New York, Town Historian. This time, he sent a copy of “A Record of Marriage From the Docket of Chas. Drake, Justice of Peace Copied by B. Dake 1943.” The first Historian wasn’t incompetent. New records are discovered or donated, and this time, the record was available.
Variation: Ask at Home, First
And finally, the first step in genealogy is to talk to your family members and find out what they know about your relatives.
Notice: In my tip, I gave two examples of my experiences. The universal takeaways are don’t assume the record doesn’t exist, and don’t be shy about following up on a request years later.
Let’s pool our experience and see if together we can’t share one tip per week. I’ll credit you with a mention of your name and publication. Have something for me? Please send me your copy via email at YourFamilyQuest@gmail.com.
I do have a few requirements. Please…
Keep it short and sweet.
Make it relevant to a large audience.
Sharing Tips with MissionGenealogy!
Would you like to share a tip with colleagues here at
? I’d love to include you. Join and me Substack Live:on Tuesday, May 20th at the “Atlantic-friendly” time of 10 AM/1 PM PT/ET here in the Americas or 6/7 PM BST/CET in Europe to talk about the idea.
You’re welcome to share this link with friends you think might enjoy it: open.substack.com/live-stream/29567
Looking forward to learning from you, ~ Deborah.
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