Genealogy Hack: Read the Genealogy Directions

This genealogy hack is a simple, but profound one. Have you ever skipped over the directions because you think you know what that website or genealogy collection is all about? I have! However, over the years I’ve learned that if I want to be a more efficient genealogist, then I need to pick and choose what websites, collections, and places I need to do my research. I don’t have hours to spend on genealogy. Therefore, the tips that I share below will actually help you speed up the process. You can be a better genealogist by reading the directions!

Genealogy Hack: About pages

Always go to the About page on a new website. I know you may be familiar with Ancestry.com and maybe FamilySearch.org already. But do you know what Fold3.com is all about? Or how about ChroniclingAmerica.loc.gov? What records do these websites hold that would make you want to use these websites for genealogy? If you don’t know what they’re there for or how to use them, then they’re useless to you. In addition, you don’t have to make a special effort to learn new websites unless you want to. You just need to use this genealogy hack when you’re doing your normal research in your regular websites to learn what that website has to offer. You may be surprised!

Genealogy Hack: FAQ pages, Help pages, and Learn More pages

These pages are ideal in helping you understand tricky genealogy sites and places. The Family History Library in Utah is an example of this. They have a wonderful website, but if you’re visiting the place, then you may want to learn more about it. You can also go to the FAQ page to find out what other people are asking about how to make it a good visit. Help pages for your personal genealogy software, such as RootsMagic, are gold when you’re trying to understand your stuff. If you think you don’t have time to go to these pages, then trust me on this. I’ve saved myself a lot of time by reading that article or watching that short tutorial before going into that website or software program.

Genealogy Hack: What Does the Collection Actually Hold?

Have you ever read the information that’s below the search buttons on a collection? On Ancestry and FamilySearch they show you what’s actually in a collection, but it’s hidden at the bottom of the screen. Most people don’t know to look there because they think that information is not for them. They want to plug in their ancestor’s data into the search buttons and leave it at that. That technique will work for some collections. However, many collections are more specific and need further learning in order to see if that collection is useful or not.

For example, many family historians believe that the 1890 Federal U.S. census was totally destroyed in a fire. So, you don’t look in that collection even if your ancestor lived during that time. But, if you scroll to the bottom of that collection on Ancestry.com, then you will find this…

Not every census was destroyed during that time. Some states have fragments that just might have your ancestor if they lived in that state. So, don’t just assume you know everything about a collection. Because, you might be missing a piece of information that will help in your search.

Collections also give you search tips at the bottom of the screen or in a sidebar. This is to give you more ways to search for your ancestor. The picture below shows you search tips for census records.

Conclusion

So take some time to really learn your websites and genealogy collections. This is how you become a better genealogist. This genealogy hack can help you decide what websites and genealogy collections are right for you and which ones are not. Try it and see for yourself the next time you go researching.

In the meantime…good luck and happy hunting!

Tiffany

P.S. Don’t forget to sign up for my weekly email and get a free download of all my favorite genealogy websites for both American and Scandinavian genealogy. For other genealogy hacks then click on the link below.

• Genealogy Hacks for Researching Ancestors