Author Archive
29 Oct 2018
How to Start Writing: the Overall Plan
By Aaron Goodwin On 29 October 2018 In Uncategorized
What to do? What to do? Last month I wrote about the importance of writing for genealogists and family historians, particularly the importance of starting now rather than at some unspecified point in the future. I also
29 Oct 2018
Using Associates and Timelines to Prove Identity
By Aaron Goodwin On 29 October 2018 In Uncategorized
When records in several places reveal persons of the same name, how can one determine whether those records were created by one individual or several?[1] It’s one of the most common problems we face as genealogists. The
30 Sep 2018
When to Start Writing
By Aaron Goodwin On 30 September 2018 In Uncategorized
Quick reminder: you are going to die. I forget that fact myself sometimes, thinking I have all the time in the world to do what I want to do. But I don’t. That bleak reminder has a
29 Sep 2018
Often Overlooked Resources: Marks and Brands
By Aaron Goodwin On 29 September 2018 In Uncategorized
Though I was born in Georgia and raised throughout the southeast United States, I’ve lived in New York City since 1989. So I think I qualify as a bona fide city dweller at this point, thoroughly urban
23 Jul 2018
Your Ancestors’ Unmarried, Childless Siblings Could Be the Key
By Aaron Goodwin On 23 July 2018 In Uncategorized
I was slow to learn. When I began genealogy, I was focused exclusively on my direct ancestors. Why would I care about anyone else? Why would anyone? After a while, and begrudgingly, I conceded that researching my
23 Jul 2018
The Bible Issue
By Aaron Goodwin On 23 July 2018 In Uncategorized
In 2002, interim NGSQ editor Jane Fletcher Fiske designed the December issue to be a stand-alone publication centered around “that large body of records loosely gathered within the term ‘Family Bible,’ although some are found in account books,
23 Jun 2018
Surname Shapes and Sounds: Circumnavigating Spelling Variations, Mistranscriptions, and Clerical Errors in Electronic Indexes
By Aaron Goodwin On 23 June 2018 In Uncategorized
Most researchers are at least somewhat accustomed to thinking about surname spelling variations when conducting record searches. Thankfully, many search engine results automatically include some of the more basic spelling variations for us. Augustus and Mary Ann
23 Jun 2018
Business Records
By Aaron Goodwin On 23 June 2018 In Uncategorized
In the March issue of NGS Monthly, “Occupations” reviewed some resources from NGSQ and the NGS Family History Conference for exploring how best to use your ancestors’ occupations as a research tool. In a posted comment on that
29 Apr 2018
Genealogy: What Matters to You?
By Aaron Goodwin On 29 April 2018 In Uncategorized
The New York Times recently published an opinion piece by author John Sedgwick with a title that refers to an old, familiar conflict: “The Historians Versus the Genealogists.”[1] Sedgwick begins by describing how historians typically view genealogists.
29 Apr 2018
Using Spreadsheets as Research Tools
By Aaron Goodwin On 29 April 2018 In Uncategorized
Some researchers use genealogy software to record and track their research. Others use word processing software, writing as they go. I’m probably like many in using a combination of both. But in certain instances, neither of these