Refining your genealogical detective skills
I have been researching for a project on a Korean War veteran. He worked on his dearly beloved P-51 Mustang airplanes; one of the last groups to actually use the Mustang in combat. Doing some serious Internet surfing, I was able to find a photo of the actual flight line on which he served in Korea! Little gems like that can add so much to a memory project. I know he will be so thrilled when he sees that in his book.
Family Searcher
By Nina Brawn 
I never would have found it if I hadn’t been using new “surfing strategies” that I learned from Dan Lynch’s book “Google Your Family Tree.” They have helped me improve my genealogical “detective” skills. I’m still learning to use the skills he teaches, but it has definitely been worth the effort.
Specifically, I have learned to be more inventive with my search terms. It used to be that I would search something that seemed logical to me, find nothing, and give up. Now I try several different terms, and combine phrases, and keep trying different things. As a result, I have seen a big increase in the results I have found that have actually been helpful. I also am (slowly) learning to track my unsuccessful results so I don’t waste time repeating searches.
Working on these projects with my new research strategies, I keep finding little bits and pieces that add so much to the story of my ancestor’s lives. The Internet really can connect you in ways never before possible. I have learned things which helped me understand why trees grow in rings on the top of British hills. (No, I’m not going to tell you, you’ll have to look it up but the key word is “hillforts”.) I have found photos of the remains of 12th century villages I will never see in my lifetime. I understand why everyone on the Census page was a stone mason.
The Internet is no longer my enemy. I have found ways to make it a warm and comfy friend and helper. It doesn’t overwhelm me anymore.
Another little trick I use a lot now when I am researching on the Internet is to keep a word processor open in another window. I immediately copy and paste Web addresses and pertinent information as I find it. This has had two great benefits. One, I can actually find my results later. The second and greater benefit, I am getting out of the habit of scribbling notes on random nearby papers, and then not being able to read them later. Of course I am sure I am the only person crazy enough to do that! Right?
There are so many great tools to make genealogy more fun and interesting than ever before. And remember; feel free to contact me with your questions and comments. I love hearing from you.
Editor’s note: This regular column is sponsored by the Aroostook County Genealogical Society. The group meets the fourth Monday of the month except in July and December at the Cary Medical Center’s Chan Education Center at 6:30 p.m. FMI contact Edwin “J” Bullard at 492-5501. Columnist Nina Brawn of Dover-Foxcroft, who has been doing genealogy for over 30 years, is a freelance genealogy researcher, speaker and teacher.
