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Angela Rodesky's Blog – January 2019 Archive (21)

Learning More About Family History and Culture

Wow!  This course, Demystifying Culture & Folklore started off with a bang.  Lots of information and a page turner to boot.  It’s hard to believe that I am even more excited now than I was before the first day started.  However, if you remember my introduction post to this course, I am a self-confessed myth and folklore geek.…

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Added by Angela Rodesky on January 31, 2019 at 11:00am — No Comments

Clients

Client Management 

When you first started your genealogy business, you perhaps did a few projects for family members to get some experience and work out the details of your offerings and fees.  At some point, you began actively marketing to obtain new clients.  Depending on how long you have been in business, you probably now have had some experience with actual, paying clients.  …

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Added by Angela Rodesky on January 30, 2019 at 10:00am — No Comments

Starting My Next Course: Demystifying Culture and Folklore

Shannon Bennett, Student

A good story can captivate the hearts and minds of listeners for years. Sometimes, when you have heard a story repeatedly, you can pick up the little embellishments and the differences that occur as a story develops and changes. Family stories are the same way. They captivated us as children, intrigued us as adults, and are information to be proved as genealogists.…

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Added by Angela Rodesky on January 29, 2019 at 10:30am — No Comments

Research Gaps

Previous Research  

Sometimes we get so caught up in the thrill of the hunt for our ancestors that we might not always practice good research techniques.  We find a document, pull a few bits from it, put it aside, and move on to the next search.  This is why reviewing the research we have already done should always be the first step when trying to break down a brick wall.…

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Added by Angela Rodesky on January 28, 2019 at 10:30am — No Comments

Methodology Part 2: Finishing Up

Shannon Bennett, Student

Another Methodology  course done, another four to go! Whew, I will make it because you will cheer me on right? This one was, once again, packed full of information to help a researcher build a good foundation for their genealogical research. I know the information taught here will help me and others who take the class be better in their genealogical…

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Added by Angela Rodesky on January 27, 2019 at 9:30am — No Comments

Vital Records

Some Vital Record Alternatives 

You’re familiar with birth, marriage, and death records but what are some other record types that can help you discover information when the vital records can’t be found? 

  • Probate RecordsIf you know where a person died, check to see if…
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Added by Angela Rodesky on January 26, 2019 at 11:00am — No Comments

Methodology, Part 2: That 1 Thing

Shannon Bennett, Student

What’s the biggest complaint among serious hobby or professional genealogist? Do you know?  Well, from the comments I have seen and heard, that would be source citations. More particularly, the lack of them. Are you guilty of this, because if so when you take Methodology, Part 2 and get to module 6 you will find out why citing your sources is…

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Added by Angela Rodesky on January 25, 2019 at 10:00am — No Comments

Project Proposals

Client Proposals  

Many genealogy researchers charge for their services on an hourly basis.  This is simple to administer and easy for the client to understand.  However, some clients are uncomfortable with an open-ended expense.  One way to deal with this is to tell the client an upfront estimate of the number of hours expected for a given project.  As an alternative, some genealogists simple quote their clients a flat fee, which is fine as long as the…

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Added by Angela Rodesky on January 24, 2019 at 11:00am — No Comments

Methodology Part 2: Forms

Shannon Bennett, Student

Modules 3 and 4 of Methodology, Part 2 focus on the types of forms to use during your research. I love forms. Seriously, love them. Of course I can be a little OCD about them, but that is another story. Forms, checklists, to-do lists, guides, etc. are a great way to provide road maps to your research. They keep you going forward, not lost in limbo with…

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Added by Angela Rodesky on January 23, 2019 at 10:00pm — No Comments

Research Reports

Creating Your Research Report 

The process of writing a research report is a great way to capture your analysis and collect your thoughts.  Although your report does not have to be a formal document, you will want to include your name, the date of the report, and the research question.   …

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Added by Angela Rodesky on January 22, 2019 at 10:30am — No Comments

Mapping Your Ancestors

Mapping Your Ancestors 

Geography is an important element in your family history research. Did your ancestor contend with mountains, valleys, or waterways? The best way to answer these questions and potentially uncover new research avenues is to take a look at maps, particularly those contemporary to the time periods with which you are researching.…

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Added by Angela Rodesky on January 21, 2019 at 11:30am — No Comments

Brief History of Photography

Brief History of Photography

The “idea” of photography dates back to the 10th century “camera obscura” and “pinhole camera” described by the Arab scientist, Abu Ali al-Hasan (or Alhzaen), author of The Book of Optics. The camera obscura was a large dark box with a hole in one end which could produce an inverted image opposite it. It is the forerunner of today’s cameras. All it lacked was a lens and means of fixing the image chemically.  

It wasn’t…

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Added by Angela Rodesky on January 20, 2019 at 10:30am — No Comments

Understanding Newspapers

Do You Understand What You are Reading?

As you begin searching for mentions of your ancestor in the newspaper, you may begin to wonder if you are reading a foreign language. The vernacular or abbreviations that you are reading are the result of the newspaper world, or the general colloquialism of the time.

Abbreviations may be a little…

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Added by Angela Rodesky on January 19, 2019 at 10:30am — No Comments

Social Security Records

Social Security Death Index  

You can view the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) online via many genealogy websites including Ancestry.com, FamilySearch, GenealogyBank, Fold3, and Findmypast.  A person who died before 1962 is not likely to be on the SSDI.  If the date of a person’s death is known, and that person is not on the SSDI, it is likely the family never filed for the death benefit.  …

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Added by Angela Rodesky on January 18, 2019 at 10:30am — No Comments

Marketing

 Marketing Management  

Constantly be on the lookout for great marketing strategies, even if the businesses are not within the realm of genealogy.  Some of the major elements of marketing are: 

  • Promotion/Displays 
  • Public…
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Added by Angela Rodesky on January 16, 2019 at 10:30am — No Comments

Death Indexes Online

US Death Indexes

There are many different death indexes online. Please note that most indexes do not include every year. Remember that a name in an index is not proof that this is the researcher’s person! Often the person you are seeking is not the first to have this name and won’t be the last! Never assume the indexed name is your person and stop your research at that point.  …

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Added by Angela Rodesky on January 15, 2019 at 9:30am — No Comments

The Many Facets of the Family Story

 

By Shannon Bennett, Student

Have you ever thought about how many points of view there are within one family story? Each person who was there heard, saw, felt, or interpreted the situation differently. Just ask your family about an event from when you were a child. I bet that while similar, they are all different.…

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Added by Angela Rodesky on January 14, 2019 at 10:00am — No Comments

Marketing and Sales Management

Sales Management

Marketing goes hand in hand with sales, as it provides a way to get the word out about your services and products, and a way to attract prospective clients. In a small business, however, the owner is often the only salesperson, marketing director, and grunt, along with everything else!  …

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Added by Angela Rodesky on January 13, 2019 at 9:30am — No Comments

Your Family Photographs

Handling and Sorting

Older photographs are fragile and easily damaged. The best way to reduce damage is to not handle photographs at all. Since that is not always practical, gloves should be worn when they are handled. Gloves prevent transferring dirt and skin oils on the delicate images. When handling images, put on the gloves and hold the prints by their edges.  

If the photo is a cabinet card or a carte…

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Added by Angela Rodesky on January 12, 2019 at 9:30am — No Comments

Using Research Logs

Research Logs 101

Are you using a research log? The first step in reviewing the research you have completed to-date is to refer to your research log. Unfortunately, when many of us start our genealogy journey, keeping track of our findings is likely the last thing on our mind. 

Typically, a research…

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Added by Angela Rodesky on January 11, 2019 at 9:00am — No Comments

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