What I learned from breaking down my brick wall.
- Searching nearby counties also means counties in the next state
- unsourced information can lead to a big breakthrough, do not overlook 1 thing
- keep blogging, the more you get out there, the more people will read
- readers of said blog can have the mystery piece of information you need
- be persistent, leave no stone unturned
- be thorough in all you do
- recheck the web sites that you already checked, they get updated
- the more you search, the more family you will find
- its ok to ask for help
- be patient, it can take another 10 years to go back 1 more generation!
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About toc5871
In 1999 my Grandpa Richmond was in the hospital for some unexpected problems. While sitting in the family room that evening, I spent the next few hours asking my grandmother questions about his family, her family and their hometown of Besoco, WV. As she told me stories of the family I never knew, I continued to write down everything I could on the napkins that the hospital had in this room. That evening when I got home from the hospital, I googled my grandfathers surname and to my surprise found his cousin's obituary. Now I was 100% certain this man was related, he had the same features as my Grandpa. Same ears and forehead, I just knew I had a match. Within the next few days, I was at Grandma's house with a copy of this picture. She could not believe what I had found. This was a cousin of Grandpa's. I was so excited and hooked at the same time. From that moment on, I knew this is something I would be working on the rest of my life. This past year, I have made the biggest finds in my research so far. They are not by any means large finds. But to me, it is everything. This year I have joined the National Genealogical Society and the Illinois State Genealogical Society.
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Ten years, I expect results in five months…..
Claudia, they say that patience is a virtue…this is one thing I have not learned yet. I expect quick results as well.
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