Ruth Hoggatt has been kind enough to post what we're calling the "Online
Genealogical Workshop" on the Jefferson and Switzerland County GenWeb pages.
I have been writing these columns and will be posting them on a periodic
basis so that new ones become available on a regular basis. (And as my
ability to write them and hold down a job and a family will alloww.)
The origin of this idea was my frustration with the kinds of "How to" columns
and articles I see on the Web and in print. Most of these give generic
advice. They talk about where records can be found and problems a researcher
might encounter.
But most don't provide specific guidance to researching a specific area. My
goal is to provide information on where and how to find information specific
to Jefferson and Switzerland Counties and ways of solving some problems I
have found in my own research. I am trying to vary this between really basic
stuff (where to find land records is in the works, and probably, how to read
a deed) and some more advanced ideas on how to go about solving dead ends,
such as what I called "The Case of the Missing Deeds." (Sorry, I don't
guarantee results, just some new ways of trying to solve problems.)
One of the basic goals is to get people to think, particularly to get them
away from the "It says so on the the Web" or "It says so in this book and
it
must be true" or the "Mormons say it's so" attitude that is easy to
fall
into. My philosophy is that good genealogy is rooted in a doubting mind and a
rigorous approach to information (I hate to call anything a fact.) Don't
trust what anybody, any document, or any source tells you, even me, until
you've checked it out as thoroughly as possible.
Any thoughts of subject material. Reflections. Corrections. Complaints. All
are appreciated.
Bob Scott
Bob,
Thank you so much!! I really appreciate all you have done.
Dee
Any thoughts of subject material. Reflections. Corrections. Complaints. All are
appreciated.
Bob Scott