Casefile Clues

Issue 33 is out

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:42:00 +0000

Issue 33-"Where There's a Will There is Confusion" has been sent.

Check your inboxes.

Subscribe now and get in on the fun...I'll send 33 to start your subscription.

Motivated to make a discovery by Casefile Clues

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 05:43:00 +0000

I Dream of Genea(logy) was motivated by Casefile Clues to search land records in Atlanta, hoping to solve a family history mystery. They found an interesting phrase in one of the deeds that really wasn't what they were looking for.

See what they found on their blog.

And they started out their blog post with: "Thanks to the genius that is Casefile Clues (read my post about why you should subscribe to this wonderful genealogy tutorial resource"

Thanks for that reference, too!

Competing with the Big Guys

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:13:00 +0000

I will be honest. It is difficult competing with the "big" genealogy magazines that are out there (although there are less of them than there used to be). Casefile Clues doesn't have a big advertising budget, a staff I can dump numerous tasks on, or a website developer I can tell to do things. Consequently there are things the "big boys" can do that Casefile Clues cannot.

What we are trying to do is something slightly different and I think our survey results indicated it is reasonating with readers. I'm trying to have Casefile Clues be more than what you get in the "mass-market" magazines and not quite as formal as one gets in the journals (although we are citing our sources and striving to improve our citation form). Hopefully we are hitting that target.

Keep in mind there is just one person making editorial decisions at Casefile Clues--me. Suggestions are always welcome and please share the news about Casefile Clues with others. Our survey indicates that half of you already have done that---and it is appreciated.

Feel free to blog about your experiences with Casefile Clues, share it with your website readers, etc. Every spreading of the word helps.

Regions Where Subscribers Have Interests

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:54:00 +0000

The map should have been tweaked slightly, but here are the results. Clicking on the image will pull up a larger picture.

The results really tended to follow general migration patterns across the United States, which was not all that surprising. It was nice to know though that my general assumptions were correct. It can be difficult to get an idea of where researchers are working when for a significant number all I know is their email address.

This gives me some direction for future areas. Keep in mind that articles focusing on methods are applicable to other regions besides the one they are specifically about although the sources used may be different. In some cases, differences are more pronounced for the following:

frontier areas/settled areas
rural/urban
non-movers/transitory
relative position on the socio-economic scale

I've been trying to cover a variety of these groups in Casefile Clues articles. But remember, I almost always write about research I'm doing on my children's ancestry. They have great-great-great-grandparents born in the following locations:

Ostfriesland, Germany
Ireland
Thuringen, Germany
Coshocton County, Ohio (with Maryland and Pennsylvania ancestry)
Canada (with New England ancestry)
somewhere in Missouri (with Heaven only knows ancestry-see I have those, too!)
Rush County, Indiana (with Virginia and Kentucky ancestry)
Clinton County, New York (with French-Canadian ancestry)
Adams County, Illinois (with Ostfriesen ancestry)
Hancock County, Illinois (with German ancestry--via Ohio)
Ostergotland, Sweden
Mercer County, Illinois (with Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey ancestry)
East Flanders, Belgium
Scott County, Iowa (with Bavarian, Thuringian, and Swiss ancestry)
County Cumberland, England (via Chicago, Illinois)
Chariton County, Missouri (with Tennessee ancestry)
Linn County, Missouri (with Tennessee ancestry)
Mercer County, Kentucky

And cousins who scattered throughout the United States.

100 Reasons Why People Like Casefile Clues

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 20:38:00 +0000

These are from 100 of the responses we had to our recent Casefile Clues reader survey...

I like to see how others do research and maybe also learn something new.

Gives me another way to look at things

The well organized presentation of facts makes me try to figure out what should be done next in the research, and I also like the variety of resources covered-many of these I haven't used yet.

I enjoy your personal touch, relating research to your own family.

The case studies.

Case study approach - analysis of your thought process as you work through the problems
It gives me ideas about new ways to find and study sources and how to better use documents found in my own genealogy endeavors.

The way the reader is taken through the steps in research, warned of potential pitfalls and reminded of items that need more investigation or are not fully supported by evidence.

The detail of the cases, being able to follow along step by step.

Makes me think more about quality of evidence

gives new insight to your search and how to do it

Easy to read

I like that the research help is timeless...not connected to just the Internet or websites. In fact, I'm at a place in my research where I need to do more offline than online research, anyways, and Casefile Clues is the encouragement I need.

The articles give me clues to doing my own research and they are so interesting to read.

Real examples

I like hearing the though processes and seeing how things are organized. Seeing possibilities in new sources that I hadn't considered before.

In depth analysis of those difficulties all genealogists run into from time to time. Reading another person's solution or discoveries re: a problem I too, have been stumped by, often re-boots the brain.

It makes me think about alternate sources of information and how to find them.

I like the detailed research techniques.

Gives me ideas for my own research after reading about successful researches of others; also, gives me a chance to learn many bits of information I have not been aware of.

The details about how and where searches were made.

Alternative research strategies and other things I haven't thought of.

Variety of topics

The way a case is dissected and deconstructed - then laid out in parts and put back together
gives you ideas; shows how to write up information and find wholes

It is like you are sitting beside and talking to a competent genealogist as he is working on a problem.

The steps of the thought process, and reasonings of why something is researched.

Variety of topics

I like following your research methodology and how you convey to information in the form of a case study. I am using a similar format with some of my lines.

research process is emphasized rather than merely final conclusions

They talk about subjects I am working on.

your thorough treatment

logical sequences in research process, and emphasis on lesser-used records.

The ideas for research that I get from reading the case studies.

I can't SKIM! I HAVE to concentrate! And learn so much.

Reinforces my research principles; gives me new ideas on research possibilities; helps me to find hidden clues in information; helps keep me on track for research goals; and gives me new ideas for future research areas.

Discussion of how/why actual data is evaluated in a certain way.

Gives me ideas and locations to search for my ancestors.

it's interesting

Good reminders of primary vs secondary sources as I sometimes forget and use death certificates as primary, etc. Enjoy suggestions for further research as they help me think further and focus my personal research efforts.

Real research for beginners, intermediate and refresher ideas for the seasoned.

I like looking at your problem research processes and comparing them to mine.

Provides good problem solving exercises

I like that it is the actual work of genealogy problem solving not theoretical

Methodology explained.

Real case studies with detailed research steps and results.

using case histories to highlight use and analysis of unusual records

Gives me new perspective on some of my brick walls.

Real work but just words, theories or rules.

Shows the method that is used to solve a problem.

The variety and the depth of research

I like how structured it is and the methodology is easy to follow

The steps necessary for a complete search of any clues are spelled out in detail.

I like the thorough, detailed examination of a real genealogy case study. It's academic, not just entertaining. I can learn good procedures.

I like how in-depth you get on a focused topic.

It shows good genealogy procedures in action.

The personal touch

?? Haven't had a chance to read them yet. I just save them in a file for later use.

Lessons in methodology. Deeper examination of common sources.

Practical examples

I very much enjoy the methodology and the feeling of 'discussion' of problem solving with another genealogist.

Information provided, websites, Ideas, just about everything.

focus on problem-solving

You detail an orderly research process, beginning with framing the right questions.

Thought process. Logical approach. Demonstration of extracting all possible clues.

Case studies that are relevant to most researchers

I enjoy reading about the different approaches you take to solving problems. Many times I would have done the same; other times I learn something completely new.

sequence of steps to solve problem

I'm always learning something

Learning the importance of attention to detail, that things are not always as they seem.

Great research ideas!

one concise topic/problem/issue with steps for resolution of same

The emphasis on metholodology with real examples.

articles that help with research for all nationalities

I enjoy having another viewpoint when looking at case studies.

Your steps in the research process to arrive at the result.

I was not aware of some of the resources one could check - i.e. applying for the original SS application

Methodical examination of genealogical clues to determine facts and next research steps

I like your discussions of sources and also your pieces about your personal research: how you have analyzed the problem to decide which records to search and then what you found.

Practial work, not just words and theory.

everything!

How you use case studies to show how to overcome problems.

the focus on analyzing documents using case studies. casefile clues fills a void in genealogy information

the thoroughness and step by step process described, the enables me to use the same process for my "brick walls"

The detail in each newsletter on how to research a particular document...it is written in such a way to make you think about what you are looking for.

The fact that it uses real case studies to show how and what can be done with various sources or in various situations. And that you attempt to cite those sources correctly.

variety of topics

casestudies

Even though I am not actively doing genealogy right now it helps me to focus on research problems I still need to solve.

I enjoy the problem-solving focus of the newsletter.

Analysis of sources - explaining your thinking on what needs to come next

the logic applied to unpuzzle genealogy

Love reading the process of your research.

It seems to go over various situations that you run into with doing research of ancestors...like hearing things wrong or different... getting homestead records or railroad retirement records in the mail and (not thinking to number the pages as they are received) just mixing them up...
offers learning by example i.e. case studies, interesting, varied

Solutions to brick walls that perhaps I did not think of in my search

I can always find something relevant in Casefile Clues to apply to my own research.

Clearly explained ways of using a variety of sources to solve a genealogical question.

It's a great illustration of how to approach a genealogy problem by writing down all the collected evidence and analyzing it. This approach is one of the most recommended genealogy techniques, and Casefile Clues shows how it's done - and what benefits can be reaped from it.

Applying for a Leave of Absence in 1925

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:42:00 +0000

This letter was in the Pullman Company Employment records of Louis Demar. The letter is dated 11 August 1925. What I'll need to do is see if this month is of any significance in his life.

Chances are Louis was headed to upstate New York to visit his two daughters. But that is just a guess.

We'll discuss Louis' employment record and others in an upcoming issue of Casefile Clues.

Subscribe now and join the adventure.

Pullman Strike in 1894

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 19:21:00 +0000

Students of history will remember the Pullman strike of 1894. This image is part of the employment record for Ralph Frame at the Pullman Car Company. There are several "O" in the entries for 1894, apparently indicating that Frame was not working during that time. This time period covers the time of the strike, which attracted national attention.

We'll be looking in more detail Ralph's records (and his father's) in an upcoming issue of Casefile Clues which will include an actual copy of the employment records as illustrations.

Subscribe now and get in on the discovery.

Genealogy Tip of the Day

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:23:00 +0000

I would like to invite Casefile Clues readers to visit my other website Genealogy Tip of the Day, which is hosted at http://genealogytipoftheday.blogspot.com. The site is free and you never know what's going to be added from one day to the next.

Every day a new genealogy tip is posted, often from things I've been writing about for Casefile Clues. Tip of the Day is where I host ads, so feel free to click on a few and make purchases. As always, there are no ads on the Casefile Clues website.

Issue 32 Has Been Sent--When There is No Probate

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 13:13:00 +0000

Issue 32 has been sent to all subscribers. Let me know if it is not in your email as it was sent a little while ago and I'm late in posting the notice.

32 is a discussion of what to do when there apparently is no probate record. As usual, it's not aimed for complete beginners. A few readers indicated they hadn't done too much with probate records and that this was giving them some ideas and impetus to get started. We'll have more indepth studies of probate records in coming issues.

Subscribe by Thursday and I'll send you issue 32 with my compliments.

About Casefile Clues

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:06:00 +0000

Every week Casefile Clues brings you one or more of the following:

Sources--Some weeks Casefile Clues focuses on a specific source or type of record, discussing how that source can be accessed, researched, and interpreted.
Methodology--Some weeks Casefile Clues works on one of Michael's problems. Many times these problems are "in progress," and Casefile Clues reflects that by explaining what was researched, why it was researched, and where to go next (and why).
Case Studies--Some weeks Casefile Clues focuses on a specific record on a specific person and analyzes that record, discusses what it says (and what it does not) and where to go next based upon that person and the specific record.
Citations--Casefile Clues includes citations of sources and records. Articles can easily be read without them, but we include citations for those who prefer to have them and we do try and model citations in the style of Evidence Explained.
Reasons--Casefile Clues tries to give you insight into why certain research avenues were pursued over others. Often the genealogist simply does not have time or money to locate every piece of paper available. Sometimes it is necessary to go with what likely will give us the "most bang for the buck."
Readable--We work very hard to make Casefile Clues readable. Columns are not "fluff" or generic "how-to" pieces.
Coverage--Casefile Clues covers all American time periods and records. All families discussed come from the ancestry of Michael's children who lived in a variety of states and countries. All examples are from actual families on which Michael has worked or is working. If you are subscribing when Casefile Clues begins discussing Philip Troutfetter, you'll see that you just can't make this stuff up.

Upcoming

We have several topics coming up over the next several months:

Continuation of our "hiring a professional" series.
Discussion of whether Michael should get pension, bounty land, and service records on three War of 1812 veterans.
Continuation of Michael's search for the parents of Ira Sargent, born ca. 1846 in Canada and dropped off by the UFO into Illinois in 1880.
A continuation of our series on the Frame/Apgar-Demar family of Chicago, including name changes, "evaporating husbands," and more.
Work on Sarah [---] Willis Hudson Rush Turberville who died in Orange County, Virginia, in the 1760s.

Join us and get in on the fun! An annual subscription to the weekly Casefile Clues is only $15. Casefile Clues is delivered weekly to your email inbox as an attached PDF file. Casefile Clues is unique and won't break your genealogical piggy bank!

Face Book Fan Discount on Casefile Clues

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 23:12:00 +0000

We are having a sale at Casefile Clues--get in on the discount.

From now until noon central on 5 March 2010:

Get an annual subscription and or back issues at these discounted rates:

A year for $15 (52 issues--normally $17)
Back issues 1-30 for $13.50 (individually $16.50)

Questions can be sent to me at mjnrootdig@gmail.com

Pullman Car Company furnishing information to Immigration Commission

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 22:28:00 +0000

Genealogy is a constant history lesson. This is part of the "Employe's Record Card" for Thomas Frame dated 4 September 1909. It contains information that was furnished to the Immigration Commission.

It indicates Frame was a 71 year old painter, born in England. The card was not completed, but there is more information on it than what is shown here. An upcoming issue of Casefile Clues will discuss this and other records from the Pullman Company's employment files in more detail.

Signature from the Employment File of Louis DeMar

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 20:19:00 +0000

I'm starting to go through the Pullman employment records for Louis DeMar--one of my Chicago area problem people. The image included with this post the signature of Louis DeMar as shown in his employment record.

An additional challenge will be in coming up with citations for these records. We will be discussing these records in more detail in an upcoming issue of Casefile Clues.

Help Me Help You

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 17:10:00 +0000

I really appreciate emails from readers. However as Casefile Clues slowly grows, my time to answer requests for personal research help is becomes greatly diminished. It is not that I do not want to help, it simply is that there is not time for me to do so. I'm trying to keep content in the newsletter fresh, new and engaging and my sources cited and accurate.

I would encourage readers to post their requests for research advice to one of the many genealogy mailing lists or groups online.

Roots-l and Gen-Newbie are good places to post questions. There are quite a few other email lists and message boards. Readers with additional suggestions on where to posts requests for help can post them as a comment to this message--either here on the website or on the Fanpage on Facebook.

Suggestions for article ideas are always welcome either based upon your own research or an item in a previous column that you would like to see expanded, explained further, or researched in another direction. I don't always get time to reply, but emails are read and I always appreciate the help and ideas.

Waiting for Pullman Car Company Records

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:04:00 +0000

Records have been ordered and I am anxiously awaiting their arrival. Three of my wife's ancestors worked for the Pullman Car Company in Chicago, Illinois:

Louis DeMar, born 1862
Thomas Frame, born 1838
William Frame, born 1888

I've never used employment records from the Pullman Company and am anxious to see what they contain. We'll have image samples, record summaries, and interpretations in an upcoming issue of Casefile Clues.

Regular readers know that in this family the records could be pivotal. William Frame disappears ca. 1918 and there could be information in these records that documents his existence or residence location after that date.

Louis DeMar was born in New York, moved to Chicago by 1909 and (I think) returned to Chicago by 1930. We're fine tuning some details on him too and will update as time and information allows.

Subscribe to Casefile Clues and get in on the fun.

Sample Copies of Casefile Clues

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:49:00 +0000

A request for a sample copy of Casefile Clues can be requested by sending an email to samples@casefileclues.com. A respond email provides download instructions. Your physical address is not needed. Paper copies are not sent. Casefile Clues is entirely electronic.

What I Liked About Casefile Clues

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:28:00 +0000

I created a PDF file of what survey respondents had to say about what they liked about Casefile Clues.

If you would like to take a look at what readers had to say, the file is on our site here: what_i_liked.pdf.

Michael

98% of Readers Said....

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:09:00 +0000

98% of Casefile Clues subscribers said that they would recommend Casefile Clues to another researcher.

44% of Casefile Clues subscribers said they already had recommended Casefile Clues to another researcher.

Those are numbers I'm very happy about. And I appreciate those who have helped to spread the news about Casefile Clues.

More newsletter survey results on the way....

Issue 31 has been sent

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 04:57:00 +0000

The PDF version of 31 has been sent. In email version going out in morning---few layout concerns.

Subscribe by Tuesday at 5:oo and I'll start your subscription with issue 31.

Let me know if 31 hasn't made its way to your inbox.

Issue 31 Slightly Delayed

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 04:19:00 +0000

Issue 31, an analysis of a 1870 era mortgage will go out probably go out a day or so late. Family History Expo in St. George, Utah, this past weekend got the best of me as I ended up spending most of Friday and Sunday travelling. Subscribe before I send it out and I'll start your subscription with issue 31.

Remember back issues can be purchased here http://www.casefileclues.com/2010/02/ordering-back-issues-1-30.html

and a year's subscription can be processed here
http://www.casefileclues.com/subscribe.html

Mortgage Analysis Article

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:40:00 +0000

Issue 31--which analyzes an 1870 era mortgage is being finalized. I'm travelling this weekend, so there might be a slight delay, but we should be getting it out by Monday.

I'm travelling home from the Family History Expo in St. George, Utah, Sunday, so my responses to emails will generally have to wait until Monday or after. Anyone who subscribes before Monday will be sent issue 31, so go ahead and join us if you have not already.

I had a good talk with a few subscribers while in St. George which has given me some additional motivation and a few ideas for upcoming topics and concepts.

The research I hired in Chicago is progressing and I'll be working on a couple of updates on that topic. I am still looking forward to seeing what the employment records of the Pullman company had to say.

We'll be revisisting a few families I wrote up nearly ten years ago for the Ancestry Daily News, when it was a regular ezine. There will be updates and expanded commentary as I now can make things about as long as I want to (within reason, of course) and illustrations can be included which adds greatly.

Again, thanks to everyone for their support of Casefile Clues and keep spreading the word. It is appreciated.

Survey Submission Contest

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 18:25:00 +0000

There were nearly twice as many responses to the reader survey than I had hoped for. As a result, I gave away two subscriptions to those who submitted entries.

I used Random.org to generate random numbers for me. Each submission was assigned a number by the Survey Monkey.

I've notified the winners.

There are a few things about the survey I'd like to tweak and we'll probably be doing another one before my month of SurveyMonkey expires.

Results are forthcoming. Thanks for all your help. It is appreciated.

Ordering back issues 1-30

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 02:43:00 +0000

Back issues can be purchased in sets of 10, 20, or 30 as shown below (Payment processed through PayPal).

Issues 1-10 for $5.50
Issues 11-20 for $5.50
Issues 1-20 for $11.00
Issues 21-30 for $5.50
Issues 1-30 for $15.50

Issues are sent as attached PDF files. If you need other sets, email me for a price quote.

Thanks!

Issue 30 is out

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 02:41:00 +0000

Issue 30 of Casefile Clues has been sent to subscribers. If you do not have it in your inbox, please let me know. At least two of you have bounced emails, maybe more by the time I check it again.

Can't believe this was number 30!

Subscriptions received after this posting will start with issue number 31.

Subscriber Survey

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 19:39:00 +0000

Subscribers have been sent the link for the subscriber survey. Those who submit entries will be entered in a contest to win a year-long subscription for a friend. If you didn't get the email let me know at mjnrootdig@gmail.com.

Thanks!