Casefile Clues

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!

Analyzing those Ages

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 16:58:00 +0000

This handdrawn chart is one I made a few years ago to help me analyze the ages of a relative from his pension file.

http://www.rootdig.com/pensions/rileyrampley/rileysage.html

We'll be doing an updated version on a new person in an upcoming issue of Casefile Clues. Suggestions on how to improve the chart are welcomed. The one here is admittedly low-tech.

Free Ticket to the Family History Expo in St. George Utah--next week

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 05:00:00 +0000

I am looking forward to presenting at the St. George Family History Expo on 27 February 2010 in St. George, Utah.The Expo actually starts on the 26th--but work prevents me from attending on Friday.There is a great lineup of speakers and presentations--which can be viewed here.

I'm giving away two full registrations to attend the expo (does not include banquet). That's quite a bargain.

The first two emails sent to contest@casefileclues.com will win. It might be several hours before I notify you you are the winner, but the two earliest time stamps will win.

Good Luck!

Quotes in Quotes

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 04:44:00 +0000

Issue 29 had quotes inside of quotes. There was an extended transcription of a report that I inserted in quotation marks.

The original report had quotation marks that the investigator had placed around his questions. I am assuming this was done so that his supervisor knew precisely what questions he asked. When I typed up the document I replaced these double quotes with single quotes because I had already placed double quotes around the transcription. I'm starting to wonder if I should have left off the double quotes around the entire transcription which meant I could have left the quotation marks as the investigator placed them in his report.

If anyone has thoughts, please let me know. If you're not all that concerned about single versus double quotes, that's ok.

One of my goals at Casefile Clues is to make things clear for the reader. Another is to give the reader something to follow as a guide. Some of those details are still in flux as a style guide is developed.

A lot of the discussion about style and citations takes place behind the scenes because while I think readers appreciate the inclusion of citations, I'm not certain everyone wants to be in on the discussion. If that's a wrong interpretation on my part, let me know!

Upcoming Survey for Casefile Clues Subscribers

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 21:47:00 +0000

Working on a Casefile Clues survey--for subscribers--anything you think I should ask? Data is for my use only (I won't be posting it online or anything)--but all who take the survey will be entered in a drawing for a gift subscription for a friend! Details will be sent out later this week...stay tuned.

Back Issues,Orders, and a Survey

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 16:42:00 +0000

Orders for new subscriptions and back orders have been processed as of 10:30 a.m. central time today (Tuesday) 16 February. If you ordered something and have not received it, please let me know and I'll take care of it.

We will be sending out an online survey for subscribers in the near future. Think about what you like and would like to see change at Casefile Clues. All comments will be read and consideration will be given. And, as usual, I appreciate all the support I have received for Casefile Clues.

And if you aren't a subscriber, now would be an excellent time to join the ranks.

Aliens Registering for the Draft in WW1

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 05:02:00 +0000

Aliens had to register for the World War I draft as evidenced by this card for Garrit A. Fecht from Varna, Illinois.

Anton's family was investigated during WW1 for "un-American" activity. His draft registration was not mentioned in the investigation. This investigation was the focus of issue 29 of Casefile Clues.

Subscribe in the next two days and I'll send you issue 29 at no extra charge and you can see what happened to Anton and his family.

Issue 29 has been sent

michael.john.neill@gmail.com (Michael John Neill) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 16:33:00 +0000

Issue 29 has been sent! Let me know if it did not arrive. Subscribe now and I'll start your subscription with 29.