Note: Please be aware this course is classified as "Basic Level" in the Professional Development Certificate Program. It has been developed for individuals who are at or working in the Intermediate to Advanced Levels in our other certificate programs. It is advised that you complete the Analysis and Skills Mentoring Program-Part 1 course or have a working knowledge of the topics taught in that course prior to completing this one.
Brick walls are a reality in genealogy research, but fortunately there is hope. In this course, we will look at a variety of strategies you can implement to help turn your research roadblocks into breakthroughs. We will begin with a quick refresher of some key research concepts to help focus your research and prepare you for success. Next, we will walk through some simple steps to get you prepared for the journey. Finally, we will investigate four different approaches you can use to do some brick wall busting. By the end of this course, you should have some new ideas for researching brick walls and the inspiration to forge ahead.
One students experience:
To hear a student discussion regarding their experience with this course, please click here. (This is a large file and may take a minute or two to download.)
Course Content
Module 1
- Getting Started: Part 1
- Note about Web Addresses
- Websites
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- Introduction
- What is a Brick Wall?
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- Research Methodology Refresher
- Sources
- Information
- Evidence
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- Get Organized
- Define the Research Problem
- Case Study - Part 1
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- Suggested Reading and Resources
- Getting Organized
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Module 2
- Getting Started: Part 2
- Websites
- Compile Basic Information
- Create a List of Name Variations
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- Learn the Location
- Map It
- Physical maps
- Political maps
- Plat maps
- Topographic maps
- Locality Guides
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- Moving Forward
- Case Study - Part 2
- Suggested Reading and Resources
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Module 3
- Strategy #1: Review Previous Research
- Websites
- The Importance of Reviewing Previous Research
- Create a Research Log
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- Review Data
- Real-Life Example
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- Evaluate Data
- Analyze Data
- Report & Plan
- Case Study - Part 3
- Suggested Reading and Resources
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Module 4
- Strategy #2: Develop A Timeline
- Websites
- What is a Timeline?
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- Types of Timelines
- Basic Timeline
- Comparative Timeline
- Historical Timeline
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- Methods for Creating a Timeline
- Analyze, Report & Plan
- Case Study - Part 4
- Suggested Reading and Resources
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Module 5
- Strategy #3: Study The FAN Club
- Websites
- What is the FAN Club?
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- Finding FAN Club Members
- More About Neighbors
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- Methods for Tracking Associates
- Discovering Patterns & Relationships
- Analyze, Report & Plan
- Case Study - Part 5
- Suggested Reading and Resources
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Module 6
- Strategy #4: Engage Others
- Websites
- Ancestry.com
- The Power of Collaboration
- Society Meetings & Conferences
- Social Networking Websites
- Message Boards & Mailing List
- Online Family Trees
- Blogs
- Librarians, Archivists & Other Record Keepers
- Course Wrap-Up
- Suggested Reading and Resources
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