Ghost

Preview it and love itMistake No. 1 Not documenting your research.If you don’t keep track of where you’ve been, you’re likely to keep searching the same records over and over again. Needless to say, this wastes a lot of time.You can either download a free research form from Ancestry.com or create your own. As you explore each new resource, be sure to write down the name of the database as well as any page numbers. Also, keep track of the different search terms and word combinations that you’ve been using.Mistake No. 2 Using only one spelling.If you’ve been sticking with a single name spelling when searching for an ancestor, you’ve probably missed out on a lot of good stuff. Always remember that an ancestor could have used one of several names during his or her lifetime.Solution: Use different spellings and name combinations.Try several variations of your ancestors’ names incorporating middle names, nicknames, and married names. You can also try changing the spelling slightly (e.g. “Andersen” instead of “Anderson”). As with any genealogical search, broadening your search criteria will return maximum results.Mistake No. 3 Accepting fiction as fact.Never take anything at face value. Finding your ancestor’s name does not guarantee that you’ve found the right ancestor. Remember that nothing is truly fact until you can back it up using more than one resource.Solution: Use multiple records and resources.To verify your findings, check multiple source documents. If you have a birth record, for example, you can cross-reference it with a census document. If the name, age, and birthplace match up, then you’ve probably found the right ancestor.Mistake No. 4 Extracting only part of the record.You can miss a lot of important detail by not paying attention to context. Who created this record? When was it created? Who else is listed on the document?Solution: Look at the bigger picture.Rather than recording fragments, photocopy the entire page whether it’s a birth certificate, parish record, or census document.Mistake No. 5 Going straight to a country of origin.Many Americans are anxious to establish cultural identity, be it Austrian, Italian, or some other nationality. But searching for an ancestor in the Old World is almost impossible without a strong base of preliminary research.Solution: Follow the trail and move backward.Rather than jumping into foreign research, it’s better to begin with recent information like a last-known residence or a death record. Establishing a thorough paper trail will help you narrow your research before moving on to an entirely new country.Who are YOUR ancestors? Click here to find out.