Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society - Jean Sampson Scott Greater New York Chapter
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1.  
Using the "FAN club" method refers to researching the friends, associates, and neighbors of ancestors to see if they appear in documents where they are not the principle. This method is especially utilized when researchers seemingly run out of options and have hit the proverbial "brick wall."
[Located in Category: Intermediate Research]
2.  
An Affidavit refers to a written and signed statement sworn in front of a court officer.
[Located in Category: Courthouse Research]
3.  
An Administrator is an appointee of the court who settles the estate of a deceased person who died intestate, meaning, without leaving a will.
[Located in Category: Courthouse Research]
4.  
The U.S. Federal Population Census has been taken every 10 years since 1790, on an established day.
[Located in Category: Census Research]
5.  
In early American History, the term "son-in-law" referred to one's step-son or the husband of one's daughter.
[Located in Category: Intermediate Research]
6.  
Migration is the movement from one place of residence to another, usually within a country.
[Located in Category: Immigration and Emigration]
7.  
An emigrant is a person who leaves a country to reside in another counry.
[Located in Category: Immigration and Emigration]
8.  
There are various types of deeds to property. The most common are the warranty deed which transfers property with assurance of good title and the quitclaim deed which transfers one person's interest in the property without guarantee of good title.
[Located in Category: Intermediate Research]
9.  
There are five principal elements that make up the Genealogy Proof Standard (GPS).
[Located in Category: Genealogy Proof Standard (GPS)]
10.  
Genealogy is the study of the origins and descent of families.
[Located in Category: Definitions]
11.  
Courts exist on the county, state, and federal level. It is best to start at the county level, in the records closer to your ancestor, then work your way up.
[Located in Category: Courthouse Research]
12.  
The most important type of land record is a deed. The deed is a document conveying title of property from one party to another.
[Located in Category: Land Research]
13.  
Church records may include births, christenings, marriages, deaths and burials. Be sure you have the correct church name and/or religious denomination.
[Located in Category: Church and Cemetery Research]
14.  
A census is an official counting of the population living in the United States on a designated day, set at intervals. The census places an ancestor in a specific place, at a specific time.
[Located in Category: Census Research]
15.  
Genealogy is the search for our ancestors. Family history is the study of the lives they led. A true picture of the family is the result.
[Located in Category: Basic Genealogy]
16.  
A Source is a container of the genealogical material we seek. It can be an authored work, original record, or a derivative record. Sources can be in the form of books, photos, headstones, artifacts (quilts, engraved jewelry), etc.
[Located in Category: Definitions]
17.  
The five principals serve as a road map that guides our research to help us attain the most acceptable, well documented conclusions possible with the least amount of errors. (Mastering Genealogical Proof, Thomas W. Jones)
[Located in Category: Genealogy Proof Standard (GPS)]
18.  
The latest census available to the public is the 1940 census. Begin with the most recent census and work backwards one generation at a time.
[Located in Category: Census Research]
19.  
Deeds establish proof of legal ownership of land.
[Located in Category: Land Research]
20.  
Probate records refer to wills, estate inventories, letters of administration and guardianship. They are usually held at the county courthouse unless archived.
[Located in Category: Courthouse Research]
21.  
Visit the cemetery and take a picture of the tombstone. Check the obituaries in that time frame.
[Located in Category: Church and Cemetery Research]
22.  
When you begin your genealogy research, focus on one or two families so you do not become overwhelmed. The other families will be there when you are ready for them.
[Located in Category: Basic Genealogy]
23.  
Information is the content within a source. It can include items about a person or group, location, event, property description, an interview, etc. Genealogy information is classified as primary, secondary, or undetermined.
[Located in Category: Definitions]
24.  
Element #1—complete a thorough and "reasonably exhaustive" search of all the listings in your Research Plan to aid in finding the answer to your research question.
[Located in Category: Genealogy Proof Standard (GPS)]
25.  
In Land Deeds, check to see if the buyer and/or seller are from the same area where the land is being sold.
[Located in Category: Land Research]
26.  
When looking at deed indexes, be sure to look at both the Grantor Index, an index to those selling the land and the Grantee Index, an index to those buying the land.
[Located in Category: Land Research]
27.  
When doing research in probate records, request to see the entire file.
[Located in Category: Courthouse Research]
28.  
DO NOT use harsh chemicals, abrasives, or wire scrub brushes on tombstones!
[Located in Category: Church and Cemetery Research]
29.  
Organize! organize! organize! You should be able to find information quickly. If your system doesn't work, change it IMMEDIATELY!
[Located in Category: Basic Genealogy]
30.  
Evidence is what is gathered from information to help answer a research question, prove a statement or an argument in genealogy. It can be direct, indirect, or negative.
[Located in Category: Definitions]
31.  
Element #2—create "complete, accurate citations" for every source where each information item was located.
[Located in Category: Genealogy Proof Standard (GPS)]
32.  
An acre is a square measure of land containing 10 square chains, 160 square rods, or 43,560 square feet.
[Located in Category: Land Research]
33.  
There are three types of wills: Attested, Holographic and Nuncupative. The attested will is the most common and is prepared for the testator. A holographic will is written by the testator himself. A nuncupative will are the deathbed wishes of the testator, recorded by a witness present at the bedside. All wills must be witnessed.
[Located in Category: Courthouse Research]
34.  
Most states in the USA as well as governments in other countries have laws against damaging tombstones. Under the laws of many states, unauthorized tampering with or damaging gravestones is a felony.
[Located in Category: Church and Cemetery Research]
35.  
When copying census information, copy EVERYTHING EXACTLY AS IT IS WRITTEN! Don't try to make your own corrections.
[Located in Category: Census Research]
36.  
The Pedigree chart is your road map. Begin with yourself.
[Located in Category: Basic Genealogy]
37.  
Element #3—"analyze and correlate" the sources containing the information from which the evidence was gleaned. Does the information answer the research question?
[Located in Category: Genealogy Proof Standard (GPS)]
38.  
The Family Group Sheet identifies a couple and their children as a family unit.
[Located in Category: Basic Genealogy]
39.  
Lineal descendant means being in the direct line of descent from an ancestor.
[Located in Category: Definitions]
40.  
A common method of surveying land is called "Metes and Bounds." However, not all states use this method.
[Located in Category: Land Research]
41.  
A person who dies intestate, dies without a will.
[Located in Category: Courthouse Research]
42.  
Census records were generated by enumerators. (Some of whom had very bad handwriting!)
[Located in Category: Census Research]
43.  
When searching old cemeteries, always check outside the fence. Many criminals, "sinners" and those of mixed races were buried outside the cemetery proper.
[Located in Category: Church and Cemetery Research]
44.  
Element #4—"resolve any and all conflicts" between the information gathered and how it relates to the research question.
[Located in Category: Genealogy Proof Standard (GPS)]
45.  
Consider using ALL CAPS for last names to make them stand out.
[Located in Category: Basic Genealogy]
46.  
A Collateral Ancestor is an ancestor NOT in the direct line of ascent, but coming from the same ancestral family—aunt, uncle, cousin, etc.
[Located in Category: Definitions]
47.  
The first time emancipated African Americans appear enumerated as free people was the 1870 population census.
[Located in Category: Census Research]
48.  
Metes is a measurement of boundary lines in terms of their distance and direction.
[Located in Category: Land Research]
49.  
Bounds are boundries used to define the extent of a tract of land in metes and bound survey. May include natural and/or artificial objects and adjoining tracts of land.
[Located in Category: Land Research]
50.  
An executor is named by the testator and is required by the court to post a bond. An administrator is appointed to handle the affairs of one who dies intestate (without a will).
[Located in Category: Courthouse Research]