10 Top Tips for…
Tackling Genealogy 'Brick Walls'
Ah, the dreaded 'brick wall'. That moment in your family history research when the trail goes cold, the records seem to vanish, and your ancestor disappears into thin air. It happens to everyone, from absolute beginners to seasoned genealogists. But don't despair! Hitting a brick wall doesn't mean the end of the road. Often, it just means you need to adjust your approach.
Here are 10 tips to help you chip away at that barrier:
TIP 1
Review Everything You Think You Know Go right back to the last piece of information you know is proven by solid evidence. List your sources for that fact. Then, look at the steps you took after that. Did you make an assumption? Misinterpret handwriting? Mix up two people with the same name? Re-evaluating your existing research with fresh, critical eyes is the essential first step. Sometimes the 'wall' is built on a faulty foundation.
TIP 2
Broaden Your Search Horizons Were you searching for an exact name, date, and place? Try loosening the parameters:
Names: Use wildcards, try common spelling variants, consider nicknames or middle names being used as first names.
Dates: Search +/- 5 or 10 years around the expected date. Could the age on one record be wrong?
Places: Look in neighbouring parishes, towns, or even counties. People moved more than we sometimes assume.
TIP 3
Explore Beyond the Usual Suspects Have you really exhausted all record types? Move beyond the core Birth/Marriage/Death and Census records. Consider:
Wills and Probate: Not just for the wealthy! They can name multiple family members. (Search the ScotlandsPeople, the National Archives for England & Wales, etc.)
Land & Property Records: Can track families over time. (e.g., Valuation Rolls in Scotland, Land Registry records).
Military Records: Did they serve? Records can give age, birthplace, next of kin.
Newspapers: Obituaries, marriage notices, local news, court reports.
Occupational Records: Guild records, trade directories, workhouse records.
TIP 4
Research the Whole Cluster (FAN Club Power!) You've heard it before, but it's crucial for brick walls: investigate the Friends, Associates, and Neighbours. Pay special attention to siblings of your ancestor and their spouses. What happened to them? Where did they move? Who witnessed their life events? Their records might contain the clue you need – perhaps a will mentioning your ancestor, or a death certificate naming their parents (who are also your ancestor's parents!).
TIP 5
Understand the Historical Context Why might records be missing, or why might someone have moved? Think about the bigger picture:
Local History: Were parish boundaries changed? Churches merged? Records lost to fire or flood?
Social History: Were there periods of famine, disease, or economic depression causing migration? New industries attracting workers?
National Events: Wars mean military records, but also disruption. Changes in laws (like Poor Laws) created new record sets.
TIP 6
Map It Out – Literally! Get visual. Use old maps (like those on the National Library of Scotland website or old Ordnance Survey maps) to plot where your ancestors lived, worked, and worshipped. Seeing locations spatially can reveal connections: Was the neighbouring farm owned by someone with the same surname? How close was the parish church? Did a new railway line make migration easier?
TIP 7
Consider DNA Evidence (Carefully) Genetic genealogy can be a powerful tool, especially when paper trails run cold. If you've taken a DNA test, look for matches who share ancestors on the relevant line. Explore shared matches. Look at geographical or surname patterns among your matches. Remember, DNA provides clues and connections, but needs to be integrated with traditional research for proof.
TIP 8
Ask for Help (the Smart Way) You don't have to go it alone. But before posting on a forum or contacting a family history society, do your homework. Clearly state:
What you know (with sources!)
What you're trying to find
What steps you've already taken
This shows you've made an effort and helps others focus their advice. Vague pleas rarely get good results.
TIP 9
Step Away and Take a Break Staring at the same problem for too long can lead to frustration and tunnel vision. Switch focus to a different branch of your tree for a while. Let your subconscious mull things over. When you return to the brick wall later (days, weeks, or even months!), you might spot something you completely missed before. Fresh eyes work wonders.
TIP 10
Learn to Love 'Negative Evidence' Sometimes, the absence of a record is itself a clue. If someone disappears from all records after a certain date, what could that mean? Did they likely emigrate (check passenger lists)? Did they die, even if you can't find a death record (check burial records, newspapers)? Did a woman remarry and change her name? Formulate hypotheses based on what isn't there, then seek evidence to support or refute them.
Breaking down a brick wall is one of the most satisfying moments in genealogy. It often requires patience, persistence, and creative thinking. Don't give up – try these different angles, keep learning about the records and the history, and celebrate every small crack you make in that wall!