I recently saw The Tigger Movie. The theme of the movie, Tigger's
                               search for his family, got me thinking about genealogy. I won't reveal the
                               results of Tigger's search, but the movie actually pointed out several
                               things worth remembering when researching people instead of stuffed
                               animals.

                               1) Tigger did not start his search at home. He began his
                               search by bouncing through the forest looking for his
                               family tree.
                               Every search for genealogical information should begin with sources
                               available in your home or the homes of your parents and relatives. There
                               are times when sources in the home are the only ones that provide
                               certain pieces of information. Pictures, clippings, cards, family Bibles,
                               certificates, and other such items may provide significant clues to family
                               origins. Locating these items may save countless hours of searching in
                               official records. Seasoned genealogists should also determine if there are
                               any extended family members who might have similar memorabilia.
                               Third, fourth, or even more distant cousins may have family keepsakes
                               or mementos crucial to your search.

                               2) Tigger thought his family tree was all in one place.
                               Genealogists with a little experience under their belt realize that the
                               search takes place one ancestor or family at a time. There's not one CD,
                               Web site, or published book that contains our entire ancestry. Even if
                               there was such a beast, we should document the statements it makes.

                               3) Tigger didn't analyze what he found.
                               When his friends came to Tigger's house dressed up as Tiggers, Tigger
                               was understandably ready to accept them as part of his family. A quick
                               analysis would have revealed that at least one of the "family members"
                               was shaped like Winnie the Pooh. Tigger had hit a brick wall and was
                               ready to accept the first close "match" that came along. No matter how
                               tired, desperate, or frustrated we get, we must continue to analyze the
                               new information that comes our way. Hastily accepting the first close
                               match that comes along may result in wasted time and money.
                               Information that seems to be too good to be true may be just that.
                               Remember if it's shaped like a Pooh bear and walks like a Poor bear,
                               chances are it is a Pooh bear.

                               4) Tigger jumped to a few conclusions.
                               Tigger assumed that almost anything "old" in his house was a clue to his
                               past. We all make assumptions as a part of our research. Sometimes we
                               have to shed the assumptions and realize they are incorrect, just like
                               Tigger finally realized that the old piece of clothing might not hold a clue
                               to his past.

                               5) Tigger talked to others.
                               It didn't help Tigger much, but talking to other genealogists about your
                               family history research problems may help you solve them. Someone
                               else may have worked on a similar problem or in the same geographic
                               area and may be able to give sound advice. If nothing else, just
                               explaining the problem to someone else may help you solve it. Your local
                               society is an excellent place for this discussion.

                               6) Tigger learns something about himself while searching
                               for his family.
                               For many genealogists, learning about our family teaches us something
                               about ourselves in the process. We may learn the origin of certain
                               customs or traditions. In the worst-case scenario, we may find out how
                               bad choices had a long-lasting impact on our ancestor's lives and that of
                               their families.

                               7) Tigger realized that friends can be just as important as
                               family.
                               This was a recurring theme throughout the movie and one that any
                               genealogist would do well to remember. Tigger relied on his friends when
                               he could not find his family and perhaps our ancestors did the same
                               thing. Maybe your ancestor moved from Indiana to Nebraska because a
                               former neighbor had settled there. He might have had no relatives there
                               at all, just a former neighbor. Maybe your immigrant Irish ancestor came
                               to Chicago because a friend from his village had established himself there
                               and told his friend he'd help him get settled. Analyzing friends and
                               neighbors can solve some problems. This procedure does not always
                               work and a full and complete analysis of the ancestor should be
                               undertaken before extending the search to neighbors and acquaintances.

                               What are some ways to learn of your ancestor's
                               neighbors and acquaintances?
                               a) Post-1850 census records provide the birthplace of everyone listed. If
                               your Kentucky born ancestor is living in Missouri in 1850 near several
                               other families from Kentucky, perhaps they came from the same county.
                               Document your ancestor first, but if his records are silent about his
                               Kentucky origins, try locating him by locating the Kentucky origins of
                               his neighbors. You may find him in the same county where you find
                               them.

                               b) County histories might list where the early settlers of an area were
                               from. If your family settled an area early, this may be a clue to your
                               family's origins.

                               c) Witnesses on your ancestor's wills, deeds and other records may
                               provide the names of associates of your ancestor. Not all associates were
                               friends of your ancestor.

                               d) Some old county plat books have a list of "subscribers" that includes
                               their county or country of birth. Look at the individuals living in your
                               ancestor's township and adjacent ones for people from the same area.

                               e) Military pension records of your ancestor may provide the names of
                               comrades and fellow servicemen which may be helpful in learning more
                               about the earlier years of your ancestor's life.

                               The Tigger Movie shows again the popularity of the search for one's
                               past, albeit on a juvenile level. Tigger's frustration while searching for his
                               ancestors in the Hundred-Acre Wood is one most genealogists can
                               sympathize with.

                               Good Luck.

                                written by Michael Neill for Ancestry Daily News  3/7/2000 - used with permission.
 
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