Saturday, June 11, 2016

The Grunt Work of Genealogy


One of the essentials of a complete genealogical study is known as a "reasonably exhaustive search." This is the secret weapon which cuts through the red tape of missing documentsand may even cause a few brick walls to come tumbling down.

If you have ever heard someone describe a "reasonably exhaustive search" while detailing a pet case study, you will find yourself growing weary, just listening to the process. It is indeed a thorough approach to research.

It doesn't, however, make for interesting commentary. While there are a few internationally-beloved genealogy conference speakers who have been able to turn such quests into lively narrative, the average research report for a reasonably exhaustive search, well done, can drone on, ad infinitum.

This is not to say it isn't worthwhileor absolutely necessaryto engage in the process. To the contrary. The Board for Certification of Genealogists, for instance, strongly advocates a primary place for this aspect of research methodology in the Genealogical Proof Standard. Numerous genealogists have written about how to conduct a reasonably exhaustive searchfor instance, this blog post by certified genealogist, Michael Hait.

The trouble is, while tramping through those numerous city directories, newspapers, manuscript collections, and attendance rolls at church ladies' auxiliary eventset cetera, et cetera, et ceteraI, as a blogger, become very quiet, indeed. After all, there's nothing much to be said while all that work is going on behind the scenes. Or, if said, it is more likely to be a remark over what wasn't found than what was.

That is the tedium which goes on in the background while we researchers pull out our bright shinies to show off to others who make the mistake of feigning interest in our progress. Dare we ever to mention the mundane details we've kept secret for so long? Perhaps then, we'd have no inquiries as to our progress at all.

Yet, what is it that attracts people to genealogy? More to the point, once those novices have discovered that, yes, indeed, there is grunt work to be done in this discipline, what makes them stay? For it is evident that not everyone runs, shrieking over the unbearable monotony, once they've uncovered that dastardly secret concerning this addictive pursuit.

Indeed, what makes us stay?



Above: "Reader with magnifying glass," 1895 oil on canvas by German impressionist painter, Leo Lesser Ury; courtesy Wikipedia; in the public domain.

8 comments:

  1. "Yet, what is it that attracts people to genealogy? More to the point, once those novices have discovered that, yes, indeed, there is grunt work to be done in this discipline, what makes them stay?"

    For me it is piecing together the relationships through estate records and deeds, supplementing westward migration data with tax assessment rolls, getting insights on the more puzzling folks (as others have noted, without the box cover with the map of the puzzle). Some of these overall pictures have a lot to do with how I came to be the kind of person I am, and today's family picture. Others are more portraits of adventure and use of material culture. Most of it is just plain fun!

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    1. I never thought I'd find myself saying such tedium could be "just plain fun," but I thoroughly agree with you, Geolover. Well said!

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  2. Another great article Jacqi and a perfect picture to go with it! What wasn't found is so much a part of the exhaustive search. I try to tell people about the story behind what I find (the research) even at the risk of being boring. The challenge is to try and make the research sound interesting. It really is in my mind, but exhaustive at times as well.

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    1. Like the sculptor who sees the image within a mere block of granite, genealogists must have the driving force of that invisible story in mind to propel them through all that tedium. It's amazing, isn't it, Grant, that we can find the exhaustive to be so interesting.

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  3. I've been thinking about how to solve the John McCain mystery ever since you blogged it. There has to be an answer ... somewhere. I've been trying to think of "scenarios" and "hypothesis" that might lead somewhere - to no avail (yet). :)

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    1. Oh, thank you, Iggy! I could really use the kind of genius search help that is your specialty :)

      I've been rethinking that puzzle, myself...particularly inspired by one session at the conference I just attended. It will take lots of work, but I'm game to try--after this Perry County task is completed, of course. Can't get too scattered!

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  4. I think it takes a certain personality to keep slogging away when the progress is slow. I need to work on so many projects and I have so little time:(

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    1. It's the time factor that is our undoing. I'm convinced of it. But with the type of "exhaustive search" requirement of some of my quandaries, the determined focus is exactly what is needed. Sometimes, the choice becomes: solve one, or not solve many.

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