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Methodology and Skills Friends, Associates, Neighbors (FANs)

Cluster Research: Using Groups of People to Find Your People

Robyn Smith
Sep 23, 2021
2.0K views
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Content

Play. Playing.
Welcome
2m 00s
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Speaker's Introduction
1m 34s
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Introduction
6m 55s
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Barnes Family
6m 38s
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Simpson Family
8m 36s
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Enslaved Ancestors Research
5m 29s
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Fendricks Family
12m 41s
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Smith/Harris Family
25m 29s
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Announcements / prizes
4m 56s
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Questions / answers
10m 27s

About this webinar

Our ancestors did not live in a vacuum. They lived, worked, socialized, and married in the midst of a larger group of people. Those people included not just family members but friends, neighbors, employers and fellow employees, fellow churchgoers, and business associates. Genealogists often refers to this group with the clever shorthand of the “FAN” club—their friends, associates, and neighbors. Researching this larger group of people often leads to greater success in reconstructing families. Ms. Smith provides guidelines and several case studies of applying the technique.

About the speaker

About the speaker

Robyn Smith
Robyn Smith has been researching her family and others for over 25 years. An engineer by day, Robyn applies those research and problem-solving skills to the field of genealogy. She specializes in Maryland, Court Records, African American and Slave
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  1. BS
    Becky Shaddix
    3 years ago

    Loved this presentation – kept me glued to my screen. I have an ancestor who was married several times but claim to only be married once too! Love your laugh!!!! This has been one of my favorites!

    Reply
  2. KC
    Kristin Cleage
    3 years ago

    And that is why I’m sitting at my computer looking for people all day long! It is a never ending search. Loved your presentation.

    Reply
  3. JJ
    Jeri Jones
    3 years ago

    Great info and case studies. Thanks so much.

    Reply
  4. DT
    Diane Telfer
    3 years ago

    Excellent webinar! Outstanding research. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  5. PC
    Penny Clarkson
    3 years ago

    Robyn always exceeds my expectations. I learn so much from her every single time. I am so thankful for her and her methods for sharing. I love the reminder not to get bogged down but to learn from the strategies in the case studies. Robyn, thank you for sharing with us!!!

    Reply
  6. LB
    Lynnea Buchanan-Barnett
    3 years ago

    My husband calls me the perpetual student as I am always taking a class or listening to a lecture. This was an excellent presentation and the best examples I have seen explaining the process of Cluster Research. I too enjoy using Word instead of Excel, but I had not thought about using it for making tables. I am certainly going to check out Robyn’s website for other suggestions to streamline my research process. Thank you Robyn and I look forward to viewing more of your presentations.

    Reply
  7. KE
    Kathryn Elliott-Hudson
    3 years ago

    Robyn has a wealth of information and practical suggestions as well as having a motivating presence. Her enthusiasm is infectious!! she has validated my recent efforts to look” beyond the family” for clues to locate elusive family members.

    Reply
  8. JD
    Jerry Domier
    3 years ago

    Many good ideas on clustering. Will have to use them.

    Reply
Show all comments

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