Okay, I ‘Got the Neighbors’—Now What Do I Do with Them?!

Elizabeth Shown Mills, CG®, CGL®
Apr 28, 2023
2.6K views
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About this webinar

We’ve all heard the mantra Get the Neighbors! But exactly how do we use “other people’s” information to solve problems of identity, kinship, and origin for our own ancestors? This session teaches critical skills for building networks around problem ancestors, methods for analyzing and prioritizing associations, and strategies for milking clues from the records those neighbors created. All can be developed into solutions for our toughest research problems.

About the speaker

Across a long career, Elizabeth Shown Mills, CG®, CGL®, FASG, FUGA, FNGS, has been an innovator of research methods and strategies. Published widely by academic and popular presses, she edited a natio...
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Comments (112)

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  1. CV
    Carol Voiles
    2 years ago

    Now you've got me wanting to listen to every single presentation ESM ever made... Simply the best.

    3
  2. JR
    Jacquelyn Ruttinger
    2 years ago

    I broke through a brick wall using neighbors, maps, censuses and naming tradition to find the family of my 2nd great grandmother for whom there wasn't direct evidence. Her brother bought land across the road from my second great grandfather's tavern, and her father had land close-by on the same road in the next Town. Both her father and her son used the same unusual middle name more than the given, and the tick marks in the father's early New York censuses matched her age.

    1
  3. MS
    Marilyn Sheldon
    2 years ago

    Fascinating ! LOVE her presentations!

  4. VG
    Vanessa Genens
    2 years ago

    These Friday sessions by ESM have taken my research to another level. Not only has it helped with my known brick walls, but it has deepened the information I have on my known ancestors. I have a renewed zest for genealogy as I've enhanced my skill set. The information I've gleaned using ESM's techniques has made my ancestor's stories more vivid. My gratitude knows no bounds!

    2
  5. KE
    Kathryn Everhart
    2 years ago

    I can't say enough good things about Elizabeth! I always come away with ideas on how to break down my brick walls - as well as the desire to listen again so as to fully understand it all and internalize what she's said. Thank you, Elizabeth - and thank you Geoff for your vision for these webinars! You have made a difference!

  6. JM
    Jane Mackesy
    2 years ago

    This is my first time listening to E.S. Mills, though I've heard much about the FAN club. Loved it!!! Will have to go back and listen to the earlier webinars.

  7. PT
    Patricia Taylor
    2 years ago

    Feeling grateful, and inspired, after today's superb webinar with Elizabeth Shown Mills.

  8. AS
    Annie Delyth Stratton
    2 years ago

    I learned stuff about records that hadn't even crossed my mind before! I love the unweaving of puzzles that this kind of research can do. I keep copies in folders by name and family. Though I also do neighborhood searches, Elizabeth just showed me how to take that to the next level and then some. I've got the basics and can start there. (I'm already addicted to other people's probate records- they are amazing. Found some very unexpected family connections that way.

    2

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