Just when you thought that you are on your way to completing your family tree, you hit a brick wall, a dead-end It is a given fact that tracing your roots does not actually go according to your plan. Things get lost. Family member often disappear. Records are nowhere to be found as a result of fire, flood, war or mishandling. But before you declare it is over, consider the following strategies to get you right back on track:
Review everything you have
Even if you believe that you have done the right thing and have diligently recorded every progress you made, there is still a possibility that somewhere along the way, you have overlooked an important detail that put you to where you are right now. Review the dates, names and other details that can provide additional clues. Sometimes, just reading your existing files and documents can get you back on track again.
Expand your search
Stuck with a particular ancestor? Why not expand your search? If you cannot find any document that proves that your great-great-grandfather has lived, he might not be listed. Try to search for his siblings or known cousins. Or, if the entire family records could not be found, try looking for their neighbors. You may find immigration patterns that will lead to discovering your ancestors.
Go back to your original source
Original sources are reliable but in most occasions, you only record or transcribe facts that you feel important at that time. You may have only taken down other dates. You might have misinterpreted a relationship. Or, you might have misread names. Check them again and change details if necessary.
Check your source
Inaccurate information can either lead you to a wrong family tree or a dead-end. If you have hit a brick wall, go back and check your source. Look for other sources and corroborate them with the information you have at hand. Do not rely too much in online information. As much as possible, get a hold of official records.
Check the name
Your problem may be as simple as a misspelled name. Your research may get complicated but you have to check other spelling possibilities.
Know the boundaries
Jurisdictions, political domains and territories change. So even though you know that your ancestor lived on a particular village, you might still be looking at a wrong courthouse. It is important therefore, to take note of territorial changes.
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