As we go back in time searching for our ancestors, records become scarcer. The previous methodology that we would use for research doesn’t work anymore. We have to additional records in addition to the census records. What records could be of value in addition to records that only give us tick marks? In Pennsylvania, early censuses and tax records will be discussed specifically. With my own ancestor Daniel Drinkle, I had a difficult time finding who his parents were. Daniel was born 19 July 1788 in Reading (Redding), Pennsylvania.In censuses 1790-1840 they don’t give head of household. They gave tick marks of who lived in that place. Since, Daniel would have been between the ages of 9-10 there may have been a Drinkle that was living in that place.

In this article I look at a structured approach to analysing and solving those challenging problems that occur in our family history research. It comprises six principal steps, which any genealogist can follow.

‘Geneatherapy’ combines two of my greatest passions: I’m a former counsellor by profession and a genealogist and family historian by experience. So as a geneatherapist, I explore mental health, psychology, epigenetics, and neuroscience, to deepen my understanding of our ancestors.

Above Photo Courtsey of Stephanie Ray

A father’s name on a birth certificate, is that a fact? 

As enthusiastic genealogists and family storytellers we all have our preferred tools that we use on a regular basis for our research and story writing. Genealogists need tools to research family history – to scan databases for documentation (evidence of ancestors’ vital facts) and tools to store the results of our research. Family Historians need writing tools to prepare stories for sharing.