BEGINNING GENEALOGY
Collateral Lines and “Brick Walls”
Genealogists use the term “Brick Wall” to describe an impasse in family history research. For example: all relevant information about parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents is known, but the names of one of the maternal great-grandmother’s parents are not known. Her line cannot be extended back in time until this problem is solved.
You may be able to break down a brick wall by researching the brothers, sisters, and cousins of the person who seems to be “the end of the line.” These siblings and cousins are called “collaterals,” and their documents often provide the information you need. A brother may have listed his parents’ names on his marriage license application, even though the primary person you are researching did not. If you have a three-line death notice for your primary ancestor, a sister’s obituary might be much longer, giving her birthplace and leading you to the area where the family was living at that time.
RESEARCH TIP: Don't limit your research by focussing solely on the direct line of your tree. Spread out your inquiries to include all of the siblings as well. You will not only glean more information about your direct ancestor this way, you may also discover fascinating things about the family that your relative did not know!
photo: QHGS Blogger personal files
You may be able to break down a brick wall by researching the brothers, sisters, and cousins of the person who seems to be “the end of the line.” These siblings and cousins are called “collaterals,” and their documents often provide the information you need. A brother may have listed his parents’ names on his marriage license application, even though the primary person you are researching did not. If you have a three-line death notice for your primary ancestor, a sister’s obituary might be much longer, giving her birthplace and leading you to the area where the family was living at that time.
RESEARCH TIP: Don't limit your research by focussing solely on the direct line of your tree. Spread out your inquiries to include all of the siblings as well. You will not only glean more information about your direct ancestor this way, you may also discover fascinating things about the family that your relative did not know!
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