www.Leazott.com

Disconnected Cousins-Islands In The Sun           Published Monthly
Lesson 052...                                                                                                            2020 02 01

Defining The Problem...
From time to time during research, an unknown name may show itelf in multiple search returns.
Sometimes there may be a spouse or even a child attached, but no known heredity.

An entire unknown family cell, complete with parents and several children may appear on a census.
Tracking down correct lineages for the adults can be difficult if they both have common names!

Of course this all happens while we're busy working on another line that's completely "un-related".
So only a few quick efforts, or possibly a reasonably deeper method is tried before we return to work.

This might be repeated several times over many months if the same name keeps finding its way back.
Frustration and a few ego bruises might be future certainties as we continue this course!
Eventually, derisive gestures emit as we feel taunted by its mere presence!

Despite multiple attempts, no advancement toward heredity for either adult appears in sight.
So we begin to ignore the name wherever it returns, as if we're not at all interested.
But deep in our minds, we know we're interested. Even if just to conquer.


How Did That Happen?...
Exactly why the names return so often is a mystery, but is probably search engine algorithm related.
There are multiple known ways... And many unknown ways this can happen!
Obviously the most common would be similar names.

Still, it doesn't explain the lack of information about a person.
The most common areas for info deficit appear to be in modern persons.
This is usually due to all heredity/ancestry being built in much like a pyramid fashion.

The reason for the disconnection itself is possibly that no decendants have researched them yet.
While doubtful, it's still possible and happens far more often than one would think.
Due to the pyramid nature, more people are info-mining at higher levels.

Another area that misleads us, is when a surname is carried into the adulthood of an adopted child.
While noble in thought, it terminates and removes that child from their true identity.
There can be no "one size fits all" answer for this, except awareness.


What Can We Do To Fix This?...
There are really only two valid approaches that can be made for resolving any unidentified persons.
The first is to adopt (and live with) total ignoring of the problem. The other is a full-on attack.

The first obviously hasn't worked here, as evidenced by the surfacing of this article!
At best, the problem is tolerated long enough until time is available when the name returns!
Some people have what it takes to "let it go", others may need to fulfill their inner drive to succeed!

For those of us hoping to "succeed", conquering is the dream, even if it's not a reachable goal.
What we must settle on is the aquisition of as much information as is possible to further our cause!
We can define that reward as finding information surrounding the individual that we will need anyway.

Wait... Be assured that eventually some piece of evidence will surface through your expanding efforts.
But it's also equally important to continue what can more easily be accomplished in other areas.
These, although mostly distant, will eventually connect themselves to the missing pieces.

Continue your work as planned until the name(s) re-appear at a time of reasonable availabilty.
As if starting your family tree from scratch, each disconnected cousin will begin alone.
Whatever names are attached to them as found are added to this new "island".


Where Can We Find The Lost Data?...
Obviously this name has been "popping up" for some time.
Start by gathering all the items that have shown themselves into a single file.
Insert any and all information found within these items into their respective portions for reference.

For modern/living names, social media searches may provide some insight.
Beware! Social media's widespread popularity has absolutely nothing to do with facts!
Just as meme/quotes are misrepresented, so are similar names-Possibly adding to confusion/chaos!

Ideally, if a person has been rejected before, it's because they were wrong for an obvious reason.
If that reason was another name in connection to the "disconnected cousin"-That's wonderful!
That person is now the focal point, and has become the main character within our search!

By far, the biggest help for factual information in connecting modern names is an obituary.
Record every person found in these obituaries for a wider circle of relatives.
Most of this work will be needed after the connection anyway!


What Did We Learn From This?...
The first decision is whether or not to research the unknown/disconnected person or not.
Deciding is not necessarily acting. The decision to act can be made while waiting for proper timing.

Even while we wait, other important information may become available.
Using the time wisely to clear our workload can then be considered as doubly productive.
At the very least, there may either be somewhat less wasted time, or more connecting info available.

Not all of our ancestors have been located or researched.
There's still plenty of room for original research to be made by enthusiasts!
There are leaders, and there are followers. No matter which you are, it's important to record.

The time spent on other connecting persons is not really wasted or used poorly.
These are the people that were/are important in our cousins lives.
Their information would be needed later anyway.

For recent persons, obituaries can be the most important way of connecting people.
These in turn can allow for dependable census searches when multiple members are named.
Working this ever-widening circle is slow, but the reward is having information that no one else has!


The Basic Rules...
First...
Understand that when creating these "islands", full dedication is required even for distant relatives.
Time is more productive while exploring unknowns for extended periods rather than sporatic.

Second...
Time spent on these members is the identical timeframe as if the cousin were easily placed.
By recording them first, they can help us to locate an otherwise lost family member.

Third...
Record every person found in the extended searches, as well as their family's info.
Make note of any unique niche that separates them from similar names.



As always...
What you'll choose to do with this information is up to you.
It will at least serve as a stepping stone for further knowledge.
You should be applauded for your willingness to educate yourself.

These are only basic guidelines, and can always be adjusted to suit your personal needs or budget.
Hopefully the knowledge gained here will help you to be better positioned as a family historian!

      Happy searches!!

        Massachusetts

www.Leazott.com
Family Tree And Website