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Obituary Records: Immediates vs. Extendeds     Published Monthly
Lesson 058...                                                                                                            2020 08 22

Defining The Problem...
Time is always the issue facing genealogists working toward a larger database.
Whether by disappearing memberships, websites, ageing family members or any other means.

Ordinarily, we as researchers tend to streamline in terms of lineage.
Collecting extended family names and data can be very time consuming.

We may decide that it is more prudent to follow the "main line" with thoughts of returning later.
This can be especially true after seeing several informational sources disappear unexpectedly.

Indecision over which method to persue comes mostly during two distinct times.
Beginners may want to follow all lines, but discover the time involved is not realistic.
Longterm enthusiasts learn that many lines link together, whether by area or surname.

The actual decision over which method to persue is the obvious dilemma at hand.
Whether concious or not, the choice is between an immediate need (Use) versus time.
Deciding that the other may be returned to at a later time is simply postponing the choice.


How Did That Happen?...
There seems to be an innate desire in family genealogists to uncover as much information as possible.
Any list of persons that we have the ability to find will do, no matter how distant the relationship.
Over time the quality and efficiency of our work improves, resulting in faster production.

An obituary list of relatives fuels our drive immensely!
They're filled with little family trivia, dates and places, heredity and more!
Additionally, this is all tied up into seemingly irreproachable universally accepted documents.

These lists are an undeniable ready-made wonderful resource available at our fingertips!
They are considered to rank very high in overall reliability due to firsthand author knowledge.
All this creates an easy to follow basic level importation of names and data not found elsewhere.

The problem becomes whether to spend the manhours on recording distant relatives or to move on.
Ultimately the choice is defined by what the family tree purpose is, and its expected timeschedule.
All family tree genealogy research quests start out small, and major expanses aren't planned.


What Can We Do To Fix This?...
The first step is to focus on what the research will be used for and the total time available for it.
Barring any deliberately narrow or short term research, expansion opportunities should be followed!

One of the reasons we do this research is because we understand the importance of its preservation.
Little by little as we progress, we discover that history is being erased or rewritten--And believed!
By recording each name at the time of its finding, we may actually be saving many manhours.

We then maximize the chances of connecting by following each ones heredity now.
The method favored here is to follow each maternal line to their furthest known endings.
By doing so, the lineage crosses more surnames and increases the likelyhood of connections.

In most instances lineages stemming from modern-day obituary notices may not "directly connect".
However by following maternal lines, many surnames are uncovered that may link to others.
Known surnames have a reasonable chance to intersect with ancestors of same names.

In either case, the instinct that all names should be preserved is morally and historically correct.
Both methods appear on their surfaces to give good results when used for their specific purposes.
While short-term/narrow-tree approach reasoning is understood, there are few instances for its use.


What Can We Do To Lessen The Lost Data?...
Although standard methods of streamlining are usually best for most instances, obituary notices differ.
Obituaries usually represent the furthermost ends of any pedigree named within them.
They're also likely to contain lineages that can eventually connect.

By recording the listed names, we create the furthermost ends to a known lineage.
It becomes an easy starting point that can lead to several other ancestral intersections.
These will likely be lines that would eventually be recorded anyway, thus saving time later.

If you prefer to bypass this opportunity, there is something you might do to aid yourself for later.
Use a distinct type of markup to allow easy returning to areas that you might re-visit later.
The software used here has a "To-Do" option for each person listed. --- Order Here

Even when time is scarce, recording the extendeds without their lineage is a significant timesaver.
The obituary notice has already been found and copied to all necessary persons anyway.
Recording a few persons and to-do-notes is minor work for major return (ROI).


What Did We Learn From This?...
Most importantly, we find that this is work that would eventually be done in any serious family tree.
The fact that we record the data early will help future connections happen more easily.

We should maximize the chances for our success (In this case time and data) at every opportunity.
This can be especially true whenever dealing with historically small population areas.
Family intersection probability rates then increase dramatically!

The time savings earned by doing the work early will increase at each of the connections made.
Efforts to trace back toward a known objective is far simpler than attempting a directionless scan.
Though surnames may be known, finding the lineage toward specific decendants is extremely slow.

Short basic information web based searches for census and burial data can save enormous time later.
Many times these can lead to easily found parental info and continued lineage with minor effort.
As free access to information disappears, the same manhours spent later might be costly.

Some family tree authors may genuinely not have a need for widening their listings.
It is still strongly suggested they record at least the names and data without their lineages.
While you may have your own purpose for the tree, eventually it will be passed on to someone else.


The Basic Rules...
First...
Record all the names and each of their lineages then follow using the maternal method.
Later, try connecting by paternal lineage from any known surname found.

Second...
Treat the extended family members research as you would do for the immediates.
Record their data and locate any other obituaries mentioning them.

Third...
If you choose to bypass this option, at least mark it with a "To-Do-Note".
When your work is passed to someone else, they may find it.
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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

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