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Recording Extended Family Data Is Necessary  Published Monthly
Lesson 063...                                                                                                            2021 01 31

Defining The Problem...
Family trees must include as many names as possible in order to be useful to as many as possible.
As always, time and funding will have the final say in how much of that theory is implemented.

Spending time recording extended family members may sometimes seem like a waste of resources.
The manhours spent on paysites can translate into lost $$ from directline ancestor research.

Additionally, these names may be of interest to only a particular sector of relatives and not to others.
Which ultimately they may or may not ever show any interest in the research done!

These and other "reasons" may bother researchers and make them wonder if it's worth their time.
Some may have more validity to one person than another, but are in actually all equal.
In the end, all expendatures translate into either time or money or both.

Eventually, the question comes down to whether or not the input and outcome was worth the effort.
All data that we record is based on what we feel the value or usefulness of the research is.
In business terms, this is referred to as "ROI". "Return On Investment".


How Did That Happen?...
For the most part, the main ways of stumbling into other family members are obituaries and censuses.
Photographs and tombstones may spark an interest, but we get data from official sources.
Another possibility for present day living members are social media friendlists.

Obituaries often have a number of previously unknown extended family members listed in them.
A well written necrology may contain twenty or more names outside the family cell.
Each of them are mentioned due to their closeness to the deceased.

Censuses are a window into a singular moment in a subjects past.
Many times, people have come and gone from a family after only a short time.
Children, siblings and transients may not be known by other research method shortcuts.

Living family members are sometimes found by way of a known members friendlist on social media.
Be aware, many people make their list using relative descriptors loosely to describe a closeness.
Brother/sister, mother/father, aunt/uncle, cousin/etc may actually be terms of endearments.


What Can We Do To Fix This?...
Depending on what a researcher labels as "fix this", there are only two options...
Genealogists can either record the names and data or pass them by.

Deliberately bypassing information seems to go against everything a genealogist stands for.
However, all things are choices and time is limited, so the choice becomes "who gets the time?".
If we then pass on recording them, we must at least leave a note regarding "additional characters".

When research goes beyond personally known subjects, they must link directly to known members.
Building on that person (Now considered "known") we can then add children, spouses, etc..
While this may "seem" obvious, it's important to correctly recognise the link.

Work the names in a distinct order so none are accidentally omitted.
Whether document, obituary, news article or other, this method insures completion.
Transcribe or copy the image, then paste to each persons file and describe their connection type.

Color coding by relationship type may help you to sort out a poorly written obituary notice.
It can also help the person you leave your records to understand what you've done.
Even just highlighting large blocks of important info can help speed things.


Where Do We Find This New Data?...
Regardless of how the new subject is found, reliable data will have to be recorded to their file.
For deceased persons, this means official documents like census, birth, death or marriage records.
Current records are easily found online for living persons. Although very accurate, they lack reliability.

Census findings are always among the best ways to find and record data.
They're official, well organized and contain nearly every individual.
Each reference copy/pastes easily to any family member.

Record the new subjects fully as you would any known subject.
Although they're extended family to you, they're immediate family to someone else.
When publicising your family tree, the extended persons may be the reason another researcher visits.

Use census, birth, death, marriage and other record images whenever possible.
Copy/paste them to each of the members named in the record.
Various record images available on CD here.


What Did We Learn From This?...
Hindsight is a wonderful thing they say.
It can also be a painful lesson.

The importance of recording each name found in obituaries and censuses was learned far to late here.
During the early growth period of the family tree, only the immediate family cells were recorded.
Eventually it was seen that the distant friends and relatives would often connect elsewhere.

Sometimes extendeds are required if immediates do not show an explicit reference to a relationship.
Obituaries are written at an emotional time, with relationships obvious to them but not to others.
So by recording the extendeds, their obituaries may help the relationships be much clearer.

Whether in censuses, obituaries or friendlists, being listed denotes a level of important kinship.
This should not be ignored if the researcher has the resources to help prevent it.
It might also help to attract unknown searchers to the family tree.

For older subjects, we'll eventually need to consult censuses anyway.
Wherever possible, use several years to build a wider array of information.
Doing it from the start saves time and makes successive persons easier to follow.


The Basic Rules...
First...
Record everyone that you find listed only if you can properly place them.
They were important enough to be mentioned, and you may never find the info again.

Second...
Work methodically so no person or information is forgotten
It can also save time by eliminating chaoitic person-to-person changes and mishaps.

Third...
Leave a note describing any unknowns/issues.
It helps future readyness for records found as incomplete or with conflicting data.



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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