Ten years.
Over ten years.
I was stuck at a 4th great grandfather for that long. Most of that time I was pretty sure who his father was. But why wasn't there any proof?
I was so afraid it was because he was NOT the father. Surely there should have been enough clues to put together (if no direct evidence). I kept chipping away at the problem. I'd squeeze in some research here and there.
It was hard. I was a student most of that time, broke and often even short on time.
Does this sound like a problem you're having? Are you stuck on one or more ancestors, chipping away, but short on money and time?
This post won't help you find more time but let's talk money.
So what does my over ten-year struggle have to do with money? Well, time actually. I found really good in-direct evidence when I finally got records from the National Archives.
I had wasted ten years because I was cheap in the wrong way.
The sad part is I knew my family was mentioned in those records since early in my search. I had seen other researchers (from the other alleged children of my 5th great-grandfather) mention the records. No one had provided good abstracts or transcripts of the information so I didn't realize that record would be so important.
So I skipped it. I didn't spend the money to order a record I knew mentioned my family.
When I finally lived outside Washington, D.C., I "remembered" those records mentioned my family and I went to check them out (bonus dufus points, these are microfilmed records, they can be accessed from places besides Washington, D.C.).
Ten years.
I could have spent ten years working on the next phase(s) of research. My family was mentioned in multiple parts of that particular collection giving me more clues than I've had time to follow-up on in the almost ten years since I used the records. Of course, I've had even less time for research in the last five years.
What I wouldn't give to have ordered those records twenty years ago. I would have spent my few non-Occasional Genealogist years working on all those clues.
You could say being cheap (the wrong way) cost me twenty years!
Do you have twenty years to waste?
And even if they are online, they may not be images or they may not be searchable images. (The records I used at the National Archives to verify my 5th great-grandfather are now on Fold3 but are NOT every name searchable. I would still have to access them the same way I used the microfilm, just from the comfort of home---no getting kicked out of the Archives when you burst into tears because you finally busted your brick wall).
You can read my earlier post about unindexed images, here.
You're going to have to order some records if you want to further your research. Some genealogists find an index or database entry and stop there because it's not always easy or cheap to order the original record.
It is definitely worth it, though.
Even with a photographic copy, there is a chance important information is left out. In some cases, information is intentionally left out when "select" records are copied. Indexes always leave information out, and most databases are abstracts which, by definition, exclude information.
I've found some of the most useful information or clues only in an original record. Although the body of the information may have appeared elsewhere, something vital was only in the original.
Indexes and databases are a finding aid. They are a tool to help you find the original. They aren't meant to replace the original.
Luckily it isn't an expensive hobby like golf. You can spread your expenses out into little bits (this will slow your research, but that's ok). Sure you could easily spend a chunk equal to a golf club, or a whole set, but you can also start with photocopies ($0.10 to $1.00 ea.) then order some less expensive vital records (some still only cost $5.00).
Libraries usually offer great rates on copies of records in their collection, whether an obituary or a family file. The War of 1812 pensions being digitized by the fundraiser mentioned at the start of this post are being placed on the subscription site Fold3 but they will always be free due to the fundraiser. You've got no excuse there.
Unlike the golf analogy, original records are not like designer golf shoes or a fancier golf club (is more money really getting you more?). In golf, and probably any sport, you can go really far on skill and practice.
Not ordering original records isn't the difference in two brands, it's the difference in trying to play with part of a club or half a ball. It doesn't matter how naturally skilled you are, or how many hours of genealogy you do, you won't get far with just indexes.
Even if a project does have sufficient funding, you still need to plan and order records in a reasonable order. If you're short on genealogy funds, you do the same thing. It will just take longer than a well-funded project would.
Start planning your research and include a budget if the cost is what's stopping you.
RELATED POST: Research Planning & Budgeting for Research
Here's a shortlist of "budget" options to do more research beyond using your computer at home.
You order microfilm of your choice via FamilySearch.org and it is delivered to your chosen Family History Center for you to use. [Update: Microfilm loan has been discontinued by FamilySearch]. There are many records available ONLINE and FREE from FamilySearch but only if you are in a FamilySearch Center/Family History Center. This is the new alternative to microfilm loans. However, it's FREE and there's no wait for the film to arrive.
Note that digitization is still in progress for many rolls of microfilm.
Use the FamilySearch catalog at home to make your plan. Ask the center staff if you need a record that isn't online. As the digitization is active, whatever suggestions I type today could be irrelevant tomorrow so I'd rather direct you to the center staff.
This last item also applies to genealogy/historical societies that might offer research services even if they don't have a library. Some societies offer genealogical research at an hourly rate at the local courthouse or local public library.
You can search for a genealogist in an area on the Association of Professional Genealogists website. I recommend using the advanced directory search instead of the "by location" search or use both. There are many researchers at the Family History Library that do this type of work if what you need has not been digitized or if you don't have a local center.
You might also batch records to order microfilm or ILL materials. This is the most budget-conscious way to do this so you don't end up ordering the same material again.
You may want or need to batch records if you're going to hire a professional. If you need simple records where you have an index (or there will be one on site), you may need to request multiple records to meet a minimum (usually a minimum number of hours of research). It may be cheaper to request multiple records instead of individually, too.
Note that you usually are not allowed to do batch requests when requesting copies from government-run repositories. If they charge you an hourly fee, you may be able to but usually, there is a maximum number of requests at one time if you are just requesting copies. Depending on your request and the repository, they may or may not be flexible on maximums.
If you want to do genealogy on the cheap, you can't also do it on the fly, not if you want to be successful. Learn how to create a research plan and include a budget as part of your planning. If you decide to save money by only using indexes and databases, instead of ordering original records, you will eventually hit a brick wall you can't climb.
Over ten years.
I was stuck at a 4th great grandfather for that long. Most of that time I was pretty sure who his father was. But why wasn't there any proof?
I was so afraid it was because he was NOT the father. Surely there should have been enough clues to put together (if no direct evidence). I kept chipping away at the problem. I'd squeeze in some research here and there.
It was hard. I was a student most of that time, broke and often even short on time.
Does this sound like a problem you're having? Are you stuck on one or more ancestors, chipping away, but short on money and time?
This post won't help you find more time but let's talk money.
(Don't have time to read this post, right now? Pin it for later.)
So what does my over ten-year struggle have to do with money? Well, time actually. I found really good in-direct evidence when I finally got records from the National Archives.
I had wasted ten years because I was cheap in the wrong way.
The sad part is I knew my family was mentioned in those records since early in my search. I had seen other researchers (from the other alleged children of my 5th great-grandfather) mention the records. No one had provided good abstracts or transcripts of the information so I didn't realize that record would be so important.
So I skipped it. I didn't spend the money to order a record I knew mentioned my family.
When I finally lived outside Washington, D.C., I "remembered" those records mentioned my family and I went to check them out (bonus dufus points, these are microfilmed records, they can be accessed from places besides Washington, D.C.).
Ten years.
I could have spent ten years working on the next phase(s) of research. My family was mentioned in multiple parts of that particular collection giving me more clues than I've had time to follow-up on in the almost ten years since I used the records. Of course, I've had even less time for research in the last five years.
What I wouldn't give to have ordered those records twenty years ago. I would have spent my few non-Occasional Genealogist years working on all those clues.
You could say being cheap (the wrong way) cost me twenty years!
Do you have twenty years to waste?
Still Not Convinced You Need to Spend the Money to Order Records?
There is a great post on the Preserve the Pensions blog [Preserve the Pensions was a fundraiser which has ended, and along with it, the blog]. This post highlights some great finds in War of 1812 pensions involving neighbors of the applicant/soldier. This is just one of the many benefits you'll often find when you use/order original records.Don't Stop at the Index
The War of 1812 pensions are being digitized but you do know most genealogy records are not online, don't you?
And even if they are online, they may not be images or they may not be searchable images. (The records I used at the National Archives to verify my 5th great-grandfather are now on Fold3 but are NOT every name searchable. I would still have to access them the same way I used the microfilm, just from the comfort of home---no getting kicked out of the Archives when you burst into tears because you finally busted your brick wall).
You can read my earlier post about unindexed images, here.
You're going to have to order some records if you want to further your research. Some genealogists find an index or database entry and stop there because it's not always easy or cheap to order the original record.
It is definitely worth it, though.
The Problem with Indexes and Databases
When you copy information from a record in any form other than a photographic copy, you introduce a chance for an error to be created (photographic copies include photocopies but also microfilm, digital images, etc.). Indexes and databases abound with examples of copying errors.Even with a photographic copy, there is a chance important information is left out. In some cases, information is intentionally left out when "select" records are copied. Indexes always leave information out, and most databases are abstracts which, by definition, exclude information.
I've found some of the most useful information or clues only in an original record. Although the body of the information may have appeared elsewhere, something vital was only in the original.
Indexes and databases are a finding aid. They are a tool to help you find the original. They aren't meant to replace the original.
Indexes and databases are a finding aid.
Genealogy Costs Money
Here's a well-known fact among successful genealogists, and a little-known fact among the unsuccessful, genealogy is expensive.Luckily it isn't an expensive hobby like golf. You can spread your expenses out into little bits (this will slow your research, but that's ok). Sure you could easily spend a chunk equal to a golf club, or a whole set, but you can also start with photocopies ($0.10 to $1.00 ea.) then order some less expensive vital records (some still only cost $5.00).
Libraries usually offer great rates on copies of records in their collection, whether an obituary or a family file. The War of 1812 pensions being digitized by the fundraiser mentioned at the start of this post are being placed on the subscription site Fold3 but they will always be free due to the fundraiser. You've got no excuse there.
Unlike the golf analogy, original records are not like designer golf shoes or a fancier golf club (is more money really getting you more?). In golf, and probably any sport, you can go really far on skill and practice.
Not ordering original records isn't the difference in two brands, it's the difference in trying to play with part of a club or half a ball. It doesn't matter how naturally skilled you are, or how many hours of genealogy you do, you won't get far with just indexes.
Research Planning Can Include Budgeting
If you do have to order a more expensive record, plan ahead. Create a budget and save up if you have to. This is essentially what every professional genealogist has to do. Rarely do you get a client that is literally throwing money at a project. So you plan and budget.Even if a project does have sufficient funding, you still need to plan and order records in a reasonable order. If you're short on genealogy funds, you do the same thing. It will just take longer than a well-funded project would.
Start planning your research and include a budget if the cost is what's stopping you.
RELATED POST: Research Planning & Budgeting for Research
Here's a shortlist of "budget" options to do more research beyond using your computer at home.
Budget Research Options
Your local library.
If they don't have a genealogy room with records related to your interests, they may offer free access to paid subscription websites. (Remember FamilySearch.org is free, use it from home if you haven't been!)Your local library, use Inter-Library Loan (ILL).
There are a few libraries that loan significant genealogical material although most keep "reference collections" which don't circulate. The Library of Virginia loans their microfilm via ILL. Ask your librarian for more information, he/she may refer you to a different branch where you can get the best assistance.Your local Family History Center.
Note that digitization is still in progress for many rolls of microfilm.
Use the FamilySearch catalog at home to make your plan. Ask the center staff if you need a record that isn't online. As the digitization is active, whatever suggestions I type today could be irrelevant tomorrow so I'd rather direct you to the center staff.
Other public libraries.
See what the library local to your ancestors' residence has available to order. This varies widely but is absolutely worth checking."Local" libraries that aren't "your" library.
If a library in an adjacent county (or whatever jurisdiction is appropriate) offers services just to their patrons, see if you can pay a fee to become a patron. I've seen this option in county libraries and university libraries.Society libraries.
This could be genealogical, historical, or any other type of society. For your local societies, they may offer services your local library doesn't. You should also check societies for your ancestral locations.This last item also applies to genealogy/historical societies that might offer research services even if they don't have a library. Some societies offer genealogical research at an hourly rate at the local courthouse or local public library.
Hire a professional
Some professional genealogists will take jobs copying records for less than they would charge to do full research. I used to do this when I lived outside of Washington, D.C. Some of my services were cheaper than what it cost to order the record from the National Archives. Not every genealogist does this; it's not always financially profitable (or even reasonable) for them.You can search for a genealogist in an area on the Association of Professional Genealogists website. I recommend using the advanced directory search instead of the "by location" search or use both. There are many researchers at the Family History Library that do this type of work if what you need has not been digitized or if you don't have a local center.
Batch your research.
If you plan ahead and keep yourself organized, you can create batches of records you need. You can batch these in various ways. Personally, I like to save up research to justify a research trip. This may or may not be in your budget but I always like to look at the records myself, if possible.You might also batch records to order microfilm or ILL materials. This is the most budget-conscious way to do this so you don't end up ordering the same material again.
You may want or need to batch records if you're going to hire a professional. If you need simple records where you have an index (or there will be one on site), you may need to request multiple records to meet a minimum (usually a minimum number of hours of research). It may be cheaper to request multiple records instead of individually, too.
Note that you usually are not allowed to do batch requests when requesting copies from government-run repositories. If they charge you an hourly fee, you may be able to but usually, there is a maximum number of requests at one time if you are just requesting copies. Depending on your request and the repository, they may or may not be flexible on maximums.
If you want to do genealogy on the cheap, you can't also do it on the fly, not if you want to be successful. Learn how to create a research plan and include a budget as part of your planning. If you decide to save money by only using indexes and databases, instead of ordering original records, you will eventually hit a brick wall you can't climb.
