From 1940 to Present Day Research Resources

8 Resources for Descendant / Forensic Genealogy

Genealogy vs Descendant Research Your project may have the objective to locate living descendants. Thirty percent of a3Genealogy research projects are classified as "descendant research." Some like to call it "forensic genealogical research." 

Genealogical research typically requires us to start with ourselves or present day and work backwards. But, what if we have an ancestor (subject) from the past and we want to uncover present day descendants? This is Descendant Research.  Also called forensic genealogical research, descendant research may be tied to the legal system to prove kinship or requires the research proof argument to include scientific support - like a DNA test result analysis. If the legal system is not involved, or DNA test analysis is not required, a3Genealogy researchers call it descendant research. We all can do this!

What needs to be done?

Your project may have the objective to locate living descendants. A well thought out research plan will be the key to your success. For our Sebastian Glos descendant research project the plan had the objective to identify addresses, emails and phone numbers of living descendants. 

Tips to Uncover 

In the Sebastian Glos descendant research project we began with a living Glos client in California. His genealogical research was traced back to Klingenmüster, Germany - a normal genealogy project - start with present day and work backwards. It was proven that the Glos children came to America between 1867- 1883. 

Now we turn to Descendant Research. To uncover the descendants we put in two practices: 

1) use wildcards for names because in the Glos case, six of them changed their names early. Most were simple changes (i.e. Fanciscus became Frank); but then there was Magdelena who became Helen. HELEN???  
2) never be attached to the spelling of the surname. At least two of the Glos sons adopted the surname "Gloss." (This had to be to purposeful in order to make it more difficult for the researcher!)

8 Resources: From 1940 to Present Day Research 

The plan gets complicated between the 1940 census to present day. What resources are available to meet our objective: "identify addresses, emails and phone numbers of living descendants." Here are a few suggestions: 

1) land deeds at the county court recorders offices.  Many of these may be online.
2) city directory research and analysis
3) state voter registration cards
4) social media ferreting to include Instagram, Linkedin, Facebook, etc.
5) newspaper research for obituaries and community social news that may name parents or descendants.
6) public record research. Start with Google search. At a3Genealogy we use several databases to include our subscribed Private Investigator (PI) database.
7) vital records: available birth, death and marriage records may connect ancestors to descendants living in current day.
8) recorded wills and probates 

At a3Genealogy we often ask for Y-DNA tests results from familytreeDNA, and autosomal DNA tests results (i.e. ancestryDNA, myheritageDNA, 23&Me, etc) when applicable. These test can assist in identifying surnames and family units as we uncover "new" cousins. We were easily able to connect the Bernzott family connection - Frank Bernzott married Barbara Glos . But, to connect the Quist, Lang, Patz, & Eliason descendants of Barbara (Glos) Bernzott we turned to all eight of the suggestion resources above. These same key 8 resources apply to all Descendant Research projects.

Stay healthy and safe as you use this social distancing time for discovering ancestors and identifying cousins.  We will all want a family reunion after this is over!

Kathleen Brandt

a3Genealogy@gmail.com

816-729-5995

Be sure to follow us at our a3genealogy online sites and social media (below) for updated information.

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Shelter in Place Order

Extended Deadlines

Know that many job deadlines will be extended as we work with repositories (courthouses, state archives, national archives, etc) that may be in a mandatory shutdown mode or under-staffed.

Note: a3Genealogy researchers are now scheduling for April and May projects. We are also still conducting our Do-It-Yourself Genealogy Consultation client and tutoring sessions which are in high demand. Let us know, if you wish to be added to our wait list. Contact us at 816-729-5995 Monday -Friday 10:00am - 3:00pm or by appointment: a3genealogy@gmail.com

Amidst Coronavirus Pandemic

Get to Know Your Ancestors!

No Social Distancing Required to Get to Know Your Ancestors
Amidst the corona-virus pandemic, a3genealogy researchers will continue scheduling and working on client projects. 

Existing Clients 

To include retainer clients and media clients: 

Client questions and discussions may be conducted by via the internet - zoom, skype, facetime, or by phone. 

Onsite Research

We have halted all onsite and travel required research until April 20th.  At that time we will be able to give you an update or reschedule our travel schedule based on CDC recommendations and repository availability. 

New Clients

We are now booking new clients for a start date of April 1st.  

We have been receiving a lot more requests for our "Genealogy Consultation Package." This is our "do-it-yourself" package.  Keep in mind that it too is a 10 session package, that must be used within twelve months. Each session can be up to 45 minutes of phone / internet time, or it can include us reviewing your work and sending you a Next Step Research Plan.  Actually YOU decide how you wish to use the Consultation Package. (In the last two weeks you all have been pretty creative)!  But this do it yourself package will help you as a beginning family researcher, or working through a brickwall, or expanding your opportunities as a professional genealogist.  True to the mission statement for the a3Genealogy blog, the purpose of this package will help you with your ongoing research projects, and learning the steps and resources along the way. This is the only package that will allow you to jump around between projects (DNA analysis, Adoption, Grandma 1 and Great-Granpa 4).  Who knows? You may have that brickwall solved before this "slow-down" ends. 

Extended Deadlines

Know that many job deadlines will be extended as we work with repositories (courthouses, state archives, national archives, etc) that may be in a mandatory shutdown mode or under-staffed.

Please visit our a3genealogy online sites and social media for updated information. 

Kathleen Brandt

a3Genealogy@gmail.com

816-729-5995