 Writing
a Successful Genealogical Query
FIRST:Pick
the PRIMARY surname (last name) of your query. Note that this is your "main"
surname and should have the highest priority. Keep your information in
a tight group of solid information and your query will be the most productive.
Here is an
example:
DOE SYMS HOWELL
Looking for info
on descendants of Thomas DOE who was b abt 1705, Hunterton Co., VA. He
was the oldest son of George DOE and Mary SYMS. He m (1) Keziah HOWELL
in 1725. They lived in Guilford Co, NC and were prob the parents of two
sons and three daughters. Descendants lived in NC, SC, MO, TX and elsewhere.
Also researching the Ellworth, Keir,
Cummings, and Stump families. |
This query
covers a lot of ground and is very easy for others to read.
The five families
mentioned in "also researching" are families that are closely connected
with the DOE people.
SECOND:Start
with any specific information that you are seeking.
Are you looking
for the parents, children, wife of a certain ancestor? If so, START OFF
with what you want to know:
Examples of
starts of a genealogy query:
-
Need parents (wife,
husband, children etc.) of...
-
What is the maiden
name of...
-
Any information
regarding...
-
Seek information
on...
-
Wish correspondence
with others researching...
-
Are you researching...
-
Desire help with...
THIRD:
Narrow
it down to a specific location or region.
If your query
is for a very common surname, you MUST list a smaller region or it will
not work well.
FOURTH:
Be
as specific as possible.
You may be
looking for a certain person. By all means - make them the focal point
of your query.
If you are
more interested on anything you can find for a certain family in a certain
location - focus on the oldest known folks that you have information about.
FIFTH:
Only
mention closely related families in the "also researching" line. The last
part of your query should say, "Also researching the Able, Baker, Charlie
families."
Make sure
that you do NOT list every family surname that you are researching. They
need to be very closely intertwined with your primary surname. Otherwise
your query becomes too general and loses it's impact.
SIXTH:Re-write
for clarity.
Use all lower
case except for "main body surnames."
After you
have written your query read it aloud. Have someone else read it. Is it
easy to follow?
Use abbreviations
that are common and readily understood. OBCGS uses a larger font than most
sites for easier reading and abbreviation use helps in overall file size.
The following are suggested, but not limited to:
| abt - about |
CW - Civil War |
poss - possibly |
| b - born |
d - died |
prob - probably |
| bap - baptized |
d/o - daughter
of |
rec - record |
| bd - birth date |
dau - daughter |
RW -Revolutionary
War |
| bef - before |
desc - descendant |
s - son |
| bur - buried |
div - divorced |
s/o - son of |
| ca (or
c.) - circa |
h - husband |
SASE Self-addressed
stamped envelope |
| cem - cemetery |
info - information |
xch - exchange |
| ch - child/children |
m - married |
|
| Co - county |
m(1) - married
first, etc. |
|
Note lack
of periods in abbreviations
IMPORTANT
NOTE: Please make sure that the SURNAME
in the main body of the query is ALL CAPITAL LETTERS. Also, notice
that the surnames in the "also researching families ARE NOT all caps? This
format is easiest on the eyes. |