Edgewood New Mexico Family History Center/Tips

Family Search Tips
Merge Function

When using the Merge function to combine duplicate records, it may seem obvious which record to select as the more complete record. But be sure to double check the temple ordinances of each duplicate person’s files. If you do not, some completed temple ordinances could be lost. —Melva Jenkins

General Tips
FAN

When researching a person, also search for friends, associates, and neighbors (FAN) that you will find on several types of records. Check census records for family and neighbors before and after the family you are searching for. Other types of records will have other people your ancestor worked with, went to church with, belonged to the same organizations, attended the same schools, were in the same military units, mentioned in the same newspaper articles, etc. —William Barrett

A story related to the above tip is here titled Tips for Finding Hard to Find Families on the U.S. Census. William Barrett adds, "There was probably a different census taker in 1870 and in 1880 who spelled the name differently. Human errors and inconsistencies are common in the records we use for family history research."