Roots & Branches

This is one of the most common questions I have heard researchers ask.  With all the famous people in the world past and present, there is a strong chance there will be at least one well known person in your line.   

For instance, a few years ago a distant cousin sent a large amount of information to me about my father’s line.  Included in this information was a simple pedigree listing.  Well to my surprise it states that we are in fact related to the sister of Thomas Jefferson, King Alfred of England, and a Catholic Saint.  Who knew!  I was shocked to say the least. 

 Some time ago I saw a clip on the news about President George W. Bush and it showed just a few of the famous persons he was in fact linked to by family lineage.  Please take a look at the clip and see if you are as intrigued as I was after seeing just who was listed.   CBS News “The Early Show” and the New York Post   http://www.veoh.com/videos/v138895659BzmHbJ .

It is amazing to me to think just how we are connected to so many other people.  If you are from a small town, you probably already know this.  I smaller communities, many families are connected by blood lines or by marriage at least.    Most everyone is somehow connected.  And a word of caution, be careful who you talk about, they maybe someone’s brother. (funny, but true).  In big cities or communities, this is not as common.  Much more research will need to be done to locate your ancestors. 

 Along these lines, I just read a small article in US Magazine April 14, 2008.  

It states Quote, “If you go back far enough, we’re all related to someone famous” says Ancestry.com’s Megan Smolenyak.  After all, if you rewind 10 generations, your family may be composed of more than 100,000 descendants.  And many of these celeb relatives-research by Ancestry.com and the New England Historical Genealogical Society-are cousins once or twice removed.  (A cousin once removed means the child of one’s cousin.  Twice removed means the grandchild.)

  Finding famous kin is mainly a matter of following a paper trail (e.g., land records, wills).  Curious to know yours?  Gather family records, then plug in the info at a site like Ancestry.com or HeritageQuestOnline.com. 

A pictorial Family Tree of sorts is included in the magazine article and theses are  some of the connections:

Hillary Clinton:Madonna-10 cousin, Alanis Morissette-9^th cousin once removed, Celine Dion-10^th cousin, andAngelina Jolie-9^th cousin twice removed. Barack Obama:Brad Pitt-9^th cousin, Gerald Ford-10^th cousin once removed, Lyndon B. Johnson-4^th cousin thrice removed, and George W. Bush-10^th cousin, once removed. John McCain: Laura Bush-6^th cousin Tom Hanks:William Shakespeare-distant relative and William the Conqueror-Distant Relative Oprah Winfrey:Lisa Marie Presley-Distant Cousin Britney Spears: John Edwards-7^th cousin, thrice removed Princess Diana: Jake & Maggie Gyllenhaal-10^th cousins, thrice removed, Andrew Firestone-10^th cousin, thrice removed, Nancy Reagan-10^th cousin, Katharine Hepburn-17^th cousin, twice removed.

To help you find your “FAMOUS PEOPLE”, the Sweetwater County Library System provides two genealogy databases for your use: Ancestry Library Edition and Heritage Quest Online. 

Click on www.sweetwaterlibraries.com and click on Databases. 

For more information contact your local library. 

Who are you related to?  Share with us. 

Self-help Aides for Genealogists

Many times we start out to do a project and we find we quickly become overwhelmed. For the beginner or novice it is can be very discouraging. There are facts and figures, names and names that sound like what are looking for. We have pictures and papers, we have maps and documents. It may all seem to pile up and bury us.

But what do we do with all of this?

There is hope. Do not give up. It will all be worth it when you are able to gather all your info and organize it well. You will be able to actually find what you need more easily and feel so much better about the project in general.

Try some of the following:

“How to Research Your Family History”

by PBS Home Video

Volume I-

Getting Started and Leaving a Legacy

Volume II-

Looking at Home, Gathering Family Stories, and he Paper Trail

Volume III-

Census and Military Records, African-American Research, and Your Medical Heritage.

Volume IV-

Libraries and Archives and High-Tech Help

I found the video series to be very helpful. When thinking of starting out, the information and ideas, can help to get you started.

“The Genealogist’s Question & Answer Book” by Marcia Yannizze Melnyk

Get the answers to your genealogy questions!

There’s never been a better time to discover your ancestors. More family history resources are available now than ever before-making your research options almost limitless. So much information, however, makes determining where to begin, what to believe, and how to decipher it all a challenge.

The Genealogist’s Question & Answer Book helps you overcome these hurdles and make the most of your research time. It provides answers to more than 150 of the most commonly asked genealogy questions in a friendly, easy-to-browse format.

Questions are conveniently grouped according to the different resources you’ll use: from census, church and immigration records to oral histories, websites, electronic databases, and more. You’ll learn what to look for in each document, how to interpret the information you find, and where to go next with your research.

“Through the Eyes of Your Ancestors” by Maureen Taylor

A Step-by-step Guide to Uncovering Your Family’s History

Have you ever looked at an old black and white photograph of a relative, long since dead and possibly forgotten, and wondered what his or her life might have been like? What is you could find out? This book can help you uncover the secrets and adventures of your own family in the “personal detective story” that is genealogy.

“The Weekend Genealogist” by Marcia Yannizze Melnyk

Timesaving techniques for effective research

Let’s face it, life doesn’t always allow you the freedom to make genealogy research your number one priority. And when it does, you still don’t seem to have enough time to accomplish what’s needed. The Weekend Genealogist can help overcome this problem by showing you how to get the most out of whatever time you have available.

*Implement organizational techniques to streamline research and create a timesaving filing system for notes, documents, and forms.

*Get research information more efficiently using mail, fax, and e-mail.

*Utilize local historical and genealogical societies, relative, and microfilm rental programs.

*Let the Internet work for you while avoiding the pitfalls of Internet research

*Master organizational forms-everything from pedigree charts to correspondence logs.

*Make the most of every record you collect by learning the 10 questions to “ask” each document

*Find and access research facilities such as the National Archives and Records. Administration, vital records offices, and local libraries.

*Plan a research trip and make every minute on the road worthwhile

*Create an information network with your fellow genealogists.

Your local library will have many other titles to choose from or there is a multitude of information on the internet.

Part of my job at the library is to field requests for “Genealogy Look-ups”. This means, when a request comes in we basically check the resources available, such as newspapers, cemetery listings, and business directories. Last year a very sweet lady from California contacted me requesting information on a family that had lived in the Green River area in the 1950’s. Let’s say the name was Smith. As usual I went to the library cemetery listings and luckily I was able to find the gentleman she had needed to find.

I sent the information to the lady. I marked this request as completed and went on about my routine. Two weeks later I received a letter from her thanking me for the help and asking for more. In the letter she wrote:

“I am working on a project for my daughter-in-law, who is pregnant. I would like to present her with a Family History for the baby at her upcoming baby shower. There is a little time, but I wanted to get going on this. Here are a few more names, if you don’t mine looking for them. Thanks so much.”

I thought this was one of the best gifts I had heard of in a long time. A pedigree sheet and pictures, poems, snippets of baby lore. How special this gift would be. It took a little time, but I was able to locate most of the people for her. This became a fun project to work on, knowing that a little someone was going to have this lovely book.

The information was sent. Three weeks later I received another letter with a check to pay for the expenses. I was so pleased to hear that the book was complete and ready for its new little owner. The project had spurred the lady to start other researching for her family. She said she has been bitten by the “genealogy bug”. I was happy for her, its one bug you don’t mind being bitten by.
If you too are expecting or have a special someone who is, consider this project for yourself. I must say I wish I had thought of doing this for my own kids when they were little.

Helpful Hint: As I was surfing the web, looking for another item for my blog, I ran across this cute site “The Little Pillow”. On the website there is a download for a baby’s Family Tree. To find this cute “My Family Tree” go to www.thelittlepillow.com/download_Jan2006.htm.

Best of Luck with your research!

It is March as I am writing and St. Patrick’s Day no less. Well my Irish side is smiling. It is a nice day outside, a little cold, but nice none the less. We are celebrating with green cake and Irish music.

It is amazing the effect that Irish music has on me. I remember as a little girl listening to stories that my grandfather told. He said as a boy growing up in Missouri, the Murphy side of the family, would play bagpipes and Irish music. I think that is still in my mind somewhere and whenever I hear the Irish jigs I feel it in my soul.

When working on genealogy I find it helpful to get a feel for the place I am researching. Local customs and mindsets, help to explain how the people from that area think or thought for their time. You might have a better understanding of the strick laws and customs. Any time you can put yourself in the life and times or your ancestors there is a better understanding of how they lived and who they were.

If you are Irish, you might try the following:

“Of Irish Ways” by Mary Murray Delaney. For anyone Irish or those that just love the Irish, this is a great place to start. Inside you will find Irish history, customs, literature, landscape, traditions and more. This is an older book, but the information is still informative.

“Ireland” by Lisa Gerard-Sharp is a tour book of Ireland. Festivals, abbeys, hotels, museums, castles, country side restaurants, pubs, and mars are listed for your use. The cover makes this claim: The guides that show you what others only tell you. Included are vibrant color photos and maps, along with timelines and historic information.

“Touring Ireland” (VHS) A Questar Home Video Presentation. Visit Dublin, the Ring of Kerry, Killarney National Park, Rose of Tralee, Cork, Wexford, Galway, Connemara, the Aran Island, Donegal, and Sligo. An island of radiant greens, like that facets of an emerald, Ireland is known as the friendliest land on earth. Shrines, castles, hallowed abbeys, jigs, reels, festivals, farms, fishing villages, quaint shop fronts and more.
This video breathes the spirit of Ireland.

There are many other sources at the library on Ireland.

Stop by and check them out.

Have you ever thought “Where do I start?”
I am here to say, start with your local library. This is always a good place. Most libraries have great resources. Internet, newspapers, local history, books on genealogy, scrapbooking, photos, to name a few. Many also provide microfilm of back issues of newspapers and photo copiers.

The Sweetwater County Library System provides two databases for genealogy use, Ancestry Library Edition and Heritage Quest.

Ancestry Library Edition is available for in-library use only. You may access this service by logging on one of the public computers or on your personal laptop. The library provides Wi-Fi wireless internet access. The database provides census, birth, marriage, death records and more. Searches are available in Historical Records, Stories & Publications, and Photos & Maps.

Heritage Quest is available in-library and from home. The database provides Census, Book, PERSI, Revolutionary War, Freedman’s Bank, and U. S. Serial Set records. You will need you library card and pin number to access the database however. To receive this information, contact the library.

I have always felt that starting with the library is an excellent place. When traveling from home I have found most libraries have phone books to help you find the city offices, cemetery sextons, and local museums. Internet is available in at the libraries in most towns and cities at small or no cost to the user. You will need to pay for print-outs.

Librarians are great reference sources themselves. Say you need to know who how to find a grandfather that lived in Green River and owned a business in 1935. Many libraries have the old business directories that you can view. Usually the proprietors of local businesses were listed and at times employees. Ask for City Directories also. If that did not work, you could try the local museum or historical society. It really helps to talk to “a local” and librarians can usually provide contacts for you.

Genealogy Societies are a great resource also. The local library can usually provide the contact information you need. You will find Genealogists are some of the most helpful people in the world. Once you find someone local, they are almost always ready to help you with your search. Have your information handy and be ready to pay for copies or faxes. It has been my experience that if they could not find the information you needed, they would ask for your e-mail address and send what they could find later. This has worked very well for me.

Take time to do your research. When ever possible, schedule time to visit with contacts, look around the town, ask questions, take photos, etc. Try not to be in a hurry. Many times when I have been visiting, people will get started and talk for a long time. What they say might not always be totally important to you, but keep nudging them back to your subject. This really helps. Be patient.

A tip I have learned is make contact cards or business cards to take and leave as you need. It is helpful to add your name, address, phone and e-mail. On the back I usually write the name and basic info of the people I am researching, just in case the local contact forgets what they have agreed to look for. It happens.

Best of Luck with your search!

This month, February, my good friend and retired co-worker, passed away. We had worked together for 12 years at the Sweetwater County Library. She began employment at the library October 1980 and retired April 10, 2006. Kathy and I shared a great love for genealogy and family history, pictures, and history in general. We spent many years talking and comparing notes, stories, and family events. She had a great heart. She was very passionate about her family. She dedicated much of her time to organizing her family photos, stories and snippets of information.

I share her passion for genealogy. I understand the drive to dive into those waters, to find all you can about “your people”. Kathy and I had a vision to start an index, taken from the Green River Star and Rock Springs Rocket Miner newspapers. The index would be from obituaries, marriages, births, adoptions, divorces, etc. We hoped this would be a tool for anyone to come to the library and research their family. We approached the Head Librarian, Carla Hardy, about the project the year before Kathy retired, and she gave us the green light.

Since that time we have gotten a slow start. The project is called the “Genealogy Index”. We mostly used volunteers to enter data. It is time consuming and is tedious work. The person working on the project must go slow enough to catch all the vital information. This is just an index, not a full genealogy listing. Person’s names are entered alphabetically on the software, along with basic dates and places. This information is burned to a disk that the public can view.

This project will take approximately 10 years to complete and it will be continually updated. In time, we hope this will become a standard in local research. Kathy was a big part of this project in the beginning. I think she would be very happy that we are continuing the work.

For five years I have worked as a volunteer for RootsWeb, and on-line genealogy search tool. People e-mail me for help with “Look-ups” for this area. The new Genealogy Index should help me and the many others that do this work, along with those persons researching their own families. I have found genealogists to be some of the most helpful and dedicated assistants in research. Look to other researchers for help when needed. They can be found on the web or in your hometown.

Best of luck with your research!

In Loving Memory of Kathleen F. Maldonado, she will be missed.

 Starting in 2006 PBS featured a wonderful video series, “African American Lives” hosted by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Once again this year a second part was featured in honor of Black History Month. Each video searches the lineage of several Black Americans. Most are famous people whose names you might recognize, Volume #1: Oprah Winfrey, Chris Tucker, Quincy Jones, and Whoopi Goldberg and Volume #2: Don Cheadle, Chris Rock, Maya Angelou, Morgan Freeman, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, and Tina Turner.

The series is a great eye-opener. The researchers used the genealogy lines that the subject knew, and work on from there. The use of public records, land transactions, census records, etc., helped to fill in the blanks for many of the subjects. To their surprise many unknown facts and events where uncovered.

I must say, I had chills, when watching the segment on Morgan Freeman. The host Henry Louis Gates, Jr. is a history professor at Harvard University and is very dedicated to history and genealogy. He does a very good job in leading the subject through their lineage. As the search progressed for Morgan Freeman, they show his line back to his great-great-grandmother, Celia “Ceeley” Johnson. She was a slave woman on a plantation. It was known to him that his great-great-grandfather was in fact a white man, Alfred Carr. As many stories go, he was always led to believe that this white man had one way or another had sexually exploited his grandmother, with the result being his great-grandmother.

The researches lead them to plantation and census records, which showed that Alfred Carr was a worker on the plantation. He and Celia “Ceeley” had eight children. The children would then technically become the property of the plantation owner, as was the law at that time. The interesting part was that many years later, when Ceeley was given her freedom; she stayed on with Alfred Carr for 35 years total. Thirty-five years was a long time for a slave and a white man to live together and raise children.

In a land transaction, Alfred Carr left a 40 acre plot of land to each of his four sons. At that time, illegitimate children could not inherit property upon the death of the parent. This apparently was his way around that law. This seemed puzzling. Why would he do this? Research then showed that the graves of both great-great-grandparents were found side by side on the plantation, to the amazement of Morgan Freeman. This lead the research to show that, they most likely had a love relationship. Unlike most black/white mixings from a plantation setting, this was an exception, to the joy of the subject Morgan Freeman.

I found this to be just heart warming. So often we hear oral renderings of our families and their lives, but are they always true? No. It is so refreshing to hear a family history where this was the case. Oral histories get muttled or distorted at times. There usually is some truth to them, but we must be careful to try to find the truth. Take the time to do the research as best you can. Try to find the “hardcopy” information. I tend to write down the oral histories, then follow through with the research. Once the research is done you can compare the two. It is funny to see the differences, but good to document them both.

Always remember, our ancestors are our ancestors. Good or bad, rich or poor. They are who we are, there is no getting around it. We need to embrace these people, understand these people as much as possible. In doing this I find there is a freedom of sorts. You have to experience it to understand.

Best of Luck with your search!

To take a quick peek at “African American Lives 2” copy & paste this web address to your url search bar
:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1Oe4DnJwKM

     One of the best genealogy magazines available today is “Everton’s Genealogical Helper”.  I read it as a rule each month.  The articles and insights are always keeping me thinking.  Recently in the September/October 2007 issue there was the article “From the Editor” by Leland K. Meitzler.  In the regular editors’ notes, he tells of another article in the July 2007 issue of “Smithsonian” by Richard Conniff.  The article brings up the question “Should we spend the time doing genealogy or not?” and “Is it worth all the work?”   Many of us have become obsessed about our family lines, but not everyone buys into the idea that genealogy is important. 

     I found these articles to be a good reminder to anyone doing genealogy.  Basically the articles nudge us to remember, that the genealogy work we do is only as true as the hardcopy information tells us.  When doing genealogy, many people are more than happy to take someone’s word for it and this can lead you down the wrong path if you are not careful .  We might be tempted to add into a line that we have been given, but beware.  Always check your work or the work that has been given to you.

     We would all like to think that we are related to some famous person, and some people are, some are not.  For instance, my family has an oral history that we are related to the infamous Younger Brothers, the outlaws from Missouri.  Well this may be true, but I still have not been able to tie them to my blood line.  For this reason I am not adding them to my line as yet.  There will have to be much more research before this is documented and then the additions can be made. 

     On the other hand, I have however been fortunate enough to be given a packet of information from a distant relative that is a very serious genealogist.  This side of the family has not always kept the best records and I have found it hard to locate this paticular great-great grandfather.  After placing an ad, in “Everton’s Genealogical Helper” some years ago, she saw the ad and contacted me.  She has been a great help and after checking a part of the additional family lines she has shared, I now trust her work and feel confidant that these are accurate.  

     The bottom line is genealogy takes a lot of time and energy.  You have to choose for yourself if this is something you choose to be dedicated to.  Always be careful and keep good records.  For me personally it has been well worth the effort.  I can loose myself in the histories of “my people” very easily.  

 Best of Luck in your search!

Helpful tip:

Available at the Sweetwater County Library are two genealogy magazines for your use,

“Everton’s Genealogical Helper” and “Family Tree Magazines.”

Treasure Hunting

     Treasures come in all sizes and shapes.  These can be special things that make our family history more memorable.  Most people think of a personal item like a necklace, ring, or watch.  But to many true family historians, treasures take on a magical meaning.  Personal journals, family bibles, letters or postcards, and simple written notes here and there, can give a glimpse into a persons personality or family relationships.  Family bibles are wonderful.  Unfortunately they are not as common now, as in the past.  They were the standard for family records, marriages, births, deaths, christenings, etc.  In the past, many records were in the family bibles that were never entered into public records.  Also many births were at home and a midwife who would do the delivery.  Whenever possible, check with family members to see if there are existing family bibles and try to obtain copies of family pages.  Do not forget any notes in the margins, they might have clues as well.       

     Have you ever gone through an old box or suit case that your mother has?  Tucked inside where pictures and papers, greeting cards, etc.  These are an important part of the search for your history.  Once I had been looking for a Great-uncle Ed.  I had conflicting information, from family where to look for him and who his children were.  I had hoped he would be a link to his brother and my great-grand father.  I asked my mother if I might go through her “ghost case”, which a suit case that she keeps all her treasures in.  Well, it did not take long once I found a small box she had kept from my great-grandmother’s funeral.  There was a card from the flowers he had sent with the names of all the family members.  Jackpot!  Now I could use these names of living relatives for the next part of my search.  I found his children and they filled me in on the information I was missing.  Once we opened a line of communication, these cousins sent photographs and documented oral histories.  Unfortunately there were no family bibles to view, but the old photos and documentation helped me get to the next level.                      

     Communication between relatives is your best tool. Make phone calls, e-mail, write letters, whatever it takes.  And whenever possible, check back with those people that have been good enough to share information.  So often these people will think of something much later or be going through their own box of treasures and find what you had needed.  I have had this happen. My mother’s cousin Bill had pictures of many family members from Missouri from a generation or two ago.  No one else had these.  I had written to him four years earlier.  He had been going through some old albums and ran across several that I had been hoping to find.  It was like Christmas came early.  There were pictures of my great-great grandmother in these.  I have sent copies to all the genealogists in the family that I know of.  They were to say the least very pleased.  You might be surprised how many treasures are just stuck away somewhere.  Remember communication is the key!

1. Recommended Viewing
3. PBS Home Video has out a four volume video set “How To Research Your Family History”.        
4. Volume #1-Getting Started & Leaving a Legacy
5. Volume #2-Looking at Home, Gathering Family Stories, & The Paper Trail. 
6.  Volume #3-Censues and Military Records, African-American Research, & Your Medical Heritage.
7.  Volume #4-Libraries and Archives & High-Tech Help.  

These items are available for your use at the Sweetwater County Library.

Have you heard someone talking about genealogy, or telling some great family story that their family shares and wish that could be you?  Or did someone you work with tell you that they had found out they were related to Thomas Jefferson and it made you wonder if you were?  Don’t despair.  You can start your family history and find your own intriguing stories.

This is my attempt to help to start your search.  Please follow the basic steps below and the information will hopefully help you get started. 

Step #1:  Print out blank Family Group Sheet forms and Pedigree Chart.

The Family Group Sheets will be used for each family group, father, mother, and children.  (These are available on-line or master copies are available for your use at the Sweetwater County Library or print out by using the Blank Forms link on this page.)

Step #2: Always start with yourself. On a Family Group Sheet add your spouse or significant other.  Fill in all the blanks-birth date, place of birth, etc.  Once this is done, add any children that you may have natural, adopted, living and deceased.

Step #3: On additional Family Group Sheets, do your parents, you and your siblings.   From here continue with any information you might have on the grandparent and do a new sheet for each family group.  Continue in this way until you have all the generations that you currently know to be true.  Do not add anything that you are not sure of. 

Step #4: Transfer the information for your direct bloodline on to the Pedigree Chart. This will give you a better idea of your line and how far back you have gathered information.  As you continue, add any additional persons you find to this sheet that are in your direct line.

Step #5: This is where the true research begins.  Take the most current sheet that is missing information and begin with it.  For instance, your great-grandfather is only know by is last name and no other information is know about him.  Each family has a person or two that are the usual story tellers or record keepers.  Ask your family if there is such a person in your family line.  If so great, go to them and hopefully they will be willing to share.  If not, start doing family interviews.  Ask alot of questions. Get people talking.  Video record or audio tape the interview, this can be very useful for future use.  Ask for pictures and documents, family bibles, anything that might have more information.  Be prepared to pay for copy fees or scans.

Step #6: Try to find a birth certificate for the person you are working on.  Most birth certificates will have both parents’ names and basic information included.  If you do not have access to this document you can write or in many cases go on line, to the Vital Records Department for the state they were born.  Prices vary by state. Keep in mind when ordering, you might choose to request a photocopy not a notarized copy of the birth certificate.  Photocopies are much cheaper.  Not all Vital Records Departments offer these, but it is worth asking for.  (Out of country research might be done on-line).

Step #7: Death records are next on the list.  Contact the local cemetery sexton or City Hall for the area you are researching.  They should have the records you need.  Ask for a photocopy of any records such a cemetery plot records. In the past I have found complete family group by doing this.  I requested a copy of the plot record and my great-grandparents and several of their children were buried in the same family plot.  There were dates of death and full names, which is so important.  Also the country they were born was listed.  This is a big help as well. 

Step#8: From here you will have to try several other avenues.  Church records, school records, local museums and libraries, etc. Most libraries allow Inter-Library Loans which allows you to barrow items from another library.  If you are looking for a history of  say Coalville, Utah , you could ask your local librarian to help you find the right item.  Also don’t be afraid to try the LDS Church Genealogical Library.  They are very helpful and you do not have to be LDS to use it. Don’t be afraid to ask questions at any of these places to see if they can point you in a new direction.  Many people are very kind and will be willing to help you along.

Step #9: The Internet has a vast listing of sites that can be used.  Some are free, some are not.  Be prepared to take your time and read the basic information for each site. For instance, The Ellis Island website, will give information on passengers and ships, but you will usually need to look through several records before you find the right one.  (http://www.ellisislandrecords.org/)

The Sweetwater County Library subscribes to two databases for your use, AncestryPlus (in-library use only) and Heritage Quest.  For assistance ask at the library’s Front Desk. 

The library also has several books that will assist you with your on-line search.  One book that might be of use to the new researcher is “Genealogy Basics Online” by Cherri Melton Flinn.  You will find helpful hits and websites that will make your search a bit easier.

Step #10: Keep good records.  Try to list your contacts and internet sites for future use.  If you have information that is not always complete, file it.  It may come in handy at another time when you have filled in a few blanks.

Genealogy takes patients.  Yes it can be a long drawn out process, but once you start to see the results it will all be worthwhile. 

 Best of Luck in your search!