How’d You Find That?!? Tips for Locating Obscure or Hidden Records

SESSION: F328, TIME & DATE: Friday, 10 May 2019, 11:00 a.m.

Cari A. Taplin

When sharing an exciting find during a lecture, Cari ofter hears the question “How’d you even find that?” She could feel the amazement, incredulity, and frustration of the person asking. And what she heard underneath the question was “that can’t possibly apply to me and my research.”

Cari wrote this lecture to help you understand that even though a seemingly “obscure” record was being shared, it was more than the fact that the speaker (or writer) “got lucky” in their find. There are actual methods for finding those hidden and obscure records and they apply to everyone.

This lecture is designed for beginners and intermediates alike. All will learn some new tools and techniques. We will cover topics such as physical and online repositories, ArchiveGrid and WorldCat, accessing collections from home, better search strategies, and more.

Obscure and hidden records are “out there.” They can solve tough problems and enhance our family history. These records take our ancestors beyond just name, date, place, occupation, and draws us into their life experiences. How do you find those records? This lecture’s tips and methods will enhance your search techniques and hopefully add some of the finer details to your family’s stories.

She is also presenting “Family History Piecework: An Approach to Writing” as part of the BCG Skillbuilding Series (S421) on Saturday 11 May 2019 at 11:00 a.m. If you’d like to visit with Cari, she can often be found at the FGS booth in the Exhibit Hall.

Bio: Cari A. Taplin is related to Roy Rogers. Or at least that’s what her family told her. As a result, finding her true heritage has been her focus since the year 2000. She is a native of Wood County, Ohio now living in Pflugerville, Texas. Cari holds the Certified Genealogist® credential and currently serves on the board of the Association for Professional Genealogists and is the Vice President of Membership for the Federation of Genealogical Societies. As the owner of GenealogyPANTS, she provides speaking, research, and consultation services. Cari focuses on midwestern and Great Lakes states and methodology.You can visit her website at www.genealogypants.com or her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/GenealogyPants.