Saturday Night Genealogy Fun

Calling all Genea-Musings Fans: 

 It’s Saturday Night again – 

Time for some more Genealogy Fun!!

Come on, everybody, join in and accept the mission and execute it with precision. 

1)   Form a research question and ask an Artificial Intelligence agent to create a genealogy research plan for you. 

The first step of this process is one that I don’t do well: forming a research question. Thus, I sought some help with how to write a good research question.

I found Family History Fanatics blog post, What Is Your Research Quesion, a big help. When I asked Perplexity ‘how do I write a good genealogy research question’, I got a detailed answer along with prompts to expand on the answer.

To write a good genealogy research question, follow these guidelines:

Be Specific and Focused

A quality research question should:

• Identify a unique individual in time and place
• Be answerable with available records and resources
• Have a clear objective

For example, instead of asking “Who were Thomas Mitchell’s parents?”, a better question would be:

“Who were the parents of Thomas Carroll Mitchell who died in Montgomery County, Missouri on 29 April 1914?”[1]

This specifies the exact Thomas Mitchell you’re researching and provides key details to guide your search.

Include Known Information

Incorporate relevant known facts about the person or family to narrow the scope:

• Full names
• Dates of important events (birth, marriage, death)
• Locations
• Names of spouses, children, or other relatives

For instance:

“What is the birth date and place of Christian Christopher Hoppe, who married Anna Margaretha Kalsberger on 12 April 1859 in Franklin County, Ohio, and father of Christian, Marguerite, and Anna Hoppe?”[2]

Focus on Specific Types of Information

Common types of genealogy research questions include:

• When and where events occurred
• Family relationships (parents, spouses, children)
• Biographical details

Examples:

• “When did Delbert Hanks, of Altus, Oklahoma, die and where was he buried?”
• “Who was the first wife of Edward T. Rang of Akron, Summit County, Ohio, and when did they marry?”
• “Did William Townsend serve in the Civil War?”[2]

Consider Available Resources

Ensure your question can be answered using records and resources you can access. Focus on official records like:

• Census records
• Vital records (birth, marriage, death certificates)
• Military records
• Land records
• Newspaper archives[3]

Refine as You Research

As you gather information, you may need to adjust your question or generate new ones. Start with broader questions and narrow them down as you learn more details about your ancestors.

By following these guidelines, you’ll create focused research questions that guide your genealogical investigations effectively and help you break through brick walls in your family history research.

Citations:
[1] https://genealogypants.com/2023/05/31/having-a-good-research-question/
[2] https://www.familyhistoryfanatics.com/quality-research-question
[3] https://familytreemagazine.com/research/how-to-form-effective-genealogy-research-questions/
[4] https://treemily.com/blog/family-history-questions/
[5] https://familylocket.com/research-like-a-pro-part-1-whats-your-question/
[6] https://libguides.nypl.org/genealogy/gettingstarted/researchstrategies
[7] https://bcgcertification.org/ten-minute-methodology-how-to-ask-good-research-questions/
[8] https://reclaimingkin.com/research-questions/

Below are some of the ‘simple’ research questions that I’d like to ask:

• Who are the parents of James Crawford (1772-1854) who married Sally (Smith) Duggins in 1799 in Garrard county, Kentucky?
• What happened to the Hiram M. Currey who resided in Peoria county, Illinois in the 1840s. In 1844, he was named as a school trustee in Woodford county, Illinois. His stepson, Harris Whitaker also disappears from records about this same time.
• Where did Hiram Mirick Currey die. He resigned as treasurer of Ohio in 1820 and is named in several court cases in Ohio after that concerning his time in office. He was the executor of the estate of Lemuel Lane in 1830 and may have been living in Tippecanoe county, Indiana in 1830.

But the question I’m going to use would be the following:

Who is the father of Salley Smith, whose mother Ann Shoemaker, gave consent for her marriage to Alexander Duggins, Jr. in 1788 in Amherst county Virginia. Alexander and Salley were the parents of Henry Duggins (1788-1852) and William A. Duggins (1794-1872). Alexander died before 1799 when Salley married James Crawford in Garrard County, Kentucky.

Like Randy, I asked Perplexity for help.

To research the father of Salley Smith, I would propose the following genealogy research plan:

1. Gather Known Information

First, let’s summarize the known facts:

• Salley Smith married Alexander Duggins Jr. in 1788 in Amherst County, Virginia
• Salley’s mother was Ann Shoemaker, who gave consent for the marriage
• Salley and Alexander had two known sons:
• Henry Duggins (1788-1852)
• William A. Duggins (1794-1872)
• Alexander Duggins Jr. died before 1799
• Salley remarried to James Crawford in 1799 in Garrard County, Kentucky
• Salley, James, and Salley’s sons later migrated to Preble County, Ohio

2. Research in Amherst County, Virginia

Search Marriage Records

• Look for the 1788 marriage record of Salley Smith and Alexander Duggins Jr.
• Check for any additional information about Salley’s parents

Examine Land and Tax Records

• Search for Smith and Shoemaker families in Amherst County
• Look for potential father candidates among Smith landowners

Investigate Probate Records

• Search for wills or estate records of Smith men who died between 1770-1788
• Look for mentions of Salley or Ann Shoemaker

3. Explore Shoemaker Family Connections

Research Ann Shoemaker’s Family

• Look for marriage records of Ann Shoemaker
• Search for Shoemaker family wills and probate records
• Investigate Shoemaker land records for possible connections to Smith families

4. Expand Search to Neighboring Counties

Investigate Surrounding Virginia Counties

• Extend the search to counties adjacent to Amherst, such as Bedford, Campbell, and Nelson
• Look for Smith and Shoemaker families in these areas

5. DNA Testing and Analysis

Conduct DNA Testing

• Encourage descendants of Salley Smith to take DNA tests
• Look for matches with Smith surnames in Virginia

Analyze DNA Results

• Use genetic genealogy techniques to identify potential Smith ancestors
• Build out family trees of DNA matches to find common ancestors

6. Research Migration Patterns

Trace Family Movements

• Investigate the migration route from Virginia to Kentucky and then to Ohio
• Look for other families who followed similar migration patterns

7. Examine Historical Context

Study Local History

• Research the social and economic conditions in Amherst County in the late 18th century
• Look for events that might have influenced family movements or relationships

By systematically working through these steps, we can increase the chances of identifying Salley Smith’s father and expanding our understanding of her family history.

Citations:
[1] https://southeastohiohistory.org/genealogy-center-library/
[2] https://www.reddit.com/r/takecareofmayanetflix/comments/172vs8g/what_about_the_other_families_allegations_about/
[3] https://www.fox13news.com/news/take-care-of-maya-trial-dr-sally-smith-to-testify-for-the-defense-in-220m-case
[4] https://www.reddit.com/r/takecareofmayanetflix/comments/17ynl0e/why_is_nothing_being_done_about_sally_smith/
[5] https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Smith-185252
[6] https://www.theoccasionalgenealogist.com/2020/06/free-genealogy-help-research-planning.html
[7] https://www.smithsworldwide.org/tng/familygroup.php?familyID=F33112&tree=tree1
[8] https://www.runner-genealogy.com/index.php?surnamex=Smith

Again, there are more questions that can be asked.

For a ‘follow-up’ question, I asked about resources for Amherst county, Virginia.

what historical, genealogical and/or biographical records are there for Amherst county, Virginia that would help identify this Smith family?

Based on the search results and the query, there are several key resources available for researching the Smith family in Amherst County, Virginia in the late 18th century:

1. Marriage Records:
   The “Marriage Bonds and Other Marriage Records of Amherst County, Virginia 1763-1800” compiled by William Montgomery Sweeny is a crucial resource. This volume contains:

• Names of couples
• Marriage dates
• Surety information
• Consent details

It covers the exact time period needed (1788) and is arranged alphabetically by men’s names with an index for women’s names[2].

2. County Court Records:
   The Amherst County Clerk of the Circuit Court has various records dating back to the county’s formation in 1761, including:

• Marriage records from 1763
• Land records from 1761
• Probate records from 1761
• Court records from 1761[1]

2. Tax Records:
   The 1783 Amherst County Tax Lists are mentioned as being available, which could help identify Smith families in the area[1].
3. Land Records:
   Examining land records from 1761 onward could help identify potential Smith family members and their properties[1].
4. Probate Records:
   Wills and estate records from 1761 onward may provide information on Smith family relationships and property[1].
5. Local Historical Societies:
   The Amherst County Museum & Historical Society may have additional resources or local knowledge about Smith families in the area[1].
6. Online Databases:
   Several online resources are mentioned that may contain relevant records:

• USGenWeb Archives for Amherst County
• Virginia Data Collection on Ancestry.com
• FamilySearch’s United States Research Wiki[1]

To research the Smith family effectively, I would recommend:

1. Start with the Sweeny marriage compilation to find the 1788 marriage record of Salley Smith and Alexander Duggins Jr.
2. Check the original county court records for more details on the marriage and any related documents.
3. Examine tax lists and land records to identify Smith families in Amherst County around that time.
4. Look for probate records of Smith men who died between 1770-1788 for possible mentions of Salley or her mother Ann Shoemaker.
5. Consult with the local historical society for any additional resources or knowledge about Smith families in late 18th century Amherst County.

Citations:
[1] https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~tqpeiffer/genealogy/Documents/Locations%20-%20USA/County/Amherst%20Co.,%20VA.htm
[2] https://digitalcommons.winthrop.edu/manuscriptcollection_findingaids/871/
[3] https://southeastohiohistory.org/genealogy-center-library/
[4] https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/Amherst_County,_Virginia_Compiled_Genealogies
[5] https://www.smithsworldwide.org/tng/familygroup.php?familyID=F33112&tree=tree1
[6] https://genealogical.com/store/marriage-bonds-and-other-marriage-records-of-amherst-county-virginia-1763-1800/
[7] https://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/guides/marriage-records/
[8] https://amherstcountymuseum.org/history.html

So, how did Perplexity do?

My only issue with the reponse is in regards to the suggestion to use DNA testing. Sarah Smith Crawford is my 4th great grandmother. I quetion this responsesince most genetic genealogists would caution about being able to use autosomal DNA to identify a 5th great grandparent.

In terms of a research plan, I like the response, To research the Smith family effectively, I would recommend, in the follow-up question.

1. Start with the Sweeny marriage compilation to find the 1788 marriage record of Salley Smith and Alexander Duggins Jr.
2. Check the original county court records for more details on the marriage and any related documents.
3. Examine tax lists and land records to identify Smith families in Amherst County around that time.
4. Look for probate records of Smith men who died between 1770-1788 for possible mentions of Salley or her mother Ann Shoemaker.
5. Consult with the local historical society for any additional resources or knowledge about Smith families in late 18th century Amherst County.