My Blogs From 2010

Today [July 8th] begins my fifth year of blogging.  Who would have guessed that on the 7th July 2010 this blogging adventure has expanded to 15 blogs!  I thought it might be of interest to list these blog in chronological order for those who might find some of them helpful.  The blog "address" is given following the date and title of each blog.

7 July 2010 - The Jones Genealogist : http://thejonesgenealogist.blogspot.com

   
           This blog tells the story of my beginning to this infection called genealogy. [Started at age 9]

30 July 2010 - The Jones Surname : http://thejonessurname.blogspot.com

            Telling the story of my own surname [shared by so many] is the goal of this blog.  Some 53
             years of research is organized into the posts.

8 August 2010 - GE-NE-AL-O-GY 101 : http://ge-ne-al-o-gy101.blogspot.com

              Using my own research methods, this blog describes how one might begin their own tree
              climbing.

22 August 2010 - GE-NE-AL-O-GY 201 :  http://ge-ne-al-o-gy201.blogspot.com

               Starting with 5 generations (ancestor defined here) the second stage of research.
               [This blog does not included the internet!]  How us old folks use to climb trees in the dark
               ages.]

4 September 2010 - GE-NE-AL-O-GY 301 : http:ge-ne-al-o-gy301.blogspot.com

               Time travel of course.

13 December 2010 - Welsh Genealogy :  http://welshgenealogy.blogspot.com

               Helping those of Welsh descent to get around in the world of genealogy is the purpose of this
               blog.  Welsh history and culture is included.

This is for the year 2010.  I will try and list the remaining blogs chronologically in the next few post.  Happy 5th Year Anniversary.

Additional Helps

Additional helps come from all sort of resources.  Books, text, libraries (remember what those are?), court houses, museums, historic landmarks...etc....etc... and etc.  Two additional blogs that I have started are intended to be of help.   The first is:

      http://tjgresearchnotebooks.blogspot.com

      (intended to give an outline to my collection of genealogical research over the past 53 years)

and second:

      http://tgj3rs.blogspot.com

     (intended to give my opinion of those "Readings", "References", and "Resources" which have been the most helpful in my own JONES surname tree climbing.)

The first blog is essentially an index (outline) of the topics/subjects that have been collected over the past 53 years.  They begin with Wales and then move on to other subjects that have been part of my JONES surname tree climbing.   This blog can be searched using the spot identified for searching.  This will give a general idea of the subject matter (thus resource) contained within the notebook identified by "RN #" which stands for "Research Notebook", and the number (#) that it has been given.  As you might imagine, I have quite a few. [Over 300 now and counting!]  There are surname groups, history, chronologies, and many other topics that have been helpful for me doing genealogy.  They also contain my own family research and documentation of this endeavor.

The second blog is intended to give the reader a view of the readings, references, and resources [thus the "3 R's"]  that have been helpful to me.  Not everyone would agree of course, but these are things (mostly books) that have provided much in the way of brick wall destruction. 

Any comments or additions are welcome.

Lookup(s) : Tree Climbing Helps

Over the years, a large number of folks have written/e-mailed/called/ and personally appeared seeking help with their tree climbing.  Since the blogs have reached over 80,000 page views, it has become increasing difficult to keep tract of all the incoming request.  A resent blog on my genealogical research collection [ tjgresearchnotebooks.blogspot.com ] has generated some interest.  On this blog site you can "search" the notebooks for particular subjects/topics which may provide some help in brick wall destruction.

The figure above shows a sample page from this blog and identifies the "Search This Blog" tag where you can enter a subject/topic.  A research notebook may contain an item of interest, and the subject/topic can be examined. [ A Lookup !]

The notebooks are physically located in The Joseph Wheeler Jones Memorial Library, Danville, KY.  As pictured above, they are regular sized notebooks, numbered and organized by topics. [Now over 250 of them!]   A "lookup" involves my direct selection and review of content.  It has become necessary to try and establish some order to this process.

A request will need to be done by direct mail.  Please send your question with a self addressed, stamped envelope to The Jones Genealogist, 243 N. Third St., Danville, KY 40422.  A $10 lookup fee needs to be included.  Only one question per envelope.   This fee will cover cost of copies, paper, ink, and indicate a sincere interest in seeking the information.

Brick wall destruction...a lookup may help.

That "thing-a-ma-jig"

We all have one.  Those "what you ma-call its" that help us get through our days.  Those things that you never really got around to get the "official" name or title, but it comes in handy when you need them.  For me doing genealogy, the picture shown is one.  I have used it for years when those "squares and circles" need to be drawn, or those maps need to be drawn, or those straight lines need a little help, or when... on and on it goes.  You can use it for all kinds of stuff.

I still don't know what it is officially called.  It has "professional SKETCH MASTER template" in small print on the surface.  "STAEDTLER" is written in caps surrounded by black highlight.  A variety of scales and sizes are given.  A inch ruler and a metric ruler are in place.  I believe I got this in my college days at our university book store, but I don't really remember.  Does anyone know if you can still find them?  Please post.

Anyway, this is an example of one tool that I have used over the years...that thing-a-ma-jig!

"Blog - O - Rama"

Several folks have written thanking me for "The Brick Wall Protocol". Genealogy for generations has been a personal motto. For those who have written, you are welcome.

I wanted to pass on to fellow time travelers other blogs and sites that I have been writing. You may or may not find them helpful, but they are centered around my 50 plus years of genealogy. My name is Jerry Jones, and the following sites have been written since July 2010:

thejonesgenealogist.blogspot.com/ - intended to give my genealogy travels from age 9 years old.

twitter.com/jonessurname - intended to give comments and titles to daily posts.

thejonessurname.blogspot.com/ - intended to concentrate on the history and origin of the surname JONES.

http://ge-ne-al-0-gy101.blogspot.com/
http://ge-ne-al-0-gy201.blogspot.com/
http://ge-ne-al-o-gy301.blogspot.com/ - intended to help those think outside the box.

http://thejonessurnamedna.blogspot.com/ - intended to help the genealogist understand DNA.

http://welshgenealogy.blogspot.com/ - intended to help those with Welsh background.

http://cadwalladerjones.blogspot.com/ - an example of genealogy on My Heart's Blood.

On facebook:

www.facebook.com/pages/The-Jones-Surname/105264796202869
www./facebook.com/pages/The-Jones-Genealogist/154376591254070

It is my hope that these blogs and sites will help the next generation of tree climbers. Remember, we are the chosen.

Using This Blog

This makes the 48th post for The Brickwall Protocol since August 6, 2011. I thought it might be helpful to try and outline the blog for those who are just beginning to use the content. It is designed to help those serious genealogists who face the "Brick Wall". It is not for the faint hearted, and requires a great deal of work to complete the methods described within.

The first section is the actual protocol as written in 1989. It represents ideas produced from more than 50 years of tree climbing and brick wall destruction. [Having the surname JONES will produce a large number of brick walls!] Each post is identified by the label BWP(#). This tag shows that the post has content that was published in the original form. It guides the genealogist "step by step" in the concepts, methods, and tools, which I have found to be helpful during my own JONES tree climbing. These are numbered BWP(1) through BWP (14). This will also help find a post in sequence, and follow the posts in order of concepts.

Starting with BWP(15), there are post which give additional information and helps designed to supplement the first section. Additional helps are given which were not part of the original publication. BWP(16) gives an example of my own work.

BWP(17) discusses a family coding system method and BWP(34).

BWP(19) shows a method using "squares and circles" for research design.

Other topics which have been helpful:

BWP(20)- Genealogy and Geography
BWP(21)- Making Maps and BWP(22) Maps from History and BWP(23) Name That Creek.

Social roles in the context of history: BWP(24)

Understanding history: BWP(25), BWP(28), BWP(30), BWP(31) and BWP(33).

Your own research: BWP(34), BWP(35), BWP(36), and BWP(37).

The BWP labeling stops after BWP(37). After this post of October 31, 2011, the titles introduce themselves. Some are intended to be helps, such as "Clarify Dates"[Nov. 9, 2001] to a little bit of humor, such as "For The Serious Genealogist"[Nov. 16, 2011].

Some topics presented:

Clarify Dates- Nov. 9, 2011.
"Letters Patent" A 12 Step Process- November 23, 2011.
Conceptualize Content - December 5, 2011.
Poor to Peerage: Becoming an Adult 1650 England- December 16, 2011.
Yearly Income per Head 1688 England, Part(1) and Part (2)- Dec. 31, 2011 and Jan. 7, 2012.
Spelling Words- Jan. 12, 2012.

I hope this outline will help the reader use this blog successfully in your own tree climbing.

BWP(29): Follow the Leaders

Those who have gone before often leave a path to follow. For many, this is a helpful way to find direction and help in genealogy. Finding this help will save many a hour (or days) in tree climbing experience.

Perhaps it is a family member who has already done most of the work on the family's history. Perhaps it is a writer, or historian, or just plain Sam who loved to climb trees. At any rate it is often helpful to seek this source.

My Dad gave his advice on "Dirty Books".

See: http://thejonesgenealogist.blogspot.com/2010/08/dirty-books.html

A path well worn.

BWP(28): Taking Matters Into Your Own Hands

After doing genealogy for many years, it became evident that having fun in the process was part of the excitement. Making up your own ways to remember difficult topics, or areas of history that seemed complex, was always fun. [Part of the challenge I guess.]

Memory tools they might be called, and I present one that I made up to help me remember the major rivers and their relationship to one another in tidewater Virginia. It was literally taking matters into my own hands! The post is:

http://thejonesgenealogist.blogspot.com/2011_03_01_archive.html

It is an illustration of how one might create a way to help remember geographic landmarks. Go head. Take matters into your own hands. It is not as hard as it might seem.

BWP(26): Ping-Pong

Methods to get around brick walls often vary. A method frequently used I call "Ping-pong Genealogy". This method is presented in a post:

http://thejonesgenalogist.blogspot.com/2010/12/ping-pong-genealogy.html

Any one want to play?

BWP(24): Social Roles

Time travel often makes it difficult for one to appreciate the differences that existed in the period we wish to explore. Understanding these differences will help in grasping our ancestor's lives and the forces which surrounded them.

Male social roles were a significant part of the lives of many during the English migration period 1600-1700. [Here English means all those on the great islands.] The figure to the right is drawn to represent the male social system active during this period. Age is shown on the left column, and social "rank" is shown across the top. It made a difference in expectations for those of different social environments. It represents the time frame from birth to adulthood, generally completed between the ages of 21-27 years.

The topic is discussed at:

http://thejonesgenealogist.blogspot.com/2011/02/social-roles.html

Remember that you can click on the figure to enlarge it. It was taken from my research notes used to break down one of the many brick walls surrounding the surname JONES.

BWP(23): Understanding Terms

Words often change their meanings over time. This presents some difficulties for the genealogist who lives in one generation, and those ancestors who lived in another.

The post entitled : "In The Freshes", discusses this topic. It connects with the posts that describe making maps, since old maps often have terms that are used differently than we expect in out vocabulary today.

The post is:

http://thejonesgenealogist.blogspot.com/2011/04/in-freshes.html

Check it out...you can freshen up!

BWP(15) : Additional Helps

During the past year, a number of blogs have posts written by me, relating to topics intended to help the genealogist. These are scattered about, some dealing with concepts, some dealing with principles or methods, and some giving tools which might aid in your tree climbing. I will try and present these post in some order, so that the genealogist may find them and use them.

First, there are eight blogs that I have developed during the past year. Each approach genealogy from a different angle, and have a different theme. "The Jones Genealogist" tells my personal story from childhood, when I started doing genealogy at age nine! "The Jones Surname" approaches genealogy from a specific, difficult surname like JONES. A third blog called 'Welsh Genealogy" approaches from a historical perspective, placing the JONES surname in its context. A forth blog, called "The Jones Surname DNA", describes DNA written from the ground up, to help the genealogist understand this difficult topic. [I use my own DNA as an example.] A final set of blogs called Ge-ne-al-0-gy 101, 201, and 301 are written to help those who are just beginning to get an interest in genealogy, and need help getting started. [They also give a method called the "geneogram" which is a way of recording your family outside the box.]

The next series of post will list these helps as they seem to make sense in relationship to "The Brick Wall Protocol". I will give them as "Additional Helps" and will try to list the blog, title, date of post, and some description of the content. The "official" blog listings are:

http://thejonesgenealogist.blogspot.com [started July 2010]

http://thejonessurname.blogspot.com [started July 2010]

http://jonessurnamedna.blogspot.com [started September 2010]

http://welshgenealogy.blogspot.com [started December 2010]

http://ge-ne-al-o-gy101.blogspot.com [started August 2010]

http://ge-ne-al-o-gy201.blogspot.com [started August 2010]

http://ge-ne-al-o-gy301.blogspot.com [started September 2010]

http://thebrickwallprotocol.blogspot.com [started August 2011]

Please make a visit!