6 Steps to Writing a Successful Genealogy Query

Step ONE:

Pick the PRIMARY surname (last name) of your query.

Note that this is your "main" surname and should have the highest priority.

"Shotgun" versus "Laser Beam" Genealogy Queries:

The Shotgun method: Is the WRONG way to organize your query.

This is like you might imagine - BOOM! Anything and everything is listed. Every last surname that you are interested in is mentioned.

You can find this on personal genealogy home pages (which is OK) but it is not advisable for a successful genealogy query. If you use the shotgun method and give too much information you are spreading yourself too thin.

The Laser Beam Method: Is the BEST way to organize your query.

Keep your information in a tight group or in a "laser beam" of solid information and your query will be the most productive.

Here is an example:

Looking for information about the family of COCHRAN, Tillie, b: 12/17/1862 in Armstrong Co., PA; d: 08 Jan 1944 in Monroe Twp, Clarion Co., PA; dau of Sloan COCHRAN; m:25 Sep 1888 to George Alonzo HENRY.  They had seven children: Alva Leroy, Jay C, Marion Brinker, Anna Mae (nee, MILNER), Ida Viola (nee, GEORGE), Goldie Belle (nee, SERVEY), and Woods Walter.  Tillie is my great-grandmother.  I am looking for Tillies' mother, brother(s), and sister(s).  I have very little information on Tillie and her family. I wish to correspond with others researching the COCHRAN line. Please contact <your e-mail address> or write to me at <your street address>.

Also researching the Henry, Harriger, Servey, and Bighley families.

Note: see how well this reads? This query covers a lot of ground and is very easy for others to read.

The "also researching" line -The RIGHT way: See the four families mentioned in the "also researching" sentence? These are families that are close knit with this particular group or cluster of people.

The "also researching" line -The WRONG way: If you are only trying to save a few dollars and say: Also researching the Smith, Jones, Lyon, Daubenspeck, Lewis, Heller, Keller, Fenwick, Bartlette, Crumm, etc. families, and list everyone under the sun who is NOT close knit with your query - you will get TONS OF FALSE LEADS.

Step TWO:

Start with any specific information that you are seeking.

Are you looking for the parents, children, wife of a certain ancestor?

If so, START OFF with what you want to know:

Examples of the start of a genealogy query:

Step THREE:

Narrow it down to a specific location or region.

It's fine to say, "Researching the LEWIS surname in Georgia." if you know that there were very few LEWIS in Georgia. BUT- if you are searching for the HENRY surname in Pennslyvania, you will get tons of false leads because there are so many of them.

If your query is for a very common the surname, you MUST list a smaller region.

My SMITH line in New York is concentrated in Tompkins Co., NY.  If I mentioned any more than Tompkins Co. (other than a surrounding county or two), I would be shooting myself in the foot.  SMITH is a common surname everywhere!

Step FOUR:

Be as specific as possible.

You may be looking for a certain person. By all means - make them the focal point of your query.

If you are more interested in anything you can get for a certain group of families in a certain area - go for the END of the line. Or in other words - the OLDEST known folks that you have information about.

Step FIVE:

Only mention CLOSE KNIT FAMILIES in
the "also researching" line.

Again, the last part of your query should say, "Also researching the A, B, C, D families."

Make sure that you do NOT include everyone that you are researching. They need to be very closely intertwined with your primary surname. Otherwise, your query becomes too general and loses it's punch.

Step SIX:

Re-write for clarity.

Use all lower case except for "main body surnames."

After you have written your query read it aloud. Have someone else read it. Is it easy to follow?

Look at the COCHRAN example again.

Looking for information about the family of COCHRAN, Tillie, b: 12/17/1862 in Armstrong Co., PA; d: 08 Jan 1944 in Monroe Twp, Clarion Co., PA; dau of Sloan COCHRAN; m:25 Sep 1888 to George Alonzo HENRY.  They had seven children: Alva Leroy, Jay C, Marion Brinker, Anna Mae (nee, MILNER), Ida Viola (nee, GEORGE), Goldie Belle (nee, SERVEY), and Woods Walter.  Tillie is my great-grandmother.  I am looking for Tillies' mother, brother(s), and sister(s).  I have very little information on Tillie and her family. I wish to correspond with others researching the COCHRAN line. Please contact <your e-mail address> or write to me at <your street address>.

Also researching the Henry, Harriger, Servey, and Bighley families.