Tools, Templates, and Tips
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603 Marion St. and putting the “N” in “FAN”
Note: Some links in this post may require a subscription to Ancestry.com or Newspapers.com to access. The year is 1913 and the place is Seattle, Washington. We’re researching Roy Archibald (1889-1917) and this is the first time and place we locate Roy outside of his home state, Wisconsin, where he was documented the prior year Continue reading
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Genealogy Numbering Systems
Since most of my projects document direct ancestors of a selected descendant, I regularly use the ahnentafel (meaning “ancestor table”) numbering system on my reports and charts. Under ahnentafel, an ascending numbering system, the selected descendant is assigned the number [1] (ahnentafel numbers are enclosed in square brackets); the father’s number is 2x the child’s, Continue reading
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Using the Family Report Template
The Family Report Template is an MS Word document formatted for one-page biographical sketches, including 1-2 graphics, and end notes. The pages are set for printing landscape, double-sided, with “facing pages” margins and header titles. The extended margins on the right of even-numbered pages and on the left of odd-numbered pages provides normal viewable margins Continue reading
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Using the Wall Chart Template
The wall charts I make for my projects are written from an MS PowerPoint template (downloadable here) that I developed specifically for the Ancestors of Rebecca Westfall project. The template is set to 36″ x 24″ which is enough room to fit 6-9 generations of ancestor parent pairs and their basic information (which you type Continue reading
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Searching Scottish Records
I’ve been using this handy site for searching a vast index of old Scottish parish records for births, baptisms, marriages, and deaths. The site doesn’t provide direct URL links to the search results, unfortunately, so there doesn’t appear to be a great way to link them in your bibliography. The site does, however, show you Continue reading
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Isle of Arran Map – 1824
This 1824 map of Scotland found at the National Library of Scotland will serve as the basis for the project’s family-specific maps used in the report and, possibly, the wall chart as well. The map will be cropped and modified in MS PowerPoint, adding semi-transparent labels to note the towns relevant to the history of Continue reading
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Map of Westfall Ancestors in New Amsterdam
One of my favorite pages in this project is Appendix G – Westfall Ancestors in New Amsterdam – 1660. For one thing, I love old maps and I like working them into reports where I can. I also like presenting individual biographical information in a larger context, whether that’s in the context of outside historical Continue reading
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I perform genealogy research and create informative, engaging, and thoroughly-documented reports and charts from your family history information.
With a specialty in online and archive sources in the U.S. and Canada, I also provide consulting and tools for beginning researchers.
I have a certificate in Genealogy Research from Boston University and I’m a member of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. My research and documentation conform to standards set by the National Genealogical Society and Board of Certified Genealogists.
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Recent Posts
- Seven of Nine Confirms …
- Jean(et) Cowan or Jean Slowan/Sloan: Who was the mother of William Archibald (1781 – 1845) of Saltcoats?
- Profile of Donald Cook McMillan Sr. [12] and Barbara Shaw [13]
- The McMillans of Arran and the Highland Clearances
- 603 Marion St. and putting the “N” in “FAN”
- Genealogy Numbering Systems
- Using the Family Report Template
- Using the Wall Chart Template
- Searching Scottish Records
- Scottish Register of Tartans
- Isle of Arran Heritage Museum
- The McMillans of Arran
- Clearances of Arran
- Isle of Arran Map – 1824
- Project Status and Notes
- The Memorandum Book of Anthony De Hooges
- Map of Westfall Ancestors in New Amsterdam
Michael L. Butler 
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