The Ancestor Hunt regularly adds and updates new collection links, as well as searches for and fixes broken links.
(This page's most recent update is March 2026)
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Genealogical “brick walls” are common, but they are often the result of missing context, incomplete searches, or overlooked records. Asking the right questions can help uncover new paths forward and break through difficult research problems.
Identity and Assumptions
- Am I certain this is the correct person – Could I be following the wrong individual?
- Have I assumed relationships without proof – Is there evidence connecting family members?
- Are there others with the same name – Could records belong to someone else?
- Have I considered name variations – Could alternate spellings be hiding records?
Record Coverage
- What records should exist for this time and place – Am I missing an entire record set?
- Have I searched all jurisdictions – Could records be in a neighboring county or state?
- Are records missing or destroyed – Do gaps explain the absence?
- Have I checked both civil and religious records – Are church records available?
Search Strategy
- Am I searching too narrowly – Should I broaden search terms?
- Have I used wildcard searches – Could spelling differences matter?
- Am I relying on one database – Have I checked others?
- Have I searched without a name – Can I find records by location or associates?
Family and Associates
- Who are the neighbors – Do nearby families provide clues?
- Are there witnesses or associates – Do recurring names suggest relationships?
- Have I researched siblings and extended family – Can they lead to answers?
- Are there shared migration patterns – Did families move together?
Timeline and Geography
- Does the timeline make sense – Are there gaps or overlaps?
- Could the person have moved – Are there signs of relocation?
- Are boundary changes affecting records – Did jurisdictions shift?
- Have I mapped all known locations – Is there a pattern?
Alternate Records
- What substitute records exist – Can probate, land, or tax records help?
- Are there newspaper mentions – Could articles provide clues?
- Are there institutional records – Schools, military, or hospitals?
- Have I checked local histories – Do they mention the family?
If you’d like this information in a clean, printable, and well-organized reference format, this topic is also included in the Quicksheet Vault. The Vault is designed for researchers who prefer working tools they can save, print, and reuse — whether that means building a personal binder of key resources or keeping reliable references close at hand. You can learn more about the Quicksheet Vault HERE