Lyceum Course - Internet Genealogy - Methodology [Dennis]
- Starting Research Methodology on the Internet
- Same general methodology applies if don't use Internet. Just takes much longer.
- Illustrate with One of the Queries Received
- Query - Would like to learn about the antecedents of my maternal
Grandfather: Frank Lysander Dennis--- born on 2-15-1870 --- in
Stormsville, PA I think in Northampton Co.
- Where to Start? See if can find Frank Dennis in 1880 Census.
Should be easy. 1880 Census has every person index.
- If you have access to Heritage Quest census images continue, or if uncertain Directions to Census Images
Otherwise at your library use Ancestry.com (or at home if you have a subscription)
- In HQ "Search Census" and In" Advanced Search", Enter "Dennis" - "Frank" - "1880" - "Pennsylvania"
- Expect to find - Frank about age 10 in Northampton County
- Not there
- Verify starting point not quite correct
- Google - Advanced Search
Enter - "Stormville" - "Pennsylvania"
Note Entry - "Pennsylvania Places, Stormville in Monroe County"
- Handy Rand-McNally Atlas shows no Stormville
- USGenWeb Click on "Pennsylvania" in state list, then under "Resources", click on "Clickable Map ...." and click on "Monroe" in east central part of state.
- PAGenWeb Site for Monroe County has map of townships - on left side under maps.
Click to see map.
For class only 
Townships in Monroe County PA
- Back to census search -
- Find a Frank Dennis age 14 in Hamilton Township, Monroe County
- Map shows Hamilton Township abuts Northampton County
- Frank Dennis age 14 in 1880 in household of Josiah age 40
In class only 1880 Census Josiah Dennis Monroe County PA
Here is the index record - "Series: T9 Roll: 1157 Page: 285 DENNIS JOSIAH 40 W PA PA MONROE HAMILTON 1880"
Note two other Dennis households on same page, Samuel 43 and Milton 31
- In 1900 Census found Frank Dennis age 34 in Broome County New York, father Josiah age 60 in household
- Now almost certain have the correct Frank Dennis. (Verified with person who asked)
- Continued searching in Broome County NY and Monroe County PA finds 2 more generations for Frank and probable mother of his paternal grandfather.
- After Locating Someone - then
- Use WorldConnect site to find if other researches have this person in their database - they are potential sources for further information.
Warning - in keeping with Tip of the Day - treat everyone's research as
possibly containing errors.
- Go to particular state, county at USGenWeb site to see what other sources
might be available, and if anyone is researching that Surname
- Use FindAGrave site search capability to see if cemetery marker has been photographed and added to their database
- Use Hathi Trust site or Google Advance Search and similar sites to find if County Histories and other books might be on-line and search-able.
- More detail another day.
© Prepared by Jay March 6, 2012
Townships in Monroe County PA
1880 Census Josiah Dennis Monroe County PA