Upon sharing some recent success in cracking a long-held family mystery, I was told that my work seemed to follow the “scattergun approach” to research.  My immediate reaction was, in this case, whole-hearted agreement.  My research path was certainly not entirely planned, organized or systematic.  While my acceptance of this descriptor was both immediate and painless, it did cause some personal consternation.

Why did I seem to favour this approach?  For those who don’t know me personally, I pride myself to be a fairly organized, focused adult.  (My wife wouldn’t necessarily call that a good thing, by the way.)  So why, then, when it comes to family research, an endeavor that would seem to rely in no small way to an organized, systematic approach, do I seem to willfully abandon the well-planned, thought-out aspect of my personality and become something of an erratic, maniacal beast? 

To begin, the scattergun approach can lend well to collaboration.  I’m blessed to have a supportive family who enjoys participating in my strange ancestral puzzles.  This mean that I am often provided suggestions for research, often with the understanding that these suggestions contain immense potential and warrant immediate follow-up.  Without the necessity of sticking to a rigid plan, I can humour these well-meaning individuals, the benefit being harmonious relationships, and – sometimes at least – research success!

Also, the scattergun approach can result in surprising, accidental findings.  Some years ago, I was focused on a comprehensive review of the 1940 United States Census, determined that the information I was searching would be revealed all in this very large collection.  Studying an entry that would turn out to be useless, I spied the mention of “Seattle,” which immediately reminded me that my research target had mentioned the emerald city on one occasion.  From there, whimsy directed me to listings for the Seattle City Directory where I immediately found information that made for a much more focused search of the 1940 census.  Had I remained trapped within the staunch parameters of my research method of the day and not allowed myself a temporary digression, I would never have identified the key information.  Score another one for the unfocused!

Lastly, what good is family research if it’s not at least a little…fun?  And what could be more fun than setting aside serious research to indulge in a fresh distraction?  I’ve found good, old Facebook to offer a welcome distraction whenever necessary.  In the midst of researching a great uncle I quickly plug in names of ancestors into the popular social media site.  The result?  Often nothing.  However, I have been able to quickly and easily connect with long-lost relations in all corners of the world. 

Newspapers.com is also another great site offering quick results and welcome distractions.  It was some months ago on a rainy Wednesday afternoon that I decided to plug my grandfather’s name into Alberta newspapers between 1940-1950.  Imagine my amusement when I discovered a headline announcing my grandfather was victim of a theft, lost items including a pair of trousers and a wallet containing cash and a government cheque.  The amusing part?  This marks not the first of second time, my grandfather would report a stolen government cheque.  Immediately, I reach for the phone to share with my own father…and the fun continues.

With full respect to those “god-like” individuals who wear the cap of “professional genealogist,” I find that for me, very much the amateur, the “scattergun approach” has served me well.  I wonder who else has similar mindset?