Are Some of Your Ancestors Hiding in Plain Sight?
Long time researchers, and those just beginning to research their family, often have a series of "brick wall" ancestors. They may have common names or they may appear to have been dropped from space without a trace of their background recorded in the local courthouse.
ProGenealogists, the company which supplied researchers for NBC"s "Who Do You Think You Are," offers an excellent article on solving these "brick wall" problems.
Kory L. Meyerink, the author of this article, suggests that you start with attitude. If you do not believe that a problem can be solved, you will not seek or accept a solution.
The second step involves networking with other genealogists. There is likely someone in the genealogical world who has solved a similar problem or knows about records that you might not have access to or etc.
The third step is education. Join societies, go to conferences and read books to educate yourself further in areas that will enhance your knowledge of your ancestors, the lives they led, and the records created about them.
If you prefer more specific information, Ancestry Daily News published an alphabetical list of potential brickwall solutions.
Remember that your local Springfield-Greene County Library can supply you with materials to help in your genealogical search.
Find this article at http://thelibrary.org/blogs/article.cfm?aid=829