A Little Opinion on those Extended FAN Searches

I understand the FAN concept of genealogical research (research the friends, associates, and neighbors of your ancestors–great idea!). But I think that researching the 4th cousin of your 2nd cousin’s great-grandmother (on the other side of the family) is a bit much. The same thing goes for the guy who tells me he “knows everything about my grandma” because she’s his ex-wife’s third step-mother’s tenth cousin.

I have much closer relatives (ancestors, aunts/uncles, first cousins of ancestors) for whom there are original records I have not yet accessed, databases I’ve not mined completely, etc. I’m going to focus on them because their stories need to be researched and told.

And in many cases, researching their FAN network is essential. That’s especially true in areas where there are few records and every clue that one can dig up can help paint a more complete overall picture.

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One thought on “A Little Opinion on those Extended FAN Searches

  1. But I think that researching the 4th cousin of your 2nd cousin’s great-grandmother …

    In desperation I am doing this in hopes of finding a clue to my great great grandparents from PEI Canada before there were records. Toward the end of last week I found a promising clue. I’ve been working on it all week but records are nonexistent and old books contradictory. There are 3 books I need but It’s becoming a new research project to find a library who will loan them to me here. There is no prospect of buying all/any of them. I don’t have that kind of money for the ones still in print.

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