This really isn’t entirely thought out, but if I wait until then it may never get written.

There are many connections genealogists try to make between people. Some of these connections leave more records behind than others and some connections are suggestive of other connections that may assist you in researching the actual ancestor. The connections are not mutually exclusive as any two individuals can have more than one of these connections.

• Biological connections–a “blood” relationship. The usual one we are trying to establish is the parent-child relationship, but there are others.
• Legal connections–related by “law” or marriage. The spousal relationship, as well as what are commonly referred to as “step” or “in-law” relationships.
• Geographical connections–neighbors.
• Social connections–members of the same church, ethnic group, social club, etc.
• Trusted connections–someone your ancestor trusted. An example of this would be someone for whom your relative appears as a bondsman.
• Document connections–someone who appears on the same document as your ancestor, perhaps as a witness.
• Transaction connections–someone who appears to conduct business the same day as your ancestor, perhaps paying taxes on the same day, declaring his intention to become a citizen on the same day, filing a land claim on the same day, etc.

Have you thought about all your relative’s connections?