If you’re looking for excellent watchable genealogy how-to videos, you would be hard-pressed to find better than Jen Shaffer, the Formidable Genealogist. We’ve never been introduced, but for some time I’ve been watching her do the good work her job requires…and get unwarranted grief for it.
Earlier this spring she debunked the popular myth about immigrants’ surnames being forcibly changed at Ellis Island. (And yes, it’s a myth; I’m not entertaining a debate.) Many families have this legend: Your flatcap-wearing great-great grandpa walked off the boat in New York and told them he was Wiśniowiecki or Kovačević or Bellincioni. But then an evil immigration officer changed Grandpa’s name to something “more American”—Weck, Kovak, Bello, etc. Poor Grandpa didn’t even have a choice.
We are blessed to have a city home with a large backyard, and a neighbor who keeps it filled with plants and flowers. We also have a kitchen door with four little windows, perfect for enjoying the whole view of the yard and the alleyscape beyond.
One day last year I was at the door, when I saw a brown rabbit in the garden bed. This happens a lot in the city. We two were having a quiet moment—me the hidden watcher, while this unaware bunny hopped between the dahlia stalks.
And then I thought: I bet the pheasant happened like this.
At this stage I’m identifying who I want to focus on and what resources can be helpful.
In some cases (NY Municipal Archives) I’m casting a wide net, and I know that my chances of finding anything there are a toss-up. In other cases, like the church, I already know that an ancestor was a member there. My hope is that in those places, I’ll have better odds of finding a record or reference.
The goal of “gaining context” is a little more amorphous. As I mentioned before, there are three ancestors I’m particularly interested in understanding because, frankly, I think they had cool and fascinating lives.
3X great-grandfather Benjamin Huppler, a candymaker.
Great-granduncle Gus Weinpahl. Semipro ball player in Brooklyn, Sayville, and Connecticut, from about 1895-1910.
Gus’ father and my great-grandfather Justus Weinpahl. German immigrant, Civil War veteran. Buried at Green-Wood. He operated a liquor-dealing business (like a wholesaler) for almost 40 years.
I’ve started hunting for experts who can talk to me about these topics and are willing to spend the time (and I’m planning to compensate them).
Obviously, all of this–locations, experts, goals, itinerary–is a lot to keep track of. Below I’ve listed the sites I’m leaning on most heavily. All are free–important as I’m trying to budget for Brooklyn hotels AND expert hours. And none of these companies are paying me to promote them. I wish.
Asana I’ve used the project manager system Asana in other contexts, so I was already familiar with it. The free (“personal”) version has limits, but is still plenty useful. I’m able to do everything from creating a color-coded itinerary, to managing to-dos, to compiling a list of gear I’ll need to buy ahead of time.
My Maps/Google Maps My husband will tell you that I never plan a trip without using Google’s MyMaps. I use it A LOT. My one gripe is that it doesn’t integrate with Google’s directions finder (why? someone please fix this). But otherwise, I love using it for pinning locations and generally laying out adventures of all sizes.
Google Docs This one, you probably already know about. Google Docs is where I keep anything text-based: my suitcase packing list; the slide laying out my goals and strategy; and a big list of genealogy locations with addresses and hours. And anything I create with Google MyMaps also shows up there. I’m sure I will be adding more as the weeks go on.
ChatGPT I know, I know.
I was compiling my list of possible genealogy locations, and I decided to ask ChatGPT a few questions, on a lark. Ta-da: it pointed me toward two genealogy locations I hadn’t heard of or thought much about. Now I have a scheduled consultation with a librarian from the NY Public Library*, to find out if I can and if I should visit their genealogy archives.
So take ChatGPT with plenty of grains of salt, and plenty of fact-checking, but don’t count it out. ☗
*THE library from Ghostbusters. I hope they let me use their services!
Graveyard Snoop 