TS solves a mystery without even knowing it

[kathyc]

Just had to share my success that's all down to the help I knew I'd get here, but didn't.

I was busy typing up the problem I've been having narrowing down which of the multiple same name/same year births in Glasgow for my GG granparents' children might be the right ones when I noticed that two of the possibles I'd discounted because the name on the search results was Jane instead of Janet (and I had enough Janets to guess from, thank you very much) gave me two districts shared among all three girls, where before there'd been none. So I took a chance on the one that was in Glasgow City/Lanark and not just /Lanark and found child number one! No wasted credits at all, all because seeing it in a new way while telling you about it solved the mystery.

Thanks!
Kathy

[kathyc]

Following up...

Sadly, the trend didn't hold true. Jane in the same district turned out not to be child number 2, so I'm back to trying to guess. But the joy of that first one was still worth it.

Kathy

[Russell]

Well done Kathy

You're now getting into the true researcher mindset.
Rather than battering on trying to locate the next 'find'. Set the problem search aside and go over all the facts you have, set up all the clues and hints then look over all the related documents while the details are fresh in your mind. Another trivial, overlooked item may pop up which can re-focus your search.
If that doesn't work, set it aside and look for information on the immediate family which may identify that crucial item you need to home in on a locality, an address, a shared middle name........
If I'm teaching you to suck eggs here 'cos you do that anyway, there are another 1,998 possible researchers on the board who may read it.

Russell

[LesleyB]

Hi Kathy

all because seeing it in a new way while telling you about it solved the mystery

Often happens - just typing up what you know and putting it all in a logical order often helps you see things you hadn't noticed before - I've often answered my own questions using that very same technique!!

Best wishes
Lesley

[emanday]

Hi Kathy,

When I first started to post here on TS, I preferred to type them first in Notepad and then paste them into a post.

It amazed me to find that seeing it all laid out like that could sometimes help to clarify the situation. It didn't always stop me posting my question though! I discovered that sometimes letting other people read it as well can result in other points coming up that I might not have noticed.

I've also learned as much reading other people's questions and the answers as I have asking questions myself.

[HeatherH]

Thats what its all about. Talking over those brickwalls and getting a new perspective. Many times I have chatted to someone about a problem I was having with my long losts only to see the light when I put all the info on the table so to speak.Hope the other weans pop up for you soon.
Happy Hunting,
HeatherH

[kathyc]

Thanks, all. I see I'm not alone in finding solutions this way.

Kathy