Speaker: Michael John Neill

Topic: What it Does Not Say

Brief Description: Many times, a record only scratches the surface of what was going on when that record was created. This lecture looks at why a record was created and how state statute, common practice, economic situations, family issues, and other factors may be the “real story” behind any document. Also discusses how to determine (when possible) what those “unwritten” issues were.

Speaker Bio: Michael John Neill has been researching his genealogy since the early 1980s. His roots lie in most US states east of the Mississippi, as well as the Midwest, and includes Mayflower immigrants and more recent arrivals. He has written on genealogical topics since the late 1980s and has lectured nationally at a wide variety of local, regional, and national conferences and workshops. He maintains five blogs including Genealogy Tip of the Day, Genealogy Search Tip, and Casefile Clues. Michael leads annual research trips to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City and the Allen County Public Library in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. He is a community college mathematics instructor with a master’s degree in mathematics.