Who are the Brickwall Detectives (BWD), what they do, and what they don’t do…
So who are these folks anyway? They are volunteers who donate freely of their time and energies to aid those who need help in getting genealogy searches ‘unstuck’. Sadly, they are not miracle workers; they are simply generous hard-working genealogists (professional and non-professional) with a strong desire to be helpful and to make the resources of GenerousGenealogists work most effectively for you. Most importantly, they are available to help and guide you when you get stuck.
Select the Find one tab above to view our Detectives listing.
You may contact one of the Brickwall Detectives (BWD) when you:
are truly stuck in your genealogical search
need someone to talk you through your genealogy difficulties
have tried to identify a GenerousGenealogists (Volunteer) to help you out, but you remain stuck or are unsuccessful in finding the right someone
need someone to bounce genealogy research ideas off of
are uncertain as to why your Brickwall Forums posting is stalled
do not know how to frame or ask your question(s) for help
are confused and need personalized coaching in the use of, or run into disagreements with, either your requester or volunteer
A GenerousGenealogists’ Brickwall Detective can be your personal guide, coach, sounding board and/or mentor. They are there when you are struggling in your Genealogy search and efforts. Our Brickwall Detectives’ volunteer efforts are focused in pointing/ guiding you to the “right” or “new” resources, avenues and/or approaches. They need not be directly expert or involved in any or all of a your searches, although they may help in aspects of your effort(s). Because they are volunteers, their time and efforts are based upon their willingness to come to your aid. The best way to engage a Brickwall Detective is by making your requests clear, concise, and friendly! Sadly, we are unable to guarantee that a Brickwall Detective will actually be available to help, at any time there may be more help needed than we have Brickwall Detectives with available time. As with everything on GenerousGenealogists a few truths hold true:
You and your volunteer, in this case a Brickwall Detective, enter a relationship of trust, friendship and mutual interest. No one will monitor track or force fit an arrangement. Be polite, clear, and courteous in all your communications and encounters. As your mother most certainly told you, remember your pleases and thank yous!
Any/all expense must be paid for by the requester; the Brickwall Detectives are not expected to absorb any expense costs. Expenses belong to the requester. Make certain you are clear on what you will, can, can’t, and are able to reimburse. For more on this see our FAQ.
And as for what our Brickwall Detectives (BWD), don’t do… They will not:
solve your problems for you
teach you how to use a computer or the Internet
perform genealogical research in your stead
provide a magical method to create information, where none exists
guarantee your search is solvable (unfortunately).
Note: Please click to review Bio & Notes materials in order to identify “your” best fit Brickwall Detective!
Avid researcher who enjoys solving mysteries and watching those brick walls crumble! Documentation is one of my priorities.
As a child, I enjoyed listening to the family elders talk about their lives and family events. The memories, of some of the stories I heard as a child, helped me solve the puzzles for several of my research questions.
Visit my family pages, The Tie That Binds, and feel free to contact me with questions or answers to the information placed within those pages.
Photos will be digital and sent to you by email. Please be sure to include the section in which the deceased is buried. Because, the last I heard Parklawn now charges $45.00 to tell you the location of the graves.
I’m currently willing to take digital photographs, of Cemetery grave markers, from Cemeteries, in the Wichita, Kansas, area, which I will in turn email to anyone who requests it, free of charge.
Biography
I have been doing genealogy research, since the mid 1970′s.
My early childhood was growing up in Tennessee (in Livingston & Byrdstown).
Most of my ancestors were in Tennessee, since 1800, and still live there today.
I have been given so much help with my own research over the last 40 years that I want to “pay it forward” by helping someone else. We learn from one another.
Biography
Mary Clement Douglass, Bachelor of Arts, (Social Studies Education), owns Historical Matters—Historical and Genealogical Research in Kansas.
Mary has more than 40 years experience as historian, genealogist, author, curator, and teacher.
The National Genealogical Society Quarterly published her article, “Genealogical Research in Kansas” in June 2004.
Mary revised the “Kansas” chapter in Ancestry’s Red Book, Third Edition, 2004.
Everton’s Genealogical Helper, Family Chronicle, and Ancestry magazines have published her articles.
Certified Genealogical Records Specialist 2000-2005,
Certified Genealogist 2005-2009, have lectured at NGS, FGS, and many local and regional societies nationwide.
Over the years I have gained a lot of experience researching worldwide brickwalls, as admin of several genealogical groups I also gained experience in coaching and guiding researchers. Currently I am a curator at Geni.com and a member of the GRC Advisory Council
In the role of Brickwall detective I offer advise , guidance, and research for:
I believe that we all need a helping hand at one time or another and we all need to pay it forward. By contributing your talents and time freely to struggling genealogists, it is a way to also build your business and clientèle. If everyone did one random act of kindness, just imagine how much could get accomplished!
Biography
I have been doing genealogy for several years, covering many states and countries. I continue to not only educate myself with classes, webinars, seminars and conferences – but educate others to the best of my ability. Sharing your passion and knowledge helps link people to their past.
I love genealogical researching and teaching people how to do it right, how to think outside the box and find results. It’s my passion.
Biography
I am currently working on a Masters in History with a specialty in Colonial American history. My areas of expertise in genealogy include Colonial America and Cherokee Nation, Southern USA, Lincolnshire, England with access to most records and other locations.
Land research in all Maryland Counties & Baltimore City from Colonial Period to present.
Perform vital records researches, obituary notices, city directories, census, probate records, genealogy lineage and histories.
Perform research at local libraries (County/Genealogical Societies), Maryland State Archives, Maryland Historical Society and Courthouses.
Visit cemeteries and take digital photo of tombstones.
Missing Heirs Research on Maryland Families.
Biography
Biography:
Mr. Smithson, a native Marylander and a current resident of Darlington, Maryland started doing genealogy research at the early age of eight. For over 20 years of research background both researching his own family and those of others. He is active in several lineage societies as well as several local historical and genealogical societies.
I have been doing genealogy research for 25 years starting at age 8. I have been involved with many lineage societies and published several family histories.
I enjoy helping other researchers as I have been helped the past 30 years. I believe people working together can accomplish more than one working alone.I have accumulated quite a few resources on the southern US and wish to share the info.
Biography
Retired–Have lots of free time!
My personal resources are for the southern states of the United States.
I have been involved in genealogy since 1984, strongly since retirement in 1995.
I have a high school education and many years of work experience.
I am volunteering to do look ups in the civil records for the town of Sora (FR) before 1915. Maximum of three.
Over the past 10 years of researching in Italian civil and parish records on site I have gained a great insight into the culture, history and methods of record keeping by the Italian towns. I believe I can give advice on breaking down Italian brick walls.
Biography
I am an English born professional researcher living and searching civil and parish records in Italy, specializing in the Province of Frosinone, Latina and Rome. Interpretation of the records found to enable the receiver to put them in perspective.
Obtaining records from unresponsive towns is also one of my strong points. Along with obtaining records at reasonable cost for citizenship purposes.
Locating living relatives, guided tours of the town of origin with the possibility of on site genealogical research, interpreter for family reunions.
On site experience with Italian civil and parish records in central and Southern Italy. Historical background research on the life and times of the people in this area. Born and raised in England, emigrating to Canada where I lived for 35 years before moving to Italy gives me a great perspective on emigration and immigration. With English as a mother tongue I can better interpret the Italian records, providing background and insight in the language of my clients.
I seem to be by nature a problem solver. I want to figure out how it works and then make it work! In the meantime, I get to meet some outstanding people that I can help. I am not always able to carry out a research request immediately. If I’m going to be delayed, I will notify the requester as quickly as possible.
Biography
I worked in the mortgage banking industry for over 20 years, helping people obtain mortgages for home they wanted to buy or already owned. My job was to gather all of the information needed to succeed. In the 10+ years I’ve been working on my own family history, I’ve used many of the same techniques I used in my job. I’ve also been able to help many people locate information for their families through being a volunteer both locally and nationally.
Additionally:
I am able to obtain document copies from libraries, historical societies and SOME courthouses in Milwaukee County and surrounding counties.
For the most part, the vital records document copies will cover the time period up to and including 1907. In Milwaukee County, the records extend to 1911 for birth and marriage certificates and to 1912 for death certificates. The indexes cover through 1932 for births, 1918 for marriages, and 1916 for deaths.
Local newspapers needed to find death notices are available in English, German and Polish. While many of the English-language newspapers are available on-line, most still need to be accessed in person.
I am always willing to see if the record requested is available and, if I’m not able to obtain it myself, provide information which will allow the requester to obtain it themselves.
— End of Brickwall Detectives List —
Before you are able to join the ranks of GenerousGenealogists’ Brickwall Detectives, you must first be a GenerousGenealogists User & Volunteer:
Once you have completed those steps, we ask that you visit our application page and fill out a Brickwall Detective application. We guarantee that there is no cost… and the questions are not very hard. We simply want to approve folks for this roll before announcing them to the world.
Upon approval, you will be notified of your acceptance and you may claim both your official designation along with the cool logo for use on your website, email, business cards etc.
Most Commented Posts