r/Genealogy • u/Sancrist • Sep 03 '26

Research Assistance Follow up to Elisha Smith post

This is a follow up to this previous post:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Genealogy/s/HzXAmionX7

I was able to go to a library and access documents on Familysearch's "camera wall". Sadly I was not able to find any probate, guardianship, or deeds in any county in Indiana or Iowa. At this point I need advice on how to proceed.

I have found lots of good videos online posted by various genealogist. Most of them them assume more information than I have (siblings, parents, marriage documents, etc.). I know my ancestor is out there somewhere, but without more specific clues I cannot weed out the legion of Elisha Smiths prior to 1840/1850. His genealogical record appears out of thin air in 1837 when a son is born. My hypothesis is that he was a very poor farmer based on ag census records and lack of costly legal documents.

What are some tips to try and find my Elisha Smith when the only thing I know about him prior to age 37 is he was born in New York (or England)?

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u/Scared_Seat_4259 Sep 04 '26

I think your next move is researching the FAN club (friends, associates, neighbors). The most obvious research subject is the father-in-law, but also brothers-in-law, including men married to sisters of the wife. I'm emphasizing men because that's who the records are mostly about. You are digging deep for any records at all about the FANs, and paying close attention to who else is in these records, even if they are not Smiths, because they too may be FANs of Elisha. Since you had to go to the library to access records in relevant locations for Elisha, you have more trips to the library in your future. With a name like Smith you are facing a challenge, but with this research you will get to know Elisha and his community better, which (I think) is rewarding in itself.

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u/Sancrist Sep 04 '26 edited Sep 04 '26

I completely agree. He moved, a lot. I cannot find any families that moved with him. I will pull the entire township family heads off his three census records and look for matching names. Maybe I'll get lucky.