Networking is very important when you are doing genealogy. Researchers cannot operate in a vacuum. There are times when you can’t find or locate information about your family member in a library or a county courthouse. So what do you do? Well never lose hope that something is out there. You should ask a professional genealogist for help when you are unsure of your next step.

Another strategy is to reach out to your distant cousins. Interview your relatives about their own memories of the family member you are researching. Remember that your relatives or distant cousins have information that is not publicly available. It is possible you will find out that your relative has not made any further progress on the lines than you have, but each of you might have information about descendants that the other doesn’t have. Pooling your information may provide clues that will help you extend the line. The idea is to fill-in blanks in your family group sheets.