Genealogy is akin to searching for one tree in a forest, one needle in a haystack, one fish in a lake. However, focusing too tightly on just that one ancestor can lead to tunnel vision, preventing us from seeing our ancestor in the context of their life. Researching Using the FAN (Friends, Associates, and Neighbors) club method expands our vision and enables us to use our ancestor’s social network to uncover more information about their life and connections. By examining the lives of those who were closely associated with an ancestor, genealogists can often find new clues and pieces of information that may have been overlooked.
This issue of Stirpes focuses on FAN club research with tools and techniques that can make your research more efficient and productive, and perhaps even find that clue that solves your family history mystery.
- FAN Club Records by Melody Hooper Woods
- Analyze Your Ancestor’s FAN Club with Spreadsheets by Nancy Gilbride Casey
- Location! Location! Location! by Jim Thornhill
- Exploring Maps to Discover Your Ancestor’s Neighbors by Emily Coffman Richardson
- Open the Door to Your Freemason Ancestors’ Masonic FAN Club by Pat Gordon
- Historic Cookbooks Illuminate Female Ancestors and Fan Clubs by Joy Oria
- Untangling the Lives of Individuals Who Share the Same Name by Hannah Kubacak
- Book Review: The Writings of Celia M. Wright by Bill Buckner
- Follow the Families by Russell A. Rahn
- Walking in Our Great-Great-Grandfather’s Footsteps by Mary Anthony Startz
- Tracing Heritage: More than a Surname by Russell A. Rahn
TxSGS Programs:
- TxSGS Heritage Certificates
- TxSGS Partner Society Roundup
- And More!
Watch our website and future issues of Stirpes for details about upcoming events, programs, and other exciting news, including the 2023 TxSGS Family History Conference slated for November 10-11, 2023, “Roots & Branches: Climbing Your Family Tree.”
Take a “Look Inside” this issue to learn more.
The upcoming September 2023 issue focuses on using software, online repositories, tools and tips for using “Technology for Genealogy.” Do you have a favorite gadget, website, or software package that has helped you with your genealogy research? We would love to hear your tips and techniques for using technology or search for and organize information about your family, share information with others through website or storytelling steps, or preserving your stories and photos for future generations. Send them to stirpes@txsgs.org.
Accessing Your Digital Stirpes
If you are a member, login to your member account and select “Stirpes June 2023” from the dropdown box on the right to access the latest issue.
If you are not a member, make sure you get the next issue of Stirpes—join TxSGS today to ensure that you receive the September 2023 issue as soon as it comes off the press.
Interested in purchasing a copy of the current issue or back issues?
Back issues may be purchased by contacting the Director of Membership, Tony Hanson, at membership@txsgs.org.