I have done it! I’ve made my greatest genealogical discovery ever! For five years, my top research priority has been to discover the parentage of my great-grandfather, Richard Gines of Shreveport, Louisiana. Following an intensified search this spring and summer, I can now say with the appropriate degree of confidence utilizing the Genealogical Proof Standard, that I have solved this mystery.
George Guion of Caddo Parish, Louisiana, born in Tennessee in about 1835, appears to be the father of Richard William Gines. In a series of posts starting tomorrow, I describe how I came to this conclusion. I’ll also address the following issues:
- So You’ve Knocked Down a Brick Wall–Now What?
- Why Genealogy is Doctrinally More Like Paleontology and Cosmology than History
- The Family Implications of this Discovery–What I’m Worried About
- Why I Have to Revise Some Major Assumptions
- Why It Took Five Years
and more.
Here’s a key document:
page from 1870 Census of Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana
So be here tomorrow as we begin the story!
Tags: Brick Walls
August 3rd, 2009 at 6:17 pm
This is very exciting news. I look forward to learning more about how you made this discovery.
August 3rd, 2009 at 6:28 pm
I’m sittin on the edge of my seat in anticipation! This is so exciting!!!
August 3rd, 2009 at 6:30 pm
Congratulations Craig! I can’t wait for the next posts! Having experienced the same “breaking down” of a major brick wall, I know how it feels, all the emotions involved, etc. This is great news!
August 3rd, 2009 at 6:51 pm
Wonderful, wonderful! Congratulations, Craig. Looking forward to reading about your discovery and the process… way cool.
August 3rd, 2009 at 7:10 pm
Woo hoo! Great news, Craig! Can you hear me cheering all the way from Oakland? I’m looking forward to the series.
August 3rd, 2009 at 7:18 pm
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Paleontology? I thought genealogy was something akin to CSI for documents. Or something.
August 3rd, 2009 at 8:12 pm
Very cool. Congrats.
August 3rd, 2009 at 9:13 pm
“Brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls aren’t there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to show us how badly we want things…the brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough!” (From the “Last Lecture” – Randy Pausch)
Craig, These stories are marvelous and we are so happy for you. Thanks for sharing.
Dick Hillenbrand
August 4th, 2009 at 3:22 am
Craig
As you continue your quest, don’t forget the Freedom Center Family Search Center. If yo have not used it, our volunteers are some of the best genealogical detectives in the business.
August 4th, 2009 at 4:04 am
Craig,
I can’t wait to read all about it! Those pesky spellings put up roadblocks for all of us!
Donna
August 4th, 2009 at 5:20 am
Congratulations!!! I’m so happy and excited for you! Can’t wait to read the rest!
August 4th, 2009 at 9:57 am
Craig,
This is great news. Can’t wait to read those posts!
Bill
August 4th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
Congratulations!! I can’t wait to read your following posts.