I am always seeking new ideas to help break through my many “brick walls”. This morning, I came across an interesting link on Genealogy Today http://news.genealogytoday.com
It was a highly positive review of a weekly newsletter called “Casefile Clues”. I ordered my free sample (by emailing samples@casefileclues.com) which arrived in my inbox (as an automated response) almost immediately.
The response included links to two .pdf sample newsletters and a link which listed past topics. Following was the text included with the response:
“Thank you for your interest in Casefile Clues, a weekly genealogy how-to
newsletter written by Michael John Neill. Casefile Clues is not about the latest
website or database. Instead it focuses on sources, methods, problem-solving,
and analysis.
All research is drawn from personal research Michael has conducted in a wide
variety of states and several foreign countries. Upcoming topics include a
series on metes and bounds deeds in Kentucky, War of 1812 benefit records,
hiring and working with a professional genealogist, problem-solving approaches
on two brick wall ancestors, work with pre-1850 census records, and more.
Casefile Clues covers records and families from across the United States with a
focus on analysis and method that can be applied to problems in a variety of
areas and time periods. We even discuss things that did not work as that too is
an important part of the research process”.
Of course, (as I might have expected) I was unable to access the .pdf files on my Compaq laptop running on Windows Vista (grrrrrrrrrrr – how I despise Vista!!) even though I have Adobe Acrobat Pro V9. Michael provides his personal e-mail address in the event that you have questions or can not open the file, I was able to view them on my desktop MAC.
In the right hand column of Michael’s website, there are a number of positive reviews from some popular bloggers including three of my favorites: DearMyrtle, Dick Eastman and GeneaMusings – http://www.casefileclues.com/2009/09/about-michael.html
I found the samples to be quite thorough and clearly written. The reader is taken step by step through the research process. This is a great resource for beginning and intermediate (and even advanced) researchers. And I think a great deal for the price!
As of this writing, Casefile Clues is available weekly by email subscription for $17 a year (52 issues) or $6.50 for 3 months – http://www.casefileclues.com/subscribe.html – You can also purchase back issues at $1.25 each. It seems that once Michael completes his 52nd issue these will only be available as a full set (so if you want individual copies order them quickly).
OR
You may wish to take advantage of the offer which he posted on his site Wednesday, August 4th:
“For now until issue 52 comes out, you can get issues 1-52 from Casefile Clues volume 1 and have your subscription good through the end of volume 2 for only $34!”
Before signing up, explore his blog: http://blog.casefileclues.com/ Today I found a paypal link offering subscriptions at $15.00 through October 2010 and a copy of original issues 1-50 for another $15.00… There are also prices listed for 10 issues.
You can reach Michael directly at mjnrootdig@gmail.com.
I submitted my subscription request via papypal. Michael emailed (from his phone) saying that he was out of the office and would get me my first newsletter upon his return. I few hours later I had it! Amazing customer service!
Michael also writes a blog entitled “Genealogy Tip of the Day” which I have added to my favorite blogs – http://genealogytipoftheday.blogspot.com/
Passage to the Past's Blog 