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Ancestry.com - FAN Club Research to Build Your Family Tree (YouTube)
By Crista Cowan.
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Collateral Research: Research All Siblings - Reclaiming Kin
An article by Robyn Smith.
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Evidence Explained - QuickLesson 11: Identity Problems & the FAN Principle
By Elizabeth Shown Mills.
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Genealogy.com - Overheard on the Message Boards: What Can I Do Now? The Search for Matilda Jackson
Article by Rhonda R. McClure.
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Blog by Cindy Bergeron Scherwinski.
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Parallax View - FAN Principles Unfolded
By Tony Proctor.
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Roots Revealed - Demonstrating the Effectiveness of Cluster Genealogy
By Melvin J. Collier.
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The Genealogy FAN Club Principle Overcomes Genealogy Brick Walls
By Amie Bowser Tennant.
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Hit a Brick Wall? » FAN Club or Cluster Research
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The term "FAN club" was coined by Elizabeth Shown Mills. It refers to researching everyone in a cluster around your ancestors: friends/family, associates, and neighbors. This is also called cluster or collateral genealogy. Sometimes your direct ancestor is elusive. Research the group(s) surrounding your ancestor. Look at the siblings, cousins, neighbors, church members, or other community members. Many times following them and their migrations or patterns will lead you back to your own ancestor.