-
Ancestry.com - FAN Club Research to Build Your Family Tree (YouTube)
By Crista Cowan.
-
Collateral Research: Research All Siblings - Reclaiming Kin
An article by Robyn Smith.
-
Evidence Explained - QuickLesson 11: Identity Problems & the FAN Principle
By Elizabeth Shown Mills.
-
Genealogy.com - Overheard on the Message Boards: What Can I Do Now? The Search for Matilda Jackson
Article by Rhonda R. McClure.
-
Blog by Cindy Bergeron Scherwinski.
-
Parallax View - FAN Principles Unfolded
By Tony Proctor.
-
QuickSheet: The Historical Biographer’s Guide to Cluster Research (the FAN Principle)
By Elizabeth Shown Mills, from Genealogical Publishing Company.
-
Roots Revealed - Demonstrating the Effectiveness of Cluster Genealogy
By Melvin J. Collier.
-
RootsBid - The Undocumented Family and Using Cluster Genealogy to Overcome It
By Amie Bowser Tennant.
-
The Genealogy FAN Club Principle Overcomes Genealogy Brick Walls
By Amie Bowser Tennant.
Advertisements
Advertisements
Advertisements
Advertisements
Research Methodology » FAN Club or Cluster Research
19 Links
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.