Avoid this critical genealogy mistake in your research. Learn how to find your ancestors, build your family tree and skip costly errors in your research.
They say confession is good for the soul. I have a genealogy confession: I missed a crucial clue while searching for my 4th great-grandmother and spent years following the wrong leads.
Early in my research I asked family members for what they knew. Oral history provided a surprisingly complete Talbott line back to my great-great-great-great-grandparents, Sarah Blanks and Langley Talbott. A copy of the family Bible reinforced those generations.
At first it seemed too easy. As I learned more, I discovered how misleading a single assumption can be.
The Genealogy Mistake I Made
A false assumption kept me from discovering who my 4th great-grandmother really was.
I assumed Langley Talbott and Sarah Blanks were legally married.
That assumption seemed reasonable at the time:
- Sarah’s birth and death dates appear in the family Bible.
- She appears under the name Talbott in several census records.
- She is mentioned in her supposed father-in-law’s will as the mother of Langley’s children.
- All their children used the surname Talbott.
Years later, with more experience, I revisited the problem and examined the records afresh.
The Best Thing You Can Do For Your Brick-Wall Ancestor
Start over from the beginning of your research.
Put aside what you think you know and re-evaluate every record. As you gain experience you become better at spotting subtle clues and inconsistencies that you previously missed.
When I started over on Sarah Blanks, I found a revealing statement in the 1850 Campbell County, VA will of David G. Talbot, Langley Talbot’s father. David named Langley as his son and made a provision for “Langley’s children by Sarah Blanks born after 1823.” That precise phrasing—children “by Sarah Blanks”—was a bright neon clue once I knew how to read between the lines.
Why would a will refer to the mother of those children by her maiden or other surname rather than as Langley’s wife? The records revealed that Langley and Sarah were not formally married.
David’s will also hinted that Langley had gambling problems—another detail I had overlooked. With these leads I examined county court records in Campbell and Halifax counties and found an 1841 grand jury summons charging Langley and Sally Blanks with “living together in open adultery.”
The 1841 summons matches the will’s 1823 date: Sarah’s first child with Langley was born around 1823. They had a long-term relationship that functioned like a common-law marriage, even though no formal marriage record exists.
To close the loop: Sarah Blanks had been the widow of Thomas Blanks and the mother of his son Alfred. Her maiden name appears to have been Talley. Shortly after Thomas Blanks’ death, Sarah and Langley formed a partnership that produced several children who used the Talbott surname.
How to Avoid Making Genealogy Mistakes in Your Research
Prevent false assumptions by taking time with each record. Don’t skim for dates and names only—interpret the document’s language and context. Ask what the record implies about relationships, social status, and circumstances.
When researching female ancestors, learn about women’s roles and legal standing in that era and place. Understand local culture, customs, and naming practices that might affect how people appear in records.
Explore less commonly used sources: grand jury records, tax lists, court files, and other local documents often contain crucial details. Read every page related to your ancestor; brief summaries can miss essential clues.
Finally, trust your research intuition. If a record feels inconsistent or something seems off, follow that instinct and investigate further. Don’t accept every easy explanation at face value.
Making that mistake taught me many lessons. I now approach family stories with healthy skepticism and rely on thorough record analysis rather than assumptions.
Other posts of interest:
- How To Use WorldCat For Your Genealogy Research
- Genealogy For Beginners – Start Finding Your Ancestors!
- How to Create Your Genealogy Research Plan
- How To Research Genealogy in 20 Minutes a Day
If you research the Talbott family, feel free to reach out—I have more stories and findings to share.
*Please note: this post originally contained affiliate links. I only recommend products and services I use and would suggest to others. See the site’s disclosure and privacy policies for details.