The Genealogy Brick Wall Checklist: Have You Truly Hit a Wall? 🧱

Many genealogists believe they've hit a "brick wall" when they're actually experiencing a lack of resources, confusion, or a need for expanded historical context. This checklist provides the framework to determine if you're facing a "real" brick wall—one where no discoverable data remains—or if you're simply research challenged.

The Difference Between "Stuck" and a "Real" Brick Wall

A "real" brick wall is defined by the absolute absence of information. It doesn't exist just because a researcher is confused, stuck, or unprepared to put forth the effort or incur the necessary costs.

Brickwall

Your primary assertion must be: "Might discoverable data remain?"

To answer this, you must understand your historical context and the availability of records. This requires knowing key factors such as:

When record-keeping (birth, marriage, death) officially began in the region.
Which governing body was responsible for keeping records.
Whether the region's records were ever subject to massive destruction.
What kinds of records might still exist or remain.

The 46-Event Timeline: Your Historical Roadmap

To help genealogists gain this critical historical insight, the ManyRoads European & North American Timeline tracks 46 major events from the last 1,000 years that have had the most significant impact on the availability, quality, and quantity of genealogical and historical data.

Understanding these events will help you answer the critical question: "Might discoverable data remain?"

The events included in the timeline are those that:

Are far-reaching, not localized.
Improved record-keeping or explain missing records.
Describe shifts and/or destructions in major population groups.
Were impactful in altering social frameworks and social mores.
Brought changes to regions, governments, and/or religions.
Introduced transformative technologies or new data sources.

View the Timeline (46 Crucial Events)

The timeline offers an overview of crucial events. For more detail on any event, be aware that each item has a –more– link at the bottom, which is highly recommended for further reading or viewing.

➡️ Click to view the ManyRoads European & North American Timeline:

ManyRoads European & North American Timeline

(Note: This tool is not optimized for tiny screens; viewing on a larger screen is recommended.)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I print the Timeline?
- TimelineJS (the software used) does not include a specific printing feature. Your best option is to take a screenshot of each slide you view and print those.
May I share this page link and/or the Timeline?
- Yes, you may share the link to this page or the timeline. The author simply asks for notification of the sharing to know who is using the materials.
May I have access to the Timeline dataset?
- Yes, the data is available in spreadsheet format. Simply ask the author via the contact page.

Support and Contact

If you encounter any problems or have links you believe should be included, please use the provided contact information to let the author know.

Contact Page: https://www.many-roads.com/contact/

Credits and Licensing

Compiled by Mark Rabideau, Opa & Professional Genealogist.

All materials licensed: CC BY-ND 4.0 by eirenicon llc..

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