ICAPGen member spotlights

Meet Claire Brisson-Banks: Accredited for research in England and the U.S. Mountain West

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clair-brisson-banksWhat motivated you to pursue accreditation?

I was a full time employee at the FHL and it was a requirement, however, I also wanted to do it for professional reasons of respect, additional education and knowledge and for my clients, and I wanted to give my clients the best possible research for their ancestors.

What are some challenging or unique aspects to researching in your area of accreditation?

The biggest challenge is not being physically in England at all and everything is done online, through email, mail, etc. There are archives in England that are not online at all and communication with them is done either by email and/or mail and one has to locate someone to go there or send funds for that organization to conduct research for you. It is getting easier and I’m grateful for all that is available through technology.

What advice do you have for those pursuing accreditation?

Don’t give up, if you fail the first time, try again, you can do it. Take advantage of the mentor program and do all you can to succeed.

What are some of your goals as a genealogist? I’d like to pursue the Forensics more at this time as I feel there is a big need in this area.
What research projects are you involved with now, or have planned for the future?

I’m currently researching in England and Scotland as well as Pennsylvania for one client and for another it is research in Ireland and then in the New York New Jersey area. There are others and they are scattered all over the world.

Do you have a website you would like to have mentioned?

My website is http://www.timelessgen.com

When did you receive your accreditation?

My first accreditation was received in February 8, 2008, it was an amazing day.

Is there anything else you want to let us know about your genealogy experience or activities?

I currently am an online professor for BYU-Idaho and highly recommend any of their Family History classes as well as considering their certificate or Associates Degree courses. Attend conferences and take advantage of educational opportunities as much as possible to stay on top of our field.

Education, Family History, Genealogy, ICAPGen, State resources, Websites

Mountain States Resources: Idaho

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idaho-mountains

Claire V. Brisson-Banks, BS, MLIS, AG®

When conducting research in Idaho one can’t but stop and admire the landscape wherever you go, it is breathtaking. Originally it was part of the Oregon Territory and became a state in 1890. There are 44 counties and four Indian reservations, the Coeur d’Alene, Duck Valley, Nez Perce and Fort Hall. Idaho is one of the states included in the Mountain States Region for testing.

With most of the 1890 US census destroyed in 1921 by fire, The Idaho State Historical Society reconstructed the Idaho 1890 Census. According to their website, “The Idaho State Archives holds both the only original hard-copies and copies on microfilm of the 1870 and 1880 Agricultural, Industrial, Mortality, Prison, Social Statistical and Supplemental Schedules for Idaho.” Additional collections available from the Idaho State Historical Society are Biographical Index, Civil War Veterans Index, Inmate Catalog, Naturalization Records, Mothers’ Pension Records and Old Age Pension Records.

Special Collections at BYU-Idaho contains an index of the Japanese Immigrants to Utah, Idaho and Wyoming from 1887-1924, the Western States Marriage Record Index, Idaho State Death Index 1911-1956, Eastern Idaho Death Records, Progressive Men of Southeast Idaho, and Upper Snake River Valley Histories.

The IdahoGenWeb Project also contributes with additional resources. Their Idaho Mysteries are where unsolved events, incidents, and family stories can be located, additional resources are found by the county of residence. For those Black Sheep that show up or disappear in your tree, check out blacksheepancestors.com, this site also includes those who were institutionalized for a wide variety of things.

Additional research tips and strategies can be found on the FamilySearch Research Wiki, Cyndi’s List and Facebook groups. There are many other Facebook groups listed either by the area and Family History or Genealogy, they are easy to find. Each of these groups help one another through various research problems.

Enjoy these resources as you search for your ancestors from Idaho.

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