Almost 7 years. I have been researching my family for 7 years. There was one name that I never touched. My grandma's maiden name was Smith. The misconception is that such common names would yield so many search results that finding your relative is like finding a needle in a haystack.
The rationalization
Why should I even try? It's the road leading to frustration and disappointment. I have other family members to research anyway. Yeah.
The glutton for punishment
Ok I might as well take a look. Zero expectations.
The search
1. Starting point: My dad's mom's maiden name was Charlotte Ellen Smith. Her father's name was Charles Nelson Smith. That's all I know.
2. Hold on. I remember receiving info about this family once. In an email, I found that Charles Nelson was born in Chatham Massachusetts and his father's name was Nelson. (Makes sense). And his middle initial was F.
3. Ok Ancestry.com, whatcha got? Don't fail me now. I entered in the above info and got a hit! Nelson F's father, born in the same town, was named Charles H. Smith (Makes sense). Yay! I just found my 3x great grandpa. There's the family in the Mass state census of 1865. Nelson F is 6 years old.
The joy
What else can I learn from this census? What was Charles Smith's occupation? My ancestors were usually shop keepers. I had no expectations, but maybe a mariner? I had to make sure I was reading this right... Do you see it?
"Light keeper". Cue the inspirational music. Charles H. Smith was the lighthouse keeper of Chatham Light on Cape Cod from 1862-1872. His children, including Nelson F, grew up in the light house quarters. I now need to know everything about this entire family, Chatham Light and their whole life. Stay tuned.
The lesson
Don't skip the Smiths! If you have other family names, dates or auxiliary details, you may find a genealogy jackpot.
