Resources (r.)

The next theme deals with a wide range of items.  Resources I call it, but conceptually contains those things that have proven helpful in your tree climbing experience.  It may be a book, a library, an archives, a museum, a court house, or even another individual.   The post will be coded (r.).

For example, the main library at the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa was a store house of references that made a lot of my tree climbing much easier.  It contains a complete set of the Domesday Book (English translation of course), an index of English records, complete sets of various genealogical references, and...on and on it goes.  There was also a rare book room with all sorts of texts that were helpful to the genealogist.   Many hours were spent among the stacks when my tree climbing had taken me to the shores of that big island call England.  Of course you physically have to go there, but in today's world this is not often considered.  Anyway, this library is a wonder resource for those who need help establishing certain connections and willing to make the trip.

DNA (d.)

The blueprint for our human existence is contained in this thing abbreviated DNA.   Deoxyribonucleic acid it is formally called.  It is that double helix, genetic coding, replicating, series of codons that give our cells instruction.  Half of our DNA is from mom, and half is from dad.  For the male, it is the same DNA that every former generation of males in the family tree have passed down to the next generation.

For the genealogist, this DNA can be an answer to some of the questions that give us problems in surname analysis.  It certainly has produced a lot of opportunities to clarify descent, such as haplogroups, and haplotypes.  [analysis which tags certain ethic groups ]

This theme will be coded (d.).  A great deal of groups which follow the Jones surname DNA exist.  In some cases, individual Jones families may share the same DNA.  However, on the whole, there is not a single DNA pattern that fits all family groups.  This theme will give those a way to network their interest in the JONES surname DNA.

Chronology (ch.)

One's family history is full of events.  Birth begins, and death ends these earthly events.  The genealogist seeks to organize and record these events for their own family.  It is a family chronology.   This theme deals with the measuring of time by regular divisions and that assigns these events to their proper dates.  A careful chronology is especially helpful in separating certain family groups when they cluster together along the tree branches.   Regular divisions by month, year, or even century [if you get back that far] is part of organizing the family story as it progressed through the pages of history.

The word chronology is coded (ch.).  Family time lines and events can be place in records that give a "big picture" of the family tree.  This theme will contain subjects like dates, events, documents and their organization into helpful forms that will aid the research into difficult surnames like JONES.  Anyone who has experience in forming a family chronology can place their own ideas in the comment section at the end of the posts coded (ch.).

Geography (g.)

Since the dawn of man, the earth's surface has help define who we are, and from where we came.  The study that deals with the earth and its life, especially the description of land, sea, air, and the distribution of plant and animal life upon this surface is called geography.  For the genealogist, our ancestors lived, loved, and labored in specific areas around the globe.  The geographic features of these areas were often included in surveys, land grants, patents, maps, and all kinds of historical records that become important in this thing called genealogy.   An understanding our ancestor's geography can be the solution to many of the brick walls that we face.  Therefore, the first "theme" of the network will be geography.  It will be the context in which our families' survived.  It may be a county, or country, or nation, or any other location that helps identify the lineage of our family trees.  Future post that contain this theme will be coded (g.) in the labels given.  Then, as the number of topics and subjects expand, the reader can search for the theme "geography" by placing (g.) in the search line shown on the post page.  Let's give an example:


     For those who carry the surname JONES, the genealogy will at some point lead to Wales.  Those who have a interest in Welsh genealogy, Wales, and topics dealing with researching the JONES surname in Wales can find this topic under "Wales", and the post will be coded (g.).  If "Ireland", the post will be under "Ireland", and also coded (g.).  If "Australia", likewise, where the reader can just place "(g.)" in the search box and find all the post that have something to do with the theme "geography".  A network will be started...:-).

You can then place any comments that give your interest in this topic.  You may give additional information or reference which have been of help to you along your own tree climbing adventure.

The Purpose

An account of the descent of a person, family, or group from an ancestor, is the goal of genealogy.  This activity is not always easy, especially with those who have a very common and widespread surname like JONES.  An individual who traces or studies this descent of persons or families is called a genealogist.  Every family seems to have one, i.e., the one who asks all the questions and tries to write everything down.  Sometimes it helps to have a little assistance by finding others who share this terminal virus.  So here goes.

It is the purpose of this blog to help those researching the JONES surname.  The goal is to organize a network of individuals who share the excitement of this endeavor.  It will be based upon a series of "themes" that have helped me during the past 50+ years piece together my own JONES family.  Others who share interest in a particular topic or theme can then join the network on this subject.  Each post will be coded by theme(s), and will allow input by others utilizing the "comment" section of each post.  Then, the search bar can be used to find the post(s) pertaining to each theme.

The themes will be coded and titled as follows:

(g.) = geography
(ch.) = chronology
(d.) = DNA
(k.) = key variable(s)
(i.) = individual researcher(s)
(r.) = resources
(a.) = coat of arms

Each theme will be expanded as the posts are written.  Anyone who shares interest in the theme can respond in the comment section at the end of each post. [You may need to sign into blogspot.com to get access to the comment section, but it does not cost to do this.]

So lets get going...help build the network for Jones genealogy.  There may be other themes that you may add to the network.