Digging at one's roots

[Gibbs]

I too, have gotten the bug about researching my family history. From the research that my father has done and my great Aunt, I have been able to determine that both sides of my family are of Scottish and English decent. Gibson is a sept of the Buchanan Clan on my fathers side. But as far back as I have been able to find is that James Littlejohn Gibson, while serving in the Queens Armed forces in Ireland, hopped a freighter to the U.S.A. around 1850. The history from then to today was pretty easy to find and research.

I would like to know if any of you could assist me in how to research the information prior to 1850. Since the Buchanan Society is so widely known and is very active, do you think they would be willing to assist me, a colonial American of a Sept family, in continuing the search of my family roots? Or, do you think they would just blow me off as someone not worthy of their time?

Any thoughs or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[EagleJCS]

I would like to know if any of you could assist me in how to research the information prior to 1850. Since the Buchanan Society is so widely known and is very active, do you think they would be willing to assist me, a colonial American of a Sept family, in continuing the search of my family roots? Or, do you think they would just blow me off as someone not worthy of their time?

Any thoughs or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

There may be a clan/society genealogist who may be able to help, or at least provide some guidance in how to do some/much of the research yourself. You may wind up needing to get the services of a professional at some point, or travel to physically dig through some things yourself. I find that I am nearly at that stage for my main paternal line (the one I'm focusing on at the moment).

The most important piece of advice I have is to verify - get a copy of the birth/death/marriage/whatever certificate, also known as secondary sources. As has been suggested, you can check for military records. See if you can go through newspaper archives. Some court or clerk offices (which one depends on how the government was set up) will have records of property transfers, lawsuits, etc. Look at the emigrant/immigrant lists for the different port cities (some are online at various websites).

Best of luck!