I wrote Ask AI: "Please Tell Me How To Solve a Genealogical Brick Wall Problem For My Hannah Smith" earlier this week, and received an AI-assisted response from free ChatGPT4 (not using Deep Research).
I wondered if a Deep Research response might provide even more insights. I asked the free-to-access (at this time) Grok 3 DeepSearch the same prompt: "Please tell me how to solve a genealogical brick wall problem. Apply it to this problem: Hannah Smith (1768-1827) is my 4th great-grandmother. She married Josiah Sawtell in 1789 in Amherst, Massachusetts, and resided in Brookline NH, Townsend MA, and Ashburnham MA. Please suggest a process to solve this mystery."
On the screen above, you can see that Grok 3 DeepSearch worked through several "thinking" and "searching" steps and completed the task in just under 3 minutes.
Here is the Grok 3 DeepSearch response:
Key Points
Research suggests Hannah Smith’s parents are likely from New England, but no definitive records were found.
It seems likely her birth occurred around 1768 in Massachusetts or New Hampshire, given her marriage location.
The evidence leans toward checking church and land records in Amherst, MA, and Brookline, NH, for clues.
DNA testing and genealogy forums may help connect with relatives who have more information.
Direct Answer
Background
Hannah Smith (1768-1827), your 4th great-grandmother, married Josiah Sawtell in 1789 in Amherst, Massachusetts, and lived in Brookline, NH, Townsend, MA, and Ashburnham, MA. The challenge is identifying her parents, a common issue with the surname "Smith" due to its prevalence.
Steps to Solve the Mystery
To tackle this, start by verifying known details like her marriage and residences. Then, search for birth records in Massachusetts or New Hampshire around 1768, focusing on Amherst and nearby towns. Check church records for baptisms, as they might list parents, and explore land and probate records in Brookline and Townsend for mentions of Smith families. If direct records are elusive, consider indirect evidence like military or newspaper archives from 1768-1827.
Advanced Strategies
Given the complexity, use online databases like Ancestry, FamilySearch, and American Ancestors for digitized records. DNA testing on platforms like AncestryDNA can connect you with distant relatives. Also, post queries on genealogy forums like GenForum or RootsChat to collaborate with others researching Smith families in New England.
Next Steps
Contact historical societies, such as the New Hampshire Historical Society or Amherst Historical Society, for local records. Be patient, as new records are digitized regularly, and document your research to avoid duplication.
Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of Hannah Smith’s Genealogical Brick Wall
This survey note provides a comprehensive exploration of the genealogical brick wall concerning Hannah Smith (1768-1827), your 4th great-grandmother, who married Josiah Sawtell in 1789 in Amherst, Massachusetts, and resided in Brookline, NH, Townsend, MA, and Ashburnham, MA. The goal is to identify her parents, a challenging task given the common surname "Smith" and the historical context of New England in the late 18th century. This analysis follows a structured approach, leveraging various record types and resources, and aims to guide further research.
Background and Known Information
Hannah Smith was born around 1768 and died in 1827. She married Josiah Sawtell on February 5, 1789, in Amherst, MA, as confirmed by multiple sources, including the Boston Transcript Genealogical Column and Genea-Musings blog. Their residences included Brookline, NH; Townsend, MA; and Ashburnham, MA, and they had nine children: Hannah, Josiah, Mary, Chester, Esther, Horace, Neuma, Walter, and Price. The marriage record does not list Hannah’s parents, creating the brick wall.
Josiah Sawtell was born January 24, 1768, in Groton, MA, and died December 7, 1847, in Townsend, MA, providing a starting point for contextual research. The challenge lies in the prevalence of Smith families in New England, making it difficult to pinpoint the correct lineage without direct evidence.
Research Methodology
The approach to solving this mystery involved verifying known information, exhausting available record types, and exploring indirect evidence. The process included searching vital records, church records, land records, probate records, military records, newspaper archives, and leveraging DNA testing and genealogy forums. Historical societies and published genealogies were also consulted to ensure a thorough investigation.
1. Verification of Known Information
First, the marriage record was confirmed, showing the date and location as Amherst, MA, in 1789. Birth and death dates for Hannah and Josiah were cross-referenced with sources like Genea-Musings, ensuring accuracy. Residences were noted as Brookline, NH; Townsend, MA; and Ashburnham, MA, aligning with the user’s query.
2. Search for Vital Records
Efforts to find Hannah Smith’s birth record around 1768 in Massachusetts or New Hampshire yielded limited results. A Hannah Smith born January 1, 1768, in Amherst, MA, to Noah and Mary (Elmer) Smith was identified, but it was established she did not marry Josiah Sawtell, as she remained in Amherst. This eliminated one potential match, focusing the search on other Smith families in the region.
3. Church Records
Church records in Amherst, MA, were explored, particularly those of the First Baptist Church, which contain baptisms from 1768-1796 and marriages from 1768-1806. No baptismal record for Hannah Smith around 1768 was found, suggesting her birth might not have been recorded or occurred elsewhere. Given the marriage in Amherst, further investigation into local church archives is recommended.
4. Land Records
Land records in Brookline, NH, and Townsend, MA, were considered, as they might list Smith families. While specific records for 1768-1789 were not directly accessible online, the Brookline Town Office and historical societies like the Brookline Historical Society were identified as potential sources. Land transactions could reveal Hannah’s father or relatives, especially if they owned property in these areas.
5. Probate Records
Probate records in New Hampshire and Massachusetts were searched for Smith families between 1768 and 1827. The New Hampshire State Archives and Massachusetts Historical Society were noted as holding relevant collections, but no specific probate records linking to Hannah’s parents were found. Probate records often list heirs, making them valuable for identifying family connections.
6. Military Records
Military records for New Hampshire and Massachusetts were explored, focusing on the Revolutionary War period (1775-1783), given the timeline. However, records like those on FamilySearch were primarily for later conflicts, with no direct mentions of Smith families in the relevant period. Military service records could still provide indirect clues if Hannah’s father or brothers served.
7. Newspaper Archives
Newspaper archives for 1768-1827 in New Hampshire were investigated, with resources like the New Hampshire State Library and GenealogyBank noted. However, early newspapers from this period were sparse, and no specific mentions of Hannah Smith’s family were found. Newspapers could contain obituaries or marriage announcements, worth exploring further with local archives.
8. DNA Testing and Networking
DNA testing was identified as a potential breakthrough, with platforms like AncestryDNA and 23andMe suggested for connecting with distant relatives. Genealogy forums like GenForum, RootsChat, and Family Tree Forum were recommended for posting queries, especially given the large community researching New England families. Networking could uncover shared family trees or unpublished records.
9. Historical Context and Creative Thinking
The historical context of New England in the late 18th century, with many Smith families and potential record gaps due to events like the American Revolution, was considered. Published genealogies, such as A Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England by James Savage, and resources like American Ancestors were explored, but no definitive matches for Hannah’s parents were found. Creative approaches, like searching for name variations (e.g., Smyth), were suggested.
10. Consultation with Local Experts
Historical societies like the New Hampshire Historical Society, Historical Society of Cheshire County, and Monadnock Center for History and Culture were identified as holding early New Hampshire materials. Contacting these organizations could provide access to local records, town histories, or unpublished manuscripts not available online.
Analysis and Findings
Despite extensive research, no definitive records identifying Hannah Smith’s parents were found. The search eliminated Noah and Mary (Elmer) Smith of Amherst, MA, as her parents, focusing efforts on other Smith families in Brookline, NH, and nearby towns. Land, probate, and church records in these areas remain promising, but require further investigation through local archives. DNA testing and forum posts could yield new leads, especially given the complexity of tracing a common surname.
Recommendations for Further Research
Prioritize church records in Amherst, MA, and Brookline, NH, for baptismal entries around 1768.
Contact the New Hampshire Historical Society and Brookline Historical Society for land and probate records.
Take a DNA test on AncestryDNA and explore matches for shared Smith ancestry.
Post detailed queries on GenForum and RootsChat, including all known details about Hannah and Josiah.
Revisit research periodically, as new records are digitized, especially on FamilySearch and American Ancestors.
Table: Summary of Key Resources
Resource Type
Examples
Availability
Vital Records
Birth, marriage, death records on Ancestry, FamilySearch
Online, some local archives
Church Records
Baptisms 1768-1796, Amherst, MA
Local archives, some online
Land Records
Brookline, NH, Townsend, MA Brookline Town Office
Local archives, limited online
Probate Records
New Hampshire 1771-1997, Massachusetts
Local archives, some online
DNA Testing
AncestryDNA, 23andMe
Online platforms
Genealogy Forums
Online communities
Historical Societies
New Hampshire Historical Society, Brookline Historical Society
Local archives, some online
Conclusion
Solving Hannah Smith’s parentage requires a multifaceted approach, leveraging both traditional records and modern tools like DNA testing. While no definitive answer was found, the outlined steps provide a roadmap for further research, emphasizing persistence and collaboration with the genealogy community. Document all findings to build on future discoveries, and consider professional genealogical assistance if needed.
Key Citations
Genea-Musings: Searching for Hannah Smith's Parents in Hampshire County, Mass.
American Ancestors® - A National Center for Family History, Heritage and Culture
GenealogyBank: Discover Your Ancestors in Newspapers 1690-Today
New England Historic Genealogical Society: American Ancestors
Massachusetts Church Records - Genealogy - LibGuides at University of Massachusetts Amherst
A Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England • FamilySearch
138 web pages
The Grok 3 DeepSearch review and research process uncovered several approaches that I previously have not considered, especially the recommendation to consult wth local and regional experts. I like that it found my blog posts, and provided links to online sources. It did not recommend DNA test providers other than AncestryDNA and 23andMe. I need to look at the "138 web pages" -- they are online sources including articles, records, family tree profiles, etc. that can be found in a web search.
There are many Smith families in the towns mentioned in this time frame, and more in adjacent towns. I have investigated available birth and baptism records in the counties named, and have found some possible parent candidates. There are no probate records for either Josiah or Hannah in the available Massachusetts and New Hampshire records. I have collected some land records for Josiah Sawtell, but none mention Hannah, and none have a Smith witness or neighbor.
This defined process provides an excellent outline of how to solve this type of brick wall problem. What did it miss? What did it get wrong?
