Hitting a Brick Wall? Common Genealogy Roadblocks and Solutions

Many family historians hit an invisible wall—a frustrating moment when meticulously collected research fragments suddenly stop making sense. Birth certificates vanish, family stories contradict official records, and decades of ancestral connections dissolve into bureaucratic silence.

You could have spent hundreds of hours tracing your family lineage, only to discover that a single missing document or unexplained record gap erases all of your painstaking research.

But genealogical research is not a defeated pursuit; it’s an evolving investigative art. By understanding common roadblocks and applying sophisticated research strategies, you can tear down seemingly impenetrable walls and repurpose them into a bridge leading you closer to your ancestors.

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What are genealogy brick walls?

Genealogy brick walls refer to situations where researchers find themselves unable to advance beyond a certain point in their family tree. This can manifest as a complete dead end regarding an ancestor’s identity or lineage, often leading to frustration and discouragement for the researcher.

You might find yourself unable to locate vital records, such as birth, marriage, or death certificates — which are essential for establishing connections between generations. This stagnation can occur due to the absence of documentation or the inability to access existing records.

The experience of hitting a brick wall can also have a psychological impact. You may end up frustrated, discouraged — leading you to abandon your research altogether. You should remember that brick walls are a common part of research, and there are many ways to overcome them, which we’ll get into in the section below.

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8 genealogy brick walls and strategies to break through them

1. Missing records

Missing records are one of the most frustrating obstacles for genealogists. Essential documents such as birth, death, marriage, or census records may no longer exist due to natural disasters, wars, poor preservation practices, or legal policies that resulted in their destruction. For example, the 1890 U.S. Census — a vital resource for genealogists — was largely destroyed in a fire in 1921, leaving a 20-year gap in demographic data.

To address this, you can turn to alternative resources such as church registries, newspapers, probate files, or land deeds. Some local archives may hold unique records not yet digitized or indexed online. Additionally, collaborating with local historical societies or contacting nearby regional archives may help you uncover unexpected sources.

2. Name variations and changes

People often altered their names due to cultural shifts, immigration, or clerical errors. Record keepers might have phoneticized, translated, or misspelled surnames if they were unfamiliar with the individual’s native language. This genealogy brick wall is especially common among immigrant families adapting to a new country, where officials simplified or anglicized foreign-sounding names.

For example, an Irish immigrant named “O’Sullivan” might appear as “Sullivan” or even “Solovan” in different records. Or consider an ancestor named “Johann Müller,” whose name is recorded as “John Miller” in U.S. documents. Searching for this person across multiple records might lead to confusion unless you account for such variations.

One way to resolve this is by using wildcard searches (e.g., “M*ller” to capture different spellings) or exploring soundex systems, which group names by phonetic similarity. Additionally, looking into local naming conventions or regional linguistic patterns might help clarify confusing cases.

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3. Conflicting information

It’s common to encounter discrepancies in genealogical data, since birthdates, spellings, and even locations might differ across records. This happens due to human error, misinformation, or a lack of standardized record-keeping in earlier times. For example, a family Bible might list a birthdate as 1834, while a gravestone indicates 1836, and census records suggest yet another date based on the individual’s reported age.

You need to be organized if you’re to resolve such conflicts. Create a detailed timeline of all events associated with the ancestor to identify patterns or anomalies. Then, you can review historical context; for example, events like wars, migrations, or economic crises might explain why certain details were inconsistently reported.

Finally, cross-reference data from church records, wills, and obituaries to corroborate or refute conflicting details. You should also document your reasoning in research notes for future reference.

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4. Elusive female ancestors

Tracing female ancestors can be especially challenging because historical records often prioritize male heads of households. Women’s maiden names might not appear on documents after marriage, and records specific to their lives, such as employment or property ownership, were often sparse.

Let’s say you’re searching for “Mary Johnson,” a common name, and can only find her listed as the wife of “John Johnson” in census records. To discover her maiden name, you might need to investigate marriage certificates, baptism records for her children, or even newspaper announcements.

Digging into her husband’s records could also provide you with indirect clues. Additionally, look into wills or probate documents where women were often mentioned as beneficiaries. Or you could seek out the records of her siblings, who may be easier to trace.

5. Geographic barriers

You may face a geographical genealogy brick wall if your ancestors moved frequently, crossed borders, or lived in areas with poor record-keeping practices. For example, a family that migrated westward in the 19th-century U.S. might leave behind an incomplete or scattered paper trail. Different jurisdictions might also house their documents, meaning your have to visit multiple archives.

To overcome this, you should expand your search radius. If a family lived near a state border, their records could exist in either state or even both. Migration routes, such as railroads or canals, might also give you insights into possible destinations. You should also visit local archives in person, especially in small towns or rural areas, as they may have unique records not yet digitized.

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6. Common names

Common names present a significant challenge in genealogy because multiple individuals in the same area and time period may share the same name. For example, if you’re researching “John Smith” in 19th-century New York, you might encounter dozens of individuals with that name.

To tackle this, you should focus on creating a detailed timeline of your ancestor’s life, using unique identifiers like occupation, spouse’s name, or children’s names. Investigate associated records, such as land deeds or business directories, which might provide additional context.

Cross-referencing data across multiple sources — such as tax records, military service records, or voter registrations — can also help you differentiate between people with the same name.

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7. Illegitimacy or hidden parentage

Illegitimacy or hidden parentage often leaves gaps in the genealogical trail. Ancestors born out of wedlock or under unusual circumstances may not have been officially registered or may appear under a different name in early records. This is especially common in historical contexts where societal stigma led to deliberate omissions or alterations in documentation.

To work around this, examine church records, which sometimes noted illegitimate births. DNA testing is another popular method, but many people hesitate to take a test because they believe they may not find significant matches or connections with relatives, especially if they have already tested with another service.

With the MyHeritage DNA test, you can access an extensive database of nearly 9 million genetic samples, significantly broadening your scope of potential matches. Even users who have previously tested with other providers have discovered valuable connections when they upload their results.

Our global reach and diverse user base mean that you are likely to uncover relatives you might not have encountered otherwise, which is particularly beneficial for those researching complex family histories or seeking biological relatives in cases of adoption or illegitimacy.

The cM Explainer™ and the Theory of Family Relativity™ tools can also simplify the process of analyzing DNA matches. The cM Explainer™ provides detailed predictions of possible relationships based on shared DNA, while the Theory of Family Relativity™ integrates genealogical data with DNA results to suggest possible relationships between you and your matches.

8. Language and literacy barriers

Language and literacy genealogy brick walls arise when ancestors spoke a different language, used non-standardized spellings, or were illiterate. This often led to transcription errors in official documents or discrepancies in record-keeping. For example, a German ancestor named “Johann Müller” might be recorded as “John Miller” in English-speaking countries, or a Polish surname like “Kowalski” could appear in several variations.

To address this, familiarize yourself with the language and naming conventions of the time. Use translation tools and historical dictionaries to understand records in their original language. Phonetic searches and wildcard characters in genealogy databases can help locate variations of names. Collaborating with native speakers or linguists can also provide insights into decoding difficult records.

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Essential skills to handle brick walls

To avoid hitting genealogy brick walls, it’s essential to expand your research toolkit and leverage the power of community.

Expand your research toolkit

Don’t limit yourself to traditional sources. When one avenue dries up, be ready to explore others. Stay open to new information, as unexpected discoveries can reshape your family history. Consider researching all family members, not just the head of the household. Also, learn to navigate unindexed record sets, both online and offline.

Connect with the genealogical community

Consult with experts such as historians, genealogists, or professionals who specialize in your specific area of research. Join genealogy societies and online forums to connect with fellow researchers and share knowledge. Be proactive in seeking information by reading books, talking to librarians, and asking questions.

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The complex terrain of family history

While genealogical research is a rewarding journey, it is not without its challenges. From brick walls caused by incomplete records or privacy restrictions to the complexities of DNA analysis, many obstacles can derail your progress. But, by understanding these common roadblocks and using the strategies we have outlined, you can overcome these hurdles and continue your family history exploration.

Remember, persistence, creativity, and a willingness to adapt are key to breaking through brick walls. By combining traditional research methods with modern tools like online databases and DNA testing, you can unlock hidden secrets and piece together your family’s story.

MyHeritage DNA testing can help you overcome genealogy roadblocks by revealing hidden connections and insights that traditional research might miss. By analyzing genetic matches, you can connect with distant cousins and access their family trees, which might include previously unknown ancestors or records that are hard to find.