Articles by Richard A. Pence

Numbering Systems In Genealogy What one observer calls the "classic" summary of genealogical numbering systems.

Where Two White Oaks Used to Grow A case study in locating land described only by "metes and bounds." Revised and updated with added links.

Searching Your Family Tree My series of articles for beginners in genealogy. It is captioned at this site - rootscomputing.com - as follows: "This is one of the best references available on how to get started researching your family tree."

The Above Article in its original text version as posted on the old FidoNet BBS network 15 years ago!

Sources, Citations, Documentation and Evaluating Evidence In Genealogy An article based on an on-line class in soc.genealogy.methods during February and March of 1998.

The History of Mill Creek Church A compilation of information relating to the history of this old church in Hamburg,Va., which was atttended by the family of Henry Pence, my fourth great grandfather in the late 1700s.

What Did You Say Your Name Was? A case study of the multitude of different names used by the author's Norwegian-American great grandparents in the late 1800s.

The Hidden Clues In Guardianship Bonds A look at guardianship bonds and the unwritten messages they carry. Originally published in Missing Links.

Bonds That Bind: What's a Marriage Bond - and Why? Understanding the reasons for marriage bonds can help you in your research.

Computerized Trolling Using your computer to help you solve those knotty genealogical problems - while avoiding the pitfalls of faulty pedigrees.

Twelve Tips That Will Make You a Welcome Genealaogy Poster Improve your message and improve your responses.

Using Internet Family Data Effectively A Key to Successful Family Tree-Climbing Is Understanding How to Use the Information You Can Find on the Web.

The Melungeons Revisited Article in the December, 1998, on-line publication of the International Internet Genealogical Society.

The Homestead Act of 1862 A brief description of the Homestead Act and its records.

Computers: Changing the Face of Genealogy. An overview written in 1989, still timely in some respects: How computers have changed the way we do genealogy. Includes now historical looks at explanations of tiny tafels and BBSes and other computer-related terms.

Humor

Effective Use of Genealogy Newsgroups (and Mailing Lists) If you lean all of this you will understand how to effectively use the Net to communicate.

If I Throw It Away I'll Need It Geneolgists can never have too much stuff, but you have to be constantly on guard to protect it.

One More Reason Why I Would Make a Lousy Crook Apparently some theives would make great -genealogists!