Joseph Martin (1811-1854) -- My brick wall

Sometimes in genealogy you will hear a researcher refer to a "brick wall." This notion refers to an ancestor that is elusive or enigmatic, one for whom you can find little or no vital information. Hitting a brick wall can be frustrating, especially if the person is relatively close to you in your direct pedigree. For me, that person is the elusive Joseph Martin.

I give up on Mr. Martin every once in a while. Joseph Martin is my proof that the old Thomas Edison saying is true, "I have not failed. I've just found ten thousand ways that won't work." Here is the little I do know about Joseph Martin: he is my fourth great-grandfather in my direct paternal line (he is my father's, father's, father's, father's, father's father); according to a marriage record from Franklin County, Indiana (see the image below), he was married to my fourth great grandmother, Lydia Arthur, on 25 March 1831; he was alive at the time of the 1850 census, but Lydia was listed as Widowed in 1860, so he died at a relatively young age between 1850 and 1860. That's it. He appears in two vital records: the marriage certificate below and the 1850 United States Census. According to the 1850 census, he was born in Ohio. Lydia was born in Clermont County, Ohio, so I assume there is a good chance that Joseph was born in Clermont or a surrounding county. A distant relative identified his birth and death dates as 25 June 1811 and 27 September 1854, though the person was not able to tell me from where the information was obtained.

Here are a few tips to help when you hit a brick wall:

(1) Step away for a while. Focus on a less elusive ancestor for a few hours, or a few days. Sometimes an "ah-ha" moment will come after a few days (or weeks, or months) of time away.

(2) Review the information you already have. Genealogists sometimes rush through transcribing, recording, and chasing down leads. Go back to the original sources and see if you've missed anything.

(3) Search for other relatives. It is easy to become focused on one individual and forget that he or she had family members that may lead to possible clues. Research siblings, parents, children.

(4) Search for other resources. Don't limit yourself to just one database or institution. If possible, use your public library's genealogy database subscriptions or try non-fee-based resources such as https://familysearch.org/ or http://www.cyndislist.com/ .

(5) Seek help from others! It is easy (and helpful) to become self-reliant, but it is not always the best strategy when performing genealogy research. Check out your local archives or genealogy department in your public library, join the local genealogy society or reach out to them for advice. There are also private genealogists that can help (for a fee).