ANCESTRAL ANALYSIS is owned by Rondina P. Muncy. I specialize in solving
difficult cases, tracing ancestral lines, and using land records from multiple sources
to create plats that demonstrate familial relationships and location. Most cases take
lines back to their East Coast and Southeast origins. All research involves
understanding federal, state, and local records, and the use of what was originally
called "cluster genealogy" or what Elizabeth Shown Mills CG, CGL, FASG now
terms the "Fan Club." Up until the mid-twentieth century individuals did not
normally move from place to place without a community of friends and relatives.
Placing a subject within the context of their friends, associates, and neighbors
(FANs) helps determine possible migratory routes and distinguishes people with
the same name.
My basic philosophy when approaching research is that there are no brick-walls in
genealogy, only undiscovered sources and misunderstood information.
Many problems can be solved by:
- reevaluating sources previously used.
- opening up new avenues of research if past focus has been too
- reexamining the chronology of events to make sure it is reasonable.
- studying the families surrounding the subject—regardless of
- understanding local and national migration patterns.
- observation of not only the state and county history, but the
micro-history of the a county or geographic region.
- using knowledge of landmarks relevant to research locations such as
blockhouses, forts, stations, general stores, post offices, and taverns.
- discarding preconceived notions about a family's history.
- the use of Y, mitochondrial, and autosomal DNA together with exhaustive
- using the Genealogical Proof Standard developed by the Board for Certification of
Genealogists as a bench mark for research and analysis.
By using these tools to understand the relationships between a family being researched and their neighbors and associates, in most cases, problems can be solved.