For my genealogy research, 'brick walls' and 'same name' often go hand in hand. Hiram M. Currey and James Crawford are two examples where a 'brick wall' also involves working thru 'same name' issues. In the case of Hiram M. Currey, I have four generations that go by that name. To further complicate the issue, there is another Hiram M. Currey that is about the same age as my Hiram M. Currey of Peoria, Illinois. My James Crawford research is more complicated. I have identified three James Crawford families in the same area of early Kentucky. Histories of the region refer to a Rev. James Crawford who is likely the Rev. James Crawford -- a fourth James Crawford.
Over the years, I have been able to figure out the relationships between the multiple Hiram M Curreys and to separate the multiple James Crawfords. I have found the following techniques useful:
- Perform a reasonably exhaustive research of all people of the same name in the same area and time period
- Research the descendants of all of the people of the same name for at least three generations
- Use land records
