Methods
Run the Courthouse Loop Before Publishing
This field note is part of the FOBA learning stream. It is meant to orient readers and point toward better source work.
Key points
- The courthouse loop keeps one dramatic record from carrying the whole story.
- A deed may need probate; probate may need tax; tax may need maps; maps may need newspapers; newspapers may need court files or church minutes.
- The loop is slower than a single-source post, but it gives public pages better claim limits and better correction paths.
Next steps
- Make a one-page table for deed, probate, marriage, court, tax, map, newspaper, church, school, cemetery, and oral-history leads.
- Mark each source as support, context, conflict, or next lead.
- Publish cautious wording until the loop has enough support for a stronger sentence.
Source trail
- FOBA County Courthouse Loop – Internal local-records toolkit entry.