Even if you have been searching for your brick wall ancestor over the course of a lifetime, it is always best to start the brick wall breakthrough process by reviewing the information you already know. Gather together every scrap of evidence in one central location, whether that is a notebook or a genealogy software program. Look over each document, photo, newspaper clipping, etc. for new clues - fresh eyes and the many hours of experience you have gained since first collecting these records may yield a new piece or two for your puzzle, if not the final solution. Land records may list neighbors that you have since learned married into your family. Photos may have names scribbled on the back which you didn't notice when your grandmother gave them to you ten years ago. You may find an old deed to be more intelligible now that you have more experience at reading old documents. The minister's name listed on an old marriage record may lead you to your ancestors' church and even more discoveries.

My mother and I located our Henrietta buried in a small family cemetery outside of Crisp, NC. She died young, at the age of 25, and is buried under a small marker that reads only “Henrietta, wife of M. M. Crisp.” This direct evidence of her lack of identity renewed my determination to discover her story. I began my quest by reviewing all of the information I had collected about Henrietta over the years and a few new clues came to light – ones I had previously overlooked:

1. In the 1910 Federal Census, Mammy Pattie, age 11, is not living with her father and his third wife (Henrietta was wife #2 and died in 1901). Could she be living with her mother’s family? Could adoption or guardian records exist?
    
2. I discovered that I had neglected to search for a social security application record for Mammy Pattie, which could provide further clues to her parentage, and immediately rectified the oversight. Nothing new was learned, however.
    

For more information:

Organization for Genealogists
Tips and resources for organizing your genealogy research, including lessons and how-tos, software, books, supplies, and more!

Genealogy Software Reviews, Links and Tips
Collect your genealogy information in one place for easy analysis and review with this collection of genealogy software resources including family tree programs, ratings and reviews, how-to's and tips, and free trial downloads of most of the major programs.

Problem Solving for Genealogists
"Research goes a little more smoothly if there is some level of organization to the research process and to the actual materials that are located while researching." From Michael J. Neill.