|
|
Help Files
Beginning Genealogy Seminar |
|
|
Help Files
Beginning Genealogy Seminar |
|
Beginning Genealogy Seminar
Regardless of your reason, the key to your ultimate success is your ability to organize your research as you begin the process of collecting data. The two most important factors to consider are LOCATION and ORDER. 1. Location: Wherever you decide to locate your notes and documents be sure to choose an easily accessible place, that you will remember. 2. Order: Decide what your manner of filing will be. The most common is alphabetical by surname, with folders or sections for each individual. Each folder may include documents such as family group sheets, pedigree charts, wills, photographs, or various certificates. Some researchers use plastic protective sheets to protect their photographs and documents. As you progress through the various steps, the importance of organizing your information will become apparent. How Do I Begin: Step 1. Take the time to read a book about doing genealogy. These self-help or how-to books will describe the numerous sources of information available to researchers. They will give you tips on how to begin your research, and how to locate the information you need in the various types of primary and secondary records available. Public record keeping was very unorganized in previous generations. It is far easier to plan your strategy in advance. How-to books are an excellent way to help you begin your search strategy. Going this route may delay you in the beginning, but pay multiple time-saving dividends in the long run. The bibliography located on pages 13-16 of Handout #1 (Genealogy--Nation's Leading Hobby) will describe a wide variety of how-to books available for check-out in the Lee County Library System. All of the books on this subjected are shelved under the call number 929.1. This is the call number for how-to materials.
Step 3. Tell your family that you are interested in beginning a search of your family history. Inquire about family members and friends who have kept family artifacts such as photo albums, family bibles, diaries, or have some direct knowledge of major events in the family. Step 4. Compile a list of your living relatives or neighbors that express an interest in assisting you, including their phone numbers and addresses. Step 5. Prioritize this list based on the age of each individual and their initial responses to your interest. You should always begin this process by interviewing the oldest family members. Place the greatest emphasis on family members who tell the best stories or recall the most about family traditions and events. Step 6. Plan your questioning strategy. Many self-help books recommend reading a basic history of the locality and what events had a major impact during the era being researched. Make sure your questions are clear, and concise. This is especially true if you seek information by correspondence. **If you must go the correspondence route, be sure to enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope. If you ask for a photograph or document, provide an adequate box or envelope so the item will not be damaged during transport. Be prepared for the possibility of having to pick up the item if the family member insists. Word your questions in such a way as to avoid simple yes or no answers (open-ended). - What's you full name? Getting names and dates are important, because they help you identify and sort out all your ancestors. Finding out about their personalities makes the names come alive. Hopefully, you will learn who each ancestor actually was, what he or she had to overcome in their lifetime, and how their lives would later shape you as you are today. Many researchers will ask these questions in an "interview" like setting. If the person is comfortable, record the information in audio or video format. If you must write the information down, be sure you have the name and dates right. If you have a question, check back with the person. If you encounter nicknames, find out the full name. Be careful about spelling. The same applies for place names. If you find pictures take them to the interview and fully document the content (preferably on the back of the picture if space allows). Step 7. Investigate Home Sources. Be aware that you may have some very valuable genealogical records in your home, or in the homes of close relatives and neighbors. Examples of these would include:
Step 8. Recording Information. Organization is critical as you compile the information taken from interviewing family members and from examination of home sources. Two of the most popular formats in organization of family information involve the use of Pedigree charts, family group sheets, and individual data sheets. Pedigree Charts: These charts give the broadest outline of a family tree. As you read from left to right, these forms show the name of a person, usually beginning with you, then branching to show his or her parents. Each of these lines branches in turn for grandparents, great grandparents, and earlier generations. Since these charts can stretch for several generations, a standard form will usually show only four or five generations of a family line, with reference to other pedigree charts that continue backward. Family Group Sheets: Whereas pedigree charts show the outline of a family, family group sheets show the full family structure. This form records the names of the father and mother at the top, then the names of all children. Space is also included for all, birth, marriage, and death dates and places, names of spouses of each child, residences, religious affiliation, etc. You will need a single family group record for every family (father and mother) in your genealogy. If someone married more than once, you will need a separate family record for each marriage. Individual Data Sheets: Even though a family group sheet contains more information than a pedigree chart, it still doesn't have enough room to record everything you might know about an ancestor. This is where the individual data sheet comes in. This sheet is a summary of the events in the life of an ancestor. Not just the basics of birth, marriage, and death, but any other events you might know about, such as, As you begin recording information on these sheets, fill in as many blanks as possible. You do not have to fill them in at the same time. Only fill the information in as you get it. (Refer to Genealogy--Nation's Handout Information Sheet, Page 1-2, Section on Entering Data). - Use pencil for preliminary work.
- Libraries with genealogical collections will usually have some or all of the following items: - When visiting or corresponding with any library, be sure to inquire about the availability of a brochure or information sheet which describes the organization of the genealogy collection, and details what services are available to researchers. - If you are actually visiting the facility, inquire about a guided tour of the collection. Most libraries with medium or large sized collections will offer this type of service (Example: The LDS Library in Salt Lake City conducts tours of the library every 15 minutes, and includes a supplemental 15 minute video presentation.). When utilizing library resources, be sure to maintain a research log. Research logs will enable to you to keep track of your sources, regardless of where you perform research or whether you do it in person or by mail. You research log should include the following information: If you must do your research via mail, Internet, telephone, or fax, be sure to maintain a correspondence log (in addition to a research log). Your correspondence log should include the following information: Step 10. Utilization of public and private records. Once you reach this stage, you will be contacting public institutions on the city, county, state, and federal levels. Most public records will be found at courthouses or state vital statistic archives. These types of records are usually considered primary sources. This means the records were generally created at the actual time the event occurred, or in close proximity to when the event occurred. The information was supplied by a family member or person with direct knowledge of the event. You may also have to contact various private institutions such as churches, professional associations or organizations. Most researchers at this stage attempt to gather copies of death and birth certificates, and marriage licenses. This step will involve money because all State and County Courthouses normally charge a variety of fees for copying and research services. You will need to know the approximate date and the proper County and state where the event occurred. These records may give you information about the person and often about their parents. (See Pages 5-13 Of Genealogy--Nation's Hobby Handout). It is just as important to maintain research and correspondence logs at this stage of your research as before. These logs should be an on-going part of your research. The Most Popular Types Of Public Genealogical Records Vital Statistics 1. Birth Records: Generally contain the name of the child, the exact date and place of birth, and names of both parents. When it comes to tracing your ancestors, the place where the birth occurred is often more important than the exact date. 2. Marriage Records: Most marriage records provide the name of both bride and groom, their ages, name of the father or both parents of the bride and groom, the exact place where marriage took place, the exact address of where the bride and the groom resided BEFORE their marriage. Some also include the occupations of parents and the couple about to be married, and where they both were born.
Census Records Although vital statistics are very important to genealogical research, census records can provide researchers with far more information. Every 10 years, beginning in 1841 in England & Scotland, 1851 in Canada, and 1850 in the U.S., a concerted effort was made to count every man, woman, and child by name, age, birthplace, occupation, where they lived and more. In the U.S., the census was first taken in 1790. However, only the heads of the household were listed by name. All other occupants were designated by check marks within certain specified categories. Census records were generated by enumerators. All entries were handwritten on large ledger sheets. The accuracy of census data can be excellent in some areas, horrendous in others. This could be explained by a variety of factors:
1. The Exact Place of Residence: Usually this means the city, town, village, parish or township where your ancestors lived. If you don't know the exact place, or which census year, you can try using various indexes covering census data, or vital statistics (births and marriage records).
Land Records 1. Deeds. The most important type of land record. The deed is a document by which title to real property is conveyed from one party to another. 2. Mortgages. The mortgage is a document by which a person pledges his real property or a portion of it as security for the payment of a debt. 3. Lease. The lease is a contract by which a property owner agrees to rent possession of property to another person for a stated period in return for some type of consideration (usually financial in nature). 4. Bill of Sale. This document, similar to a deed, was used to convey title to major items of personal property. Historically, this included slaves and livestock. 5. Plats. Plats are officially drawings of boundaries of a tract of land. Finding Local Area Land Records 1. Original Records. Local land records are usually kept at the county level by an officer who goes by various names such a Property Appraiser, County Recorder, Recorder of Deeds, Clerk of Court, Register of Deeds, or County Clerk. 2. Indexes. Indexes are essential tools in the use of land records. Deed indexes include only the names of the grantor and grantee and not of the other persons who may also be mentioned in the document. 3. Published Abstracts & Indexes. Deed abstract and indexes have been published in a variety of formats. 4. Tax Records. Tax records are a tool to assist in locating ancestors in a particular place at a given time before census records are available and between decades when federal population censuses occur. Probate Records The probate file can be one of the most useful set of records for any genealogist. This file can be extremely useful in establishing relationships within a family and tracking down lost or unknown ancestors. 1. Last Wills/Testaments |
