|
How to get Started in the Study of Genealogy
In Three Easy Steps
Step 1:
I've been asked many times how to get started with Genealogy. I thought it would be fun to include how here. I always say, "Start with yourself." Get a piece of paper, a spiral note book would be great. Write down these Vital Statistics.
NAME: Your full name (Use your maiden name if you are female as all the women will be entered.)
SEX: This is important because often names can be the same for both sexes. Such as... Francis or Marion.
BIRTH: Date and where, be sure to list where, and as much of where as you can, like... City, County and State.
FATHER: Here his name is all that is required. Later you will be making a page for him, just like this one. These are called "FAMILY SHEETS."
MOTHER: The same goes for her.
SPOUSE: Name. If you have been married before, list them as Spouse 1, Spouse 2 etc. Make a Family Sheet for each.
MARRIAGE: Date and where.
DEATH: You won't be using this soon, but you will want to list a place for death anyway on this and other "Family Sheets." As you proceed to go back in your family history, death dates are very helpful. You will want to list any known deaths dates and where.
BURIAL: Name of Cemetery and where.
CHILDREN: Give full names, date of birth and where on your page. You may also like to devote a "Family Sheet" page to each child. As they grow older, you can add, marriages, etc. If you had more than one husband, list your children with the proper father.
Basically you are finished with yourself. Leave the rest of the page. You may want to later list things like where you have lived, gone to school, worked or any other thing that you may find interesting to note.
Go on to the next page, this will be your husband/wife. List the same for them, except the children you will have them in common. Leaving the rest of the page for his additional information. Be as exact as you can and get help when needed. Older memebers of your family, may know things you don't think they know. Ask everyone for their knowledge of the family.
Now, it's all just a matter of collecting all of the known information you can. Your parents, husband/wife's parents, their parents etc. The more information you collect the easier it will be to continue your search. For instance, your grandmother may say, "I was born in Missouri, but we moved to California when I was a child." This can be a very important statement. When looking for her parents death records. You could start with California. Some times it's very helpful to take along a tape recorder when interviewing, so you can check and make sure you wrote down things correctly.
Now, if you have a computer, the best way of storing your information is in a genealogy program. There are many good programs out there, I'm sure you have heard of many. I use PAF (Personal Ancestry File.) It's as good or better than most. I personally highly recommend it. And.... It's Free! You can find it at Family Search�. http://www.familysearch.org/ ...Or/ I have included a link on my Home Page just below the "Get Help." Look for and click on "orders/downloads" then look for Software downloads..... FREE. You can't beat that, Free is good. Just download it and start entering your information. It's easy to use and when you are ready to share information, this program makes that easy too.
Step 2:
Learning the unknown from the known information. This can be fun, it's like being a detective. I always suggest getting as many of the known "records" as you can. Birth, Death and Marrage records. These are Vital Statistic's. They can generally be found in the City, County or State where the record was recorded. Most States kept good records after 1900, some States even eariler.You will want to collect and record as many as you can. Another reason for collecting these records, is that you are giving your research creditability. I recommend getting all the documentation as you can. However, "proof" is only needed when wanting to join the DAR or some other organization needing proof. Beware, not all research available is to be taken as fact. Even records, recorded in State files. These facts are only as good as the person giving the information. Death records can be mistakenly wrong at times. Joining Societies and Associations can be helpful, but not necessary.
How to collect these records, is not difficult, but time comsumming. This is where many letters and correspondances come in. You will be writing many letters to family - siblings, cousins, grandparents etc. You may not get an answer, but write anyway asking what they know about the family. When writing letters asking for Birth, Death, and Marriage records. write to the City, County or State of your person in question. Ask for forms and cost of receiving a record. Costs usually vary by State. The address is usally the same for all��. Dept. of Vital Statistics, City of/County of/State of/--, City, State, and zip code. This address will generally get your letter to where you want it to go. They will send you a form listing information required to do a search. The more information you know the easier it will be to get a record. If you don't know a pacific date, they generally do a 5-10 year search. So put down a date you believe is closest to the date in question and fill out all known information. Often you can request this information on line. Just go to the State or County website. I think I would request the forms this way. and after you have received the form, fill it out and send it back. Don't forget to send a Check or Money Order back with the form.
Set up a file system with folders. List the folders by Surname. You can put all correspondence into the folder along with family sheets, and any records you received for future use. You might want to list who and where you have written for information so you don't request information you have already requested, and didn't receive anything in return.
What can you learn from these records? �. Birth records tell you, besides about the birth of the person in question, the name of parents and where they were born. Death records tell where a person was born/died, their spouse, and where they were born, when married and the persons parents and where they were born. It's so much fun when the records start coming back. Be sure to note your findings on your family sheets and/or in your genealogy program. List when and where you found the information. When finding things in books or census. List your findings so others can find it. Such as Vol. No. and page. etc.
Step 3:
You are on your own, but not alone. Many avenues of research is available to you. Mountains of information on line and Salt Lake City, Utah. You can reach your nearest Family History Center, this is the local Morman church library. Look in your phone book for Latter Day Saints Library. Most cities have at least one. They will be more than happy to help you. Libraries in the towns, cities and counties most always have histories, some genealogies, some vital records and some censuses. Every State Census and Military records can be found in National Archives. Look for the nearest one to you, they all have records for all 50 States. I've listed a few website's on my Home Page to get you started. Before you know it, you will be well on your way and telling others how to get started. I will always be here for you. Just send me an E-Mail, if you get into trouble. Good Luck!
This Web Page was
created by Bobbi Stockton
� copyright 2002
|