Beginning Genealogy

Here are a few beginner tips from yesterday's Beginning Genealogy class:

• Start with yourself and move backwards one generation at a time
• Look for family history clues in old documents, diaries, and newspapers that you may have at home
• Interview family members 
• Fill out pedigree charts and family group sheets to keep track of what data you have collected
• Use online databases like Ancestry or FamilySearch to search for census records, vital records, and other documents but don't forget to contact and visit court houses, archives, libraries, and local historical societies to find documents that have not been digitized
• Keep research logs to record your sources

Happy Searching!

Family Charts

Want to get started with your family history this year? The first step is to start collecting the information you already know. You can start writing this information down in a family tree, pedigree chart, or in family group sheets.

You can create online family trees for free through Ancestry.com or MyHeritage. If you prefer paper, there are lots of free forms you can find online. Ancestry and Family Tree Magazine have a collection of printable sheets. You can also find links to more creative charts and trees at Cyndi's List or search Pinterest for downloadable forms and creative ideas.

Holidays and Family History

The holidays are the perfect time to start researching your family history. With family members gathered together, you should take the opportunity to collect information about their lives and discover what information they already know about your ancestry.

Begin your research by collecting old photographs, newspaper clippings, bibles, and family papers. Share these items with your family. Sharing these family heirlooms offer an ideal way to get family members to start reminiscing See if anyone can identify who is in the photographs. Ask if any other relatives have family items or heirlooms that they would be willing to share with you as you start your research.

Interview family members. Share stories together and record or write everything down. You're looking for more than just birth, marriage, and death dates--although, that information is extremely important. You also want family stories. If you can, try and record these discussions on your phone or computer.

Don't put off talking to your relatives! They're one of your best sources of information.

After you've collected some basic information, come to the library and we can help you further your research!

New Book: GENEALOGY by George C. Morgan

The new 3rd edition of Genealogy by George C, Morgan is part of the How To Do Everything series, and incorporates the most current information, resources, and approaches in family history research.  This comprehensive book helps you begin your research, expand it,  and go on to more advanced methods and strategies.

Numerous kinds of records are introduced and explored. Important tips are highlighted, and there are many useful illustrations.

Genealogy is available for checkout at 929.1072 MOR.

"Did You Really Start With Yourself?"

Read Did You Really Start With Yourself? a wonderful article that illustrates the correct foundation for your research, by genealogist William Dollarhide at the Genealogy Pointers Archives.
The Archives include the text of Genealogy Pointers e-newsletters, which are available weekly to subscribers of the free newsletter from Genealogical.com.. Each issue contains an informative article about some aspect of genealogy, written by a well-known expert..  Mr. Dollarhide's article is in the May 10 newsletter.