Getting Started

What is Genealogy?

Genealogy is the study of your family history. It’s a record of your ancestors (when they were born, where they lived, who they married, who their children were, and where they belong in your family tree). Research is done, one generation at a time, starting with you. Genealogical research requires that you use family and historical records to prove, or disprove, the “blood relationship” or “kinship” of an individual or group of individuals. Various records can help you trace (and keep track) of your ancestors and assist you in telling their stories.

Getting Started

Step 1 - Family History Questionnaire

Complete a Family History Questionnaire. On this form you will enter what you know about your father and mother; paternal grandparents and great grandparents; maternal grandparents and great grandparents; and their siblings. On completion, you have prepared a framework for your research. Your objective is to document the information you entered on the form, then research and document the remaining questions.

Step 2 – Family Group Sheets

Use a separate Family Group Sheet for each couple in your family. Enter their names and list their children (oldest to youngest), indicating their birth dates and places, spouses, if any, and marriage dates. (Remember to complete Family Group Sheets for the married children.)

Use a second Family Group Sheet if there is a second marriage and list the children of that marriage.

Check family records to get information. Some examples are:

Family Bibles
Birth, Marriage and Death Certificates
Divorce Records
Wills
Deeds to Property
Old Letters
Photographs
Plaques, Awards, Honors and other Memorabilia
School Certificates
Insurance Papers
Funeral Programs
Obituaries
Membership Cards
Anniversary Programs for Organizations and Churches
School and College Yearbooks
Military Discharge Papers
Any other sources with names and dates

NOTE: Everything is not on the Internet. In some cases you may have to search (or send for copies) of marriage, birth and death records. A few sources are: the National Archives and Records Administration, state Bureaus of Vital Records, state libraries, local Clerk’s Offices, local Courthouses, churches, cemeteries, etc.)

(Make copies of everything you find. Date, and name the subject(s) of, photographs.

Step 3 - Talk to Your Family

Interview as many of your family members as possible. Each will have personal memories and stories. Some may conflict with the facts, but may contain a grain of truth that can used as a lead in your research. Older family members, friends, and long-time neighbors may have information about your elders. These are the people you will want to interview. You might want to send a letter to family members asking for help…

(Sample Letter)

Dear Family Members,

Do you know anything about the stories uncle George used to tell about his World War II service in North Africa? Well, I found that some of them are true.

Did you know that our Grandpa John and his wife Malinda bought the land that we now own, right after they were freed from slavery?

Well, I didn’t know any of this until I did a little digging into our family history. I would like to invite you to join with me in telling our family’s story. It can be done, but I need your cooperation and support. Here are some things you can do to help:

Volunteer to serve as one of the family historians.
Complete and return the enclosed Family Group Sheet, and return it to me as soon as possible.
Be prepared for a phone interview in the near future.
Send me copies of any old family photos. (Using a pencil, on the back of each photo, note the name(s) of the subject(s) of the pictures and the date (or estimated date) the photograph was taken).
Send me copies of family documents, for example, certificates of birth, marriage or death, deeds, licenses, etc. (Notations made in your bible about family events would also be helpful.)

I will be calling you in the next month to explain in more detail. In the meantime, work on those forms for me.

Our family history can only be told with the help and support of all family members. This is our story, and we need to tell it.

Sincerely,

Step 4 – National Archives/Family History Center/On-Line Genealogy sites

Hopefully you have gathered enough information on family members that were alive in 1930. You can now search the Federal Population Census Records for your ancestors.

To obtain access to census records, check online genealogy sites. There are free, as well as, fee-based Internet sources. Check your local library to see if it provides access to genealogy sites.

You may want to visit the National Archives and Record Administration (NARA), which is headquartered in Washington DC, and has a number of regional offices across the country. The Church of Latter Day Saints - Family History Center provides access to a vast storehouse of genealogical data in Salt lake City, Utah, and also has regional Family History Centers across the country.

Step 5 – Document your information

When you find pages in a book or newspaper that are of value to your genealogy, make copies. Be sure to note identifying information such as title, author, publisher, and publication date. When relevant information is located on microfilm, make note of the facility where the microfilm was housed and identifying data concerning the microfilm (roll number, etc.). When recording information gathered by oral or written interview, indicate the name of the interviewee, his/her source, and the date of the interview.

If you cannot document an event (your great-grandparents’ marriage, for instance), indicate the steps taken to obtain that documentation and your best guess as to why no documentation was found.

Step 6 - Organizing Your Data

Hanging files, folders or loose leaf binders are all suitable systems for storing your data. Questionnaires, Family Group Sheets, maps, news clippings, historical data, correspondence, certificates, and research notes need to be safe and accessible. Photographs and fragile documents need to be preserved in acid-free page covers. It is also advisable to scan data to a computer.

There are several computer software programs that make it easy to record your data, scan your media, store it and produce reports, books and graphic family trees. Select a method of organization and protect your research.You don’t want all of your hard work to be lost to future generations.

Step 7 - Learn More about Genealogy

The easiest and most enjoyable way to learn more about genealogy is by joining a genealogical society.

At a typical monthly society meeting, knowledgeable speakers address various aspects of genealogical or historical research. ommonwho will give a demonstration or lesson on one aspect of genealogy, such as vital records, cemetery records, military records, etc.

Some organizations have a beginner’s session, prior to the general meeting. Genealogical societies are places where you can meet people with similar interests and possible connections.

Start your search today!

Most people can identify 4 generations (that’s 8 great grandparents). You represent 1 generation. Enjoy the search for your…

Generation Ancestors

2 2 parents

3 4 grandparents

4 8 great grandparents

5 16 gg grandparents

6 32 ggg grandparents

7 64 gggg grandparents