Helpful Hints for New Genealogists

Compiling your family’s history is a major task and one that can be intimidating at times. This is especially true if you’re unsure of where to begin. With some careful preparation, it will definitely be worth the effort. Genealogy is more than just a hobby, it’s a passion that should be shared and passed on to future generations.

The traditional method for most beginners who wish to find their ancestors is to question parents and grandparents. They are the ones who are likely to have the most clear and accurate memories. They may also possess written records or family bibles that can give you the information you need to carry you to the next step. Once you have gathered as much information as you can from your relatives, it’s then time to start visiting libraries, courthouses, and anywhere else you believe information may be found. It’s also a good idea to check municipal and village records as well as church registers, which often record weddings, christenings, and funerals. Your purpose here is to seek documentation from these sources that can verify the information you have collected.

In the case of most of our ancestors, a family may be traced back to the time of its arrival in America. Ships logs, immigration records, and other required documentation often can be found that will verify your ancestors arrival. Research in the country of a family's origin is usually the most difficult because records may no longer exist and work may have to be conducted in a foreign language. In the U.S., researchers also have the benefit of the Church of Latter Day Saints (American Mormons) who have compiled a comprehensive collection of modern records that their missionaries spent many years in foreign countries copying.

As you can see, there are endless possibilities for finding and documenting information on your family. Even though it may seem overwhelming at times, it is also very satisfying when the pieces start coming together. Now, let’s get started with a few helpful suggestions that should get you headed in the right direction.

Preparation

Before you begin your research it is important that you prepare yourself for the task ahead. Be smart and learn the basics of genealogy. Purchase "how-to" books that will explain research techniques and sources. Talk to others who have been involved in genealogy to learn what to do and what not to do. There are many books and kits on the market today that will help get you started and will teach you good record keeping and research habits. Be prepared before jumping in.

Start With What You Know

Start documenting your family tree based entirely on what you know. You can do this on paper or you can buy one of the many software programs on the market that are designed for just this purpose. I personally prefer Family Tree Maker but there are others that I’m told are just as easy to use and definitely make record keeping a lot easier. First, make a simple chart, beginning with you, your parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. Even if the information you have is full of holes or question marks, a rough draft will tell you where you’ll need to concentrate your research efforts. Once you have done this, gather any records you may have around the house and compare them with your outline. Search for birth, marriage, and death certificates, or any other documents that might provide names, dates, and locations. These documents can provide much of the information you may be missing.

Get Your Family Involved

The next step in the process is to get your family involved. Remember, living relatives are your very best resource when beginning your research. It is also wise to remember that family members often have different versions of the same story since each person remembers an event in his or her unique way so it is beneficial to talk to as many relatives as you can to try and get a complete picture. Ask them for stories that pertain to your past or question them about their past. Where did they live? Did they move a lot? Where were their relatives born? When and where did they die? What did they do for a living? Any information you can obtain will prove to be useful and will help you develop a picture of your family and their life. Be sure to record this information for future use as well. You can write the information down or record it electronically. Making an electronic document of your relatives is a great way to get the younger generation involved and acquaint them with their past. You can also ask your relatives to sort through their belongings. You may come across some valuable information in old baby books, school records, military records, family bibles, funeral cards, obituary notices, insurance papers, letters (always check envelopes for postmarks and addresses), diaries, passports, scrapbooks and journals that might help you expand your search. Turning family history into a family event will encourage everyone to get involved in the project.

Explore All Available Resources

Once you’ve exhausted all family resources, you’ll need to branch out and do some research on your own. My suggestion would be to pick a family member about whom your information is incomplete. For example, if you are missing information about one of your grandparents, start with them. Try to obtain vital records such as birth, death, and marriage records where these records exist. Visit or contact the courthouse in the locality where your ancestor(s) lived to see what information they may have available. More often that not, you may be able to discover wills, deeds and other records that can be beneficial in your research. Always work backward from the known to the unknown. Local libraries, genealogical societies, and history centers also can be very helpful and often have published family histories, old newspapers and other research materials.

The Internet is also an excellent source for family history information and more is being made available every day. Ancestry.com, Genealogy.com, and a plethora of other genealogy related web sites contain millions of names submitted by fellow researchers and provide a valuable resource.

Another key resource and a foundation for genealogical research is the federal census. Federal census records from 1790-1930 are available at many locations including the National Archives and its branches, through LDS Family History Centers, at many large public libraries and through some Internet sources.

As you can see, there are numerous sources that have the potential to provide you with the information you are looking for. It will be up to you to discover which particular ones contain the information on your family that you are looking for. Other sources that may be useful to you are churches, cemeteries, and funeral homes in the area where your ancestor(s) lived.

Record Your Information

Once you have collected your family information, it is important to record it correctly. This is usually done on forms referred to as family group sheets and pedigree charts. As stated earlier, you can buy one of the many software programs on the market that will help you organize your documentation and were designed for just this purpose. Be sure to indicate a source for each fact and then file families in separate groups organized so that you can locate each individual as your collection expands. Include old photos (of people, homes, and cemetery markers) and record stories, both those you heard as a child and those your family members tell you.

Expand Your Knowledge

To continue your learning experience beyond that of a beginner, you may want to consider taking some genealogy related classes at your local college or adult education facility. There are also numerous on-line courses available that enable you to study at home at your own pace and include instructions and assignments. Taking some of these courses will expand your knowledge and will show you how to find and use source records, evaluate genealogical evidence, document each item, and maintain orderly records.

Share and Preserve

After you’ve completed a good portion of your research, it is time to sort through the information you’ve collected and organize it into something you can display and share with family members. There are numerous ways to share your hard work with your family and there are several shops that specialize in shadowbox displays and other ways to preserve precious documentation. You may even want to consider writing a book once you have reached that point in your research where it is time to do so. One way or another, make sure to show off your hard work. Remember that you’ll want a tangible heirloom to pass on to children and grandchildren. Whether it’s a scrapbook, shadowbox or an elaborate family tree book, a material collection of your efforts will be appreciated for decades to come.

Good luck and all the best as you begin your search for your family roots.