BEGINNING GENEALOGY Lorraine Minor August 2015

Transcription

1 BEGINNING GENEALOGY Lorraine Minor August 2015 THE GENEALOGY RESEARCH PROCESS (This is a circular process) 1. Develop a Research Plan. The purpose of a research plan is to focus your research. Your research plan should discuss what you already know, what you are searching for and where you plan to perform your research. You can record the results on your research calendar or on the research plan. 2. Perform the research and fill out the Research Calendar. Use the research calendar to record exactly what you searched for including different spellings of a surname, different combinations of on-line searches, exactly where you searched and the date and place of the search. When doing the research remember to read the introductory and explanation material, record the exact source (copying the title page helps), look at neighboring pages and if possible making a copy of the document found. When you make copies, record the source information on the copy. If you download an image, record where you stored the image on your research calendar. If your search yielded no results, note that information, so you don t repeat the search another time. 3. Record and Evaluate the Information. Once at home, enter the information into your genealogy software. As you are recording the information, note differences in spelling of names. These alternate spellings can be used when doing future research. Record every bit of information including negative or conflicting information and evaluate the new information as to its reliability and how it compares with what you already know. Note discrepancies. Information you find in books, CDs, the Internet, etc. may not be correct. Errors occur in transcription or the person presenting the information may just be wrong. Always go to the original source to verify the information and look for details not transcribed. Every piece of information should be confirmed, if possible, by documents that were created at the time of the event. See for more hints on document analysis. See for a discussion of sources, evidence and proof. Clearly indicate the source of each bit of information you obtain. Include everything necessary to immediately find the information again. Also record where you have filed the document or image in your home file or on your computer. An excellent guide for source citation & analysis of evidence is Evidence Explained, Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace, by Elizabeth Shown Mills. 4. Develop questions for future research. What documents can you research that will confirm evidence you already have or add more meat to the facts? Have you researched every document that you can find where this person might appear? Can you find the original documents cited in the databases on-line or research done by others? Create a new research plan to answer these questions. GENEALOGY SOFTWARE Many packages are available to organize your research and generate reports including charts and family group sheets. GenSoftReviews features user reviews Some of the packages listed are no longer supported. Pick software that allows you to enter conflicting dates for vital records and has a full citation capability. Once you decide on software, join a mailing list to learn tips for using the software and ask questions of experts. See

2 Legacy Family Tree Standard Edition is free. RootsMagic RootsMagic Essentials is free. Support for FamilySearch s Family Tree. Family Tree Maker $ Largest selling genealogy software. Reunion For Mac, iphone and ipad. Tips for Recording Data in Your Genealogy Software 1. Write up a style sheet for recording names, places and dates. Standard practice is to record dates in the format DD MMM YYYY where MMM is the first three letters of the month - Sep. 2. Hopefully your software has separate fields for given name and surname. Best not to use all caps for the surname when entering data. Your software should allow an option to print the surname in all caps in reports. 3. Spell out the place names and include the word county. ex. Rockville, Montgomery County, Maryland. 4. Don t forget to backup your data, including scanned images, often to a separate medium and store those backups away from your home at a relative s or in a safe deposit box. Online Family Trees Another way to record information about your family and to share that information is to record the information directly on the web. At click on Family Trees and then Start a New Tree. Other genealogy web sites also offer this capability, including - Family Tree and Remember that once you store your information on the web, you lose control over it. WHERE TO RESEARCH Your goal is to search every document that may provide information about the person you are researching. Pick a family to research. This will allow you to focus your research. You can always switch to another family. Start from the most current generation (you or your parents) and work back. Find out as much as you can about a generation before moving back to the next older one. Research siblings, in-laws and even neighbors. Their documents may contain information that will help in researching your ancestor. 1. Gather and Organize Everything That Is Known Whether you are beginning to do genealogical research or are searching for a particular ancestor or relative, it is important that you talk to everyone in your family and gather all the information that is known about the people you wish to research. Learn about all family members including siblings, in-laws, etc. Don't forget to look at old letters, birth and marriage announcements, bible records, yearbooks, pictures and newspaper clippings. Scan these pictures and documents to help preserve them. Organize these documents and scanned images so that they can easily be found again. Encourage your older relatives to record their life experiences. The Family History Center has an Oral History Room that you can schedule. There you can talk to a relative and the interview will be recorded on a DVD that you can take with you, when you leave. Consider recording or writing your own life history. Talk about games you played as a child, your family life, etc.

3 2. Census Research If your ancestor was living in this country in 1940 or earlier, search in the US Census Records. Start with the 1940 census and work your way back. Census information will tell you who was living where and provide clues to their birth dates and other information. If you can find your ancestor in a census as a child, the schedule will also show his or her parents, siblings and perhaps even a grandparent. Remember, however, that you do not know who provided the information to the census taker so it may or may not be totally accurate. Ancestry, Family Search and Heritage Quest web sites have indexed and scanned census data and are a good place to start. The National Archives has these records on microfilm and free access to Ancestry. 3. Search On-line Search for your ancestors online at and If you are researching an usual given or surname, don t forget to do a Google search. Remember that any information found in databases or family files provides clues to your family that must be verified. 4. Search Records Not Available On-line Millions of original records have been digitized and made available online but there will always be records that are only available in their original format. You will have to search for these records in the location your ancestor lived by going to the Court House, Libraries and Archives in that locality or by obtaining films of the records through the LDS Family History Centers' Family History Library Catalog. Search probate, court, land, church, tax and other records that were created at the time and place your ancestor lived. These records may provide the only information available about your ancestor. If you do not find your ancestor mentioned, look for siblings, other family members and neighbors. Tracing their ancestors may lead you to yours. EDUCATION Read as much as you can in genealogical journals about research techniques and sources available for your locality of interest. Attend seminars and conferences and take classes. Learn about the history and culture of the area. Join a local genealogical society. Come to the Family History Center on Tuesday mornings to join other beginners and learn research techniques. Read blogs (see to search for a topic) and look at webinairs. GENEALOGICAL ORGANIZATIONS. National Genealogical Society, 3108 Columbia Pike, Suite 300,Arlington, Virginia Membership $60 per year. Quarterly journal and newsletter and yearly conferences. Their home study course is excellent and they now offer courses on-line. Afro-American Historical & Genealogical Society. For local chapters see Fairfax Genealogical Society, PO Box 2290, Merrifield, VA Meetings, classes, newsletter, all day seminars. Genealogy Club of the Montgomery County Historical Society, 111 West Montgomery Avenue, Rockville, MD Monthly meetings, newsletter and various genealogy courses. Jewish Genealogy Society of Greater Washington, PO Box 1614, Rockville, MD Monthly meetings, newsletter. Prince George's County Genealogical Society, PO Box 819, Bowie, MD Meets monthly except summers in Greenbelt, MD.

4 GENEALOGICAL GUIDES AND MANUALS Burroughs, Tony. Black Roots: A Beginner s Guide to Tracing the African American Family Tree. New York: Simon & Schuster-Fireside, Carmack, Sharon DeBartolo. Organizing Your Family History Search. Cincinnati: Betterway Books, Everton, George B., Sr. The Handy Book for Genealogists. 11th rev.ed. Logan, Utah: Everton Publishers, This book provides information about the history of the formation of each county in each state, the types of records available in each county and the addresses to write for the records. Also includes brief information about nineteen countries and migration routes. Greene, Bob and D. G. Fulford. To Our Children's Children: Preserving Family Histories for Generations to Come. New York: Doubleday, A comprehensive list of questions to ask when writing your memories. Could also be a guide for questions to ask your relatives. Greenwood, Val D. The Researcher's Guide to American Genealogy. 3rd ed. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 20. This is the most comprehensive guide for beginners to genealogical research. Grundset, Eric G. and Steven B. Rhodes. American Genealogical Research at the DAR. Washington, D.C.: National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Hinckley, Kathleen W. Locating Lost Family Members and Friends. Cincinnati: Betterway Books, Guide for 20th century research. Kurzweil, Arthur. From Generation to Generation: How to Trace Your Jewish Genealogy & Family History. Jossey-Bass, Mills, Elizabeth S. Evidence Explained: Citing History Sources from Artifacts to Cyberspace 3rd Edition. Genealogical Publishing Company, Also available for download. Rose, Christine and Kay Germain Ingalls. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Genealogy.3rd ed. New York: Alpha Books, An excellent, easy to read book for beginners. Smith, Franklin Carter and Emily Anne Croom. A Genealogist s Guide to Discovering Your African- American Ancestors. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2009 Szucs, Loretto D. and Sandra H. Luebking (eds). The Source: A Guidebook of American Genealogy. Third ed. Salt Lake City: Ancestry, This is an excellent guide for where to find various records. U.S. National Archives and Records Service. Guide to Genealogical Research in the National Archives. 3 rd ed. Washington, D.C.: National Archives, Provides a good overview to sources available in the National Archives. Various Authors. NGS Research in the States Series. National Genealogical Society. In print or E-book. See Genealogical Proof Standard Research should be reasonably exhaustive. Evidence is drawn from reliable sources, correctly interpreted. Contradictory evidence should be soundly rebutted. All statements of fact are documented. All deductions are carefully reasoned and explained in writing.

5 GENEALOGICAL RESOURCES IN THE WASHINGTON D.C. AREA A picture ID for identification may be necessary either to gain access to the building or to order documents once within the building. Have bills in the $1 to $5 range to pay for copies and always have a couple of dollars in quarters. It is a good idea not to carry original documents with you, especially to the National Archives. Hours are subject to change, especially on week-ends and evenings, so call ahead or check the web site before you go. National Archives. 7th & Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC ( ) (Monday - Saturday, 9AM to 5PM) Original Civil War Pension files. There are usually volunteers available to get you started and the staff is very helpful. The nearest metro stop is Archives/Navy Memorial on the Yellow Line. For genealogy research, enter on the Pennsylvania Avenue (north) side, directly across Pennsylvania Avenue from the Metro entrance. LDS Family History Centers. The largest Center in the area is located at Stoneybrook Road, Kensington, MD. ( ) (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, 9:30 to 4:30 and 7 PM to 9:30PM, Friday 9:30 to 1:00, Saturday 9:30 to 4:30) Computers provide access to several subscription web sites, including Ancestry and Fold3. Able to view microfilms of published family and local histories and primary source documents from all over the world after ordering online at The Family Group Records Archive and some books and films are available in the permanent collection. The Center is staffed by volunteers who will give you a short orientation tour and help you get started. Take the Beltway to the Connecticut Avenue exit. Go North towards Kensington. Turn right at the light onto Beach Drive. Follow Beach Drive until it dead-ends at Stoneybrook Drive. Turn left and follow Stoneybrook Drive up the hill, past the Mormon Temple. The Center is in basement of the large red brick church building on the left. A Ride-On bus connects to the Silver Spring Metro Station. Call the Family History Center for details. There are other centers in the area that are smaller and have fewer hours. The Kensington Center has a list or look on-line. Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Library. Located at 1776 D street, N.W., Washington, D.C. ( ) (8:30 AM to 4 PM, Monday - Friday and 9 AM to 5 PM on Saturday.) There is a daily admission fee for non-members. Records include state and local histories, Revolutionary War histories, family genealogies, documentation files in support of DAR membership applications, city directories, and general reference books. Take the Orange/Blue Line to the Farragut West Metro stop at 17th and I Streets. Then walk south on 17th Street to D Street. Enter on D Street, between 17th and 18th Streets. Library of Congress ( ) (Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 8:30 AM to 9:30 PM; Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, 8:30 AM to 5 PM.) Take the Blue or Orange Line to the Capitol South Metro Station, which is at 1st and D Streets SE. Walk north along 1st or 2nd Street, crossing C Street to Independence Avenue. See below for specifics. Library of Congress Main Reading Room Located in the Thomas Jefferson Building on 1st Street SE between East Capitol Street and Independence Avenue. You will need to obtain a user card at the Reader Registration Station in the Madison building - enter via the Independence Avenue entrance. Now the location of materials formerly in the Local History & Genealogy Reading Room: American genealogies, local histories and city directories. Good for finding research already done on your family. Ask the librarian to explain the cataloging system and introduce you to the facilities to help save some time. Library of Congress Newspaper and Current Periodical Room. Located in the James Madison Building between 1st and 2nd Streets SE on Independence Avenue. Enter on Independence Avenue and ask the guard for directions. Newspapers on microfilm from major US and foreign cities. Jane C. Sween Library of the Montgomery County Historical Society. 111 West Montgomery Avenue, Rockville, MD ( ). (Wednesday thru Friday, 10 AM to 4 PM, Saturday, 12 PM to 4 PM) Research fee for non-members. Publications and records relating to Montgomery County including a surname index to Montgomery County families, general books on genealogical research and Maryland publications.

6 GENEALOGY AND THE INTERNET In the past few years, many resources have become available through the Internet. Researchers can easily communicate with other researchers all over the world, exchanging information on specific families, research techniques, and cultural traditions in specific areas, etc. One word of warning. Unless you are viewing scanned original documents any information on the internet must be considered second-hand and must be verified from original documents. Although it is possible to extend your ancestral lines back many generations just through contacts on the Internet, there is no guarantee that the information you have obtained is accurate or complete. *Ancestry.com This is the premier subscription genealogy site. Some of the resources are available at no charge. Most indexes and databases require a subscription, including indexes to the US Censuses and scanned images of the original census records. Cyndi's Genealogy Home Page Cyndi Howells has created a home page that everyone interested in genealogy should visit. She has links to hundreds of sites of genealogical interest, with more being added. FamilySearch Internet The is the LDS Church's genealogy internet site. You can search for ancestors, take courses, join discussions and search the Catalog for filmed sources which you can then order by clicking on the film number. You must go to a Family History Center to view microfilms; however, many of these films have been digitized. Look under Browse by Location then select the area of interest to see what records are available online. *Fold3 A subscription site with a wide variety of scanned images of military records including the complete Revolutionary War pension files. The company has an agreement with NARA to digitize their holdings. Jewishgen Devoted to learning about Jewish genealogy and sharing information about Jewish families. Find people doing research on the same family or on the same town in Eastern Europe. A number of indexed records from Eastern Europe are available.(jewishgen is support by member donations. If you find it worthwhile, consider providing a donation to keep it available at no charge.) Library of Virginia A wide variety of digitized original records for Virginia. Maryland State Archives Has a wide variety of digitized images for Maryland counties and information on researching in the state. Digital images of Maryland County land records are available at *MyHeritage Similar to ancestry.com, this subscription site also has databases, images of records and family trees. Stephen P. Morse one-step This site offers templates for accessing records at sites containing passenger arrival records, census records, births, deaths and other vital records, and calendars in one step. Using these templates one can search using criteria that are often not available by going directly to the web site being searched. US GENWEB Project The US GENWEB Project is an effort to provide genealogical information for every county in the United States. From the US site, you can go to any state in the union and then to individual counties. Information at the sites varies and may include information about local libraries and archives, histories, surname indexes, transcribed records, etc. World GENWEB Project This outgrowth of the US GENWEB Project has links to genealogy home pages for countries all over the world. *Available at no charge at the Family History Center.

7 Research Planning Sheet Ancestor: Definition of Problem: Researcher: Date of Search: Repository: Source: What searched for: Information Found: Future Research:

8 Research Calendar Surname: Locality: Repository: Date: Source Page Call # Purpose of Search Results of Search Comments Doc #

9

10 Beginning Genealogy Part 1 Focus our research What we know The Research Plan What we are looking for Where we will look Results recorded on our research calendar or as part of research plan document Correspondence calendar Research Calendar Record the results of our search Where we searched; repository and source When we searched What specifically did we look for What we found May want to organize by surname or by location or combination Could be done with spreadsheet or database program Part 1 Topics The Genealogical Research Process The Research Plan The Research Calendar How to Record and Evaluate Information How to Cite Sources Used Research Tips Make sure you record the exact source Copy the title page of books If possible make a copy of the record Write the citation on the document If digital copy develop a way to record the citation with the document Read the introduction and explanation material Look at neighboring pages Importance of Research Calendar Record negative results Know exactly what you looked for Know what you found Keeps you from repeating research already done The Research Process Differences in Names Names differ depending upon who recorded them Different native language/accents Names not changed at Ellis Island but immigrants themselves changed them Beware of nicknames Polly for Mary Use of middle name as given name Recording Information Family Group Sheets and Pedigree Charts

11 Problems with Paper Need to record same information three times Where do I record conflicting data? Where do I record family stories and other life events? How can I record multiple sources Genealogy Software Read the Reviews Legacy - free version Roots Magic - free version Family Tree Maker - no free version The Master Genealogist - 30 day free trial Reunion (Mac) - no free version On-line resources Newest trend - Don't need software on your computer Everything is stored off-line Don't have to worry about losing work Easy to share with others Ancestry, MyHeritage and Family Tree at familysearch.org offer this service Automatic search of records In the future, may not need your own software Improves collaboration with relatives Recording Information Family Group Sheets and Pedigree Charts Genealogy Software Genealogy Software Download a package and try it out Things to look for Ability to enter multiple dates for birth/marriage/death etc. Ability to cite sources (templates help) Join a message group that discusses your program Place to ask questions Learn techniques from others Organizing Your Research Books are written on this topic Want to be able to find the documents and images you have found Examples Surname, document type, number Surname, location, number Surname, location, document type, number Record in your citation How handle married women (maiden or married name?) Genealogy Software Only have to enter the information once Can print many reports, family group sheets and charts Easy to share information and upload to Internet sites Many tools to help analysis Recording Information Family Group Sheets and Pedigree Charts Genealogy Software On-line resources for recording information What to backup Backup Your Data Scanned pictures, documents & downloaded images Data entered in genealogy software When to backup Every hour when entering data Every day to separate device i.e. usb drive Where to store your backup Off-site Keep at least three iterations

12 Source Citation You and people you exchange information with need to know where you got the information Knowing the source helps to evaluate the reliability of the information Provide as much information as possible including page numbers and where viewed Evidence Explained is the definitive guide Record where your copy is filed Questions to ask Does the data make sense in context with what you already know and with the other information in the source? How reliable is the source? When was the information recorded? Is this an original document? What was the motivation for creating the document? Were bible records entered at time of event? Part 1 Topics The Genealogical Research Process The Research Plan The Research Calendar How to Record and Evaluate Information How to Cite Sources Used Style Sheet Use the format dd mmm yyyy where mmm is the first three letters of the month 11 Oct 1911 Don't abbreviate states and write the county as xxx County Include USA? Rockville, Montgomery County, Maryland, USA Do not capitalize the last name when entering Negative/Conflicting Information Record what searched for but did not find Include exactly what you searched for Won't repeat the search Record conflicting information or information that contradicts what has already been found Further research may show conflicting information is correct Helps in building a proof argument Beginning Genealogy Part 2 Evaluate the Information Not all information is accurate Transcription errors Incorrect interpretation of the records Falsification of information by earlier genealogists Poor research not exhaustive Even original records may be incorrect New information might conflict with data you have already recorded Future Research What records should you look for to confirm the data in this source? What records might provide additional information about this person? Where can you find the original of transcriptions or indexes? Where would you likely find these records? Helps to organize by repository and then records Jane Sween Library, Family File, Beall Family Part 2 Topics Case study in evaluating evidence Details on source citation How to get started to research your family How and where to do research

13 Cite the source What is it: Death Certificate of Claude Deutcher 11 Sep 1915 How is it labeled: Registration Number 30 Where and when was it recorded: Genesee County, Michigan Who created: Michigan Department of State, Department of Vital Records Where did I find it: Death Records, at How to Research Gather everything that you know about your family Record the information you have gathered Select a family line to research Select a Family Line To Research Start from most recent generation and work back Find out as much as you can about one generation before going to previous generation Always research siblings, in-laws, children and even neighbors Their records may have information you need Citation for Death Certificate Michigan, death certificate registration number 30, Claude Deutcher, 11 September 1915; digital image, Death Records, ( : accessed 11 February (claudedeath) Genesee County, Michigan, Death Records, vol. 4 ( ), page 77, record #30, entry for Claude Deutcher; FHL microfilm no (Dutch/MI/death001) Don't get hung up on the format - record all the information Gather Family Information What information? Birth, marriage and death information Where people lived and their occupations, schooling Interesting anecdotes about their lives Include all family members: siblings, in-laws, etc. Family photos write names and relationships on the back in pencil scan and save on your computer How to Research Gather everything that you know about your family Record the information you have gathered Select a family line to research Obtain vital records for family members How to Research Select a family line to research Gather everything that you know about your family Search Census Records Search On-line Search Records not On-line Gather Family Information Where do you find this information? Talk to family members Birth and marriage announcements Funeral cards Letters and diaries Bible records Newspaper clippings Copies of birth/marriage/death certificates Encourage older relatives to record their life experiences and record your own Obtaining Vital Records Write or visit state record office Write or visit county/town record office Look on-line Some states did not require birth/death records until around 1910 More and more records restricted because of identity theft concerns

14 Possible Problems with Vital Records Transcription errors Death Records who was the informant Birth date may not be accurate Names of parents may not be accurate Marriage Records If only bride or groom filled out application, information about other person's family may not be accurate Did the person tell the truth age for example Census Information Purely a count of the population Only the head of household named 1850 and later Every person (except slaves) listed by name Asked questions to gather statistics about the population Different questions asked in different years On-line Databases and Compiled Genealogies Ancestry.com FamilySearch.org Worldconnect at rootsweb.com Google search Family and Local Histories Library of Congress, DAR Library On-line at Heritage Quest and FarmilySearch Local Libraries and Historical Societies How to Research Gather everything that you know about your family Record the information you have gathered Select a family line to research Obtain vital records for family members Search Census Records Limitations of the Census Who provided the information How well did the census taker understand what he was told. Did the Census taker follow the rules or explain the rules when asking the questions? Will find the same question answered differently in different census years Databases and Compiled Genealogies What will you find Information about births, marriages, deaths, parents and siblings Sometimes more detailed information about the family (web sites) Will often connect you to someone researching the family Why Do Census Research Puts individual in a certain place at a given time. Especially after 1850, gives us the family unit. Learn the names and family makeup of the neighbors Learn other information that will be useful in tracking our ancestors. How to Research Gather everything that you know about your family Record the information you have gathered Select a family line to research Obtain vital records for family members Search Census Records Search Databases and Compiled Genealogies Databases and Compiled Genealogies Usually no sources provided May have gotten information from someone else's data without verifying it Transcriptions my be inaccurate Older publications may not contain results of more recent research Good source of clues Everything found needs to be VERIFIED

15 How to Research Gather everything that you know about your family Record the information you have gathered Select a family line to research Obtain vital records for family members Search Census Records Search Databases and Compiled Genealogies Search in Original Records Your research is not complete until you look at all available resources. You CANNOT rely only on online resources! The Genealogical Standard of Proof Research should be reasonable exhaustive Evidence is drawn from reliable sources, correctly interpreted Contradictory evidence should be soundly rebutted All statements of fact are documented All deductions are carefully reasoned and explained in writing Original Records What are they Land Records Probate Records Military Records Newspapers Church Records Naturalization Records Passenger Arrival Records Tax Records Manuscripts (letters, business records, etc.) County courthouses Records not Online Local libraries and historical societies Archives Library of Congress and University Libraries Filmed by the Mormons and available at your local Family History Center Ethics and Privacy Information for living people Posted on-line Given to other researchers Using information from other researchers Always give them credit Always ask permission before make public Sensitive information Where to find Original Records Online Subscription sites ancestry.com fold3.com - military records some subscription sites can be accessed from computers at your local Family History Center Most archives and libraries also have digitized some of their holdings Research Goals Find every document relating to the person researching Evaluate and question what in each document May need research into customs or law Note your concerns Record the information Note inconsistencies and explain your thought process Cite sources Publish Your Research Wall charts for a Family Reunion Family Group Sheets to send to family members for information and corrections Web site or CD's Post to Worldconnect, Ancestry, FamilySearch Pamphlet Book Donate Copies

16 Education Join the National Genealogical Society Join Societies in locations you are researching Check out surname and locality mailing lists and message boards Take some classes Attend local and national conferences Look on the internet - webinars, wikis Join a local genealogical society and attend meetings