Ten Ways to Supercharge Family History Research at Home

Where to Find Records

Where do you find family history clues, artifacts and resources

Where do you search? So where do you begin your search?

Where do you search? Family history clues and artifacts are as close as your home

Where do you search? The home of close relatives will reveal many treasures you are not yet aware exists

Where do you search? Family gatherings are an important time to reach out, get to know family and begin and/or continue family history activities

Where do you search? Many local, state and national resources exist to help further research

Where do I search?

Completely search your home Shoeboxes

Completely search your home All kitchen, desk, and storage, drawers

Completely search your home Under beds

Completely search your home Safe or safe deposit boxes

Completely search your home File folders

Completely search your home Attic rafters

Completely search your home Garage and long-term storage

Completely search your home Closets

Completely search your home Computer and internet accounts

Completely search your home Briefcases Purses Books

Completely search your home

The home of close relatives and friends

The home of close relatives and friends Mom & Dad

The home of close relatives and friends Grandma and Grandpa on your Dad s side

The home of close relatives and friends Grandma and Grandpa on your Mom s side

The home of close relatives and friends Your siblings (brothers and sisters)

The home of close relatives and friends Aunts and uncles on your Dad s side

The home of close relatives and friends Aunts and uncles on your Mom s side

The home of close relatives and friends Great - grandparents, great aunts and uncles

The home of close relatives and friends First and second cousins

The home of close relatives and friends Selected neighbors & co-workers

The home of close relatives and friends

Family gatherings are perfect time to spread the word

Family gatherings Family celebrations

Family gatherings Thanksgiving

Family gatherings Chanukah

Family gatherings Christmas

Family gatherings Vacation visits

Family gatherings Family reunions

Family gatherings

Where else can I search?

Where else can I search? Local, regional, state, and genealogy libraries

Where else can I search? Genealogy societies

Where else can I search? Historical societies

Where else can I search? Court house and municipal resources

Where else can I search? Religious organizations

Where else can I search? Internet resources

Where else can I search? Professional genealogists

Completely search your home

What information can be found in the home?

Start with you Write down what is known about life events Birth Baptism Christening Marriage Graduations

Gather documents Gather documents in home having potential family history value Awards Certificates Letters Photos Journals Histories Scrapbooks Bibles Diaries

Genealogy information: Personal records Personal Knowledge Biography Autograph Album Scrapbooks Wedding Book Travel Account/Log Wedding Book Bookplates Journal Funeral Book Guest Register Diary Photographs Letters

Genealogy information: Certificates Adoption Marriage Graduation Apprentices Achievements Awards Baptism Divorce Christening Blessing Death Membership Ordination Ministerial Missionary Confirmation Marriage

Genealogy information: Family records Books of Remembrance Bible Pedigrees Family Bulletins Manuscript Histories Printed Histories Family Letters Family Group Sheets Letters & Postcards Family Histories Local Histories Genealogies Family Traditions

Genealogy information: Military records Service Medals Selective Service Discharge Military Service Pension Firearms Ribbons Sword National Guard Bounty Award Separation Papers Personal Knowledge War Rosters Disability Uniform Citations War Memorials

Genealogy information: Legal papers Mortgages Summons Subpoenas Tax Notices Adoption Papers Water Rights Abstracts of Title Guardian Papers Contracts Bonds Leases Wills and Probates Deeds Land Grants Loans

Genealogy information: Announcements Birthday Anniversary Birth Travel Celebration Death Wedding Graduation Divorce Engagement Promotion Graduation Funeral Personal Knowledge Memorial Cards New Home New Job

Genealogy information: Membership records Programs Member ID Cards Awards Uniforms Publications

Genealogy information: Health records Immunizations X-Rays Insurance Reports Medical Records

Genealogy information: School records Alumni Lists Transcripts Report Cards Yearbooks Diplomas Awards Honor Rolls Frats & Sororities Publications

Genealogy information: Citizenship papers Visa Passport Deportment Denegation/ Denials Alien Registration Naturalization Vaccination

Genealogy information: Newspaper clippings Home town Newspapers Human Interest Announcements Obituaries Vital Statistics Special Events Professional Trade

Genealogy information: Licenses Business Drivers Motor Vehicle Registration Occupation Firearms Professional Hunting

Genealogy information: Employment records Income tax Pension IRA/401K Apprentices Graduation Awards Retirement Papers Severance Papers Citations Union Association Professional Association Social Security

Genealogy information: Household items Souvenirs Clothing Tapestries Sampler Tools Coat of Arms Engraved Jewelry Dishes Insignias Plaques Friendship Quilt Needlework Silverware

Genealogy information: Books Foreign Language Journals Atlases Prizes Baby Book Text Books Treasured Volumes Inscriptions Bibles Vocational Yearbooks

Genealogy information: Financial records Check Stubs Estate Records Bills Accounts and Receipts

Clues found in postcards

Postcard clues: Postcards are used to.. Send message Make a statement Inspire Remember Place visited Event shared Personal experience Personal interest Relationships

Postcard clues: Postcards can be Part of series One of kind

Postcard clues: Postcards can be When a postcard is viewed as a single source without relationship to any other available artifacts or records, the clues presented are seldom recognized or used to further genealogical research

Postcard clues: Postcards can be When a postcard is viewed in relation to other postcards in a collection, the clues presented

Postcard clues: Common characteristics Image side Picture Drawing Text Address side Postmark Stamp Message Address

Postcard clues: Image side features Places Visited Lived Dreamed of Memories of Sender Family Receiver Others

Postcard clues: Image side features Statement of Belief Well wishes Love Inspiration Memories of Sender Receiver Others

Postcard clues: Address side features Card design Image description Address space Stamp Postmark Message Card publisher

Postcard clues: Address side features Card design Time period Printer Image description History Facts Address space Time frame Country

Postcard clues: Address side features Stamp Time frame Country Postmark Date City/town State Country Time of day

Postcard clues: Address side features Message 50-150 Words Name of writer Name of receiver Relationships Daily activities Personal views Interests Questions

Postcard clues: Common messages Writer s view about Personal experiences Family, friends, others Events of the day Events of the times Questions about Health Daily activity Shared family, friends Future plans Feelings Events

Example: Bert Bicknell is here Episode 53

Workspace Folder Box Item Contents 6 12 3.1 Christmas card Notes/Description Description: A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year A Calendar for the Year

Workspace Folder Box Item Contents 6 12 3.2 Christmas card Notes/Description Post Mark: Cedaredge Dec 21 7 AM WW January I 16 1917 xxxxxxxxxxxx Address: Mr J Stewart Blackfoot Idaho

Workspace Folder Box Item Contents 6 12 3.2 Christmas card Notes/Description Message: Jan 16 1917 Noe Jan 16 North east wind for last 5 days very cold Read this if you can

Workspace Folder Box Item Contents 6 12 3.2 Christmas card Notes/Description Message: Hello Merry Xmas Happy New Year WW Roy I J Thompson xxxxxxxxxxxx Dear Jay I trimmed these cards down so I could put them in this envelope Bert Bicknell is here has been since Friday eve got his knee hurt - at mackay in mines is going to Nevada from here when his knee is better

What Workspace did I learn? Questions and Actions Who is Roy Thompson? What relationship is Roy Thompson to Stewarts? 16 January 1917: Roy Thompson of Cedaredge writes Jay Stewart in Blackfoot, Idaho Where is Cedaredge, Idaho? Look on map for Cedaredge, Idaho Learn the relationship of Roy Thompson to Stewart family Family Friends Thomas James Stewart

What Workspace did I learn? Questions and Actions Who is Bert Bicknell? Is MacKay a town? If yes was there mine in the city? Writer introduces a joint acquaintance of Bert Bicknell who hurt his knee at "Mackay" in mines Learn about Bert Bicknell and relationship to Jay Stewart Look for MacKay on map in Idaho and learn history

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