Where Do You Start? Where Do I Begin? GenCOMO October 7, 2017 Start with yourself and work backwards Gather pictures and documents Put your ancestor in a specific time and place Record all the facts Full names and include nicknames Date format: 18 September 2014 Place names: Columbia, Boone County, Missouri Record all the sources (more later) Basic Forms-Pedigree Chart Basic Forms Family Group Sheet 1
Sources Sources Primary Sources First-hand, created at the time of the event Informant had direct and personal knowledge of the event Most reliable e.g. birth certificate, land record Secondary Sources Not created at the time of the event Informant was not involved with the event Less reliable e.g. transcriptions Can a source be both primary and secondary? Family sources Letters Bible records Interviews Pictures Other documents Sources Vital Records Vital Records Census records Newspapers Land records Military records Military pension records Maps and atlases It s not all on the internet! 2
Vital Records Vital Records Cemetery Record Obituary Troy Free Press, 4 July 1941 3
Documentation Document, document, document Record the source for each fact You may need to review it later What if sources disagree? Research log Keep track of sources you have used Successful Unsuccessful searches are just as important Genealogical Society of Boone County and Central Missouri (GSCM) Wilson-Wulff Genealogical and History Library maintained by GSCM Located in Boone County Museum & Galleries Publishes the Reporter Quarterly and maintains family files, bound family histories, maps, county records, etc., focusing on Boone and surrounding counties Monthly meetings with programs to help you with your search State Historical Society of Missouri Newspaper collection, including many indexes Maps, county histories, directories Census records on microfilm and printed indices (mostly Missouri, but some feeder states ) Western Historical Manuscript Collection Online indices LDS Family History Center Located in the Highlands in the LDS Church Maintains a library of local and regional materials Has microfilm readers to allow you to view films you can order from Salt Lake City Access their website: Familysearch.org 4
(Not So) Missouri State Archives (in Jefferson City) Missouri Digital Heritage website Missouri Death Index 1910-1966 (Missouri deaths released to public after 50 years) County records on microfilm many filmed by the LDS church as well as the Missouri State Archives County and local histories State and federal census records on microfilm Missouri penitentiary records on microfilm (some online) Missouri records from territorial times to now including Missouri state laws and court records Midwest Genealogy Center (in Independence) Largest free-standing public genealogy library in the US 52,000 square feet of resources for family history researchers City directories and phone books Census records (including many special censuses) Jackson County records Military records Native American records (Not So) Organization National Archives in Kansas City Federal population census for all states, 1790-1930 (microfilm) Selected military service records and indexes Selected pension and bounty-land warrant applications Censuses and land allotment files for Native Americans Immigration records How to organize your genealogy files Three-ring binders File folders By couple/family group By surname By location By document (sequentially number each document) Scanning to your hard drive What works for you? Pick a system and develop the discipline to stick to it 5
Computer Software Continuing Education Many choices RootsMagic Family Tree Maker (FTM) Legacy Reunion for Mac GEDCOM compatible Apps to carry it with you Join the local genealogy society Where you live Where your ancestors lived Share a common interest with like-minded people Learn about resources as they become available Learn new skills Help with new projects Conferences and programs State genealogy societies National Genealogical Society Conclusion Homework Start with yourself and work backwards Gather materials to support the facts Put your ancestor in a specific time and place Document what you find Go beyond just the facts Learn about new resources Learn new skills It s not all on the internet! Fill in a pedigree chart (as much as you can) Start with yourself and work backwards Choose a family and complete a family group sheet (as much as you can) 6