Beginning Genealogy... Where to Start?
- Start with yourself, first of all, and work backwards through parents, grandparents, etc.
- Begin with documents you have in your own possession: birth, death and marriage certificates, baby books, Bibles, obituaries, wills, deeds, old letters, etc. Check with other family members to see if they have more.
- Copy data (names, dates and places) onto pedigree charts and family group sheets. They are available from your local Family History Library or can be printed from some computer web sites.
- Talk with as many family members as you can, especially the older people while they are living. Tap into their memories for little hints which might give clues on family names or locales where ancestors resided. Write down family tales no matter how far fetched - there might be some truth in them after all!
- Write to family members living farther away to see what they might have. Who knows - they may have already researched your family! Don't forget, when writing anyone, family member or not, include a SASE as a courtesy since you are asking that person to take time to send you something. Postage expense can be a burden for older folks on fixed incomes.
- Join a local genealogical society. Even if your roots are not local, members might be able to give you some help.
- Check graveyards where your ancestors lived; check town records for births, deaths and marriages.
- Check local or state libraries as well as state archives. Also check local branches of Family History Libraries throughout the country for microfilms which can be searched for vital records as well as even published genealogies.
- If you write to a town clerk for a copy of a record, be sure to include a check if you know the cost. If not, contact the clerk ahead of time for the charge.
- As you acquire information whether from family members or ultimately from town vital records, published books, gravestones or other sources, be sure to document where you find everything. It is only human nature to think you will always remember where you got that particular item but it never works that way.
- Remember that primary sources (birth, death and marriage certificates, Bible records, etc.) are preferred. These are records which were reported at or near the time of the event. Everything else would be considered secondary sources (published books, birth date on a death certificate, obituary, etc.) and should be only used to give a clue where to find the primary source.