Basic Genealogy

WELCOME!

Before we get to the good stuff… How many know how to ? How many feel comfortable using the internet?

What is genealogy? The study of family origins and history Retrieved from:

What will we Learn? General Tips Get Organized Identify the goal Record what you already know Gather information Evaluate your information

General Tip #1: Be consistent. General Tip #2: Be thorough. GENERAL TIPS General Tip #3: Be patient and have fun! Source:

GET ORGANIZED!

CREATE A FILING SYSTEM Get Organized! Potential Categories Surnames Couple or family Family line Event Potential subcategories Location Record type Source:

Get Organized! DOCUMENT YOUR RESEARCH PROCESS

Get Organized! Here is an example of a Research Log/Calendar…. Source:

Get Organized! … and another one. Source:

Get Organized! And this is an example of a Correspondence Log Source:

Get Organized! CITE YOUR SOURCES! Helps you find the source and information again

Get Organized! Author Article/Book Title Website Date You Accessed Website Journal Name Journal Volume Journal Issue Publisher Name Publication Date Page Number Title of Database Newspaper Name Newspaper Regional Coverage Location News Section What sort of information do you need to cite? Source:

Get Organized! Seems like a lot, huh? Take it slow and easy, and remember – this is fun! Let’s look at some common examples.

Get Organized! Social Security Death Index., Retrieved: March 25, Citing a website Title of the webpage Web site Date retrieved

Get Organized! Massie, Allan. “The Royal Stuarts: A History of the Family that Shaped Britain.” Thomas Dunne Books: 2010 (p. 74). Author Title Publisher, Publication date and Page number. Citing a book

Identify your goal Source:

Record what you know…. … and you know more than you think Source:

Record what you know Pedigree Chart A direct blood line Parents only

Record what you know

Family Group Chart Nuclear family Source:

Record what you know Example of a Family Group Chart Source:

Record what you know And for those with a large family…

Gather your Information

Gather your information Postcards & Letters Birth, Baptismal, Marriage and Death Certificates Pictures Family Bibles, Scrapbooks, Diaries, Newspaper Clippings, etc Personal and family documents

Gather your informaton Interview Family Members

Evaluate your Information

Evaluate your information Primary versus Secondary Information

Evaluate your information Primary information: Created at or near the time of an event Usually carries more weight than secondary information. Secondary information: Created a significant amount of time after an event occurred or contributed by a person who was not present at the event. Source: Kimberly Powell’s About.com guide on Genealogy.

Evaluate your information Original versus Derivative Sources

Evaluate your information Original Sources: Records that contribute written, oral, or visual information (not derived). Usually carries more weight than derivative sources. Derivative sources: Records which have been derived - copied, abstracted, transcribed, or summarized - from previously existing sources. Source: Kimberly Powell’s About.com guide on Genealogy.

Evaluate your information Direct versus Indirect Evidence

Evaluate your information Direct evidence Information that directly answers your question (e.g. When was Danny born?) Usually carries more weight than indirect evidence Indirect evidence Circumstantial information that requires additional evidence or thought to convert it into a reliable conclusion. Source: Kimberly Powell’s About.com guide on Genealogy.

Evaluate your information Resources on evaluating your information On the web Kimberly Powell. About.Com. Genealogy. Books available from Timberland Regional Library Richard Lackey’s, Cite your sources : a manual for documenting family histories and genealogical records LACKEY 1985 G. G. Morgan’s, How to do everything: genealogy MORGAN 2012

Genealogical Research Resources

Genealogical Research Resources Libraries Family History Centers Historical Societies Genealogical Societies Archives Courthouses & Records Offices

Genealogical Research Resources Family History Centers The Church of Later Day Saints Centers across the country Volunteers assist in using facilities Microfilm & microfiche Computer resources Printed resources Source:

Genealogical Research Resources Historical & Genealogical Societies Preserves local history & heritage Promotes an interest in genealogy Non-profit organizations Does research for a small fee Source:

Genealogical Research Resources Archives State and regional Government documents Secretary of State website Source:

Genealogical Research Resources Courthouses & Records Offices Court Records Vital Records Wills, Deeds

QUESTIONS?

References Ancestry.com. Correspondence Record. Retrieved from Ancestry.com. Research Calendar. Retrieved from The Church of Christ of the Latter-Day Saints. Research Log. Retrived from Powell, Kimberly. About.com Guide on Genealogy. Retrieved from