1. An Introduction to Genealogical Research and Sources
Digging Up Your Roots
An Introduction to Genealogical
Research and Sources

2. What is Genealogy?
The OED defines genealogy as an account of one's descent from an ancestor or ancestors, by enumeration of the intermediate persons; a pedigree.
The study of families in genetic and historic context.
Basically it is the study of individuals and their relationships with each other.
Accelerative curiosity

3. Why Genealogy? Genealogy fulfills our need to be connected.
Genealogy is exploding in popularity with ease of access to information and the popularization of genealogy web sources and DNA testing.
Librarians are bound to get a question about genealogy at some point.

4. Where to Start Start with what you or the research already knows.
A pedigree chart/family tree is a useful tool. It is the blueprint for your research.
Decided on an approach - deep or broad; linear or cluster.
Read about genealogy or connect with a group.

5. Sample Chart Many available samples and software
Family Echo - is free online software for family trees.
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6. General Sources of Information
Researcher’s knowledge
Relative’s knowledge
Family Documents
Published Documents
Free and paid internet sites
Public Document Repositories

7. Vital Statistics Resources
Birth certificates
Marriage certificates
Death certificates
Obituaries
Funeral home records
Cemetery records
Tombstones

8. Useful Family Documents
Family bibles
Birth, baptism, marriage, and death certificates
School report cards and diplomas
Old family letters
Scrapbooks and photographs
Diaries and Journals

9. Other Useful Resources
Census records
Immigration, travel, emigration, and naturalization records
Newspapers
Military Records
School personnel and enrollment records
Yearbooks
Municipal office holder records
Polling records and voter registrations
City directories
Social Security Death Index
Land records
Probate records
Tax records
Court records
Manuscript collections
Social, fraternal, and professional organizations
Poorhouse and orphanage records
Correspondance
Career records
Passport authorizations
Bankruptcy and business records
Oral histories - rich in detail

10. Online Resources
There are so many but here are a few I use on a regular basis:
Genealogy.com - (free)
FamilySearch.org - (free)
Ancestry.com - (subscription)
HeritageQuest.com - (free)
USGenWeb.org - (And related state sites) (free)
National Archives and Record Administration (NARA) - (free)
Find a Grave - (free)
RootsWeb - (free)
Keep in mind some sites are subscription based. If you will be doing a lot of genealogy work, a subscription is worth it.

11. When You Have Found Sources
Mine it for all the information you can.
Evaluate the source credibility.
Document everything.
Remember that absolute proof is rare.
Document your source citations.

12. Tips and Tricks
Search both maternal and paternal lineages. Women often listed under their maiden name.
When deep pans out, try broad and vice versa. Less is more!
Often times records found in their place of origin.
Start with what you know and work backwards.
When you get a good source, dig deeper.
Keep in mind location boundaries and names change over time.
Census headings vary between census takings.
Compare sources when possible and go to the origanals rather than transcripstions when you can.

13. Common Abbreviations in Genealogy
Abbreviations are commonly used on both genealogical sources and original records.
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14. Reading Older Writing Spelling not always standard
“ss” looks like “fs”
“Ye” often means “the” and vice versa
Many older words no longer in use
Compare letters
Deciphering older writing often takes a lot of practice.
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15. Isn’t It All the Same?
Your approach to searching available records will depend greatly on which time period you are researching.
20th C vs 19th C vs Colonial research - all draw on different record types with some overlap.

16. 20th Century Government documents abound!
Census only works for the early half of the century due to privacy shields.
Social Security Death Index a more reliable tool for late 20th/early 21st century research.
Vital statistics records (those not shielded by privacy laws)
Military records

17. 20th Century
Keep in mind that after 1940 less information was included in census and it’s less useful for genealogy.
There is a 72 year delay on the release of information for privacy. Last released census is 1940.
1923 is the magic public domain date.

18. 19th Century Big period of migration and immigration in U.S. history.
is crucial as most of the 1890 census was lost due to fire.
Many states conducted state level censuses in 1885 and 1895.
As you move back in time less census information available, as early censuses only recorded head of household.

19. 19th Century Records of nearby families on census often offer clues.
Look for local histories written at centennial and bicentennial.
City directories, land records, voter registrations, and other like records become very useful.
Probate records often lead to familial relationships - e.g. wills.
State land records held locally; federal at NARA. Land was the primary basis of wealth.

20. 19th Century
Vital records not always extant, as not regularly kept until the 20th C. Many of these records kept by families or churches instead of the government.
War records - muster rolls, draft registrations, unit histories, veterans’ censuses, pension applications.
Men listed more frequently, but look for female relatives especially with land/property and Right of Dower.

21. Colonial Period
Local records vary from place to place and with the religious background and country of origin of settlers.
Background on the history of the area to be researched is useful.
Church records a primary record, though local/town records began to be generated.

22. Colonial Period
Records from Heritage and Lineage societies become useful - e.g. Jamestown Society, Daughters of the American Revolution.
A lot of crossover with Canada as people moved back and forth across the border. Two mass migrations were the planters and the loyalists.
Be aware of Julian vs. Gregorian vs. Quaker dates.

23. Colonial Period For even earlier colonial searches:
Great Migration Project - New England Historic Genealogical Society -
Torrey’s New England Marriages Prior to 1700 (and supplements)
DAR Genealogical Research System -

24. University of North Carolina at Pemroke
Thank you!
June Power, MLIS
University of North Carolina at Pemroke