Basic Genealogy

WELCOME!

Before we get to the good stuff…

• How many know how to email?

• How many feel comfortable using the internet?

What is genealogy?

• The study of family origins and history

Retrieved from: www.britannica.com

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: www.genealogy.com

GET ORGANIZED!

CREATE A FILING SYSTEM

Get Organized!

Potential Categories• Surnames• Couple or family• Family line• Event

Potential subcategories• Location• Record type

Source: www.genealogy.about.com

Get Organized!

DOCUMENT YOUR RESEARCH PROCESS

Get Organized!

Here is an example of a Research Log/Calendar….

Source: www.ancestry.com

Get Organized!

… and another one.

Source: www.lds.org

Get Organized!

And this is an example of a Correspondence Log

Source: www.ancestry.com

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: www.genealogy.about.com

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. <Ancestry.com>, Retrieved: March 25, 2012.

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: www.genealogy.com

Record what you know….

… and you know more than you think

Source: www.genealogy.com

Record what you know

Pedigree Chart

• A direct blood line• Parents only

Record what you know

Record what you know

Family Group Chart

• Nuclear family

Source: www.genealogy.about.com

Record what you know

Example of a Family Group Chart

Source: www.genealogy.about.com

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.http://genealogy.about.com/od/citing/a/sources.htm

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.http://genealogy.about.com/od/citing/a/sources.htm

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.http://genealogy.about.com/od/citing/a/sources.htm

Evaluate your information

Resources on evaluating your information

On the web• Kimberly Powell. About.Com. Genealogy. http://genealogy.about.com/

Books available from Timberland Regional Library• Richard Lackey’s, Cite your sources : a manual for documenting

family histories and genealogical records. 1985. 929.1 LACKEY 1985

• G. G. Morgan’s, How to do everything: genealogy. 2012. 929.1072 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: www.lds.org

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: www.lewiscountymuseum.org

Genealogical Research Resources

Archives

• State and regional• Government documents• Secretary of State website

Source: www.sos.wa.gov/archives

Genealogical Research Resources

Courthouses & Records Offices

• Court Records• Vital Records• Wills, Deeds

QUESTIONS?

References

Ancestry.com. Correspondence Record. Retrieved from http://www.ancestry.com/trees/charts/correcord.aspx

Ancestry.com. Research Calendar. Retrieved from http://www.ancestry.com/trees/charts/researchcal.aspx The Church of Christ of the Latter-Day Saints. Research Log. Retrived from http://www.lds.org/images/howdoibeg/Research_Log.html Powell, Kimberly. About.com Guide on Genealogy. Retrieved from http://genealogy.about.com/od/citing/a/sources.htm