How to get started doing genealogy

Remember to work backwards! Start with yourself

Write down what you remember about your family

Record findings—keep a log

Look for documents at home—family Bibles, pictures, documents, heirlooms

Talk to family members

Begin searching for records online

Construct a family tree—buy software in store or download

What you need to have as you start

Names of family members

When they lived

Where they lived—either to locate through census records, or know what city may have records

Types of records you might look for—see Historical Documents list

Where do I look online?

Databases from Belk Library

o Ancestry Library (same as Ancestry.com)

o HeritageQuest

Some really useful websites (there are thousands!)

o FamilySearch.org (LDS Church)

o Archives.gov (National Archives and Records Administration)

New: Fold3 for United States Military and related records

Cyndi’sList.com

Where do I look for records?

Libraries, archives, sometimes museums

County courthouses and City municipal offices

Private Collections—family members?

LDS FamilySearch Centers

Remember that genealogy takes time, and may involve travel and expenses (gas, lodging, copier

fees, etc.)

Challenges

Some people may find it difficult to find information on their families

o Spelling often inconsistent – Soundex may help

o African and Native Americans

o Recent immigrants

o Adoptees