Tracing your family tree can be a fascinating and rewarding hobby. It
can also involve a great amount of time, correspondence and sometimes
travel to accumulate the necessary data. This data can become very
confusing unless a system is used to record and classify it. The forms
provided at the end of this document provide a means of recording all
the required information in a way that is easy to understand. The
Pedigree Chart or Family Tree form is a way of showing what is known
about your ancestry, as well as what progress is being made. It can
also point to those areas that should be worked on. The Family Group
Sheets can be used to compile a family history, but are also a
convenient method of recording clues for research. The following is a
recommended procedure to be used.
1. Record on one of the Pedigree Charts all of the information you can
supply yourself. Put your name or a child's name on the line in the
middle of the left side. Then, for each pair of lines to the right,
record the names and appropriate dates for the parents of the individual
to their left. Fathers' names should appear on the top line of each
pair. Those names appearing on the right edge then become the left most
entry on another form.
2. For each pair of lines, or marriage, fill out a Family Group Sheet
with all of the data you can. These then become the work sheets for
research.
3. After you have completed the forms to the best of your know-ledge,
use the history sheets to identify those relatives who are still living,
who might be able to help. It is important to contact the oldest living
relatives first, since waiting too long may result in losing a valuable
source by death. Older people are often very interested in their family
history and like to reminisce. Don't be satisfied with one letter or
one visit. Quite often the first contact stirs up memories for weeks.
Wait a month or so for a second try. Be sure to record all dates and
places even if they are just quesses. They can prove very valuable
later. Be sure to ask about the existence of Family Bibles and old
family pictures. Ask for and write on the back of the pictures names
and approximate dates if that has not already been done. Using a tape
recorder can sometimes be intimidating but is a very valuable tool for
future references.
4. The next step is to visit or write to a known relative in those
places where the older generations of the family lived. They quite
often can provide information about the locations of cemeteries in which
the families are buried. Obtain the dates and any other data appearing
on the gravestones. Many cemetery plots provide a wealth of
information.
5. Write to the county clerk or town clerk in the places where births
or deaths occurred. Many states will not supply birth records but
nearly all will provide death certificates for a fee. Laws vary from
state to state. Death and marriage records usually contain the names of
parents of the individuals involved. The last will and testament of
ancestors can provide proof of many relationships, especially those of
unmarried relatives which quite often name brothers, sisters, nieces,
nephews or cousins. Wills are found in the probate court or
prothonatory. If the records cannot be found for your direct ancestor,
try records for their brothers and sisters.
6. Many counties and towns have published histories containing family
histories and sometimes birth, death and marriage records. Also, a
biography might be found for a distant relative giving the family
ancestry. Many families have had their history published, and
frequently one is found that was published years ago, about which your
family has no knowledge. These books are not found on the shelves of
most libraries. Most state libraries and large city libraries have
sections on Genealogy or Local and Family History.
7. Members of the Mormon Church are very active in genealogical
reasearch. They deposit their records in a library located in Salt Lake
City, Utah, which is open to the public. Many of their records are in
manuscript form and have never been published. For many years they have
been microfilming the civil and church records throughout the world.
These records are available for research at local Stake Libraries or can
be ordered for loan to the local library. The largest of these
collections is the International Genealogical Index (IGI) on microfiche
which is available at larger genealogical libraries.
8. The federal government also has a wealth of information in the
National Archives and Library of Congress. These include census records
from 1790 to 1910 and military and pension records. Many genealogical
libraries have either microfilm copies of these or indexes to them.
9. There are many professional genealogists throughout the world who
will do research. They are listed in professional publications that can
be found in libraries. Some libraries will refer you to someone who
does research in their geographical area. Many areas have genealogical
or historical societies which meet regularly for exchange of information
and experiences. Most have publications that can be of great help.
10. When corresponding with individuals, libraries or societies, always
enclose a stamped self addressed envelope for the reply. Never expect
others to cover the expense of any research done for you. County, state
and federal government units usually include postage costs in their
budgets and quite often prefer to reply with their own letterhead.
11. Within the past few years, Computer Bulletin Board Services such as
this one have had a great affect on the methods of researching family
history. By using the National Genealogical Conferemce message echos,
contact can sometimes be made with unknown distant relatives or others
researching the same family surnames. The files areas also can contain
Shareware and Public Domain software for genealogy as well as helpful
text files giving advice and guidance. The new Tafel Matching System
which is available on some bulletin boards is one of the most innovative
and exciting uses of computers in genealogy.
12. While researching your family tree can be very rewarding, it can
also become very frustrating, especially when results are slow. I like
to say that being a good genealogist requires the three P's: Patience,
Perseverance, and Persistence.
Pedigree Chart
Family Group Sheet
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Bill Korroch