This page has been put together to give you some ideas on how to conduct research into your roots. The suggestions contained here are simple ideas that have worked for me–some of them may not be helpful for you, as all of us develop our preferences for the way we work. Use those you find helpful.
Get Organized
Determine how you’re going to record the result of you research. In most cases, this is a matter of deciding which software to use, and again, this is a matter of preference. I used Family Tree Maker for while and I also have been using Lagacy I like both of them. I find it useful to use a word processor–but of course I am a perfectionist, such as WordPerfect or Word, to make additional notes, such as a listing of records to search for next time I visit the Library or any of my “Foot” research (which I will talk about later). Many times you will find yourself gathering information that doesn’t relate to a particular person, but rather fills in background information for a geographic area or a group of people-this sort of information is easiest tracked in a word processor. If it is easier for you to use a pad of paper then use that. I sometimes use legal-paper when I do “Foot” research. I then use this format: First, the keyword; such as a surname, place, etc. Second, the Source; e-mail address, reference citation, etc. Third, the Note; the data itself. I can’t say it enough…MAKE SURE YOU SOURCE EVERYTHING!
Start With What You Know
Enter, either into your genealogy program or by hand, all of the information that you have from personal knowledge of your family history. Wherever possible, make not of where events took place, as geographical data plays a very large part in tracking down ancestral information. Document your sources thoroughly, even if your data comes from your personal knowledge! When you’ve exhausted your own knowledge, move onto you family members. A Tape recorder is often a useful tool, particularly when “interviewing” the older family members–*small note, some older family members do not like to be taped. Try not to make your question too vague, a more specific question (i.e.: “Do you remember Uncle George and his wife Aunt Bertha?”, etc.) usually returns a better answer with more information. Keep in mind that some of what you hear from your family members may be more along the line of ‘Family Legend’ rather than actual fact, but even such legends may provide clues to further avenues of research. Do not discard, out of hand, ANY information you gather.
Family Heirlooms
Family Bibles are usually the most informative of heirlooms, there are others which may provide a wealth of information as well. Old history books, particularly local histories, may include notes in the margins indicating a relationship to a family member. photo albums are often invaluable, especially if names are included. One of my own treasures is a stack of papers found in my great-great grandmother’s bible. One of the papers was an obituary of her brothers, giving me an additional family member to add to my research.
Library Resources
Probably the best available for resources exists in your local Library. They have extensive collections of microfilm and microfiche copies of historical and genealogical data from all over your area and around the United States. Local libraries have census records, local newspapers, pre-compiled genealogies and other compiled genealogy related material. Most local libraries have a “GENEALOGY” section, where they might have a surname index, or genealogies already compiled with researchers name and address or phone number. You will come to a point in your research that you don’t know what to do next, you might want to check out your State’s State Library. Each State has a Library that covers the whole state. Research that can be found there are: Pre-compiled genealogies, census records, newspapers, ships index, birth, marriage, and death indexes and much more genealogy related material. The only differences between the local and State library is that the State covers the whole state.
“Foot” Research
OK, you’ve put together everything you know so far. Now What? Now it is time for my favorite part of the research “FOOT” Research. The “foot” research includes: Funeral Homes, County Courthouses, Churches, and Cemeteries (and sometimes the occasional Family Reunion).
Funeral Homes provide material such as Death Certificates and much more. I have recently gotten my grandmother’s sister’s death certificate from the local funeral home, it gave me her birth, death, what she died of, who her parents were, when her funeral was, where she was buried and that her middle name was “Arla” NOT “Arlene.”
County Courthouses sometimes limit the use of there material so call ahead. I couldn’t find my great grandfather’s death in the index, I had an obituary, but couldn’t find it anywhere in the death index. I went to the courthouse and look through the year, and guess what?…There it was!!
Churches, most churches keep thorough records.
My favorite “foot” research is the Cemetery. Some cemeteries have put together indexes in the form of books, (most libraries have them), some people have put together an on-line index of the cemetery; however, if you can’t find it talk to the Saxon of the cemetery you are looking for.
Happy Hunting!
Echo's of Lost Footsteps 