Getting started with genealogy can be overwhelming. Most people don’t have an unlimited budget to travel, buy memberships and order records. Most people also don’t have a degree in history or library science. But, most of us have an inherent curiosity and can undertake research on the internet or local library. Below we outline a step by step roadmap to getting started on a genealogy project.
Step 1
As with most research, knowing what you want to find is imperative. Setting a reasonable goal will allow you to stay focused and out of the proverbial “rabbit hole”. Start small, e.g., find the records on your great grandfather’s marriage and death, and stay organized.
Step 2
Once you know what you want to find, identify what information is readily available, working from current times backwards. If you have information that is relevant (such as birth, death, marriage records, photos, letters, and diaries), review what you already have available for details.
Step 3
Many of us have at least one person in our family that collects and keeps the family records, pictures, etc. If you have one of these resources in your family, talk with them about what they know and what records they have and are willing to share. If you have elderly relatives that have first-hand knowledge of an event, talk with them and get any information that they are willing to share. Many times, these records and stories can give important clues.
Step 4
Now that you have a good idea what information you have readily available, you can determine what type of records you need search for. Your efforts should pick up where your currently available records ended.
Step 5
See what is available online relative to your project. There are usually a wide variety of records that can be accessed, including birth, death, marriage, land, tax, census, military, naturalization, etc. Some for free and others from webpages that charge a fee. It is important to systematically collect records on an individual or family unit, particularly if there are multiple individuals with the same name in the same location or you are dealing with a more common surname. Many times, online genealogy may contain errors, so scrutinize any information you find to determine if it is in fact about your ancestor and accurate.
Step 6
If you have exhausted the available online information, consider visiting your local library. While indexes and digital copies are very helpful, there is nothing better than finding the original records, seeing their condition, and knowing that you are touching records that may have been generated centuries ago.
Step 7
As you are gathering records, assess the content and quality of any record and keep organized. This will help you identify whether any additional records are needed, where you have holes in your research and any issues to be resolved. You can keep records in hard copy form or you may want to invest in an information management system, there are many systems that are available. You may want to use an online genealogy program, if you want your information to be visible to the public or if you want to collaborate with others. Sharing online may allow you to connect with other people that are researching the same family and be able to share information.
Step 8
A research trip to one or more repositories may be needed to obtain the records that answer your genealogy questions. Most repositories will not conduct research for you, but if you know what records you need, you may be able to order copies of the records or request assistance from a professional that can help guide you.
Step 9
Consider whether DNA testing will help you to answer the genealogy questions you have formulated.
If you get stuck, Legacy Finders LLC can provide coaching services for a fee, or we can help you by performing research on focused research questions that we help you define.
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