Getting Started

The Beginning Research Process

Gathering

By Karen Coombs

Changing Our Thought Process

There are two types of people who do genealogy.

· Gatherers

· Researchers

Gathering is an important part of the process. It helps us form our road map as to where we need to go and helps us avoid duplication.

Research is a critical part of the process. Too many people have submitted faulty information to Ancestral File, Pedigree Resource File and other lineage-linked Internet sites. Research corrects the false information.

Our goal is to have accurate records and to fix some of the problems with documentation that are in the lineage-links databases.

Remember all the work was not done by Aunt Martha or Uncle John. Everyone still has plenty of places to work with ancestors anxious to be located.

In this day and age there is an abundance of records available—more than at any other time in history. The Family History Library currently has 2.3 million rolls of film and 400,000 books. They are acquiring 2,000 rolls of film and 700 books a month. More and more information is also becoming available on the Internet.

The work is not easy. You must have determination and the desire to be successful.

By following the steps I will outline in the classes to follow, you can be a success.

 Essential Forms

• Pedigree Chart—this form lets you see each member of your direct family and where they are in relationship to you.
• Family Group Record—this form lets you list all children that belong to a particular family.
• Research Log—this form helps you keep track of the sources you have already looked at and a brief explanation of what you have found and also can help you plan ahead.
• Time Line—this form lists all the events as they happened in an ancestor’s life so you can see where they were at any particular time and when they were there.

Organization of Research Notes

There are many methods of organization. Each one will vary in different aspects. Try them out and find a method that works for you.

My method:

· A loose leaf for each family

· Pedigree chart in the front

· Family group records next

• Research notes— Up to this point what are my conclusions and any ideas as to what my next step will be.

• Dividers for each state or area where I am researching
• Dividers for each type of record—census, probate, land, etc.
• Research log for each type of record
• Documents filed behind each research log.

The most important rule for organization is that each bit of information must be on a standard size piece of paper so it is not easily lost.

Rules of Consistency

· All names are written with last name in all capitals – James SMITH

· All place names have three localities – city, county, and state

· All state names are spelled out.

• Names of months are three letters only – Sep, Jul, May. No periods are necessary. Never use numbers for months.

• Dates are written with the day first, month second, and year last – 12 Jul 1900.
• All years need to be written with all four number – 1990.

Types of Sources

Primary Source – A primary source is a document created at the time of the event. The birth certificate would be a primary source for the birth date and place only.

Secondary Source – A secondary source is a document created at a later date than when the event happened. A journal entry created several years later about the birth of a child is a secondary source.

Assignment

· Decide on a family to work on.

· Gather home source information.

· Contact other relatives for information about that family.

· Locate any documents you or others may have.

· Collect stories told about the family. There may be some truth to the stories.

· Fill out a family group sheet for yourself as a child and yourself as a parent.

· Fill out a pedigree chart with as many generations as you can remember.