Transcript Slide 1

Introduction to Genealogy
By
Al Barron
Slidell Branch Library
November 17, 2004
Introduction to Genealogy
This series, in three parts, will discuss
topics pertinent to family historical
research.
The intent is to provide the user with basic
knowledge to construct a family history
and to point out sources for this purpose.
Introduction to Genealogy
Why Genealogy?
•To put a personal face on history
•To better understand the past by
finding one’s place in it
•To leave a record of a family for
posterity
Introduction to Genealogy
Getting Started
•Where do I start”
•What information should I have?
•What should I include?
Introduction to Genealogy
Getting Started
Where do I start?
Start with yourself and
work backwards….
Take a chart, and set to
work filling in the voids
Introduction to Genealogy
Getting Started
Where do I start?
Introduction to Genealogy
Getting Started
What Information Should I have?
Fill in what information you can from
memory – the details can de taken care of
later….
Introduction to Genealogy
Getting Started
What Information Should I Have?
Do what you can on a chart or in a
program and use other sources to fill
in the gaps…the accuracy relates to
your purpose for lineage research…
ex. DAR, UDC or just “ME”
Introduction to Genealogy
Getting Started
What Information Should I Include?
This goes to the RESAON or PURPOSE
behind a family history ~ You can be as
exact as you need to for your own
edification –
If you are documenting for a heritage
organization, your research must be perfect
in form
Introduction to Genealogy
Organizing Data
How your information is organized is as
important and related to the purpose of
your research. Whatever your purpose
is, always DOCUMENT your source.
Ex. Green Book/Red Book Problem
Introduction to Genealogy
Organizing Data
Citing Sources
No matter what you use, film, book,
website, family papers - tell WHERE
the information came from (Red Book
Problem)
Introduction to Genealogy
Organizing Data
Citing Sources
When using any source, use title,
author, ISBN, and call number for a
book.
For other items, ask someone on how
to cite a source.
Introduction to Genealogy
Organizing Data
Pedigree Charts – Charting the Past
A pedigree chart is
what you might usually
think of as a family tree
– most research starts
with something that
looks like the
background and moves
into a program or form
Introduction to Genealogy
Organizing Data
Pedigree Charts – Charting the Past
The Five-Generation Chart
from Ancestry.com the form
most typically used to get
started, and is a free
download (also on CD)
Introduction to Genealogy
Organizing Data
Pedigree Charts – Charting the Past
Things to consider…..
•Numbering
•Amount of Data
•Source Citation
Introduction to Genealogy
Organizing Data
Pedigree Charts – Charting the Past
Pedigree charts are the
“backbone” of any work that
is done ~ The provide a
visual link to organize data.
Introduction to Genealogy
Organizing Data
Family Group Sheets
The Family Group Sheet will
allow you to fill in the details
from your Pedigree Chart. In
a computer program (PAF,
FTM) these reports are
generated for you. Both allow
you to CITE the source.
Introduction to Genealogy
Organizing Data
Family Group Sheets
Family group sheets allow you to get
all of the raw data in one place about
a family. In both print and computer
form they summarize generational
data for a family.
Introduction to Genealogy
Organizing Data
“Accounting” and Paper Genealogy
In “paper” research, there are a number
of records to cite sources, to record
letters and requests.
Introduction to Genealogy
Organizing Data
“Accounting” and Paper Genealogy
The Source Summary is a
Sheet that allows you to record all
of the information
for a source to include author, title,
call number and library
in which the item is located
Introduction to Genealogy
Organizing Data
Computer and internet based sources have
“analogs” for the stuff that you see in paper. Again,
they allow you to cite your source. This is example
is form Personal Ancestral File (“PAF”)
NOTE SOURCE
BUTTON
Introduction to Genealogy
Organizing Data
The computer-based programs allow you
to have your data NEATLY saved all at once.
The paper-based formats are typically better
for lineage research due to the documentation
requirements.
Introduction to Genealogy
How to Search
As stated in the opening, start with
yourself and work backwards as far
as you can from memory.
Introduction to Genealogy
How to Search
Then, using any sort of records that you
might have, start filling in the blanks.
Introduction to Genealogy
How to Search
By using what you have at hand, other resources can
later help you~ such as the Census (on film at the
library) or as seen here at Ancestry Plus…
Introduction to Genealogy
How to Search
Using the internet or any
resource is much like using
any index in book or search
engine. You start with a name
or term and proceed from
there….
Introduction to Genealogy
How to Search
Introduction to Genealogy
How to Search
Introduction to Genealogy
How to Search
Introduction to Genealogy
How to Search
No matter what source is used,
Ancestry or a print index, that getting
started is very easy. But there are
problems. Print Census indexes only
work 1870 and before. Ancestry does
not have all of the material online. After
1880, suing the Census gets a little
complicated…
Introduction to Genealogy
Where to Search
All searches start with something..either online or in
an index…here are some examples:
•Census Indices
•Vital Record Indices
•Sacramental Records
•Land Records
•Probate Records
Introduction to Genealogy
Where to Search
Places to Search:
•Courthouses
•Libraries
•Family History Centers
•Archives
•Internet Databases
•Snail Mail/Email
•Message boards
Introduction to Genealogy
Overcoming Roadblocks
•If you can’t find anything…..Keep trying!!
•If someone isn’t present in a Census, try a city directory
•Use one source to “cover” for another
•Always try a variety of sources to verify one facet of information
•Mrs. Lott Story (Persistence pays!!)
Introduction to Genealogy
Adding Flesh to Bones
Mere facts and dates really only convey existence, not a life.
They do not tell a complete story. The dates in a life, birth,
marriage deathand other facts merely tell the what of a life.
To add interest to research, outside sources OTHER THAN
typical ones to add “meat” to your work. Typically,
newspapers, family letters,
military records, school records, yearbooks, trade
publications, all add dimension and depth to research.
Introduction to Genealogy
In Conclusion
•Learn the use of the tools of the trade
•Don’t worry about road blocks
•Use any source that meets your need
•Cite and verify any source
•Network with others to finds answers
Introduction to Genealogy
Introduction to Genealogy
Introduction to Genealogy
Introduction to Genealogy
Introduction to Genealogy
Introduction to Genealogy
Introduction to Genealogy
Introduction to Genealogy
Introduction to Genealogy
Introduction to Genealogy
Introduction to Genealogy
Introduction to Genealogy
Introduction to Genealogy
Introduction to Genealogy
Introduction to Genealogy
Introduction to Genealogy
Introduction to Genealogy
Introduction to Genealogy
Introduction to Genealogy
Introduction to Genealogy
Introduction to Genealogy
Introduction to Genealogy
“Barking Up Your Family Tree”