Transcript Ancestry.com www.ancestry.com What there is on the site What is pay to view What is free.

Ancestry.com
www.ancestry.com
What there is on the site
What is pay to view
What is free
What do you have to pay for?
• If you come to the library it is all FREE!
• At home most of it you will have to pay
for.
Free Sites (samples of some)
Remember: Everything is free at
the library!
•
•
•
•
•
•
American Biographical Library
1880 United States Federal Census
Ancestry World Tree
Ancestry.com Message Boards
Ancestry.com Research Registry
Biographical Directory of the American Congress
Cookie
crumbs
You can
back
track
each
step
View
Census
See the
actual
census
Save for
future
reference
Getting Started &
Treasures in the Attic
http://ancestry.com/library/view/ancmag/2082.asp Step 1 & 2
Fewer hobbies anywhere offer the reward of genealogy.
This hobby can and will take you on a journey of discovery of
your ancestors and their lives.
This journey can:
• Take you to places you have never been
• Learn who you ancestors really were and their personalities
• Every journey begins with a single step. This first step is you!
We will discuss some of the areas that you can collect and
things you can do to start on this journey.
Living Sources
www.ancestry.com/library/view/ancmag/2082.asp
step 3
For Centuries, genealogy was an oral tradition.
There was a least one person who had the
responsibility to memorize the genealogy.
Today in some cultures they may still
memorize. However, it seems as though one
person in a family is the gatekeeper or flame
keeper. This person is perhaps the best one to
contact in gaining information.
Library Research &
At the Library
www.ancestry.com/library/view/ancmag/2082.asp Steps 4 & 5
•
What preparations should you make before leaving
your home, and what should you look for once you
arrive at the library.
1.
You could make a list of all research centers and
libraries near you
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Public libraries
Family history library
Local historical societies
Genealogical societies
College libraries
Primary & Secondary Sources
www.ancestry.com/library/view/ancmag/2082.asp Steps 6 & 7
Primary Sources (Original) – is a record of an
event written, spoken or photographed by an
eyewitness or that event at or near the time of
the event. Recorded by someone with
firsthand knowledge of the facts.
Secondary source (copied) – is written record
of the event that was created long after the
event occurred. Usually by someone not
directly associated with the event.
Census Records
www.ancestry.com/library/view/ancmag/2082.asp Step 8
Webster’s dictionary states that a
census is “a periodic governmental
enumeration of a population.”
First census was taken 1790 then
every 10 years since.
Immigration Records
“Give me your tired!”
www.ancestry.com/library/view/ancmag/2082.asp Step 9
• Nearly every American can trace their ancestors to
a foreign land
• Between 1607 to the present 35 to 50 million have
entered the this country
• Most entered through the US ports:
Baltimore,Boston, New Orleans, New York City,
Philadelphia, Minor ports, If they entered legally
there should be a paper trail
Naturalization Records
www.ancestry.com/library/view/ancmag/2082.asp Step 10
The Federal Government has a form for
everything. While these forms contain a lot
of different information, there is a lot of
information that is very valuable to the
genealogist.
• These records were not intended for
genealogy purposes, but what a great
benefit they are.
Military Records
www.ancestry.com/library/view/ancmag/2082.asp Step 11
•
•
•
•
Identify the individual
Branch of military they were in
Determine which war they were in
Watch for other items in the photos such as:
uniform, clothing style, others in photo or
objects to identify the time period
• Look for patches, medals which could represent
the rank of the individual
• Any clues could be helpful in finding the
military records of your ancestors
Land Records
www.ancestry.com/library/view/ancmag/2082.asp
• They can be plentiful, accessible, easy to
use, informative and interesting.
• There are 5 steps:
–
–
–
–
–
Identify the individual
Determine if they owned land and where
What types of records exist
Use the records and crank the machines
Evaluate the data
Wills & Probates
www.ancestry.com/library/view/ancmag/2082.asp Step 13
•
Probate records are useful in your search for
ancestors
1. 1st they relate information already gathered
2. They are legal documents and are reliable
information as long as you interpret it correctly
3. Wills are the most common form of records
4. They furnish you with relationships
5. They give you glimpses into the persons life,
family secrets, household items, and feelings
about family members
Court Records
www.ancestry.com/library/view/ancmag/2082.asp Step 14
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Naturalization & Probate
Adoption
Bankruptcy
Civil proceedings
Criminal proceedings
Divorce
Guardianships
Mortgage
Property disputes
Unusual Record Sources
www.ancestry.com/library/view/ancmag/2082.asp
Step 15
• Need to fully examine the ancestral paper
trail
• Tracking down any information that could
solve the dead ends
• Help build a thorough life history
Online Research
www.ancestry.com/library/view/ancmag/2082.asp Step 17
• Nothing has revolutionized genealogy like
the internet. It has it’s pitfalls.
• Often lacks the proof needed to make sound
conclusions.
• Internet is not a shortcut for sound research.
• Use the same guidelines that apply to paper
and pencil research when using the internet.
• 6 steps to online research.
Adding life to Family History
There are many ways to share
www.ancestry.com/library/view/ancmag/2082.asp Step 18
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Family quilts
Family Photos and Art
Family Area
Family Cookbooks
Family Traditions
Cemeteries
Interviews
Family Trips
Family Reunions
Family Associations
Family Web Sites
Family History Books
The End
For questions or help call:
Cathie Owens
942-5910 or 856-7332