Tips for the Beginning Amateur Genealogist - Part 2
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The 34 tips I have compiled here have been helpful to me over my years of genealogical research and were originally published for the International Association of Amateur Genealogists.
[This Lens Is The Second Part of a Two Part Series and contains Tips 18-34. Click Here To Go To The First Part]
This list of "Tips" is in no way a comprehensive list but is unique in its emphasis on the beginner. Others have provided lists of tips, many with an emphasis on a particular area of genealogical research.
But, this is a list of basic steps which if taken, will advance you faster than you might expect if you are just getting started. Read all the tips once, making a note of particular ones you wish to know more about.
Then, read them again. Then follow up by checking out the suggestions, references, and resources which are provided specifically for some of these tips.
After this lens is published, I will be coming back on a regular basis to supplement it with additional references.
Tip # 18 - Check Already Completed Genealogies.
Many families have already been researched by collateral relatives, often connected to you 5, 6, or 7 generations in the past. This is a particularly good research technique once you have gotten 4 to 5 generations of your ancestry completed.
Looking For A Good Place To Start?
Tip # 19 - Back Up Your Research Data.
If you have everything in written form, make copies and store them somewhere away from your home. If you have your data on the computer, make back up disks and keep them separate from your computer.
Tip # 20 - Store Your Data In Several Locations
You may wish to give copies of your data to other relatives who are interested in genealogy and family history so that fire or other natural catastrophe will not destroy the only source of data you have. Placing your family tree on internet sites is a good way to always have a back up as of the date you place it on the internet. You can update your uploads from time to time so as to have the most recent copy of your data.
Tip # 21 - Back Up Your Computer Genealogy Program Frequently
If your data is on a computer genealogy program, back up the program frequently. You can do this by using the program back up command of the particular program you are using.
Tip # 22 - Create Regular Gedcom Files
This type of file can be created with your computer genealogy program and can be used in most, if not all, other genealogy programs. It is a convenient way to send data to others researching the same family lines. I store my Gedcom files on a separate external hard drive. Doing this periodically (each Gedcom file with a separate name and date) provides a restore point as of a certain date should you have a problem occur with your data.
Tip # 23 - Explore Your Local Library Genealogical And Local History Section.
Local libraries always emphasize most their own area's local history. You may find family histories, newspaper articles with obituaries, wedding announcements, and personal stories. The local librarian can be a treasure trove of information.
Tip # 24 - Join Your Local Genealogy And Family History Society.
Besides collecting information on local families, most of these have developed collections of related materials available to their members. This may include censuses of local cemetery listings and other relevant research materials.
Tip # 25 - Join Genealogy Groups Where Your Ancestors Lived
Join the local genealogy society in the town, county, or state in which your ancestor lived. After joining a county society in Ohio where my ancestors had once lived, I came across a relative that had descended from the sister of my great, great grandmothers. I contacted her and was able to fill in many areas of information about the family which I did not have, including several more generations of relatives.
Other Squidoo Sources On Genealogy
Tip # 26 - Get Acquainted With Your Local LDS (Mormon) Family History Center.
The Mormons have the greatest collection of genealogical records in the world stored at their headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah. Titles can be searched on the LDS website and at the local Family History Centers. Microfilm copies can be ordered to be studied at the local Centers.
Other LDS Family History Center & Related Links
- "Genealogy Home Page" List of Family History Centers
- This is a listing of LDS Family History Centers generated from data sent by the Family History Center address submission form. The listing is nowhere near complete and readers are invited to submit information about any FHC's with which they are familiar.
- LDS Search Page
- This is the home page for searches on the Latter Day Saints (Mormons) genealogy search page.
Tip # 27 - Begin To Search The U.S. Census Records.
Begin with the most recent census in which a relative can be found and work backwards. The most recent is 1930. Names can be researched in several locations to see if the family member is indexed. You can go through the records at your local library, but the best way is to use a research group that provides the name search and a copy of the image for a fee (for example: Ancestry.Com). The 1st census of 1790 is limited, but up to 1930 Census is available.
Tip # 28 - Check To See If You Have Relatives In Any Lineage Societies.
These include Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution, Sons and Daughters of the Confederacy, Royalty Lineages, First Families of a Certain County or State, etc. In order to become a member of one of these societies, a person must carefullly document step by step his or her ancestry back to the original qualifying person. Finding a relative in one of these societies can extend your lineage and/or confirm with documentation your previous research.
Tip # 29 - Gather Copies Of As Many Family Pictures Amd Documents As Possible
People tend to throw a lot of things away when they move or when someone in the family dies, so get copies as soon as you can before these events occur and destroy part of your family's past.
Tip # 30 - Learn How To Preserve Family Pictures And Documents
There are several good articles and books dedicated to preserving pictures and other family treasures. Don't accidently destroy what you are trying the hardest to preserve.
These Are Good Sources With Which To Start
Tip # 31 - Never Do Anything To An Original Document That Can Not Be Reversed.
Never laminate, glue, paste, staple, or tape original documents. If you wish to use such techniqus, first make a copy of the original document and use the copy. Many copies that can be made at office supply locations like Office Max, Office Depot, and Staples are of very high quality.
Tip # 32 - Search For Old Correspondence Between Your Ancestors And Close Friends And Relatives.
You must remember that prior to the 1940's and 1950's, letter writing was still the most common means of communication between family members. Family news and the latest pictures were frequent topics of communication in these letters. Many couples even kept copies of their courtship letters. Only in the last decade have we had the convenience of email and other electronic means of communication.
Tip # 33 - . Record Or Videotape Interviews With Living Relatives
Nothing is more compelling than to have a parent's or grandparent's story told in their own voice; and in the case of videotapes, their own facial expressions as they tell it.
Learn How To Preserve Genealogical Items Here.
Tip # 34 - Start To Compile Your Own Story
Everyone has at least one book inside of him or her. Start to record your own life events. List the places you've lived, the schools you've attended , the career moves you have made, etc. Your children and grandchildren will appreciate your efforts in years to come.
Check Out My Personal Genealogy Blog
Comments From The Genealogical Community?
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Merlyn63
Apr 9, 2009 @ 5:45 am | delete
- Really nice comlpliment to your first lens, enjoyed reading both, 5* and favourited them too, recommended.
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edah1308
Dec 3, 2008 @ 11:03 pm | delete
- I really liked the way you put this together. 5's
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by anthropos
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