Introduction to Genealogy

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Introduction to Genealogy By Al Barron Slidell
Branch Library November 17, 2004
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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.
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• Introduction to Genealogy
• Why Genealogy?
• To put a personal face on history
• To better understand the past by finding ones
  place in it
• To leave a record of a family for posterity

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Introduction to Genealogy

• Getting Started
• Where do I start
• What information should I have?
• What should I include?

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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?
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Introduction to Genealogy
Getting Started Where do I start?
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What Information Should I have?
Introduction to Genealogy
Getting Started
Fill in what information you can from memory
the details can de taken care of later.
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Do what you can on a chart or in a program and
use other sources to fill in the gapsthe
accuracy relates to your purpose for lineage
researchex. DAR, UDC or just ME
Introduction to Genealogy
Getting Started
What Information Should I Have?
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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
Getting Started
What Information Should I Include?
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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
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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)
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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
Citing Sources
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Pedigree Charts Charting the Past
Introduction to Genealogy
Organizing Data
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

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Pedigree Charts Charting the Past
Introduction to Genealogy
Organizing Data

The Five-Generation Chart from Ancestry.com the
form most typically used to get started, and is
a free download (also on CD)
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Things to consider..
Introduction to Genealogy
Organizing Data
Pedigree Charts Charting the Past

• Numbering
• Amount of Data
• Source Citation

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Pedigree Charts Charting the Past
Introduction to Genealogy
Organizing Data
Pedigree charts are the backbone of any work
that is done The provide a visual link to
organize data.
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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
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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.
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Accounting and Paper Genealogy
Introduction to Genealogy
Organizing Data
In paper research, there are a number of
records to cite sources, to record letters and
requests.
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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
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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)
Introduction to Genealogy
Organizing Data
NOTE SOURCE BUTTON
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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 documentationrequirem
ents.
Introduction to Genealogy
Organizing Data
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As stated in the opening, start with yourself and
work backwards as far as you can from memory.
Introduction to Genealogy
How to Search
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Introduction to Genealogy
How to Search
Then, using any sort of records that you might
have, start filling in the blanks.
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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

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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.
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Introduction to Genealogy
How to Search
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Introduction to Genealogy
How to Search
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Introduction to Genealogy
How to Search
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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
How to Search
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All searches start with something..either online
or in an indexhere are some examples
Introduction to Genealogy
Where to Search

• Census Indices
• Vital Record Indices
• Sacramental Records
• Land Records
• Probate Records

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Introduction to Genealogy
Where to Search
Places to Search

• Courthouses
• Libraries
• Family History Centers
• Archives
• Internet Databases
• Snail Mail/Email
• Message boards

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Introduction to Genealogy
Overcoming Roadblocks

• If you cant find anything..Keep trying!!
• If someone isnt 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!!)

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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.
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Introduction to Genealogy
In Conclusion

• Learn the use of the tools of the trade
• Dont worry about road blocks
• Use any source that meets your need
• Cite and verify any source
• Network with others to finds answers

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Barking Up Your Family Tree