How to Do Everything Genealogy 3/E | How to do Everything

How to Do Everything Genealogy 3/E

Authors: George G. Morgan

Published: January 2012

eISBN: 9780071780858 0071780858 | ISBN: 9780071780841

Genealogy

About the Author

About the Technical Editor

Contents at a Glance

Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Part I: Begin Your Family History Odyssey

Chapter 1: Why Explore Your Genealogy?

Start at the Beginning: Yourself and Your Family

Discover Sources of Information in Your Own Home

Vital and Civil Records

Religious Records

Personal or Family Bible

Photograph Albums

Scrapbooks

Letters

Diaries and Journals

Family Histories

Local Histories

Baby Books

Marriage Books

Funeral Books and Memorial Cards

Identification Documents

Immigration Papers

Naturalization Papers

Land Records

Military Records

Directories

Religious Publications

School Records

Employment Records

Search for the Less-Than-Obvious Items

Interview All Your Relatives

Consider Several Types of Interview

Schedule Interviews for Best Results

Ask the Right Questions

Use the Right Equipment for Your Interviews

Set the Tone of the Interview

Don’t Forget the “Thank You”

Begin to Organize What You Find

Get Started

Chapter 2: Analyze and Organize Your Family Information

Evaluate Primary vs. Secondary Information

Birth Certificates

Marriage Certificates

Death Certificates

Obituaries

Cemetery Markers

Bible Entries

Recognize and Evaluate Original vs. Derivative Sources

Understand Types of Derivative Sources

Transcription

Extract

Abstract

Avoid Errors in Derivative Sources

Apply Critical Thinking Skills to Your Genealogical Research

Place Your Ancestors into Context

Format Names, Dates, and Locations Correctly

Record Names

Record Dates

Record Locations

Work with Pedigree Charts

Work with Family Group Sheets

Record Multiple Family Units with a Common Spouse

How to Handle Nontraditional Family Units

How to Handle Adopted Children

Create Source Citations for Your Data

Select a Family Tree Format

Chapter 3: Balance Traditional and Electronic Research

Be a Modern Genealogical Researcher

Understand Traditional Research

Discover Documentary Evidence and Where It Is Found

Books and Periodicals

Manuscripts

Maps

Indexes

Histories

Biographies

Newspapers

Documents from Many Traditional Locations and Sources

Understand Electronic Research Materials

Email and Mailing Lists

Message Boards

Web Pages

Compilations and Indexes

Search Engines

Subscription Internet Sites for Genealogy

Blogs

Podcasts and Videocasts

Webinars

Live Online Radio

Integrate Traditional and Electronic Research Findings

Chapter 4: Place Your Ancestors into Context and Locate Vital Records

Place Your Ancestors into Context

Become a Student of History

Family Histories

County and Local Histories

State and Provincial Histories

National and World History

Use Maps to Locate the Right Place to Research

Avoid Wasted Time and Energy

Use Maps for Multiple Purposes

Use a Methodology That Works

Step 1: Start with a Contemporary Map

Step 2: Locate and Examine Historical Maps

Step 3: Fine-tune Your Search Location

Step 4: Identify the Records Created and Their Current Location

Step 5: Contact the Repository to Obtain Copies of Records

Maps Can Equal Success

Locate Birth, Marriage, and Death Records

Locate Birth Certificates

Find Marriage Licenses and Certificates

Research Divorce Records

Locate Death Certificates

Chapter 5: Use Census Schedules and Records to Locate Your Ancestors

Understand and Work with United States Census Records

Understand Originals vs. Copies of Census Documents

Use Strategies to Work with Population Schedules

Don’t Overlook the 1885 Census

Use Substitutes for the 1890 Census

Use the 1940 Census

Use More than Just Population Schedules

Use Census Finding Aids to Locate Your Ancestors

Use Soundex and Miracode Index Resources

Use Excellent U.S. Census Reference Books

Access the Census Images on Microfilm and in Online Databases

Don’t Forget to Search State Censuses

Understand and Work with British and Irish Census Records

Work with England’s and Wales’ Census Records

Learn the Status of Irish Census Records

Use Quality Reference Materials When Working with British Census Records

Access the Census Records for the British Isles

Understand and Work with Canadian Census Records

Explore the Depth of the 1871 Census for Canada

Locate Additional Information on the Censuses

Part II: Expand Your Research

Chapter 6: Extend Your Research with Advanced Record Types

Use Religious Records

Locate the Right Institution

Determine What Records the Institution Might Have Created

Locate the Records Today

Gain Access to the Records

Interpret, Evaluate, and Place the Records into Perspective

Consider a Variety of Religious Records

Obtain and Analyze Mortuary and Funeral Home Records

Read Between the Lines in Obituaries

Locate and Delve into Cemetery Records

Search for Other Death-Related Documents

Get Inside Your Ancestor’s Mind Using Wills and Probate Records

Understand the Meaning of a Will and Testament

Understand the Probate Process

Learn What a Will Can Tell You—Literally and by Implication

Examine the Contents of a Probate Packet

Watch for Clues and Pointers in the Probate Packet

Learn Why You Really Want to Examine Documents Yourself

Locate and Obtain Copies of Wills and Probate Documents

Obtain Information from the Social Security Administration and Railroad Retirement Board

Use Historical Newspapers to Learn About Your Ancestor’s Life Events

Consider Other Institutional Record Types

Chapter 7: Use the Many Types of Military Service Records

Expand Your Knowledge of the Military Services

Investigate Military History for the Appropriate Time Period

Identify Possible Sources for Military Records

Locate Military Records in the United States

Learn About Early Records

Research Your Ancestors in the American Revolutionary War

Research Your War of 1812 Ancestors

Research American Civil War Records

Find Later Military Records

Locate Canadian Military Records

Search for Early Records

Locate and Access Records from World War I

Search for Canadian Military Records After 1918

Locate Military Records in the United Kingdom

Understand the Historical Background

Locate the Repositories Where Records Are Held

Learn About the Types of Military Records in the United Kingdom

Learn About Military Records for Ireland

Locate Australian Military Records

Examine Samples of Military Records

Locate Enlistment and Draft Registration Records

Military Muster Rolls and Pay Records

Seek Out Educational and Training Records

Look for Military Station and Duty Assignment Orders

Promotions and Commissions

Locate Military Discharge and Separation Records

World War I

World War II

Post–World War II

Death and Burial Records

Locate Other Military-Related Records

Chapter 8: Understand and Use Land and Property Records

Locate and Use Land and Property Records in the United States

Learn About the Organization of State and Public Lands

State Land States

State Land States Survey Methods

State Land States Records

Measurements for Public Domain Land States

Public Domain Land States Records

Locate Land and Property Records

Learn About Types of Records

Learn About Land and Property Records in Canada

Land Measurement in Canada

Land Systems Used in Canada

Taxation and Duty Records

Locate the Land Records

Learn About Land and Property Records in the United Kingdom

How Many Manors Were There?

Manorial Records

Locate Land and Property Records Online

Place Your Ancestors into Context with Property Records

Chapter 9: Locate and Use Immigration and Naturalization Records

Understand Why People Migrate

Locate and Use U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Records

Learn About How Our Ancestors Traveled

Learn About the History of Ships’ Passenger Lists

A Chronology of Ships’ Passenger Lists in the United States

Learn About the American Ports of Entry

Locate Ships’ Passenger Lists for Immigrants Arriving in the United States

Locate and Access Canadian Immigration Records

Consult the Library and Archives Canada

Locate and Access Australian Immigration Records

Learn About Australian History

Use Strategies for Determining Your Ancestor’s Migration Path

Start with What You Know

Refer to Vital Documents and Ecclesiastical Records

Don’t Overlook Voter Registration Records

Look for Passport Records

Locate and Use the U.S. Federal Census Population Schedules

Study Published Histories

Look for Books About Early Settlers

Search for Shipping News

Use Other Strategies for Determining Your Ancestor’s Place of Origin

Use Photographic Images

Look at Home for Letters Written in Another Language

Consider Family Customs

Find Clues in Culinary Styles

Pay Attention to Family Physical Traits

Use Alternative Record Types to Identify Clues

Use the Resources at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Website

Understand the Naturalization Process

Locate Repositories Where Naturalization and Related Documents Are Housed

Work Immigration, Naturalization, and Census Records in Tandem

Chapter 10: Discover Where to Locate Evidence About Your Family

Determine Where to Look for Different Document Types

Use Indexes, Compilations, and Other Finding Aids

Use Indexes

Indexes in Courthouses and Government Facilities

Indexes in Libraries, Archives, and Other Research Facilities

Online Database Indexes

Search Engines’ Indexes

Use Compilations

Use Other Finding Aids

Use Libraries and Archives

Learn How to Use the Library Catalog

Start with What Has Already Been Done

Use the Library of Congress Online Catalog

Use the FamilySearch Catalog and the LDS Family History Centers

Consult Reference Books and Other Resources

Locate the Repository on the Internet

Contact the Repository

Seek Help from a State, Provincial, or National Library or Archive

Contact Genealogical and Historical Societies at All Levels

Engage a Professional Researcher

Deal with Closed or Limited Access to Materials

Be Prepared to Provide Proof of Your Relationship

Offer to Pay All the Expenses

Provide Letters of Authorization or Permission to Access

Invoke the Use of the Freedom of Information Act

Obtain a Court Order

Order Document Copies by Postal Mail and Email

Keep Track of Your Correspondence

Use a Research Log

Part III: Learn Research Methods and Strategies

Chapter 11: Learn How to Successfully Research Your Ancestors on the Internet

Categorize the Major Types of Internet Resources

Categorize the Major Types of Genealogical Web Page Resources

Compilation Sites

“How-to,” Educational, and Reference Sites

Genealogy Charts and Forms

Online Databases

Genealogical Societies

Structure Effective Searches to Locate Information

Define the Difference Between Search Engines and Directories

Use a Search Engine to Get Great Results

Use Mailing Lists and Message Boards to Share Information and Collaborate with Others

What Is a Mailing List?

What Is a Message Board?

Write Effective Messages and Postings That Get Results

Locate and Use Additional Resources in Your Research

Online Map Resources

Dictionaries

Language Translation

Historical and Biographical Resources

Calendars

People Finders and Telephone Directories

Chapter 12: Research and Verify Your Ancestors Using Genetic Genealogy (DNA)

Learn About DNA and Its Place in Genealogical Research

Discover the Difference Between Paternal and Maternal Testing and the Results

Learn About Genetic Testing Services

Join a DNA Surname Project on the Internet

Learn More About Genetic Genealogy

Chapter 13: Use Alternative Research Strategies to Locate Difficult Records

Recognize When You Have Hit a “Brick Wall”

Take a Fresh Look at Your Evidence

Reevaluate the Quality of Your Sources

Dissect Obituaries

Widen the Scope of Your Search to Include New and Different Sources

Use Photographs in Your Family Research

Learn About the Types of Photographs

Date Photographs Using Clothing and Hair Fashions

Switch to Another Family Member to Bypass Your Roadblock

Seek Help from Libraries, Archives, Museums, and Societies

Engage the Help of a Professional Researcher

Locate a Qualified Professional Genealogical Researcher

Association of Professional Genealogists (U.S.)

Association of Professional Genealogists in Ireland

The Board for Certification of Genealogists

Genealogical Institute of the Maritimes

International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists

Other Credentials

Define the Scope of the Work to Be Performed

Establish Guidelines, Goals, and Milestones

Document the Relationship

Conclude the Relationship

Chapter 14: Use the Latest Online Resources and Social Networking in Your Genealogy Research

Locate and Use Blogs

Use Wikis and Collaborate with Others

Enjoy Podcasts and Online Radio Broadcasts

Learn More About Genealogical Research with Internet Videos

Attend Live Webinars and Access Recorded Webinars

Learn About and Use the Latest Social Media Resources

Facebook

Genealogy Wise

Google+

Twitter

Summary

Case Study: Getting Past Penelope Swords

Index