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Introduction to Genealogy

Getting started

  1. Start with yourself. Always work your way back from the known to the unknown. Family legend may involve having a well-known ancestor, but unless this link has been thoroughly researched and documented, never assume that the connection is valid. Working in the direction of known ancestors toward documenting older or unknown family members will eliminate a lot of frustration.
  2. Talk with members of your family. Interview family members about their parents and grandparents. Take notes about places, people, and dates. Memories may not be perfect, but they can provide you with valuable clues. Don’t neglect younger family members in this process. Someone may have already delved into the family history and is willing to share what they have found.
  3. Get started with document research once you have exhausted your own knowledge and have talked with family begin identifying the various records available to genealogists. These usually include home sources, vital records, church records, courthouse records, census records, and online sources.

Getting organized

  1. Ancestor Chart The most basic organizational tool for genealogy is the ancestor chart. Fill the chart out as completely as you can. The blank spaces that are left show you where you need more information and can help focus your research.
  2. Software There are several software packages that you can purchase to organize your research and there are websites (some free) that keep track of your ancestors. The best programs will include the following features: family trees, chart builders, report generators, the ability to import and export media, supplies tips and support and even the ability to work in your DNA results. Speak with other genealogists and read software reviews in order to select a system that suits your needs.

    Best Genealogy Software
    https://www.techradar.com/best/genealogy-tools

    Comparison of Genealogy Software on Wikipedia
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_genealogy_software

Guidelines for using a library, archives, courthouse or historical society

  1. Call before visiting to ask about hours, parking, and copying procedures.
  2. Visit the website for the institution you are interested in visiting. Many organizations have great sites with indexes, bibliographies, photographs, digitized records and other helpful sources.
  3. You may also be able to email an archivist or reference librarian with questions. Keep these questions brief and be as specific as possible (example: Can you look in the index of Cavaliers and Pioneers for Edward Johnson?). Do not ask for “Everything you have on the Johnson family.”
  4. Think about your research questions in terms of location and time period and not necessarily in terms of surnames. Location and time period will determine what sources might be available that will have information on your ancestor. For example, asking “I’m looking for a marriage record from Jefferson County from the 1930s” is better than “I’m looking for the marriage of Calvin Johnson.”
  5. Become familiar with the library’s online catalog. By searching the catalog prior to your visit, you become knowledgeable about the collection and can make a list of “must see” items. This will help you maximize your time once you arrive.

Getting started in the records

  1. Home Sources Don’t overlook items in your home or the homes of family members that can yield genealogical information. These items include letters, photographs, scrapbooks, diplomas, newspaper clippings, family Bibles, and school yearbooks. Check attics, basements, underneath beds, or other out of the way places where they may be stashed.
  2. Vital Records Vital records are records issued upon the birth, marriage, divorce, or death of an individual. Genealogists value these records because they allow us to learn birth dates/locations, parents’ names, maiden names of female ancestors, death dates and locations, and many other facts. Modern vital records are easy to obtain and are a fairly recent invention. Many states did not begin keeping these records until the late 19th or early 20th century.
  3. Church Records Since church records often pre-date vital records, they may be the only place where a birth, marriage, or death is recorded. Knowing about your ancestors’ faith helps to make them more real and they become more than just names and dates.
  4. Courthouse Records Courthouse records actually comprise many different types of records that are available in most county courthouses. These include wills, deeds, tax lists, and marriages. You will need to know the state and county in which the ancestors you are researching lived in order to access the courthouse records.
  5. Census Records Taken every 10 years since 1790, the United States Federal Census is the official count of the U.S. population. Mandated for the purpose of drawing congressional districts, the U.S. Census is probably the most important source for genealogists at all levels of experience. Personal information contained in the Census is sealed for 72 years by Federal Law for privacy. The most recent census available to genealogists is the 1950 census which was released on April 1, 2022. The 1960 census will be released in 2032.

Evaluate your information – scrutinize all sources!

  1. Factual Errors in Vital Records
    Genealogical information is taken from a wide variety of sources. Evaluating accuracy is an important part of the research process. Original records are regarded as being more likely to be accurate than compiled or transcribed records. However, original records are only as good as their source. For instance, a death certificate would certainly be considered an original (or primary) source. The information on the certificate was most likely provided by a physician, friend, or relative; any one of whom might not be able to 100% accurately answer the questions. The census is another good example of an original source that should be carefully evaluated. Census takers may have gotten their answers from neighbors, the children, or they could simply have made them up or misspelled names in haste.
  2. Factual Errors in Secondary Sources
    Information taken from secondary sources (published family histories, compiled indexes, transcribed records, etc.) should be carefully evaluated as well. Consider whether the author of the family history had access to original records or were they relying on family stories and tradition. When looking at a transcription of records imagine how things like handwriting and unfamiliar terminology might affect the transcriber’s interpretation. Remember that every time a record is indexed or transcribed an opportunity arises for errors to occur that can be perpetuated indefinitely if they go unnoticed.
  3. Factual Errors in Public Family Trees
    Lastly, when using public family trees online (for example on Ancestry.com or FamilySearch) remember that no authoritative reviewer is checking online family trees for accuracy. Anyone can publish anything online.

Genealogy databases available through MHL

The following can be found at https://mhl.org/databases/biography-genealogy:

  • American Ancestors
    Family History databases of the New England Historic Genealogical Society
  • Ancestry Library Edition
    Search for your ancestors, check US census records, birth/marriage/death records, etc.
  • Newspapers.com World Edition
    Online access to 4,000+ historical newspapers from the early 18th century into the 2000s.
  • FamilySearch Affiliate Library Records Access
    Researchers on Memorial Hall Library's network can access to FamilySearch records far beyond what is accessible on the free web. MHL’s FS Affiliate Library access does not provide access to all FamilySearch records. Additional access is available at regional Family History Centers and at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Genealogy databases available remotely through BPL with a BPL eCard

The following can be found at https://www.bpl.org/resource/:

  • MyHeritage Library Edition
    Provides access to billions of historical documents, millions of historical photos, historical newspapers, and other
    resources in thousands of databases that span the past five centuries.
  • MyChina Roots
    Includes genealogy clan books, immigration case file indexes, Chinese association membership records, Chinese
    business directories, overseas Chinese cemetery records, guides to get started, and more.

Popular genealogy websites

Genealogy glossary

Decedent:
Person who has died.
Dower:
Share of husband’s real estate to which the widow is entitled.
Estate:
The total property held by an individual and available after death.
Grantee:
Recipient of property either through purchase, gift or request.
Grantor:
Individual who sells or gives property to another person.
Ibid:
Same location. Identifies a document that has already been quoted.
Infant:
A person below the age designated as adulthood.
Intestate:
Died without leaving a will.
Issue:
Offspring.
Née:
Identifies a woman’s maiden name.
Posthumous:
After death.
Proximo:
Used in dates for next, usually refers to the following month.
Relict:
Widow of particular individual.
Sic:
Shows that an incorrect fact has been copied faithfully.

Common abbreviations

You may find the following terms on family trees or genealogical charts.
b. or bn.
Date of birth.
b. or bur.
Date of burial.
C.
abbreviation of Latin word “circa” meaning an approximate date or time.
d.
Date of death.
dsp
Abbreviation of a Latin term meaning died without issue.
et. al.
Abbreviation of Latin term meaning others, indicating the presence of other names not listed on
the document.
JP
Justice of the Peace.
m., m1, m2
Marriage date, numbers indicate first, second marriage.
n.d.
No date known.
ob.
Abbreviation for the Latin term “obit” meaning deceased.
Tutor
Guardian of underage person or minor.
Unm.
Unmarried.

Family relationships

Uncle:
the brother of your father or mother.
Aunt:
the sister of your father or mother.
Sibling:
your brother or sister.
Cousin:
the son or daughter of your uncle or aunt.
Second cousin:
the son or daughter of either parent's first cousin.
Nephew:
the son of your brother or sister.
Niece:
the daughter of your brother or sister.
Grandfather:
the father of your father or mother.
Grandmother:
the mother of your father or mother.
Grandson:.
your child's son.
Granddaughter:
your child's daughter.
Great grandfather:
the father of one of your grandparents.
Great grandmother:
the mother of one of your grandparents.
Great uncle:
the uncle of one of your parents.
Great aunt:
the aunt of one of your parents.
Father-in-law:
the father of your spouse.
Mother-in-law:
the mother of your spouse.
Stepson:
the son of your spouse's former marriage.
Stepdaughter:
the daughter of your spouse's former marriage.
Stepmother:
your father's second (or subsequent) wife.
Stepfather:
your mother's second (or subsequent) husband.
Half-brother:
the male offspring from the remarriage of one of your parents.
Half-sister:
the female offspring from the remarriage of one of your parents.