George G. Morgan by Genealogy, How to Do Everything -- Read -- Imperial Library of Trantor

Index

Cover Page Genealogy Copyright Contents Acknowledgments PART I Begin Your Family History Odyssey

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

2 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 Subscription Internet Sites for Genealogy Blogs Podcasts and Vidcasts Social Networking Sites Integrate Traditional and Electronic Research Findings

3 Organize and Create Your Family Tree

Evaluate Primary vs. Secondary Sources Birth Certificates Marriage Certificates Death Certificates Obituaries Cemetery Markers Bible Entries Recognize and Evaluate Original vs. Derivative Sources Understand Types of Derivative Sources 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

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 Maps Can Equal Success Locate Birth, Marriage, and Death Records Locate Birth Certificates Find Marriage Licenses and Certificates Research Divorce Records Locate Death Certificates

5 Use Census Schedules and Records to Locate Your Ancestors

Understand and Work with United States Census Records Original vs. Copies of Census Documents Use Strategies to Work with Population Schedules Use Substitutes for the 1890 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. Federal 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 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 Locate Additional Information on the Censuses

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 The Probate Process Defined 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 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 Consider Other Institutional Record Types

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 Locate Canadian Military Records Locate Military Records in the United Kingdom Locate Australian Military Records Examine Samples of Military Records Enlistment and Draft Registration Records Military Muster Rolls and Pay Records Educational and Training Records Station and Duty Assignment Orders Promotions and Commissions Discharge and Separation Records Death and Burial Records Learn from Military Pension Records

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 Federal Lands Places to Locate Land and Property Records Learn About Types of Records 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

9 Locate and Use Immigration and Naturalization Records

Understand Why People Migrate Locate and Use U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Records Our Ancestors Came in Ships Learn About the History of Ships’ Passenger Lists Locate and Access Canadian Immigration Records Library and Archives Canada Locate and Access Australian Immigration Records Use Strategies for Determining Your Ancestor’s Ship Start with What You Know Refer to Vital Documents 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 Seek Supplemental Information on the Internet Consult Indexes Search for Shipping News Use Other Strategies for Determining Your Ancestor’s Place of Origin Use Photographic Images Look for Letters Written in Another Language at Home Consider Family Customs Culinary Styles Can Provide Clues 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

PART II Research Methods and Strategies

10 Discover Where to Locate Documents About Your Family

Determine Where to Look for Different Document Types Use Indexes, Compilations, and Other Finding Aids Indexes Compilations Other Finding Aids Use Libraries and Archives Learn to Use the Library Catalog Start with What Has Already Been Done The Library of Congress Online Catalog Use the LDS Family History Center 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

11 Learn How to Successfully Research Your Ancestors on the Internet

Categorize the Three 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 Select a “Comfortable” Search Engine and Really Get to Know It Structure Effective Searches to Locate Information 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

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

13 Follow Alternative Research Paths to Locate Difficult Records

Recognize when You Have Hit a “Brick Wall” Take a Fresh Look at Old Documentation Reevaluate the Quality of Your Sources 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 Define the Scope of the Work to Be Performed Establish Guidelines, Goals, and Milestones Document the Relationship Conclude the Relationship

14 Plan a Very Successful Genealogical Research Trip

Determine the Scope of Your Trip Develop a Research Plan Plan Your Time Effectively Obtain Information About the Area You Will Be Visiting Make Hotel Reservations in Advance Search the Internet for Libraries and Archives Search the Web for Government Offices and Departments Search the Web for Genealogical and Historical Societies Contact Religious Institutions Locate the Cemeteries Where Ancestors May Be Interred Contact Schools, Colleges, and Universities Make Appointments in Advance Set Up a Schedule Take the Right Tools with You Pack the Right Clothing for the Activities Select Other Tools for Outdoor Work Choose Supplies for Recording Information Consider Taking Some Additional Tools Don’t Forget the Money! Cover the On-site Territory Effectively Perform a Daily Reassessment

15 Harness Technology for Your Genealogical Research

Determine What Computer Equipment Is Right for Your Work Select a Computer Consider Printer Options Scanners Digital Cameras Choose Genealogy Database Software to Support Your Genealogical Work Family Historian Family Tree Maker HEREDIS Legacy Family Tree MacFamilyTree The Master Genealogist Reunion RootsMagic Integrate Handhelds and Smartphones into Your Research Get Out There!

Index

← Prev
Back
Next →

← Prev
Back
Next →