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

Index

Cover Title Copyright Dedication About the Author 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 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 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 Locate Canadian Military Records Locate Military Records in the United Kingdom 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 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 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

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 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 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 Index

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