skeletons in the closet

Belk Library’s Workshops for Elon Faculty/Staff

Presented by Randall Bowman and Jamane Yeager

Summer 2012

Skeletons in the Closet: Genealogy for Beginners

What is genealogy? Why do it?

How do I get started?

What do I need to have as I get started?

What should I look for?

Where do I look?

Today’s presentation

Genealogy is the study of families and their lineages.

Oral traditions—”family stories”—can often be a good starting point.

Genealogy involves research in historical records and documents. You will want to document and verify as many facts as possible.

What is genealogy?

Many people become interested in their ancestors—including celebrities on “Who Do You Think You Are?”

Why do it?

Remember to work backwards! Start with yourself.

Write down what you remember about family

Record findings – keep a log

Look for documents at home Family Bibles, pictures, documents, heirlooms, etc.

Talk to family members

Begin searching for records online

Construct a family tree—buy software in store or download

How do I get started?

Names of family members

When they lived

Where they lived – either to locate through census records, or to know what city may have records

Types of records you might look for—see Historical Documents handout

What you need to have as you start

Databases from Belk Library

Ancestry Library (same as Ancestry.com)

HeritageQuest

Some really useful websites (there are thousands!)

FamilySearch.org (LDS church)

Archives.gov (National Archives and Records Administration) New: Fold3 for United States Military and related records

Cyndi’s List.com

Where do I look online?

Libraries, archives, sometimes museums

County courthouses and city municipal offices

Private collections—family members?

LDS FamilySearch Centers

Remember that genealogy takes time, and may involve travel and expenses (gas, lodging, copier fees, etc.)

Where do I look for records?

Some people may find it difficult to find information on their families

Census records only list head of household prior to 1850

Spelling often inconsistent - Soundex can help

African and Native Americans

Recent immigrants

Adoptees

Challenges

Randall’s Ancestors

Jamane’s Ancestor

Feel free to contact us if you have questions later

Randall BowmanReference/Instruction Librarian Ext. 6571 rbowman@elon.edu

Jamane YeagerReference/Electronic Resources LibrarianExt. 6576jyeager@elon.edu

Questions?