genealogy beginner workshop

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Genealogy – Getting Started Presented at the Tewksbury Public Library January 13 th 2014 “What hobby combines history, travel, detective work, photography, food, fashion, technology, science and reading? Genealogy does, and it is the fastest growing hobby in America.” From “Genealogy a fast growing hobby” by Judy Everett Ramon, Examiner.com, November 18, 2012

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Page 1: Genealogy Beginner Workshop

Genealogy – Getting Started

Presented at the Tewksbury Public Library

January 13th 2014

“What hobby combines history, travel, detective work, photography, food, fashion, technology, science and reading? Genealogy does, and it is the fastest growing hobby in America.”

From “Genealogy a fast growing hobby” by Judy Everett Ramon, Examiner.com, November 18, 2012

Page 2: Genealogy Beginner Workshop

When did the genealogy boom begin?Many genealogist trace the increased interest in genealogy to two specific events.

• The United states bicentennial in July 1976

• The premiere of the miniseries Roots in January 1977

Page 3: Genealogy Beginner Workshop

Where to start• Write down what you know by starting with yourself!

• Gather information you know.• Dates and places of birth for you, your siblings and parents

• Dates and places of marriages

• Dates and places of deaths

• Burial locations

• Places where people live/lived

• Photos (looking for notes on the back)

Page 4: Genealogy Beginner Workshop

Common Information Sources• Vital records (time period is key)

• Census records (federal and state)

• Land/property maps

• Local newspapers (including obituaries)

• Cemetery records

• Military records

• Photographs

• Family bibles

• Immigration records

• Birth and Death Index

Page 5: Genealogy Beginner Workshop

Recording Your Research - Names1. Surnames should be written in all capital letters

Ex. John SMITH

2. Include married names in parenthesis before the maiden name

Ex. Mona (Smith) JONES

3. Record nicknames whenever possible and indicate them in quotation marks.

Ex. Marcus “Mark” GROSSMAN

4. If a surname is unknown then type the last name as unknown.

Ex. Cindy UNKNOWN.

5. Record all middle names, when known and use initials only if you don’t know the given middle name.

6. If the person is a Jr. or Sr. add it to the end of the name following a comma

Ex. Wayne SMITH, Jr.

7. If the person has roman numerals do not use a comma

Ex. Wayne SMITH III

8. If the person has multiple surnames use a backslash

Ex. Jane /VON DYKE/

Page 6: Genealogy Beginner Workshop

Recording your research - DatesDates are entered date month year

Ex. 27 Apr 2013

Common date abbreviations includeAft. = after

Bef. = before

Abt. = about

Page 7: Genealogy Beginner Workshop

Recording your research - LocationsLocations are listed smallest to largest

Ex. Beverly, Essex County, Massachusetts, US

Recording your records in this format will ensure that the information will be read correctly by other genealogists or reference librarians!

Page 8: Genealogy Beginner Workshop

Pedigree/Ancestor ChartsA pedigree chart is designed to organize basic information that defines, documents and identifies relationships between people. The chart will have space for four, five, or six generations.

Pedigree charts should contain at least six fields for:

1. Date of birth

2. Place of birth

3. Date of marriage

4. Place of marriage

5. Date of death

6. Place of death

Page 9: Genealogy Beginner Workshop

Family Group RecordThis form lists a couple and all their biological children.

A family group sheet should contain:

1. A minimum of 6 fields for vital information.

2. A place to record residences for the primary people.

3. A place for religious affiliations

4. A place to record other spouses for both the husband and wife.

5. A place for the names for the couples parents.

6. A place to record occupation of the individual.

7. A place to record military service.

8. Room to record 8 or more children.

9. A place to record your name, address, and phone number on the sheet

Page 10: Genealogy Beginner Workshop

Research LogsIt is essential to note where you have looked, successful or not.

• Prevent duplication of research and make it easier to locate a resource should you want to view it again.

• Cite your sources. This shows quality research.

• Weigh evidence to make better conclusions, and better lineage links.

Logs should include; researcher’s name, ancestor’s name and years, date of research, place of research, objective of the research, call number (library or archive), source description (title, author, copyright, page), results.

Page 11: Genealogy Beginner Workshop

Correspondence Record• Very similar to the research logs, here you want to record any contact

you make with others for research. This could be to other relatives, genealogists, librarians…really anyone could be a source.

You want to record:

1. The date you send your request

2. Person’s name and contact information

3. Reason for contacting them

4. Date you get a reply

5. The results

Page 12: Genealogy Beginner Workshop

The Local History Room• Open during library

hours (closing 15 minutes before the library closes)

• Patrons must sign in before entering the room.

• Contains local history and genealogy resources.

• The Tewksbury Historical Society is available in the Local History Room the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month from 1-5pm.

Page 13: Genealogy Beginner Workshop

Genealogy resources you can take homeGenealogy books are located under the call number 929.

Books can also be requested from other libraries.

Page 14: Genealogy Beginner Workshop

Online Databases through the libraryHeritageQuest Online – Remote or library access. Use your 14-digit library card number (do not enter spaces) located on the back of your Tewksbury library card.

Includes the US Census, Periodical Source Index (PERSI), Revolutionary War Pension Records, and Freedman’s Bank Records.

American Ancestors (formerly New England Ancestors) – Online access in the library. This link will only work on our public library database computer or with a password from the reference desk.

The New England Historic Genealogical Society’s collection features over 110 million names from court records, church records, periodicals, newspapers, city and town directories, census, tax, and voter lists, diaries and journals, land records, military records, published genealogies, biographies and more!

Page 15: Genealogy Beginner Workshop

Some of the many online resources• Ancestry.com (the library does not have a subscription though many

patrons will)

• Fold3.com

• Genealogybank.com

• AmericanAcestors.org (library has subscription)

• HeritageQuestOnline.com (library has subscription)

• Legacy.com

• FamilySearch.org

• Findagrave.com

• Cyndislist.com

Page 16: Genealogy Beginner Workshop

HeritageQuest

Page 17: Genealogy Beginner Workshop

Where to start• Heritage Quest is available either in the library or from home by going

the library’s website www.tewksburypl.org. Select “Research”.

Page 18: Genealogy Beginner Workshop

• Select “Online Research”

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• Select “H” or scroll down to find HeritageQuest. You could also view databases by subject.

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• Select “HeritageQuest Online”

Page 21: Genealogy Beginner Workshop

• Enter your library card number (no spaces) and select “Connect”.

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Welcome to HeritageQuest!

Page 23: Genealogy Beginner Workshop
Page 24: Genealogy Beginner Workshop

• Search results

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• Select the “1860 Census”, Illinois State, then “Sangamon County”

Page 26: Genealogy Beginner Workshop

• This brings us to an overview of the record. To view the record select the individual’s surname.

Page 27: Genealogy Beginner Workshop

• Here we can view additional information about the record and below that the record itself.

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• We can see the listing here for Abraham Lincoln and his family.

Page 29: Genealogy Beginner Workshop

Have Fun!

• This is a hobby, don’t get overwhelmed.• Don’t think that you will complete all your research

tonight or in the next five years. • Enjoy the process, celebrate the discoveries and learn

from the dead ends.• Find friends that are also doing research.• Join the Genealogy Support Group• Ask for help (most librarians love helping patrons with

genealogy questions).