introduction to genealogy february 2015
TRANSCRIPT
Don’t Know Much About Genealogy
Presented by: Melissa HolekampAndrew Triplett Library
February 16, 2015SlideShare compiled by Kathy Petlewski, Plymouth District Library
Where in the World Do I Start?
What is genealogy?What tools will I need?Which books should I
read?
Genealogy – where every answer leads to two more questions!
Family Records to Gather
Birth & death certificates
Marriage / divorce records
Journals or diariesOld scrapbooks /
photo albumsAutograph booksMemorial or prayer
cardsOld address books
Family bibleMilitary discharge
papersCitizenship papersWillsNewspaper clippingsSchool & church
recordsInsurance policiesDeeds
4 Generation Ancestral Chart
Family Group Sheets
1. After filling in your pedigree chart, look at the blank spaces.
2. Decide which branch is your focus– and who to start looking for first.
3. Analyze the information you have, and brainstorm ways to get what you will need.
4. A good idea is to get a map and a history book relating to the area you are researching and read for background information.
Plan a Search Strategy
It’s Never to Early to Start Organizing!
Binder System Commercial Genealogy Software
http://genealogy-software-review.toptenreviews.com/
U.S. Census RecordsMilitary RecordsFederal land recordsImmigration & Naturalization
RecordsNative American & African
American records
Searching Federal Records
1790 Census form 1790 Census
1930 Census for Plymouth
Military RecordsMuster RollsPayrollsCompiled Service
RecordsBattle ReportsCourt-Martial Cases
& DesertersPrisoners of WarCasualties & Deaths
Pensions (applications, declarations, indexes)
Bounty-Land GrantsBonusesBurialsCensuses of VeteransSoldiers’ HomesPardons
(Confederate)
Record From Ancestry Library Ed.
Michigan Military Records
Revolutionary War Pension Recordsfrom HeritageQuest.com
Civil War Regiment Details fromNational Park Service
World War 1 Draft Registrationfrom Ancestry Library Edition
Using Ancestry for Passenger Lists
Ancestry Library Edition
Must be used in the Library
Both pre 1820 & post 1820
Info also taken from books.
Other Sources for Passenger Lists
National Archives – AAD web site
http://aad.archives.gov/aad
Choose “genealogy” & then “passenger lists.”
Have both name files and ship files
30 public land states created from public domain
All states west of Mississippi River except Texas & Hawaii
States created from old Northwest Territory and old Spanish & Indian Lands
Federal Land Records
Land Patent from Bureau of Land Management
Lineage books from patriotic societies – ie. D.A.R
Family genealogiesCompiled biographies based on state or
region – ie First Settlers of New EnglandCompiled biographies based on religious
or ethnic groups – ie. Quakers, Palatines
Published Genealogies and Histories
Other Materials Containing Possible Genealogical
Information
Cemetery IndexesHistories of towns,
counties, other countries
Employment records (mining, railroad records)
Fraternal organization records
Local and state historical museums & societies
County courthousesFamily History Libraries (LDS)National Archives / Library of Congress
Other “Brick & Mortar” Resources
Know the basics before you go online – then continue to practice the same rules of evidence that apply for print resources!
Verify, Verify, Verify !!See if the state/county/city you are
researching has mounted vital records online.Come to next month’s presentation to learn
about commercial subscriptions, important free sites and more! THURSDAY, MARCH 19 AT 1800!
Doing Genealogy on the Web
Time for Questions & Comments
Thanks for attending tonight!