Start your ancestry research at home. Learn about which types of records you can find at home.
Once you have had a chance to discover and organize records you have found at home, you are now ready to expand your search. Be prepared to conduct an exhaustive search and look for reliable sources. Make it a practice to track each key piece of information back to its source. Be prepared to search photocopied documents, digital images, and handwritten. Documents will be complete or partial transcripts, condensed abstracts, or partial abstracts.
Start Your Ancestry Research At Home
Table of Contents
- Events Create Records
- Start Ancestry Research at Home
- Use and Record What You Learn
- Additional Articles on BeginMyStory.com
Events Create Records
The most important concept I learned about searching for records is to think of events, not records. Rather than searching only for birth or death certificates, ask yourself what other types of records the event would generate in the period the event took place.
For example, in the case of my birth, there was an announcement in the paper, a baby shower, a baby book, a birth certificate, a record of my Church blessing, hospital records, and, later, a one-year-old picture in the local paper.
In the case of my mother’s death, there were cemetery and sexton records, a funeral book, funeral home records, hospital records, memorial cards, an obituary, a video of the funeral services, and her will.
The following important concept I learned was to search the records of siblings. Think about the families. When I have not been able to find any information in my family’s vital (birth, marriage, divorce, death) records, I have usually been able to find the information clues needed in the vital records of the siblings of the ancestor am researching.
Start Ancestry Research at Home
Every research project begins at home. Whether you are looking for information for the first time or searching through your research folders, your home is a valued source of family information.
Take time to look for records that you might have. Use the following chart as a guide to sources of information that you might find in your home or a relative’s home.
Use and Record What You Learn
When doing ancestry research, a vital part of the process is evaluating the results of your inquiry and sharing your information with others.
I ask myself the question, “What do I see?” Sometimes what I find is only a clue; other times, it’s a gold mine. I record what I learn in my research log. Based on the information I’ve gathered, I decide where I want to go and start with step one again.
As you evaluate your information, consider the following questions:
- Did I find the information I was looking for?
- Is the information complete?
- Does the information conflict with other information I have?
- Is the source of information credible?
Transfer any new information you find to your pedigree charts and group records. It’s essential to include the source, which is valuable in helping you resolve problems with conflicting information. For example, if you have a birth record that provides a birth date, but an obituary gives another birth date for the same person, you will want to determine which date is the most reliable by reviewing your sources; the most reliable source is usually the source made closest to the time of the event.
Next, organize your records for easy access.
Several computer programs can help you organize your records on your home computer. If you are starting, consider the following tips:
- Keep pedigree charts numbered and arranged numerically.
- Keep family group records in alphabetical order by the husband’s name.
- Keep notes, research logs, and copies of documents behind the related family group record.
Additional Articles on BeginMyStory.com
The following are other articles you may enjoy to help you trace your ancestry.
- QuickStart Beginners Guide to Ancestry Research
- Introduction to Ancestry Research and Historical Records
- 4 Easy Steps to Google American Ancestry
- Preparing to Easily Google Ancestor Records
- How to Get Great Google Search Results in Ancestry Research
- 9 Advanced Google Search Strategies to Trace Ancestors
- What It’s Like to Start Ancestry Research
- Complete Guide for Conducting Oral History Interviews
- 7,500-plus Questions About Life to Ask People When Writing Narratives
- Complete Guide to Writing A Personal Narrative
- 1940 U.S. Census Research Guide for Beginners
- 1950 U.S. Census Research Guide for Beginners
- How to Effectively Trace Ancestors in Genealogical and Historical Libraries and Societies
- Start Your Ancestry Research At Home
- How to Cite and Verify Ancestry Research
- Resources for Genealogists and Family Historians
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