Family History for

BeginnersYour guide to genealogy resources

at Lake Macquarie Library

Be Prepared• Begin with who you know (i.e. You!) work back

one generation at a time, verify each step with reference to a vital record.

• Vital records are official testaments to life events as administered by a civic body, examples include Birth, Death & Marriage certificates.

Getting started• Write or type what you know to be true,

starting with you!

• Record the stories of your relatives

• Refer to what has already been done

• Set up a system for recording and organising your research and consider duplicates

• Which branch do you want to investigate, maternal or paternal?

Start with yourselfDocumentation is an important part of a family history.

• Gather the documents you have on your own life (birth, marriage, diplomas, etc.)

• Make copies for your records and store the originals in a safe place.

• Write down the significant milestones in your life, include dates and places

Gather what you have• Vital records• information from a family bible, • newspaper clippings (obituaries, birth, and

wedding announcements, and other family events),

• funeral cards• cards sent to you announcing births, weddings,

and graduations,• old pictures of your family, and letters.

Gather what you have• Write down what you remember from family

stories.

• Many of these stories might be right on target, others may be inaccurate.

• All are important for the clues they will give you.

Do not ignore family legends - but also take them

with a grain of salt

Talk to your relatives

• talk to your oldest relatives while they are still alive

• visit nearby relatives• call, write and email more distant relatives. • copy their documents• family stories• some of them may have already researched

some your family tree

Talk to your relatives

Ask where your ancestor:

• went to school

• met his/her spouse

• got married

Be sure you write down (record) what others tell you.

Remember location is important for more research

Has it already been done?

There are a few places to search:

• Internet

• Pioneer registers

• Published genealogies via Trove

Which branch?• Choose one line to avoid confusion and

getting lost

• Start with a surname that seems most promising

• an easier line will enable you to gain valuable experience

• success will spur you on

• Switch to another branch when you hit a brick wall

Record and organise your research

Use whatever works for you. Flash drives are cheap and easily sourced. Most cultural institutions also have free WiFi enabled so don’t forget your laptop or tablet device!

• Consider paper files

• genealogy computer programmes

• online programmes

Online Family Tree Web Builders

Family Group Sheet

Enables you to compile and correct family names, as well as connect families.

Ancestral Chart

Allows you to record the ancestors from whom you directly descend.

Get to know the resourcesVisit your local library’s genealogy department

You will have access to

• microfiche and microfilm readers

• Multi Functional Devices (i.e. photocopiers)

• print resources

• computers and online subscriptions to genealogical websites

• expert assistance

Get to know the resources

Visit and join your local genealogical society.

• Individuals within these groups are happy to share their expertise, often suggesting valuable lines of enquiry.

• Their libraries of hard copy resources, including much self-published material, are usually comprehensive.

Available Resourcesonline• Genealogical

websites• Vital records• newspapers• Cemetery indexes• shipping records

physical• microfilm/microfiche• pioneer registers• local cemetery

records• “how to” books

Both are equally efficient and work together

Online ResourcesLake Mac Libraries subscribe to and recommend a number of highly respected online resources.

NSW Births Deaths and MarriagesSearch Page

NSW Births Deaths and Marriages

Entries with V registration numbers are church records made before civil registration began in 1856. Community History holds these records on microfilm.

When ordering certificates, it is advisable to refer to the registration number

Birth Records

Church Record

Civil Record

Marriage Records

Church Record

Civil Record

Death Records

Church Record

Civil Record

Consider joining a Family History Group

Lake Macquarie Family History Group www.lmfhg.org.au

PO Box 3046 Teralba, New South Wales 2284.

Meetings are held on the third Saturday of each month at the Marmong Point

Community Hall. (December an exception)

Newcastle Family History Society www.nfhs.org.au

Ph 4957 8296 (during library hours)

Meetings are held on the 1st Tuesday each month at the Library & Meeting

Room, Mechanics Institute, 68 Elder St,  Lambton NSW. (January an exception)

Review• Start with what you know

• Find what resources are available and learn how to use them

• Research one branch at a time

• Record your findings

• Collate your findings in a logical system

• Visit your library’s genealogy department

• Visit or join a local Family History Group

Contact Us

Community History

Lake Mac Libraries

139 Main Road, Speers Point

Phone: (02) 4921 0446

Email: history@lakemac.nsw.gov.au

http://history.lakemac.com.au