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

http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAcQjRw&url=http://sydaby.eget.net/swe/e.htm&ei=IEjmVObjNYKogwSl0IHICA&bvm=bv.85970519,d.eXY&psig=AFQjCNGMnhXznMvurZloPq-VE9Su8pudnw&ust=1424463836252452

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!