Even 5 More Ways to Start to a Genealogy Research Project
by Rich Hill
(The first 10 points are in articles 1 and 2 previous.)
Continuing from article 2...
By following this outline as presented you "will" definitely locate your
ancestors and learn about each of the older generations as you go along.
It will be a gradual step back in time as you proceed from step to step in
these articles.
11 - Join a Genealogical Society. This is very important especially for
the novice, but is good information even for the advanced genealogist. The
information and education that you will get from these fellow genealogists
will be invaluable. They usually sponsor seminars and training classes
that will also be most helpful. I have met many previously unknown
relatives at genealogical society meetings. Remember there are many
thousands of modern day people that have the same ancestors that you do.
12 - Install a Genealogical Software Program on your computer and document
all of the data with your sources as you enter the information into your
database. There are many free or shareware programs that you can download
off the net, just check with cyndislist or Google for this. I like Legacy
Family Tree but there are many others available.
13 - Once your data is computerized you will be able to look at it in
standard chart formats and print out nice reports. Seeing your data take
the form of a pedigree chart or family group sheet is exciting and every
time you print one out I guarantee that it will give you more ideas on
what to check next. These charts are great for sharing with other family
members also and they just might bring you more exciting finds. Most of
these computer programs also have ways of adding scanned or downloaded
images into your database which will make for a very professional looking
report. There is also room to add biographical text which will keep the
data from becoming dry to the casual reader and you can put meat on the
bones of your long gone family members.
14 - Sharing with others is what it is all about and will always bring
nice results in return. You will find that most everyone in this hobby is
willing to share their data and you will be able to keep building with the
use of work done by others. Do not expect family members to kick in and
help you pay for all of this research. They just do not have the passion
that you do for the research and they also have no idea as to the expense.
Just look at this hobby as a labor of love and do not look at it as a way
of making money.
15 - Civil and court records are located in courthouses normally. These
are some of the other places that you will want to become acquainted with,
as the records that are available in various courthouses, such as land
records, estate records, guardianships, and various civil records are
available no where else. Do not be intimidated in such places as these
records, if not sealed, are public records and you have the right to see
them. Each civil location will have differing rules and procedures that
you will have to follow but the records are there for you to find.
