3,970
edits
New to Genealogy - Beginners First Step: Difference between revisions
New to Genealogy - Beginners First Step (view source)
Revision as of 17:02, 28 April 2014
, 28 April 2014added images + some corrections
Luccagenes (talk | contribs) m (shadow on image insert) |
Luccagenes (talk | contribs) (added images + some corrections) |
||
| Line 41: | Line 41: | ||
<br>Genealogy is the study of a family’s origins and history and is often referred to as a family history. The first known use was in the 14th century to display a pedigree of royal, aristocratic, or clerical blood lines as a means of gaining and commanding respect. Some family trees, like that of Confucius, have been found to list 80 generations dating back 2,500 years. | <br>Genealogy is the study of a family’s origins and history and is often referred to as a family history. The first known use was in the 14th century to display a pedigree of royal, aristocratic, or clerical blood lines as a means of gaining and commanding respect. Some family trees, like that of Confucius, have been found to list 80 generations dating back 2,500 years. | ||
Initially passed down by word of mouth the family genealogy was later depicted in the form of stylish paintings and documents. It has currently gained international interest as access to more and more on-line records has resulted in significant advances in its documentation and display capabilities. As it was in the times of an ancient king’s genealogy which showed his relationship to the gods, today’s family histories continue to be a form of storytelling to preserve the past for future generations. In today’s climate, the more accurately one can document the past the more likely it will survive through the ages. Today’s genealogy can take the form of simply collecting and preserving family information, all the way up to adding information to the “world tree”. | [[Image:1585_FamilyTree.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]Initially passed down by word of mouth the family genealogy was later depicted in the form of stylish paintings and documents. It has currently gained international interest as access to more and more on-line records has resulted in significant advances in its documentation and display capabilities. As it was in the times of an ancient king’s genealogy which showed his relationship to the gods, today’s family histories continue to be a form of storytelling to preserve the past for future generations. In today’s climate, the more accurately one can document the past the more likely it will survive through the ages. Today’s genealogy can take the form of simply collecting and preserving family information, all the way up to adding information to the “world tree”. | ||
Also see a short article on [[What Is Heritage?|"What is Heritage?"]]. | Also see a short article on [[What Is Heritage?|"'''What is Heritage?'''"]]. | ||
==== <br>What goals can be set when starting a family history? ==== | ==== <br>What goals can be set when starting a family history? ==== | ||
| Line 51: | Line 51: | ||
===== <br>Preserving information and memories (questions produce answers). ===== | ===== <br>Preserving information and memories (questions produce answers). ===== | ||
Just ask questions before it’s too late (before the information is forgotten or your ancestors are no longer accessible). Who are all those people in the old photographs? What was it like when you were a kid? How did you meet your spouse? Did you have a dog when you were little? Always remember that there are no stupid questions if there are answers to those [[Creating A Personal History|questions]].<br> | [[Image:Wooden_hourglass_3.jpg|right|70px]]Just ask questions before it’s too late (before the information is forgotten or your ancestors are no longer accessible). Who are all those people in the old photographs? What was it like when you were a kid? How did you meet your spouse? Did you have a dog when you were little? Always remember that there are no stupid questions if there are answers to those [[Creating A Personal History|'''questions''']] but you have to ask those questions before time runs out.<br> | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
| Line 65: | Line 65: | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
*Get others involved (siblings or aunts and uncles) by asking them to ask more questions around the family while writing it all down. Don't forget that their input and stories are important as well.<br> | *Get others involved (siblings or aunts and uncles) by asking them to ask more questions around the family while writing it all down. Don't forget that their input and stories are important as well.<br> | ||
*Get the [[Involve Children and Youth in Family History|'''children to help''']] by asking their grandparents even more questions and you may inadvertantly create a budding genealogist. | |||
*Get the [[Involve Children and Youth in Family History|children to help]] by asking their grandparents even more questions and you may inadvertantly create a budding genealogist.<br> | <br> | ||
*Don't forget to use video recordings to capture the question and answer sessions. It is often less disruptive than taking notes and besides allowing for a smooth flowing interview it will capture a moment in time that may not be repeatable.<br> | *Don't forget to use video recordings to capture the question and answer sessions. It is often less disruptive than taking notes and besides allowing for a smooth flowing interview it will capture a moment in time that may not be repeatable.<br> | ||
| Line 77: | Line 76: | ||
As mentioned earlier this first step or goal is the most important because it is defined by a finite time limit. Access to much of the information and memories of the previous generation will be lost forever if action is not taken immediately. So if you do nothing else, at least find and record as many of these answers as possible and collect copies of all the old photos and documents. You will regret it later if you put it off too long. | As mentioned earlier this first step or goal is the most important because it is defined by a finite time limit. Access to much of the information and memories of the previous generation will be lost forever if action is not taken immediately. So if you do nothing else, at least find and record as many of these answers as possible and collect copies of all the old photos and documents. You will regret it later if you put it off too long. | ||
A suggested list of questions to ask can be found in an article about the [[Creating Oral Histories|interview process (Appendix B)]] which will get you started in capturing the answers which are important to understanding the lives that your ancestors lived. Remember, the question '''why''' is just as important as the questions '''who, what, when, and where'''. | A suggested list of questions to ask can be found in an article about the [[Creating Oral Histories|'''interview process''' (Appendix B)]] which will get you started in capturing the answers which are important to understanding the lives that your ancestors lived. Remember, the question '''why''' is just as important as the questions '''who, what, when, '''and'''where'''. | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
| Line 95: | Line 94: | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
</div> </div> | </div> </div> | ||
[[DIGITAL STORAGE|Digitizing]], labeling, and restoring old photographs (using [http://www.getpaint.net/ free programs] or [http://www.photoshop.com/tools?wf=editor free online services]) and copying documents is the next step to take. Again, labeling the photographs will be easier if you can ask someone that knows the people in the photographs so ask the questions before it is too late. [[Preserving Photographs & Documents|Preserving]] original photos and documents is also a concern you could share with your relatives and friends.<br> | [[DIGITAL STORAGE|'''Digitizing''']], labeling, and restoring old photographs (using [http://www.getpaint.net/ '''free''' programs] or [http://www.photoshop.com/tools?wf=editor '''free''' online services]) and copying documents is the next step to take. Again, labeling the photographs will be easier if you can ask someone that knows the people in the photographs so ask the questions before it is too late. [[Preserving Photographs & Documents|'''Preserving''']] original photos and documents is also a concern you could share with your relatives and friends.<br> | ||
Storing results in multiple places in case of a disaster is also a good idea as unexpected things do happen and this includes backing up your computer files. Better to be safe than sorry.<br> | Storing results in multiple places in case of a disaster is also a good idea as unexpected things do happen and this includes backing up your computer files. Better to be safe than sorry.<br> | ||
| Line 103: | Line 102: | ||
===== Build a small network of family and distant cousins to collaborate with. ===== | ===== Build a small network of family and distant cousins to collaborate with. ===== | ||
[[Image:Emperor penguins.jpg|right|200px|Emperor penguins.jpg]]Discuss your interest in genealogy with your family and build a small network of collaborators within your [[Involve Your Extended Family in Family History|extended family.]] This will also help you to weather any rough patches that you encounter as the unavoidable setbacks will not seem so severe if you can discuss them with others. And who knows, a collaborative effort from many individuals may solve the problems you have encountered. | [[Image:Emperor penguins.jpg|right|200px|Emperor penguins.jpg]]Discuss your interest in genealogy with your family and build a small network of collaborators within your [[Involve Your Extended Family in Family History|'''extended family'''.]] This will also help you to weather any rough patches that you encounter as the unavoidable setbacks will not seem so severe if you can discuss them with others. And who knows, a collaborative effort from many individuals may solve the problems you have encountered. | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
| Line 109: | Line 108: | ||
Start making contacts outside your direct family (your “cousins” from distant relatives) but be ready for the occasional dispute as information based on low quality sources could lead to different conclusions. In some instances it may be better to back away from your conclusions (even though you may be right) rather than alienating a fellow researcher. | Start making contacts outside your direct family (your “cousins” from distant relatives) but be ready for the occasional dispute as information based on low quality sources could lead to different conclusions. In some instances it may be better to back away from your conclusions (even though you may be right) rather than alienating a fellow researcher. | ||
And finally, ignore the naysayers as they will never have any interest in researching your family’s history or their own for that matter (that is their loss not yours) but remember that they should still be considered | And finally, ignore the naysayers as they will never have any interest in researching your family’s history or their own for that matter (that is their loss not yours) but remember that they should still be considered good sources of information.<br> | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
| Line 115: | Line 114: | ||
===== Organizing what you have already collected.<br> ===== | ===== Organizing what you have already collected.<br> ===== | ||
[[Image:FileStack retouched.jpg|right|200px|FileStack retouched.jpg]]Too much data can quickly become overwhelming so at some point a better [[Organizing Your Files| | [[Image:FileStack retouched.jpg|right|200px|FileStack retouched.jpg]]Too much data can quickly become overwhelming so at some point a better [[Organizing Your Files|'''filing system''']] will become necessary. The best approach is to document and organize as you are collecting the data because chances are you will get behind and never catch up, so document [[Document AS YOU GO!|'''as you go''']]. | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
Data recording in the form of spreadsheets, genealogy software for recording your lineage, and access to the FamilySearch Family Tree software which involves the "world tree" are all options you can evaluate. Since there is a possibility that someday you may want to use the Family Tree software there are a number of suggested [https://familysearch.org/products Partner products] that have been certified so that they are compatible with the FamilySearch products; many have free versions that can be evaluated.<br> | Data recording in the form of computer spreadsheets, genealogy software for recording your lineage, and access to the FamilySearch Family Tree software which involves the "world tree" are all options you can evaluate. Since there is a possibility that someday you may want to use the Family Tree software there are a number of suggested [https://familysearch.org/products '''Partner products'''] that have been certified so that they are compatible with the FamilySearch products; many have free versions that can be evaluated.<br> | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
| Line 125: | Line 124: | ||
===== Try a small project first to build some confidence. ===== | ===== Try a small project first to build some confidence. ===== | ||
The time has now come that you have to interpret the data you collected in order to get the story right. No matter how good your sources are you should still be aware of some [[Rookie Mistakes|rookie mistakes]] that can be made. Once you are confident in your facts, you can start the storytelling. Pick a single person (your favorite person) and tell a story about their life. You don't have to write a biography, just remember that this is about storytelling. The following are some suggestions.<br> | The time has now come that you have to interpret the data you collected in order to get the story right. No matter how good your sources are you should still be aware of some [[Rookie Mistakes|'''rookie mistakes''']] that can be made. Once you are confident in your facts, you can start the storytelling. Pick a single person (your favorite person) and tell a story about their life. You don't have to write a biography, just remember that this is about storytelling. The following are some suggestions.<br> | ||
*[[Image:Once upon a time.jpg|right|300px|Once upon a time.jpg]]Start out with '''Once upon a time '''and tell where they were born, what is was like for them growing up, how they met their spouse, how their family started to grow, and how they spent their golden years. If your subject asks the question: "Are you making a book out of me?", your answer could be, Yes, someday. Hopefully you can end your story with '''happily ever after'''.<br> | *[[Image:Once upon a time.jpg|right|300px|Once upon a time.jpg]]Start out with '''Once upon a time '''and tell where they were born, what is was like for them growing up, how they met their spouse, how their family started to grow, and how they spent their golden years. If your subject asks the question: "Are you making a book out of me?", your answer could be, Yes, someday. Hopefully you can end your story with '''happily ever after'''.<br> | ||
| Line 133: | Line 132: | ||
*Build a family tree display for your ancestor and include it as a part of your story. Several types of displays are currently available which include the standard pedigree chart, fan charts, portrait charts, descendants charts, and so on. If using a descendancy chart be more cautious about the information you include about living people.<br> | *Build a family tree display for your ancestor and include it as a part of your story. Several types of displays are currently available which include the standard pedigree chart, fan charts, portrait charts, descendants charts, and so on. If using a descendancy chart be more cautious about the information you include about living people.<br> | ||
*Add a "Credits Page" for attribution when using '''free''' photographs taken from the Internet. This is also a good place to acknowledge the assistance of others (for their time, resources such as photos and documents, and any financial assistance) that helped you achieve this goal.<br> | *Add a "Credits Page" for attribution when using [http://www.freefoto.com/index.jsp '''free'''] photographs taken from the Internet. This is also a good place to acknowledge the assistance of others (for their time, resources such as photos and documents, and any financial assistance) that helped you achieve this goal.<br> | ||
*Write a final chapter called "Research Summary: Chronology" describing your own adventures involved with the discovery of the information on which you based your story. It could be useful for others if they take an interest in genealogy and would also serve as a useful means of recording your source information.<br> | *Write a final chapter called "Research Summary: Chronology" describing your own adventures involved with the discovery of the information on which you based your story. It could be useful for others if they take an interest in genealogy and would also serve as a useful means of recording your source information.<br> | ||
| Line 143: | Line 142: | ||
===== Continue the storytelling by starting a webpage. ===== | ===== Continue the storytelling by starting a webpage. ===== | ||
[[Image:CreateWebsite.jpg|right|300px|CreateWebsite.jpg]]Create a [[Create a genealogy web page|webpage]] so family members can access it to see your progress. Ask others to contribute more photos and documents as well as assistance if they are willing to do so. | [[Image:CreateWebsite.jpg|right|300px|CreateWebsite.jpg]]Create a [[Create a genealogy web page|'''webpage''']] or [[Blogs|'''blog''']] so family members can access it to see your progress. Ask others to contribute more photos and documents as well as assistance if they are willing to do so. | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
| Line 149: | Line 148: | ||
*When collaborating with others be sure to give credit where credit is due. Don't leave the impression that this is MY website. You created it for the family so enthusiastically share it with others.<br> | *When collaborating with others be sure to give credit where credit is due. Don't leave the impression that this is MY website. You created it for the family so enthusiastically share it with others.<br> | ||
*Add search keywords for your website if you want the general public to see the pages or you may just want to "keep it in the family" by only giving the web address to family members. Either way, a website is in the public domain so be careful what is posted on those pages and remember that you should have permission to post pictures or documents related to living individuals | *Add search keywords for your website if you want the general public to see the pages or you may just want to "keep it in the family" by only giving the web address to family members. Either way, a website is in the public domain so be careful what is posted on those pages and remember that you should have permission to post pictures or documents related to living individuals.<br> | ||
*If you prefer you could create a [http://www.ehow.com/how_4844311_own-private-website.html limited access website] just for your family. This may remove some of the concern by family members who do not want their infomation left open to the public. To be safe, you would still have to closely monitor the activities of the people you give the password to.<br> | *If you prefer you could create a [http://www.ehow.com/how_4844311_own-private-website.html '''limited access website'''] just for your family. This may remove some of the concern by family members who do not want their infomation left open to the public. To be safe, you would still have to closely monitor the activities of the people you give the password to.<br> | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
| Line 163: | Line 162: | ||
*Give yourself the necessary time to re-evaluate and reflect on your interests. If you've already collected the "perishable" data then it is safe for now to just sit back and think it through. The other information about your ancestors that is out there in the world somewhere will still be there later and in all likelyhood it will just continue to grow as more information becomes accessible.<br> | *Give yourself the necessary time to re-evaluate and reflect on your interests. If you've already collected the "perishable" data then it is safe for now to just sit back and think it through. The other information about your ancestors that is out there in the world somewhere will still be there later and in all likelyhood it will just continue to grow as more information becomes accessible.<br> | ||
*Use some of the down time to do some long term planning about where you want this to go next. As mentioned earlier there are several levels that you could direct your goals toward ( a hobby, a passion, a vocation, a career, or a legacy). Find your level of interest and pick some objectives but like any of the goals you set for yourself, there is no harm in readjusting them up, down, or changing direction.<br> | *Use some of the down time to do some long term planning about where you want this to go next. As mentioned earlier there are several levels that you could direct your goals toward ( a hobby, a passion, a vocation, a career, or a legacy). Find your level of interest and pick some objectives but like any of the goals you set for yourself, there is no harm in readjusting them up, down, or changing direction at anytime.<br> | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
| Line 169: | Line 168: | ||
===== How do I keep myself (and others) from burning out? ===== | ===== How do I keep myself (and others) from burning out? ===== | ||
[[Image:Brick Wall.jpg|right|200px|Brick Wall.jpg]]When you hit the inevitable [[Solving Tough Research Problems—Overcoming Brick Walls|brick wall]], take a step back or redirect your goals to other family lines. That wall may never go away but as new information becomes available on-line that wall could just as easily disappear. When searching other family lines of your "cousins" (not in your direct lineage) clues have been known to appear which would take you around or over that brick wall. One thing to keep in mind is that your goal of documenting your family history will actually and ultimately be a great benefit for future generations (your kid's kids) so don't get discouraged by a little [[Solving Tough Research Problems—Overcoming Brick Walls|brick wall]]. | [[Image:Brick Wall.jpg|right|200px|Brick Wall.jpg]]When you hit the inevitable [[Solving Tough Research Problems—Overcoming Brick Walls|'''brick wall''']], take a step back to double check your research or redirect your goals to other family lines. That wall may never go away but as new information becomes available on-line that wall could just as easily disappear. When searching other family lines of your "cousins" (not in your direct lineage) clues have been known to appear which would take you around or over that brick wall. One thing to keep in mind is that your goal of documenting your family history will actually and ultimately be a great benefit for future generations (your kid's kids) so don't get discouraged by a little[[Solving Tough Research Problems—Overcoming Brick Walls|'''brick wall''']]. | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
Always remember that you are [[Resources for individual help|never really alone]] in this endeavor as there are forums which may do volunteer work to help you get over a hurdle or there may be local historians who could help for little or no cost to you. You can always rely on the expertise and experience of others who have faced the same issues and who were willing to document their knowledge in a Research Wiki like this one.<br> | Always remember that you are [[Resources for individual help|'''never really alone''']] in this endeavor as there are forums which may do volunteer work to help you get over a hurdle or there may be local historians who could help for little or no cost to you. You can always rely on the expertise and experience of others who have faced the same issues and who were willing to document their knowledge in a Research Wiki like this one.<br> | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
| Line 179: | Line 178: | ||
===== Searching for more (what information is missing?). ===== | ===== Searching for more (what information is missing?). ===== | ||
You can utilize this Research Wiki for finding additional information to assist you in the learning process but its primary function is to identify the location of records and to provide the knowledge base on how to access and use those records. State and county information is available for the United States as well as many other countries. Please note that It is not required to have an active account with FamilySearch to browse this wiki but you must be signed in inorder to create or edit any of the articles.<br> | [[Image:Thumb_DetectiveSilhoette.png|left|100px]]You can utilize this Research Wiki for finding additional information to assist you in the learning process but its primary function is to identify the location of records and to provide the knowledge base on how to access and use those records. State and county information is available for the United States as well as many other countries. Please note that It is not required to have an active account with FamilySearch to browse this wiki but you must be signed in inorder to create or edit any of the articles.<br> | ||
You can also access the [https://familysearch.org/search LDS records collections] without an LDS account inorder to search the records that are currently on-line and anyone has full access to the LDS [[Introduction to LDS Family History Centers|local history centers]] that can give you assistance and access to records that are currently not available on-line (note that there is a shipping fee for requested materials).<br> | You can also access the [https://familysearch.org/search '''LDS records collections'''] without an LDS account inorder to search the records that are currently on-line and anyone has full access to the LDS [[Introduction to LDS Family History Centers|'''local history centers''']] that can give you assistance and access to records that are currently not available on-line (note that there is a shipping fee for requested materials).<br> | ||
While the Research Wiki's objective is to provide location information for resources, the Family Tree software is designed for searching and recording information about the people in your ancestry. [https://familysearch.org/register/ A free account] can be easily established which will give you access to both the Family Tree features and the Research Wiki editing options.<br> | While the Research Wiki's objective is to provide location information for resources, the Family Tree software is designed for searching and recording information about the people in your ancestry. [https://familysearch.org/register/ A '''free''' account] can be easily established which will give you access to both the Family Tree features and the Research Wiki editing options.<br> | ||
*To start, search the on-line data to find more source information for the ancestors you have already identified as you may find clues to other relatives.<br> | *To start, search the on-line data to find more source information for the ancestors you have already identified as you may find clues to other relatives.<br> | ||
| Line 191: | Line 190: | ||
*Play with various Family Tree features and the partner programs ([https://familysearch.org/campaign/finding-our-cousins like Puzzilla]) to see the various types of displays for the information you have collected.<br> | *Play with various Family Tree features and the partner programs ([https://familysearch.org/campaign/finding-our-cousins like Puzzilla]) to see the various types of displays for the information you have collected.<br> | ||
*In addtition to searching [[Websites for Family History Beginners|the Internet for free]], there are also numerous fee based services that can also be used to find information and other researchers investigating the same ancestors.<br> | *In addtition to searching [[Websites for Family History Beginners|the Internet for '''free''']], there are also numerous fee based services that can also be used to find information and other researchers investigating the same ancestors.<br> | ||
<br><br> | <br><br> | ||
| Line 201: | Line 200: | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
==== See the next article: [[Begin your genealogy quest|Begin your genealogy quest.]] ==== | ==== See the next article: [[Begin your genealogy quest|Begin your genealogy quest.]]<br> ==== | ||
If you are interested in proceeding or are still curious about what is next, then there are several articles at this site that will walk you through the process. This FamilySearch Research Wiki will guide you through all the steps to assist you in achieving your goals. | [[Image:Treasure-map1.jpg|right|250px]]If you are interested in proceeding or are still curious about what is next, then there are several articles at this site that will walk you through the process. This FamilySearch Research Wiki will guide you through all the steps to assist you in achieving your goals.<br> | ||
<br> | |||
A comprehensive listing of several Research Wiki articles can also be found in the article titled [[Principles of Family History Research|Principles of Family History Research]] (the link box is provided below).<br> | A comprehensive listing of several Research Wiki articles can also be found in the article titled [[Principles of Family History Research|Principles of Family History Research]] (the link box is provided below).<br> | ||
When you are successful in acheiving your step by step set of goals, be sure to aim a little higher with your next objectives. Crawl, walk, run; it is easy when accomplished in the correct order. You never know, someday one of those goals could be to [[Share your knowledge by adding to the Wiki|write articles]] in this FamilySearch Research Wiki that would be useful to others.<br> | When you are successful in acheiving your step by step set of goals, be sure to aim a little higher with your next objectives. Crawl, walk, run; it is easy when accomplished in the correct order. You never know, someday one of those goals could be to[[Share your knowledge by adding to the Wiki|'''write articles''']] in this FamilySearch Research Wiki that would be useful to others.<br> | ||
|} | |} | ||