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New to Genealogy - Beginners First Step: Difference between revisions
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<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> | <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> | ||
[[Image:1585 FamilyTree.jpg|right|250px|A family tree from 1585]]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 | [[Image:1585 FamilyTree.jpg|right|250px|A family tree from 1585]]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 '''[https://familysearch.org "world tree"]'''. | ||
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==== <br>What goals can be set when starting a family history? ==== | ==== <br>What goals can be set when starting a family history? ==== | ||
The very first goal can be one of the easiest, one of the most rewarding, and is actually the most important. Other goals can be slowly and progressively added as one becomes more and more interested and confident when researching your family’s history. It is important to remember that this endeavor can take the form of a hobby, a passion, a vocation, a career, or a legacy and if kept in the correct perspective it can be quite rewarding. | The very first goal can be one of the easiest, one of the most rewarding, and is actually the most important. Other goals can be slowly and progressively added as one becomes more and more interested and confident when researching your family’s history. It is important to remember that this endeavor can take the form of a hobby, a passion, a calling, a vocation, a career, or a legacy and if kept in the correct perspective it can be quite rewarding. | ||
Even though the natural urge when starting a genealogy project is to jump right in and start collecting names of as many ancestors as possible, '''''you should somewhat resist this urge'''''. It can become very addictive and getting those names identified, collected, and organized in a website like [https://familysearch.org/ familysearch.org] or a software program ([https://familysearch.org/products/ see compatible Family History Products]) can start to consume much more of your time than you anticipated and this also has the disadvantage of obscuring an important issue. | Even though the natural urge when starting a genealogy project is to jump right in and start collecting names of as many ancestors as possible, '''''you should somewhat resist this urge'''''. It can become very addictive and getting those names identified, collected, and organized in a website like [https://familysearch.org/ familysearch.org] or a software program ([https://familysearch.org/products/ see '''compatible''' Family History Products]) can start to consume much more of your time than you anticipated and this also has the disadvantage of obscuring an important issue. | ||
An alternative approach when starting out is to initially record your ancestors back only 2 to 4 generations and then record all the descendants from each of those identified names. The next step is to identify those people who are still living and try to make contact with as many as possible. Your aim is to collect as many copies of documents/photos and record their memories while these people and objects are still available. Remember that people do not live forever, that memories are fragile and can be forgotten, and that documents and photos may get destroyed or passed on to someone else so that you may never see them again. | An alternative approach when starting out is to initially record your ancestors back only 2 to 4 generations and then record all the descendants from each of those identified names. The next step is to identify those people who are still living and try to make contact with as many as possible. Your aim is to collect as many copies of documents/photos and record their memories while these people and objects are still available. Remember that people do not live forever, that memories are fragile and can be forgotten, and that documents and photos may get destroyed or passed on to someone else so that you may never see them again. | ||
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===== '''Continue the storytelling by starting a webpage. ''' ===== | ===== '''Continue the storytelling by starting a webpage. ''' ===== | ||
[[Image:CreateWebsite.jpg|right|300px|Share information around the world]]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. | [[Image:CreateWebsite.jpg|right|300px|Share information around the world]]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. A [[Finally,_A_Society_Website_Anyone_Can_Manage|'''simple blog''']] describing you interest and experiences can also aid others and requires no special web skills. | ||
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