3,970
edits
New to Genealogy - Beginners First Step: Difference between revisions
New to Genealogy - Beginners First Step (view source)
Revision as of 12:35, 17 February 2015
, 17 February 2015added condensed outline
Luccagenes (talk | contribs) m (fix) |
Luccagenes (talk | contribs) (added condensed outline) |
||
| Line 31: | Line 31: | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
<div style="border:2px solid blue; padding:12px;border-radius:2em;"> | |||
===Beginners First Step is as Easy as 1-2-3!=== | |||
<center><font color="blue">''This is a'' '''''condensed outline''''' '' of this article with links to the details that follow.''</font></center><br> | |||
---- | |||
<font color="blue">'''ONE.'''</font> The first goal is to take care of the [[New_to_Genealogy_-_Beginners_First_Step#What_goals_can_be_set_when_starting_a_family_history.3F|critical steps]] while there is still time to do so. | |||
* Don’t rush to collect names until the “perishable” things are collected and protected.<br><br> | |||
* Capture the memories before they are forgotten or gone. | |||
:*[[New_to_Genealogy_-_Beginners_First_Step#Preserving_information_and_memories_.28questions_produce_answers.29.|Ask questions]]; record or videotape the answers if possible. | |||
:*Remember, the only dumb question is the one that was never asked. | |||
*[[New_to_Genealogy_-_Beginners_First_Step#Collecting.2Fstoring_documents_and_photos_for_the_future.|Preserve]] originals or copies of all the old photographs and documents.<br><br> | |||
* Organize the valuables in at least two distinct formats and two separate locations. | |||
:*Retain paper copies and properly store the originals. | |||
:*Digitize for the future (keep your storage media up-to-date too). | |||
<font color="blue">'''TWO.'''</font> Examine your choices and decide on your goals (use small manageable steps). | |||
* Is this a hobby, a passion, a calling, a vocation, a career, or a legacy?<br><br> | |||
* Start slowly to build confidence. | |||
:* Build a cooperative [[New_to_Genealogy_-_Beginners_First_Step#Build_a_small_network_of_family_and_distant_cousins_to_collaborate_with.|network]] to share data and activities. | |||
:* Do not get overwhelmed and buried in an avalanche of [[New_to_Genealogy_-_Beginners_First_Step#Organizing_what_you_have_already_collected.|paperwork]] (organize as you go). | |||
:* [[New_to_Genealogy_-_Beginners_First_Step#Try_a_small_project_first_to_build_some_confidence.|Tell a story]] based on the data (the life of your favorite relative). | |||
:* Share your results with others (Start a [[New_to_Genealogy_-_Beginners_First_Step#Continue_the_storytelling_by_starting_a_webpage.|webpage]] or blog). | |||
:* Keep a research log to record clues and theories you want to prove. | |||
:* Constantly re-adjust your course in light of new data that is discovered. | |||
* Safeguard your results for posterity. | |||
:* Create backups for both the physical documents and the digital data. | |||
:* Keep your storage media up-to-date so you can always access the data. | |||
:* Feed your information into a “world tree” program for the future generations. | |||
* Continue to expand your genealogical education as your interest grows. | |||
<font color="blue">'''THREE.'''</font> Always [[New_to_Genealogy_-_Beginners_First_Step#Re-evaluate_your_current_objectives_and_think_about_long_term_planning.|re-evaluate]] and re-adjust your goals and research objectives. | |||
* Rethink your objectives and pace yourself for the long haul<br><center> ''('''there is no hurry to finish a project that has no end''')''.</center><br> | |||
* Don’t just stare at the [[New_to_Genealogy_-_Beginners_First_Step#How_do_I_keep_myself_.28and_others.29_from_burning_out.3F|inevitable brick wall]], just take a step back and think. | |||
:* Try to side-step it by following other nearby family lines. | |||
:* Look for neighbors and nearby relatives in the census records. | |||
:* Double check your research and previous conclusions. | |||
:* Let it go for now as new online data will eventually be available | |||
* After exhausting the [[Searching Genealogy Names|on-line resources]], "hit the ground running" by utilizing the Research Wiki for off-line resources.<br><br> | |||
* Study migration patterns for clues to missing relatives or to help build your storyline.<br><br> | |||
* Let your interests and experience guide where your journey is to go next. | |||
</div> | |||
{| width="600" align="center" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="0" | {| width="600" align="center" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="0" | ||
| Line 206: | Line 248: | ||
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 [[Searching Genealogy Names|on-line data]] to find more source information for the ancestors you have already identified as you may find clues to other relatives.<br> | ||
*Also remember to watch the data for groupings as neighbors were often related to each other when travel was more restricted.<br> | *Also remember to watch the census data for groupings, such as neighbors who were often related to each other when travel was more restricted than it is today.<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> | *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. It may trigger an idea or offer you clues that are not obvious.<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> | ||