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For a more detailed description of the 5-step research process see [[Principles of Family History Research|Principles of Family History Research]]. | For a more detailed description of the 5-step research process see [[Principles of Family History Research|Principles of Family History Research]]. | ||
== Step 1. Identify What You Know about Your Family == | == Step 1. Identify What You Know about Your Family == | ||
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Next, decide what you want to learn about your ancestor, such as where and when he or she was married, or the names of his parents. You may want to ask an experienced researcher or a librarian to help you select a goal that you can successfully achieve. | Next, decide what you want to learn about your ancestor, such as where and when he or she was married, or the names of his parents. You may want to ask an experienced researcher or a librarian to help you select a goal that you can successfully achieve. | ||
It is usually best to begin by verifying information about the ancestor for whom you know the most, and then continue searching from there. It is often hard to find an ancestor’s records when you know only a name and country of birth. With so little information, your research is limited to a few general indexes like the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/5 <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-style: italic;">FamilySearch.org</span></span>], | It is usually best to begin by verifying information about the ancestor for whom you know the most, and then continue searching from there. It is often hard to find an ancestor’s records when you know only a name and country of birth. With so little information, your research is limited to a few general indexes like the [https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/5 <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><span style="font-style: italic;">FamilySearch.org</span></span>], [[Ancestral File|''Ancestral File'']]™,, or the various searches listed at [[Major Databases for Beginning United States Research#Databases_Online|Databases Online]]. | ||
== Step 3. Select a Record to Search == | == Step 3. Select a Record to Search == | ||
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*''Locate the town or place of residence''. Examine maps, gazetteers, and other place-finding aids to learn as much as you can about each of the places where your ancestors lived. Identify the major migration routes, nearby cities, county boundaries, other geographical features, and government or ecclesiastical jurisdictions. Place-finding aids are described in the “[[Germans from Russia Maps|Maps]],” “[[Germans from Russia Gazetteers|Gazetteers]],” “[[Germans from Russia Historical Geography|Historical Geography]],” and “[[Germans from Russia History|History]]” article in this set. | *''Locate the town or place of residence''. Examine maps, gazetteers, and other place-finding aids to learn as much as you can about each of the places where your ancestors lived. Identify the major migration routes, nearby cities, county boundaries, other geographical features, and government or ecclesiastical jurisdictions. Place-finding aids are described in the “[[Germans from Russia Maps|Maps]],” “[[Germans from Russia Gazetteers|Gazetteers]],” “[[Germans from Russia Historical Geography|Historical Geography]],” and “[[Germans from Russia History|History]]” article in this set. | ||
*''Review local history''. You will need to understand Russia's and Germany’s history because they have greatly affected the development of records of genealogical value. If possible, study a history of the areas where your ancestors lived. Look for clues about the people, places, religions, and events that may have affected their lives and the records about them. Records with information about migration and settlement patterns, government jurisdictions, and historical events are described in the "[[Germans from Russia Archives and Libraries|Archives and Libraries]]," "[[Germans from Russia Emigration and Immigration|Emigration and Immigration]]," “[[Germans from Russia Gazetteers|Gazetteers]],” "[[Germans from Russia Historical Geography|Historical Geography]]," “[[Germans from Russia History|History]],” "[[Germans from Russia Maps|Maps]]," “[[Germans from Russia Periodicals|Periodicals]],” and "[[Germans from Russia Societies|Societies]]" articles in this set. | *''Review local history''. You will need to understand Russia's and Germany’s history because they have greatly affected the development of records of genealogical value. If possible, study a history of the areas where your ancestors lived. Look for clues about the people, places, religions, and events that may have affected their lives and the records about them. Records with information about migration and settlement patterns, government jurisdictions, and historical events are described in the "[[Germans from Russia Archives and Libraries|Archives and Libraries]]," "[[Germans from Russia Emigration and Immigration|Emigration and Immigration]]," “[[Germans from Russia Gazetteers|Gazetteers]],” "[[Germans from Russia Historical Geography|Historical Geography]]," “[[Germans from Russia History|History]],” "[[Germans from Russia Maps|Maps]]," “[[Germans from Russia Periodicals|Periodicals]],” and "[[Germans from Russia Societies|Societies]]" articles in this set. | ||
*''Learn about jurisdictions''. You will need to know about how the nations where your ancestor lived are divided into political subdivisions. The United States are divided into states, counties, towns, and townships. Canada is divided into provinces, counties, towns and townships. Russia and the Ukraine are divided into | *''Learn about jurisdictions''. You will need to know about how the nations where your ancestor lived are divided into political subdivisions. The United States are divided into states, counties, towns, and townships. Canada is divided into provinces, counties, towns and townships. Russia and the Ukraine are divided into guberniias, and provinces (oblasts). See the “[[Germans from Russia Historical Geography|Historical Geography]]” article from this set, the [[Germany|Germany Wiki article], and the Wiki article of the nation where your ancestor settled. | ||
*''Use language helps''. The records and histories of Germans from Russia are often written in German. You do not need to speak or read German to search the records, but you will need to learn some key words and phrases. You may also need to use Russian gazetteers to locate some German settlements. A few records were kept in Russian about German settlers. Some helpful sources are described in the “[[Germans from Russia Language and Languages|Language and Languages]]” article in this set. | *''Use language helps''. The records and histories of Germans from Russia are often written in German. You do not need to speak or read German to search the records, but you will need to learn some key words and phrases. You may also need to use Russian gazetteers to locate some German settlements. A few records were kept in Russian about German settlers. Some helpful sources are described in the “[[Germans from Russia Language and Languages|Language and Languages]]” article in this set. | ||
*''Understand naming patterns''. Many families that moved from German-speaking areas to Russia followed distinct naming patterns. Understanding these customs can help you locate missing ancestors. See the “[[Germany | *''Understand naming patterns''. Many families that moved from German-speaking areas to Russia followed distinct naming patterns. Understanding these customs can help you locate missing ancestors. See the “[[Germany Naming Customs|Naming Customs]]” article of the Germany Wiki page for more information. | ||
'''''Previous Research Sources.''''' Most genealogists do a survey of research previously done by others. This can save time and give you valuable information. You may want to look for:<br> | '''''Previous Research Sources.''''' Most genealogists do a survey of research previously done by others. This can save time and give you valuable information. You may want to look for:<br> | ||
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**Pedigree Resource File. | **Pedigree Resource File. | ||
*Printed family histories, genealogies, and biographies. | *Printed family histories, genealogies, and biographies. | ||
**'''''FamilySearch.org | **'''''FamilySearch.org [https://www.familysearch.org/ Surname Search].''''' Search using just the family’s surname. This searches the world’s largest genealogical library for works with this family name as a main subject. | ||
**[http://worldcat.org/advancedsearch '''''WorldCatalog Advanced Search''''']. In the '''''Subject''''' field enter the surname and “family” like this, '''Barth family'''. This searches the catalogs and displays the results from thousands of North American libraries at once. | **[http://worldcat.org/advancedsearch '''''WorldCatalog Advanced Search''''']. In the '''''Subject''''' field enter the surname and “family” like this, '''Barth family'''. This searches the catalogs and displays the results from thousands of North American libraries at once. | ||
*Query Russian and Ukrainian [[Germans from Russia Archives and Libraries#Village_Coordinators|Village Coordinators]]. | *Query Russian and Ukrainian [[Germans from Russia Archives and Libraries#Village_Coordinators|Village Coordinators]]. | ||
*Local histories. | *Local histories. | ||
**'''''FamilySearch.org | **'''''FamilySearch.org [https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/5 Place Search].''''' Search with the county, town, or village in the first field. Put the nation or state in the second field. In the "Place search results" click the appropriate place. If any of the entries for that place are for the topic '''History''', click it to see the details. | ||
**[http://worldcat.org/advancedsearch '''''WorldCatalog Advanced Search''''']. In the '''''Subject''''' field enter the county or town name and “history” like this, '''Cook Illinois history''', or '''Sudbury Ontario history'''. | **[http://worldcat.org/advancedsearch '''''WorldCatalog Advanced Search''''']. In the '''''Subject''''' field enter the county or town name and “history” like this, '''Cook Illinois history''', or '''Sudbury Ontario history'''. | ||
*Articles in genealogical periodicals. Use the '''''Periodical Source Index (PERSI)''''' [ | *Articles in genealogical periodicals. Use the '''''Periodical Source Index (PERSI)''''' [https://www.genealogycenter.info/persi/ Surname Search] online at ACPL for a family name in over a million article titles in genealogical periodicals. Put the family name in the '''Surname''' field and click the ''Search'' button. If the Article Results List is too long, redo the search but in the '''Keyword''' field add the two-letter postal abbreviation for the state where they lived. | ||
Records containing previous research are described in the “[[Germans from Russia Biography|Biography]],” “[[Germans from Russia Genealogy|Genealogy]],” “[[Germans from Russia History|History]],” “[[Germans from Russia Periodicals|Periodicals]],” and “[[Germans from Russia Societies|Societies]]” articles in this set. Remember that the information in these sources may contain some inaccuracies. Therefore, you will want to verify the information you find in such records with other records. | Records containing previous research are described in the “[[Germans from Russia Biography|Biography]],” “[[Germans from Russia Genealogy|Genealogy]],” “[[Germans from Russia History|History]],” “[[Germans from Russia Periodicals|Periodicals]],” and “[[Germans from Russia Societies|Societies]]” articles in this set. Remember that the information in these sources may contain some inaccuracies. Therefore, you will want to verify the information you find in such records with other records. | ||
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*''FamilySearch Library''. You are welcome to visit and use the records at the [https://www.familysearch.org/en/library/ FamilySearch Library.] The library is open to the public. There are no fees for using the records. If you would like more information about its services, contact the library at the following address: | *''FamilySearch Library''. You are welcome to visit and use the records at the [https://www.familysearch.org/en/library/ FamilySearch Library.] The library is open to the public. There are no fees for using the records. If you would like more information about its services, contact the library at the following address: | ||
[[FamilySearch Library| | [[FamilySearch Library| FamilySearch Library]]<br> 35 North West Temple<br> Salt Lake City, UT 84150-3400<br> USA<br> Telephone: 801-240-3433 Fax: 801-240-1925 | ||
Copies of many books not protected by copyright are available on microfilm or microfiche and may be available at some [ | Copies of many books not protected by copyright are available on microfilm or microfiche and may be available at some [https://www.familysearch.org/centers/locations/ FamilySearch centers]. | ||
*''Archives and local churches''. Some of the original documents you will need are at state, church, and local archives or in local parish offices in Russia, the Ukraine, Moldavia, etc. While the FamilySearch Library has many records on microfilm, additional records are available only at these archives. You can request searches in their records through correspondence. (See the “[[Germans from Russia Archives and Libraries|Archives and Libraries]]” article in this set for more information.) Complete instructions on writing to Germany and on how to prepare a genealogical letter in German are in the [https://familysearch.org/search/search/index/catalog-search#searchType=catalog&filtered=true&fed=false&collectionId=&catSearchType=title&searchCriteria=research+guide+german&placeName=&author_givenName=&author_surname= German Letter-Writing Guide] (34066). | *''Archives and local churches''. Some of the original documents you will need are at state, church, and local archives or in local parish offices in Russia, the Ukraine, Moldavia, etc. While the FamilySearch Library has many records on microfilm, additional records are available only at these archives. You can request searches in their records through correspondence. (See the “[[Germans from Russia Archives and Libraries|Archives and Libraries]]” article in this set for more information.) Complete instructions on writing to Germany and on how to prepare a genealogical letter in German are in the [https://familysearch.org/search/search/index/catalog-search#searchType=catalog&filtered=true&fed=false&collectionId=&catSearchType=title&searchCriteria=research+guide+german&placeName=&author_givenName=&author_surname= German Letter-Writing Guide] (34066). | ||
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Be very cautious when hiring professional researchers in the former Russian Empire and “let the buyer beware!” The two most reputable research organizations are: | Be very cautious when hiring professional researchers in the former Russian Empire and “let the buyer beware!” The two most reputable research organizations are: | ||
PROBAN Genealogy Bureau<br> ???Address | |||
Research in archives in Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine can also be arranged through the Russian-American Genealogical Archive Service (RAGAS). They are more helpful for Jewish research. You may request bilingual research application forms by contacting: | Research in archives in Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine can also be arranged through the Russian-American Genealogical Archive Service (RAGAS). They are more helpful for Jewish research. You may request bilingual research application forms by contacting: | ||
RAGAS<br> 1929 18th Street N.W.<br> Washington, D.C. 20009 USA | |||
=== Suggestions for Searching the Records. === | === Suggestions for Searching the Records. === | ||
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