Sources and Baby Steps: Difference between revisions

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#Transcript - attempt to render precisely and completely all words and punctuation exactly as in original. No corrections are made to punctuation, grammar, or spelling.  

While image copies are generally better than textual derivatives, exceptions exist. For example, transcripts made of gravestones may outlast the inscriptions. Or indexes made from a fading record may outlast the record.  

There are many types of sources available to genealogists. One type requires special consideration. It is the entry level genealogist’s favorite source. However, stellar genealogists no longer recommend using it as a source at all. It is compiled genealogies. A ''compiled genealogy'' shows the conclusions someone has reached regarding facts about individuals and family relationships. It is sometimes known as a ''conclusion tree''. Compiled genealogies come in computer files, online trees, or published books.  

Only high quality compiled genealogies should ever be used. Look for genealogies where the author has cited his sources, the cited sources are of high quality, and has provided multiple citations per fact. Using low quality genealogies is not worth the time necessary to redo the research and diagnose inaccuracies.  

Practicing genealogists additionally use records on microfilm and microfiche.  

Proficient genealogists go even further, finding sources on location in County courthouses, state and national archives, churches, and more.  

Emerging genealogists use whatever sources they find online. Census records and vital records are two of the most important.  

Vital records contain information about three vital events in a person’s life: birth, marriage, and death. Vital records are important because they contain a wealth of genealogical information. Birth records are useful for finding the names of parents. Marriage records often identify not just the spouse, but also the parents. More than just death information, death records can include birth and parents. The sometimes overlooked “informant” is a clue to the identity of a child or another close relative. In the United States, vital records are typically found at the state and county levels. Other countries may have nationwide vitals.  

Gravestones sometimes lead to birth date and associated vital record. Sometimes gravestones also name parents or children. Having a death date can lead to a newspaper obituary or death notice. These newspaper sources can yield a wealth of information, such as birth dates and places, and names of relatives. Newspapers contain secondary information, so try to validate the information from higher quality sources.  

Genealogists should make a reasonably exhaustive search of available sources. Use a wide variety from multiple repositories. Sources are available online, on microfilm, and on location.  

Using the table at the start of this handout, and using what you learned in class today, set a small, baby step improvement goal. See [[Genealogical Maturity]] for more information.  

Advancing from level to level requires continuing education. Avail yourself of these resources:  

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