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= '''Use Appropriate Forms''' = | = '''Use Appropriate Forms''' = | ||
Begin by carefully recording and organizing your information so important facts and clues will not be lost. | Begin by carefully recording and organizing your information so important facts and clues will not be lost. To help record the information you already know about family members, you may want to use standard genealogical forms such as family group records, and pedigree charts. These forms are familiar to other researchers and assure that your findings will be understandable to others. The forms, used by most researchers, can be purchased at genealogical stores, the Family History Library, Family History Centers, and most genealogical libraries. | ||
== '''Computer Programs for Generating Forms''' == | |||
You could also use computer programs to generate these forms. After you type genealogical information once, these programs can generate many kinds of forms such as completed family group records and pedigrees. For example, the Personal Ancestral FileTM computer program makes it easier to cite the sources which document events, and allow you to even add customized events to a family group record. Computer programs allow you to make frequent updates and share information with others while limiting the mistakes caused by redundant typing or writing of information. For further details see [[Using a Computer for Genealogy]]. | |||
The Personal Ancestral File program can be downloaded for free starting at the FamilySearchTM Internet Genealogy Service home page at http://www.FamilySearch.org. There are several other commercial computer programs you can purchase which also help you keep and organize genealogical information. For details see [[Not Sure Which Genealogy Management Software to Use?]] | |||
== '''Family Group Record''' == | == '''Family Group Record''' == | ||
[[Image:Family Group Record blank side 1.png|thumb|Blank family group record]]Family group records are forms with space to record information about the parents and children in one family. Good family group records show names, dates and places of births, marriages, and deaths (see the example to the right). You can enhance their value by citing the sources that document these events in the lives of family members. If you use computers to generate family group records, you also can easily display additional events such as censuses, change of residence, land purchases or sales, wills proved, and any other events in the family members' lives. The most useful family group records display as many events and sources as possible. | [[Image:Family Group Record blank side 1.png|thumb|Blank family group record]]Family group records are forms with space to record information about the parents and children in one family. Good family group records show names, dates and places of births, marriages, and deaths (see the example to the right). You can enhance their value by citing the sources that document these events in the lives of family members. If you use computers to generate family group records, you also can easily display additional events such as censuses, change of residence, land purchases or sales, wills proved, and any other events in the family members' lives. The most useful family group records display as many events and sources as possible. | ||
Start research on a new family by compiling a well-documented family group record. This will help you gather, correlate, and analyze information. A well source-footnoted family group record bristles with clues to help you find further sources. For a more detailed explanation of their value see [[Family group record: roadmap for researchers]]. | Start research on a new family by compiling a well-documented family group record. This will help you gather, correlate, and analyze information. A well source-footnoted family group record bristles with clues to help you find further sources. For a more detailed explanation of their value see [[Family group record: roadmap for researchers]]. | ||
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Create a family group record for each couple on your pedigree chart. A four-generation pedigree chart has seven couples, so you would make up to seven family group records for such a pedigree. | Create a family group record for each couple on your pedigree chart. A four-generation pedigree chart has seven couples, so you would make up to seven family group records for such a pedigree. | ||
For a person who married more than once, make another family group record for each additional marriage, especially if the marriage produced children. | For a person who married more than once, make another family group record for each additional marriage, especially if the marriage produced children. | ||
== '''Pedigree Chart''' == | == '''Pedigree Chart''' == | ||
[[Image:Pedigree Chart Blank.png|thumb|Blank pedigree chart]] Most pedigree charts, sometimes called “Ancestor” or “Lineage” Charts, have space for four or five generations (parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents.) There is space for dates and places of birth, marriage, and death. See the example at the right. Ancestral lines can continue onto other charts. | [[Image:Pedigree Chart Blank.png|thumb|Blank pedigree chart]] Most pedigree charts, sometimes called “Ancestor” or “Lineage” Charts, have space for four or five generations (parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents.) There is space for dates and places of birth, marriage, and death. See the example at the right. Ancestral lines can continue onto other charts. | ||
== '''Prepare a Research Log''' == | == '''Prepare a Research Log''' == | ||
[[Image:Log17.png|thumb|Filled-in homemade research log.]]A research log (or calendar of searches) is a list of the sources you searched or will be searching for each objective, ancestor, or family. It includes notes about what you found (or did not find.) Most logs are kept in the order that records are | [[Image:Log17.png|thumb|Filled-in homemade research log.]]A research log (or calendar of searches) is a list of the sources you searched or will be searching for each objective, ancestor, or family. It includes notes about what you found (or did not find.) Most logs are kept in the order that records are selected or searches made. | ||
You may have a research log for each objective or locality, or for each ancestor or family. Most researchers keep a set of logs for each family they research. | You may have a research log for each objective or locality, or for each ancestor or family. Most researchers keep a set of logs for each family they research. | ||
A research log is crucial to successful research. It will help you—<br> | A research log is crucial to successful research. It will help you—<br> | ||
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You may purchase a basic log at the Family History Library, at Family History Centers, or at genealogical stores, or you may create your own. For more details about research logs see the wiki article [[Research Logs]]. | You may purchase a basic log at the Family History Library, at Family History Centers, or at genealogical stores, or you may create your own. For more details about research logs see the wiki article [[Research Logs]]. | ||
[[Decide What You Want to Learn|''Next page'']] | == '''Personal and Family History Notes''' == | ||
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You should also record other personal and family history information such as residences, occupations, schools attended, military service, property owned, and immigration or naturalization. At times such biographical information is essential to help prove relationships. You may use a computer program like Personal Ancestral File (see [[Adding a Custom Event to a PAF Family Group Record]]), a word processor, regular paper, or create your own form to keep your notes organized. | |||
== '''Suggestions for Recording Information''' == | |||
As you record information, be consistent in the way you write it. Someday other researchers may use your information or notes as they continue research on your family. The following suggestions are practiced by most genealogists, and are easily understood by all researchers. | |||
* '''''Names'''''. Write names in the order they are spoken (first names, then middle name(s), then last name or surname.) You may want to capitalize the surname to identify it. Use maiden names for women. | |||
* '''''Dates'''''. Write the day, then the month, then the complete year (23 May 1891). Always write the month, or use an abbreviation. Never use numbers for months. Other researchers may not know if 6-8-50 means 6 August or 8 June, or 1750 or 1850. | |||
* '''''Places'''''. Give the town (or parish or township); the country, province or district; then the state and/or nation. Only abbreviate the state or nation. Use standard abbreviations. For example: | |||
Stephenstown, Renesselaer, NY Ansbach, Oberfranken, Bayern, Ger. Commonly, researchers use native spellings for all places or levels (jurisdictions) except for the nation. For example, the native name of '''Bayern''' is used instead of '''Bavaria'''. Always indicate the name of the country except for '''USA''' or '''Canada'''. The state or province is sufficient when identifying places in those countries. | |||
* '''''Sources'''''. Be sure to fully identify the source of your information. If a person, give their full name. For a book or other document give the complete title and other information. For suggestions see [[Cite Your Sources]]. | |||
= '''Recall Information''' = | |||
Always begin research with y9ourself and work backward to identify you ancestors. | |||
Recall information about yourself and your family. Write down (or type) your name, birth date, birthplace, marriage date, marriage place, spouse, and the children’s names and dates and places of their births, marriages, or deaths. | |||
Recall similar information abut each prior generation (parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and others.) | |||
Try to recall both vital event and biographical information. See '''Types of Genealogical Information''' next. | |||
=== '''Types of Genealogical Information''' === | |||
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