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Getting Started With African American Research (view source)
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The desire to navigate one’s identity and heritage can be easily overwhelmed by an onslaught of information and resources. Tackling your family history does not have to be complicated if you follow the right steps. This handout is designed to help you follow a step-by-step process on how to effectively get started. | The desire to navigate one’s identity and heritage can be easily overwhelmed by an onslaught of information and resources. Tackling your family history does not have to be complicated if you follow the right steps. This handout is designed to help you follow a step-by-step process on how to effectively get started. | ||
== Step 1: Write Down What You Know == | == Step 1: Write Down What You Know == | ||
Contrary to modern instinct, capturing your family history doesn’t begin online—it begins with you! Before you head online, write down everything you know about your family. Print out a pedigree chart or fill out a My Family booklet to help keep track of everyone. Doing so will help you to easily spot any holes or gaps in information. | Contrary to modern instinct, capturing your family history doesn’t begin online—it begins with you! Before you head online, write down everything you know about your family. Print out a pedigree chart or fill out a My Family booklet to help keep track of everyone. Doing so will help you to easily spot any holes or gaps in information. | ||
== Step 2: Find Artifacts Around the Home == | |||
Look for any possible information about your family and ancestors in records you may have in your home or in a relative’s home. The more information you gather, the easier it will be to locate and recognize individuals in other records. Records to look for include: obituaries, funeral programs, death records, birth records, journals, diaries, family Bibles, family letters, and photographs. Though not always easy to access, visiting cemeteries and/or headstones of relatives can help you collect useful information as well. | |||
Label and organize the documents and photos you have discovered and thoroughly review them for additional information and facts. | |||
== Step 3: Interview Relatives == | == Step 3: Interview Relatives == | ||
After you have exhausted your own personal knowledge, it’s time to reach out to your parents, siblings, and extended relatives to document the people and facts that you’ve yet to uncover. Ask them for your help in filling in the blanks of your pedigree chart or My Family booklet. | After you have exhausted your own personal knowledge, it’s time to reach out to your parents, siblings, and extended relatives to document the people and facts that you’ve yet to uncover. Ask them for your help in filling in the blanks of your pedigree chart or My Family booklet. | ||
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== Step 4: Create a FamilySearch Account == | == Step 4: Create a FamilySearch Account == | ||
Once you’ve laid the proper foundation, now is the time to get online and input the information you’ve collected. Head to FamilySearch.org and sign-up for a free account. You will need an email address in order to create one. | Once you’ve laid the proper foundation, now is the time to get online and input the information you’ve collected. Head to FamilySearch.org and sign-up for a free account. You will need an email address or an SMS phone number in order to create one. | ||
Creating a FamilySearch account will allow you to preserve your family’s information forever. On FamilySearch, you can collaborate with others who have common ancestors. With your permission, others can also access your information to provide you with additional help if needed. | Creating a FamilySearch account will allow you to preserve your family’s information forever. On FamilySearch, you can collaborate with others who have common ancestors. With your permission, others can also access your information to provide you with additional help if needed. | ||