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Added a colored box to set off the link to Principles of Family History Research
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''[[United States|United States]] > Basic Research Strategies'' | ''[[United States|United States]] > Basic Research Strategies'' | ||
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The following five steps are a brief summary. For more details see the [[Principles of Family History Research|Principles of Family History Research]] article. | {| style="background-color: rgb(255,255,204)" border="1" cellpadding="5" | ||
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| The following five steps are a brief summary. For more details see the [[Principles of Family History Research|Principles of Family History Research]] article. | |||
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== Step 1. Identify What You Know about Your Family == | == Step 1. Identify What You Know about Your Family == | ||
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*If you do not know where your ancestor lived, find out where his or her children were born. Searching for the children's birth, marriage, and death records is one of the best ways to find new information about their parents. | *If you do not know where your ancestor lived, find out where his or her children were born. Searching for the children's birth, marriage, and death records is one of the best ways to find new information about their parents. | ||
Then decide what you want to learn about him, such as where and when he 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. | Then decide what you want to learn about him, such as where and when he 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. | ||
== Step 3. Select a Record to Search == | == Step 3. Select a Record to Search == | ||
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=== Background Information === | === Background Information === | ||
You may need some geographical and historical information. This information can save you time and effort by helping you focus your research in the correct place and time period.<br> | You may need some geographical and historical information. This information can save you time and effort by helping you focus your research in the correct place and time period.<br> | ||
*'''''Locate the town or place'''''. 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, and other geographical features and government. or ecclesiastical. jurisdictions. Place-finding aids are described in the “[[United States Maps|Maps]],” “[[United States Gazetteers|Gazetteers]],” and “[[United States Historical Geography|Historical Geography]]” sections of this Wiki article. | *'''''Locate the town or place'''''. 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, and other geographical features and government. or ecclesiastical. jurisdictions. Place-finding aids are described in the “[[United States Maps|Maps]],” “[[United States Gazetteers|Gazetteers]],” and “[[United States Historical Geography|Historical Geography]]” sections of this Wiki article. | ||
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*'''''Bookstores.''''' Some bookstores carry newer family history books. Often you can obtain out-of-print books from the very large bookstores. For a small fee they can advertise nationwide for old books. | *'''''Bookstores.''''' Some bookstores carry newer family history books. Often you can obtain out-of-print books from the very large bookstores. For a small fee they can advertise nationwide for old books. | ||
When requesting any of the above services through correspondence, you are more likely to be successful if your letter is brief and very specific. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE). You will usually need to send a check or money order to pay in advance for photocopy or search services, although some organizations will bill you later. | When requesting any of the above services through correspondence, you are more likely to be successful if your letter is brief and very specific. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE). You will usually need to send a check or money order to pay in advance for photocopy or search services, although some organizations will bill you later. | ||
=== Suggestions for Searching the Records === | === Suggestions for Searching the Records === | ||
Your research may be more rewarding and more effective if you can visit the library or archives and personally search the records. Examine the original sources. or exact microform copies when possible, rather than abstracts (summaries of the original documents). | Your research may be more rewarding and more effective if you can visit the library or archives and personally search the records. Examine the original sources. or exact microform copies when possible, rather than abstracts (summaries of the original documents). | ||
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You do not have to use computers to do family history, but they can be very helpful. [[PAF and Other Genealogy Organizers|Personal Ancestral File]] and similar software programs help you transcribe, organize, display, print, and transmit your findings to other researchers who use personal computers. | You do not have to use computers to do family history, but they can be very helpful. [[PAF and Other Genealogy Organizers|Personal Ancestral File]] and similar software programs help you transcribe, organize, display, print, and transmit your findings to other researchers who use personal computers. | ||
If you are a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, be sure to submit information about your deceased family members so you can provide temple ordinances for them. Your ward family history consultant or a staff member at the library can assist you. | If you are a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, be sure to submit information about your deceased family members so you can provide temple ordinances for them. Your ward family history consultant or a staff member at the library can assist you. {{Place|United States}} | ||
{{Place|United States}} | |||
[[Category:United_States]] | [[Category:United_States]] | ||