73,385
edits
links
m (typo) |
(links) |
||
| Line 94: | Line 94: | ||
*''Professional Researchers.'' You can hire a researcher, many of whom specialize in Jewish research. Others specialize in research in various countries or states. [[Hiring a Professional Researcher|Lists of qualified professional researchers]] for various geographical areas are available from the Family History Library. Archives or family history societies may also provide lists of people who can do research for you. Jewish and other genealogical periodicals usually contain names and addresses of people or companies that do research for hire. Researchers can also be found on genealogy Internet sites. | *''Professional Researchers.'' You can hire a researcher, many of whom specialize in Jewish research. Others specialize in research in various countries or states. [[Hiring a Professional Researcher|Lists of qualified professional researchers]] for various geographical areas are available from the Family History Library. Archives or family history societies may also provide lists of people who can do research for you. Jewish and other genealogical periodicals usually contain names and addresses of people or companies that do research for hire. Researchers can also be found on genealogy Internet sites. | ||
*''Photocopies.'' The Family History Library and some other libraries offer limited | *''Photocopies.'' The Family History Library and some other libraries offer limited [[Photoduplication_Services|photoduplication services]] for a small fee. Books protected by copyright cannot be copied in their entirety. However, a few pages can usually be copied for personal research (you must specify the exact pages you need). The library does not copy large portions of a microfilm. To get a copy of a major portion of a film, write to the archive where the original material is stored for permission and then contact the library with your request. | ||
To contact libraries or professional researchers or any other family historian, write a brief, specific letter. Enclose a self-addressed, stamped, long envelope when writing within your own country. When writing to a foreign country, enclose three international reply coupons (available from your post office). You will usually need to pay in advance for photocopy or search services. | To contact libraries or professional researchers or any other family historian, write a brief, specific letter. Enclose a self-addressed, stamped, long envelope when writing within your own country. When writing to a foreign country, enclose three international reply coupons (available from your post office). You will usually need to pay in advance for photocopy or search services. | ||
| Line 101: | Line 101: | ||
*''Search for one generation at a time.'' Do not try to connect your family to others who have the same surname if they lived more than a generation earlier than your proven ancestor. | *''Search for one generation at a time.'' Do not try to connect your family to others who have the same surname if they lived more than a generation earlier than your proven ancestor. | ||
*''Search for your ancestor’s entire family.'' Records may contain clues for identifying other family members. Search other record types and in other localities to find a missing family member. | *''[[Research_a_Family_in_Community_Context|Search for your ancestor’s entire family]].'' Records may contain clues for identifying other family members. Search other record types and in other localities to find a missing family member. | ||
*''Search each source thoroughly.'' A small piece of information in a record may provide the clue needed to continue your research. | *''Search each source thoroughly.'' A small piece of information in a record may provide the clue needed to continue your research. | ||
*''Search several years before and after the date you think an event occurred.'' Dates in some sources may not be accurate. | *''Search several years before and after the date you think an event occurred.'' Dates in some sources may not be accurate. | ||
| Line 107: | Line 107: | ||
*''Use indexes.'' Although not every record has been indexed, many have been. Look for an index that includes the time period, event, and place you need. Many indexes include only some of the people mentioned in the record. Make sure you check the original records after using an index. | *''Use indexes.'' Although not every record has been indexed, many have been. Look for an index that includes the time period, event, and place you need. Many indexes include only some of the people mentioned in the record. Make sure you check the original records after using an index. | ||
*''Be aware that most Jews did not have surnames prior to 1800.'' Before surnames were adopted, Jews used a patronymic naming system. | *''Be aware that most Jews did not have surnames prior to 1800.'' Before surnames were adopted, Jews used a patronymic naming system. | ||
*''Watch for spelling variations. ''Spelling was not standardized until the late 1800s, and names were often written phonetically. Also, if a family moved to a new country with a new language, they often changed the spelling of their name to phonetically conform to that country’s language. | *''Watch for [[Guessing_a_Name_Variation|spelling variations]]. ''Spelling was not standardized until the late 1800s, and names were often written phonetically. Also, if a family moved to a new country with a new language, they often changed the spelling of their name to phonetically conform to that country’s language. | ||
=== Step 6. Use the Information === | === Step 6. Use the Information === | ||