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= '''Gather Family Information''' = | = '''Gather Family Information''' = | ||
Some family members probably know a lot about the most recent generations of your ancestors. Use these sources and methods when gathering genealogical information from them: | Some family members probably know a lot about the most recent generations of your ancestors. [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~rwguide/lesson1.htm Use these sources and methods] when gathering genealogical information from them: | ||
== '''Family Records''' == | == '''Family Records''' == | ||
Search all the old storage areas of family homes, including the attic, storage closets, trunks, safe, deposit boxes, and so forth. Encourage your relatives to make similar searches in their homes. | Search all the old storage areas of family homes, including the attic, storage closets, trunks, safe, deposit boxes, and so forth. Encourage your relatives to make similar searches in their homes. | ||
Your second cousin, great-aunt, or other relative may already have gathered some family information. Most families have at least one relative who keeps track of cousins’ birthdays, anniversaries, or deaths. Learn who that relative is. Be sure to ask your parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles, other relatives and friends of the family for help in finding— | Your second cousin, great-aunt, or other relative may already have gathered some family information. Most families have at least one relative who keeps track of cousins’ birthdays, anniversaries, or deaths. Learn who that relative is. Be sure to ask your parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles, other relatives and friends of the family for help in finding— | ||
'''''Official Documents'''''<br> | '''''Official Documents'''''<br> | ||
* Certificates of birth, marriage, and death<br> | *Certificates of birth, marriage, and death<br> | ||
* Wills, deeds, and property records<br> | *Wills, deeds, and property records<br> | ||
* Military service and pension documents<br> | *Military service and pension documents<br> | ||
* Passports<br> | *Passports<br> | ||
* Naturalization documents<br> | *Naturalization documents<br> | ||
* Medical records<br> | *Medical records<br> | ||
* Licenses (business, marriage, fishing, driving) <br> | *Licenses (business, marriage, fishing, driving) <br> | ||
* School records<br> | *School records<br> | ||
* Insurance policies<br> | *Insurance policies<br> | ||
'''''Books and Albums'''''<br> | '''''Books and Albums'''''<br> | ||
* Family Bibles<br> | *Family Bibles<br> | ||
* Scrapbooks and albums<br> | *Scrapbooks and albums<br> | ||
* Baby and wedding books<br> | *Baby and wedding books<br> | ||
* Books of Remembrance<br> | *Books of Remembrance<br> | ||
* Photograph Albums<br> | *Photograph Albums<br> | ||
'''''Personal Writings'''''<br> | '''''Personal Writings'''''<br> | ||
* Journals and diaries<br> | *Journals and diaries<br> | ||
* Personal histories and biographies<br> | *Personal histories and biographies<br> | ||
* Letters and cards<br> | *Letters and cards<br> | ||
'''''Printed Notices and Announcements'''''<br> | '''''Printed Notices and Announcements'''''<br> | ||
* Newspaper clippings and obituaries<br> | *Newspaper clippings and obituaries<br> | ||
* Announcements of births, weddings, and anniversaries<br> | *Announcements of births, weddings, and anniversaries<br> | ||
* Programs (award ceremonies, funerals) <br> | *Programs (award ceremonies, funerals) <br> | ||
* Family reunion notices and records<br> | *Family reunion notices and records<br> | ||
'''''Certificates'''''<br> | '''''Certificates'''''<br> | ||
* Religious records<br> | *Religious records<br> | ||
* Fraternal or society records<br> | *Fraternal or society records<br> | ||
* Occupational awards<br> | *Occupational awards<br> | ||
== '''Family Traditions''' == | == '''Family Traditions''' == | ||
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However, most family traditions also include many correct facts and serve as clues for further research. Therefore, write down the traditions, indicate who is most familiar with the stories, and be sure to investigate the facts. <!--{12077689170349} --> <!--{120776891703410} --> <!--{120776891703411} --> <!--{120776891703412} --> <!--{120776891703413} --> | However, most family traditions also include many correct facts and serve as clues for further research. Therefore, write down the traditions, indicate who is most familiar with the stories, and be sure to investigate the facts. <!--{12077689170349} --> <!--{120776891703410} --> <!--{120776891703411} --> <!--{120776891703412} --> <!--{120776891703413} --> <!-- Tidy found serious XHTML errors --> | ||
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== '''Family Memorabilia''' == | == '''Family Memorabilia''' == | ||
Many families have kept objects that may provide important clues for further research on an ancestor. You may want to write a brief description explaining (1) what each item reveals about the family and (2) where the item is located. Look for—<br> | Many families have kept objects that may provide important clues for further research on an ancestor. You may want to write a brief description explaining (1) what each item reveals about the family and (2) where the item is located. Look for—<br> | ||
* Religious artifacts<br> | *Religious artifacts<br> | ||
* Samplers, tapestries and quilts<br> | *Samplers, tapestries and quilts<br> | ||
* Heirlooms<br> | *Heirlooms<br> | ||
* Pieces of furniture or household items<br> | *Pieces of furniture or household items<br> | ||
* Medals, awards, trophies<br> | *Medals, awards, trophies<br> | ||
* Souvenirs<br> | *Souvenirs<br> | ||
* Clothing, uniforms<br> | *Clothing, uniforms<br> | ||
== '''How to Gather Family Information''' == | == '''How to Gather Family Information''' == | ||
Keep a record of contacts with family members on your research log. This will help you avoid duplicating your work and can help in following up later. Write out notes about interviews, meetings, and reunions. Make paper copies of e-mails and keep copies of letters sent or received. Cite these notes, printouts, and copies on your research log. | Keep a record of contacts with family members on your research log. This will help you avoid duplicating your work and can help in following up later. Write out notes about interviews, meetings, and reunions. Make paper copies of e-mails and keep copies of letters sent or received. Cite these notes, printouts, and copies on your research log. | ||
'''''Interviews''''' can be face to face or by telephone. Handbooks such as the following can help you prepare for an interview:<br> | '''''Interviews''''' can be face to face or by telephone. Handbooks such as the following can help you prepare for an interview:<br> | ||
Akeret, Robert U. ''Family Tales, Family Wisdom.'' New York: Henry Holt, 1992. (not at FHL) | Akeret, Robert U. ''Family Tales, Family Wisdom.'' New York: Henry Holt, 1992. (not at FHL) | ||
Fletcher, William. ''Recording Your Family History.'' New York: Dodd, Mead, 1986. (FHL book 973 D27fL) | Fletcher, William. ''Recording Your Family History.'' New York: Dodd, Mead, 1986. (FHL book 973 D27fL) | ||
'''''E-mail and Correspondence.''''' When writing family members, follow a few basic rules:<br> | '''''E-mail and Correspondence.''''' When writing family members, follow a few basic rules:<br> | ||
* Don't send form letters. | *Don't send form letters. | ||
* Don't send unfamiliar blank genealogical forms, especially with the first letter. | *Don't send unfamiliar blank genealogical forms, especially with the first letter. | ||
* Be reasonable. Don't ask for too much at once. | *Be reasonable. Don't ask for too much at once. | ||
* Ask simple, straightforward questions. | *Ask simple, straightforward questions. | ||
* Be generous in sharing and prompt in answering. | *Be generous in sharing and prompt in answering. | ||
* Show appreciation. | *Show appreciation. | ||
For more suggestions see [[Obtain and Search the Records#Correspondence|Correspondence]]. | For more suggestions see [[Obtain and Search the Records#Correspondence|Correspondence]]. | ||
Many introductory books about family history will give you more information about gathering family sources, including oral history and additional home sources. One of the best books for this kind of information is— | Many introductory books about family history will give you more information about gathering family sources, including oral history and additional home sources. One of the best books for this kind of information is— | ||
Lichtman, Allan J. ''Your Family History: How to Use Oral History, Personal Family Archives, and Public Documents to Discover Your Heritage.'' New York: Vintage Books, 1978. (FHL book 929.1 L617L) <!--{120776891703414} --> <!--{120776891703415} --> | Lichtman, Allan J. ''Your Family History: How to Use Oral History, Personal Family Archives, and Public Documents to Discover Your Heritage.'' New York: Vintage Books, 1978. (FHL book 929.1 L617L) <!--{120776891703414} --> <!--{120776891703415} --> | ||
== '''Requesting Additional Information from Your Family''' == | == '''Requesting Additional Information from Your Family''' == | ||
As you learn about your family, you may want to share the information you find with you relatives (see [[Use the Information#Share the Information|Step 5]].) This may also be a good opportunity to request additional information from them. If your first requests were only for basic information about a few relatives, more information may be available. Your new information may jog memories of family members who may provide more clues. Also they may have recently found the information you were seeking. | As you learn about your family, you may want to share the information you find with you relatives (see [[Use the Information#Share the Information|Step 5]].) This may also be a good opportunity to request additional information from them. If your first requests were only for basic information about a few relatives, more information may be available. Your new information may jog memories of family members who may provide more clues. Also they may have recently found the information you were seeking. | ||
Family members who were reluctant to share information earlier may have changed their minds, or may be intrigued by the information you have found. Your information may convince them of your seriousness and they may pay more attention to your requests. | Family members who were reluctant to share information earlier may have changed their minds, or may be intrigued by the information you have found. Your information may convince them of your seriousness and they may pay more attention to your requests. | ||
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= '''Gather Low-Hanging-Fruit Sources''' = | = '''Gather Low-Hanging-Fruit Sources''' = | ||