Beginning Genealogy On Paper or Internet

Comment

Comment by James P. LaLone on March 7, 2011 at 9:25am

The Mar/Apr 2011 issue of FAMILY CHRONICLE has articles on overcoming brick walls, p,17; Italian names, p.30; searching female ancestry, p.42; “Black Irish”, p.46 & Autosomal DNA testing, p. 50 to name a few.  The May 2011 issue of FAMILY TREE MAGAZINE is devoted to Civil War research and also has  an article on African-American newspapers, p. 41.

Comment by James P. LaLone on February 10, 2011 at 1:24pm

Interesting comment from Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter:

http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2011/02/comment-abou...

Comment by James P. LaLone on February 5, 2011 at 2:50pm

The Feb/Mar 2011 issue of INTERNET GENEALOGY has articles on Civil War genealogical resources by state, websites for Great Lakes marine research, Scottish clans, using Google books & scanner reviews to name a few.

Comment by James P. LaLone on January 15, 2011 at 11:23am

Mary, you start with yourself and work backward. As with any project you have to have the skills to do it right. People who post things like "it is only a hobby " are not really doing genealogy as a hobby. If you are knitting then you have to learn certain techniques, use certain equipment and have a general knowledge of what you are doing, same with genealogy. Just collecting other postings of genealogies does not make it right. This is not to say mistakes aren't made, but be aware of that fact. Of posted genealogies on WorldConnect on RootsWeb I am finding maybe an 80% error rate (some just typos, but it is fascinating when someone ends up being their own great grandchild)!  Posting a genealogy as a query with the cravet of asking for corrections or additions is more realistic, otherwise everyone just keeps copying the wrong data without researching.

 

It also depends on what you want from your genealogy, just your direct line? Most people start out this way, however, you should be aware collateral lines are important also and collecting information about or corresponding with distant cousins may provide you with important clues. My favorite story about this is I called distant relatives in Washington (I live in Michigan) because I wanted to see if anyone knew more about my ancestors. One lady I talked to said her grandson was also working on the family and I should write him, which I did. We exchanged info, much of it duplicating each other, but he had letters stating where the family came from in Northern Ireland. This was a major find in my book, as none of the immediate family in Michigan had any idea where they came from in Ireland. So, the moral of the story is don't dismiss any relative, no matter how distant. Having journalistic and analytical skills is great (wish I did), start interviewing your oldest relatives NOW.  As I said, read some "how to" books, not just one but several as some will emphasize some aspects of genealogy more then others. If at all possible join a local genealogy society, attend seminars & correspond with all your relatives, Check out the various message boards (such as Genforum & RootsWeb) to make contact with distant relatives and compare notes. Look at the books and links I have posted in the topic "GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH" in the Discussion section of this group. Good luck, Jim.

Comment by Mary V Johnson on January 14, 2011 at 11:19pm

James, thanks for your comments and advice. I ave always had an interest in genealogy and have always been the annoying one at family gatherings asking questions about this ancestor or that. But I have recently reconnected with my brother after not having contact for over 20 years and discovered, among many other things, that he has the same interest. (We have different mothers so the journey is somewhat different.) This has galvanized me to take my own interest seriously. We have announced to our large family that we want to do some genealogy work. (My father was the youngest of 11.) So now I have been exploring the field of genealogy online, seeing what is out there and I feel like I have been in a cave!!! I had no idea there were schools and certifications for this!!! I just had no idea there was so much organization about this......I will look into some beginning books and resources as you mention. And I will check out the magazine. I am 47 so I am both somewhat familiar with online AND I still remember card catalogues!! My main question for now (thank you for reading this by the way, is how do you know where to start? I guess just go with what interests you at first? I have a degree in journalism and a masters in social work and have excellent people, writing, and analytical skills so I think this will be a fun adventure! (BTW, I am not looking to become rich or anything....for now...this is personal use only.) But it is fascinating and, while I feel bad that I have not done more over the years, I know that there is no time like the present!!

Comment by James P. LaLone on January 14, 2011 at 7:40am

Mary, check your local newscenter or bookstore, if they don't carry it ask if they will. The URL is http://www.familytreemagazine.com/ , Usually it is cheaper to subscribe then to purchase from a bookstore. As far as I know all the magazines I mention have web sites and can be googled for the URL.  If you are a beginner please read some "how to" books on genealogy (again check your local bookstores to get your own copies or check your library. Don't think everything is on the internet (including "how to" info), I have been doing this for close to 40 years & I learn something new every day (or at my age relearning something old!)  Good luck, Jim.

Comment by Mary V Johnson on January 14, 2011 at 12:53am

I am a beginner, all right!!  Where do I get Family Tree manazine>

Comment by James P. LaLone on January 9, 2011 at 9:11am

March 2011 issue of FAMILY TREE MAGAZINE has interesting articles on using your digital camera, clues for getting around roadblocks, researching in Boston, MA & Atlanta, GA, female ancestors and clues in delayed birth certificates to name a few.

The winter 2011 issue of AMERICAN HERITAGE has an interesting article on photos of Revolutionary War vets from the book THE LAST MUSTER: IMAGES OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR GENERATION, by Maureen Taylor

Comment by James P. LaLone on January 3, 2011 at 10:53am

The Dec. issue of PRACTICAL FAMILY HISTORY (English publication) is out and has articles, among others, on tracing female lines, military job titles, dating old photos, publican ancestors (those in the pub & brewery trade) and Scandinavian research.

Comment by James P. LaLone on December 27, 2010 at 8:59am

The Jan/Feb 2011 issue of FAMILY CHRONICLE has articles on US records for War of 1812 (p.21); book review of CRIME AND PUNISHMENT IN UPPER CANADA: A RESEARCHER’S GUIDE, by Janice Nickerson, along with a case study by her (p.29, p. 30); and using (LDS) Family History Centers for research (p. 44), to name a few of the articles.

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