Beginning Genealogy On Paper or Internet

53 members

This group is for people who either are just learning how to do genealogy, or you are learning how to use the internet and software programs out there to do genealogy. We will give you tips, links, resources and help you with look-ups.

Comments Discussions Members

Becky Jamison

I started doing genealogy 10 years ago and was totally self-taught. Consequently there were many things I didn't do right! Like sources! I printed pages, made notes, kept notebooks of my research so I can go back and find sources, but I want to stress (like everyone else) to enter sources as we go! I learned too late and now am tracking back to get it done. I'm willing to post things I've learned and discovered to help others. It seems I get more joy out of helping others "catch the Spirit", than doing my own research. This can be a wonderful palce to share links, lessons, aids, forms, resources, etc. Good luck. I'll do what I can to help AND to learn!

Jul 10, 2009
Becky Jamison

Debbie, I have my tree at Ancestry.com, and Rootsweb World Connect and used Family Tree Maker for 7 or 8 years. I switched to RootsMagic and am using the most current version now. Maybe I shouldn't be in this group. I thought perhaps I could help and still learn things too. It's a wonderful gorup.

Jul 10, 2009
Sue McCormick

Is there a good, free SINGLE place where I can get to all the US Census reports from 1850 through 1930 (1890 exception noted)? The best site I have found so far is FamilySearch.org at there pilot site; BUT, since this is a pilot the information comes and goes while they work on it. Also, some years are missing or are without images.

Anyplace else. I need to find truly legible copies of the cenus form so that I can Include download and printout to add to my extract of he pertinent information.

Sue

Jul 17, 2009
Kate Steere

Hi all-
I've been researching many lines of my family for the last years, all ont he internet, I'm slowly going to start getting all this down on paper. I'm happy to help anyone out if I can, and I'm happy to learn as well. :)

Sue-
As far as census records go, I used Heritage Quest, although they don't have many years completely indexed, sometimes I am able to find records on HQ that I couldn't find on Ancestry because of how they are indexed. Heritage Quest is available through some libraries.

I like FamilySearchLabs census records better than Ancestry, though you said they don't have them all, though their 1850, 1870 and 1900 records are very well done. If you use the exact/close match you may find it easier there than on ancestry. I also find some of the records are clearer on FamilySearchLabs.

As far as I can tell at this point, there is not one free place that has everything name indexed.

hope my rambling helps a bit. :)

Aug 3, 2009
Sue McCormick

Hi Kate:

I found Heritage Quest, just before I found your answer. I am finding it useful, although I spent half of today learning to use it in a way that fits my personal search methods. Since you can browse each census, the weak indexing is a pain, but not a problem.

Some of the census pages are in pretty poor condition (I know the originals were, but some sites have better enhancements than here); this is also a pain rather than a problem.

I'll use Heritage Quest for what I can't get on Footnote (most of 1930 and 1850) and FamilySearchLabs.

Thank you for you advice.

Sue

Aug 5, 2009
Anita davey

Hi
I am new at looking for my family history just like becky, finding my way slowly .
I too find family Search a good site, have not try Heritage Quest . Thats is the thing
learning to use the site to your advantage. Anita

Jan 13, 2010
James P. LaLone

The Aug. 2010 issue of FAMILY TREE MAGAZINE has a number of interesting articles including “Family Archivist” preserving your documents & photos, etc.; “Document Detective: Death Certificate” analysis of info; “Tailor-Made Searches” researching online effectively; and “The Tool Kit” Genealogy Videos Online and more.

Jun 14, 2010
James P. LaLone

The Jul/Aug 2010 issue of FAMILY CHRONICLE, p. 6 has 25 biggest mistakes to avoid when researching your genealogy, and
PRACTICAL FAMILY HISTORY, Jun 2010 (English publication) , p. 18, has an article for using blogs in genealogy.

Jun 28, 2010
James P. LaLone

The Aug/Sep issue of INTERNET GENEALOGY is out & I must say is has a lot of interesting articles:
Where to get free genealogy software, Genealogy podcasts, digital books, Canadian census databases, 2 articles on African-American research, medieval knights & passenger list errors to name a few.

Jul 23, 2010
James P. LaLone

Curt Witcher, manager of the Genealogy Center at the Allen County Public Library, was the plenary speaker at BYU's Conference on Family History and Genealogy on Wednesday.

http://www.mormontimes.com/article/16144/The-coming-genealogical-da...

Jul 30, 2010
James P. LaLone

The Sep/Oct issue of FAMILY CHRONICLE is now available on newstands. This issue has 5 articles dealing with Irish research, 2 on DNA, and researching family history (not just the genealogy) among other articles. Also genealogy events coming up. The August issue of PRACTIAL FAMILY HISTORY (English publication) has an article of what I always think is important, is analyzing data to narrow down persons with a common name & determine who is who. Other articles include researching in London and dating photos.

Aug 30, 2010
James P. LaLone

The new FAMILY TREE MAGAZINE (Nov 2010) is now available. Articles include “Wide Open Spaces” (organizing your genealogy), “Getting Up to Date” (identifying your photos), “Back to Baltics” (Estonian, Latvian & Lithuanian research), “Web Guide - One Great Family” (analysis & review), and “Document Detective” (clues in the 1900 census).

Sep 13, 2010
James P. LaLone

Aug. issue of FAMILY HISTORY MONTHLY (English pub.) has articles dealing with interviewing & oral history (p. 46), The National Archives of Ireland (p.50), the surname “Gallagher”,(p. 52), and using the “Herald’s Visitations” (p. 60) in English research.

TRACING FAMILY HISTORY, Aug issue (English pub.) has articles on endangered surnames (p.30), researching in Dorset (p. 46), and the “Guild of One-Name” (GOON) studies.

Sep 20, 2010
James P. LaLone

INTERNET GENEALOGY Oct/Nov. 2010 issue has articles on Norwegian ancestry, African-American migration, sites for tracing female ancestors, and the Ulster Historical Foundation to name a few.

Sep 27, 2010
James P. LaLone

Mid-Michigan Genealogical Society now has the handout from the last Society meeting on "organizing your genealogy" posted on our website:
http://mmgs.wordpress.com/home/organizing-your-genealogy/

Nov 2, 2010
Monna-Shaw-Davis-Ellithorpe

Hello Everyone. It's been about 6 or 7 years since I have worked on my Family research. I'm finding myself getting overwhelmed again with information. I hope to learn from this group on how best to organize, sort through and determine the best way to handle all of the info.

Researching Grove(s), Shaw, McBee, Black, Riley?, Walls, and Stultz in OH, VA, RI, NY, MA, England and Scotland.

Nov 2, 2010
James P. LaLone

The Nov/Dec 2010 issue of FAMILY CHRONICLE has articles on the Library & Archives Canada in Ottawa, Kirk Sessions of the Church of Scotland, Researching your Ancestors’ Houses, Dissertations & Theses as Genealogical Sources, and analyzing conflicting data to name a few.

Nov 9, 2010
James P. LaLone

The Dec/Jan 2011 issue of INTERNET GENEALOGY is out and has some interesting articles - "Database Special: Using Academic Databases in Your Research", "Irish American Newspapers Online", "Need to 'Finnish' Your Genealogy Research" and "Jury Records and Your Genealogy" to name a few. FAMILY TREE MAGAZINE (Jan 2011) has articles on "Organize Photos & Heirlooms", "Collect and Share Family Recipes", "Step-by-Step Guide to Interlibrary Loan", among others.

Dec 6, 2010
James P. LaLone

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.

Dec 27, 2010
James P. LaLone

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.

Jan 3, 2011
James P. LaLone

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

Jan 9, 2011
Mary V Johnson

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

Jan 13, 2011
James P. LaLone

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.

Jan 14, 2011
Mary V Johnson

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!!

Jan 14, 2011
James P. LaLone

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.

Jan 15, 2011
James P. LaLone

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.

Feb 5, 2011
James P. LaLone

Interesting comment from Eastman’s Online Genealogy Newsletter:

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

Feb 10, 2011
James P. LaLone

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.

Mar 7, 2011
James P. LaLone

PBS series:

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/facesofamerica/category/video/

Mar 21, 2011
James P. LaLone

The May/June 2011 issue of FAMILY CHRONICLE mainly relates to Civil Research, but also has an article on using wills and probate records.

May 3, 2011
James P. LaLone

The Jul 2011 issue of FAMILY TREE MAGAZINE has articles on state censuses, 40 best genealogy blogs, Croatian research, researching in Detroit and Civil War muster cards to name a few.

May 9, 2011
James P. LaLone

From Eastman's Online newsletter

New Online Tool uses Google Maps to Show Historical County Boundaries
http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2011/06/new-online-tool-uses-google-maps-to-show-historical-county-boundaries.html#more

Jun 15, 2011
James P. LaLone

Halloooo,

Is anyone there? This is not a very good social networking group.

Jun 15, 2011
James P. LaLone

More books - yeah!!!!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/zd/20110620/tc_zd/265885

Jun 20, 2011
James P. LaLone

The Family History Show on YouTube

http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2011/07/the-family-h...

Jul 26, 2011