In our research log, we use our own private shorthand for different types of sources. However, we also keep a record of all the information about a source that you’ll need to cite it properly when you share the information with others.
In the past, census records have provided genealogists with a great deal of useful information—names of family members and their ages, immigration and naturalization dates and places, occupation, and financial worth. Public access to such records, however, is granted only after seventy-two years have elapsed. For this reason, we both eagerly awaited the release of the 1930 census.
Save yourself valuable research time by avoiding the “bad stuff,” both online and off.
We learned the hard way when we started our personal family research some twenty years ago that research time is at a premium. One of the basics of research is to get the most out of your time. And nothing can waste valuable research time like bad data.
Have you considered making a list of your 2003 New Year’s resolutions for your family history projects?
This is the time of year when it seems everyone is telling us what resolutions we need to make in order to improve our lives for the next year. You’ve undoubtedly noticed the magazine racks at the grocery store stating clever new ways to determine your best New Years resolutions.
Once you make contact with your distant relatives overseas, consider making a visit.
Genealogy is a powerful hobby. It has the power to connect people between generations, states, countries, even continents. Most importantly, it has the power to connect two people who are not even aware of each other and who are separated by thousands of miles, cultures, and languages.
If your elusive ancestor was involved in a unique historical event, a lineage society might be the place to search for more information.
Some time ago, we were on a commuter flight from Portland, Maine, to New York City. The only available reading material was the airline magazine tucked into the seat-back pouch.
What if you were at a genealogy conference and one of the lecture topics was titled: “Golfer Will Show You How To Do Your Genealogy”? Ridiculous, you say? These two hobbies have nothing in common, right? Well, before you dismiss such a seemingly odd notion, perhaps you should take a closer look.
Consider the following scenario: You are new to the hobby of genealogy. You learn from a friend that your local public library has a nice collection of genealogy books. You go to the library and climb the stairs to the third floor where the section is located. In front of you is a stack of books neatly arranged alphabetically by a family’s last name.
When it comes to getting back to basics, published family histories are among the most basic for family history research. Unfortunately, published family histories represent the proverbial good news/bad news dilemma. The good news is that a well-done family history is loaded with excellent clues that can help you piece together your own family’s history.
In a recent beginning class on family history, we held a two-hour session discussing where students can go to find genealogical information. They left the class with the assignment to gather information on their own, and will were to return two weeks later to a follow-up class in which we would discuss the information they had discovered.
