The first rule of genealogy is to begin with yourself.  Work from the known to the unknown, gathering evidence along the way .

Next, collect family tree information from your immediate family .The elders in the family do not live indefinitely regardless of health or age and it is important to record all that they can remember.

Whenever conceivable, conduct a personal interview.  Let people know that you are coming , as well as the type of information in which you are interested .  With permission, record the conversation .  Take clear and accurate notes .  Prepare for your visit by making a checklist of questions to remind you to ask the three important   questions:  who, where, and when . These questions will increase your genealogy know how and help build your family tree .

However, be flexible in your approach in order to follow the lead from the person being interviewed .  There will be challenges along the way ; beflexible with your interview style and be open to the discussion and the tales that follow . When it is inconvenient to interview a relative personally , write a note that is personal in nature .  If the communication goes unanswered, a telephone call may be necessary .  It is possible that responding in writing may be difficult for an elderly person who might be interested in sharing information.  If this is the case , a phone call might be more productive.

It is important to remember that not all your relatives will be as excited or interested about family history and genealogy .
Use pictures as a aid .  Often photos refresh the memory, and unlock bits and pieces of family data long forgotten.  

Reassure people that you will be very careful of the photos or documentation loaned you .  Respect the information they give to you.  Often relatives are hesitant to lend a family heirloom , so be prepared to take photos of momentos whenever they cannot be removed from the premises .

Offer to share information .  Keep your promise .  After entering compiling data on  a pedigree chart and family history sheet , send  a copy to the individual who has kindly given you   the information .

Be  certain to enquire if there is bible in the family and where it might be .  Family bibles can contain information about   marriages, births and deaths carefully recorded on the pages within.

enquire if anyone else in the family has done genealogy . If so, determine how you can obtain a copy

Family heirlooms often contains clues :

  • places and names are written on the backs of old photographs .
  • Inscriptions on the inside of a book commemorating a birthday or a vacation .
  • Family scrapbooks that contain historic newspaper obituaries and articles , programs from concerts , plays,  and graduations .
  • Monogrammed flatware.

There are many different types of family artifacts :

  • Certificates and other family records – birth baptismal, first communion, church confirmation , marriage ,  death and burial , wills, divorce and lawsuits . 
  • Adoption records
  • Journals
  • Funeral cards
  • Report cards  

Develop a system to organize the material . Organizing all of this material is difficult if you don’t have a method .  You will want to create a filing system using both electronic and traditional techniques.  Use binders or folders with the surname as the tag, putting items relating to the surname together. Later when you have time , peruse each folder or binder carefuly, extracting pertinent information.

Make sure to cross reference your electronic files to your paper files .

Don’t forget to backup your research in another location .  Many invaluable family memorabilia have been ruined by natural disasters , as well as simply by the apathy of others who did not know they were handling did not know the value of the treasures . 

 

 

 

Filed under: General