Contents
,PART I Begin Your Family History Odyssey
Understand the Difference Between Genealogy and Family History
Assess What Constitutes a Family
Motivations for Genealogical Research
Documentary, Hearsay, and Genetic Evidence
CHAPTER 2 How Do I Get Started?
Start at the Beginning: Yourself and Your Family
Discover Sources of Information in Your Own Home
Vital Records and Civil Registration Records
Marriage Books and Photograph Albums
Funeral Books and Memorial Cards
Search for the Less-Than-Obvious Items
Consider Several Types of Interviews
Schedule Interviews for Best Results
Use the Right Equipment for Your Interviews
Begin to Organize What You Find
CHAPTER 3 Balance Traditional, Electronic, and Genetic Research
Be a Modern Genealogical Researcher
Understand Traditional Research
Discover Documentary Evidence and Where It Is Found
Books, Journals, and Periodicals
Manuscripts and Oral Histories
Documents from Many Traditional Locations and Sources
Learn About Electronic Research Materials
Understand Electronic Research Materials
Compilations, Directories, and Specialized Indexes
Subscription Internet Sites for Genealogy
Streaming Video from Conferences
Include DNA Testing in Your Research
Integrate Traditional, Electronic, and Genetic Research Findings
CHAPTER 4 Analyze and Organize Your Family Information
Understand the Genealogical Proof Standard
Recognize and Evaluate Original vs. Derivative Sources
Understand Types of Derivative Sources
Avoid Errors in Derivative Sources
Evaluate Primary vs. Secondary Information in Original Records
Apply Critical Thinking Skills to Your Genealogical Research
Place Your Ancestors into Context
Format Names, Dates, and Locations Correctly
Record Multiple Family Units with a Common Spouse
How to Handle Non-traditional Family Units
How to Record Adopted Children
Create Source Citations for Your Data
CHAPTER 5 Place Ancestors into Context and Locate Their Basic Records
Place Your Ancestors into Context
State and Provincial Histories
Use Maps to Locate the Right Place to Research
Use Maps for Multiple Purposes
Locate Birth, Marriage, and Death Records
Find Marriage Licenses and Certificates
Locate Domestic Partnership and Civil Partnership Records
Deal with Suspected Name Changes
CHAPTER 6 Use Census Schedules and Records to Locate Your Ancestors
Locate and Access Census Records in the Digital Age
Understand and Work with United States Census Records
Understand Originals vs. Copies of Census Documents
Use Strategies to Work with Population Schedules
Don’t Overlook the 1885 Census
Use Substitutes for the 1890 Census
Use More than Just the Population Schedules
Use Census Finding Aids to Locate Your Ancestors
Use Excellent U.S. Census Reference Books
Access the Census Images on Microfilm and in Online Databases
Don’t Forget to Search State Censuses
Understand and Work with British and Irish Census Records
Work with England’s and Wales’ Census Records
Learn the Status of Irish Census Records
Use Quality Reference Materials When Working with British and Irish Census Records
Access the Census Records for Britain and Ireland
Access the Records of the 1939 National Identity Card Registration
Understand and Work with Canadian Census Records
Explore the Depth of the 1871 Census for Canada
Locate Additional Information on the Censuses
CHAPTER 7 Extend Your Research with Advanced Record Types
Determine What Records the Institution Might Have Created
Interpret, Evaluate, and Place the Records into Perspective
Consider a Variety of Religious Records
Obtain and Analyze Mortuary and Funeral Home Records
Read Between the Lines in Obituaries
Locate and Delve into Cemetery Records
Search for Other Death-Related Documents
Get Inside Your Ancestor’s Mind Using Wills and Probate Records
Understand the Meaning of a Will and Testament
Understand the Probate Process
Learn What a Will Can Tell You—Literally and by Implication
Examine the Contents of a Probate Packet
Watch for Clues and Pointers in the Probate Packet
Remember Why You Really Want to Examine Documents Yourself
Locate and Obtain Copies of Wills and Probate Documents
Obtain Information from the Social Security Administration and Railroad Retirement Board
Obtain Information from the Social Security Administration
Obtain Information from the Railroad Retirement Board
Use Historical Newspapers to Learn About Your Ancestor’s Life Events
Consider Other Institutional Record Types
CHAPTER 8 Use the Many Types of Military Service Records
Expand Your Knowledge of Military Service
Investigate Military History for the Appropriate Time Period
Identify Possible Sources for Military Records
Locate Military Records in the United States
Locate Canadian Military Records
Locate Military Records in the United Kingdom
Locate Australian Military Records
Examine Samples of Military Records
Locate Enlistment and Draft Registration Records
Military Muster Rolls and Pay Records
Seek Out Educational and Training Records
Look for Military Station and Duty Assignment Orders
Locate Military Discharge and Separation Records
Locate Other Military-Related Records
CHAPTER 9 Understand and Use Land and Property Records
Locate and Use Land and Property Records in the United States
Learn About the Organization of State and Public Lands
Locate Land and Property Records
Learn About Land and Property Records in Canada
Learn About Land and Property Records in the United Kingdom
Locate Land and Property Records Online
Place Your Ancestors into Context with Property Records
CHAPTER 10 Locate and Use Immigration and Naturalization Records
Locate and Use U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Records
Learn About How Our Ancestors Traveled
Learn About the History of Ships’ Passenger Lists
Learn About U.S. Passport Records
Locate and Access Canadian Immigration Records
Locate and Access Australian Immigration Records
Learn About Australian History
Locate the Existing Australian Immigration Records
Use Strategies for Determining Your Ancestor’s Migration Path
Locate and Use the U.S. Federal Census Population Schedules
Use City and Telephone Directories
Refer to Vital Documents and Ecclesiastical Records
Don’t Overlook Voter Registration and Jury Records
Look for Books About Early Settlers
Use Other Strategies for Determining Your Ancestor’s Place of Origin
Look at Home for Letters Written in Another Language
Pay Attention to Family Physical Traits
Use the Resources at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Website
Understand the Naturalization Process
Locate Repositories Where Naturalization and Related Documents Are Housed
Work Immigration, Naturalization, and Census Records in Tandem
CHAPTER 11 Discover Where to Locate Evidence About Your Family
Determine Where to Look for Different Document Types
Use Indexes and Other Finding Aids
Learn How to Use the Library Catalog
Start with What Has Already Been Done
Use the Library of Congress Online Catalog
Use the FamilySearch Catalog and the LDS Family History Centers
Consult Reference Books and Other Resources
Locate the Repository on the Internet
Seek Help from a State, Provincial, or National Library or Archive
Contact Genealogical and Historical Societies at All Levels
Engage a Professional Researcher
Deal with Closed or Limited Access to Materials
Be Prepared to Provide Proof of Your Relationship
Provide Letters of Authorization or Permission to Access
Invoke the Use of the Freedom of Information Act
Order Document Copies by Postal Mail, Email, and Online
Keep Track of Your Correspondence
Set Up and Use a Filing System
Summary Regarding Filing Systems
PART III Employ Advanced Strategies and Electronic Tools
CHAPTER 12 Assess Internet Websites to More Successfully Research Your Ancestors
Categorize the Major Types of Internet Resources
Categorize the Major Types of Genealogical Web Page Resources
“How-to,” Educational, and Reference Sites
Structure Effective Searches to Locate Information
Define the Difference Between Search Engines and Directories
Use a Search Engine to Get Great Results
Use Another Way to Fine-Tune Your Google Searches
Use Mailing Lists and Message Boards to Share Information and Collaborate with Others
Write Effective Messages and Postings That Get Results
Locate and Use Additional Resources in Your Research
Historical and Biographical Resources
People Finders and Telephone Directories
CHAPTER 13 Research and Verify Your Ancestors Using Genetic Genealogy (DNA)
Learn About DNA and Its Place in Genealogical Research
Learn About Genetic Testing Services
Join a DNA Surname Project on the Internet
Learn More About Genetic Genealogy
CHAPTER 14 Use Alternative Research Strategies to Locate Difficult-to-Find Ancestors
Recognize When You Have Hit a “Brick Wall”
Look for Alternate Record Types
Take a Fresh Look at Your Evidence
Reevaluate the Quality of Your Sources
Widen the Scope of Your Search to Include New and Different Sources
Use Photographs in Your Family Research
Learn About the Types of Photographs
Date Photographs Using Clothing and Hair Fashions
Switch to Another Family Member to Bypass Your Roadblock
Seek Help from Libraries, Archives, Museums, and Societies
Engage the Help of a Professional Researcher
Locate a Qualified Professional Genealogical Researcher
Define the Scope of the Work to Be Performed
Establish Guidelines, Goals, and Milestones
Consider Some Common Brick Walls
CHAPTER 15 Incorporate Social Networking into Your Genealogy Research
Use Wikis and Collaborate with Others
Enjoy Podcasts and Online Radio Broadcasts
Learn More About Genealogical Research with Internet Videos
Attend Live Webinars and Access Recorded Webinars
Learn About and Use the Latest Social Media Resources
Learn About Hardware and Software for the Tech-Savvy Genealogist
Use Smartphone Apps for Genealogy-on-the-Go
BillionGraves Camera App (Free & Fee)
Family Tree History and Genealogy Coat of Arms of Last Names (Free & Fee)
National Geographic World Atlas (Free)