Getting Started With Genealogy
The word genealogy brings to mind a Bible page, mementos or an
obituary, especially when a close relative passes away. A dictionary
definition reads: A record of the ancestry and descent of a person.
Today, it's family history, instead of just genealogy. Family history
is about people who lived, worshipped, and toiled to make our world
better than theirs.
These things are what make up a "Family History", a complete accounting
of their lives, their times and their ways; things which make each of
us unique, and individual. Taken together, they create the 'glue' which
holds us together in family ties.
So they are no longer "just" the donors of our unique DNA, or the
building blocks of our biology, they are part of us in a way that no
other small group of people could be- even adopted children become a
real part of our family by taking on family characteristics.
Begin now to write your own unique history, including you, your parents
and grandparents. Ask questions, find names in Bibles, legal papers or
journals; keep dated news clips and certificates too.
A local Family History Library can help you get started with a free
computer program; this will help you by grouping fathers, mothers and
children together. It will have a place for notes, sources, and other
important information, like maiden names.
Generally the next step is to search census records as they list every
member in each household. Keeping notes and filing is important,
especially when you get large amounts of information.
A good way is to use a small tape recorder and record conversations
with grandparents and older family members; it can be transcribed later
and printed. Military records are online and are great sources of
information, and it's all free at your local Family History Library
(just look in the telephone book).
Next, write your history. It's a good idea to present the family
information in story form, following the generations as they move from
place to place. Your computer will store information and pictures of
family members along with the written history and charts. The genealogy
programs available today have places for pictures of each individual.
Or you can print, copy or have them professionally published.
However you decide to do it, your history will be cherished by your
children and grandchildren; they'll know who they are, they'll develop
pride and self-confidence as they read about the accomplishments of
their own predecessors.
About Author
Andrea Holycross Burke, genealogist/consultant with the Family
History Library of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints,
Salt Lake City, Utah. Affiliate with the website Random Acts of
Genealogical Kindness http://www.raogk.org; contributor to http://www.findagrave.com and Rootsweb.com
