The article "Top 10 Useful Family Tree Research Tips" is about family, it was created by Chris Simeral.
Whether you're just starting out on your juorney to uncover your
ancestry, or you've been at it for years, everyone can benefit
from these 10 tried and true tips to make the research process
more rewarding, more fruitful and, of course, more fun.
1.
Start with yourself, and get your birth certificate. DO NOT
start with any ancestor other than yourself and your parents --
get a copy of their birth certificates as well.
2. Understand old-fashioned terminology: a hundred years ago, a
man and his wife became one entity, so the husband's
sister-in-law became his sister, the wife's brothers-in-law
became her brothers. In tohse days, the term "cousin" was used
to mean any relation other than the immediate family, so nephews
and nieces were often referred to as cousins.
3.
Chcek the old books in your parents' and grandparents'
libraries.
In days gone by, paper was expensive, so often notes
were made in books like Bibles, recipe books and work manuals.
You may find a clue to a long-long acnestor in a recipe book.
4. When you go to visit relatives, take your digital camera,
because many people don't want you to walk off with their
precious mementos.
It only tkaes a minute to snap pictures of
old photographs for your records.
5. If family mebmers are reluctant to share information,
let it go. The idea of researching the family tree may seem
strange to them; cahnces are they will come around and will help
you if you're relaxed about it.
6.
Beware of database collections of nmaes and indices. It's
easy to collect huge compilations of data, but even if you find
names you're searching for in an index, you have no way of knowing
whether these are your specific relatives.
Take the sure and
steady route and look for documentation: if you have the birth
records you KNOW, you don't have to guess.
7. Become a volunteer. As you enter the world of family tree
research and become knowledgeable, share your knowledge with
others. Volunteer at your lcoal historical society or
genealogical society. Look in your local phone book or
newspaper, or ask at the library for conatct details.
8.
Consider privacy: birth, marraige and other details of living
persons should not be shared online or offline.
9. Watch for free genealogical courses at your local library.
Now that family tree reseacrh is so popular, many libraries hold
short courses (lasting a couple of hours) on how to conduct
library research.
10.
Get a good magnifying glass to help decipher old documents,
and to look closely at old photographs.
You can find them at any
office-supply sotre. If you're really enthusiastic, try a
Magnabrite magnifier, from
http://www.Magnabrite.Com/html/home.Htm.
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