Tips and Links

Genealogy Tips for Beginners

Family history/genealogy research is time-consuming, but a very exciting and rewarding hobby. Here are a few helpful hints for those just beginning their research:

• • Begin by compiling all information that you already know on a chart, many of which can be found free online. One can be found here. If you do not know exact dates,

  • write in approximate dates. Next, ask family members for additional information. Cousins, uncles, aunts, siblings, and parents may know names, dates, and location that you do not. If possible, get the family history chart back to 1939, since the most recent publically available census is from 1940.

  • When your search for data begins, use primary sources (such as original letters, census records, vital records, church records, or an individual who witnessed events first-hand) whenever possible.

  • Always cite where you found your information/records. Visit this PDF file for citation examples.

  • Be open-minded about potential spelling changes to names or transcription errors when searching for your ancestors.

  • The amount of genealogical information on the internet increases every day. You can find some real gems online. However, I suggest that all information on the internet be verified by using primary sources, when possible. Look for resources that are either digitized primary sources (such as census records, official birth, marriage, and death records, and baptisms) or secondary documents that have complete citations.

  • Distinguish between user-submitted data and official documents. User-submitted data (found on FamilySearch, for instance) may contain incorrect information. Always look for citations that lead to primary sources.

If you would like more advice or research assistance, I offer advisory services. Please visit the 'My Services' page on this site. You can also contact your local genealogical society for a schedule of workshops or attend a genealogy conference. Visit the Federation of Genealogical Society’s Society Hall to find the nearest genealogical society.

Genealogy Books and Links

Books and Journals

• • Crash Course in Genealogy by David R. Dowell. This guide covers basic genealogical research principles and the most-used sources in discovering your ancestors. The information in this book is helpful to both genealogists seeking ancestors inside and outside of the United States. Find it at a library near you.

  • Family Tree Magazine is a magazine published in Cincinnati by F+W Media, Inc. The bi-monthly magazine has articles on a variety of topics, including beginning genealogy, and the use of certain types of records; for instance, census, tax or land records. Their website also has helpful hints. Find it at a library near you.

  • Genealogy 101: How to trace your family’s history and heritage by Barbara Renick. This book explains to new genealogy researchers the steps needed to find ancestors using a variety of records and research methods. Find it at a library near you.

  • NGS Quarterly is a magazine that has been published by the National Genealogical Society since 1912. It has articles on a variety of topics as well as case studies to explore the use of certain types of records in family history research. Find it at a library near you.

  • The Researcher’s Guide to American Genealogy, Third Edition by Val D. Greenwood. This guide is easy to use and easy to understand yet gives in-depth information broken down by record type, providing record location, explaining their uses, and evaluating each of them as potential genealogical resources. Find it at a library near

  • you. Who Do You Think You Are?: The Essential Guide to Tracing Your Family History by Meg Smolenyak. An easy, yet enjoyable, read explaining the basics of family history research and record types. It is a companion guide to the hit TV series, Who Do You Think You Are?. Find it in a library near you.

Online Resources

• • Ancestry.com - This database includes the United States Census from 1790-1930, numerous military, court and vital record indexes, and the largest online collection of passenger lists, among other items. It is available for free at some public libraries or by subscription from home.

  • Cyndi’s List of Genealogy Sites on the Internet - This site is a genealogical subject directory. Click on ‘Categories’ on the menu bar and search the categories, for instance, a specific state in the United States or a particular ethnicity, you are interested in.

  • FamilySearch - This site is run by the Church of the Latter-day Saints of Jesus Christ. They have many primary sources digitized, such as selected census years, military records and vital records, as well as user-submitted data. They have Ohio Death Records from 1908-1953.