Be conscious of the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS), especially if you're seeking membership to ancestrally linked organizations such as the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Be critical of all information. Family members can misremember events, misattribute familial connections, etcetera. But do not necessarily discount them out of hand. Even seemingly far-fetched stories might contain a kernel of truth. Primary documentation, as vital as it is, can also occasionally be wrong. Remember that census takers and other government agents were only human, and as they say, “to err is human.” Corroborate as much as possible. The more proof that you have on your side, the better.
Be careful of confirmation bias and drawing conclusions too early in your research. Allow for error and be prepared to accept new information that might be critical of your own preconceived notions. Remember, not everyone can possibly be related to Mary Queen of Scots!
Try reading various how-to guides on researching genealogy. We have an extensive non-circulating collection in our Tennessee Room, starting at call number “TR 929.1,” as well as a smaller circulating collection starting in “929.1”. Tips can also be found online through various genealogical societies and organizations.
During your research
Document and organize your research! Some information might seem easy to remember at the time, but could still be forgotten in the greater shuffle. Think that a piece of information might be useful? Write it down! Create research logs to remember what, when, and where you’ve seen the research. Using an archival resource? Remember to write down all information available (e.g., collection name, box number, folder number, AND item number). Making a photocopy of a few pages from a book? Don’t forget the title and copyright page! The more information you have upfront, the more time you’ll save yourself in the future. Use charts and forms to help process lineage and information, such as those available for free at: https://www.ancestry.com/download/charts.
Start backwards in time, beginning with yourself/your research subject. It’s easier to track relatives going backwards rather than forward from an obscure ancestor.
Obtain as many vital records as possible, such as birth certificates, marriage records, death certificates, etcetera. Even for family members that you think you might know everything about (such as your parents), these vital records may still surprise you with new information.
Communicate and collaborate! Remember that there are entire networks of people working towards the same goals. Consider joining a local genealogy society, such as Watauga Association of Genealogists here in the Tri-Cities, or at the very least enlisting their help. Try online message boards, such as those available at https://www.ancestry.com/boards/. Social media, such as Facebook, has become an integral tool of the modern genealogist.
Tips for using archives and libraries
Don’t rely on the internet. While websites such as Ancestry.com, FamilySearch, and the like can be wonderful tools for research (and getting better by the day), they are often incomplete and at times inaccurate. There are thousands of documents that have yet to be digitized and thus are still only available through libraries, archives, courthouses, etcetera. Expect that you might have to travel.
Location is always important! Typically the closer you are to the location of an ancestor, the better luck you will have finding records.
Be mindful and respectful of the rules and stipulations of the archives and libraries you might visit. As the National Genealogical Society points out, “follow the rules of the library or records repository without protest, even if the rules have changed since a previous visit or differ from those of another facility”.
Plan ahead! As mentioned, genealogical research often involves travel. Checking the listings ahead of time and requesting that the material be ready for you (assuming this service is offered) is both courteous and time saving for all involved. Be aware of location, parking, and when hours are open to the public.
Remember that Archivists, Genealogists, and Librarians are a tool, not a crutch. While they can be extremely useful in helping you decipher your family tree, nothing can replace the intimacy of self-discovery. They typically cannot do all the work for you, unless explicitly hired for that purpose.
Tips for interviewing for genealogy
Remember, your family members won’t be around forever. Genealogy is filled with people who regret waiting until it was too late to interview their kin and friends. To quote Roy Batty from the 1982 sci-fi classic Blade Runner, “all those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain.”
Don’t spring an interview on your family. Ask permission and establish an interview time and date. This will allow you to better prepare questions that you might have, as well as give them time to formulate potential responses.
Ask permission before recording. Some people do not like to be recorded, and thus be prepared to hand write or type a lot of notes. If they give you explicit permission, keep the recording device closer to them than to you.
Don’t wear your subject out. Most interviews only last about an hour, and if all goes well can spur into more sessions later. This will allow you to formulate some additional questions and give them additional time to drudge up memories otherwise forgotten.
Open ended questions often elicit a better response than a closed one. Try “who was your grandfather” rather than “was John Doe your grandfather”, for example. Remember that this is an interview, not an interrogation.