Back to Research page

How to Begin Genealogical Research (part 1)
by Mary Lou Bevers

Go to Part 2

1. It is important for you to realize and understand the difference between developing / building your family information through actual RESEARCH in appropriate records (thereby proving your claims with supporting evidence)--vs. that of merely collecting names, many without dates and places cited--much less any supporting evidence that the lineage is correct. The old saying "Anything that is worth doing is worth doing well" is certainly true with genealogy. Don't assume something is correct just because someone says so. Verify it with research.
2. ORGANIZE your known information onto pedigree charts and family group sheets. It is good to obtain birth, death, and marriage records even for your parents and grandparents, even though you probably know most of the information revealed therein. If you later decide to join a lineage society (DAR, SAR, etc.) you will need them anyway for that.
3. These charts are your WORKSHEETS/ROAD MAP. They provide a quick reference to what you know, and allow you to determine what you need to know next and in what records that desired information should or might be found. (See my article about good sources.)
4. Learn what records should produce what information.
5. Be very careful in choosing your method of record keeping. It must have the capability to note multiple sources of information for every name, date, and place on your pedigree chart and family group sheet for quick reference. Handwritten information on colored paper forms can be simple and easy to use, although most researchers now use computer programs which have varying capabilities and advantages, but also limitations and disadvantages.
6. Obtain COPIES of your proof documents as you find them. Finding information from multiple sources strengthens your case if it agrees, or indicates the need for deeper research if it disagrees. Studying the documents periodically often reveals clues previously missed.
7. The reason for learning who the SIBLINGS of your ancestor were is that often information about the siblings can lead to the desired information you need for your own. Example: Perhaps a death record is not available for your grandmother, but if you have documents that prove who her siblings were, then maybe their death records might give parent information, etc. There might also be a biography about some of them that would give family background information. If you don't "know" the siblings, then you can't recognize them in the records! Knowing who the siblings and in-laws were can help sort out individuals with the same name.
8. Pay close attention to who were your ancestor's NEIGHBORS, WITNESSES to their business transactions (marriages, deeds, etc.), GUARDIANS or GODPARENTS of their children, and other close associates. All persons in these categories may be potential relatives of your ancestor -- and investigating them can provide clues for you to work with in developing your pedigree.
9. Learn about the HISTORY of the area where your people lived so that you can determine where the appropriate records should be found. (See my article about boundary changes).
10. Dates should always be written as 15 June 1867. This method alleviates any misinterpretation. Never use numerals for the month, and always indicate the complete year.
11. A very helpful tool to assist you with your research is to make a LIFE CHRONOLOGY SHEET/TIMELINE for each ancestor for whom you are trying to find information. Begin with the ancestor's year of birth, skip a few lines (in case you do find some event as a child), then beginning about age 15 make a line for every year of his life. As you discover his activities, write the location on the proper year line, and what the act or event was. Example: 1916 Posey Co. IN married Mary Jones 23 May. Developing this form provides a quick reference as to where he was at a given time and will help direct you to appropriate records.

    A census record, for example, might indicate from his children's ages and birthplaces that: about 1895, son John was born in NC; about 1897 daughter Mary was born in TN; about 1899 daughter Nancy was born in Tn. In 1900 you found them in Perry Co., IN. About 1903 son Joseph was born in IL; about 1906 son Robert was born in IL; about 1909 daughter Rebecca was born in IN, and in 1910 you find them in the Spencer Co., IN censuses; thus, you track the family from North Carolina to Tennessee, to Indiana, to Illinois, and then back to Indiana. Searching court records in these areas in which they lived might reveal records pertaining to where in North Carolina they came from. Having this track record together in one place can be a tremendous help.

This is what RESEARCH is--finding clues to lead you to records that prove relationships. You build your case one or two facts at a time, and base continuing research on those proven facts. If the information you are working with is incorrect, then you are wasting your time.