Genealogy

RELATED GUIDES

Write down what you know
Start with yourself, or the person you are doing genealogical research for, and work backwards. Enter all the information you already have. For example, write down dates and places for significant events in each person's life such as birth, christening, graduation, marriage, children, death, etc. Try to be as explicit as possible in your research - include middle names rather than initials, write out state names instead of using abbreviations and so on.
Decide what you want to learn
Now that you've written down what you know about the person you are researching, ask yourself "what am I missing?" Marriage info? military service? education? profession?
Choose a source of information
Based on the type of information you need, select an appropriate source. For example, vital records for birth, marriage or death information. The following books, located in the Reference Collection, include listings of sources for genealogical research:
- The Source: A Guidebook Of American Genealogy (REF CS49 .S49 1997
- Printed Sources: A Guide To Published Genealogical Records (REF CS9 .P75 1998)
Learn from your source
Use the source to fill in the missing pieces of information. Does it bring up any additional questions? Did it answer any other questions about your subject?
Use what you learn
Update your research, including documenting your source. This avoids duplication, and makes it easier to refer back to the source later.