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Genealogy
What is Genealogy?
Genealogy, the study of the origin of families, is undertaken by many people out of interest in their personal and family origins. Amateur or professional genealogists conduct research and use many resources to produce accurate information about a family's ancestors and origins.
The term "Family History" used to be regarded as synonymous with genealogy, but it really applies to biographical research into one's ancestors. The goal of a family history is to create a well-documented narrative history of interest to family members and future generations.
Getting Started
The best way to start tracing your family's root is by talking. Ask your parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles or anyone else willing to share with you.
Questions to ask include…
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When/where were they born and, where did they grow up?
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What were their parent's names, and when/where did they marry?
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Where are their parents buried and when did they pass away? Are other family members buried there or close by?
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Who were their aunts/uncles/cousins? Do they know when/where they were born, married, lived, buried?
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Who are their oldest living relatives?
Bring a tape recorder with extra tapes and batteries to your genealogy "interview," as well as a camera- many people will be happy to let you see their old photos and documents but may not let you take them to make copies.
What next? The detective work begins, and it's time to start looking for records. Online searches are now one of the easiest ways to get started with your search, and Broward County Library offers two extensive databases to help with your research.
Reference and Research
Decide your goal: Develop a plan and think about which family lines you'd like to trace. Three common plans are:
Family Tree: Shows male-line ancestors and their wives, siblings and children.
Just collecting names and dates only can be boring; try also to gain information and understanding about your ancestors and the lives they led, and the locations and periods in which they lived. This way, you go past genealogy into family history.
Work backwards
This means working from known information about already-identified ancestors. This is much easier and profitable than trying to work forwards, e.g. seeking descendants of the famous historical figure that family legend claims as an ancestor of yours in hope of eventually reaching your own family.
Document your sources
You may need to review your sources, someone may want to verify your research, or someone may need to pick up where you left off. Keep a careful record of what searches you have done, even if you've found nothing - it may keep you from searching the same record or source again.
Has it already been done?
Check directories such as the annual Genealogical Research Directory that are published for this purpose as well as various online directories - there might already be a pedigree for your family.
Use the LDS Family History
The preeminent source of genealogical information is the Family History Library of the Church of Latter-Day Saints (the Mormons). There is an online catalogue of this immense library, and there are Family History Center locations throughout the country which are branches of the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Family History Library produces the International Genealogical Index, an important information source that contains millions of entries, mainly of baptisms and marriages. Some entries are taken straight from government records while others were provided by individuals. Check locally for a Family History Center in your area.
Use the Main Library or African-American Research Library and Cultural Center to search thousands of genealogy and records databases online through AncestryLibrary Edition database. Public access computers at these two libraries have access to this database.
Ancestry Library Edition is easy to use and navigate, and provides access to many online resources that make searching for your family history simple and fun. Searches are divided into three main categories: historical records, stories and publications, and photos and maps.
Within these categories there are an enormous range of sources available including census records, birth, marriage and death records, immigration information, military records, and newspapers. Information is culled from a wide range of places - you can access Civil War records, check passenger lists from Ellis Island, look up property records around the country and check census records from around the world.
There are three main methods for searching the databases on Ancestry Library Edition - global (to check all Ancestry Library's databases), advanced (to get more time- or name-specific information) or individual (to search any Ancestry Library database individually). Simple instructions make searching easy, and Ancestry Library's "Help" feature answers questions clearly and thoroughly.
Downloadable Charts and Forms
Keeping records of your research is a crucial part of the genealogy process. Ancestry Library offers these free downloadable forms and charts to help track your progress.
Ancestral Charts: Allows you to chart the ancestors from whom you directly descend
Research Calendars: Gives an account of every record source you have searched.
Research Extract: Summarizes information which may be time-consuming or difficult to reread quickly
Correspondence: Helps you keep track of those with whom you have corresponded.
Family Group Sheets: Enables you to compile complete, correct and connect families.
Source Summary: Provides quick reference to information and sources you have found for a particular family.
U.S. Census Forms: Allows you to read column headings and record information from the U.S. census.
U.K. Census Forms: Allows you to read column headings and record information from the U.K. census.
Canadian Census Forms: Allows you to read column headings and record information from the Canadian Census.
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