Genealogy Tool Kit

Now that you've decided to embark on a search of your ancestry, you'll need to use charts and forms to record and track information. These put your findings into a cohesive order that can be easily used to keep up with your ancestral lineage.

If you are going to conduct your search on premises at Broward County Main Library or the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center, both of which are located in the downtown Fort Lauderdale area, you can directly access the electronic database Ancestry.Com.

Ancestry.Com is an invaluable tool for starting and continuing your family history. It is free and open to the public during library hours. Additionally, trained and professional librarians are on hand to assist you with your search.

Here are the basic genealogy charts and forms that can be downloaded or printed from Ancestry.Com and their purposes:

• Ancestral Chart: An ancestor chart records the ancestors from whom you directly descend and for whom you intend to compile a complete and correct family unit. It shows at a glance the progress you've made toward your goal, as well as what remains to be done.
• Research Calendar: This will give an account of every record that you have searched.
• Research Extract:  Summarizes information which may be time-consuming or difficult to reread quickly.
• Correspondence Record: Keeps track of everyone you've corresponded with during your search, whether they're family, genealogical or historical organizations or other sources.
• Source Summary: Provides a quick and easy to use reference to keep track of all of the information and sources you've found for a particular family.

Many other free, downloadable forms, documents and charts are available from the World Wide Web. You can research yourself using search engines, or get help from a genealogical professional or librarian. Other charts and forms include:

• Genealogy Research Check Lists: Practical lists that show all resources available, allowing you to track the ones you've searched already.
• Downloadable Census Forms for the United States, Canada, and other countries.
• Vital Records such as court records, land records, military service records, birth, death and marriage records and others.

Basic genealogy and family history is a relatively inexpensive hobby to pursue, and you will find many resources in your search, such as the public library, historical societies, and public records that can help you trace your family's roots for nominal fees.

Getting organized - with the right charts and forms - is your first step in getting started.