Genealogy: What is it and How Do I Get Started?

Genealogy is the study of family pedigrees. Many people also use the term family history to describe this, but in most circles family history usually means collecting stories more than the study of the family tree. Genealogy has become more and more popular as a hobby especially with the introduction of the internet which makes it easier to do the research.

Genealogical Research Sources

One of the biggest resources for genealogical data comes from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also known as LDS or Mormons). They set up a huge project of copying and collecting genealogical data from all over the world. The Mormon Church has a large library; the Family History Library located in Salt Lake City, Utah, but there are also more than 4,000 branches where anyone can do research. The Mormon Church also offers FamilySearch a free website with access to many of its records. The Mormon Church is not the only source for information, there are also other resources such as ancestry.com and GenDir an online genealogical directory.

Some of the records which are commonly used in genealogical research are: vital records, baptism or christening records, adoption records, cemetery and tombstone records, census records, biographies, criminal records, diaries, letters, family Bibles, land and deed records, immigration and naturalization records, school records, tax and voter registration records, newspapers, obituaries, passports, photographs, ship logs, oral histories, and anything else that might give a clue into family relationships or a person's life.

So how do you get started?

Generally it is best to start with what you already know. Write out your family pedigree, then go to other sources to help fill in gaps. Talk to parents, grandparents or anyone else who might be able give you more information. When you have exhausted these resources think about what you would like to find out. If you have dates missing for major events of family members such as birth, marriage and death dates, you may want to start by trying to find these. After gathering information you will want to verify it and make sure that you don't have conflicting dates. If compiling dates and names is not appealing to you, another way to help preserve your family history is by writing down your personal history or the personal histories of family members.

Ideas for compiling a personal history

When compiling a personal history or the history of another family member here are some things that you will not want to forget to discuss. These questions are also good things to think about if you have been asked to give a eulogy or prepare an obituary.

Birth/childhood: When were they born? Do they know any stories about their birth? Stories about their childhood? Where did they live as a child? Where did they go to school? How many siblings did they have? Did they have a nickname as a child? Were there any family traditions that they remember?

Teen/Young adulthood: Where was their first job? Did they pursue higher education?

Courtship/Marriage: How did they meet their spouse? How long did they know each other before getting married? When did they get married? What was the wedding like? Who attended the wedding?

Family/Children: How many children did you have? What were their names? Where were they born? When were they born? What were their personalities like?

Personal: What are your characteristics, hobbies, personality traits? What are some things you have learned? Were you a different person when you were younger? What would you want your children or grandchildren to know about you? What historical events do you remember the most? Which historical events impacted you the most?