When Genealogy Research Takes You to a Foreign Country

If you have reached a point in your genealogy research that is now taking you "across the pond" don't despair, researching a foreign country isn't that different from one country to another. I know this sounds intimidating and can be overwhelming to you but it really isn't.

Many genealogist will stop at this point in there research because of this but there is only a few obstacles you have to learn about like a language barrier and the differences in the records and you will be on your research road again in know time. The research skills that you have been using will easily transfer to the new country you need to research in.

There are some basic things you need to start with; these are what you did when you very first started researching your family line. You didn't know a whole lot so you learned as you progresses.

You didn't know about the country, the changing of geographic boundaries, census, wars, or religion uprisings. You have to take the steps as if you were starting your genealogy research for the first time with a new country.

You should get a good history book on the country and learn all you can about the events and what the people believed in that shaped their lives through the centuries. Join mailing lists from the country you need to research. These groups are wonderful in helping people from other countries that don't live there and ask lots of question about everything you can think of. Don't forget to ask questions as you go along in your research. Sometimes people start out with mailing lists but forget about them as time goes.

Maps are a great way for you to learn the countries geography and boundaries of counties or parishes. You can purchase maps or find them on line for viewing.

The language barrier is the biggest obstacle that people encounter because most genealogical records are in the language of their native country. Don't let this stop you, it will slow your progress somewhat but should not stop you all together. Genealogy has been mostly combined in the most common languages that are used around the world. The Internet is a wonderful tool to use; google for example has a translation tool that comes up with in searching for websites that are from a different language. Many foreign websites now offer a translation for many languages and of course there are translators that are able to translate records for you for a fee.

When you first start searching you will probably get discouraged and it will seem impossible but don't give up, as you go along you will quickly lean enough basic words to understand the records and how they are listed. Don't forget the mailing list you have joined. If you have a word or words that you don't know they will help you translate.

When researching in a foreign country you will find that the records are kept in basically the same areas that yours are in your own country. The governments have the same documents like births, marriages and deaths, census records, historic newspapers, and religious documents. You basically have to learn what the time frames are that the records were started and where they are held.

Your first starting point is to check with the World GenWeb site for the country or region you are interested in researching. Many records have been transcribed and are available on the Internet. Many genealogical groups and historical groups have translated records and made them available online also. There are millions of foreign documents that are online just be doing a google search if you know what you are looking for, this will come in time as you progress and learn about the country.

Don't forget to check with the Family History Library Catalog. They don't have everything online but this will tell you what they have to offer when you visit your local Family History Center.

Just remember that when you are researching in a foreign country it will be slow go for awhile but with time you will learn a lot and don't forget to ask questions.