Genealogy 101
Suggestions for Beginners

In order to trace your family history, you need first to question the older members of your family. Encourage them to talk about their childhood and their relatives. Use a tape recorder if possible. Make notes and follow up on everything that hints of a family connection. Fill out a chart as completely as possible for each of your parents.

After you have heard all the �facts,� you must verify them from other sources. Visit your local library and inquire what historical and genealogical information is available, and consult those that relate to the geographic area of your interest. You should know something about the geographic area and history of the country or town in order to know what you can expect to find.

You will also need to ask the librarian how to use the library, what sources are available, if there are genealogy classes offered in the area, and for names and addresses of historical or genealogical societies. Find out if there are patriotic or other societies for which there are proven lineage membership requirements, such as the Daughters/Sons of the American Revolution. Most important, learn to ask the right questions.

Your next visit will be to the local courthouse to find out what is there. Be sure to ask about the will, deed, and marriage books, and how they are recorded. Look for genealogical clues that mention the surnames you are interested in. Check all conceivable variant spellings. Make notes on all data and be sure to cite your sources. Wills often give names of spouses and children. Deeds sometimes mention spouses and children or brothers and sisters. Marriage records often mention a bondsman, who is frequently a family member. If the couple was underage it will usually list a parent or guardian.

When birth and death records are not available, Bible records or tombstone inscriptions can provide vital information. Church records should also be checked for birth and death information.

Record all your findings systematically, indicating the source for each fact. Use printed family group sheets and pedigree charts. Create and organize a filing system so that you can locate what you have.

The Kentucky Historical Society does not have the staff to do extensive research. Our records are open to the public five days a week: Tuesday through Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., except some state holidays. Staff is always available for help and direction.

FURTHER READING:

Allen, Desmond Walls. First steps in Genealogy: A Beginner's Guide to Researching Your Family History. Cincinnati, Ohio: Betterway Books, 1998. KHS Library--General Stacks 929.1 A425.
Bentley, Elizabeth, Petty. County Courthouse Book. Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1995. KHS Library-General Stacks 929.1 B477.
___ The Genealogist's Address Book. Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1995. KHS Library-General Stacks 929.1 B477g.
Carmack, Sharon DeBartolo. A Genealogist's Guide to Discovering your Female Ancestors. Cincinnatti, Ohio: Betterway Books, 1998. KHS Library-General Stacks 929.1 C287ge.
___ Organizing Your Family History Search: Efficient and Effective Ways to Gather and Protect Your Genealogical Research. Cincinnati, Ohio: Betterway Books, 1999. KHS Library-General Stacks 929.1 C287o.
Croom, Emily Anne. Unpuzzling Your Past: A Basic Guide to Genealogy. Cincinnati, Ohio: Betterway Books, 1995. KHS Library-General Stacks 929.1 C948u.
Everton, George B., ed. Handy Book for Genealogists. Logan, Ut., Everton Pulishers, Inc., 1981. KHS Library-General Stacks 929.1 E93.
Howells. Cyndi. Netting Your Ancestors: Genealogical Research on the Internet. Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1997. KHS Library-General Stacks 929.10285 H859.
Lackey, Richard S. Cite Your Sources: A Manual for Documenting Family Histories and Genealogical Records. New Orleans, La.: Polyanthos, 1980. KHS Library-General Stacks 929.3 L141s.
Mills, Elizabeth S. Evidence! Citation and Analysis for the Family Historian. Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1997. KHS Library-General Stacks 929.1 M657e.
Pfeiffer, Laura Szucs. Hidden Sources: Family History in Unlikely Places. Orem, Ut.: Ancestry, 2000. KHS Library-General Stacks 929.1 P526h
Szucs, Loretto Dennis, and Sandra Hargreaves Luebking, eds. The Source: A Guidebook of American Genealogy. Rev. ed. Salt Lake City, Ut: Ancestry, 1997. KHS Library-Reference Collection 929.1 S724 1997. An in-depth, standard genealogy text. Chapter 1 discusses beginning genealogy research.
Zimmerman, William. How to Tape Instant Oral Biographies. Cincinnati, Ohio: Betterway Books, 1999. KHS Library-General Stacks 907.2 Z72 1999.

ONLINE RESOURCES:

Ancestry.com Learning Center
Research Guidance (LDS FamilySearch.org)
Genealogy Learning Center (Genealogy.com)
References for Researching (National Genealogical Society)
Standards for Sound Genealogical Research (National Genealogical Society)