Family Search.org, through a social media marketing firm "97th Floor", contacted me asking if I would like them to produce an article for this blog. I consider that an honor. It is my plan to encourage participants of common families or of products and websites I like to post here.
I especially encourage that on the research sites I am publishing. You can find those in the right hand column.Currently I am serving in the training zone. We give each new Family History Church Headquarters Missionaries two weeks of one on one training. In that training they are taught that the first place they go to search is http://familysearch.org/
The article below is the guest article. Enjoy.
Researching Your Roots
Family historians can be found throughout the world quietly working from their home computer while trying to piece together their past. You can receive tremendous satisfaction when you discover your family origins and how your ancestors have impacted the kind of person you are today.If you’re ready to begin your personal historical journey, there are numerous places to find information from the comfort of your own home. Online resources abound, including the free website FamilySearch.org, which contains data from the 1940 census release.
Beginning Your Search
The best way to begin is by gathering details and records concerning your family. There are several ways you can accomplish this enjoyable task:- Go to FamilySearch.org and other helpful websites. You may find answers to some questions have already been researched by other family members. Use that information as a starting block while confirming its truth on your own.
- Talk to relatives and ask specific questions. You will want to develop a timeline, but don’t underestimate the importance of discussing each person’s values. You may find that some of the things you believe in have deep roots. Also, find out about family traditions. Consider documenting your interviews by audio or video.
- Start with interviewing your oldest living relatives first so that vital information isn’t lost when the person passes away or has memory problems.
- Look for all types of legal documents such as death certificates, marriage certificates, licenses, school records and real estate transactions.
- Don’t be shy! Call or write your extended family members for help.
- Attend family reunions
- Read diaries and journals
- Visit hometowns and cemeteries
- Look for memorabilia. Ask your parents or grandparents if you can go through basements, attics and sheds.
What’s Available on FamilySearch.org
FamilySearch.org offers a wealth of data including online genealogy training courses, access to indexing and creating family trees for your personal family history work. If you’d like to contribute to the genealogical cause, you can assist in indexing the 1940 census that was recently released.FamilySearch.org also hosts family search forums where you can ask a multitude of questions and connect with people from around the globe. Their Research Wiki is a great resource for free family history research advice. It contains information provided by community members for anyone else in the community.
No comments:
Post a Comment