Helpful Hints For Searching - Getting Started - Family History Part 5

This is the 5th in a series of getting started on family history.

 Click here for part 1 - Build on What  You Know
 Click here for part 2 - One Thing Leads To Another
 Click here for part 3 - Use a fact/date to estimate another




Click here for part 4 -  Historically, circumstances create patterns

Taken from Diana Toland class at Riverton, Utah Family History Center
 

• Notice the neighbors - they be future in-laws
• If a child died young, the name may be given to a future sibling
• Remember names were popular and cousins may have identical names
• People may have use their first name, middle, or nickname on censuses
• Use the least common given name in the family when searching
• Registration/Christening dates may occur years after the event
• Transcripts have inaccuracies - always look at the original image
• If you can't locate a place - check the date the County was formed, or Google the place name
• When entering search information begin with the basics and add the details to narrow the results
• When a search returns "No Results" it may be to sie difficulties, try a 2nd time.

Getting Started - Family History Strategies - Part 4

This is the 4th in a series of getting started on family history.
 Click here for part 1
 Click here for part 2
 Click here for part 3

You might ask yourself why is genealogy catching on so? Well, there is a special spirit to it. If you just get started you will find that out.

Strategy # 4: Taken from Diana Toland class at Riverton, Utah Family History Center

Historically, circumstance created patterns:

Families were less mobile, they stayed more locally and lived near relatives. Don't just find a name on a census, take a look around the neighborhood. A new product is about to be introduced that will help you focus on areas. I will be a beta tester for the product. I have seen it and am excited to bring it to you.

Immigrants settled with relatives or friends, people who spoke their language. Consider this as you do your research.

Until the early/mid 1990's, births usually happened at home. 

People attended churches near their homes. Sometimes there were only 1 or 2 churches in the area. Church records are often a great source. Marriages were likely to be in a church near their home.

Aging parents often lived with one of their children. Poor and widowed may be on the church assistance rolls. Cemetaries often contained family plots. CHildren were buried near parents or grandparents. People registered their events in the Nearest jurisdiction. Check nearby county records.

Instead of searching a name, your best results are when you place yourself in a space where you are searcing understanding the times. Mobility wasn't as it is today. Employment was different, often on farms. People resourced with their families. Thinking this way makes the hunt more interesting and more successful.

Getting Started - Family History Strategies - Part 3

 

This is the 3rd in a series of getting started on family history.
Click here for part 1
Cick here for part 2

Understanding the typical time lines often helps you to estimate in a practical way to  discover facts about your ancestors.

Use a fact/date to approximate or estimate other events.

For example:

• Usually the first child was born 1 year after the marriage.
• Most women married about the age of 21
• A man usually married about the age of 25
• Siblings often had similar life spans
• People sometimes gave the name of a child that died as an infant to the next child.

This type of thinking makes you the number 1 best detective. It is most helpful in defining the search years you in put in your search parameters, thus refining the options you have to pour through.

Getting Started - Family History Strategies - Part 2

Part 1 of this series is found by clicking here

I suggest you keep a log of the research you do. I have a separate section of a journal for each ancestor.

Below is what makes family history research a lot like detective work. There is excitement in this, just no danger. I suppose if you want danger you could take your laptop on a bungee jump or to the edge of a cliff.

However you do it, just go go go.


From a class taught at the Riverton Family History Center by: Diana Toland

One Thing (detail) Leads to Another (records).

Note occupations. Often found on the records, such as a census. They may be linked to a location or county records and perhaps in historical society news.

Military Records: draft cards are filled out by the individual in person, pension files require proof.

Immigration - generated passenger lists, border crossing cards often contain information about the relative.

Land and Probate. Probate records often have information such as family members and location.

Religious Records.  birth, marriage, cemetery, immigration, and histories are sometimes found this way.

Census: approximate ages confirmed, years married, parent information including locations of birth, and information on living children.

Obituaries: besides personal and family detail you sometime find out hobbies, successes, civic roles,and important information about relatives.