 |
SUMMIT COUNTY CHAPTER
of the Ohio Genealogical Society P O Box 2232 Akron OH 44309-2232 e-mail: summitogs@yahoo.com |
|
SUMMIT COUNTY CHAPTER
of the Ohio Genealogical Society P O Box 2232 Akron OH 44309-2232 e-mail: summitogs@yahoo.com |
Creating Your Family Records
Tracing your family tree can be a fascinating and rewarding hobby. It can also involve a great amount of time, correspondence and sometimes travel to accumulate the necessary data. This data can become very confusing unless a system is used to record and classify it. The forms provided at the end of this document provide a means of recording all the required information in a way that is easy to understand. The Pedigree chart or family tree form is a way ofWhen born ___________________ Where ___________________________________
showing what is known about your ancestry, as well as what progress is being made. It can also point to those areas that should be worked on. The Family Group Sheets can be used to compile a family history, but are also a convenient method of recording clues for research. The following is a recommended procedure.1. Record on one of the Pedigree Charts all of the information you can supply yourself. Put your name or a child's name on the line in the middle of the left side. Then, for each pair of lines to the right, record the names and appropriate dates for the parents of the individual to their left. Fathers' names should appear on the top line of each pair. Those names appearing on the right edge then become the left most entry on another form.
2. For each pair of lines, or marriage, fill out a Family Group Sheet with all of the data you can. These then become the work sheets for research.
3. After you have completed the forms to the best of your know-ledge, use the history sheets to identify those relatives who are still living, who might be able to help. It is important to contact
the oldest living relatives first, since waiting too long may result in losing a valuable source by death. Older people are often very interested in their family history and like to reminisce. Don't be
satisfied with one letter or one visit. Quite often the first contact stirs up memories for weeks. Wait a month or so for a second try. Be sure to record all dates and places even if they are just
guesses. They can prove very valuable later. Be sure to ask about the existence of Family Bibles and old family pictures. Ask for and write on the back of the pictures names and approximate dates if that has not already been done. Using a tape recorder can sometimes be intimidating but is a very valuable tool for future references.4. The next step is to visit or write to a known relative in those places where the older generations of the family lived. They quite often can provide information about the locations of cemeteries in
which the families are buried. Obtain the dates and any other data appearing on the gravestones. Many cemetery plots provide a wealth of information.5. Write to the county clerk or town clerk in the places where births or deaths occurred. Many states will not supply birth records but nearly all will provide death certificates for a fee. Laws vary
from state to state. Death and marriage records usually contain the names of parents of the individuals involved. The last will and testament of ancestors can provide proof of many relationships, especially those of unmarried relatives which quite often name
brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews or cousins. Wills are found in the probate court or prothonatory. If the records cannot be found for your direct ancestor, try records for their brothers and sisters.6. Many counties and towns have published histories containing family histories and sometimes birth, death and marriage records. Also, a biography might be found for a distant relative giving the family ancestry. Many families have had their history published, and frequently one is found that was published years ago, about which your family has no knowledge. These books are not found on the shelves of most libraries. Most state libraries and large city libraries have sections on Genealogy or Local and Family History.
7. Members of the Mormon Church are very active in genealogical reasearch. They deposit their records in a library located in Salt Lake City, Utah, which is open to the public. Many of their records are in manuscript form and have never been published. For many years they have been microfilming the civil and church records throughout the world. These records are available for research at local Family History Centers or can be ordered for loan to the local library. The largest of these collections is the International Genealogical Index (IGI) on microfiche which is available at larger genealogical libraries.
8. The federal government also has a wealth of information in the National Archives and Library of Congress. These include census records from 1790 to 1910 and military and pension records. Many genealogical libraries have either microfilm copies of these or indexes to them.
9. There are many professional genealogists throughout the world who will do research. They are listed in professional publications that can be found in libraries. Some libraries will refer you to someone who does research in their geographical area. Many areas have genealogical or historical societies which meet regularly for exchange of information and experiences. Most have publications that can be of great help.
10. When corresponding with individuals, libraries or societies, always enclose a stamped self addressed envelope for the reply. Never expect others to cover the expense of any research done for you. County, state and federal government units usually include postage costs in their budgets and quite often prefer to reply with their own letterhead.
11. Within the past few years, the genealogy web sites on the internet have had a great effect on the methods of researching family history. Contact can sometimes be made with unknown distant relatives or others researching the same family surnames. Shareware and Public Domain software for genealogy as well as helpful text files giving advice and guidance are available on the internet.
12. While researching your family tree can be very rewarding, it can also become very frustrating, especially when results are slow.
Samples of genealogical forms follow:
FAMILY GROUP SHEET
HUSBAND'S FULL NAME ____________________________________________________When born ___________________ Where ___________________________________
When died ___________________ Where ___________________________________
When married ________________ Where ___________________________________
His father's full name _________________________________________________
His mother's full maiden name __________________________________________
WIFE'S FULL MAIDEN NAME ________________________________________________
When died ___________________ Where ___________________________________Her father's full name _________________________________________________
Her mother's full maiden name __________________________________________
CHILDREN: |DATES |PLACES
=============================================================================
1 | Full given names |birth __________|______________________________
|__________________________|death __________|______________________________
| Spouse's full name |marriage __________|______________________________
|__________________________________________________________________________
=============================================================================
2 | Full given names |birth __________|______________________________
|__________________________|death __________|______________________________
| Spouse's full name |marriage __________|______________________________
|__________________________________________________________________________
=============================================================================
3 | Full given names |birth __________|______________________________
|__________________________|death __________|______________________________
| Spouse's full name |marriage __________|______________________________
|__________________________________________________________________________
=============================================================================
4 | Full given names |birth __________|______________________________
|__________________________|death __________|______________________________
| Spouse's full name |marriage __________|______________________________
|__________________________________________________________________________
=============================================================================
5 | Full given names |birth __________|______________________________
|__________________________|death __________|______________________________
| Spouse's full name |marriage __________|______________________________
|__________________________________________________________________________
=============================================================================
6 | Full given names |birth __________|______________________________
|__________________________|death __________|______________________________
| Spouse's full name |marriage __________|______________________________
|__________________________________________________________________________
=============================================================================
7 | Full given names |birth __________|______________________________
|__________________________|death __________|______________________________
| Spouse's full name |marriage __________|______________________________
|__________________________________________________________________________
=============================================================================
8 | Full given names |birth __________|______________________________
|__________________________|death __________|______________________________
| Spouse's full name |marriage __________|______________________________
|__________________________________________________________________________
=============================================================================
9 | Full given names |birth __________|______________________________
|__________________________|death __________|______________________________
| Spouse's full name |marriage __________|______________________________
|__________________________________________________________________________
Provided by: SUMMIT COUNTY CHAPTER, OGS
P O Box 2232
Akron OH 44309-2232
e-mail: summitogs@yahoo.com
Last modified April 28, 2007
Copyright ©2000 Summit County Chapter OH Genealogical Society. All rights reserved.
