Secrets of tracing your ancestors

Introduction

Why genealogy?

Get started

Get organized

What's in a name?

Vital records

Genealogical societies

Genealogical collections in libraries

Computers and the Internet

Using the LDS Church

Census records

Military records

Ethnic research

Who am I?

Using DNA as a research tool

Is anyone out there? Professional genealogists

Help your descendants!

Kids & genealogy

In summary.

1. Introduction

2. Why Genealogy?

3. Get Started

Birth Certificates

Baptismal or Confirmation Certificates

Graduation Diplomas

Newspaper Articles

Photographs

Government Documents

Memorabilia

Miscellaneous

Shifting Gears

Caution!

Other Records

Old Letters

Old Budgets/Ledgers

Family Bibles

Photos

Old Legal Papers

Family Histories/Genealogies

More Than a Coin Collection

Getting Started Checklist

Additional Resources

4. Get Organized

Information You Have Found

Birth, Death and Marriage Records

Correspondence

Other Records

Photographs

Information For Which You Are Searching

Forms

Research Log

Family Group Sheet

Pedigree Charts

Get Organized Checklist

Additional Resources

5. What's in a Name?

Physical Characteristics

An Animal Connection

Patronymics

Occupations

Geographic Locations

Mother's Maiden Names

Don't Assume…

Spelling Woes

What's in a Name? Checklist

Additional Resources

6. Vital Records

Where to Look?

What Do I Say?

What Do the Records Cost?

Friendly Caution

Vital Records Checklist

Additional Resources

7. Genealogical Societies

Genealogical Societies Checklist

Additional Resources

8. Genealogical Collections in Libraries

Family History Library

State Libraries

County Libraries

Genealogical and Historical Society Libraries

University Libraries

National Archives

The Hunt Begins!

Vital Statistics Records

Census Records

Biographies

Obituaries

Old Newspapers

Land Records

City Telephone Directories

Histories

Cemetery Indexes

Befriend the Librarian!

Collections and Libraries Checklist

Additional Resources

9. Computers and the Internet

The Internet

Genealogy Websites

Genealogy Software

Computer and Internet Checklist

Additional Resources

10. Using the LDS Church

The Family History Library

Getting Around Salt Lake City

Family History Centers

Getting the Most Out of Your Local Family History Center

Prepare

Call Ahead

Have Patience

Share Your Success

Family Search

LDS Church Checklist

Additional Resources

11. Census Records

Who, What, When, Where, Why & How…

Questions, Questions, Questions

Finding and Searching the Census

Write it Down!

What Next?

Finding the Censuses

Mortality Schedules

Census Records Checklist

Additional Resources

12. Military Records

Motivation

American Wars

Where to Begin

The National Archives

Enlistment Records

Compiled Military Service Records (CMSR)

Pension Records

Record of Events

Confederate Records

Bounty Land Warrants

Other Resources

Okay - So Where Do I Find These Wonderful Records?

The Internet and Military Records

Military Records Search Checklist

Additional Resources

13. Ethnic Research

African-American Research

Native American Research

German Research

Jewish Research

Hispanic Research

Irish Research

Other Ethnic-Specific Research

Traveling to Unearth Your Roots

Ethnic Research Checklist

Additional Resources

14. Who Am I?

The Genealogical Dilemma of Adoption

Where to Start?

Petition the Courts

Cyndi's List

Registries

Other Resources

After You've Found a Name

Locality-Specific Adoption Help

Should I Pay Someone to Search for Me?

Who Am I? Checklist

Additional Resources

15. Using DNA as a Research Tool

Using DNA as a Research Tool Checklist

Additional Resources

16. Is Anyone Out There?

The Internet

Message Boards

Magazine Queries

Be a Detective!

Is Anyone Out There? Checklist

Additional Resources

17. Professional Genealogists

Is Now the Time?

Okay-It's Time

The Board of Certification of Genealogists (BCG)

The International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists (ICAPGEN)

The Association of Professional Genealogists (APG)

What Will it Cost?

Professional Genealogists Checklist

18. Help Your Descendants!

Writing a Personal History

Chapters

Set a Regular Time

Additional Help

Keep a Journal

What Do I Do Now?

Help Your Descendants! Checklist

Additional Resources

19. Kids & Genealogy

Grandma & Grandpa

Census Research

Indexing

Googling

Scrapbooking/Photo Albums

Blogging

20. In Summary

Glossary of Terms

Appendix

Stare Libraries and Archives

State Departments of Vital Statistics

Index

Sidebars, Charts & Logs

Genealogical Humor?

Genealogy at Work

Precious History Discovered

Genealogy Terms

Research Log Example

Research Note on Surnames

Family Group Sheet Example

Pedigree Chart Example

Don't Do It!

Olley Olley Oxen Free!

Poignant Discovery

A Few German Words to Ease Your Research

Passenger List (in German)

Passenger List (translated into English)

A Few Spanish Words to Ease Your Research