Post on 14-May-2015
transcript
Genealogy Boot Camp
Session One: Family Sources
Four Sessions
Getting Started with Family Sources Using Census Records Using Vital Records Where Do I Go From Here?
Genealogy Starts with You!
Start with Yourself. Record what you know. Enlist the help of family members. Be skeptical. Look for clues in family papers. Identify and search available records. Record and document your research.
Recording Data
Using Charts & FormsGetting Organized
Recording What You Know
Family Group Sheets Pedigree Charts Biographical Timelines Genealogical Software
About Recording Names Types of Names
Given Name: Name given to an individual at birth or baptism. (Usually the first name.)
Surname: A person’s family name. (Usually the last name.) Maiden Name: The surname a woman has at birth before
she marries.
Order of Names Given Name SURNAME Robert ALVEY
Hint: Record surnames in all uppercase letters for clarity and at-a-glance viewing.
Recording Women’s Names
Always use maiden names on genealogical charts and forms:
o Sue Ann JOHNSON
If a woman was married before she married into your family:
o Sue Ann (JOHNSON) SMITH
Record both her maiden name and her former married name
Recording Dates
Order of Dates Day Month Year 15 January 1869 or 15 Jan 1869
Format of Dates 1952 - not ‘52 December or Dec. - not 12
Recording Approximate Dates
ca. (Circa) or abt. (About) bet. (Between) aft. (After) bef. (Before)
Using Other Abbreviations
b. (born) d. (died) m. (married) nr. (near) prob. (probably)
Class Activity
Get Started on Your Family Group Sheet
Genealogy Software
Gather & Copy
Family Records, Photographs &
Heirlooms
Wedding Invitation
Original Marriage Certificate
Invitation to a Wedding Anniversary
Baptismal Certificate
Decorative Wall Hanging Commemorating a Marriage
Telegram announcing the birth of a child
Postcard of Church in Oliva, West Prussia
Postcard sent from Oliva, West Prussia to Chicago, Illinois
Gravestones
Funeral Prayer Card
Funeral Guest Book
Church Plates
On the Back of Furniture?
This little chest belonged in the household of my grandfather’s mother. My grandfather was George Coulson. His sister took it to boarding school with her and kept her stockings it.
- Katherine (Sanderson) Smith
Family “Notes”
Personal Letters
Business Cards
Other Possible Family Sources
Birth and death certificates
Birth announcements Old photographs Books Address Books Diplomas Church Service
Programs
Old letters and envelopes
Passports Diaries Family bibles Yearbooks Wills Jewelry Quilts Samplers
Analyzing Family Papers
Critical Thinking with Direct and Indirect Evidence
Examining Documents
Direct Evidence - information is explicitly stated without need for analysis.
Indirect Evidence - information requires additional documentation or analysis to draw a conclusion.
Newspaper Clipping
Indirect Evidence:
Mrs. Kellman’s maiden name was probably Levander.
Mr. and Mrs. Kellman were married around mid April of 1910.
Mr and Mrs. Kellman and Miss Levander died after April 19, 1935
Direct Evidence:
Mrs. Kellman’s sister is Miss Levander of Chicago.
Mr. and Mrs. Kellman celebrated a 25th wedding anniversary.
Obituary from Fraternal Organization Newsletter
Indirect Evidence:
He must have immigrated sometime between May 8, 1884 and Oct. 24, 1906.
Direct Evidence:
He was born on May 8, 1884 in Jonkopings, Sweden.
He became a member of Yngve Lodge in 1906.
Citizenship Papers
Indirect Evidence:Immigrated sometime before Feb 24 1894
Direct Evidence:Charley Levander declared his intent to become a citizen on 24 Feb 1896.
Direct Evidence:William Bandel died on 20 Apr 1908
He lived for 72yrs, 11mo, and 10 days
Indirect Evidence:William Bandel was born on 10 May 1835
Birth Date Calculator
http://www.searchforancestors.com/utility/
Class Activity
Wedding invitation analysis
Basics of Citing Family Sources
Identify the type of item (i.e. scrapbook, quilt, letter, newspaper clipping)
Description of the item. Current or last known owner & location. History of origin and ownership of item.
Homework
Bring a family source and extract all the information you can from it.
Create a timeline for some of the major events in your life.
Fill in what you can on your family group sheet and pedigree chart.