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

Genealogy 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

Other Name Challenges

Nicknames – Record nicknames in quotes Norman Gray “Joe” NEWTON James Glenial “Red” NEWTON

Name Changes – Record in chronological order. John BEINBRECH/BONEBRAKE Martin OLSEN/KORSTAD/KARSTED

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)

Recording Places

Order of Places From the smallest unit to the largest City or town or township/county/state.

Examples Chicago, Cook County, Illinois Lowe Twp., Moultrie Co., Illinois

Hint: Always include the county where an event occurred. Don’t know the county? Try http://www.rootsweb.com

Class Activity

Get Started on Your Family Group Sheet

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.

Fill in what you can on your family group sheet and pedigree chart.