Before the Hands-on Search

Getting Started with Genealogy: Before the Hands-on Search

This blog  is for a genealogy workshop on March 29 and March 30, 2011 at Wadsworth Library in Geneseo.  These links should help you get started with your search.  

 The Armchair Genealogist: How Do I Start My Family Tree?
http://www.thearmchairgenealogist.com/2010/02/how-do-i-start-my-family-tree-eight.html

These hints provide some starting points for your research:  where to start, where to find answers to questions about your family, where to find free resources and other help for your research.

About.com Genealogy: Top 10 Tips for finding Alternate Surname Spellings & Variations http://genealogy.about.com/od/name_changes/tp/spellings.htm

Yes, you know how to spell your surname.  But not everyone else does.  Suggestions for finding variations on the “right “  way to spell that name.

Blood and Frogs: Form
http://www.bloodandfrogs.com/p/forms.html

These  ”family” forms are handy when doing your research.

The Ancestor Location form provides spaces for basic information from your parents through all 8 great grandparents. Good reference sheet for basic facts as you search for more information.

The Ancestor Form has space for names, birth and death and marriage, cities, dates of a person and his/her parents and grandparents.  Useful in gathering information as you work.

RelativelyCurious Community Toolbar http://relativelycurious.ourtoolbar.com/Upgrade/?version=3.3.2.1

This is an indispensable toolbar for genealogy!  It provides all the tools you will need at your fingertips.  Download this great toolbar! 

For Your information:

Vital Records….records of births, deaths and marriages

Census
     Census have been conducted by individual states as well as by the Federal Government.  Ex. Mass. 1865.

That should get you started!