walk a mile in my shoes: genealogy crash course for librarians · 2015-10-06 · walk a mile in my...
TRANSCRIPT
Walk a Mile in My Shoes: Genealogy Crash Course for Librarians
Presented by:
Tamika Strong
IT Program Manager, Georgia Public Library Service
Georgia COMO 2015
October 8, 2015
CLASS OBJECTIVE
To assist attendees in getting a basic
understanding of the first steps in tracing ones
genealogy and documenting their family history
with a focus on using census records.
Why Would a You Want to Trace Your
Family History?
STEP #1 – Set a Goal Know Where you want to go.
Determine what you want to learn about your family.
Define a long and short term goal.
Write down the goals. Post them in your workspace.
Try to stay focus on them.
Research Goals
Short Term
◦ Example: Find census records for maternal
grandmother.
Long Term
◦ Example: Trace maternal family line to 1870.
STEP #2: Getting Started
Write down everything you know.
◦ Names
◦ Dates – Birth, Marriage, Divorce, Death
◦ Places where the family lived
Record the information on Family Group
Sheets and Pedigree Charts.
PEDIGREE CHART
Captures your direct ancestors, parents, grandparents, great-
grandparents, great-great-grandparents, etc.
You are #1 on the chart.
Your father’s line starts with #2.
Your mother’s line starts with #3.
Men are even numbers – 2, 4, 6, etc.
Women are odd numbers – 3, 5, 7, etc.
Women are placed on the chart under the maiden name. If
unknown then leave blank.
FAMILY GROUP SHEETS
Captures the family units – parents and children.
Create a Family Group Sheet for every couple or
mother-father pair.
Step #3 Family resources
Collect Family Documents
◦ Family Bibles
◦ Birth Certificates
◦ Marriage Certificates
◦ Divorce Decrees
◦ Funeral Programs
◦ Obituaries
◦ Death Certificates
◦ Military Records
◦ Cemetery/Burial
Information
◦ Pictures
◦ Wills
◦ Land Deeds
◦ Etc.
Step #3 Family resources
Collect Family History
Figure out the person in your family who knows a lot of
your family’s history.
Interview relatives, especially the elders
◦ Record the interview if possible, audio or video
◦ Ask to make copies of pictures, funeral programs,
obituaries, etc.
◦ Be prepared - some people may be unwilling to share
information or materials.
Step #4: Census Research
Find Your Folks in the Census Census Records
◦ Start from the present and work backwards starting with yourself.
◦ Happens every tens years from 1790.
◦ 1890 Census – lost to water damage due to a fire; some parts
survived.
◦ Information recorded in the census varied from each census year.
◦ Special Schedules were included during certain census years, i.e.
Slave Schedules in 1850 and 1860 Census.
Step #4: Census Research
Find Your Folks in the Census Census Records
◦ 1870 Census – first time most African Americans were listed by
name.
◦ 1880 Census – showed family relationships for the first time.
◦ 1900 Census – included birth month and date
◦ 1940 Census Released April 2012 Fully indexed by August of 2012 Denotes informant with an asterisk.
Step #4: Census Research
Find Your Folks in the Census Census Records
◦ Ancestry.com $$
◦ Ancestry Library Edition
Only available for use inside of libraries and archives
◦ Familysearch.org
◦ HeritageQuest
Available through GALILEO; Can access from home
Step #4: Census Research
Find Your Folks in the Census
Look at the individual’s birth date. That will determine which available censuses the person should be included.
Example: Maggie Bell Printup (1928 – 2000)
◦ Should be able to find her in the
1940 Census
1930 Census
Step #4: Census Research
Find Your Folks in the Census
Example: Maggie Bell Printup (1928 – 2000)
◦ 1940 Census
Step #4: Census Research
Find Your Folks in the Census
Example: Maggie Bell Printup (1928 – 2000)
◦ 1930 Census
Step #4: Census Research
Find Your Folks in the Census
Census Search Tips
◦ Start from the latest census and work backwards.
◦ Always look at the original document, not just the
transcription.
◦ Ages may not be accurate.
◦ Be mindful of Nicknames or name abbreviations, i.e.
Jno – John, Maggie – Margaret; Mag – Maggie
Step #5: Increase Knowledge - Books
Dowell, David R. 2011. Crash Course in Genealogy. Santa Barbara, Calif.: Libraries Unlimited.
Moore, Dahrl Elizabeth. 1998. The Librarian's Genealogy
Notebook: A Guide to Resources. Chicago: American Library Association.
Simpson, Jack. 2008. Basics Genealogy Reference: A Librarian’s
Guide. Westport, Conn.: Libraries Unlimited. Swan, James. 2004. The Librarian's Guide to Genealogical
Services and Research. New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers.
Step #5: Increase Knowledge – Online Resources
Ancestry.com Learning Center ◦ http://learn.ancestry.com/Home/HMLND.aspx
Familysearch.org Learning Center ◦ https://familysearch.org/learn
Genealogy.about.com ◦ http://genealogy.about.com/od/make_family_tree/u/learn.htm
Genealogy.com Learning Center ◦ http://genealogy.com/genehelp.html
YouTube (search for Genealogy) ◦ Ancestry, FamilySearch and other companies and individuals have
videos. I really like the Five Minute Finds series by Ancestry for quick lessons.
Research Tips
Select a single surname, individual, or family unit to focus on.
Set a research goal.
Complete and update Pedigree Charts and Family Group Sheets to reflect new information.
Create and keep a research log or journal to track your progress.
Get organized and stay organized.
Make copies, either paper or electronic, of the original documents so you will have a copy.
Research Tips cont.
Take small steps…don’t overwhelm yourself. Genealogy is a lifelong hobby!
Get organized and stay organized!!!!
Learn as you go using webinars, classes,
attending genealogy group meetings, etc.
Remember to have fun!!!
Local Repositories
Your Local Library
GPLS Library Directories ◦ http://www.georgialibraries.org/directories/
Georgia Archives ◦ http://www.georgiaarchives.org/
National Archives at Atlanta ◦ http://www.archives.gov/atlanta/
Family History Centers ◦ https://familysearch.org/locations/
Local Historical and Genealogical Groups
Georgia Archives - Directory of Historical and Cultural Organizations ◦ http://apps.georgiaarchives.org/GHRAB/
Georgia Genealogical Society (GGS) ◦ http://www.gagensociety.org
Genealogical Societies in Georgia ◦ http://www.gagensociety.org/research/societies
Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHGS) – Metro
Atlanta Chapter ◦ http://www.aahgsatl.org/
HAVE FUN!!!!!
Source: http://www.roadkilltshirts.com/Assets/ProductImages/PS_1081_SHOOK_TREE.jpg
PRESENTER INFORMATION
Tamika Strong
IT Program Manager
Georgia Public Library Service
A copy of the PowerPoint used in the presentation can be
found here: gagenealogy.wordpress.com/presentations