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A Guide to Research |
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Table of Contents
Why Family History?
Introduction
Purpose
Records At The Family History Library
Services And Resources
Research Process
1. Identify What You Know About Your Family
Fill Out A Pedigree Chart And Family Group Record
Gather Additional Information
Organize Your Records
2. Decide What You Want To Learn About Your Family
Select An Ancestor
Select A Research Question
Prepare A Research Log
3. Select Records To Search
Identify A Record Category
Compiled Records
Original Records
Choose A Record Type
Select Specific Records To Search
Describe The Records On Your Research Log
4. Obtain And Search The Record
Obtain The Record
Search The Record
Record The Results
5. Use The Information
Evaluate The Information
Transfer The Information
Organize Your Records
Share Information
Repeat The Process
Additional
Indexing Of Records
Other Services
Library Rules
Selecting Record Types
4. OBTAIN AND SEARCH THE RECORD (To view or print a Research Log click here)
Records at the Family History Library are arranged by geographical area. The call number
To obtain the record, do the following:
Not all microfilms are located in the library. You may need to order some microfilms. A library attendant can help you do this. The microfilm will arrive in a few hours or a few days, depending on where it is stored.
Take your research log to a staff member. He or she can tell you whether the center already has the record. If not, the staff member will help you fill out a Microfilm and Microfiche Order Card and tell you the fees for postage and handling (see example). Individual microfilms can be lent to family history centers for different lengths of time. The microfilm or microfiche should arrive in one to three weeks. Books cannot be lent to family history centers.
Microfilm and Microfiche Order Card
Not every record about your ancestor is at the Family History Library or a family history center. You may need to obtain copies of some records at other libraries
Do not hesitate to ask a staff member for help to use the microfilm or microfiche equipment. Printed instructional materials are available to help you search some records.
If you have difficulty finding a record on a microfilm, check the item number of the record. Several records may be on one microfilm, and you may need to read the title page for each item to make sure you have the correct one. Names in an original record may be arranged chronologically or alphabetically. The following are common research problems you should be aware of.
Many immigrants changed or shortened their names after arriving in the new country. You may need to check for various possibilities.
Check for variant spellings of your ancestor's name. Many recorders spelled names according to sound. A person may be listed with a nickname or abbreviation.
Most original documents are handwritten. If you cannot read a letter, look at other names in the record to see how the writer made certain letters. Some handbooks illustrate the ways letters were written in earlier times.
You may want to check a range of dates for an event. It may be recorded on a different date than you expect.
Record what you find on your research log, even if you don't find any new information. If you don't do this, you may waste time searching the same record again. Make copies of key documents.
Copy centers are located on each floor of the Family History Library and the FamilySearch Center. Machines are available to copy books, microfilm, and microfiche.
Many family history centers have equipment for photocopying books, microfilm, and microfiche. If a center does not have the equipment, you can request photocopies of pages of books, microfilms, or microfiche from the Family History Library. Ask a staff member for a photoduplication request form. You will need to list the author, title, and call number of the record, and specific page numbers. Fees are listed on the form.
Please be aware that many of the books, microfilms, and microfiche in the library are copyrighted Under certain conditions specified in the law, a library patron may make a photocopy or other reproduction of copyrighted material. One of these conditions is that the photocopy
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©1998, 2001 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA.
No part of this document may be reprinted, posted on-line, or reproduced in any form for any purpose without the prior written permission of the copyright holder. FamilySearch is a trademark of Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
OBTAIN THE RECORD
At the Family History Library
of the record tells you which area of the library this record is located in and whether it is a book, microfilm, or microfiche. The following are sample call numbers:
U.S. & CAN
FILM AREA
3075101
item 7
U.S. & CAN
BOOK AREA
929.273
P833ph
At a Family History Center
Other Repositories
, archives, or government and church offices.
SEARCH THE RECORD
Name Changes
Spelling Variations
Handwriting
Dates
RECORD THE RESULTS
Photocopies
. The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material.
or reproduction is not to be "used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research." The law calls this a "fair use" of the material, which does not infringe on the copyright held by its owner. If someone later uses a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use," he or she may be liable for copyright infringement.
[FamilySearchTM: Research Guidance
Version of Data: 6/8/2001]
