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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
5. USE THE INFORMATION
In order to evaluate your information, consider the following:
Add any new information to your family group records. Record the source of the information. The source can help you resolve problems with conflicting information. For example, if a birth record gives one birth date, and an obituary gives another birth date for the same person, you will want to determine which date came from the more authoritative source (usually the source made closest to the time of the event).
Organize your records for easy access. One possible order is as follows:
A number of computer programs can help you organize your records on your home computer. For information about programs that are compatible with FamilySearch (meaning they can share data easily with any FamilySearch file), see a staff member. One of these programs, Personal Ancestral File
You can help make research easier and faster for yourself and for others by sharing the results of your research. Share the information you find with family members. They may have more information for you. The Family History Library also offers several opportunities for you to share information.
Contribute to Ancestral File. Submit your family information on a floppy diskette (using Personal Ancestral File or other FamilySearch-compatible software). See the printed instructions in Contributing Information to Ancestral File for more information, or contact FamilySearch™ Support, 15 East South Temple Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84150; telephone 1-800-346-6044.
Share your family history. If you have written a family history, compiled an index, or created a database of genealogical information, you can place it in the Family History Library to be preserved and used by others. If possible, please grant permission (or obtain it from the copyright owner) for the library to microfilm the record and circulate it wherever the library chooses. Contact the Acquisitions Unit, Family History Library, 35 North West Temple Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84150, for more information.
Submit names for temple ordinance work. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Repeat the research process by choosing—
You can learn more about how to do research in the and at family history centers.
We hope this brief introduction will help you develop a lifelong interest in your family history. We invite you to return to the Family History Library, the FamilySearch Center, or a family history center as often as you would like. Please let us know if we can be of any further help.
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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.
EVALUATE THE INFORMATION
TRANSFER THE INFORMATION
ORGANIZE YOUR RECORDS
, is available for use at the Family History Library and at most family history centers.
SHARE INFORMATION
may want to submit names of ancestors for temple ordinance work. A staff member or your ward family history consultant can help you.
REPEAT THE PROCESS
[FamilySearchTM: Research Guidance
Version of Data: 6/8/2001]