R E S E A R C H   G U I D A N C E

Discovering Your Family Tree
   

Table of Contents
1. Identify What You Already Know About Your Family
     Use Appropriate Forms To Record Information
     Recall And Record Information About Your Family
     Gather Information Within Your Family
     Copy Information From Family Documents Or Records
     Organize Records, Documents, And Family Memorabilia
2. Decide What You Want To Learn About Your Family
     Identify People For Whom There Is Insufficient Information
     Choose One Person To Learn More About
     Identify Questions To Answer About The Person
     Select One Question As The Research Objective
     Prepare A Research Log
3. Select A Record To Search
     Identify Major Categories Of Records Available To Search
     Select Specific Record(s) To Search
     Describe The Record On A Research Log.
4. Obtain And Search The Record
     Obtain The Record.
     Search The Record.
     Record The Results.
5. Use The Information
     Evaluate The Information Found.
     Transfer The Information
     Organize Newly Acquired Records.
     Share Your Family History With Others.
     Records, The Church And Family Ties

1. IDENTIFY WHAT YOU ALREADY KNOW ABOUT YOUR FAMILY


Use Appropriate Forms To Record Information

As you do family history research, you will want to record information in a way that is easy to read and helps you locate details quickly. Two forms used by genealogists are especially helpful: a pedigree chart and a family group record. You can obtain these forms where genealogical supplies are sold, or you can create your own. You should also keep personal and family history notes and a research log to record information that does not fit on the other forms.

A pedigree chartLook this term up in the glossary. provides space to record information for four generations, including you, your parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents. (To view or print a Pedigree Chart click here.)

A family group recordLook this term up in the glossary. provides space to record information about parents and children of the same family. (To view or print a Family Group Record click here.)

Personal and family history notes provide space for a wide variety of information other than that called for on the pedigree chart and family group record. The following is an example of the type of information that could be recorded in the personal history notes: "Grandpa was 5'10" tall, with brown hair, brown eyes, a handlebar mustache, and a goatee. He loved to ride horses."

A research log provides space for you to organize and record your research efforts. When you begin to look at specific records, you should use a research log to write down where you have looked for information and what you have found. (To view or print a Research Log click here.)

You can also use a computer to record and store your family history information. There are many genealogical software programs on the market today, including Personal Ancestral FileLook this term up in the glossary., produced by the LDS ChurchLook this term up in the glossary..


Recall and Record Information About Your Family

With a pedigree chart in hand, recall as much information as you can about yourself and your family members. Fill in your name and information about yourself. Then fill in the names of and information about your parents, your grandparents, your great-grandparents, and so on as far back as you can. Estimate dates and guess at places if you have some idea of what they might be.

Record the information on the pedigree chart and family group record in the following way:

Names: Robert Thomas Myers [first name, middle name, surname]
Dates: 4 Oct. 1896 [day, month, year]
Places: Tryon, Polk, NC [city, county, two-letter state abbreviation]
When you fill out a pedigree chart for the first time, you will probably notice that it does not have lines for some family history information, such as a brother's name or child's birth date. That information goes on a family group record.

In time you will want to fill out a family group record for each set of parents that you identify on your pedigree chart. To begin, fill out a family group record for yourself, for your immediate family, and for each ancestor. If you know the name of your grandfather and his siblings but not the names of their parents, you can leave the top of a form blank and begin with a list of children in that family.


Gather Information Within Your Family

Gather information about yourself and your immediate family. Sort through scrapbooks, photo albums, dresser drawers, closets, and boxes in storage. Some of the following items may be especially useful:

Look for anything that shows family names, dates (birth, marriage, and death), places, or relationships.

Visit your relatives, especially the older ones. Ask them to tell you stories and experiences that are a part of your family history, and write down or tape record what they say. Relatives can often identify faces in old photographs and clarify details in your family history that are not clear to you. Even if they do not know the specific facts, relatives can sometimes give clues. For example, they may know where family members are buried, and cemeteries are often a good source of birth and death dates. Relatives may also be able to help you contact others who remember more about your ancestors.


Copy Information From Family Documents or Records

Whenever you find any new information, write it on your pedigree charts, family group records, and in personal and family history notes.


Organize Records, Documents, and Family Memorabilia

By now you probably have gathered some items that you would like to keep in family history files, such as certificates, letters, photos, awards, books, and other memorabilia. Sort and file forms and materials in any way that meets your needs and is convenient for you.

Here is one possible filing order:

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Version of Data: 6/8/2001]