|
A Guide to Research |
|
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
Why do members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Life does not end at death. When we die, our eternal spirits go to a spirit world, where we continue to learn while we await the Resurrection and Final Judgment. Members of the Church believe that the family can also continue beyond the grave, not just until death. This is possible when parents and their children make special promises, called covenants, in sacred temples. These covenants, when made with the authority of God and faithfully kept, can unite families for eternity.
Members of the Church believe that their deceased ancestors In order to make covenants for their ancestors, members must first identify them. To help members in this work, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has gathered genealogical records from all over the world. These records are available at the Family History Library
The purpose of this guide is to help you discover your ancestry using the records available in the Family History Library, the FamilySearch™ Center
Since it was established in 1894, the Family History Library of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has become the largest of its kind in the world. The library has collected millions of microfilms Some of the information collected by the library is available on a computer system called FamilySearch™. This information is stored on compact discs
Library employees and family history center volunteers can help you use the records. They can't do research for you, but they will help you use the records to do your own research.
The FamilySearch™ Center is designed to introduce individuals unacquainted with family history to the joy and excitement of discovering their ancestors. The center, located in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building at 15 East South Temple Street in Salt Lake City, has FamilySearch computers, the United States 1920 census, and other records designed to assist the beginning researcher.
The Family History Library is designed to help individuals experienced in family history research who need information from many records to extend their family lines. Most of the records more advanced researchers need are available at the library, which is located at 35 North West Temple Street, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Family history centers are located throughout the world. Each has a basic collection of records and research publications to assist researchers. Many of the centers have the FamilySearch computer files. Most records available on microfilm or microfiche at the Family History Library may be ordered for use at the centers.
Family History Research involves five basic steps (see chart below).
Each step is explained on the following pages. Staff members will be glad to help you complete these steps. It is helpful if you have already done steps 1 and 2 before coming.
In addition to this booklet, the video presentation A Guide to Research is also available to introduce you to the research process.
©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.
Why Family History?
do family history research? They do it because they are motivated by love for their deceased family members and desire to serve them.
can also receive the blessings of being eternally united with their families. For this purpose, Church members make covenants in temples in behalf of their ancestors, who may accept these covenants in the spirit world.
in Salt Lake City and at family history centers throughout the world.
Return to top of page
INTRODUCTION
PURPOSE
, or one of the more than two thousand family history centers located throughout the world.
RECORDS AT THE FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY
, thousands of microfiche and books, and many other records. Most of the microfilms have been acquired through an extensive microfilming program that began in 1938. Microfilmers are presently filming original documents in churches, courthouses, and other archives in many countries. The originals of these microfilms are preserved in a vault in the mountains near Salt Lake City. Copies of the microfilms are available for use at the Family History Library and at family history centers.
. If you are unfamiliar with computers, there is a program available on the computer to help you learn about using FamilySearch.
SERVICES AND RESOURCES
FamilySearch™ Center
Family History Library
Family History Centers
RESEARCH PROCESS
[FamilySearchTM: Research Guidance
Version of Data: 6/8/2001]