Paths to your past : a guide to finding your ancestors/ Pamela Boyer Sayre [editor]

Notes

The 2018 edition of Paths to Your Past: A Guide to Finding Your Ancestors is a completely revised, updated, and comprehensive reference guide for family historians and genealogists. It is an excellent primer for those just getting started on building their family tree and a valuable reminder to all family historians and genealogists about the various methods and sources we need to consider in our daily work. The author discusses how to find and use records, including the US Census, military records, land and probate records as well as vital records for birth, death, and marriage. The book also reviews how to use sources on the internet; the importance of documenting and citing your sources; and how to keep research logs and ancestor charts. Throughout the book, the author refers readers to additional courses and books to enhance their knowledge of important topics such as genetic genealogy. Also included are references to local, state, and federal repositories.

1. Getting started. using sources on the internet; family papers and memorabilia; oral tradiition; inerviews; don't forget the collaterals; the importance of dates -- 2. Using libraries and published sources. genealogies and local histories; genealogical snd historical periodicals; newspapers; indexes, abstracts, and transcriptions; borrowing materials from a library; libraries with major genealogical collections (Dallas Public Library Genealogy Section (p. 25)); genealogical publishers and booksellers -- 3. Finding and using state and local resources. vital records; probate records; land and tax records; state or local level military records; court records; religious records; cemeteries -- 4. Finding and using Federal sources. United States census; Miltary records; immigration and passenger arrival records; Land records; other NARA records -- 5. Understanding sources and citations. What is a source? original source, derivative source; Primary or secondary information; weighing the evidence -- 6. Keeping records. research log; genealogy forms, ancestor charts, family group sheets -- 7. Organizing your information. paper copies; genealogy programs; writing your family history -- Expanding your family tree. Join the National Genealogal Society; Dip into DNA; Subscibe to free mail lists, blogs, and social media sites; hire a professional genealogist; set high standards for your famiy tree, genealogical standards -- Glossary.

Includes bibliographical references.

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Locality Subjects

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