Topic: Genealogy 101

[Peggy]

Hi All,

I'm going to attempt to share my enthusiasm  that I have for one of my hobbies by trying to share with you how to begin your own journey into YOUR family tree.  I'm going to do it in steps in order to keep each thing I write short and sweet.  And so that you learn just a few things at a time and are not overwhelmed.

Genealogy is not really a hard hobby to do. I suspect if it were, you'd not find millions of people out there engaged in hunting their ancestors.  But, it does take some dedication and time.  You have to realize that breaking some of those "brickwalls" you might discover could take years to break down.  So, you have to not let yourself become frustrated.

I started my journey when I was around 15 years old, when the mini series "Roots" came on T.V.  It captivated my imagination, because for the first time I was able to realize that the history of my country, and the world included acts by people who were probably my "folks".   

I am 45 years old now, and have done a lot of genealogy.  I've made lot's of mistakes along the way, dug up some interesting stories, found a skeleton or two, and met up with more "cousins" than you can shake a stick at!  My kids honestly think I know people every where I go.... and my husband gets a big kick out telling this story about how we went through this small Oregon town, and his wife got the most dumbfounded look on her face.  When he questioned her, she simply answered that she couldn't think of a soul in her family that has lived, been born, died, or even walked through that town.   That is how much history I have in the State of Oregon.

This is a hobby full of resources. You have picked a great time to enter the journey.  The internet has opened up possibilities that are almost endless. I'll tell you about a few that most folks know about, and I'll tell you about a few most folks probably don't know about.  But, first, I'm going to tell you just how to get started.  It's the easiest, and least expensive part of the journey.

The first thing you do is simply COLLECT.

Collect and gather into one place all the information that YOU know about your family. Start with you, your siblings, your parents, and grandparents. Write down EVERYTHING that comes to mind.

Write down birthdays, death dates, anniversary dates, burial dates, graduation dates, little stories that you remember about folks that make you laugh and cry.  Along with those dates write down as much as you know about where the event happened.  For example, I was born in April 62, in Castro Valley, Alameda County, California. And that is the proper way to write it down: City, County, State.

You might want to get a manila folder or two, or a binder with pockets inside. Because in the long run you'll need to start sorting your data in some way that is meaningful to you.  I have a tendency to sort by SURNAME. (The Surname is your family name, otherwise known as your LAST NAME. My last name as a kid, also known as a maiden name since I am a female (in America) is ROWE, yours might be SPENCER or JONES.

Included in this first step is asking family members for as much information as they can remember.  I have found that the best way to do this, if it is at all possible, is to give them a personal visit and ask questions.  I don't know how many times, elders have told me, "I don't know anything that matters," only to have them tell me something that helps me to get my tree back one more generation (or more.) There are free form letters available on the internet to help you write letters to the folks you can't visit.

Make sure you ask your family members if there are others in the family that you might not know about who would be willing to help. Ask them if you can xerox old photos, you'd be surprised the clues you can get from a photo.  Ask them for xerox copies of old family bibles (again, the clue's can break down whole "brickwalls" as one did for me!)

Take a tape recorder with you so you can tape the interview.  Let these folks tell their stories.  If you are at all interested in this stuff, you won't be sorry.  Because there are going to be details that once you are at home, you'll probably forget to write down, and then it's possibly lost forever.

The next step will be to start transferring your data over to forms called Family Group Sheets and Pedigree Charts. 

Pedigree Charts are the standard "tree" charts that most people are so familiar with. They usually have 5-6 generations on them, and contain "just the facts" in terms of dates [birth, death, marriage] and where the events happen.

The Family Group sheet is a chart of each individual family.  The first sheet you do, should probably be of you, your siblings, and your parents. With your parents on top, and the children on the bottom part. All you do is fill in the blanks the best you can. Filling out these sheets, as completely as you can, and "sourcing it out" correctly is the most important part of doing this hobby in a way that will lead your fellow family genealogists to respecting your work, so do it right, and do it well!

You can download free pedigree and family group sheets (and many others) from here:

http://www.familytreemagazine.com/forms/download.html#

In the next article I will tell you about the next step which is reaching out and gathering information from CENSUS records from the United States and other countries.  I'll try to include some links to resources for this research.

One thing, you will find as you get on with this journey, is that this probably won't be a just a study in the vital statistics of your family.  It will be a journey of learning your families place in the world's history, a study of the world's culture and languages, and of family culture.  It can be trying sometimes to have to read the old style writing, and old time medical diagnosis's, but I can assure you, it is very rewarding when you realize where this or that family ritual comes from or why your dad said that!  hahaha

There are lot's and lot's of genealogical websites out there.  Just google Genealogy!
if you want to take a look at my lines check out:

http://www.pegrowe.com (some of the site is under construction, you might have to visit again)

and if you have any questions feel free to email me at: pegrowe62 at gmail dot com.

Have a GREAT DAY! Peg

[Peggy]

Genealogy Software

Once you have started entering your data into your Family Group Sheets and your Pedigree Charts, you *MIGHT* want to also enter that data into a computer software program.  I want to stress that if you do decide to use software that you always keep a hard copy of your work filed away somewhere in case your computer crashes, and oops, you forgot to make a back up of it! 

Having said that, there some free software's out there, and some that can run you less than a hundred dollars and on up.  There are pro's and con's to all of them.  I have a tendency to run more than one, which can be a pain in the *&^)!  But, I use them for different purposes, and for the different purposes one is sometimes better than others.

For a plain GOOD basic program that is FREE, download the PAF program from:

http://www.familysearch.org

This website is a website you will get to know very well as you journey through.  It is owned, and maintained by the Church of Latter Day Saints, and they really believe in searching for their ancestors and getting them "sealed" so they can go to heaven, too. Because of this they have one of the, if not the best, genealogical libraries in the world.   And 100% of it is free! 

Another FREE piece of software is FAMILY TREE LEGENDS. You can get it from here:

http://www.familytreelegends.com/

Now, keep in mind this free version is version 5. There is a pay version that is newer, better, faster (what else did the bionic man do?).  The newer stuff isn't necessarily better. And for a beginner, I really recommend one of these freebies.  If it makes you feel better, I know a seasoned, and certified genealogist who uses Family Tree Legends.

And there are many, many pay software programs:

• Family Tree Maker (many versions)
  
• Master Genealogist
  
  • Brothers Keeper (there is an ancient version available free for those who are still using DOS, 95, and 98)
    
    
  Etc.... and my advice, is after you've been at this awhile to research these pieces of software and see which you think you'd like before buying.  They all have their good and bad points.
  
  For example. I Have used PAF, Family Tree Legends, and several versions of Family Tree Maker.  I love PAF for it's website building capabilities, and that is to this day, why I keep it on my hard drive.
  
  Family Tree Legends is very adequate, but, I use Family Tree Maker.
  I use Family Tree Maker because it is integrated with the internet, and the companies (Ancestry.com) Cd's that are sold that contain all kinds of rich data (birth records, census records, immigration records, you name it!).
  
  I have the newest version, thanks to folks who let me take a survey and paid me for it via an Amazon.com gift certificate.  And when I first installed it, I hated it! I just thought it was the pits!  It was hard to navigate, hard for my mind to understand, and well.. if I can't do that.. what the heck is the point?
  
  Well, I kept at it, cause I started to hear rumors that after you get it figured out you'll really like it. And guess what!!??!! I got it figured out, and I just love it!  It is much easier to source things now than ever before, you can include details on your media that there was never space for before. The database (which is all these programs are, is specialized databases) is very integrated, and allows you to hook media to sources as well as to the "folks" as it always had.  I just love it!
  
  But, you might not! So research before you buy.  Most professional genealogists really like Master Genealogist.  I looked at it once, and being a mother, it was out of my price range. 
  
  Well, those are my last thoughts for today!  Next step is definitely, CENSUS Records!!!
  
  Peggy

[christy]

lots of great info pegrow!!  i went on roots once web n got lost    i do like the latter day saints its easy to navigate.  i just tend to lurk n see stuff, my aunt has done this for a few years n traced our fam back to germany. pretty cool getting to know your ancestors.

[Patty S]

I'm not really "in to" geneology research myself, but then again, I don't have to be, cuz Keith's sister has done all the family tree digging on his side of the family, & my sister (member Carol) is the researcher on my side. Carol uses & has kept up with the newer versions of her Family Tree Maker program, as she continues to "branch out" & go further & further back.

Several years ago, she had our "Murphy" family research printed up in book form, & gave them to family members as gifts.  A whole lot of work is evident in her book (she even dug up old documents, such as marriage licenses, newspaper clippings & pics.) When her interest peaked, she & our Mom even took a trip to Ireland, where our Great-Great Grandparents had lived before coming to the U.S..

I don't know which progams Keith's sister might have used when she researched both sides of their family as far back as she could. (She also had books printed up.) On their Dad's side, she was able to track the Spencer line back quite a ways... in the process, she discovered that Princess Dianna (Spencer) was a 14th cousin.

I'm glad you're enjoying your research, Peggy!

[Peggy]

Patty, I have Murphy's in my lines!! On my father's side!! We might be related!!

Cuz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hehehehehehe!!!! Peg

[Peggy]

Christy, I have a couple of lines that go back to Germany.  One of them is the Klapp's who when they got over here, turned into Clapp's.  Those Germans married into a Scotch-Irish line that make for some really, whoa!!! Hot Headed, Dirty Mouthed--- oh my, tough people! haahahaha!!!  Then my dad married my mother, who is a semi civilized Dutch-English-Irish mix.  Hehehehehe!!!!!  It's very interesting what we learn about our families!

Hugs, Peg

[christy]

   peg thats funny n true!!     my german side [mygrandpap] married in to scott irish [my gram]    we are hot headed n woaaa we can have a mouth full of dirty words          i have toned it down after havin kids but get me goin n ya gotta cover your ears    i cant remember the name from germany its a lil town by russia, they were cathlics most of em priest, one was a clock maker, n one a blacksmith,

yea its kinda hard to get names from when they come over on ships, as most people couldnt read n write n th diffrent laung the spellings of names got all mixed up for alot of people,  theres a few diffrent ways i seen renz spelled there were also renze from france but its spelled diffrent,  i seen alot of people get confused bout that,  its confusing but fun 

[Jim]

I thought I would dig this topic up as Genealogy has been mentioned a number of times lately.  Peggy wrote a very informative OP on the subject and even mentioned several programs that she uses.

I had all my research at one time on PAF (Personal Ancestral File) and even created a small book that I put in the local library.  I also have taken the gedcom file and converted the information to HTML so that I would have it on the internet.  I really had backups but they became corrupt so I still have the data, just not in the electronic form.  I have a large file cabinet with lots of information that I really need to start keying in but that is a big job so don't know when I will get around to it.

I love history and genealogy is about as close as you can get to personal history.

[duh]

If you want to scan in your information and send me a cd I can put it in paf.  I have that program for my personal genealogy stuff too.

[Peggy]

Here's a fun thing.  A couple of days ago, I was over at www.findagrave.com and I was working on my family memorial pages, and discovered that someone had donated the information where a set of great grandparents are buried, complete with headstones.

I wrote the donaters and said thank you, and then proceed to ad flowers to the memorials, and then decided to put flowers on other family graves as well.  I added flowers to people in the "Clem" family.  I did this out of respect to my great grandmother's second husband, William H. Clem. 

One of the donators wrote me back and asked if I was related to the Clem's.  I said NO, and told her that my great grandmother had married William, and was only related by marriage.  Then I went to his memorial page. Then I saw his mother's last name was SHATTO (Americanized Chateau) 

(drum roll) ... Then I knew I was related to this man!

I went to my family tree program and looked up his mother's name, and started researching, and sure enough.  His mother is my great great great grandmother's sister!  That makes him and I, first cousin's four times removed!

So, I had to write the lady back and tell her that yup, we are related after all!  Turns out, she's a direct descendant of one of his children! So, I found another cousin too!

Fun! Fun! Fun!

Hope you get your genealogy stuff fixed Jim.. like you I have cabinets full of hard copy!

Hugs, Peg

[duh]

today I finally got back on the Family Search Indexing website.  I managed to transcribe 75 records.  They were death certificates from the early 1900's.  The stillborns were the hardest.  They all remind me of my son.  I'm sure it will get easier over time.

[Peggy]

Ah, I'm sorry...  I know it's hard.  I lost a baby too.  Now, I understand the medical issues that caused it but, at the time, the drs. nor I had a clue.  So I blamed myself and thought I was a failure! Not logical I know, but loosing babies kind of hits logical out of the ballpark.

You are in my prayers. Peg

[duh]

Thanks Peg that is sweet of you.  And your right logic does not apply when it comes to greiving. 

[landofoz]

My grandparents conducted some information on my grandmother's side of the family.  They have this huge thick book with all the information in it.  Scary bit: my great-grandmother is Otten but her maiden name is Otto and she was from South Dakota.  My husbands last name: Otto.  He has grand-aunt and uncles in South Dakota.  I'm not sure I want to investigate my husband's family.  I might them a bit too closely related.  

[Peggy]

Hahaha, Sarah! You might find it happening! I joke with my husband all the time about being related.  Some great grandparents of his were in Sugar Grove, Illinois the same time mine were there.  And I know there was a marriage between Inman's and VanAtta's.  I just can't seem to find the record I had.... probably still have!

Turns out my parents are like 17th cousins!  I don't think they had much to worry about though. hahahahehehe!!! (now we know what happened to Peggy!)

Ya, it's fun sometimes!!!   

[sunsoaker]

You should never be surprised by what you find when researching. I actually found I have a murderer in my line... and not that far back.. this was my grandfather's brother:

H.C. Bardin was involved in a killing- left family & moved to Ms ? , Tx ? Or La ? & changed name to Griffin or Griffith.

I am also told that I am related to Robert E. Lee on my grand-mother's side, and (I know) related to the Creek Indians on my g-father's side..

[duh]

I've got a connection to Robert de Bruce through his mistress followed by a great number of courtesians.  There are more skeletons in my closet than it is easy to keep track of.  And there are scoundrels on my dads side.  It's some family tree I'll tell you.

[Peggy]

oh ya, My great grandmother is a murderer! We've all got those folks who were who they were, and made us who we are!

I have a witch from Salem in my line... and emigrants who came over on the Oregon Trail.
A pilgrim on the Mayflower, and Dutch who helped build up New Amerstam (New York)...
A war hero who fought next to Washington in the Revolunioary War, and a Civil War private (several actually) one, who was taken hostage by the rebels and spent time in a POW Camp, and one who was shot in the leg, and dug the bullet out with a piece of baling wire and his boot knive.  The latter went on to become a gold miner and lumber man, and pioneer of Eugene, Oregon.

I truly believe we all have a 'closet' full of fun... history galore, stories, and more!

Have a great day! Peg