National Genealogical Society 4527 17th Street North Arlington, VA 22207-2399 (703) 525-0050 SUGGESTIONS FOR BEGINNERS IN GENEALOGY 1. Interview Relatives First, question older family members. Encourage them to talk about their childhoods and relatives, and do not stop listening when they repeat themselves. They will drop further clues, sooner or later, without realizing it. You must recognize clues and follow up on everything that hints of a family connection, no matter how remote. Consider using a tape recorder and saving the tapes for future generations or your own library. After you have heard their stories, you must verify each fact from some other source, to be sure. Do not let family scandal bother you, but remember that it may embarrass others. You are not responsible for your ancestors. We all have some who did unpleasant things. 2. Visit Your Library Then visit your local library. Inquire of the librarian what heraldic, historical and genealogical publications are available on paper or microfilm, and consult those that relate to the geographic areas of your interest. You must know something about the settlement (when, by whom and from where) and subsequent history of the county or town in order to know what you might expect to find in research for given time periods. Learn how to use the card catalog. Ask the librarian to suggest or recommend genealogy classes that may be offered by a local college or other adult education facility. Ask about any local, regional, and state genealogical and historical societies; then get in touch with their officers. Ask for the name and address of the state Library and Archives in your state capital; then inquire about its holdings and services. Ask about cemeteries, any ethnic or religious libraries or archives that may relate to your search, and any collection or compilation of Bible records. Ask about local chapters of any patriotic, royal or other societies for which there are proven lineage membership requirements, such as the Daughters/Sons of the American Revolution. 3. Visit Your Courthouse As you proceed through the foregoing steps you will learn how to ask the right questions, i.e., those calculated to elicit the most productive answers. After you have mastered that technique, visit your local courthouse to find out what is there, even if your ancestors lived elsewhere. The one thing all courthouses have in common is clerks who are busy. They can be enormously helpful. Cultivate them by using their time efficiently. Avoid narratives and convoluted questions. Ask, instead, to see such source records as will, deed and marriage books, for example, and inquire as to how they are recorded, arranged and indexed. Read for genealogical clues those that mention the surnames of your interest, including all conceivable spellings. When you encounter conflicting data, ask yourself which variant is more likely to be accurate. Which was recorded nearest the event by the person most likely to know? 4. Write Letters to Others Learning to ask the right questions will help in the correspondence you should undertake with other individuals or societies concerned with the same families or areas, or with foreign embassies in Washington. Enclose a long self-addressed stamped envelope (an SASE to genealogists and others) in every letter you wish to have answered. The recipients will be more willing to reply. Generally, it is better to confine each letter to one specific question, and to tell the recipient what you already know about the subject and what research you have already done. Provide as many dates and places as you can. Thank those who respond and share what you learn with other researchers. Those who share usually benefit most. 5. Record Your Results Systematically Record what you learn systematically, indicating the source for each fact. Do not treat separate families on the same piece of paper, since they should be filed in separate groups. It usually is helpful to use printed family group sheets or pedigree charts and a filing system organized so that you can locate what you have in an ever-expanding collection. 6. Additional Information To learn more about these five steps and to continue your pursuit of genealogy, you may wish to purchase "Instructions for Beginners in Genealogy." This 62-page book will help you get started and develop good record-keeping habits. It is written in a simple, straightforward style and is three-hole punched to carry in a notebook for ready reference. It is available from the Education Division of the National Genealogical Society (see file NGSAIDS.TXT for ordering information). 7. Home Study Course To continue your learning experience beyond that of a beginner, you should enroll in the Society's home study program, "American Genealogy: A Basic Course." This widely-acclaimed home study course allows you to study at home at your own pace. It includes careful instructions as well as assignments for you to prepare and return for grading. You will learn how to find and use source records, evaluate genealogical evidence, document each item and maintain orderly records. The course materials include several very valuable appendixes. (See file NGSCOURSE.TXT for form to get additional information.) RECOMMENDED READING American Society of Genealogists, Genealogical Research: Methods and Sources, 2 vols. rev. ed., Washington, DC. The Society 1980, 1983. Andereck, Paul A. and Richard A. Pence, Computer Genealogy: A Guide to Research Through High Technology, Salt Lake City, Ancestry, Inc., 1985. Doane, Gilbert H. and James B. Bell, Searching for Your Ancestors: The How and Why of Genealogy, 5th rev. ed., New York, Bantam Books, 1982. Everton, George B., The Handy Book for Genealogists, 7th rev. ed., Logan, UT, Everton Publishers, 1981. Filby, P. William, American and British Genealogy and Heraldry, 3rd ed., Boston, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1983. Greenwood, Val D., The Researcher's Guide to American Genealogy, Baltimore, Genealogical Publishing Co., 1973. Jacobs, Donald Lines, Genealogy as Pastime and Profession, 2nd ed. rev., Baltimore, Genealogical Publishing Co., 1968. Kurzwell, Arthur, From Generation to Generation: How to Trace Your Jewish Genealogy and Personal History, New York, William Morrow, 1980. Meyer, Mary K., ed., Meyer's Directory of Genealogical Societies in the USA and Canada, 6th ed., Airy, MD, The Editor, 1986. Schreiner-Yantis, Netti, ed., Genealogical and Local History Books in Print, 4th ed., Springfield, VA, The Editor, 1985. Shumway, Gary L. and William G. Hartley, An Oral History Primer, Salt Lake City, Primer Publications, 1973. Stryker-Rodda, Harriet, How to Climb Your Family Tree: Genealogy for Beginners. Reprint ed., Baltimore, Genealogical Publishing Company, 1983. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Where to Write for Vital Records: Births, Deaths, Marriages and Divorces, Publication No. (PHS) 84- 1142, Hyattsville, MD, 1984. U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Guide to Genealogical Research in the National Archives, Washington, DC. National Archives, 1982. Walker, James D., Black Genealogy: How to Begin, Athens, GA, University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education, 1977. Williams, Ethel W., Know Your Ancestors: A Guide to Genealogical Research, rev. ed., Rutland, VT, Charles E. Tuttle Co, 1980. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION See NGSPUB.TXT on this BBS for a list of books sold through the NGS, including some of those listed above.