CREATE A
FAMILY HEIRLOOM
Ancestral
Family Trees
Most of our family trees are ancestral trees. That means they start with you and works backward through generations.
Example of
4 Generations Family Tree
Father's
Father's Father's Father's
Mother's Mother's
Mother's Mother's
Father's Father's
Mother's Mother's
Father's Father's
Mother's Mother's
Father
Mother
Father Mother
Father Mother
Father Mother
|_______|
|_______|
|_______|
|_______|
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Father's
Father's
Mother's
Mother's
Father
Mother Father
Mother
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|_________________|
|_________________|
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Father
Mother
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|_____________________|
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YOU
Variations
1. Instead of "YOU," put your family surname2. Instead of "YOU," put the wedding date of the preceding generation
3. Instead of "YOU," list the names of all the children of the preceding generation
Create an Heirloom
I often have folks tell me that they are afraid to write in my family trees for fear of ruining them with their "bad" handwriting. Although it might be nice to get a calligrapher or someone with really nice handwriting to complete these family trees, I'd like to point out that in 100 years, someone will be thrilled to inherit a family tree filled out in their great-grandparent's own handwriting--regardless of its appearance.
Tips & Hints
1. Go to your nearby arts and crafts supply store--request acid free pens. Get accustomed to writing with the pen.2. When you get ready to fill in your family tree, have all of your family information compiled and readily available. Be familiar with the names and where they fit in the family tree.
3. Before filling out the family tree in ink, get a pencil and lightly write the names into their respective spaces. Now, walk away for at least one day.
4. IMPORTANT: Double check each name to be sure it is in the correct space.
5. Now you're ready to ink over the penciled names.
6. Let the ink completely dry, then gently erase any stray pencil mark--BEING CAREFUL NOT TO ERASE OVER THE METALLIC INK.
7. Sign and date the back of the family tree. It may be my family tree design, but it is YOUR work that finishes it!
JOURNEY THROUGH
HISTORY AND TIME
A BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO GENEALOGY
Genealogy?
Genealogy is the study of your ancestry. It is a mystery to unravel--a real life who-dun-it. There are clues, trails to follow, people to interview, deductions to be made, false trails, heroes and villains, skeletons, and maybe a beautiful princess. It is an absorbing journey that brings history to life through the eyes of your family.
Getting Started
You start with yourself. When were you born and where? Get a copy of your birth certificate. Write down the facts of your life. Write down all the family members that you know or have known. Collect copies of certificates or papers that show dates, places and relationships--birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates. Your local public library will have details on where to send for information from different states and countries.
Grill
Your Granny
Contact every living relative--starting with the eldest. Shine a hot spotlight in their eyes and get them to tell all they know. Seriously--ask them for information and stories about relatives they know or have known. Although genealogy deals primarily with names, dates, and relationships, the "family history" you learn as you do your research is the most interesting reason to do it--and will be greatly appreciated by future generations. Remember that your mother probably has sisters and brothers who have different memories of their parents and grandparents to share. While asking them for information about other relatives, ask them what THEY want to be remembered for. What are their memories of significant events in history? What were they doing when--World War II (at home and abroad); the Sixties; the first man stepped onto the moon; the Gulf War? Get them to drag out the old family photo album and ask them to tell you the story behind each picture. Encourage them to let you make copies of their pictures--not only those of people, but of the places they lived. You can even make a book of photos and their associated stories, have it reproduced, and share copies with family members at your next family reunion.
Just The Facts
You'll be amazed at how many records from the past are preserved for doing family research--census records, birth records, church records, immigration records, passenger lists, military service records, tax records, property records, wills, death records, obituaries, Social Security applications, employment applications, Revolutionary War militia meeting minutes, historical maps, and so on.Your public library is a great place to start asking about where to access these records. Public libraries can also help you locate book and magazines about genealogy. Don't forget about inter-library loans. Another source is your nearest branch of the Church of Jesus Christ & Latter Day Saints--they have genealogy branch libraries where you can order microfilm and microfiche of original records from all over the world. You don't have to be a member of their religion to use their family history resources. Look for them in your telephone directory and call to find out the days/hours their "Family History Library" is open.
You're already on the Internet, so start with the best list of links on the subject of genealogy at Cyndi's List -- cyndislist.com .
Clubs
and Societies
Consider joining cultural, historical and genealogical clubs and societies in your town, AND in the areas in which your family previously resided. One exists for practically any culture, ethnic group, country, state, county or region you can think of. When you go to the public library, ask to see their copies of Everton's Genealogical Helper--once a year, this magazine lists numerous societies around the country and the world. Also check the library for its holdings of other genealogy books, magazines, and society newsletters.
Be Organized
Keep records of everything. Most people start their family research by going into a sort of "information acquisition frenzy." After awhile, they find they have lots of information, but can't put their hands on what they're looking for because they haven't organized it. Many family researchers keep journals of their efforts--they even record their mistakes which prevents anyone following-up on their research from going on the same false trails. Pretend that a 10 year old child will be the recipient of your research--make it easy to understand, clearly documented and LEGIBLE. Use files to keep your records orderly. If you have a computer, consider getting one of the many excellent programs for organizing your family history. If you use a computer, be sure to make back-ups of your data and paper copies of every entry.
Share Everything
A woman in Homestead Florida spent fifty years researching her family. In her attic, she had boxes full of photographs, birth certificates, obituaries, old letters, and many other precious mementos of the past. Hurricane Andrew took it all away.Hurricanes, tornados, floods, fires, silverfish, mildew, and sunlight are very indiscriminate in their destruction. And the chemicals in papers and photographs break down naturally over time. So, make copies of your family history, irreplaceable documents, and photographs--AND SPREAD THEM AROUND. Telling family stories and distributing family histories are great projects for family reunions. Contribute copies to your local library and to libraries in communities where your ancestors formerly lived -- to help future researchers. And, of course, don't forget to proudly display your genealogy on an illustrated family tree from PAPER TREE!
The Game's Afoot
OK, Sherlock--there's no time like the present. Start NOW! Discover genealogy! You're certain to get hooked and you'll love every minute of it. In a hundred years, your descendants will be very grateful!
