Start with what you know.

• Write down what you know. Make sure to include full names, dates and places. Now write down where you got the information. Genealogy is documented!!
• Next, ask the relatives or anyone else that might know names, dates and places.
• If you get the information in writing, file the letter. [Put the envelope with it.]
• If it was an interview write down the date, the place and everyone that was there. [Put the tape in the file.]
• If the information came by e-mail make sure you have hard copy. Your computer won't crash if you have hard copy.
• Check the file cabinet or the attic for any pictures or other documents. You never know what you might find.
  
• If you can figure out who is in the unlabeled pictures, Label Any Pictures.
Here is why.
• When the label is ambiguous, add information on the picture.

The questions to ask.

• Who did we inherit the black, curly hair from? Curly Hair Project.
• Where did the family live?
• Did they own the place?
• When did they move there?
• When did they leave? Why?
• Where did they come from?
• What mortuary handled the services?
• Did someone in the family change the spelling of the name?
• What church did they belong to?
• Who were the brother's and sister's? [If you can't go back through the direct line, going through a brother or sister gets you to the same place.]
• Who has the family bible?
• Who in the family is interested in genealogy?

The equipment needed.

• A black pen. [Thirty years down the road the notes you took in pencil are not NEAR as readable.] Remember you are KEEPING the notes you take.
• Some white paper. Full size sheets of paper. [Scraps get lost. If all you have is a scrap, tape it to a full size sheet of paper as soon as possible.]
• A roll of stamps.
• Some envelopes.
• A container to put stuff in. Start with a 3 ring binder. You can always work up to a filing cabinet.
• Some forms. Forms
  • Pedigree Chart - Includes direct line ancestors. [You, your parents, your grandparents, etc.]
  • Family Group Records - Gives information about a nuclear family. [Father, Mother, children. Dates and places of birth, marriage and death. And a place for notes. Genealogy is documented!!]
  • Research Logs - a place to write down where you looked and what you found.
• Or a good genealogy program for your computer. ^{(1) (2)} I have used Personal Ancestral file for several years. There is a free download from Family Search. Download takes about an hour and a half on a dial up modem or under five minutes on a cable modem.

Pick a place to start.

• Choose a family or ancestor with missing information. John McKay

Doing Research

• Go to Doing Research