How Not to Spend a Fortune on Your Genealogical Research

The least expensive way, especially if you aresocieties. There are countless specialized
just starting your family history research, is togenealogical societies; such as Jewish Genealogical
begin with yourself. You do need to write outSociety, American-French Genealogy Society and
your own basic information (birth, marriage,East European Genealogical Society. Whatever
residence, and schooling) and then work on eachyour location or interest in genealogy, there is a
parent. If possible write then each parent'ssociety established.
mother and father. You might not know muchThe society's purpose is to generate interest and
yet but do write out what information, name,promote genealogical research. Most have their
dates, location you know, even if it has a questionown web site on the Internet and produce
mark. You would be surprised at how much younewsletters. You can become a member for a
may already know.minimal annual fee even if you don't live in the
With that listing, go to living relatives; older siblings,area of its headquarters.
parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, evenA regional genealogical society is good to belong
godparents along with old family friends andto especially if you have several ancestors from a
neighbors. The amount of knowledge will greatlyparticular location. They will have a library of
increase after meeting or writing to some ofpublications, books, family charts, cemetery
these individuals. However, being accurate isrecords, wills, deeds and even photos for the
important. Your aunt might not know theregion which would be of assistance in your
marriage date of a grandparent, but does believeresearch.
it was before 1930. Put that information downThe society's volunteers will search their holdings
with a question mark, it could be helpful later.when you send a written request (keep it to 2 -
Now the real research begins. Select a couple of3 questions) and mail back the information. There
the ancestors and use the Family Search web siteusually is a small fee and even less for society
familysearch.org It is free using a computer andmembers. While using the Internet either at home
the Internet. It is also available at your local libraryor in the public library, an excellent source is the
on their public computers. The site will have'Community Message Boards'. With Ancestry.com,
'Ancestral Files', 'US Census for 1880', 'InternationalRootsweb Message Board, or FamilyHistory.com,
Genealogical Index', 'Pedigree Resource File', 'Socialthey serve as a massive online community where
Security Death Index (SSDI)' and 'Vital Recordsindividuals around the world post their questions
Index'.and provide assist to fellow researchers. Just
Using this site alone with will open all newabout any surname, region or topic relating to
possibilities of ancestors. If your have a localgenealogy will have a message board. It is a free
branch of Family History Center of thesource to connect with other genealogists and
Latter-Day Saints Church, by all means use itsexchange information.
facility.Perhaps you have a particular request; another
Besides the use of computers with the Familyonline source is 'Random Acts of Genealogical
Search web site, the local Family History CenterKindness' (RAOGK) at raogk.org/. This volunteer
will have cabinets filled with microfilm / microfichegroup from across the world will look up, copy or
and the readers to view the films. The microfilmphotograph requests submitted in reference to
and microfiche have Federal and State censusestheir region. For example, you would like a photo
for everywhere in the United States, manifestsof the headstone of your grandfather located in a
of immigrants arriving in the country, variouscemetery in Orange County, California. At the
church records, land deeds, city directories plusRAOGK web site you would go to the state
records from most countries in the world.name, then the county and view the list of
If the local Center doesn't have the material orvolunteers in that county willing to take photos in
microfilm you need and it is available at thethe county's cemeteries.
headquarters in Salt Lake City, it can be orderedYou email that individual with your request and
and sent to your local branch for a small fee.they get back to you of approximately when
There are various books, maps, magazines andthey could do the photo. You in turn provide your
additional genealogical computer disks all free tomailing address and cover the cost of either
use.driving to the cemetery and / or developing of
They can provide you free with 'PAF' - Personalthe photo, etc. There is no cost for the time to
Ancestral File software which will allow you toassist you. There are thousands of volunteers,
collect, organize and share your family history. Ifmany in countries outside the United States, all
you need printed paper forms or charts for listingwilling to go the extra mile in their own
your family, those are also available. Plus acommunity to help you.
volunteer staff to assist in every aspect of yourThe path of a genealogist has been made much
search. This is one major source that everyeasier over the years, especially with the many
genealogist will appreciate and use.volunteers around the world. Doing your family
Genealogy has always been a popular hobby andhistory does not have to be a highly costly
even more so in the last twenty years. So thatactivity. It does take your time and commitment
genealogical societies have developed for decades.however the rewards can benefit future
There are the national, state and local levelgenerations.