| There are so many genealogy web sites on the | | | | subject to error by transcription. The handwriting |
| Internet these days, that it can be somewhat | | | | of the original record may be very difficult to |
| overwhelming to a beginner in genealogy. | | | | read, or splotched, or folded over and worn, or |
| Someone starting to build their family tree and | | | | spelled so weirdly it was challenging to make |
| wanting answers to questions about their history, | | | | sense of it. Whenever you find details transcribed, |
| can find it very difficult to decide where to look | | | | always try to see the original document as well. |
| for what! Here are a few ideas to help beginners | | | | Since you know exactly who you are looking for |
| feel more confident on the Internet. | | | | (and their family), you may see that this is the |
| You need to remember that not all information on | | | | correct family but with an oddly-spelled surname, |
| the Internet is correct or proven. Sometimes you | | | | and phonetic spellings of most of their first names! |
| will find that a web site is simply a collection of | | | | Without that original document to pore over, you |
| other people's information. Unless the details have | | | | might never have found your family! |
| a high-quality source to support the details on an | | | | There are many commercial genealogy web sites |
| individual or family group, you need to assume the | | | | with various databases of documents you can |
| details are "interesting" but not proven. What is | | | | search through, and the fees range from |
| "high-quality"? = any document which originated at | | | | pay-per-view to yearly membership fees. On |
| the time of an event: a birth registration, a parish | | | | many such sites, however, you can still find some |
| register of a wedding or burial, a residence listed in | | | | free databases. For instance, Ancestry.com, one |
| a city directory or on a census, a pension | | | | of the larger sites, provides free access to the |
| application. | | | | 1880 USA census and others. When you go to |
| Another quick important point: names were | | | | any of the fee-based sites, look immediately for |
| frequently spelled many different ways until into | | | | free databases which may be useful to your |
| the middle 1800s, so it is best to assume wild and | | | | particular searches. Many sites have a toll-free |
| wonderful spelling. Once into the 1850s, more | | | | phone line you can call to verify which databases |
| people were literate and spelling became | | | | are free for you. Of course, they may try to talk |
| standardized. For example, I have one specific line | | | | you into joining their business, but you need to |
| of my Buell family spelling their surname Buel; | | | | take time to decide this. It could be that another |
| another Vineyard line which spells their surname | | | | web site has more of the specific databases that |
| Vinyard, and Terwilliger - every spelling you could | | | | you need to search. In the meantime, you are |
| think of! So be creative when searching for | | | | able to use these free records to help in your |
| ancestors in old registers and documents. | | | | research. Eventually you will find one or two |
| Think about what specific information you are | | | | companies whose combination of databases are |
| looking for in your family tree. Take a piece of | | | | exactly what you need to use! |
| paper and write down an individual's name, and | | | | Each country usually has some form of free |
| what it is you want to know about him or her. | | | | access to various government records, either by |
| Once you have identified details, you can begin to | | | | country or by smaller regions (provinces, states, |
| brainstorm the various databases of documents | | | | towns). Governments are digitizing their records |
| or registers you might research next. | | | | at an amazing rate, which makes your searches |
| When searching, you are looking for when a | | | | so much quicker, and more is being uploaded to |
| document or record may have been made which | | | | the Internet each day. Remember that you will |
| automatically would include your missing details | | | | want to look at original records if at all possible, |
| and information. For instance, if you need | | | | since sometimes only a small part of the record is |
| confirmation of a birth date, obviously a birth | | | | digitized for searching. For example, I could find |
| registration would be the best original source since | | | | my grandfather-in-law death registration online, |
| it was generated at the time of the event. But | | | | but only the date and government form numbers. |
| failing to find a birth registration form, a birth date | | | | However, a trip to the central library downtown |
| may also show up on a marriage registration | | | | and I searched a microfilm of his entire original |
| form, or a pension application form, or a | | | | death registration, with many more details allowing |
| naturalization form, or specific census year forms, | | | | me to confirm family story details including his |
| or military attestation or draft papers, etc. | | | | parents' full names and birthplaces. |
| Obviously those additional forms are not the very | | | | As a beginner, you know that an original record is |
| best sources, but if they all match, that would | | | | a treasure chest of details which will help you build |
| certainly confirm the date! Use the Contact button | | | | your family tree. Look for more than one record |
| to email me for a free copy of a form for | | | | to confirm various ancestors' life events, and the |
| research ideas, on RootsBasic (link below). | | | | puzzle pieces will fall together! Enjoy your |
| Databases are a collection of transcribed records, | | | | searches. |
| and because they are transcribed, they are | | | | |