Running head: BEGINNING GENEALOGY
LIBR 210-01 – Reference & Info Services
Fall ‘09
Melissa Grygla
Information Literacy/Pathfinder-Webliography
Beginning Genealogy
Melissa L. Grygla
LIBR 210-01 Reference and Information Services
Fall 2009
Professor Christensen
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LIBR 210-01 – Reference & Info Services
Fall ‘09
Melissa Grygla
BEGINNING GENEALOGY
Abstract
Beginning genealogists are often at a loss as to where to start their research. This is a self paced
lecture to introduce basic resources and research methods to new genealogists. The lecture is
presented as a PowerPoint 2007 document with voice recording. A pathfinder of additional
materials which can be used is included for the researcher’s information. The pathfinder is
developed specifically for the Tehama County Library; it includes books available at the library,
and film and photo resources available at the Red Bluff branch. These sources will be useful for
genealogists, historical societies, and libraries providing reference services. Large amounts of
information can be located online, however the materials listed within the pathfinder have been
reviewed for reliability, and accuracy.
Keywords: reference services, pathfinder, genealogists, Tehama County Library.
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LIBR 210-01 – Reference & Info Services
Fall ‘09
Melissa Grygla
BEGINNING GENEALOGY
Beginning Genealogy
Beginning genealogists are often at a loss as to where to start their research. There are
hundreds of resources available for their use. However, which resources best suits the
researcher’s purpose? How should they begin their research? The following helps to answer
these questions. This is a self paced lecture to introduce basic resources and research methods. A
pathfinder of additional materials which can be used is included for the researcher’s information.
Group and Purpose
This lesson is developed as a basic introduction for beginning genealogists. It introduces
them to a variety of resources available, such as online, in bookstores, and at the library. The
lesson is developed primarily for adults and teens interested in genealogy research. It may also
be a useful overview for students beginning a genealogical report. Other individuals encouraged
to attend the presentation are library staff not familiar with genealogy research methods. Melissa
Grygla will be presenting the lesson for LIBR 210 in Fall 2009. The lesson will be recorded and
be made available online, for researchers to take.
Outline of Presentation
I.
Where do I start?
II.
What do I have?
a. Primary sources
b. Secondary sources
c. Vital records
III.
Basic Steps
a. Set a goal
b. Decide which source to use
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LIBR 210-01 – Reference & Info Services
Fall ‘09
Melissa Grygla
BEGINNING GENEALOGY
c. Locate the source
d. Search the source
e. Copy the information
f. Evaluate the information
g. Use the results
h. Organize and reorganize.
IV.
Additional resources for beginning genealogists (pathfinder).
V.
Conclusion
VI.
Resources
Teachers Notes and Lesson
Lesson Plan Title
Beginning Genealogy for Library Patrons
Objectives
This is a self paced lecture to introduce basic resources, research methods and give
researchers an idea of the variety of materials available for their use.
Student Materials
1. Computer
2. Pen or pencil.
3. PowerPoint presentation titled “Beginning Genealogy”.
4. Information I Already Have Sheet (see Appendix A (Best, 2003, pg 17).
Vocabulary
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BEGINNING GENEALOGY
LIBR 210-01 – Reference & Info Services
Fall ‘09
Melissa Grygla
Genealogy- “An account of the descent of a person, family or group from an ancestor or
from older forms” (Merriam-Webster, 2003, pg 520).
Primary Sources- Sources created at the time of the event including: birth certificates;
marriage certificates; diaries.
Secondary Sources- A record, verbal or written, created after the event took place by
someone who was not an eyewitness. An example is a verbal story told by the grandmother
about a grandfather’s childhood.
Procedure
Slide notes.
1. Hi! My name is Melissa Grygla, and I’ll be guiding you through the first steps of
beginning genealogy today. This mini lesson is designed for those people who are
interested in genealogy, but are not quite sure where to start. Not long ago I was one
of those people, so let’s see if I can give you some ideas to begin with yourself.
2. Millions of people are interested in genealogy. They search family history for a
variety of reasons, some to locate a past for themselves, others because it relaxes
them. However one thing which even genealogists, who have researched for years
need to be reminded of sometimes, it that quality of the research is more important
than quantity. Who wants to be in their last stages of research and find that they did
something wrong at the very beginning and it needs to be corrected?
3. Starting a project of this size can be somewhat intimidating for some people.
However, the rewards are worth the struggle. Genealogy is similar to a puzzle
researchers, work one piece at a time, often working years before they can sit back
and look at the big picture. We shouldn’t rush into this kind of research. Prior to
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LIBR 210-01 – Reference & Info Services
Fall ‘09
Melissa Grygla
undertaking this large task, find the information you already have. Involve parents,
siblings, grandparents, cousins and other family members in the task. Things such as
birth announcements, letters, the family bible all contain information which can give
the research a basic idea to begin with. Once these documents have been gathered
begin your “Information I Already Have” sheet to start imputing data.
4. Figuring out what you have to begin your research with, is often a labor intensive
process. Once the basic information has been located, it is relatively simple to sit
down and fill out the ‘Information I Already Have” form. This form is a good starting
point. From here researchers can begin the eight step cycle to locate information
about their relatives. In fact a good idea may be to complete the form and then share it
with another relative to see if they can fill in any missing pieces.
5. One thing we need to know when beginning this type of research is that there are
several different types of records which will be referred to during the researching
phase. Primary sources, secondary sources, and vital records. Primary sources are
things such as diaries, pictures, letters, the family Bible, and birth certificates.
Secondary sources are records created by someone who was not an eyewitness at an
event. Vital records are the most confusing source of the three. These records include
birth certificates, marriage certificates and death certificates. Vital records can be
considered primary and secondary sources. For example a death certificate is a
primary source for the date of death; however it is consider a secondary source for the
date of birth. This is because the birth certificate is the primary source for the date of
birth.
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LIBR 210-01 – Reference & Info Services
Fall ‘09
Melissa Grygla
6. Using the steps of the genealogy research cycle we will search for information, in
order to better understand genealogy as a hands on process. This cycle is composed of
8 basic steps; from setting a goal to organizing they all have their importance to
researchers.
7. Set a goal for yourself. It’s so much easier to be organized if you know what you’re
looking for. Make sure when you set your goal you work backwards through time. By
starting at the most recent date and working backwards the information collected is
sure to be correct. Make very specific goals. The more specific the goal is the easier
finding the information will become. Our goal for this lesson is to find out the day
Rosa Parks died. It doesn’t relate specifically to anyone's personal genealogy,
however it allows us to demonstrate the steps used to complete genealogical research.
8. Once a goal has been decided, move onto the next step. Decide which source will be
the most likely to have the information you’re looking for. The book Research Your
Family History: Genealogy for the First Time by Laura Best, may be a good starting
point for new genealogists. It has a complete list of sources which can be used to find
specific information. According to the information in the chart above, the sources
which can help to answer our question “What day did Rosa Parks die?” include
cemetery, vital records and obituaries.
9. When completing a search for genealogy. During step three it’s important to stay
organized. Keep a list of all documents which have been searched. One effective way
to do so is to keep a log of the date, source, comments and the results from the source.
The more information you have when beginning the search the less challenging the
search will be. For our goal of finding “What day did Rosa Parks Die” the Social
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LIBR 210-01 – Reference & Info Services
Fall ‘09
Melissa Grygla
Security Death Master File, link above should be useful. It allows searchers to search
for individuals no longer living by entering any or all of the following: the name;
birthday; place of birth; or date of death.
10. Now, try some hands on searching through the Social Security Death Master File link
on the slide. Enter the information you think will be necessary to locate the date of
Rosa Park’s death. (Yes, Google would be faster, however when searching for
personal relatives, Google may not be an option).
11. Okay, did you find it? It is the top entry listed as Rosa Louise Parks. The date of
death is listed as October 24, 2005. In order, to be able to access all of the information
available you have to have a membership to the site, however libraries sometimes
provide these memberships to their patrons. Step 5, recommends copying the
information. This ensures that the information is in the researchers hands. It also
ensures that they have a record other than their notes to reflect on when verifying
facts.
12. Step 6: Evaluate the information. Is the Rosa Louise Parks we located the Rosa Parks
we were attempting to locate. Verify with other records. Does the time line fit? Does
the information make sense? Having the wrong information can skew end results.
Evaluate the information. If you’re not sure it’s correct, check again.
13. Step 7: use the information you found. You determined it was the correct information
in response to the goal which was set. So enter the information into the “Information I
Already Have” chart as appropriate. Finally keep yourself organized. There are many
ways to organize information on genealogy. Research these methods and find the one
which works for you.
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Melissa Grygla
BEGINNING GENEALOGY
14. The next few slides consist of a list of sources which can assist you in your future
genealogical endeavors. These resources include websites, books, and materials
available at local libraries. Remind students that some of their best resources are their
family members. Thank you and good luck!
Summary
Genealogists are constantly looking for new ways to access information, methods of
organization, and new methods of sharing information. There are hundreds of resources available
for use. The pathfinder includes resources and information for genealogists who have been
researching for years, and those who are just beginning. The lecture provided through a
PowerPoint presentation is designed specifically for beginning genealogists who need an idea of
where to begin their research.
Conclusion
Genealogy is something many people begin as a hobby out of interest. Librarians on the
other hand sometimes begin their journey into genealogy as a result of patrons. Daily, patrons
will approach the reference desk needing information about a relative through our newspapers,
books about local history, or for information about beginning their own genealogical research.
The attached lesson and pathfinder are designed specifically for patrons who wish to begin the
journey of genealogy. The information included in both of these resources is by no means the
only information available to researchers, it is merely a starting point developed for researchers
in the Tehama County Library.
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LIBR 210-01 – Reference & Info Services
Fall ‘09
Melissa Grygla
BEGINNING GENEALOGY
Pathfinder
Print Sources: Many books other than those listed are available at libraries and bookstores
nationwide.
Best, L. (2003). Genealogy for the first time: Research your family history. United States:
Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.
This book contains information appropriate for beginning researchers. It has an
explanation of beginning genealogy research, and ideas and resources to continue research. The
book is broken up into four sections. These sections are: basics, basic research techniques,
beyond the basics, and unique uses of genealogy findings.
Helm, M. and A. L. Helm. (2008), Genealogy online for dummies. New Jersey: Wiley
Publications.
This book comes with a CD-which allows access a trial copy of genealogy software.
Much of the information contained in the book links to the CD. The methods of organization
used, and the databases listed are great for researchers. The text of this book encourages
researchers to develop their own webpage to keep track of their family’s genealogy.
Melnkk, M. Y. (2002). The genealogist’s question & answer book. United States: Betterway
Books.
Researchers who are familiar with genealogy will find this book productive. It answers
questions about genealogy throughout the entire book. The questions of the book are broken up
into chapters based on question content. Some of the areas of content include: census records;
military records; newspapers, periodicals and city directories; cemetery and funeral home
records; and terminology.
Renic, P. (2003). Genealogy 101: How to trace your family’s history and heritage. United States:
Thomas Nelson.
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Melissa Grygla
Renic allows beginning and advanced researches to learn from this book. It presents
information that is basic for beginning researchers, yet informative enough that other researchers
can also use the book as a reference. The text includes information about organization of
materials, and locating local genealogical agencies throughout the United States.
Rising, M. H. (2005). The family tree problem solver: Proven methods for scaling the inevitable
brick wall. United States: Family Tree Books.
Designed to address issues that genealogists often face, this book proves to be a useful
resource. The author addresses how to locate materials based on recommendations from another
genealogist, rather than trying to go through all of the black tape. The author also discusses what
not to do when researching in order to avoid the brick wall.
Taylor, M. (2005). Uncovering your ancestry through family photograph (2nd ed). United States:
Family Tree Books.
Learn how to identify relatives in photographs and study photo backgrounds for clues.
Methods of locating photographs and creating worksheets are also discussed in this book. It takes
family history a step further, by looking only at photos.
Local Sources (Tehama County, CA)
Tehama County Genealogical and Historical Society. (2008). Retrieved from
http://www.tcghsoc.org/.
Tehama County Genealogical and Historical Society provides information to the public
in the form of a basic look up. Additional information such as repetitive searches, copies, and
memories books may cost an additional fee. Members of the historical society volunteer at the
local library to do research, using the materials listed on the website. These materials include
books, microfilm, and microfiche documents. The site also gives researchers information about
where they can request vital records.
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LIBR 210-01 – Reference & Info Services
Fall ‘09
Melissa Grygla
Online Sources
Ancestry. (2009) Ancestry.com. Retrieved from http://www.ancestry.com/?.
Ancestory.com has advanced greatly over the years. It allows access to the Social
Security death Index. Members can also pay a fee to be matched to family based on DNA
analysis. Individuals who are serious about finding information but cannot devote the time to
research their family history can also hire an expert through this site.
Ancestry. (2009). Genealogy.com. Retrieved from http://www.genealogy.com/index_r.html.
This site allows researchers to browse information about starting research and current
trends. Researchers can create their own account, browse entries, and purchase data on a CDrom. The subscription fee to the site is between 70 and 200 dollars annually.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. (2008). Family Search. Retrieved from
http://www.familysearch.org/eng/default.asp.
This site provides researcher information, as well as the ability to create a Personal
Ancestral File (PAF). The site includes links to help researchers begin, and to share research.
The site also allows users to search the catalogue of books available which can be sent to Family
History Centers around the world.
The USGenWeb Project. Retrieved from http://www.usgenweb.org/.
This project was created to provide online access to genealogical information for free.
The main page connects the United States. From there users are able to select a particular state to
locate information about. The link within the CA page for California Research Helps contains a
pathfinder for researchers specifically related to California.
Periodicals
Family Tree Magazine. (2009). United States: F + W Media Inc.
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Melissa Grygla
A subscription to Family Tree Magazine allows readers access to the bimonthly
magazine, the free monthly podcast, blogs, and a newsletter. This information is a continual link
to genealogical research information for researchers interested in new information, and new
methods of accessing information.
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Melissa Grygla
References
Ancestry. (2009) Ancestry.com. Retrieved from http://www.ancestry.com/?.
Ancestry. (2009). Genealogy.com. Retrieved from http://www.genealogy.com/index_r.html.
Best, L. (2003). Genealogy for the first time: Research your family history. New York: Sterling
Publishing Co. Inc.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. (2008). Family Search. Retrieved from
http://www.familysearch.org/eng/default.asp.
Clifford, D. (2009) The research cycle. Genealogy.com. Retrieved from
http://www.genealogy.com/84_clifford.html.
Family Tree Magazine. (2009). United States: F + W Media Inc.
Helm, M. and A. L. Helm. (2008), Genealogy online for dummies. New Jersey: Wiley
Publications.
Melnkk, M. Y. (2002). The genealogist’s question & answer book. United States: Betterway
Books.
Merriam-Webster’s collegiate dictionary (11th ed).(2003). United States: Merriam-Webster,
Incorporated.
Renic, P. (2003). Genealogy 101: How to trace your family’s history and heritage. United States:
Thomas Nelson.
Rising, M. H. (2005). The family tree problem solver: Proven methods for scaling the inevitable
brick wall. United States: Family Tree Books.
Taylor, M. (2005). Uncovering your ancestry through family photograph (2nd ed). United States:
Family Tree Books.
The USGenWeb Project. Retrieved from http://www.usgenweb.org/.
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Melissa Grygla
Appendix A
Information I Already Have
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