SUGGESTIONS FOR YOUR GENEALOGICAL JOURNEY
Keep yourself organized, right from the start.
1.
Work slowly back in time. Begin with yourself, your parents, siblings, aunts and uncles. Write
down information you already have. Then choose a family or family member to concentrate on.
2.
Interview family members and look at family documents first. Go from the known to the unknown.
3.
Keep track of the work you do—the books you read, the websites you visit and the queries or
letters you post on-line or by mail. Carefully note your sources in a research log.
4.
Take time to write down some future goals, then organize and write out your research questions.
Once you’ve done some research, write up a short report for yourself about your findings.
Benefit from the experience of others.
5.
Look at a few beginners’ genealogy books available through your local public or genealogical
society library. Check out some on-line advice, perhaps at the FamilySearch wiki:
www.familysearch.org
6.
Use recommended genealogy forms or choose a computer programme to use. Start with a pedigree
chart, family group sheet, research log and the various census forms for Canada, England, Ireland
and the USA. See the BCGS website and FamilySearch.org for forms and guides.
7.
Join a local genealogy society - most have regular meetings and special interest groups. Ask for
advice – about computer programmes, for example. Share your research problems and triumphs.
8.
Attend orientation or beginner’s workshops offered at local libraries, or by your genealogy society
or Family History Center. Find out which resources are available for free or with your
memberships, for instance, ask for ‘Ancestry.com' – Library Edition at your public library.
Develop your research skills and strategies.
9.
Before you search historical documents for your ancestors, learn something about that group of
records. What information is usually found in various Canadian census listings, for example, and
what is an enumeration district? Which abbreviations were used? Are indexes available?
10. Investigate all libraries and archives in your area. Public, university and college libraries will have
maps and atlases, both historical and current, and at least recent Canadian newspapers on paper or
microfilm. They may also have specialized historical and geographical collections and years of
historical newspapers. Many libraries and archives now have detailed catalogues, indexes and
finding aids on their websites. Prepare a research plan before you visit.
11. Join a local library or genealogy society’s hands-on session on internet searching. On-line, check
out Robert Ragan’s “Pajama Genealogy” courses or videos. He has detailed examples for
genealogists about using search engines and communicating on the web and by e-mail.
12. Join a Rootsweb e-mailing list in your area of interest, perhaps the CAN-BRITISH-COLUMBIA
list. (See a list of the lists: http://lists.rootsweb.com ) Lurk for a bit, reading the e-mails, then
carefully prepare and post a query or two about your family. Once you are comfortable with the
list, look for ways you can contribute information.
ENJOY YOUR GENEALOGICAL JOURNEY!
REMEMBER…GENEALOGISTS CONSIDER A STEP BACKWARD AS Progress!
BRITISH COLUMBIA GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY: www.bcgs.ca
M. DIANE ROGERS © 2015
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NOT TO BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT PERMISSION
Blog: www.canadagenealogy.blogspot.com
E-mail: canadagenealogy@shaw.ca
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