Genealogy 101

By: Julie CabittoMar 2016

The genealogy process has changed a lot.

Still important: • Interviews • Searching for records• Back up your research up with

sources• Prove every relationship

The Old Way (on paper)

The New Way (computer)

How can you prove you exist?

How can you prove who you are?

Make an inventory

Choose 1-3 websites to really focus & learn about

1. Start a small tree

2. Type in yourself, parents,

grandparents & great grandparents

3. Add in all the sources you can find

4. Review “hints”

5. Use message systems

6. Watch video tutorials

7. Read site FAQ’s

8. Source 4 generations,

9. As you add in names, add the

sources at the same time

Sources to start with:• Birth• Marriage• Death• Divorce record or date?• Religion• Ethnicity?• Interview relatives, ask for stories• Military?• Census• Newspaper articles• School records (yearbooks)• City directories• Will• Land records• Learn history of area your family lived• FamilySearch wiki

Ask lots of questions!!

• Use Google search

• Ask a friend

• Ask family

Have fun finding your story!!!