 
                         National Genealogical Society 
                             4527 17th Street North 
                            Arlington, VA 22207-2399
                                 (703) 525-0050 
 
 
                     SUGGESTIONS FOR BEGINNERS IN GENEALOGY 
 
1. Interview Relatives 
 
   First, question older family members.  Encourage them to talk about their  
   childhoods and relatives, and do not stop listening when they repeat  
   themselves.  They will drop further clues, sooner or later, without realizing
   it.  You must recognize clues and follow up on everything that hints of a  
   family connection, no matter how remote.  Consider using a tape recorder and  
   saving the tapes for future generations or your own library.  After you have  
   heard their stories, you must verify each fact from some other source, to be  
   sure.  Do not let family scandal bother you, but remember that it may  
   embarrass others.  You are not responsible for your ancestors.  We all have  
   some who did unpleasant things. 
    
2. Visit Your Library 
 
   Then visit your local library.  Inquire of the librarian what heraldic,  
   historical and genealogical publications are available on paper or microfilm,
   and consult those that relate to the geographic areas of your interest. You   
   must know something about the settlement (when, by whom and from where) and
   subsequent history of the county or town in order to know what you might  
   expect to find in research for given time periods.  Learn how to use the card 
   catalog.  Ask the librarian to suggest or recommend genealogy classes that may
   be offered by a local college or other adult education facility.  Ask about
   any local, regional, and state genealogical and historical societies; then get
   in touch with their officers.  Ask for the name and address of the state
   Library and Archives in your state capital; then inquire about its holdings
   and services.  Ask about cemeteries, any ethnic or religious libraries or
   archives that may relate to your search, and any collection or compilation of
   Bible records. Ask about local chapters of any patriotic, royal or other
   societies for which there are proven lineage membership requirements, such as
   the Daughters/Sons of the American Revolution. 
 
3. Visit Your Courthouse 
 
   As you proceed through the foregoing steps you will learn how to ask the  
   right questions, i.e., those calculated to elicit the most productive  
   answers.  After you have mastered that technique, visit your local courthouse 
   to find out what is there, even if your ancestors lived elsewhere.  The one  
   thing all courthouses have in common is clerks who are busy.  They can be  
   enormously helpful.  Cultivate them by using their time efficiently.  Avoid  
   narratives and convoluted questions.  Ask, instead, to see such source  
   records as will, deed and marriage books, for example, and inquire as to how  
   they are recorded, arranged and indexed.  Read for genealogical clues those  
   that mention the surnames of your interest, including all conceivable  
   spellings.  When you encounter conflicting data, ask yourself which variant  
   is more likely to be accurate.  Which was recorded nearest the event by the  
   person most likely to know? 
 
4. Write Letters to Others 
 
   Learning to ask the right questions will help in the correspondence you  
   should undertake with other individuals or societies concerned with the same  
   families or areas, or with foreign embassies in Washington.  Enclose a long  
   self-addressed stamped envelope (an SASE to genealogists and others) in  
   every letter you wish to have answered.  The recipients will be more willing  
   to reply.  Generally, it is better to confine each letter to one specific  
   question, and to tell the recipient what you already know about the subject  
   and what research you have already done.  Provide as many dates and places as 
   you can.  Thank those who respond and share what you learn with other  
   researchers.  Those who share usually benefit most. 
 
5. Record Your Results Systematically 
 
   Record what you learn systematically, indicating the source for each fact.  
   Do not treat separate families on the same piece of paper, since they should  
   be filed in separate groups.  It usually is helpful to use printed family  
   group sheets or pedigree charts and a filing system organized so that you  
   can locate what you have in an ever-expanding collection. 
 
6. Additional Information 
 
   To learn more about these five steps and to continue your pursuit of  
   genealogy, you may wish to purchase "Instructions for Beginners in Genealogy." 
   This 62-page book will help you get started and develop good record-keeping  
   habits.  It is written in a simple, straightforward style and is three-hole  
   punched to carry in a notebook for ready reference.  It is available from the 
   Education Division of the National Genealogical Society (see file  
   NGSAIDS.TXT for ordering information). 
 
7. Home Study Course 
 
   To continue your learning experience beyond that of a beginner, you should  
   enroll in the Society's home study program, "American Genealogy: A Basic  
   Course."  This widely-acclaimed home study course allows you to study at home 
   at your own pace.  It includes careful instructions as well as assignments  
   for you to prepare and return for grading.  You will learn how to find and  
   use source records, evaluate genealogical evidence, document each item and  
   maintain orderly records.  The course materials include several very valuable 
   appendixes. (See file NGSCOURSE.TXT for form to get additional information.) 
 
 
                                RECOMMENDED READING 
 
   American Society of Genealogists, Genealogical Research: Methods and  
   Sources, 2 vols. rev. ed., Washington, DC. The Society 1980, 1983. 
 
   Andereck, Paul A. and Richard A. Pence, Computer Genealogy: A Guide to  
   Research Through High Technology, Salt Lake City, Ancestry, Inc., 1985. 
 
   Doane, Gilbert H. and James B. Bell, Searching for Your Ancestors: The How  
   and Why of Genealogy, 5th rev. ed., New York, Bantam Books, 1982. 
 
   Everton, George B., The Handy Book for Genealogists, 7th rev. ed., Logan,  
   UT, Everton Publishers, 1981. 
 
   Filby, P. William, American and British Genealogy and Heraldry, 3rd ed.,  
   Boston, New England Historic Genealogical Society, 1983. 
 
   Greenwood, Val D., The Researcher's Guide to American Genealogy, Baltimore,  
   Genealogical Publishing Co., 1973. 
 
   Jacobs, Donald Lines, Genealogy as Pastime and Profession, 2nd ed. rev.,  
   Baltimore, Genealogical Publishing Co., 1968. 
 
   Kurzwell, Arthur, From Generation to Generation: How to Trace Your Jewish  
   Genealogy and Personal History, New York, William Morrow, 1980. 
 
   Meyer, Mary K., ed., Meyer's Directory of Genealogical Societies in the USA  
   and Canada, 6th ed., Airy, MD, The Editor, 1986. 
 
   Schreiner-Yantis, Netti, ed., Genealogical and Local History Books in Print,  
   4th ed., Springfield, VA, The Editor, 1985. 
    
   Shumway, Gary L. and William G. Hartley, An Oral History Primer, Salt Lake  
   City, Primer Publications, 1973.  
 
   Stryker-Rodda, Harriet, How to Climb Your Family Tree: Genealogy for  
   Beginners. Reprint ed., Baltimore, Genealogical Publishing Company, 1983.  
 
   U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Where to Write for Vital  
   Records: Births, Deaths, Marriages and Divorces, Publication No. (PHS) 84- 
   1142, Hyattsville, MD, 1984.  
   U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Guide to Genealogical  
   Research in the National Archives, Washington, DC. National Archives, 1982. 
 
   Walker, James D., Black Genealogy: How to Begin, Athens, GA, University of  
   Georgia Center for Continuing Education, 1977. 
 
   Williams, Ethel W., Know Your Ancestors: A Guide to Genealogical Research,  
   rev. ed., Rutland, VT, Charles E. Tuttle Co, 1980. 
 
                              FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
 
 
   See NGSPUB.TXT on this BBS for a list of books sold through the NGS,  
   including some of those listed above. 
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