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                       -=*=- BACKWARD FOOTPRINTS -=*=-
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                              Lila Kobs Hubbard
                   Family Genealogist & Research Historian

   Recall  the story of  the  Tortice & the Hare?   Slow  steady  progress  in
   genealogy is a must when trying to locate  or trace the  movement  of immi-
   grant  ancestors.  Genealogy is a science and  should be approached from  a
   scientific &/or historical like approach.   Someone recently described gen-
   ealogy  as  a huge jigsaw puzzle.  This is true, gathering bits of informa-
   tion piece  by  piece  seems  unproductive  until  the pieces start  to fit
   together.   When a  picture  begins to  emerge it  is possible by carefully
   planned research to seek  information  to fill in the missing  pieces.  All
   avenues  of  research  in  the  United States  should  be exausted before a
   genealogist tries  to trace  the  family  line  to  its  place  of  origin.
   This approach    may seem like  drugery &  it may seem  boring even  appear
   to  be unrewarding!  Who said it would be easy? No one, I know. There is an
   old saying, "A job  worth doing is  worth doing well."    These suggestions
   are not to lighten your burden  but more to  direct  & suggest  advantegous
   routes for successful research.   Valuable  only if you keep very  accurate
   records of your research. The search is on so start with you & your family.
   Relatives  may think  they know nothing but some of them really do!  Family
   stories, documents,  member  ship applications,  old letters, etc. may give
   you a lot of small  pieces to your family puzzle.

                         THINGS TO ASK ABOUT OR WRITE ABOUT

                   1. Family records
                   2. Bible Records
                   3. Family Letters, Stories & Traditions
                   4. Employment & Societies Records
                   5. Wills, Deeds, Etc.
                   6. Certificates, Awards, Discharges, Etc.
                   7. Photographs
                   8. Books of Remembrance
                   9. Diaries, Printed or Manuscript Family Genealogies

   If you  find  church  information,  or know  the  place of worship of  your
   ancestor don't overlook the following types of church records:

                   1.  Membership Records
                   2.  Birth, Marriage & Death Records
                   3.  Baptism Records
                   4.  Confirmation Records
                   5.  Communion Records
                   6.  Society or Board Minutes
                   7.  Church School Records
                   8.  Church Cemetery Records
                   9.  Church Archives State or National Levels

   Contact  the  proper authorities in Hometown,  U.S.A.  for help  or  search
   City, Town, Village Records:

                   1. Birth, Death, Marriage & Divorce Records
                   2. Tax Lists
                   3. School Records & Board Minutes
                   4. Town Histories & Historians
                   5. Newspaper Files (Obituary & News items)
                   6. Cemetery Records & Gravestones
                   7. Mortuary Records
                   8. Town Clerk's Minutes
                   9. Genealogical or Historical Societies
                  10. Libraries  -  many have genealogical information on  the
                      local level & may have hometown newspapers on microfilm.
                  11. Military Records, Statues, placques, etc.

   Your next move is to research County Records (Remember that old County
   boundaries change!  Get a good atlas.)

                   1.  County Census Records
                   2.  Court Records
                   3.  Wills, Administration & Guardianships
                   4.  Marriage Licenses / Bonds & Divorce Records
                   5.  Birth & Death Records
                   6.  Land Records
                   7.  Deeds
                   8.  Tax Records
                   9.  School Records & Board Minutes
                  10.  Naturalization Records
                  11.  Orphans Court Records
                  12.  Old Folks or Veterans Homes
                  13.  Hospital & Mental Institutions Records
                  14.  Military Records
                  15.  County Histories with Biographies & Genealogy
                  16.  County Genealogical & Historical Societies

   The  next  step forward is  to  search state records. You may be rechecking
   some  of your already located information but do realize humans  make  mis-
   takes  & dates could have been entered incorrectly or even the  minister in
   waiting months to record a number of things could have  missed recording  a
   marriage & did it later:

                   1.  Birth & Death Records
                   2.  Marriage & Divorce Records
                   3.  Land Grants
                   4.  Census Records
                   5.  Tax Lists
                   6.  Military Records

   An Adj.  General's Office provided the name, for a genealogist, of a  GREAT
   UNCLE.  The nameless male had existed  in  stories but his military records
   were  only obtained  because his name,  company & regiment were  sent  from
   the State of Missouri.

                   7.  Court Records
                   8.  Hospital & Mental Institution Records
                   9.  State Archives
                  10.  State Genealogical & Historical Societies

   The research now  goes  to  national  records  &  much  can be done at your
   nearest  branch  of  the  National Archives or by  mail,  using the  proper
   forms, with the NARS in Washington, DC :

                   1.  Census Records
                   2.  Military Records
                   3.  Pension Records
                   4.  Old Soldiers Homes Records
                   5.  Bounty Land warrant Records
                   6.  Records of Civilians During Wartime
                   7.  Records of American Indians
                   8.  Records of Black Americans
                   9.  Records of Merchant Seamen
                  10.  Records of Civilian Government Employees
                  11.  Passenger Arrival Lists
                  12.  Immigration Records
                  13.  Passport Information
                  14.  Naturalization Records
                  15.  Land Records
                  16.  Claims Records
                  17.  Court Records
                  18.  Records of the District of Columbia
                  19.  Miscellaneous Records Including Social Security
                  20.  Cartographic Records (Maps & Descriptions)
                  21.  Organizational & Multi - Society Records

   Your FOOTSTEPS BACKWARD may  be  difficult but  if your  research has  been
   extensive,  exacting &  you  are a 'Lucky Person' you will have the  proper
   information to begin your FOREIGN RESEARCH.

   There  are  many fine genealogical societies in other  countries  that  are
   willing  to assist an American genealogist but PLEASE remember when writing
   to send  International Response Certificates as a SASE is useless. Overseas
   postage costs about four times our normal postal rates.

                            Happy Ancestor HUNTING!

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