Walk a Mile in My Shoes: Genealogy Crash Course for Librarians

Walk a Mile in My Shoes: Genealogy Crash Course for Librarians

Presented by:

Tamika Strong

IT Program Manager, Georgia Public Library Service

Georgia COMO 2015

October 8, 2015

CLASS OBJECTIVE

To assist attendees in getting a basic

understanding of the first steps in tracing ones

genealogy and documenting their family history

with a focus on using census records.

Why Would a You Want to Trace Your

Family History?

STEP #1 – Set a Goal Know Where you want to go.

Determine what you want to learn about your family.

Define a long and short term goal.

Write down the goals. Post them in your workspace.

Try to stay focus on them.

Research Goals

Short Term

◦ Example: Find census records for maternal

grandmother.

Long Term

◦ Example: Trace maternal family line to 1870.

STEP #2: Getting Started

Write down everything you know.

◦ Names

◦ Dates – Birth, Marriage, Divorce, Death

◦ Places where the family lived

Record the information on Family Group

Sheets and Pedigree Charts.

PEDIGREE CHART

Captures your direct ancestors, parents, grandparents, great-

grandparents, great-great-grandparents, etc.

You are #1 on the chart.

Your father’s line starts with #2.

Your mother’s line starts with #3.

Men are even numbers – 2, 4, 6, etc.

Women are odd numbers – 3, 5, 7, etc.

Women are placed on the chart under the maiden name. If

unknown then leave blank.

FAMILY GROUP SHEETS

Captures the family units – parents and children.

Create a Family Group Sheet for every couple or

mother-father pair.

Step #3 Family resources

Collect Family Documents

◦ Family Bibles

◦ Birth Certificates

◦ Marriage Certificates

◦ Divorce Decrees

◦ Funeral Programs

◦ Obituaries

◦ Death Certificates

◦ Military Records

◦ Cemetery/Burial

Information

◦ Pictures

◦ Wills

◦ Land Deeds

◦ Etc.

Step #3 Family resources

Collect Family History

Figure out the person in your family who knows a lot of

your family’s history.

Interview relatives, especially the elders

◦ Record the interview if possible, audio or video

◦ Ask to make copies of pictures, funeral programs,

obituaries, etc.

◦ Be prepared - some people may be unwilling to share

information or materials.

Step #4: Census Research

Find Your Folks in the Census Census Records

◦ Start from the present and work backwards starting with yourself.

◦ Happens every tens years from 1790.

◦ 1890 Census – lost to water damage due to a fire; some parts

survived.

◦ Information recorded in the census varied from each census year.

◦ Special Schedules were included during certain census years, i.e.

Slave Schedules in 1850 and 1860 Census.



◦ 1870 Census – first time most African Americans were listed by

name.

◦ 1880 Census – showed family relationships for the first time.

◦ 1900 Census – included birth month and date

◦ 1940 Census Released April 2012 Fully indexed by August of 2012 Denotes informant with an asterisk.



◦ Ancestry.com $$

◦ Ancestry Library Edition

Only available for use inside of libraries and archives

◦ Familysearch.org

◦ HeritageQuest

Available through GALILEO; Can access from home


Find Your Folks in the Census

Look at the individual’s birth date. That will determine which available censuses the person should be included.

Example: Maggie Bell Printup (1928 – 2000)

◦ Should be able to find her in the

1940 Census

1930 Census




◦ 1940 Census




◦ 1930 Census



Census Search Tips

◦ Start from the latest census and work backwards.

◦ Always look at the original document, not just the

transcription.

◦ Ages may not be accurate.

◦ Be mindful of Nicknames or name abbreviations, i.e.

Jno – John, Maggie – Margaret; Mag – Maggie

Step #5: Increase Knowledge - Books

Dowell, David R. 2011. Crash Course in Genealogy. Santa Barbara, Calif.: Libraries Unlimited.

Moore, Dahrl Elizabeth. 1998. The Librarian's Genealogy

Notebook: A Guide to Resources. Chicago: American Library Association.

Simpson, Jack. 2008. Basics Genealogy Reference: A Librarian’s

Guide. Westport, Conn.: Libraries Unlimited. Swan, James. 2004. The Librarian's Guide to Genealogical

Services and Research. New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers.

Step #5: Increase Knowledge – Online Resources

Ancestry.com Learning Center ◦ http://learn.ancestry.com/Home/HMLND.aspx

Familysearch.org Learning Center ◦ https://familysearch.org/learn

Genealogy.about.com ◦ http://genealogy.about.com/od/make_family_tree/u/learn.htm

Genealogy.com Learning Center ◦ http://genealogy.com/genehelp.html

YouTube (search for Genealogy) ◦ Ancestry, FamilySearch and other companies and individuals have

videos. I really like the Five Minute Finds series by Ancestry for quick lessons.

Research Tips

Select a single surname, individual, or family unit to focus on.

Set a research goal.

Complete and update Pedigree Charts and Family Group Sheets to reflect new information.

Create and keep a research log or journal to track your progress.

Get organized and stay organized.

Make copies, either paper or electronic, of the original documents so you will have a copy.

Research Tips cont.

Take small steps…don’t overwhelm yourself. Genealogy is a lifelong hobby!

Get organized and stay organized!!!!

Learn as you go using webinars, classes,

attending genealogy group meetings, etc.

Remember to have fun!!!

Local Repositories

Your Local Library

GPLS Library Directories ◦ http://www.georgialibraries.org/directories/

Georgia Archives ◦ http://www.georgiaarchives.org/

National Archives at Atlanta ◦ http://www.archives.gov/atlanta/

Family History Centers ◦ https://familysearch.org/locations/

Local Historical and Genealogical Groups

Georgia Archives - Directory of Historical and Cultural Organizations ◦ http://apps.georgiaarchives.org/GHRAB/

Georgia Genealogical Society (GGS) ◦ http://www.gagensociety.org

Genealogical Societies in Georgia ◦ http://www.gagensociety.org/research/societies

Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHGS) – Metro

Atlanta Chapter ◦ http://www.aahgsatl.org/

HAVE FUN!!!!!

Source: http://www.roadkilltshirts.com/Assets/ProductImages/PS_1081_SHOOK_TREE.jpg

PRESENTER INFORMATION

Tamika Strong

IT Program Manager

Georgia Public Library Service

[email protected]

A copy of the PowerPoint used in the presentation can be

found here: gagenealogy.wordpress.com/presentations

Walk a Mile in My Shoes: Genealogy Crash Course for Librarians

Education

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