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Grow Your Family Tree. DEBRA A. HOFFMAN 4 October 2014. Overview. Basic Steps Maryland State Archives. Start at the Beginning. 5 Basic Steps. 1 – Start with what you know. 2 – Identify a research objective. 3 – Develop a research plan. 4 – Execute the plan. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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DEBRA A. HOFFMAN4 October 2014
Grow Your Family Tree
Overview
Basic Steps
Maryland State Archives
Start at the Beginning
5 Basic Steps
1 – Start with what you know.
2 – Identify a research objective.
3 – Develop a research plan.
4 – Execute the plan.
5 – Analyze, evaluate and correlate the
information.
Start with You!
Write down what you know about:
Yourself
Siblings
Parents
Grandparents
Gather the following information:
Full Name
Birth Date and Place
Marriage Date and Place
Death Date and Place
Military Service
Religious Affiliation
Etc.
Interview Family Members
Do they have:
Bibles
Diaries and Journals
Letters
Memorial Cards and
Funeral Programs
Birth, Marriage, or
Death Certificates
Baptism Certificates
Citizenship Papers
Fraternal Records
Legal Papers
Military Records
Newspaper Clippings
Occupational Records
School Records
Photo Albums
Pedigree Chart
Family Group Sheet
Research Objectives
Identify a Research Objective
Choose an ancestor.Identify specific research objectives.Select one to begin.
Usually you start with what you know and then work backward.
Include name, time period, location and what information you hope to find.
Example
Who was the father of William H. Weaver who was born 14 October 1827 in Germany?
Locality Search
Learn about the locality.
Identify available resources.
Literature Search
Determine what research, if any, exists: Printed family histories and genealogies
Family information published in periodicals
Biographies
Local histories
Manuscript collections of family information
Computer databases of family information
Online family trees
Etc.
Saves time and can provide clues
Develop a Research Plan
Research Plan
What sources will provide direct or indirect evidence?
Where are those sources located?
Search broad time periods.
Check for collateral relatives and variant
spellings.
Background Information
Identify your objectiveIdentify the name, date, place and any other
identifying characteristics Surname variations Identify starting information
Identify limitations Time
Analysis of what is known Identify gaps in information Highlight clues
Identify Repositories
Public Libraries
Library of Congress
DAR Library
Family History Library
Maryland Historical Society
Enoch Pratt Free Library
George Peabody Library at Johns Hopkins University
County Public Libraries
Identify Repositories
Courthouses
Family History Centers
State and Federal Archives
Maryland State Archives, Annapolis
State Libraries
Maryland State Law Library, Annapolis
Identify Records
Census Federal and State
Vital Records Birth, Marriage and Death
Land Records Federal and Local
Church RecordsCourt Records
ProbateEtc.
Execute the Plan
Death Records on MDVitalRec.net
Marriage Records
Deed Index on MDLandRec.net
Wills and Probate Records
Findings
List the repositories you visited.
List the resources you used.
Cite your sources!
List negative findings.
Discuss any problems encountered.
Take full research notes.
Separate comments from the record.
Research Log
Prevent brickwalls. Use one of these to prevent duplication of work. Foster accuracy by tracking what you have searched and the results.
Analyze, Evaluate & Correlate
Next Steps?
What clues did you find?
What other sources should you research?
Evidence Analysis
Ask Questions:
Does it correlate with what you already know?
Did you find what you were looking for?
Is the information complete?
Does it conflict with other information?
Evidence Analysis
Organize it in a systematic way
Timelines
Charts
Software
Cautions!
Just because it is published in a book or on the Internet does not mean it is true!
Don’t incorporate information into your family tree until you verify it.
Use original records, if possible.
Be Skeptical!
Fannie Langdon’s Obituary
Who Was the Informant?
Provided an Erroneous Age—was actually 60
Death Certificate
Maryland State Archives
Public Records from 1634-1789
Original state and county records
Microfilm of original records
Federal censuses
Church records
Land records
Maps & Atlases
Vital records
About the Archives
Getting Started at the Archives
Hours of Operation
Beginner’s Guide
Repository for all permanent records Municipal county, and State government
Special Collections Church records Newspapers Maps Manuscripts Photographs
General Public Tab
Family Historians Tab
Online Resources
Reference & Research Research at the Archives How to Find Specific Records Indices Found at MSA
Guide to Government Records Introduction to Guide to Government Records Understanding Maryland Records
QUESTIONS?
Thank You!
