Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
How to Research Your
Family History?
Cypress Historical SocietyCypress, Texas
Where to Start?
• Your Immediate Family
1. Interviews
2. Collect documents (Birth, Death, Marriage, Deeds, Citizenship papers)
3. The Family Bible
4. The family “Hoarder” or fellow Genealogist
• The “Family Group Sheet”
The Family Group Sheet
• Fill One Out for Each Family• Use “Abt”, “Bef”, and “Aft”• Make “Source” notes
The Family Group SheetAn Example of making entries to a Family Group Sheet:1910 Census-Harris County, Texas
Quality of your Information Source
• Primary Sources: “an artifact, a document, a recording, or other source of information that was created at the time under study, for which the writer has personal knowledge”.
(Examples – A Birth Date written on a Birth Certificate, filled out by the Mother)
• Secondary Source: “accounts written after the fact with the benefit of hindsight, which cite, comment on, or build upon primary sources”.
(Examples – A Birth Date put on a Death Certificate or grave stone)
Pedigree Chart
U.S. Census Records
• Available 1790-1940 (No 1890!)
• 1850 is oldest census available for Texas residents
• Different information recorded each year
• Location, Location, Location!
1. Thank goodness for Indexes
2. Precincts and Enumeration Districts (EDs)
• Don’t believe everything you see!
1850 Federal Census
1850 Non-Population Schedules - Agriculture• Available between 1850 & 1880 for Agriculture, Industry,
Mortality, and Social Statistics
1850 Federal Census
Slave Schedules• Avail for 1850 & 1860
1900 Federal Census
Month/Year of BirthYears Married
# Children
Year Immigrated
# Years in U.S.
How Do I Find Someone in the U.S. Census?
• Computer index
• Microfilm Index Cards (by Soundex)
• Find their Location
• Enumeration Districts (EDs)
Enumeration Districts (EDs)
www.Ancestry.com
Pitfalls Using Census Records
• Miss-spelled Names
• False or Wrong Information
• Bad Memory
Church RecordsSalem Lutheran
Church of Rosehill
• Good Primary Source (Until Transcribed!)
• Births, Marriages, Deaths, Confirmation• Usually better than Civil Records
Cemetery Records
• Good Primary Source for Death Date
• Often contains Birth Date, Maiden Name, Relationship info, Military info, Church affiliation.
• Contact Local Societies to do “Look-Ups”
• Transcribed sources:
• Local Society Publications (Example: Chaparral’s “Cemeteries of Northwest Harris County and Southwest Montgomery County” ).
• Internet: www.Findagrave.com
Cemetery RecordsSalem Lutheran
Church of Rosehill
Visit and Take Photographs . . .
Cemetery RecordsSalem Lutheran
Church of Rosehill
. . . Before it is Too Late.
Deterioration of Grave Stones
Same stone April, 2009Headstone before 1989
What’s Available at the CHS Library?
Cypress Historical Society
Genealogy and History Research Library
Tuesday 9am – 4pm Wednesday 9am – 4pm Thursday 9am – 4pm 3rd Saturday 11am – 2pm
www.cypresshistoricalsociety.com
Available at the CHS Library
Local Census Records (Printed) and access to Ancestry.com
Local Church Records:• Salem Lutheran• St John Lutheran• St Lucas Lutheran• Trinity Lutheran• Hockley Catholic (early St. Ann’s)
Available at the CHS Library
Darline Roth’s Cypress area Genealogy
Donated Family History Books
Available at the CHS Library
Scrapbooks of Local Newspaper Articles, Obituaries, & Wedding Announcements
Donated Picture Collections
Available at the CHS Library
Reference Maps
Roads & Homes in 1915(with Modern Road Overlay in Red)
Land Ownership in 1965
Available at the CHS Library
Local Cemetery Map
Obituary Scrapbooks
Available at the CHS Library
Local and Texas History Books and Articles
Local Magazine Articles
Internet Resources
• Pay Sites:
• www.ancestry.com (U.S. $239/yr; World $359/yr)
• www.genealogybank.com ($70/yr)
• www.fold3.com (Military Records) ($80/yr)
• newspaperarchive.com ($144/yr)
• Free Sites:• www.findagrave.com• usgenweb.orgwww.cyndislist.com• www.cyndislist.com• www.familysearch.org (Must Register)
