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Grow Your Family Tree

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.

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Grow Your Family Tree

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  1. Grow Your Family Tree DEBRA A. HOFFMAN 4 October 2014

  2. Overview • Basic Steps • Maryland State Archives

  3. Start at the Beginning

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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

  7. Pedigree Chart

  8. Family Group Sheet

  9. Research Objectives

  10. 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.

  11. Example Who was the father of William H. Weaver who was born 14 October 1827 in Germany?

  12. Locality Search • Learn about the locality. • Identify available resources.

  13. Literature Search • Determine what research, if any, exists: • Printedfamily histories and genealogies • Familyinformationpublished in periodicals • Biographies • Local histories • Manuscriptcollections of familyinformation • Computerdatabases of familyinformation • Online familytrees • Etc. • Saves time and can provideclues

  14. Develop a Research Plan

  15. 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.

  16. Background Information • Identify your objective • Identify 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

  17. 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

  18. Identify Repositories • Courthouses • Family History Centers • State and Federal Archives • Maryland State Archives, Annapolis • State Libraries • Maryland State Law Library, Annapolis

  19. Identify Records • Census • Federal and State • Vital Records • Birth, Marriage and Death • Land Records • Federal and Local • Church Records • Court Records • Probate • Etc.

  20. Execute the Plan

  21. Death Records on MDVitalRec.net

  22. Marriage Records

  23. Deed Index on MDLandRec.net

  24. Wills and Probate Records

  25. 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.

  26. Prevent brickwalls. Use one of these to prevent duplication of work. Foster accuracy by tracking what you have searched and the results. Research Log

  27. Analyze, Evaluate & Correlate

  28. Next Steps? • What clues did you find? • What other sources should you research?

  29. 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?

  30. Evidence Analysis • Organizeit in a systematicway • Timelines • Charts • Software

  31. Cautions! • Justbecauseitispublished in a bookoronthe Internet doesnot mean itis true! • Don’tincorporateinformationintoyourfamilytreeuntilyouverifyit. • Use original records, ifpossible.

  32. Be Skeptical!

  33. Fannie Langdon’s Obituary • Who Was the Informant? • Provided an Erroneous Age—was actually 60

  34. Death Certificate

  35. 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

  36. About the Archives

  37. Getting Started at the Archives

  38. Hours of Operation

  39. Beginner’s Guide • Repository for all permanent records • Municipal • county, and • State government • Special Collections • Church records • Newspapers • Maps • Manuscripts • Photographs

  40. General Public Tab

  41. Family Historians Tab

  42. 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

  43. Need Help? MSA Help Desk msa.helpdesk@maryland.gov

  44. Thank You! Questions?

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