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Greathouse Point > Library > Genealogical Helps

Genealogical Helps

Here you will find a collection of articles that other Greathouse family researchers have shared with us, which they thought was beneficial to helping them on their continuing quest to "get it right". If you have other genealogical helps that you would like to share, please submit them to Greathouse Point.

Genealogical Research ~ Tips and Links

By Betty Renick

Things Not to Do

  • Don't believe everything you see in print
  • Don't rely on memories of relatives
  • Don't believe that official records are always correct
  • Don't rely on one source of information
  • Don't believe that everyone does a good job of research
  • Don't believe it is going to be easy

Things to Do

  • Do your own research by using many sources and cross references
  • Do make contacts with others who are searching the same lines
  • Do talk to relatives and look at their documents, such as photos or Bibles
  • Do use the library to learn history of areas and find records
  • Do use court houses to find birth, death, marriage and land records
  • Do keep careful records of all the sources of documentation
        More Help with Genealogical Research

Different methods work for different people. The amount of time and interest play a major part in how much you will do, but it is a hobby you can work on, postpone, and pick up at a later date. Genealogy is a wonderful part-time hobby. The Internet has made it an 'arm chair' hobby. There are many helpful sites on the Internet. But a word of warning: Be very discerning and always check the source.

  Internet Sites to Help with your Research

National Archives Site Search Site-Free or Paid Membership Rootsweb Free Site
Search Family Names Create a Private Family Tree Site Over 200,000 Links - Cyndi's Lists
US GenWeb Project - Lots of Links Free Genealogy Sites How-To Articles on Genealogical Research

  1. Learn from the living.

    When you are doing genealogy, you will always regret all the questions you never asked people about their family history while they were living.  There are bound to be folks still living in the area of where your ancestors lived who have pieces of the puzzle. Talk to them; use a recorder; take careful notes.

  2. Find any research others have already done.

    Libraries are wonderful places to search, but just because something is printed does not make it true! Local county libraries often have unpublished manuscripts that are available nowhere else.

  3. Go to source documents.

    Courthouses have all kinds of documents. It's time consuming, but like detective work. Also, the longer you do it, the better you become at knowing where to look and how to look. Usually, for a fee, you can order a copy of a document by mail, but it's more fun to look at the records yourself.

  4. Keep careful records.

    In this age of instant information, it is way too easy to believe that others have done careful research. The majority of people have not. Don't be embarrassed to question everything. Don't be annoyed if someone asks you to check your sources. Computers are marvelous storage places for your information. Get a computer program to record the data you have gathered and that will allow you to record sources. 

  5. Develop communication with other researchers.

    Find people who are researching your line. You may only communicate with them on occasion, but they may find that one nugget of information you are missing.  The Internet is a great way to keep in touch and share your information.

  6. Develop a method to preserve your findings.

    Don't let your research die with you! Eventually, you must figure out a way to share the family stories, the photos and the information you have gathered. You need to be sure to share the stories since that is what makes our ancestors live again.

  7. Be careful what you share.

    As you know, the Internet can be a curse. Undocumented materials can be published on the Internet without your knowledge. You have no way to correct it. Although the people you communicate with may be cousins, they may not have the same regard for accuracy or privacy that you have.

  8. Have Fun!

    You will meet lots of great people (and a few not so great), you will enjoy the search, and you just may find that one document that tears down your "brick wall".

 
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