Genealogy

In the Beginning... A Checklist for Genealogical Neophytes

Crash Course in Genealogy

Genealogical research is a profession for some and a hobby for many.  With the advent of TV shows such as “Who Do You Think You Are?” and the multitude of resources available online, there are some interested novices entering the field who need a little help knowing where to start.  The following brief overview is for these beginners.

Introductory Genealogy & Beyond

CRRL Genealogy Program

The first two “Introductory Genealogy & Beyond” classes, co-sponsored by the Fredericksburg Regional Genealogical Society and the Central Rappahannock Regional Library, have been spectacularly successful.  So successful, in fact, that the original venue will not do anymore, and all future classes will be held in the Free Lance-Star's Community Room, located at 616 Amelia Street.

The next class will be on Saturday, April 13, beginning at 9 AM. Professional genealogist Phyllis Legare, CG, will be speaking first on “Timelines in Genealogy,” and then on “Military Research.” Ms. Legare has been researching for her family for many years and for clients as well. Phyllis’ main joy in genealogy is finding the family stories. She loves to share her knowledge about genealogy research and also loves to learn—a never-ending process for researchers.

1940 Census Records Now Available

Dictionary entry for genealogy

Beginning April 2, 2012, the National Archives will provide access to the images of the 1940 U.S. Federal census for the very first time. Unlike previous census years, the images of the 1940 U.S. Federal Census will be made available as free digital images at http://1940census.archives.gov. Genealogists have waited for this day for years and are eager to get a first look.

HeritageQuest

Heritage Quest database

A wave of wonderful new online tools, like the HeritageQuest database from ProQuest, makes doing your family history research much easier than it used to be! Here’s why:

The key to accessing your ancestors is accessing documents, the paper records they left behind as they went through life. You’ll need to look for your relatives in all kinds of documents, like birth, marriage, and death registers; cemetery rosters; and military service records. To locate all these records and get a complete picture of your heritage, you’ll have to visit lots of different libraries, archives, courthouses, and cemeteries.

This is where HeritageQuest becomes a real lifesaver for you because it provides easy at-home access to all kinds of documents, all in one place!

Climbing Your Family Tree: Online and Offline Genealogy for Kids: The Official Ellis Island Handbook

By Ira Wolfman; foreword by Alex Haley

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"...the comprehensive, kid-friendly genealogical primer for the 21st century, and a dramatic story of how and why our ancestors undertook the arduous voyages of immigration to this nation. It teaches kids to track down important family documents, including ships' manifests, naturalization papers, and birth, marriage, and death certificates; create oral histories; make scrapbooks of photos, sayings, and legends; and compile a family tree. A full chapter is devoted to the online search, and relevant Internet information has been incorporated into all the other chapters."

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Finding Your Italian Ancestors: A Beginner's Guide

By Suzanne Russo Adams

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"For millions of Americans, home means Italy, where their roots started years ago. In Finding Your Ancestors, you'll discover the tools you need to trace your ancestors back to the homeland. Learn how and where to find records in the United States and Italy, get practical advice on deciphering those hard-to-read documents, and explore valuable online resources. The guide also includes maps, multiple glossaries, and an extensive bibliography."

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They Came in Ships: A Guide to Finding Your Immigrant Ancestor's Arrival Record

By John Philip Colletta

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"Chances are excellent that your ancestors came to America from somewhere-England, Spain, Germany, China, Africa. Can you imagine how they felt as they left their homes, what they left behind? Do you want to know? Would you know where to even start looking for the details? Author and genealogist John P. Colletta prepares you to undertake the search. He tells you not only what fundamental facts you need to know about your immigrant ancestor before beginning, but suggests where you may find that information as well."

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Genealogy Online for Dummies

By Matthew L. Helm and April Leigh Helm

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"...takes you through the basic steps for researching and tracing your family's lineage in a clear, easy-to-understand manner. Plus, this newest edition offers the latest information on leveraging the potential of social networking sites in order to locate extended family members and uncover additional family history. You'll discover how to start your investigation, build a Web site for sharing your finds, identify sites that will be of the most use to you, get information from government records, preserve electronic materials, and more:

Serves as a helpful starting point for beginning your investigation into your family's history
Walks you through developing a plan for your research, using online and offline research techniques, and researching ethnic ancestry through international records
Details how to create Web sites where family members can make contact or you can share your findings
Looks at how to use social networking sites as a new portal for locating extended family members and acquiring additional family history
Explains how to access domestic records for births, deaths, immigration, and more on both local and state levels
Companion Web site features a vast collection of genealogical software tools and resources"

Older editions are also available.

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The Oxford Companion to Family and Local History

By David Hey, editor

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If like many Americans you're curious about your roots, this Companion is the perfect guide to investigating family history in the British Isles. Edited by David Hey, a leading authority, the book provides helpful information for anyone enquiring into their English, Irish, Scottish, or Welsh origins and for anyone working in genealogical research or on the social history of the British Isles.

This fully revised and updated edition has been newly structured for ease of use, with an informative thematic essay section followed by an A-Z dictionary with more than 2,000 jargon-free entries, as well as detailed appendices which include further reading and up-to-date recommended websites. New essays for this edition are: "A Guide for Beginners," "Links between British and American Families," "Black and Asian Family History," and an extended article on "Names." With research tips, a full background to the social history of communities and individuals, and a special updated appendix listing all national and local record offices with their contact details, this is an essential reference work for anyone interested in uncovering and understanding the past.

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Who Do You Think You Are? The Essential Guide to Tracing Your Family History

By Megan Smolenyak

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"The ground-breaking NBC series Who Do You Think You Are? takes seven of America's best-loved celebrities--from Lisa Kudrow to Susan Sarandon--on an emotional journey to trace their family history and discover who they really are. The revelations are sometimes shocking, sometimes heartbreaking, and always fascinating. With the Who Do You Think You Are? companion guide, you will learn how to chart your own journey into your past and discover the treasures hidden in your family tree.

"Featuring step-by-step instructions from one of America's top genealogical researchers ... covers everything a beginner needs to know to start digging into their roots, including: * Full-color profiles of the celebrities' surprising revelations * Starting the search-it's as easy as pulling out the old family photos * Census information-where to find it and how to use it * What birth, death, and marriage certificates have to tell us * How to track down immigration and military documents * The latest breakthroughs in DNA testing * The best online resources to conduct your searches, and store your newfound discoveries to share with family and save for future generations"

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