Do you want to reach back far into history to understand the story of how you came to be? Genealogy is the study of family trees and ancestry and is very popular in the United States. Because many Americans are descended from immigrants and the country has a very spread-out and mobile population, it can be difficult to determine where we came from and who our ancestors were. Your library is here for your genealogy needs, with a page full of genealogy, opens a new window resources and a book list, opens a new window with over a dozen titles on DNA genealogy.
This article explains some of the techniques used in genealogy and how to use the Ancestry for Virginians, opens a new window database to conduct research. And, your library also offers a great opportunity to learn in person about genealogy in the Virginiana Room., opens a new window You can make an appointment with CRRL's Virginiana Specialist, opens a new window and visit the research room, located at Fredericksburg Branch,, opens a new window to explore further.
Genetics and DNA Ancestry Testing
The science of genetics has become increasingly important in genealogy as a tool for understanding family relationships. DNA is short for deoxyribonucleic acid, opens a new window and is the molecule that preserves the genetic code of living organisms. It is a spiral-shaped molecule, opens a new window that arranges four chemical bases in various patterns to determine the form and function of all living things on Earth, including humans. DNA tests are a means of analyzing your own genetic code. In terms of genealogy, they involve comparing a genetic code to the genetic code of others to determine family relationships. DNA tests used for genealogy purposes are usually kits mailed to your home rather than a formal doctor’s appointment. A variety of DNA testing kits are available for purchase online, including AncestryDNA, opens a new window, FamilyTreeDNA, opens a new window, 23andMe, opens a new window, and MyHeritageDNA, opens a new window.
How to Conduct Genealogical Research
In addition to taking a DNA test, you’ll want to know the other aspects of conducting genealogical research. Luckily, there are many websites that are available for free that can explain how to research your genealogy. The U.S. National Archives, opens a new window offers a substantial page that includes a PowerPoint presentation, videos, and links to guides on military and census records. Legacytree’s page, opens a new window is not advice on resources, but rather an explanation of the research process itself. It explains genealogical research as a five-step process and how a researcher should approach each step. American Ancestors, opens a new window also has a procedural guide to genealogical research and features charts and research logs you can download and print. EBSCO’s, opens a new window guide lists 10 basic tips to make your research efficient and successful.
These are not the only websites that offer help with genealogical research. The Library of North Carolina, opens a new window has a site that provides research strategies, an explanation of genealogical records, and a glossary of research terms. The Smithsonian, opens a new window has a collection of resources on genealogy, including lists of grave sites, a birthday calculator, and sites on ethnic genealogy. And, the Library of Virginia, opens a new window features a printable genealogical chart, records organized by type, and links to researchers for hire.
Ancestry for Virginians
Among the Library of Virginia’s greatest assets for CRRL customers is Ancestry for Virginians, opens a new window. This page gives Virginians public access at no charge to certain data collections available through the popular database Ancestry, opens a new window. You can check many extant colonial records and wills going back to 1607, death and marriage registers back to 1853, deeds of emancipation back to 1782, and more. You can search it by either clicking on a specific data collection or use the search fields at the top of the page to search through all the collections.
To use the search form on the site, type in the required information on each line. You’ll notice the format for dates is day/month/year rather than the more common (for the U.S.) month/day/year. In the Add Family Member section, you can click on the texts marked “Add Spouse” and “Add Child" to add additional spouse or child slots to the forms to be filled out. You will have to create an Ancestry.com account to view search results, but you won’t need a paid subscription. If you need further access to resources than what is available online, consider scheduling a trip to the Library of Virginia, opens a new window’s physical building in Richmond, where you can access all of its collections and use the complete data sets of Ancestry.com without having to pay for a subscription.
