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Getting started in genealogy - helpful hints BIITL

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Contributed by: Gerry Benner on 9/19/2007

I taught genealogy for a number of years, and there are a few tidbits that everyone needs to know. First of all, I would recommend that you gather as much information from your oldest living relatives as soon as you can BIITL. Second, have them pull out their old photos and identify everyone in the photograph. Scanning the photograph and recording the names can be useful in later years, especially if you contact your second and third cousins to get more information about the family history.

These second and third cousins shared a common ancestor, and often an old photograph or family bible was handled-down through one of these lines. It is very likely that they will have some information that will be very exciting, and if you have an old photo with their parents or their grandparents in the same photo, then that will be very exciting to them. In the old days, folks didn't move around much, so often school pictures show the brothers and sisters, as well as a few first cousins.

Third, I'd recommend that you document the old family stories. Often our grandparents (or their brother and sisters) or our aunts and uncles remember things about your ancestors that can spark memories in the other. I love getting my elders together to talk about the old days because it gives me a chance to ask questions about where someone lived, what church they attended, or where they are buried. When I researched census records and church records, I have found that the facts backup the stories, and prove them to be fairly accurate.

So, if you're interested in genealogy, even only a little bit, take the time to gather a little information. Your parents and grandparents will love going through the old photos with you, and telling you anything that you want to know. This one activity is key because it has to be done before it is too late, and once you do have a good foundation of information, you can go into the many genealogy archives that are online and extend your roots to your heart's content.

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Submitted By: Laura Mayo

posted on 9/19/2007 @ 9:35:47 AM

Rated Story

Thanks for the tips Gerry!

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Gerry Benner

Thornton , CO

Gerry Benner has posted 8 stories and 10 comments since joining on 3/5/2007. Gerry Benner 's average story rating is 4.75.

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