How to do Everything: Genealogy

There are many good primers on Genealogy. There are also many fantastic books detailing advanced techniques in specific research areas. Few books, however, even attempt to cover the study of Genealogy as thoroughly, or as decisively as How to Do Everything: Genealogy by George G. Morgan. This book literally tries to cover every topic of possible importance to the family historian. Apart from covering research in every country, this book really does just about cover everything on genealogy in the English speaking world. Perhaps the greater achievement is not volume, but rather how well each topic is covered. In plain language that both novice and expert alike can understand, this book covers the critical planning, finding, evaluating, and organizing necessary to successful research.

Here is just part of what this book offers the reader (see the thorough table of contents further below):

• How to structure an effective research strategy
• Find and make use of records in the U.S. as well as Canada, UK and Ireland, and Australia
• Get past dead ends and “brick walls” in your research
• Learn the uses of DNA in genealogical research
• Develop critical thinking skills to analyze and organize information
• Learn all the main resources useful to genealogists

Genealogy, First Edition came out in 2004. It’s truly amazing how much has changed in just eight years. This third edition doesn’t just update existing topics or refresh website listings; rather, it adds whole topic areas necessary to demonstrate the growth of technology and the science of genealogical research. This edition adds to its knowledge base the use of DNA testing and genetic genealogy; including, autosomal DNA testing and other breakthroughs since the last edition. New websites, of course, are listed. For example, the Mocavo search engine for genealogy is examined. New and expanded uses of social networks and sites; plus, communication and collaborate tools these sites offer. New databases and the means to critically evaluate digital tools and sources help the genealogist develop critical thinking skills needed to properly evaluate not just the sources but the actual materials discovered as well.

Author George G. Morgan knows his subject and how to present it. He has author ten books, including, The Official Guide to Ancestry.com. He is also cohost of “The Genealogy Guys Podcast.” Most importantly, he has been working on his own family history since he was ten years old. His passion, knowledge, and experience come through in the pages of this amazing read. He even provided a short case study from his own family tree. The page study sits right in the middle of the book with pages marked in purple.

Get your own copy of How to Do Everything: Genealogy from Family Root Publishing; Item #: MH01, Price: $24.50.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Introduction

PART I BEGIN YOUR FAMILY HISTORY ODYSSEY

Chapter 1 Why Explore Your Genealogy?

• Start at the Beginning: Yourself and Your Family
• Discover Sources of Information in Your Own Home
• Vital and Civil Records
• Religious Records
• Personal or Family Bible
• Photograph Albums
• Scrapbooks
• Letters
• Diaries and Journals
• Family Histories
• Local Histories
• Baby Books
• Marriage Books
• Funeral Books and Memorial Cards
• Identification Documents
• Immigration Papers
• Naturalization Papers
• Land Records
• Military Records
• Directories
• Religious Publications
• School Records
• Employment Records
• Search for the Less-Than-Obvious Items
• Interview All Your Relatives
• Consider Several Types of Interview
• Schedule Interviews for Best Results
• Ask the Right Questions
• Use the Right Equipment for Your Interviews
• Set the Tone of the Interview
• Don’t forget the “Thank You”
• Begin to Organize What You Find
• Get Started

Chapter 2 Analyze and Organize Your Family Information

• Evaluate Primary vs. Secondary Information
• Birth Certificates
• Marriage Certificates
• Death Certificates
• Obituaries
• Cemetery Markers
• Bible Entries
• Recognize and Evaluate Original vs. Derivative Sources
• Understand Types of Derivative Sources
• Avoid Errors in Derivative Sources
• Apply Critical Thinking Skills to Your Genealogical Research
• Place Your Ancestors into Context
• Format Names, Dates, and Locations Correctly
• Record Names
• Record Dates
• Record Locations
• Work with Pedigree Charts
• Work with Family Group Sheets
• Record Multiple Family Units with a Common Spouse
• How to Handle Nontraditional Family Units
• Ho to Handle Adopted Children
• Crate Source Citations for Your Data
• Select a Family Tree Format

Chapter 3 Balance Traditional and Electronic Research

• Be a Modern Genealogical Researcher
• Understand Traditional Research
• Discover Documentary Evidence and Where it is Found
• Books and Periodicals
• Manuscripts
• Maps
• Indexes
• Histories
• Biographies
• Newspapers
• Documents from Many Traditional Locations and Sources
• Understand Electronic Research Materials
• Email and Mailing Lists
• Message Boards
• Web Pages
• Compilations and Indexes
• Search Engines
• Subscription Internet Sites for Genealogy
• Blogs
• Podcasts and Videocasts
• Webinars
• Live Online Radio
• Integrate Traditional and Electronic Research Findings

Chapter 4 Place Your Ancestors into Context and Locate Vital Records

• Place Your Ancestor into Context
• Become a Student of History
• Family History
• County and Local Histories
• State and Provincial Histories
• National and World History
• Use Maps to Locate the Right Place to Research
• Avoid Wasted Time and Energy
• Use Maps for Multiple Purposes
• Use a Methodology That Works
• Maps Can Equal Success
• Locate Birth, Marriage, and Death Records
• Locate Birth Certificates
• Find Marriage Licenses and Certificates
• Research Divorce Records
• Locate Death Records

Chapter 5 Use Census Schedules and Records to Locate Your Ancestors

• Understand and Work with Unites States Census Records
• Understand Originals vs. Copies of Census Documents
• Use Strategies to Work with Population Schedules
• Don’t Overlook the 1885 Census
• Use Substitutes for the 1890 Census
• Use the 1940 Census
• Use More than Just Population Schedules
• Use Census Finding Aids to Locate Your Ancestors
• Use Soundex and Miracode Index Resources
• Use Excellent U.S. Census Reference Books
• Access the Census Images on Microfilm and in Online Databases
• Don’t Forget to Search State Censuses
• Understand and Work with British and Irish Census Records
• Work with England’s and Wale’s Census Records
• Learn the Status of Irish Census Records
• Use Quality Reference Materials When Working with British Census Records
• Access the Census Records for the British Isles
• Understand and Work with Canadian Census Records
• Explore the Depth of the 1871 Census for Canada
• Locate Additional Information on the Censuses

PART II EXPAND YOUR RESEARCH

Chapter 6 Extend Your Research with Advanced Record Types

• Use Religious Records
• Locate the Right Institution
• Determine What Records the Institution Might Have Create
• Locate the Records Today
• Gain Access to the Records
• Interpret, Evaluate, and Place the Records into Perspective
• Consider a Variety of Religious Records
• Obtain and Analyze Mortuary and Funeral Home Records
• Read Between the Lines in Obituaries
• Locate and Delve into Cemetery Records
• Search for Other Death-Related Documents
• Get Inside Your Ancestor’s Mind Using Wills and Probate Records
• Understand the Meaning of a Will and Testament
• Understand the Probate Process
• Learn What a Will Can Tell You—Literally and by Implication
• Examine the contents of a Probate Packet
• Watch for Clues and Pointers in the Probate Packet
• Learn Why You Really Want to Examine Documents Yourself
• Locate and obtain Copies of Wills and Probate Documents
• Obtain Information from the Social Security
• Administration and Railroad Retirement Board
• Use Historical Newspapers to Learn About Your Ancestor’s Life Events
• Consider Other Institutional Record Types

Chapter 7 Use the Many Types of Military Service Records

• Expand Your Knowledge of the Military Services
• Investigate Military History for the Appropriate Time Period
• Identify Possible Sources for Military Records
• Locate Military Records in the United States
• Locate Canadian Military Records
• Locate Military Records in the United Kingdom
• Locate Australian Military Records
• Examine Samples of Military Records
• Locate Enlistment and Draft Registration Records
• Military Muster Rolls and Pay Records
• Seek Out Educational and Training Records
• Look for Military Station and Duty Assignment Orders
• Promotions and Commissions
• Locate Military Discharge and Separation Records
• Death and Burial Records
• Locate Other Military-Related Records

Chapter 8 Understand and Use Land and Property Records

• Locate and Use Land and Property Records in the United States
• Learn About the Organization of State and Public Lands
• Locate Land and Property Records
• Learn About Types of Records
• Learn About Land and Proper Records in Canada
• Land Measurement in Canada
• Land Systems Used in Canada
• Taxation and Duty Records
• Locate the Land Records
• Learn About Land and Property Records in the United Kingdom
• How Many Manors Were There?
• Manorial Records
• Locate Land and Property Records Online
• Place Your Ancestors into Context with Property Records

Chapter 9 Locate and Use Immigration and Naturalization Records

• Understand Why People Migrate
• Locate and Use U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Records
• Learn About How Our Ancestors Traveled
• Learn About the History of Ships’ Passenger Lists
• Locate and Access Canadian Immigration Records
• Consult the Library and Archive Canada
• Locate and Access Australian Immigration Records
• Learn About Australian History
• Use Strategies for Determining Your Ancestor’s Migration Path
• Start with What You Know
• Refer to Vital Documents and Ecclesiastical Records
• Don’t Overlook Voter Registration Records
• Look for Passport Records
• Locate and Use the U.S. Federal Census Population Schedules
• Study Published Histories
• Look for Books About Early Settlers
• Search for Books About early Settlers
• Use Other Strategies for Determining Your Ancestor’s Place of Origin
• Use Photographic Images
• Look at Home for Letters Written in Another Language
• Consider Family Customs
• Find Clues in Culinary Styles
• Pay Attention to Family Physical Traits
• Use Alternative Record Types to Identify Clues
• Use the Resources at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Website
• Understand the Naturalization Process
• Locate Repositories Where Naturalization and Related Documents Are Housed
• Work Immigration, Naturalization, and Census Records in Tandem

Chapter 10 Discover Where to Located Evidence About Your Family

• Determine Where to Look for Different Document Types
• Use Indexes, Compilations, and Other Finding Aides
• Use Indexes
• Use Complications
• Use Other Finding Aids
• Use Libraries and Archives
• Learn How to Use the Library Catalog
• Start with What Has Already Been Done
• Use the Library of Congress Online Catalog
• Use the FamilySearch Catalog and the LDS Family History Centers
• Consult Reference Books and Other Resources
• Locate the Repository on the Internet
• Contact the Repository
• Seek Help from a State, Provincial, or National Library or Archive
• Contact Genealogical and Historical Societies at All Levels
• Engage a Professional Researcher
• Deal with Closed or Limited Access to Materials
• Be Prepared to Provide Proof of Your Relationship
• Offer to Pay All the Expenses
• Provide Letters of Authorization or Permission to Access
• Invoke the use of the Freedom of Information Act
• Obtain a Court Order
• Order Document Copies by Postal Mail and Email
• Keep Track of Your Correspondence
• Use a Research Log

PART III LEARN RESEARCH METHODS AND STRATEGIES

Chapter 11 Learn How to Successfully Research Your Ancestors on the Internet

• Categorize the Major Types of Internet Resources
• Categorize the Major Types of Genealogical Web Page Resources
• Compilation Sites
• “How-to,” Educational, and Reference Sites
• Genealogy Charts and Forms
• Online Databases
• Genealogical Societies
• Structure Effective Searches to Locate Information
• Define the Difference Between Search Engines and Directories
• Use a Search Engine to Get Great Results
• Use Mailing Lists and Message Boards to Share Information and Collaborate with Others
• What Is a Mailing List?
• What is a Message Board?
• Write Effective Messages and Postings That Get Results
• Locate and use Additional Resources in Your Research
• Online Map Resources
• Dictionaries
• Language Translation
• Historical and Biographical Resources
• Calendars
• People Finders and Telephone Directories

Chapter 12 Research and Verify Your Ancestors Using Genetic Genealogy (DNA)

• Learn About DNA and Its Place in Genealogical Research
• Discover the Difference Between Paternal and Maternal Testing and the Results
• Learn About Genetic Testing Services
• Join a DNA Surname Project on the Internet
• Learn More About Genetic Genealogy

Chapter 13 Use Alternative Research Strategies to Locate Difficult Records

• Recognize When You Have Hit a “Brick Wall”
• Take a Fresh Look at Your Evidence
• Reevaluate the Quality of Your Sources
• Dissect Obituaries
• Widen the Scope of Your Search to Include New and Different Sources
• Use Photographs in Your Family Research
• Learn About the Types of Photographs
• Date Photographs Using Clothing and Hair Fashions
• Switch to Another Family Member to Bypass Your Radioblock
• Seek Help from Libraries, Archives, Museums, and Societies
• Engage the Help of a Professional Researcher
• Locate a Qualified Professional Genealogical Researcher
• Define the Scope of the Work to Be Preformed
• Establish Guidelines, Goals, and Milestones
• Document the Relationship
• Conclude the Relationship

Chapter 14 Use the Latest Online Resources and Social Networking in Your Genealogy Research

• Locate and use Blogs
• Use Wikis and Collaborative with Others
• Enjoy Podcasts and Online Radio Broadcasts
• Learn More About Genealogical Research with Internet Videos
• Attend Live Webinars and Access Recorded Webinars
• Learn About and Use the Latest Social Media Resources
• Facebook
• Genealogy Wise
• Google +
• Twitter
• Summary

Index