Genealogy Pointers

One of the biggest advantages for genealogist is the Internet. The ability it provides to exchange information with other genealogist. The common method used for this information exchange is the GEDCOM. So what exactly is a GEDCOM?

First, the meaning of the letters are: It comes from GEnealogical Data COMmunication. It’s simply a method of formatting your family tree data into a text file, which is easily read and converted by any genealogy software program. The GEDCOMB was originally developed in 1985 and is owned by the Family History Department of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

The GEDCOM uses a set of tags to describe the information in your family file, such as BIRT for birth, DATE for a date, FAM for family, and INDI for an individual. GEDCOMS are best suited for opening with a family tree software program or a special GEDCOM viewer. Otherwise, they basically look like a bunch of gibberish.

Many beginners make the mistake of trying to open and read the file with a word processor. This can be done, but you will face a jumble of numbers, abbreviations, and bits and pieces of data. There are no indentions, and no blank lines in a GEDCOM file. That’s because it’s meant for exchanging the information from one computer to another, and was never really intended to be read as a text file.

It basically takes your family information and puts it in an outline format. The records are arranged in groups of lines that have information about one individual (INDI) or one family (FAM). In each line an individual records has a level number. The first line is numbered zero (0) to show it’s the beginning of a new record. Within that record, different level numbers are subdivisions of the next level above it. For example, the death of an individual may be given level four (4) and further information about the death (date, place, etc.) would be given level (5).

After the level number, there will be a descriptive tag, which refers to the type of data contained in that line. Tags can also serve as pointers (@13@), which indicates a related individual, family or source within the same GEDCOM file.

A GEDCOM is basically a connected database of records with pointers, which keeps all of the relationships straight. So you can read a GEDCOM file in word, once you learn how to decipher it, but you will still find it much easier to read with the appropriate software.

So how do you read a GEDCOM file? Well, if you have been researching your family tree, it is likely you’ve either downloaded a GEDCOM file from the Internet or received one from a fellow researcher. This GEDCOM may contain vital information of your ancestors and your computer can’t seem to open it. What do you do?

1. Is it a GEDCOM or not?
To ensure that the file you want to open is a GEDCOM file, and not a family tree created in some other format by a genealogy software program. The file for GEDCOM format must end with the extension .ged. If it ends in some other extension, it’s not a GEDCOM file.

2. GEDCOM file must be saved to your computer
It doesn’t matter is you are downloading it from the Internet or opening it as an email attachment, the first thing to do is save the file to a folder on your hard drive. If you are saving it from an email, you may want to scan it first for viruses before saving it to your hard drive.

3. Backing up your existing genealogy database.
You should always make sure you have a recent backup of your family tree file on your computer before you open a new GEDCOM file. This will allow you to revert to your original file in case something goes wrong when you’re opening/importing the new GEDCOM file.

5. Using your genealogy software to open the GEDCOM file.
Begin your family tree program and close any open family tree projects. Follow the program’s instructions for opening/importing a GEDCOM file. Make sure you look at the GEDCOM file by itself first before you merge it directly into your own family tree database. It’s much harder to figure out how to remove unwanted people, than it is to add new people later after you have reviewed the new file.

So now you would like to know how to create and share your own GEDCOM file.
You can share your family tree file with your friends, family, or fellow researchers but unless they have the same genealogy software program that you do, they will not be able to open and read your family file unless you send it to them in a GEDCOM format.

So how do you do this? First all major family tree software programs support creating GEDCOM files. Don’t worry, creating a GEDCOM file won’t overwrite your existing data or change your existing file in anyway. You are going to “export” a file. Exporting a GEDCOM file is easy to do with any family tree software. Follow the instructions below. If you need any help, check in the help section in your family tree.

1. Open your family tree program and open your genealogy file.
2. Click the File menu.
3. Select either Export or Save as…
4. Change the Save As Type or Destination drop-down box to GEDCOM or .GED
5. Select the location where you’d like to save your file.
6. Enter a filename.
7. Click Save or Export
8. Some type of confirmation box will appear stating that your export has succeeded.
9. Click OK
10. Your file is now ready for you to share with others.

In order to share your file with others, you can do one of three things. You can send it in e-mail as an attachment, be sure to put a note in the e-mail telling what it is so they won’t delete it as a virus-laden attachment. You can send the information by regular mail by printing it out or burning it on a CD. Or you can choose to upload your file to one of the many pedigree databases that are on the web. Make sure the web site you choose guarantees that they won’t sell your information for profit.

In part 2 and 3, I introduced you to the FamilySearch Web site Research Guidance tools. Now we are ready to move on to two more online tools, which are great resources for learning more about genealogy. The Research Helps, genealogy research aid is useful when you need to learn more about how to conduct family history research within a specific geographic area and when you need help in determining which records to search.

After you have located the records you would like to request, then it is time for a visit to your local Family History Center.

Here’s the information on what this tool can do for you, how it can help your genealogy research and then visiting your Family History Center.

Research Helps
Research Help is an easy-to-use index collection of research helps on the FamilySearch site. It includes a lot of excellent educational and research materials including:

Research Outlines
This is a collection of over 150 research outlines that describe content; use and availability of records that help you find information about your ancestors that resided in a specific geographic location. Under each heading in the research outline, there will be information about a specific record category, which will include such things as:

Different records which are available
Family History Library’s book, microfilm, and microfiche numbers
Years of availability for each record
Titles of books containing compiled records
Contact information for other repositories of records.

There are how-to guides for each of the U.S. states and Canadian provinces, as well as many other countries and regions including Europe, Latin America, Caribbean, Australia and Scandinavia. These research outlines will help you to understand what records you should be searching for and will save you hours of time. Beginners and experienced researchers should always use this.

Forms
Forms are free downloadable forms include timelines, census worksheets, research logs, to do lists, and pedigree charts.

Guides
Guides which explain step-by-step how to do your research in a variety of topics including census records, indexes and collections, birth/marriage/death records, maps and more. Other research guides include lists of important historical events by area and topics for beginners just getting started in genealogy research.

Maps
Maps are a great research that covers a wide variety of time periods and countries around the world. They are very useful for determining boundary changes.

Word Lists
List that contain words from various countries with their English translations. The words included in these lists are those that you are likely to find in genealogical sources.

Once you are on the familysearch.org site, click on either Search for Ancestors or the Search tab and then select Research Helps from the blue navigation bar near the top of the page.

Now it’s time for a visit. There is a vast network of over 3,400 branches of Family History Centers (FHC). The use of any Family History Center is free, and the public is welcome. Church and community volunteers are on hand to answer questions and lend assistance. These satellite libraries contain a large number of resources to help you with your genealogy research including:

Genealogy records
Genealogy books and maps
Family histories
Family tree databases

The majority of the Family History Centers have a large number of books, microfilms and microfiche in their permanent collections, which can be viewed at any time. However, many of the records, which you will be interested in, will not be immediately available at your local FHC. These records can be requested on loan for you by a volunteer at your FHC from the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. There is a small fee that is required to borrow materials from the Family History Library, around $3.00 - $5.00 per film. Once requested, the record will usually take anywhere from two weeks to five weeks to come in to your local center and will remain there for three weeks for your viewing before being returned to the center.

The Family History Center is a friendly, helpful place, which exists solely to help you with your genealogy research.

In part two of the Family History Centers, I talked about the Family History Library Catalog’s Research Guidance. This is what helps you find copies of original records. It provides a search strategy and records to search in priority order.

The Family History Library Catalog describes over 2 million rolls of microfilm and hundreds of thousands of books and maps. It doesn’t contain the actual records, only the descriptions of them. The records described in the catalog come from all over the world. It has been called the best resource of the Family Search Web site. The amazing benefit is it is available for online searching. You can do much of your research from home at whatever time is convenient for you; therefore, it maximizes your research time at your local Family History Center (FHC).

To access the online version go to Family search homepage (www.familysearch.org) and select the Family History Library System picture or the search tag. From there, select the Family History Library Catalog. Here you are presented with the following options:

Place Search
This option is used to find catalog entries about a place or for records from a place.

Search
This option is used to find catalog entries about records that include a specific surname, such as written family histories.

Author Search
Us an Author Search to find the author detail records for a person, church, society, government agency, and so forth, identified as an author of a specific reference. This will list titles linked to the author and may include notes and references.

Call Number Search
This is used to find an item by its call number; the number used to locate items on the shelves in the Family History Library or the Family Search Center.

Film/Fiche Search
Use a Film/Fiche Search to find the titles of items on a specific microfilm or microfiche in the Family History Library Catalog.

Starting with the Place Search, this one you will like the most. It contains two boxes:

The first box, type the place you want to find entries for, like a city, town or county.

The second box is optional. Since many places have the same names, you can limit your search by adding a jurisdiction of the place you want to find.

Place Search Tips: Keep in mind that the names of the countries are in English, the names of the states, provinces, regions, cities, towns and other jurisdictions are in the language of the country in which they are located.

Place Search will only find the information if it is part of the place-name. To see places that are part of a state, select the View Related Places. To see the towns in one of the counties, you will have to click the county, and then click View Related Places again.

The more specific you make your search, the shorter your list of results will be.

If you have trouble finding a specific location, don’t just think that the catalog doesn’t have the records for that place. There are many reasons why you may be having difficulties. Before you give up, make sure you try these strategies:

Type the place-name correctly.
If you searched with a jurisdiction, try the search without this.
Search for records using a larger jurisdiction.

Once you locate the place you are looking for, you will find a list of places. If this list the place you want, click on it to see the place details record. These records usually contain the following items:

View Related Places
Clicking on this will give you a list of other places you might by interest in.

Notes
A few facts and details about the place.

Topics
A list of topics for the place you are looking for.

This is a list of all of the categories (topics) for which the FHL holds microfilmed records for the place, which you specified in your search.

In the place detailed record you will probably see a list like:

Bible Records: for (the place you search for).
Stmnt. Resp: This is the representative that submitted the information.
Authors: List main author and maybe an added author.
Notes: Includes index.
Subjects
Format: A book or on Fiche.
Language
Publication
Physical: How many reels and measured in cm.

If this title has been microfilmed, the View Film Notes button will appear. Click on it to see a description of the microfilm and to obtain the numbers for ordering the film through your local Family History Center. Most items can be ordered but a few cannot due to licensing regulations. Before you order any films, check the “Notes” field for your title. Any restrictions will be mentioned there.

There are other ways to search the Family History Library Catalog. Place Search is the most useful for the FHLC. There are several other options for you to use.

Surname Search
A surname search is primarily used to find published family histories. It will not find surnames listed in census records. A surname search will only provide you with a list of titles of catalogs tied to that surname. Some published family histories are only available in book form and are not available to be sent to a Family History Center.

Author Search
This search is primarily used for catalog entries by or about a certain person, organization, church, and etc. The author search finds records, which include the name, you typed as the author or the subject.

Film/Fiche Search
Use this search to find the titles of items on a specific microfilm or microfiche. It is a very exact search and will only return the titles on the particular microfilm or microfiche number that you input.

Call Number Search
Us this search if you know the call number of a book or other printed source and you want to learn more about what records it contains.

For those of use that can’t travel to Salt Lake City, UT, this is invaluable both as a research tool and as a learning tool. Play around with different techniques and you may be amazed at the things you will find.

In part one of Family History Centers, I introduced you to the large resources the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, and its network of Family History Centers, has to offer. We also talked about how the Church’s FamilySearch Web site searches for ancestors in Ancestral File, IGI, the Pedigree Resource File and family Web sites. These resources contain millions of names and are a great resource for genealogists.

Most people do know about the Familysearch.org Web site and its search features, however, the backbone of the service is the Family History Library Catalog. This is the “card catalog” for the Family History Library. In this online catalog you can find what types of original records might be available for your ancestor.

Currently, there are over two million microfilm reels housed in the Family History Library. More are added everyday. These films contain such information as:

1. Bible Records
2. Church Records
3. Newspapers
4. Vital Records
5. Cemetery Records
6. Census Records
7. Immigration/Emigration Records
8. Probate Records
9. Published Family Histories

These records are organized by location, so it is important to be familiar with the location you are researching in order to find which records are available. Also different countries in the world are organized differently. The best way to learn about these available records is on the Research Guidance section.

In order to learn how the research guidance works, select an ancestor you want to learn more about. Try to chose an ancestor that you already know some basic information, like geographical area, approximate date of birth, marriage or death. The research guidance helps you find copies of original records, like census, birth, marriage records, and death. You select the place and time, the research guidance provides a search strategy and records to search in priority order including:

1. Family History Library Catalog records
2. Guides for finding and using the records
3. Related web sites
4. Other search helps

The Research Guidance tool is very easy to use. It takes you through step-by-step and then provides you with the information that you need. I have listed the basic steps for you.

1. Select a Place
Select a country, state, or province from the list. For some countries you will be prompted to make a further selection.

2.Select an Event and Time
To select an event and time, click the time under birth, marriage, or death that you are interested in. If you need help, click on Events in Your Ancestor’s Life.

3. Search Strategies
Now that you have selected an event and a time period the research guidance automatically takes you to the Search Strategy screen. There are three tabs open on top.
These tabs are very important.

1. Historical Background – List of important events in history in the location, which affects political boundaries, record keeping and family movements

2. For Beginners – Ideas and guides to help you get started in genealogy research.

3. Search Strategy – Lists strategies and records for the place and time you selected in the order that expert genealogist at the Family History Library would use them.

In order to use these tabs, click on the tab of your choice to see a detailed list of activates and/or records that applies to your research.

Select any of the activities or records to view a description of the records and guidance on what you can do with them. Work through these tabs, in the order as they appear. The search strategy tab is especially useful, because it takes you to a step-by-step research guide for each of the listed records.

The step-by-step guide provides specific instructions about how to search the record type that you have chosen. It provides a variety of options to help assist you in your research. All of these options are not necessarily available for all record types/ locations.

Be sure to print out these guides and carry them with you whenever you will be researching this type of record.

Once you have read the information for the record type and how to use it, look in the left hand column of the page for a list of links called “What to do Next.”

Sources in the Family History Library Catalog are a list of records that pertain to your research and can be viewed at your local Family History Center. These may contain genealogical information that may help you find your ancestor. Each record is accompanied with a brief description and research notes, as well as a call number to help you locate the record.

The tabs are organized by locality with the country on the left, down through jurisdictions and ending with the city or town on the right hand tab. Each tab that you select will be appropriate for the place you have selected. Each place level will often vary, so you will want to view all the available records.

Now that you have selected the place tab, you will see a list of records. At the top of the page you will see links to some very helpful guides in selected locations and type of records. These guides will be helpful in locating certain records, Web sites and contact addresses for government resources, and tips on analyzing the record once found.

You will also see a recommended list of records, which are set off by stars. These are records, which are recommended by experts at the Family History Library as the best for your search so you should explore them first.

The next step is to select a record and click on the title. Three tabs and a list of records appear. The tabs have information about the record you have selected.

1. Film/Call Numbers – List of all the microfilm, fiche, or other individual records available in this collection. It also has the Family History Library Catalog number and the area where the film is located. Some records are kept at the Family History Library main building, while others are kept in the vault. All types may be requested through your local Family History Center.

2. Description – Basic bibliographic information on the record including the title, author, format, language, publisher, and a physical description.

3. Notes – Notes the microfilm recorder made about the record. It may contain tips and information about possible missing information.

Related Web sites and Research Help are the two final tools. These can be found in the left column on the Search Strategies page.

Related Web sites are an excellent tool because it searches the large database of Web pages. This includes the surname and family pages that have been submitted to the FamilySearch site by visitors and FHL volunteers.

The Research Helps are a list of research outlines, maps, world list, glossaries, etc., that may help you in your research.

At the bottom of the Research Helps screen, you will have the option to view the complete list of research helps. This includes the research outline, forms, worksheets, indexes, and how-to, and other research produced by the Family History Library.

If you are new to genealogy and just starting to gather information about your family tree, you have probably heard people mention the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah from several of the genealogy message boards.

The Family History Library has the largest collections of genealogical records under one roof. They have everything from vital records like, census, land, probate, immigrations, birth, marriage, and death, church records, plus many other records of genealogical value that are sent around the world every month.

Most of the information they have can be sent to what they call a Family History Center. Almost every city in the U.S. has at least 2, as well as in other countries. This is like inter library loans.

The best thing about the Family History Library is that you can access it on the Internet to find out what sources they hold, and then you can visit your local Family History Center to request the records for viewing.

Lets explore the Family History Library’s resources together from the comfort of your own home.

First and foremost, the Family History Library was founded and is run by the, The Church of the Latter-day Saints. You don’t have to worry about someone pushing their religion on you when you visit your local Family History Center. The Latter-day Saints believe and encourage families to identify and research their ancestors. They only wish to share family history information they have collected with people of all faiths. They are very helpful in showing you the ropes and will answer any questions you may have.

Now on to the Family History Library web site. Once there you will see three main options: Search for Ancestors, Share Information and Family History Library System. For beginners the best option is to start with the, Search for Ancestors

Once you click on, Search for Ancestors, you will be prompted to enter your ancestors name. Try to enter as much information as you can, this way the search will be narrowed down and the chances of a closer match are possible. If you don’t get any or just a few matches, go back to the previous page and just enter the name of your ancestor. You will have to search through a large amount of hits but it might be worth your time after all.

When your search page comes up you will see tabs named Ancestral File, International Genealogical Index (IGI), and Pedigree Resource File.

The Ancestral File is genealogical information that people throughout the world have submitted. Each one is linked to pedigrees to show both ancestors and descendants of the individual.

The International Genealogical Index (IGI) list the dates and places of births, christenings, and marriages. Almost all have been taken from original records from the early 1500’s to the early 1900’s.

The Pedigree Resource File has pedigrees that were submitted by users through the Internet. This information is not linked to any other information submitted by others.

What is important about the Pedigree Resource File is that you can get the submitters contact information. If you find a match, click on it and you will see any notes and/or source information. You will also see a list of names in a single database, now click on the number after the submission search, and leave all the fields blank except the submission number. This gives you all the names in that submitter’s database. You have the choice of either contacting the submitter or purchasing the CD for further information.

One thing to keep in mind is that not all the information that has been submitted by individuals is accurate. I can give you a good example: a lady submitted my family line years ago before I ever was interested in genealogy. Now, years later, I have discovered the information she submitted is wrong. She has long past on so there is know way to correct the information.

As you will learn in researching your family tree, genealogy is a never-ending job. There is always new information that comes out every day. Come back often to the Family History Library to see what is new and remember to always research any information you find or receive. The original document is your goal.

How Important it is to Learn to Do Genealogy the Right Way

My interest in genealogy started eight years ago when I was helping put together a family reunion. Interest in family genealogy has grown over the past decade. It has become one of the popular hobbies.
More and more people are wondering where they came from, what did my ancestors do for a living, why am I the person I am today? All these questions can be answered plus more in researching your family information. There is just one very important thing to keep in mind. It can, if you let it, be addicting once you start. With every passing generation you discover, you will become more intrigued. More questions will come up and you’ll work even harder to find the answers.

Once you start your research the best advice I can give anyone is “not to believe anything you read on the Internet with out the proof in black and white.” Now, about everyone has at least one computer in his or her home, the world has opened new doors for genealogy. With hundreds of genealogy websites online and more are released every day, tracing your family line has become easier and easier. But, with more and more people putting their information online with sites like rootsweb.com and ancestory.com. You’ll find that most of the information is wrong. They haven’t done their own research. They attached their line with someone else’s and claim they are right. They have no proof to back up their information. Now, don’t take this, as all “negative.” There are some people out there that are legitimate. There are few-far-and-in-between. I discovered this about 6 months into my research. I had found several places that people had attached my family line with there’s and I knew for a fact it wasn’t right.

I wasn’t able to go to college and get a degree in genealogy but I knew I had to find the right information on how to do genealogy the “right way.” After spending many hours searching for classes on genealogy, I came across a website that offered free genealogy classes that are patterned after the accreditation program of the LDS Church in Salt Lake City, Utah but is in no way affiliated with that entity although the instructor is an accredited genealogist. The program was created specifically for internet usage as many genealogist all over the world would like to become professionals, but have no way of completing the training or taking the required examination at the end. This is an approved program of study through the Hawking Institute; Inc. Students receive 2.5 semester credit hours for every month of instruction at the completion of the course. The course is a 12-month course. Go to http://www.motherhubbardscupboard.net, if anyone is interested in taking the genealogy class.
I’m not here to plug for this genealogy class but to mainly stress how important it is to learn to do genealogy the right way. As you will discover there are message boards you can join. You will definitely come across a message that goes something like this; I’m looking for any and all information on Mr. Smith, please send what you have to me.
Just delete this message. This person doesn’t want to take the time to do there own research. They just want the information and that’s it. Genealogy doesn’t work that way. All genealogists are out there to help each other. If you hit a brick wall, real genealogist will help you in anyway they can.

If you are interested in starting your own family research, I have listed an outline for you to follow. Just remember to do your own research, document your findings and have fun!
A. Organize your research; pedigree charts, family group sheets, folders for every person with name on tab, correspondence logs, research logs.

B. Collect as much information from your relatives

C. What complete strangers know about your surname; search different search engines, family tree maker, newsgroups and mailing list.

D. Vital records; doctors records, hospital records, county clerk’s office, family bibles, delayed birth records, church baptism or christening records.

E. Marriage records; county clerk’s office of the county in which it happen, church which they were married, newspapers, family bible, family histories, county biographical histories.

F. Death records; county clerk’s office of the county in which it happened, church which conducted the funeral service, funeral homes, cemetery records, newspapers, family bible, county biographical histories.

G. Wills and codicils; filed with the court and the date of death in county, reading of will announced in newspaper.

H. Guardianships of minor children; filed in courthouse of county.

I. Land records, original land grants (patents) applications and rewards, war 1612, revolutionary war, black hawk and other wars, civil war.
Deeds; grantor indexes (those that sold land), grantee indexes (those that bought land), town/city lost indexes, cemetery plot deed books, plat book, soldiers discharge and pension records, homestead act of 1862

J. Census records; colonial census, 1810 - 1890 census, special census and special indexes.

K. Military records; Indian wars and colonial war records, revolutionary war records, civil war and 20th century

L. Miscellaneous genealogy records; biographies, directories, naturalization and immigration records, printed genealogies, histories, maps native race records, territorial records, tax records, orphans, slavery and bondage records, poor house records (county farm)

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