Genealogy

Today we started our family tree! The residents brought their library cards with them as our local library provides free access to the Heritage Quest database and Ancestry.com. We will continue to research our heritage over the newxt few weeks. Here is a copy of the information provided to the residents on a handout at the start of our Genealogy class:

How do you spell your surname?

Many immigrants of the US were illiterate and unable to write or communicate their names, especially if they spoke a language other than English.
Therefore, genealogists often encounter variations in the spelling of surnames, which were either written as they sounded or Americanized by families trying to blend their new homeland. For example, Becker sometimes was changed to Baker; Martini to Martin; Mueller to Miller; O’Cullane to Collins; Romanowski to Roman; and Schmidt to Smith.


The most common last names:
1. Smith 6. Miller 11. Martinez 16. Moore
2. Johnson 7. Davis 12. Andersen 17. Martin
3. Williams 8. Garcia 13. Taylor 18. Jackson
4. Brown 9. Rodriguez 14. Thomas 19. Thompson
5. Jones 10. Wilson 15. Hernandez 20. White


Useful websites:

www.monroepl.org (click Remote Databases, Click Heritage Quest)
www.usgenweb.org
www.ellisisland.org
www.census.gov
www.switchboard.com
www.rootsweb.com
www.genealogy.com


STEP 1 - Start with Yourself
If you haven't already done so, you should download the free Pedigree Chart to make your note taking more organized. Start with yourself by recording your full name (including maiden name if a married female), as well as your date and place of birth. If married, record your date and place of marriage and the name of your spouse. Continue by stepping back one generation and list the same information for your father (called your paternal line) and mother (maternal line). It's also helpful to make a note of your parents siblings (your aunts and uncles).

STEP 2 - Hunt for Clues
You'll quickly learn that this step is never-ending, but can be one of the most interesting components of your research. Over time, you'll recognize that clues are all around you, but you just need to learn to recognize them. An old letter may have a date and names, but the envelope (if it is still with the letter) may also carry a postmark, as well as a destination and return address which can be used to fix two people at specific places for a particular time period. Newspaper clippings, postcards, family bibles, school yearbooks, and old photographs are just some of the sources that may already be in your possession.