A Beginner's Quest:
Step-by Step #1
Become Aware of Records Available
From: FisherNorm@aol.com
DearMYRTLE,
I am a newcomer to this but I do want to get into it more. I bought [the] Family Tree Maker software and looked up a few sites but need more help.
-- My parents emigrated from Sweden in the early 20th century and settled in San Francisco and may have been there for the 1920 census.
A problem is that my Mother never got her citizenship papers since she had problems proving her residence since she was domestic help for a number of years to a family in Michigan (ESCANABA? I believe). However she moved to San Francisco to be with her brothers around 1907 because my half-sister was born in 1908.
-- My mother's maiden name was Larson or Larsson or Svenson, and her given name was Elsa Matilda.
-- She married a Axel Lundgren
-- They had 3 children Elvera, Hillevi and Evald living all over S.F.
My mother divorced Axel and married my Dad, Knute Olaf Nelson (Nilsson). I came along on June 27, 1927 so wouldn't have appeared in any census records until 1930.
-- I lost both parents years ago and have no living aunts or uncles. Where do you suggest my starting? Have some information from some of my cousins but would like to get some civil records or other sources to pursue my
genealogy. Thanks for providing a source and hope that I may hear from you.
DearNORM,
Your research challenges are just the sort I'd like to respond to in a new series of how-to articles on my site called "STEP BY STEP."
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Today's segment encourages beginners to BECOME AWARE of the type of records available to genealogists. |
If you don't know what's out there, you won't know what to look for. There are some general guidelines, and reference works which will help you become acquainted with the basics. Eventually, you'll be branching out to include specifics on the locality where your ancestors once lived. -- Just to make things as simple as possible, I will give you only one assignment per
"Step By Step" lesson.
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TODAY'S ASSIGNMENT:
Go to FamilySearch.org and print out a copy (over 80 pages) of
the United States Research Outline. |
Believe me, this is quite worth the time and effort. With this print-out, you'll have the reference librarian's best thinking on the subject of tracing your ancestors activities in the US. You'll also find out how the Family History Library catalogs microfilm, microfiche, books, etc.
WHY THE FAMILY HISTORY LIBRARY?
The facilities of the LDS Family History Library (also sometimes called the Mormon library in Salt Lake) are considered the finest collection of world-wide genealogical materials in the US. Your ancestors didn't have to be members of the LDS Church, nor do you have to be in order to use the main Library or any of its 3,500+ local Family History Centers.
HOW TO I LOCATE THE RESEARCH OUTLINE ON THE WEB?
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Go to www.familysearch.org
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Click on the "custom search" tab on the middle right
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Scroll down to click on "SourceGuide"
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Click the blue "How To" button
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Scroll down through the list of research outlines, and select "United States Research Outline."
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Put lots of paper in your printer, this lengthy print-out will become perhaps your most effective "how-to" resource.
Folks who've followed this suggestion in the past have written again to thank me for steering them in the right direction!
-- More next week!
Other Step By Step Lessons appear at: www.DearMYRTLE.com/stepbystep/index.htm
Myrt :)
DearMYRTLE,
Daily Genealogy Columnist
America Online Keyword: roots or myrtle
www.DearMYRTLE.com
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