Below are some frequently asked questions that arise when researching genealogy. These questions are general in nature and the answers given are not meant to be absolute or definitive by any means. As always, an open mind must be kept when tracing the footsteps of the past. And be sure to consider all the possiblities. Never assume anything! After all a true genealogist really feels that his or her work is never done and that it is always an on-going process and project.
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Should a professional
genealogist be hired or can I do the research myself?
How to begin?
Why record a source and why is it so important to do so?
Where to begin?
What sort of records are needed?
Why use the Social Security Administration as a resource?
Why use the Federal Census?
Why use a Telephone or City Directory?
Why use the Mormons' Family History Library or Local Family
History Center?
What is the best genealogical software?
Can research be done internationally?
Also check out these links!
Resources With A Wide Array Of Genealogical Interest
Dan's Genealogy Page
Should a professional genealogist
be hired or can I do the research myself?
ANSWER: Not necessarily. Almost anyone can research your own personal
genealogy. A professional need only be hired if time does not permit for an
individual to do the reaserch himself of if the research gets too difficult and
the result is always a dead end.
How to begin?
ANSWER: First, it is suggested that you gather all the information you know
from your immediate family and begin with what you know. From there develop a
plan on what information still yet needs to de determined. Then trace each
generation one step at a time. Sometimes you will be able to begin with knowing
information about several generations yet sometimes and often not is the case.
However when gathering this information organize it well and record the
sources of each information.
Why record a source and why is it so important to do so?
ANSWER: Recording each source of your information is extremely important. It is
equally as important to record the source in proper format according to
accepted genealogical standards. Recording a source is as critical as the data
itself especially if the research is to be preserved as a part of history.
Sources will substaniate and support your research work. Without it others will
and can only speculate on the validity of the work or research that has been
done. Additionally, by keeping recording sources a researcher is able to track
what research has been done, with what sources and where the source was located
in the event it needed to be consulted again.
Where to begin?
ANSWER: Start with yourself, then your immediate family and branch out from
there. Then when you think you are ready check your local resources like a
local library and so on.
What sort of records are needed?
ANSWER: Check any record that you can get your hands or can take a look at. If
possible always make a copy of it in case you need to look at it a second time.
Often is the case that it will need to be consulted again and again. Check
Family Bibles, Birth Announcements, Birth Certificates, Baptismal (Christening)
Records, Death Cards, Death Certificates, Death Notices, Cemetery Records,
Gravestone Inscription, Tombstone Inscriptions, Burial Records, Funeral Home
Records, Marriage Certificates, Divorce Records, Anulment Records, City
Directories, Telephone Books, Court Records, Wills, Probate Records, Estate
Records, Newspaper Articles, Emigration Records, Immigration Records,
Naturalization Records, Medical Records, Social Security Records, Military
Records, The Federal Censuses, State Censuses, Any Other Religious Record, and
so on!
Why use the Social Security Administration as a resource?
ANSWER: The SSA is able to provide some very basic genealogical information
which could be crucial to your research. If the person you are researching is
deceased and had a Social Security Number and you know it then chances are
pretty good that you will be able to get some information from the SSA. You
will need to be able to prove that the individual is deceased based on some
sort of documentation stating so. The SSA will be able to provide information
based on a Death Benefit if one was paid and from an individual's original
application which was completed when the individual filed for a SS Card. The
latter of the two is very and extremely important as this is one of only a few
documents which will survive after a person's death and be an account from the
individual himself as to certain personal information like birth, birthplace,
parents and so on. Again this is very crucial as no third party was involved in
reporting this personal information as is the case in most instances. Again,
the information came directly from the person involved. To obtain a copy of an
individual's SS application (Form SS-5), the SSA requires you to complete a
form called "Social Security Number Record Third Party Request for
Photocopy SSA-L997". It takes quite awhile for processing but is well
worth the wait. Additionally, the SS Death Benefit is also very helpful. It can
provide information which can allow information to be indirectly extracted from
other sources like a funeral home and so on. The SSA Death Benefit Index is
available on CD and can be easily searched.
Why use the Federal Census?
ANSWER: The Federal Census which is taken every 10 years since 1790 enumerates
a wealth of data for information on individuals in the USA. The actual data
varies from census to census. The 1920 Census is the most recent one available
due to Privacy Laws. The 1920, 1910 & 1900 Census are especially worth
consulting for much data and are soundexed. Almost all of the 1890 Census was
destroyed by fire and was lost. Only a small portion survived the fire but a
reconstruction was done for those veterans who fought in the Civil War. Prior
to 1890, each census will yield a relatively small amount of information like
an individual's name, age, occupation, the general locale which the individual
was residing in, and so on. The Census is a vast wealth of information but make
sure you put your thinking cap on as many mistakes were made and can easily be
overlooked.
Why use a Telephone or City Directory?
ANSWER: A Telephone or City Directory will help you to locate others often by
the same surname in a specific region, locale, or even an entire country at any
given time. Often these can be used to place someone in a specific locale so
that other sources may be searched to determine if that is indeed the person
you really are looking for in your research.
Why use the Mormons' Family History Library or Local Family
History Center?
ANSWER: The FHL is in Salt Lake City, Utah while the FHC is in your Local Area.
Several resources can be loaned to your FHC from the FHL in Salt Lake City at a
very nominal expense. In any case either the FHL or FHC should be consulted
when researching your family tree or genealogy. They have collected a wealth of
information. It is the largest collection of its kind, much of which can save
you time and money. You should become very familiar with their collection!
What is the best genealogical software?
ANSWER: Depending upon which computer you use and what it will support the best
is PAF (Personal Ancestral File - MS DOS or Apple) by the Mormon Church or The
Family Tree Maker (MS DOS & Windows) by Broderbund.
Can research be done internationally?
ANSWER: Yes, of course. Results and resources will vary according to the
region, locale, and country you are interested in.
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This page was last updated and edited on 16 December 1999
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