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April 25, 2002
See Rhonda's Previous
Columns
Going
to the Courthouse
Q:
A lot of talk is spent on how and what you can find on the Internet, but what
about traditional research at the municipal level? How do we research and what
do we expect from our local records? What can I find if I, for instance, travel
to Wayne Co. Michigan. What records should they allow me to review, if any?
Does it vary from state to state or county to county or what? -- Rob
A: The records available from a county courthouse do vary from county to county, state to state, and in some instances town to town. For instance, those researching New England will find that the concentrate on the town level for most of their records.
At most county courthouses you will find land and probate records. You may
find vital records as well. Some of the other records we rely on though, such
as cemetery and census records are found elsewhere, perhaps the state historical
society or the state archives. Other times you can find these records at a major
genealogical library.
One way to get an idea of what records are likely to be found at the county
courthouse would be to check out the records that have been microfilmed by the
Family History Library. Often times the microfilmed records allow you to do
a lot of the work in the real records without having to travel to the county
in question. Such an option offers you the chance to do research when travel
is not an option.
You will want read up on the county in question. Books like Ancestry's Red
Book give you insight into what year records began and what records are
available for each county. For example, one county may have naturalization records
along with the many other records already mentioned, while another county may
not have vital records.
Genealogy 101
Q:
I would really like to talk to you about how an amateur searches for their ancestors. Are there any steps to follow? Should I invest in software? -- Marjorie
A:
The best way to begin is to get a couple of how-to books on the subject. There
are a number of them available. By finding them in your local library, you'll
be able to read through them before purchasing a couple. Even after you read
them, it is good to have them handy, which is why I suggest you purchase them.
The general rule in genealogy is to work from the known to the unknown. Get
records on the life events that you know, as they will give you clues on the
events and people you don't know. As you progress in your research you will
go from vital records to census records, probate records and published family
histories, to name just a few.
When you first begin it is easy to think that you can keep everything organized
on paper. Eventually though you will discover, though, that it is a difficult
task. Genealogy software offers you the ability to keep track of individuals
and where you are in your research, provided you keep your database up to date
and that you cite your sources as you are entering information. This way you
will never wonder where you got a date or place.
Family Tree Maker is a good program to begin with.
The ease of use allows you to concentrate on learning how to search for your
family history rather than how to use the program.
Once you have done some research, you will then be able to compile what you have to share with others. Perhaps in your research you may discover some interesting stories about the lives your ancestors led, making your family history all the more interesting to everyone in the family.
From England to the United States
Q:
I currently live in the United Kingdom and would like to start to trace my stepfathers'
family. He is 70 years old, and his mother emigrated to the USA some 68 years
ago with 11 of her healthy children. My stepfather was too sickly to travel,
and they thought he would not survive the passage, so he was adopted. He has
no idea what became of his mother and 11 brothers and sisters. Can you please
tell me what information I need, in order to track down the whereabouts of his
family. -- Carol
A:
The first thing you will want to do is to look at the indexed passenger lists
for the various ports along the eastern seaboard of the United States. Based
on when she came through, all the eastern ports were indexed, making your search
easier. I would start with the port of New York and then work through the others
alphabetically searching for her.
Because she came into the country about 1934, the passenger list will give
you a lot of information about where she was going, and if she was meeting someone.
You'll find the information you'll need to turn your attention to where she
went. From there, you can look in resources such as city directories to see
where she was living in the city and what she was doing to earn a living for
her family.
Once you have a little more information, you may be able to pick her up in
the Social Security Death Index. With this, you might
be able to find her death certificate. Little by little you will begin to put
together the life she had once she came to the United States.
Once you have done some research on her, then you will be able to begin similar
searches for the children. Since your research will be taking you into the twentieth
century, you may find it necessary to hire a professional researcher and may
run into some road blocks as the result of the privacy laws in the United States.
Some of the records mat be available on microfilm, but more of them will need
to be requested in writing or located in person by you or a professional researcher.
Rhonda R. McClure is a professional genealogist specializing in celebrity trees
and computerized genealogy. She has been involved in online genealogy for fifteen
years. She is the author of the award-winning The
Complete Idiot's Guide to Online Genealogy, now in its second edition.
She is the author of four how-to guides on Family
Tree Maker. In late 2001, she wrote The
Genealogist's Computer Companion. She is a contributing editor to Biography
Magazine with her "Celebrity Roots" column and a contributing writer
to The History Channel Magazine. Her latest book is Finding
Your Famous and Infamous Ancestors. She may be contacted at rhondagen@thegenealogist.com.
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