Explorations in Genealogy

UW-Eau Claire Continuing Education SeriesWednesdays, May 22 – June 12, 2013

Explorations in Genealogy

● Session One– Beginning Research– Vital Records– Organization & Record Keeping

Explorations in Genealogy

● Session Two– Census Records– Online Research– Widening your search (other records)

Explorations in Genealogy

● Session Three– Archiving Documents and Keepsakes– Tour of the ARC Special Collections

● Session Four– Writing Your Story– Q&A and Individual Help

Instructors● Kathy Herfel, L.E. Phillips Library

● Deb Jarvar, GRSEC

● Tom Davey, GRSEC

● Karin Pettis, GRSEC

● Greg Kocken, UW-EC McIntyre Library

Beginning Research

● Start with what you already know

Next Steps

● Family stories & oral histories● Personal interviews● Don't procrastinate

Other “Home” Resources

● Family Bibles● Diaries/journals● Old Letters● Photos● School records

● Military records● Certificates● Obituaries● Funeral cards

Accuracy, Proof & Evidence

Fact Fiction

There is a big difference between proving a fact and wanting something to be true. Build your proof on solid evidence.

Citing Sources

● A way for someone else to follow your research

● Examples:● Clark County birth records, Vol. #5,

Pg.128● US Census 1860, Iowa County, Wis.,

Town of Dodgeville, Pg. 590, Dwelling 167

Record Keeping

● Paper filing systems– Forms– Binders– File folders– Organizing

Record Keeping

● Research Notebook– List of goals– Journal– Blank forms– Note Paper– Tie sources to people & places

Computer Record Systems

● Free Programs– Personal Ancestral File (PAF)– GRAMPS– Brother's Keeper– Roots Magic Essentials

● GEDCOM file format

Computer Record Systems

● For Purchase Programs– Family Tree Maker (Win & Mac)– Reunion (Mac)– The Master Genealogist (Win)– Mac Family Tree

● en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_genealogy_software

Storing Original Documents

● Use archive quality clear sleeves● Store in binders or file folders● Never fold, keep flat● Large documents store flat in boxes● Use interleave papers between sheets

Vital Records

● Birth, Marriage & Death

– Recorded in county event occurred

– Wisconsin started about 1852

– Generally available starting 1907

– Indexes are usually available

– Older records may be in ARC

Vital Records

● Basic information● Name● Date● Location● Person

recording● Parents

● Other information● Spouse● Witnesses● Cause of death● Burial date

Birth Certificate

Marriage Certificate

Death Certificate

Land Records

● Kept by County Register of Deeds● Records of certain transactions● Tract or name index● What information can be found?● Know the county history for old

records

Probate Records

● Usually in county courthouse● Helpful in finding family members or

relationships● Guardian proceedings may be there

too

Newspapers

● A huge source of information● Obituaries & death notices● Birth announcements● Engagement and wedding notices● Judgments● Gossip columns● News articles● Advertisements

Newspapers

● Where to find newspaper archives● Paper company● Local libraries● Online

● Large papers may host their own● Access.newspaperarchive.com● GenealogyBank.com● Ancestry.com & FamilySearch.org