What kind of information are you looking for?
- Personal knowledge of relatives cannot always be taken as "gospel" but can sometimes provide clues.
- Family traditions can provide cultural knowledge, there is usually some truth to them even if some of the facts have been distorted.
- Old letters from relatives and friends can be valuable.
- Diaries, journals, or biographies or other printed or published family histories.
- Family bibles are often worth their weight in gold with genealogical, military, medical, and various forms of information.
- Vital records include birth, marriage, death certificates, Christening, baptism or other church ordinance records.
- Newspapers can provide a wealth of information and includes obituaries, articles, announcements.
- Old photographs usually provide notes made on the back of the old photos. these can be helpful and studying the photo itself can provide clues. The biggest problem I have in is that sometimes we just ma and sis thus not containing the full name of those in the photo. Military uniforms may lead to various military records records and other documents.
- Emigration and Immigration documentation include passports, citizenship papers, and naturalization papers.
Obtaining Personal knowledge from older relative is MOST IMPORTANT. If they are close by do pay them a visit and interview them. Take notes, use a tape recorder or a video camera. Don't rely on your memory. If they live far away do write to them. DO NOT PROCRASTINATE, people don't live forever.
During the gathering stage it is really important to ORGANIZE the information you gather include data on pedigree charts and family group forms. Document your sources carefully. Choose the ancestor or family line you would like to research and try to research one line at a time to avoid confusion and data crossing.
Regarding VITAL RECORDS:Obtain a copy of the pamphlet,
"Where to Write For Vital Records in the United States"
Publications.usa.gov at http://publications.usa.gov/
Most of the State vital records (except New England) begin about 1900.
Using the information on your family group sheets and pedigree charts, send for the birth and/or death certificates for each appropriate person. (that is, those being born, marrying, or dying in the given time period for your locality). The information found on these certificates may be new to you or may just confirm what you already know. As well, you'll need these documents if you plan to apply to any American Indian Nations to show proof of you Native American lineage.
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