SolveYourProblem eLearning Series: Geneology
My Family Tree is Important to Me
( 50 articles in this series )

How To Unearth Vital Information on Ancestors
   

When researching ancestors, then vital statistic information can be of great importance. Digging up the dirt on your family is easier when you have some basic information. Start out with a note pad, making notes. First start with your parents, then your grandparents, great grandparents, and so on, working back as far as you can, listing their full names, their birthdates, and all other information you know about them. Most people start to run out of information when they get back past two generations. That is where vital statistics come in.

When you go to an information storage facility, which can be a court house, or if you are lucky a state historical museum with more extensive records, either on computer or on microfilm, then go to the furthest ancestor back. Let’s say that was your grandparents. Then check out the vital statistics information on your grandparents. Check death records, birth records and marriage records. This information is like the part of the iceberg you can see from the surface, with most of the iceberg lying beneath. This information will spider web out, leading to siblings and parents of the ancestor you are checking on. In turn, by checking on the siblings and parents, you’ll be led to even more relatives in your vast web.

When doing this research, you’ll need a library with a good selection of microfilm records. The University of Missouri in Columbia maintains the Missouri State Historical Library and in that state is the premier research location. Most other states have similar libraries. If you’re having trouble tracking down the best research location, call the history department of your local community college or ask a research librarian at your public library where the historical archives are located in your state. While having all of these records online would make the task easier, most states have yet to convert their microfilm files to digital form, so you have to make several trips in person to get the information you need, but the drive will probably be worth it if you are a serious genealogical researcher.

When you get to the research library, be prepared to spend the day. Many people go planning on just a couple of hours of research and are amazed at how quickly the time passes. Make sure you have pens and a legal pad for taking notes, and plenty of loose change for the copy machine, or for prints outs of the microfilmed information. You’ll probably find a great deal of information you want to take back. Also, as you will be spending the day there, make sure you are wearing comfortable clothing and have packed a lunch.

Taking notes or records that you already have, such as the names and dates of birth of ancestors you already know about will also save you a great deal of time. There is nothing more frustrating than starting extensive research and realizing that you didn’t bring some needed information along. Keeping basic information in a notebook you carry with you can be very helpful. If your genealogical records are kept in a computer data base, then making a print out and using a three hole punch to fit your print outs into a loose leaf binder will aid you in your research.

Another good source of information for your search is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, most often thought of as the Mormons. The LDS Church maintains extensive genealogical data bases considering the tracing of family trees to be an important part of their mission, and they make this information available to the public for a small fee to offset some of their cost. They can be located online, or you can simply stop by any LDS Church in your area and inquire about access to the records the church maintains. Even if your family is not Mormon, the LDS Church may well have records that will help you.

Genealogy is a fascinating hobby and many people feel it gives them a sense of attachment to their ancestors and more of a sense of heritage. Using vital statistics information to find out the scoop on your ancestors is a great way to get this project up and going, and good research skills will develop from it.

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SolveYourProblem.com : 2006

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