Genealogy is where you confuse the dead and irritate the living!
A beginner to genealogy is one who has not conducted any previous research on their family history.
A beginner to
the genealogy field is one who is new to searching their family
history. A course on beginning genealogy will introduce the new
researcher to family group charts, pedigree charts, interviewing
living relatives, libraries, etc. As the ‘beginner’ starts
researching and collecting data, he or she quickly labels himself or
herself as ‘advanced’ beginner. Immediately afterward, the word
‘beginner’ suddenly develops a certain stigma. A change occurs in
the researcher’s mindset that identifies courses for beginners as
seeming too trite, or too simplified. Later, ‘advanced beginners’
may well develop the same blemish. All of us are beginners at
various times throughout our research.
One may
become proficient through years of interviewing relatives,
collecting vital records, and examining census records. But does
this make a person an authority on every phase of genealogy
research? No, it does not. For one to advance beyond this study
level should, if one is realistic, puts the researcher once again
into the ‘beginner’ stage of research and development! What I am
trying to convey to you is this: being a beginner and taking
beginner courses from knowledgeable instructors is more than all
right! That is a part of your educational development. That’s how
you grow! Personally, I have never sat through a class or lecture,
even one for beginners, without learning something. I admit that
although I have studied many subjects and topics when it comes to
the study of the field of genetics, I am a ‘beginner.’
Part of being
a creditable researcher is to recognize and develop your weaknesses
and highlight your assets. And never take and take without giving
back, i.e., help another beginner, volunteer at your library, and
give your family history publications or research findings to the
Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, etc.
SPELLING:
Learn to spell the words cemetery, descendant, genealogy, and
library. A little time in this field of study will show spelling
problems with these words.
INTERVIEWS: It is imperative to begin immediately to interview all
living relatives while they are still alive. Procrastinating can
leave you with an hourglass whose upper flask is empty. Talking to
the older members of your family about your family’s history is very
rewarding. You can conduct interviews in person using a video
camera, a tape recorder, by writing letters, or by talking with them
on the telephone. Which method is best? Well, it’s the one that
works for you.
Ask
questions. Take copious notes. Ask them to help fill out
family group sheets
and
pedigree charts. Promise to share the information with them.
Ask if they have any birth, death or marriage records from which you
could copy information. Don’t forget bible records, family pictures
and family legends. You want any information that will connect one
generation to another.
I must warn
you to be aware of ‘splicers.’ These are people who embellish a
story so that in the story, great-grandfather is promoted from a
private to a colonel, or even a general! Verify all the information
family gives you to be sure it is accurate. You should make a note
of the embellished report that is legend. Check it out. Then present
as fact the documented information. All of this is important to make
your ancestors begin to live again. It is not at all unusual through
your dedicated research to begin to experience a long dead ancestor
has begun to develop a personality.
Post Office Box 860477, Plano, Texas 75086-0477, USA
www.genealogyfriends.org
GenFriends@
GenealogyFriends.org
Genealogy Friends of the Plano Library, Inc. is a non-profit organization certified under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code. All contributions are directed to the improvement and expansion of the Plano Genealogy Library, W. O. Haggard Library.