Grow Your Family Tree DEBRA A HOFFMAN 4

Grow Your Family Tree DEBRA A. HOFFMAN 4 October 2014

Overview Basic Steps Maryland State Archives

Start at the Beginning

5 Basic Steps 1 – Start with what you know. 2 – Identify a research objective. 3 – Develop a research plan. 4 – Execute the plan. 5 – Analyze, evaluate and correlate the information.

Start with You! �Write down what you know about: Yourself Siblings �Gather the following information: Full Name Birth Date and Place Marriage Date and Place Parents Death Date and Place Grandparents Military Service Religious Affiliation Etc.

Interview Family Members � Do they have: Citizenship Papers Fraternal Records Legal Papers Military Records Programs Newspaper Clippings Birth, Marriage, or Death Occupational Records Certificates School Records Baptism Certificates Photo Albums Bibles Diaries and Journals Letters Memorial Cards and Funeral

Pedigree Chart

Family Group Sheet

Research Objectives

Identify a Research Objective Choose an ancestor. Identify specific research objectives. Select one to begin. Usually you start with what you know and then work backward. Include name, time period, location and what information you hope to find.

Example Who was the father of William H. Weaver who was born 14 October 1827 in Germany?

Locality Search Learn about the locality. Identify available resources.

Literature Search � Determine what research, if any, exists: Printed family histories and genealogies Family information published in periodicals Biographies Local histories Manuscript collections of family information Computer databases of family information Online family trees Etc. � Saves time and can provide clues

Develop a Research Plan

Research Plan What sources will provide direct or indirect evidence? Where are those sources located? Search broad time periods. Check for collateral relatives and variant spellings.

Background Information Identify your objective Identify the name, date, place and any other identifying characteristics Surname variations Identify starting information Identify limitations Time Analysis of what is known Identify gaps in information Highlight clues

Identify Repositories �Public Libraries Library of Congress DAR Library Family History Library Maryland Historical Society Enoch Pratt Free Library George Peabody Library at Johns Hopkins University County Public Libraries

Identify Repositories �Courthouses �Family History Centers �State and Federal Archives Maryland State Archives, Annapolis �State Libraries Maryland State Law Library, Annapolis

Identify Records �Census Federal and State �Vital Records Birth, Marriage and Death �Land Records Federal and Local �Church Records �Court Records Probate �Etc.

Execute the Plan

Death Records on MDVital. Rec. net

Marriage Records

Deed Index on MDLand. Rec. net

Wills and Probate Records

Findings �List the repositories you visited. �List the resources you used. �Cite your sources! �List negative findings. �Discuss any problems encountered. �Take full research notes. �Separate comments from the record.

Research Log � Prevent brickwalls. � Use one of these to prevent duplication of work. � Foster accuracy by tracking what you have searched and the results.

Analyze, Evaluate & Correlate

Next Steps? What clues did you find? What other sources should you research?

Evidence Analysis Ask Questions: Does it correlate with what you already know? Did you find what you were looking for? Is the information complete? Does it conflict with other information?

Evidence Analysis Organize it in a systematic way Timelines Charts Software

Cautions! �Just because it is published in a book or on the Internet does not mean it is true! �Don’t incorporate information into your family tree until you verify it. �Use original records, if possible.

Be Skeptical!

Fannie Langdon’s Obituary Who Was the Informant? Provided an Erroneous Age—was actually 60

Death Certificate

Maryland State Archives Public Records from 1634 -1789 Original state and county records Microfilm of original records Federal censuses Church records Land records Maps & Atlases Vital records

About the Archives

Getting Started at the Archives

Hours of Operation

Beginner’s Guide Repository for all permanent records Municipal county, and State government Special Collections Church records Newspapers Maps Manuscripts Photographs

General Public Tab

Family Historians Tab

Online Resources Reference & Research at the Archives How to Find Specific Records Indices Found at MSA Guide to Government Records Introduction to Guide to Government Records Understanding Maryland Records

Need Help? MSA Help Desk msa. helpdesk@maryland. gov

Thank You! QUESTIONS?