Genealogy Essentials

Essential advice on researching your family tree.

1. Use A Software Program
Benefits of using genealogy software for genealogical research:

Moree organization
Ability to store file off site
Forced to add details like sources
Ability to print family group records, pedigree charts and books
Easily share your family history and view the family history of others
For FREE Genealogy Software go to www.familysearch.org
or www.legacyfamilytree.com
FREE PAF Tips

2. Document Your Sources
No matter how many times we are told, every genealogist sometimes forgets to document the source for a piece of information. This leads to wasted time and effort in having to hunt for it again. This has been known to take months and even years. By documenting your source, you not only know where you found something should someone ask, but you can eliminate where to look for further information.

3. Publish Your Findings
Genealogical research is never finished. Don't wait to publish your findings until you are 'finished', that day will never come. The sooner you publish what you find, by the way of web pages, articles, public databases (including the Pedigree Resource File), the sooner you may find a relative, or discover someone who is researching your family line (and they have gone further back than you!).

4. Post The Names You Are Researching
The more places people can find you, the more likely you are to be found by someone researching the same names. A good place to start is the Roots Surname List at www.rootsweb.com.

5. Revisit Web Sites by adding them to your Favourites
The Internet is constantly changing and new data is being added. If you can't find what you are looking for today, visit the site again at a later date (a bookmark or favourite can help you find the site again).

6. Use The Print & Save As functions Of Your Browser
By printing the page or saving it to your hard drive you can cut down on the time you spennd online and hopefully save money! Another tip, is to right click on graphics you find (such as pictures of your ancestors, their homes, maps etc) and select Save As. You will be able to save the image to your hard drive.

By Marina Garrison

About the Author
As a lecturer and writer, Marina Garrison's specialty is the integration of genealogy and technology. She serves as Assistant Family History Center Director for the Kelowna, British Columbia Family History Center and is also responsible for staff training. Her speaking experiences include 5 regional conferences and local genealogical groups throughout British Columbia. You can e-mail Marina at genealogy@hamersleyfamily.com or visit www.hamersleyfamily.com.