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HOW TO BEGIN YOUR FAMILY HISTORY By Phyllis Brown Miller Delaney, President, the Ohio Genealogical Society Local History Notebook, September / October 1997 Introduction Do you know who your grandparents are? Can you name your eight great grandparents and where they were from? Many people who are interested in history are also knowledgeable about their own family history. It can be most satisfying to have a good understanding of an area's history and also to know how your family lived and survived various time periods. Perhaps you want to share information about your family with children or grandchildren. If you do not already have the data on file, you may want to involve the children in the research process to locate your past family members.Family Resources and Traditions To start your family research, you begin at home. What family traditions have you heard from the older relatives? Are there records to support those traditions? Did you know the people involved? Have you talked to them? Is this a tradition that has been handed down for several generations? What records can you locate to prove it happened? Most traditions have either lost some of their content or have been embellished as they are handed down through generations. Every tradition should be investigated and proven with documents of the time period. What records do you have available to you in your own house? Do you have a family Bible? Are there family pictures with names, dates, and places written on them? Do you have family journals, letters, diaries, newspaper clippings, obituaries, school records, anniversary cards, patriotic and fraternal organization pins or ribbons, or military records? Is there a marriage certificate, copy of a will, or perhaps an old deed or document on sheepskin?Make a list of the records you can find that pertain to each member of your family. This list may contain the location of the record, if you do not have it in your possession. Perhaps an aunt or cousin owns the record and lives in another state. List the name of each owner and his or her current address. Make an appointment to interview older relatives and take along photographs and other memorabilia to stimulate their recall and your conversation. If it is not possible to interview them in person, consider writing a letter. However, do not make the letter too long, or they may never get around to answering it. Limit your questions to four or five the first time. You may want to put the questions on a separate page with space under each question to write a response. This makes it easier to answer. Always include a self-addressed stamped envelope for their use.If you feel they will not or cannot write out answers, consider a telephone call. Limit time for questions to fifteen to twenty minutes. Tell them you will call again to see if they can think of additional information. If the person gives you information that is contrary to what someone else has told you, do not contradict him or her. You will likely close off future discussions. Getting Organized As you collect information on your ancestors strive to find the full name of each person, especially the maiden name for each female; the three major events in his or her life (date of birth, marriage, and death), and the place each of these events occurred for each ancestor. Remember that most of these records will be found in the county of residence at the time of the event. Usually the marriage record is in the bride's county of residence. When recording, consider the following: • Use complete names, first, middle, and surname (family name) for each person. List females with their maiden names. Capitalize surnames, so you can tell them from first names. • Use the military style of dating (9 October 1997). No punctuation is needed, and there is no confusion as to the ninth day in the tenth month or the tenth day in the ninth month. • Use the complete place of events including city, county, state, or country: Columbus (Franklin) OH. • Enter proven information in ink and unproven data in pencil, followed by a question mark. • Work from the known (yourself) to the unknown and backward in time.Basic Forms You will need some basic forms to record your genealogy, including a four or five generation chart (a.k.a. pedigree or ancestor chart), a family group sheet that will list parents and their children, and a research calendar to record the research you have performed. You can keep a file folder to hold the records you find for each direct line ancestor on your generation chart. If you use a computer, there are many different programs available on the market. These programs will have a variation of the basic forms, a four or five generation chart and a family group sheet to record each family. Some programs may offer other forms. You are number one on your ancestor chart, your father is number two, and your mother is number three. Males have even numbers on this chart, and a wife has one number higher than her husband, which makes her number uneven. Obtain a copy of your own birth and marriage record, if married. Locate birth, marriage, and death (if deceased) records of each parent, grandparent, and other ancestors as far back as vital records were kept. Glean clues from all possible family sources (relatives, papers, records) for full names, dates and places of events, and relationships. Take one generation at a time and prove they are the correct parents before you move back in time to the next generation. Record your proven data on Family Group Sheets (FGS). Use a FGS for each couple on your chart. Enter the proven data in black ink. Documentation of Evidence A primary source record is one that is made at or very near the time an event occurred by a participant or eyewitness. These include a birth certificate the attending physician fills out and files after the birth of a child, a death certificate filed by a doctor, and a marriage return filed by a minister. Records kept by public officials are usually considered more reliable as there is no personal stake involved in their accuracy. Primary source records are the most reliable source you can obtain for your genealogical research. A secondary source record is one that is compiled from someone's memory a considerable time after the event or abstracted from original records or any published genealogical materials. When you find a source of information for an ancestor in your research, cite the source on your family group sheet and in the file for that individual. Give the full name of the record; a volume, page number, or other identifying numbers; and the location of the record. If you have found a published source, note the title of the book, author, publisher, date of the book, and page number for your reference. Be as complete as possible with your citations of sources. List information so that another researcher could find the same source you did. There are books at the library that can help you with citation of sources. Check at libraries to see if a family history on your surname(s) has been published. There are many family histories located in libraries and research centers around the country and in Ohio, but do not expect the librarian or a county courthouse clerk to do your research for you. (Please see research centers below.)Check databases or indexes that cover large resources. One of the largest source is Family Search, a group of databases in the Family History Library of Salt Lake City, and its branches across the country. This library system is a result of the work of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints. Another example of a biographical index is the American Genealogical-Biographical Index by Fremont Rider. This ongoing project will contain references to more than 12 million individuals in articles, books, and short biographies when the update is completed. About four to six volumes are published annually. Volume 181 ends with the surname Tups. More than 850 sources are being indexed. Check the Periodical Source Index (PERSI) for articles that may be written on your family names. PERSI, available at most county libraries, indexes over 400 periodicals each year and has a retroactive index that goes back to 1847. More than 4,100 periodical titles are being indexed, some no longer being published. A more complete listing of published sources of indexes and databases is given in chapter two of The Source: A Guidebook of American Genealogy, by Szucs and Luebking, 2nd Ed, 1997 or chapter nine of The Researcher'sGuide to American Genealogy by Greenwood, 2nd Edition, 1990. Census Records 1790-1920 The United States of America is the first country to require a census be taken on a regular basis, every ten years. Census records exist for most states created by 1790 and continuing through 1920. Before territories were allowed to become states, a census was taken to determine if there was enough population to meet the requirements for creating an individual state. Thereafter, a population census was taken to determine the number of representatives from each state based on the population, for the U.S. House of Representatives. While the census was not created to help us with our genealogical research, it certainly can. No other single record covers as many people over such a long period of time in United States history. You start by seeking your parents or grandparents in the 1920 census and work backward in time through the 1910, 1900, (1890 population census burned), 1880, 1870, 1860, 1850, and so on. You need to know the state and county of residence of your ancestor in order to locate them in the census. If the census exists for the state you are seeking, there are printed census indexes for all states from 1790 through 1850. Some states are indexed in later years, also. Ohio has printed indexes for 1820-1860, and 1880. Some counties in Ohio are indexed for 1870, also. Please note that the Ohio 1820 census is missing Franklin and Wood counties, and the Ohio 1840 census index is printed in four volumes, each volume alphabetizing several counties. You need to check all four volumes to have a complete index of Ohio in 1840. Census records from 1850-1920 give the name of every person in the household, their ages, state or country of birth, sex, and race. In some years, census takers asked questions that are especially helpful, such as in 1900, each person was asked the month and year of her or his birth. If you do not have the birth date of a grandparent or great grandparent, check to see if they were living in 1900 and find them in the census. You would be within thirty days of their actual birth when you locate them. You can also learn if the family owned or rented land, adults could read or write, and if children went to school in the year. From 1920 back to and including 1880, the indexes are on microfilm and are called Soundex. This is an indexing by the sound of the name, even though there may be some spelling variations. Most "how-to" genealogy books explain how the soundex works and how you can learn to code your own family surnames to use the Soundex system. The Miracode system was used in 1920 and was entered into a computer database for processing. Miracode was also based on the sound of the name. These cards are easier to read than the handwritten ones in 1880-1910. Also note that the soundex for 1880 lists only families with children ten years of age or younger. Many libraries also have directions for coding surnames into Soundex or Miracode.The earliest census records, 1790-1840, give the name of the head of household and the remaining members of the family in numerical age groupings, not by name. There are other questions asked on these earliest census on the far right hand side of the verso page. You must carefully check this second page for all the available information. Even with the above limitations of the earliest census, there is very good information available, if you are careful in your research. Be alert for the following: • Seventeen states took a 1790 census: CT, DE, GA, KY, ME, MD, MA, NC, NH, NJ, NY, RI, SC, TN, VT, and VA. Six are missing: DE 1790, GA 1790-1810, KY 1790-1800, NJ 1790-1820, TN 1800-1810 with 1820 incomplete, VA 1790-1800 with 1810 incomplete. Use the 1787 Census of Virginia by Nettie Schreiner-Yantis for the area of present day VA, KY, and WV. Reconstructed tax lists exist for DE 1790, GA 1790, KY 1800, and NJ 1790 census. • The 1880,1900, and 1910 census give relationship of each person to the head of household. • Military service is indicated in the 1840 and 1910 population census. The "1890 Special Census of Union Veterans or Their Widows" exist for about half of the states starting with Kentucky through the end of the states in alphabetical order to Wyoming. • The 1860 and 1870 census noted Native Americans only if they lived in non-Native American households. Some special census were taken of Indian reservations between 1840 and 1942. • The first census to show aliens was 1820, following the War of 1812. Other clues to citizenship were included in 1830, 1850-1920. The year of immigration to America was asked in 1900 and 1910. • By law, census records are closed to the public for seventy-two years to protect privacy.Special Census were taken starting in 1850-1880. They do not always exist for all states, but can provide some additional family information. The special census were Slave Schedules for 1850 and 1860 only; Mortality Schedules; Agriculture Schedules; Manufacturing Schedules; Social Statistics Schedules; Dependent, Defective, and Delinquent Schedules; and the 1890 Veterans Schedules. Some states took census, usually in years other than when the federal population census was taken. For example, New York took a state census on the year ending with a five, such as 1825,1835,1845, and so on. The census schedules for Washington County, Ohio, for 1800, 1803, and 1810 survived a fire and were published in book form, 1800-1810 Early Ohio Census by K. Haybron Adams. Ohio did not take a state census. When you have found the state and county your ancestor lived in during any given census year, you then know where to look for other important records. Not only is the census a locator tool, but it gives additional ancestral information. In 1850 and 1860, the census asked if the family owned land. If so, then you would go to that county courthouse or write to seek a copy of the land deed. If a couple was young, without a family, or had a very young family, you would want to seek a marriage record in the same county first. They may have married elsewhere, but try the county of residence closest to the time you find them on the census. If that does not work, then check the state where they were born, especially the bride. Look in census indexes for the surname(s) your research has indicated. Can you find both family names in the same county in the state where they are born? Use the information from the census records to give you clues for your courthouse research.A genealogist always wants to find an original record and obtain a copy. Primary source records are birth, death, marriage records, wills, estate records, land deeds, guardianship records, and so on. Any record made at the time of an event or very near it by an eyewitness or participant is a primary source record. Normally these are kept by public officials. Always seek these first. Read a "how-to" book on genealogy and start talking to family members to gather information. You will learn more about yourself in the process as well as correlate your family to many historical events.Some Basic Resources Cemy, Johni, and Wendy Elliott, eds. The Library: A Guide to the LDS Family History Library. Salt Lake City: Ancestry, Inc., 1988. Description of library holding with short history and background of states. Everton, George B., Sr. The Handy Book for Genealogists. 8th ed. Logan, LJT-The Everton Publishers, 1991. Gives addresses to write to each county in each state and date county was created. Includes a migration trail section. Greenwood, Val. D. The Researcher's Guide to American Genealogy. 2nd ed. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1990. In-depth "how to" book, by an attorney. Guide to Genealogical Research in the National Archives. Washington, DC: National Archives Trust Fund Board, 1982. Gives records that can be researched at NARA.Kemp, Thomas Jay. International Vital Records Handbook. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1990. Gives addresses of state vital statistics offices and forms needed. Stevenson, Noel C. Genealogical Evidence: A Guide to the Standard of Proof Relating to Pedigrees, Ancestry, Heirship and Family History. Laguna Hills, CA: Aegean Park Press, 1979. Szucs, Loretto Dennis, and Sandra Hargreaves Luebking, eds. The Source: A Guidebook of American Genealogy. 2nd ed. Salt Lake City: Ancestry, Inc., 1997. In-depth "how to" book. Research Centers Ohio Historical Society, Archives-Library Division, 1982 Velma Avenue, Columbus, OH 43211, (614) 297-2510, e-mail ohsref@ohiohistory.org or go to www.ohiohistory.org The state archives has a wide collection of materials for Ohio research, including resources from other states. They also have a regional system of Ohio Network of American History Research Centers that collect, preserve, and provide accessibility to records. Ohio Genealogical Society, 713 South Main Street, Mansfield, Ohio 44907-1644, (419) 756-7294, e-mail ogs@ogs.org or go to www.ogs.org This is the largest state genealogical society in the nation. It holds special collections of generation charts and bible records submitted by members and has a growing book and manuscript collection. State Library of Ohio, Genealogy Division, 274 East First Avenue, Columbus, OH 43201, (614) 644-7051, e-mail genhelp@sloma.state.oh.us, or go to winslo.state.oh.us/services/genealogy/index.html This collection holds both microfilm and printed sources for genealogical research. Several lineage societies have deposited transcribed Ohio materials to this library. Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, 800 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202-2071, (513) 369-6900, or go to www.cincinnatilibrary.org This library houses over 190,000 maps as well as a large genealogical collection covering several states. They have all census microfilm for all years for all states. Western Reserve Historical Society, 10825 East Boulevard, Cleveland, OH 44106, (216) 721-5722, or go to www.wrhs.org This private (fee for nonmembers) library has an extensive manuscript collection and a large microfilm collection available for research. It specializes in records for the northeast Ohio. Allen County Public Library, Genealogy Department, 900 Webster Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46802, (260) 421-1200, or go to www.acpl.lib.in.us The second largest genealogical collection in the country, this library houses thousands of family histories and research materials. Family History Library, Genealogical Society of Utah, 35 North West Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84150-3400, (801) 240-2331, e-mail fhl@ldschurch.org or go to www.familysearch.org The largest genealogical library in the world, this library has vast microfilm collections along with printed genealogies and special databases. You can write any of the above libraries for a brochure on their current hours, days of operation, and directions. The Local History Notebook is edited and published by the Ohio Historical Society's Local History Office in order to bring useful information to people working in the local history field. The selection of subjects and authors is based on the OAHSM Editorial Board's and the Local History Office's determination of issues which are timely in nature and lasting in scope. The reprints are copyrighted 1997 by the Ohio Historical Society. Reprints are available individually or as complete sets. For further information, contact: Local History OfficeOhio Historical Society 1982 Velma Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43211 Phone: (614) 297-2340 Toll-free: (800) 858-6878 Fax: (614) 297-2318 oahsm@ohiohistory.org 
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