Exploration in Genealogy, summer 2013. Session 1: Beginning research, vital records, organization and record keeping

1. Explorations in Genealogy
UW-Eau Claire Continuing Education Series
Wednesdays, May 22 – June 12, 2013

2. Explorations in Genealogy
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Session One
– Beginning Research
– Vital Records
– Organization & Record Keeping

3. Explorations in Genealogy
●
Session Two
– Census Records
– Online Research
– Widening your search (other records)

4. Explorations in Genealogy
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Session Three
– Archiving Documents and Keepsakes
– Tour of the ARC Special Collections
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Session Four
– Writing Your Story
– Q&A and Individual Help

5. Instructors
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Kathy Herfel, L.E. Phillips Library
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Deb Jarvar, GRSEC
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Tom Davey, GRSEC
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Karin Pettis, GRSEC
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Greg Kocken, UW-EC McIntyre Library

6. Beginning Research
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Start with what you already know

7. Next Steps
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Family stories & oral histories
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Personal interviews
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Don't procrastinate

8. Other “Home” Resources
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Family Bibles
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Diaries/journals
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Old Letters
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Photos
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School records
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Military records
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Certificates
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Obituaries
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Funeral cards

9. Accuracy, Proof & Evidence
Fact Fiction
There is a big difference between
proving a fact and wanting something
to be true. Build your proof on solid
evidence.

10. Citing Sources
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A way for someone else to follow your
research
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Examples:
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Clark County birth records, Vol. #5,
Pg.128
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US Census 1860, Iowa County, Wis.,
Town of Dodgeville, Pg. 590,
Dwelling 167

11. Record Keeping
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Paper filing systems
– Forms
– Binders
– File folders
– Organizing

12. Record Keeping
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Research Notebook
– List of goals
– Journal
– Blank forms
– Note Paper
– Tie sources to people & places

13. Computer Record Systems
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Free Programs
– Personal Ancestral File (PAF)
– GRAMPS
– Brother's Keeper
– Roots Magic Essentials
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GEDCOM file format

14. Computer Record Systems
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For Purchase Programs
– Family Tree Maker (Win & Mac)
– Reunion (Mac)
– The Master Genealogist (Win)
– Mac Family Tree
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en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_genealogy_software

15. Storing Original Documents
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Use archive quality clear sleeves
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Store in binders or file folders
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Never fold, keep flat
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Large documents store flat in boxes
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Use interleave papers between sheets

16. Vital Records
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Birth, Marriage & Death
– Recorded in county event occurred
– Wisconsin started about 1852
– Generally available starting 1907
– Indexes are usually available
– Older records may be in ARC

17. Vital Records
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Basic information
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Name
●
Date
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Location
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Person
recording
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Parents
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Other information
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Spouse
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Witnesses
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Cause of death
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Burial date

18. Birth Certificate

19. Marriage Certificate

20. Death Certificate

21. Land Records
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Kept by County Register of Deeds
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Records of certain transactions
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Tract or name index
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What information can be found?
●
Know the county history for old
records

22. Probate Records
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Usually in county courthouse
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Helpful in finding family members or
relationships
●
Guardian proceedings may be there
too

23. Newspapers
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A huge source of information
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Obituaries & death notices
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Birth announcements
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Engagement and wedding notices
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Judgments
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Gossip columns
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News articles
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Advertisements

24. Newspapers
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Where to find newspaper archives
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Paper company
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Local libraries
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Online
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Large papers may host their own
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Access.newspaperarchive.com
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GenealogyBank.com
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Ancestry.com & FamilySearch.org