This document provides an introduction to genealogy research for teens. It outlines the basics of genealogy as tracing one's family lineage through records of ancestors, their births, marriages and deaths. It encourages starting with information known about immediate family and interviewing relatives, then verifying facts with primary sources like birth certificates, census records, and military records found at libraries and archives. Secondary sources like family histories and newspapers can also provide clues but require verification. The document stresses documenting sources, collecting photographs to tell stories, and sharing information with family, as the research is ongoing and never truly complete.

1. Genealogy for Teens Sharan Farmer Ellis County Genealogical Society www.rwrinnovations.com

2. What is Genealogy? The study of your family lineage -- your unique family history. It includes a personal family record of you and your ancestors, their children, birth dates and places, marriage records, and death information. www.flickr.com www.flickr.com www.flickr.com www.flickr.com

3. Discover your roots Understand your past Become a part of history Challenging Family health history It’s Why should I trace my family tree? FUN! www.animationgold.com

4. Print family group sheets and ancestor charts to fill in as you learn information. Start with you! Write down everything you know about family names, dates, and places. Interview your mom, dad, and grandparents to find out everything they know. Ask them if someone else in the family has already prepared a family tree. Double check info with primary sources. Verify! How do I get started? www.arlington.k12.ma.us

5. What are those charts? Pedigree Chart -- begins with you and branches back with your ancestors. www.wpclipart.com

6. And this chart? Family Group Sheet -- details for only one family including the parents and children nwscc.edu

7. How do I conduct an interview? Don’t limit to just parents and grandparents! Schedule a time Prepare questions Carry pen, paper, recorder Double check dates and spellings Get the stories too Show interest! www.flickr.com

8. Should I document sources? For credibility and traceability Even if it is Grandma or Aunt Edna! Type of source and where you found it Make copies or photograph Include places NOT to look again! YES!

9. How do I check my facts? Use primary sources Verify secondary sources Distinguish between fact and fiction FACT www.caslt.org

10. What are primary sources? Birth certificates Marriage licenses Death certificates Family Bibles US census Wills and probates Diaries and journals Military records Deeds and land records www.denisonhansen.org www.soley.com www.spoonergen.com

11. And where do I find those records? At the county courthouse in: County Clerk’s office District Clerk’s office National Archives and Records Administration At the library On the Internet From family members www.flickr.com

12. What are secondary sources? Letters Newspapers Obituaries Family histories Indexes for census, births, marriages, etc. Collections of cemetery inscriptions Evaluate!

13. Should I collect photographs? Ask to see family albums Scan photos to computer Take digital photos of relatives and memorabilia Share digital photos with family with email Use them to tell a story www.flickr.com

14. What do I do with the info now? Notebook Scrapbook Slide show Web site Framed family tree www.flickr.com www.flickr.com www.flickr.com

15. www.youtube.com

16. When will I be through? NEVER! www.king-cart.com

17. Sources Genealogy Research: The Basics by Carolyn Schott http://www.grhs.org/rig/bess/genealogy_basics.htm How to Interview a Relative by Kimberly Powell http://genealogy.about.com/cs/oralhistory/ht/interview.htm Family Group Record chart http://c.mfcreative.com/pdf/trees/charts/famgrec.pdf Pedigree chart http://genealogy.about.com/library/free_charts/pedigree.pdf Flickr YouTube