The document outlines 4 steps for conducting family history research: 1) Connect with family members and gather existing sources. 2) Organize information into genealogy charts. 3) Utilize local genealogy centers and archives to find records. 4) Create a specific research plan with distinct questions when digging deeper. The steps provide guidance on gathering initial information, organizing data, utilizing local resources, and focusing future research efforts.

1. Steps to conducting family history research
Organized by: Jessica Shultz
Photo courtesy of: The genealogy tree webring

2. Step 1: Connect with family
members

 Find out as much background knowledge as you can.
 Gather together all family history sources that exist
within your personal residences.
o Sources might include birth certificates, letters and family
photographs.
 Actively engage in discussion with family members
concerning family history, especially with elderly family
members who can provide information on past generations.
o Record all unknown and known information that is
communicated. This will assist in present research and to
preserve the accounts for the future.

3. Step 2: Organize

 Keep information organized
by building genealogy charts.
They will be vital prior to
visiting family history centers
or using online resources.
 As the research process
progresses the chart will
grow as older generations are
added onto the charts.

4. Step 3: Utilize local resources

 Visit local genealogy centers and archives to get
additional records such as census, birth, marriage, or
death.
 The most important information to gather when
beginning your search are the names of direct
ancestors, including the maiden names of women, and
dates and places of birth, marriage and death.
 Also, look for the places your ancestral families lived
and the names of family members, such as the
siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles of your
ancestors, and religious affiliation and military service.

5. Step 4: Dig deeper. Ask
distinct questions.

Create a research plan
with specific ideas about
information you would
like to find during a visit
to a genealogy center or
archives such as “I want to
find out when my great-
grandfather John Jones
died,” rather than “I want
to know everything about
my Jones family.”
Photo courtesy of: Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library

6. Resources

 Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center, Fort Wayne , IN
http://www.genealogycenter.org/Pathfinders/GettingStarted.aspx
 The Genealogy Tree Webring
http://www.thegenealogytree.com/webrings/about-the-genealogy-tree-
webring.htm
 Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library, Jonesboro, AR
http://www.libraryinjonesboro.org/?q=node/21