Genealogy is the study of family pedigrees and the descent of families. It involves researching records like birth, marriage, death, census, military, and church records to trace family lineages back through generations. There are many reasons to research a family tree, such as remembering the past, passing on knowledge to future generations, reconnecting with family, and discovering roots. Good places to start include talking to family members, checking family bibles for recorded events, and examining various types of records. Resources for genealogical research include libraries, archives, churches, courthouses, online databases, and genealogy websites.

1. Genealogy
Virginia Waller
virginia.waller@eagles.usm.edu

2. What is Genealogy?
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary genealogy is:
• an account of the descent of a person, family, or group from an
ancestor or from older forms
• regular descent of a person, family, or group of organisms from a
progenitor or older form : pedigree
• the study of family pedigrees
• an account of the origin and historical development of something
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3. Why Research Your Family Tree?
• Remember the past
• Pass on knowledge
• Reconnect with family
• Inform Future Generations
• Discovering Roots
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4. Where to start?
Family stories
Ask family members to tell you
about events, people, and places.
(Take notes!!!)
Memories can vary from person to
person as everyone remembers
things differently.
Office.com/clipart
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5. Family Bible
People used to record births,
marriages, deaths, graduations, and
other important events in family
bibles. These bibles are usually
passed from one generation to the
next and can be fragile. However,
they can offer a wealth of
information for researchers.
Courtesy of www.flicker.com
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6. Check Records
• Birth
• Marriage
• Death
• Divorce
• Church
• Probate
• Military
• Census
• Obituaries
Images courtesy of bing.com
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7. Record Information: This can be
done using a variety of formats!
•Video Interview
•Digital Recorder
•Tape Recorder
•Paper and Pen
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8. This short video clip explains conducting genealogy research at the
National Archives in Washington, DC-The Archives, which has many
different records to offer researchers.
Michael Strauss http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8sboL5a3Dw
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9. Family Tree Example
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Courtesy of www.bing.com

10. What Resources are
Available to the
Genealogical
Researcher?
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11. Available Resources
• Libraries
• Microfilm
• Microfiche
• Newspapers
• The National Archives
• Mormon Church Genealogy Vault
• Museums
• Churches
• Courthouses
• Cemeteries
• Family Records
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12. Online Resources
• Create a family tree-Free
http://www.myheritage.com/family-tree-builder
• Free genealogy websites available by state and county
http://usgenweb.org/index.shtml
• National Archives-Free
http://www.archives.gov/research/genealogy/
• Genealogy Resources outside the United States- Free
http://www.archives.com/genealogy/free-world-genealogy.html
• Find a grave-Free
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gs&
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13. Online Resources
• Mormon Church (LDS)-Free
http://www.ancestorhunt.com/mormon_church_records.htm
• Ancestry.com-Subscription
http://www.ancestry.com
• IPL2 genealogy pathfinder (Internet Public Library)- Free
http://www.ipl.org/div/pf/entry/48476
• Salem, MA genealogy pathfinder- Free
http://www.salem.lib.oh.us/files/pathfinders/genealogy.pdf
• National Genealogical Society- Subscription
http://www.ngsgenealogy.org/cs/home
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14. Sources
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/genealogy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8sboL5a3Dw
www.flicker.com
www.bing.com
www.office.com/clipart
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Thank You for
your attention.
Questions?