Genealogy Research Resources

History of Genealogy

In this great article, first published in the July/ August 1999 edition of Family Chronicle Magazine, Donna Porter-Phillips looks at the initial stages and development of genealogy as a hobby and professional practice. Ms. Porter-Phillips states that from the beginning, people have felt the need to leave a record of themselves. “Cave paintings in France, tombstone art all over the world, and even the petroglyphs and pictographs of Native Americans, all point to the fact that early man wanted to be remembered by those who would come after.

 

She goes on to write:

“‘How far back does genealogy go?’ a beginner might ask. And at first thought, Biblical references might come to mind as evidenced by all the chapters of begats. Family descent was important to the ancient Hebrews, in part because Hebrew males had to prove descent from Aaron, the brother of Moses, in order to hold the Levitical priesthood. The first eight chapters of the book of I Chronicles give genealogies from Adam down through Abraham and other Old Testament patriarchs. I Chronicles 9:1 reads, “so all Israel were reckoned by genealogies…”

You can read the rest of the article by clicking here (and then clicking “How To Archives” > “History” > “History of Genealogy”). I suggest you take a close look at the magazine itself. You can pick up a free trial subscription if you’d like.

Hiring A Professional Genealogist

I wanted to take a moment to recommend a great online article by Sue Morgan titled, “Hiring a Professional Genealogist.” The purpose of Genealogy Beginner is to help you get started with your genealogy search so you don’t have to hire someone. However, there will come a time when you need a helping hand. If you find this in a great librarian or good friend, fantastic. However, if you find yourself thinking it is time to call in the professionals you need to make sure you understand what is involved.

 

In her article, Ms. Morgan outlines:

• What you can expect to receive for your money
• How long a search takes
• How much it will cost
• What the researcher will need to know when beginning work

You can read the full article by clicking here.

If you have used the services of a professional genealogist before, go ahead and leave us a comment below to offer some of your own advise.

 

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Or Learn About How You Can Make Your Own Family Tree

Blank Family Tree with Step-by-Step Instructions

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U.S. Southern Claims Comission and U.S. Freedmen Bureau

Truly an amazing post from the folks over at Ancestry.com. In Honor of Black History Month, Just-Released Civil War-Era Marriage and Southern Claims Commission Documents Allow African-Americans Additional Chance to Uncover Heritage PROVO, Utah, Feb. 7 /PRNewswire/ — African-Americans seeking to discover family roots obscured by slavery may be one step closer to their heritage.

 

 

Ancestry.com, the world’s largest online family history resource, today expanded the largest online repository of African-American family history records with two new collections that provide unique insights into African- American family history: Freedman’s Marriage Records and Southern Claims Commission Records.

“While these documents depict the horrors of slavery, they also provide invaluable information that help uncover ancestors’ life stories,” said Megan Smolenyak, Chief Family Historian for Ancestry.com. “These documents further cement the fact that African-Americans can discover their family’s heritage, even those ancestors enslaved prior to the Civil War. We’re seeing an increasing interest among African-Americans in tracing their roots, especially as collections such as these are made available and accessible online, rather than stored away in archives.”

 

Ancestry.com is releasing the following databases in honor of Black History Month:

• 1871-1880 U.S. Southern Claims Commission Master Index
• 1871-1880 U.S. Southern Claims Commission, Allowed Claims
• 1871-1880 U.S. Southern Claims Commission, Disallowed and Barred Claims
• 1865-1872 (Updated) U.S. Freedmen Bureau Records of Field Offices
• 1861-1869 U.S. Freedmen’s Marriage Records

Read the full post at   http://blogs.ancestry.com/ancestry/2008/02/06/civil-war-era-marriage-and-southern-claims-commission-documents-now-available/.

 

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Where to Next?

Blank Family Tree with Step-by-Step Instructions

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Online Genealogy Classes

Just came across this. You can read more about these classes or visit GenClass directly.GenClass.com offers online, short-term, fact-packed courses in a multitude of relevant subjects. You might want to add one or more of these classes to your holiday wish list! Most of the founding instructors previously taught these successful online classes at MyFamily.com, and new staffers have since joined. The group now represents instructors living in the US, Canada, England, Scotland and Israel. Classes for January, February and March 2008 are now open for registration, and include Jewish Basic Research and Jewish Internet Research. Micha Reisel and I team-teach those two classes.

In addition, new instructor Alexandra Goldberg will offer “Genealogy for Kids” in January. If you are wondering how to get your children interested in this quest, this might be the perfect introduction. The classes will help prepare newcomers or more advanced researchers by providing essential tools and information.

 

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Where to Next?

Blank Family Tree with Step-by-Step Instructions

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A Small Collection of Online Genealogy Records

Overall at the Genealogy Roots Blog Joe has organized a collection of records into a search-able database.  Thought you might find this interesting and worth a look.

 

 

 

 

Genealogy Roots Blog: A Small Collection of Online Genealogy Records

Over the last few years my various websites have accumulated a messy pile of transcribed genealogy records.  Most of these are ship passenger lists, but there are one or two other records as well. Many of the names are German and Irish, but other nationalities are also included. Even though these transcriptions are scattered around the web in a seemingly haphazard way — there really is a method behind all of it I think, or I thought there was at the time — you can search all of them from one place.

Right here: Search Some Cool, Obscure, Weird Genealogy Records and Passenger Lists

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Where to Next?

Blank Family Tree with Step-by-Step Instructions

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