Beginning Genealogy Handout

 

Genealogy 


“Like building a jigsaw puzzle with all the edge pieces missing and no lid for the box”


                                                      Anonymous

 

Summary of Suggestions

 

  • Start with North American relationship base

  • Establish a filing system

  • Keep a correspondence record/log

  • Utilize personal desktop software

  • Visit LDS family history libraries (e.g., Palm Desert)

  • Join family history societies

  • Hire help when needed

  • Source citations as you go

  • Seek historical context

 

Popular Data Sources

 

Find My Past - https://www.findmypast.com

Family Search - https://www.familysearch.org

My Heritage - https://www.myheritage.com

Ancestry – https://www,ancestry.com

Wikitree – https://wikitree.com

Cyndi’s List – https://www.cyndislist.com

US National Archives – http://www.archives.gov/research/genealogy/index.html

Geneanet – https://en.geneanet.org

 

Regional Societies

Sun City  Shadow Hills Genealogy Club - https://www.scshgenealogy.com

Palms Springs Genealogical Society - http://palmspringsgensoc.org

Hemet - San Jacinto GS – https://hsjgs.org

Moreno Valley GS - https://mvgenealogicalsociety.angelfire.com

Yucaipa GS - https://www.yvgs.org

Guild of One-Name Societies - https://one-name.org

 

Suggested File Categories

  • Birth, baptism

  • Census

  • Death, burial, obituary

  • Education

  • Headstones

  • Immigration

  • Marriage, divorce

  • Military

  • Medical

  • Photos

  • Residence

  • Wills, probate.

 

Suggested Naming Convention

  • Birth and Baptism:  YYYY-MM-DD Birth Name - Father's name

  • Marriage:  YYYY-MM-DD Groom's name, Bride's Name

 

Ron Gilmore

Email:       rvg3@me.com

Website:   https://www.rgenealogy.ca

Last Updated:  April 4, 2023