Issue 21.10
Part 1
Tip 1. Start with you and record what you know about your family: Write what you already know about your ancestors on a “Pedigree Chart.” Google “pedigree chart + pdf” for some free examples.
Write the surname or last name in all capital letters. This helps your eye scan genealogical records easier. (SMITH, James Burney) Always record women by their maiden names.
Write dates in the genealogical way: (3 May 1983) Instead of 5/3/83. That will help the confusion because depending on which country you are in, 5/3/83 could be either May 3rd or March 5th. Always write out the century too because it doesn’t take long in genealogy to go from the 1900’s to the 1800’s.
Write the places in order from smallest to largest: City/Township, County, State, Country. Don’t abbreviate anything (Saint George, Washington, Utah, United States).
With each couple on a pedigree chart, you also will want a Family Group Record. A family group record has the couple and the children. For example your parents will be the couple and you and your siblings will be the children. On the next family group record, your grandparents will be the couple and one of your parents would be one of the children.
This is where a computer genealogy records keeping program comes in handy. You have to fill out the pedigree chart and if you are a parent, you will put yourself on a Family Group Record twice. Once as a child, along with your parents, brothers and sisters. And, once as a parent with your spouse and children. If there is more than one marriage you need another family group record. With a computer program, you only enter the person’s information once and the program prints it out on the applicable pedigree charts and family group records. It is also easy to make changes or additions to your records as you find more information. You just fill in the blanks on either the charts or in the computer program.
Tip 2. Look for what is missing and decide what you want to find: Pedigree charts have blanks for you to add information about you and your ancestors. Those questions are:
Name – write your name or the name of the father or mother of the person
Born – write the birthday
Place – write where they were born
Married – write the marriage date
Place – write where they were married
Died – write the death date if deceased
Place – write the death place
If you don’t know the answer, you can estimate by putting abt for about. If grandpa died when you were five, you can write abt 1988 until you find the exact date.
Part 2 will appear next week.
Shanna Jones is a professional genealogist. For additional information, Shanna can be reached at (435) 628-4900 or shannasjones@msn.com.