Where do you go to get started in genealogy? Even if you have been involved in genealogy for years, where do you go to be reminded of how to research effectively? What if you are asked about how to get started? What do you say? There are quite a few how-to books but they are generally more than a few pages long and don't lend themselves to answering immediate questions. OK, if I asked the question, it must have an opinion about the answer. The answer is, you may wish to consider using the resources of the FamilySearch Wiki.
One of the first places to start is "A Guide to Research." This digitized publication is direct and to the point. Although it is slanted towards using the Family History Library as a primary resource for research, the principles set out in the outline are timeless. A second copy of the publication is found in the Research Guidance section of FamilySearch.org. The publication dates from the early 1990s but it is still useful.
Another good place to go for basic information on researching your ancestry is the Portal:Get started with this site on the FamilySearch Wiki. The list of helpful articles near the bottom of the page is impressive and a good review for those who already know the basics.
Brigham Young University (BYU) has a Religious Education class, Religion 261 that is specifically directed at the basics of starting family history research. Despite the name and designation of the class, it is not a "religious" class as such. It is full of practical information.
Here is a list of additional resources you might consider reviewing including some I already talked about:
Although these sites are all associated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they are not restricted to members only. Anyone can use the sites. However, there are portions of the sites, like the New FamilySearch or Family Tree programs that are presently restricted to members. However, there are plans to allow access to the general public in the near future.
Your blog is top on my list for information. You do an excellent job of presenting it plus leading the reader to links that are very beneficial. I have nominated you for the Kreativ Blogger Award. You can snag the award at my blog, Nebraska Roots and Ramblings, http://nebraskarootsandramblings.blogspot.com.
ReplyDeleteRuby Coleman