By Joan Wood, Archives Assistant & Genealogy Specialist, Stewart Bell Jr. Archives
WELCOME, to the new Family History Corner!
The purpose of this blog is to answer your general genealogical questions. I am really excited about this opportunity to connect to anyone who has been attempting to start their family history or who has been researching for quite a while. If you have any general genealogy questions, please send me an email at archives@handleyregional.org. Subjects that you submit do not have to be specific to Winchester or even Virginia. Questions will be reviewed, and specific ones chosen for the blog. Today I thought I would start at the beginning with the question: How do I start the process of researching my family history?
This is a question that people new to genealogy ask often because the task of beginning seems so daunting. Well, the answer is start with yourself! Most of us know where we were born and who our parents are and even who our grandparents were. So, record that on a piece of paper with your full name, your sex, full date of birth (ex: 10 June 1922), where you were born (Town, County, State), and then the names of each of your parents.
If your parents are alive, include them in the fun and ask them about their information. You will be amazed at what they remember! If your grandparents are available to add to your blooming family tree—all the better for you! Once your family knows you are interested in the family often, they will relay additional information. Just a bit of advice, if family members do not want to provide any information, do not push them to do so. This will only cause friction and that is the last thing you want. There are often other ways to find the material that you need. Later your family members may decide to share the something with you.
Now look at the information that you have so far gathered and decide which side of the family you would most like to know about. Is it your father’s side (paternal) or your mother’s side of the family (maternal)? Which side of the family seems easier to research? Which side do you have the most material about thus far? Don’t try to research both sides of the family at once. Remember you are new to this whole thing and making the choice now will make your research easier.
Some of you might like to go online and print out “pedigree charts” and “family group sheets” from www.ancestry.com or www.familysearch.org. They are free at both sites and can help organize your data.
Until next time…good hunting!