Where did that person go????

Most people are not overly organized.  Unless you have OCD, you have probably lost some papers somewhere along the line.  Most times for me it's something important.  When it comes to genealogy organization is super important.  My time is valuable, so doing the same research 2 or 3 times is silly.  Looking over my census extracts, I found several that I did more than once.  In a perfect world that would never have happened.  I'll now confess I am NOT an organized person.  But when it comes to genealogy research I really need to get better.  That is super inportant.  Having important family tree information but not being able to find it shouldn't happen.  But it does.  One of the first things you should do as you start genealogy research is find the organiztion method that works best for you.  After about 4 years of researching I'm still working on the best system for me.  One little hint though, the best method is one you will actually use.

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Lost grave? Let's find it!

One of the best websites for looking at gravestones is Findagrave.com.  Once you register for free, you can add photos and memorial pages for loved ones.  If you live far away from where they are buried, you can request someone to go take a photo for you and it will be posted to the site.  You can add flowers to the pages for family, friends and others.  There is also a whole section of famous graves where you can leave flowers and notes for actors, muscians, and politicans. 

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One week until 1940!

Alright, I guess I can admit it now.  I'm getting kind of excited.  The 1940 census will be released in about a week!  A lot of other people are excited about it too.  People who don't look into their family tree, don't understand it.  Ancestry has a daily countdown.  Genealogists get heart palpitations the closer it gets.  And why not?  For most researchers, the 1940 census will have the first listing of family members they have met during their lives.  All census records, provide valuable information.  The United States Federal census is taken every 10 years by federal law.  The first one was held in 1790.  From 1790 to 1840 they only listed the head of the household by name and counted the other members.  In 1850, they started listing everyone by name.  The only census that cannot be thoroughly researched in 1890, which was mostly destroyed in a warehouse fire.  The census results are held secret for 72 years before being released.  Which I guess is what makes it so exciting to wait for.  Who are you hoping to find? 

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Searching for family at family search

When you are researching your family tree, it can be a bit overwhelming.  Where to go to find census records, and what's the best site for birth records.  Now I must admit here that Ancestry has tons of great records...for a price.  If you can afford it, great, but if you are like me and doing your researching on the cheap you need another option.  Enter familysearch.org!  This is a wonderful website run by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS).  They have tons of records that you can search for FREE.  Now keep in mind, some of the records you can't view the original document and must rely on a indexer's eyes to be accurate.  They have census records, birth and death, immigration and have some user uploaded family trees.  A quick warning, not all the information in the uploaded trees is accurate.  Always find documents to back up any and all info you find in other's trees.  Familysearch.org is one of my favorite free site full of tons of really great records.  And on a personal note, if you have the time, consider signing up to help them index records.  I do and one batch of records (from 10 to 25 documents) takes only about a half hour.  Unit next time!

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Researching on the cheap

OK, I have a confession to make.  I am cheap.  I clip coupons, hunt sales, scour the clearance racks and LOVE freebies.  And I like to call myself  "The Cheapskate Genealogist".  Everyone knows how the economy is, and money is tight, for everyone.  Right now I am not ashamed to admit I do all my research for the family tree for free.  Yes, you read that right, FREE.  I use as many free websites and my public library to find as much as I can.  I have, in 3 years, not paid for a subscription to any website.  That's because right now I cannot afford it.  But it must be said, there are plenty of good, free sites out there.  And many of them rely on user information input.  A really good one is findagrave.com.  If you know where someone is buried you can add a memorial page for them, although knowing the burial location is is not manditory.  They even have pages for celebrities and you can add flowers and notes to any page.  All you need to do is register for free.  Next time I'll gush about one of my favorite free sites...until next time.

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It's a family thing

Everyone has heard the old saying, "you can pick your friends but you can't pick your family".  A truer statement has never been uttered.  Most of us have family members they don't really like to be around.  But most people who are working on their family tree are skipping right over this valuable resource.  When I was younger, my mom was going to start a family tree.  I was about 10 or so and I didn't care.  I would tune her out when she would talk about family members I had never met.  When I was 24, she passed away.  Soon after, I decided it was my duty as the oldest to finish her work on the family tree.  But it is easier said than done.  With one living parent, and one living grand-parent, one of my best research resources is dwindling.  But I also have aunts, uncles and cousins I can turn to.  Never be afraid to ask family for information about relatives.  A typed letter can be copied many times and sent to many family members.  A short questionaire asking about parents, grandparents, and others can also be mailed to many family members.  Until next time.

Keep branching out.

Just when I get out, they pull me back in!

If you have been working on your family tree for any amount of time, I dare you to walk away from it for a week.  In many cases it can't be done.  Oh, I can move from working on one person, or one branch, but it seems like everyday I have to do something on it.  I guess I'm hooked.  For some people it can be a part time hobby, but for me it's like a full time job (but with no pay).  I'm always trying to find new sources of information.  One of my favorites is familysearch.org.  It is run by the Mormon church and they have tons of records both from the USA and other countries.  For my husband's side of the family, I have seem lots of records from Texas.  My side has been a bit harder to find records for, because not all states are as open with their records.  But they do have lots of US census records extracted, and some you can view on site.  You will need to register for free, but it really is worth it!  You can print and even save to your computer.  Plus if you have the time, they are always looking for volunteers to index records from home to their database.  Sounds like a wonderful way to give back!  Until next time.

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Next stop...the New World!

In a way all our American families were immigrants at some point.  Some can during the current generation.  But many can as far back as the Mayflower.  Tracking these family members can be a daunting task.  If women can using their maiden name and you don't know what that is, you going to have your work cut out for you.  If you ancestor came through Ellis Island, they have a website where you can search for free.  ellisiland.com is a wonderful website where you can search by name.  If you find your ancestor, you can view the original ship manifest, a text version (but you get more information from the original), and an image of the ship you family member sailed on.  One thing to keep in mind, you can't print anything but the passenger record.  You can order prints of the manifest and photo of the ship.  Until next time.

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Finding a tree while cutting down a forest

If you have spent any time on you family tree, you know there is a lot of information that can be found online.  From birth records to the census, it's all a matter of knowing where to look.  But while a lot can be found online and saved on your computer, genealogy is at it's core a paper chase.  Having a paper copy of the information you have found is always a good idea.  Keeping track of correspondence with different agencies, copies of photos, and census extracts are all good things to have on paper.  I'm not saying they can't be kept on your computer, but a file of paper copies is never a bad idea.  If you keep most of you information on computer, back up you files.  By using a flash drive, zip drive or external hard drive, you can prevent disappointment if something happens to your computer.  If you have the room in you home, a paper copy of everything is wonderful idea!  Until next time.

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Getting Started...it's easier than you think!

For some people the idea of working on their family tree is overwhelming.  Where do I start, you might be thinking.  I highly recomend signing up with ancestry.com.  You can build your family tree for free and they offer hints on members of your tree.  You will need to have a paid subscription to view the records, but they will give you a place to start looking.  When you start your tree, always strart with yourself.  You will be your "home person".  Even if you have kids, start with yourself.  Then build out.  Add your mom and dad, an their parents.  Add everything you know.  I also recomend add all your family tree information to a family tree program that is stored on your computer.  There are many out there, some are free downloads and some you have to pay for.  Another must is to do your own research.  Just because you find something online DON'T take it for the truth.  Always look for documents to verify everything.  Until next time.

Welcome to my new blog!

Welcome to my new blog, "Branching out the Family Tree".  If you have just started you family tree or have been working on it for years, everyone needs help once in a while.  I will offer tips I've learned along the way and guide you to websites, books and other resources that are big helpers.  Welcome aboard!!