Starting Your Genealogy – Collecting Personal Data

The first rule of genealogy is to start with yourself.  Work from what you know to the unknown, assembling proof each step of the way.

Next, gather family tree information from those closest to you . Family members  do not live forever regardless of age and health and it is imperative to record everything that they can remember.

Whenever possible, conduct a personal interview.  Let people know that you are coming , as well as the kind of information in which you are interested .  With permission, record the conversation .  Take clear and accurate notes .  Prepare for your interview by making a checklist of questions to remind you to ask the three key  questions:  who, when and where . These questions will increase your genealogy know how and help build your family tree .

However, be prepared to follow clues from the person you are interviewing .  There are sure to be challenges along the way ; beflexible with your interview technique and be open to the discourse and the stories that may follow . If one can't interview a relative personally , write a note that is personal in nature .  If the letter  goes unanswered, a telephone call may be required .  It is possible that responding in writing may be difficult for an elderly person who might be interested in sharing information.  If this is the case , a phone call will be helpful.

It is important to recognize that not everyone will be as excited or interested about family history and genealogy .
Use photos as a aid .  Often photos refresh the memory, and unlock fragments of family information long forgotten.  

Assure your relatives that you will be very careful of the photos or documentation loaned you .  Respect the information they give to you.  Often relatives are reluctant to lend a family treasure , so be prepared to photograph items whenever they cannot be taken from the home .

Offer to share your research .  Keep your word .  After entering compiling data on  a family history sheet and pedigree chart , send  the information to the individual who has kindly given you   the facts .

Be  certain to enquire if there is a family bible and find out where it is situated .  Family bibles can contain facts  about   marriages, births and deaths carefully written on pages within.

Ask if anyone else in your family has done the family tree . If so, ask how to collaborate with them

Family memorabilia often contains clues :

• Names and places are written on the backside of old photographs .

• Written messages on the inside of a book commemorating a birthday or a holiday.

• Scrapbooks that contain newspaper articles and obituaries , concert programs , graduations and plays .

• Monogrammed flatware.

There are an endless variety of artifacts :

• Certificates and other family records - birth baptismal, first communion, church confirmation , marriage ,  death , wills, lawsuits . 

• Adoption papers

• Diaries

• Memorial Cards

• School records  

• Obituaries from old newspapers

Develop a system to organize the material . Organizing all of this material is difficult if you don't have a method .  Create a system using both traditional and electronic techniques.  Use binders or folders with the surname as the label, putting items relating to the surname together. Later when you have time , peruse each binder or folder carefuly, extracting relevant information.

Ensure you compare your electronic files to your paper files .

Don't forget to backup your research in another location .  Many invaluable family memorabilia have been destroyed by fire or water , as well as simply by the apathy of others who did not know they were handling did not know the value of the irreplacable family artifacts .