Resources for Beginning Your Family History
Resources
for
Family History Consultants
Family History Consultant Research Guide
How to get started...
A-Receive a filled out card.
A copy of the card should be kept by the ward Family History Coordinator.
Set a goal to have the research completed within two weeks. You may
want to print a research log now. On
your research log, note how many names you started with, typically about
eight. Make notes of every place you search. Note what was found, or
nothing was found. This will help as you write up your findings and
recommendations at the end.
B-Enter names onto PAF. (detailed
instructions)
Remember to add a source for each piece of information. Use rootsweb.com
to add counties to each of the locations listed on the card.
C-Run PAF Insight (This automates your
search of the IGI)
There are several options here:
1 -If you want me to run PAF Insight for you, email me a zip file. PAF
– File – Backup – Backup the file with the same name
as the original file and save it into the same folder.
Open an email to me, cheri@HEALTHandFamily.com and attach the file.
Send.
I am happy to do this for you.
2 -You can use PAF Insight at the Family History Center for free. (follow
the directions on option 4)
3 -If you want to install PAF Insight to your computer, go to http://www.ohanasoftware.com/?affiliateid=BEF6ABE7
and download the software for $20.
4-Of course, another option is to skip this step and check the IGI manually
in the next step at FamilySearch.org.
If it would help, now might be a good time to print a pedigree or a family group sheet to use as a worksheet.
D-Run FamilySearcher or Check FamilySearch.org
1A-Setup the free software FamilySearcher and follow the directions.
To begin, open FamilySearcher and open the family file you want to
research. This will help automate your searching. If it is your first
time at FamilySearch.org, you will need to register. You need your
membership record number and the date of your confirmation. You can
get that from the ward clerk.
1B- Or to do this step manually, go to http://www.familysearch.org
and sign on.) Enter the person’s name you want to research and
click "search". If your search finds too many matches, you
will need to add more info (like birth year).
2 -Get out your research log and
get ready to work now.
3 -Write down anything that looks like a good clue onto your research
log. You will keep researching and may find a connection. Do not add
anything to your PAF file unless you are fairly sure it is the right
person. And then remember to write your source (familysearch IGI or
familysearch ancestral file, etc.)
E-Check rootsweb.com
This is ancestry.com's free website. Use it to find counties
for each town, find possible people for future contact at surname
list, search worldconnect for pedigrees, and maybe GenWeb or cemetery
search will be helpful.
F-Check ancestry.com
This is a fee subscription service. You have 2 options:
1-You can use it for free at the Family History Center.
2-You can subscribe at
Ancestry.com
Search ancestry.com. It is sometimes more effective to look at the census records, then the birth records, etc.
G-I like to run PAF Insight again on any new names that I have found on the pedigree. These should show up as the last RIN numbers on the PAF Individual list. (If you know you started with 8 names, numbers 9-?? will be new names that you found.)
The resource page may provide other helps for you. As you ask questions, I try to put the answers and resources on that page.
When you finish your research, you are ready to assemble the book.
And you can always email or call me for help, Cheri Haggard, 949-215-4678.
