Genealogy 101 – Part 2

Today we are going to touch on your ancestral chart. Before we do that you need to know how to track the information that goes on this chart.

While it is easiest for researchers that are confined to pull information from Ancestry, Family Search, Heritage and other data bases. You have to remember that the information is only as good as the person entering that data. In other words if there is not a link to an actual document, like a birth certificate or census, then that link is unverified. So, how do we verify it?

Place yourself for a moment in my shoes thirty plus years ago. I did my family group sheets for my parents and grandparents parents and then it was a drive to the local courthouse. The Register Of Deeds and the Clerk of Court’s office became like a second home and here’s why.

From the Register of Deeds I obtained copies of birth certificates, death certificates, marriage registers and license. You would use the information from these to complete your family group sheets. The family group sheets help to build the Ancestrial Chart.

Here’s a peep at the chart.

Write yourself into #1 spot where it says Ancestors Of …. Beside 2. Enter your father’s name, birth date written as dd Sep yr, W where, D date of death written same as dob. Again enter location at W. M is for the marriage date and again W for location. Drop down to spot 3 and enter your Mother’s information. You are the first generation, your parents are the second. Continue in the same manner across to the last column. This particular sheet does not have it but on the top left hand corner you should write Chart ____ then under that 1 on this chart = _____ o chart #_____. The purpose for that is your next chart will be for the person at 32 on the first page will become 1 on chart to so you can build that person’s family Are you totally confused now?

When you get the hang of this chart you will then continue on your search. Wills and estate information you will find at the clerk of court’s office. Then there are graveyards that always prove to be interesting. The older stones a lot of time would also give family member names for instance…John Doe son of Charles and Heather Doe complete with dates. Most stones of the last 80+ years only have the departed information.

Now that you are overwhelmed, I will continue in the next blog with more resources to help you dig your own roots.

God bless your journey.