Research Your Family Tree - Gather the Proof

[Sheldon Hudson]

The First step that a genealogist would take: gather the proof!
Now, it's not that we don't believe everything you wrote. It's just
standard operating procedure to back all of your vital statistics with
documentation. Find your birth certificate, any records concerning
your baptism or other events of your life, as well as any
miscellaneous report cards you may have from your school days.
While you're searching through your house and other places for this,
it would be a great time to gather these and similar documents for all
the members of your family.
If you have children, pull out their birth certificates. If anyone in
your immediately family has died, pull out their death certificate. As
you progress in your journey through your family tree, you're going to
learn that every document is a potential link between you and your
ancestors. Don't overlook cemetery or gravestone records.
Now, put all these records in one place - a safe, secure place. As you
go along, you'll carve out a place in your home just for these
documents. But for now, just make sure you have them stored someplace
where you can easily get access to them.
Action Step: Pick The Brains of relatives and friends of the family
We've tackled your personal past. We've gathered documentation. Now,
we're going to widen your quest. You're about to venture forth to
interview other members of your family.
Ultimately, your goal is to talk to - and "pick the familial brains"
of - every family member you can find. Not only that, you'll want to
contact as many friends of the family you can find who would be
willing to tell you about their remembrances about family members.
On these visits, in addition to bringing a notebook so you can take
notes, bring a tape recorder as well. But, remember, don't ever record
your conversations with anyone before you get that person's
permission.
Notice that when you pull out a tape recorder, every individual reacts
differently. Some individuals may clam up, not wanting to talk any
longer. Others will open up and actually become more animated.
If you discover that the presence of your tape recorder prevents you
from getting information, then just turn it off. Make sure you take
meticulous notes. Once you leave the person's presence, go you're your
notes immediately and either write down items you failed to while you
were there, or record some of these yourself simply by speaking into
the recorder.
Before you interview anyone, create an interview log. Record the time
and date you interviewed this person, the person's name and any other
information you deem important.
If you're taping the conversation, it's essential that you record this
also at the very beginning of the tape - even before you ask the
individual the first question. All you need to say is something along
these lines: This is an interview with JoAnne Furst, my aunt on my
father's side. Today is Saturday, the 8th of May 2008.
In this way, you have some reference point when she inevitably refers
to last year or 20 years ago. Even though these dates my not be truly
accurate, this is the information that is going to provide you with
your next stepping stones in your quest for your family history.

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