family history for beginners your guide to genealogy resources at lake macquarie library
TRANSCRIPT
Family History for
BeginnersYour guide to genealogy resources
at Lake Macquarie Library
Be Prepared• Begin with who you know (i.e. You!) work back
one generation at a time, verify each step with reference to a vital record.
• Vital records are official testaments to life events as administered by a civic body, examples include Birth, Death & Marriage certificates.
Getting started• Write or type what you know to be true,
starting with you!
• Record the stories of your relatives
• Refer to what has already been done
• Set up a system for recording and organising your research and consider duplicates
• Which branch do you want to investigate, maternal or paternal?
Start with yourselfDocumentation is an important part of a family history.
• Gather the documents you have on your own life (birth, marriage, diplomas, etc.)
• Make copies for your records and store the originals in a safe place.
• Write down the significant milestones in your life, include dates and places
Gather what you have• Vital records• information from a family bible, • newspaper clippings (obituaries, birth, and
wedding announcements, and other family events),
• funeral cards• cards sent to you announcing births, weddings,
and graduations,• old pictures of your family, and letters.
Gather what you have• Write down what you remember from family
stories.
• Many of these stories might be right on target, others may be inaccurate.
• All are important for the clues they will give you.
Do not ignore family legends - but also take them
with a grain of salt
Talk to your relatives
• talk to your oldest relatives while they are still alive
• visit nearby relatives• call, write and email more distant relatives. • copy their documents• family stories• some of them may have already researched
some your family tree
Talk to your relatives
Ask where your ancestor:
• went to school
• met his/her spouse
• got married
Be sure you write down (record) what others tell you.
Remember location is important for more research
Has it already been done?
There are a few places to search:
• Internet
• Pioneer registers
• Published genealogies via Trove
Which branch?• Choose one line to avoid confusion and
getting lost
• Start with a surname that seems most promising
• an easier line will enable you to gain valuable experience
• success will spur you on
• Switch to another branch when you hit a brick wall
Record and organise your research
Use whatever works for you. Flash drives are cheap and easily sourced. Most cultural institutions also have free WiFi enabled so don’t forget your laptop or tablet device!
• Consider paper files
• genealogy computer programmes
• online programmes
Online Family Tree Web Builders
Family Group Sheet
Enables you to compile and correct family names, as well as connect families.
Ancestral Chart
Allows you to record the ancestors from whom you directly descend.
Get to know the resourcesVisit your local library’s genealogy department
You will have access to
• microfiche and microfilm readers
• Multi Functional Devices (i.e. photocopiers)
• print resources
• computers and online subscriptions to genealogical websites
• expert assistance
Get to know the resources
Visit and join your local genealogical society.
• Individuals within these groups are happy to share their expertise, often suggesting valuable lines of enquiry.
• Their libraries of hard copy resources, including much self-published material, are usually comprehensive.
Available Resourcesonline• Genealogical
websites• Vital records• newspapers• Cemetery indexes• shipping records
physical• microfilm/microfiche• pioneer registers• local cemetery
records• “how to” books
Both are equally efficient and work together
Online ResourcesLake Mac Libraries subscribe to and recommend a number of highly respected online resources.
NSW Births Deaths and MarriagesSearch Page
NSW Births Deaths and Marriages
Entries with V registration numbers are church records made before civil registration began in 1856. Community History holds these records on microfilm.
When ordering certificates, it is advisable to refer to the registration number
Birth Records
Church Record
Civil Record
Marriage Records
Church Record
Civil Record
Death Records
Church Record
Civil Record
Consider joining a Family History Group
Lake Macquarie Family History Group www.lmfhg.org.au
PO Box 3046 Teralba, New South Wales 2284.
Meetings are held on the third Saturday of each month at the Marmong Point
Community Hall. (December an exception)
Newcastle Family History Society www.nfhs.org.au
Ph 4957 8296 (during library hours)
Meetings are held on the 1st Tuesday each month at the Library & Meeting
Room, Mechanics Institute, 68 Elder St, Lambton NSW. (January an exception)
Review• Start with what you know
• Find what resources are available and learn how to use them
• Research one branch at a time
• Record your findings
• Collate your findings in a logical system
• Visit your library’s genealogy department
• Visit or join a local Family History Group
Contact Us
Community History
Lake Mac Libraries
139 Main Road, Speers Point
Phone: (02) 4921 0446
Email: [email protected]
http://history.lakemac.com.au