Genealogy Research Tips
"Where To Begin"
  1. Begin with your birth certificate.
  2. If parents, grandparents, or other family members are living, talk to them; but always remember your manners as not everyone is interested in family history.
  3. If there are no living relatives, look closely at your birthcertificate as it usually lists parents names including mother's maiden name, their age at time of birth and their birth state, and sometimes city/county.
  4. Put queries out on the Internet. One good source is www.usgenweb.org; also, a good site for research by counties.
  5. Census records. Some are on the net. Do not forget that census records must be over 72 years old to become public information.
  6. Land records. Some are on the net.
  7. Free research is available on usgenweb. Remember to say Thank YOU; be specific with county and state names as many volunteer research for more than one county; remember volunteers have jobs, families, etc.....so patience is required. However; if there is no reply within 10-14 days, contact volunteer, sometimes e-mail malfunctions and/or the volunteer may be on vacation. Finally, it never hurts to let the volunteer you have received the information you requested. Good manners go a long way!
  8. Mormon Library in Salt Lake City is one of the premier family history resources in the US, and many of their records are in the process of being "uploaded" to the Internet.
  9. Public Library in Fort Wayne, Indiana is another excellent source.
  10. Try your local library. Many have inter and intrastate loans not only of books, but also microfilm and/or microfiche. The average fee is usuall under $5.00. However; in most cases you are not allowed to remove records from the library. Usually libraries will hold information for 2-4 weeks.
  11. Check out the local Mormon Library. It is usually located very close to their church. There is no fee other than postage if there is information that must be mailed from Salt Lake City. Donations are accepted with the monies utilized to increase records on hand in the local Mormon Genealogical Library.
  12. Check your local Genealogical/Historical Society. Many exchange information with other societies locally and with other states.