Introduction to Family Research

1. Introduction to Family Research “A beginning survey of genealogy” Saturday, October 2nd, 2004 By: Al Barron

2. Introduction to Family Research Agenda • Introductory remarks • Elements of Research • Sources • Summation • Upcoming Events/Topics

3. Introduction to Family Research Book of John, 1:2 1:2 Abraham genuit Isaac Isaac autem genuit Iacob Iacob autem genuit Iudam et fratres eius  1:2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren

4. Introduction to Family Research Why genealogy? To put a ‘personal’ face on history To understand the unique issues we inherit from the past To know the past in relation to family history

5. Introduction to Family Research Where do I Start? Start with yourself and work backwards “MEMORIES” : more than just a song~a starting point Record sources Relatives

6. Introduction to Family Research Where do I Start? Start with yourself and work backwards Every person, short of an adoptee, can go back at least three generations. In the case of an individual born in 1950, assuming that a generation is 20 year, the grandparents are alive circa 1910. This would put them in the 1910 Census with their parents, the great grandparents.

7. Introduction to Family Research Where do I Start? “MEMORIES” : more than just a song~a starting point While using records to fill in dates is an important thing, it is often best to utilize the memories of the oldest viable minds to records anecdotes of those who’ve gone before. Besides, interesting stories and mysteries are sometime more fun than bland vital records and census materials. Usually, one of the best tings to do is to take and use a notebook to chronicle your research in narrative form. While it can preserve treasured memories, it can give perspective to your work at a later date.

8. Introduction to Family Research Where do I Start? Record sources Sources for records can range from the usual and mundane to the interesting and obscure. Typically, most researchers use census records or other mainstream source to locate an ancestor. The most obscure source used recently has been a Record of Educable Children for the State of Mississippi for the year 1907.

9. Introduction to Family Research Where do I Start? Relatives Many relatives are often the best starting point for information. While memories are frail, they may be able to recall events from the life of a family that prove interesting to note. A researcher in New Orleans recently uncovered a contract for the sale of property from Bernard Marigny that was notarized by a man named Almonester……

10. Introduction to Family Research Preservation and Organization of Research Recording Information Census Extracts Family Documentation Source Documentation/Citation Correspondence

11. Introduction to Family Research Preservation and Organization of Research Recording Information Census Extracts The Census provides a marking point to trace a family through a given point in time. It is a primary record that shows beyond doubt that a family IS is a particular place at a given time. W’e will discuss the Census in more detail.

12. Introduction to Family Research Preservation and Organization of Research Family Documentation Ancestor Chart - A thumbnail sketch on many generations in a family Family Group Sheet - Isolates a particular family from an ancestral chart Extracts a type of record, other than Census for a given family or person Record Extract - This is the heart of “paper” research. There Are many ways to reference the chart, sheets and extracts Cross Referencing -

13. Introduction to Family Research Preservation and Organization of Research Source Documentation/Citation • Use the research extract sheets to summarize information which cannot be photocopied; • For which there is no document in your possession; • For things such as deeds which may be time-consuming or difficult to reread quickly when you need information from the copy you have.

14. Introduction to Family Research Preservation and Organization of Research Correspondence In “paper” research, a correspondence record can help to keep track of all of the non-internet based individuals you have kept in contact with. While it might seem Arcane for the “armchair” researcher, keeping track may well pay dividends when you need either help someone else with a contact or need to revisit the topic at another time.

15. Introduction to Family Research Preservation and Organization of Research Methodologies Use the easiest source first, in many cases Ancestry.com or familysearch.org Learn how to manipulate sources by their complexity, from indices to name genealogies. When you master a source, decide which way works best for you – and document each source that you use (The “Red Book” Problem)

16. Introduction to Family Research Where do I look? Local Sources State Sources St. Tammany Parish Library Louisiana State Archives 310 West 21st Avenue 3851 Essen lane Covington, LA 70433 Baton Rouge, LA 70809 985-893-3280 225-922-1000 St. Tammany Parish Clerk of Court Federal Sources 701 North Columbia Street NARA Branches Covington, LA 70433 Bureau of Indian Affairs 985-809-7500 Various Military Departments

17. Introduction to Family Research What does each source tell me? Census Military Records Land grants Tax Records Passenger Ship and Naturalization Records Bible/Sacramental Records

18. Introduction to Family Research What does each source tell me? 1790 Census The 1790 Census only lists the head of household and the ages of the other family members. The 179’s quality will vary with the handwriting of the enumerator The 1790 is indexed either by a print index or by computer file such as Ancestry

19. Introduction to Family Research What does each source tell me? 1800 Census the 1800 census is much like the 1790. Only Heads of household are by name, while other members are listed as “tick” m arks As with the 1790, you are often at the mercy of the enumerator. Another consideration is the quality of the image. The 1800 is indexed either by a print index or by computer file such as Ancestry

20. Introduction to Family Research What does each source tell me? 1810 Census With the 1810 Census, you have the same information as with the earlier years. The 1810 is indexed either by a print index or by computer file such as Ancestry

21. Introduction to Family Research What does each source tell me? 1820 Census With the 1820 Census, the same information is given as the earlier years. The 1820 is indexed either by a print index or by computer file such as Ancestry

22. Introduction to Family Research What does each source tell me? 1830 Census With the 1830 Census, you have the same information as with the earlier years. The 1830 is indexed either by a print index or by computer file such as Ancestry

23. Introduction to Family Research What does each source tell me? 1840 Census With the 1840 Census, you have the same information as with the earlier years. This was the last census to exclude family members by name. The 1840 is indexed either by a print index or by computer file such as Ancestry

24. Introduction to Family Research What does each source tell me? 1850 Census The 1850 will list other members of the household. It will also show vocational information and asset value. The 1850 is indexed either by a print index or by computer file such as Ancestry

25. Introduction to Family Research What does each source tell me? 1860 Census The 1860 will list other members of the household. It will also show vocational information and asset value, place of nativity and marital status. The 1860 is indexed either by a print index or by computer file such as Ancestry

26. Introduction to Family Research What does each source tell me? 1870 Census The 1870 will list other members of the household. It will also show vocational information and asset value, place of nativity and marital status. 1870 also added question of literacy and race. The 1870 is indexed either by a print index or by computer file such as Ancestry

27. Introduction to Family Research What does each source tell me? 1880 Census The 1880 will list other members of the household. It will also show vocational information and asset value, place of nativity and marital status. 1880 also added question of literacy and race. The 1880 also added more information on nativity and relationships. The 1880 is indexed Soundex or by computer file such as Ancestry.

28. Introduction to Family Research What does each source tell me? Soundex is a phonetic contraction of the enumerated persons last name. Essentially, the last name is equated to a series of numbers preceded by a letter to alphabetically and numerically order a number of individuals. Example: Barron, coded for Soundex would be B650 Keep the first letter of the last name (B), get rid of the vowels (a,o) and any the 2nd letter of any double consonants (r) and then use a chart to substitute for the remaining letters. Fill in any space less than 3 to the right of the letter. Soundex cards will give you a thumbnail sketch of the census. They will also get you indo the main census. Unlike earlier enumerations, everyone should be indexed, ,but Soundex is not used for all states.

29. Introduction to Family Research What does each source tell me? 1890 Census Almost al of the 1890 Census was destroyed by fire in the 1920’s. What does exist of it is only enough to enumerate the Union Veterans and widows of the Civil War. Ancestry has a substitute for the 1890 and most city directories can substitute for the census by giving the occupation, trade and address of an individual.

30. Introduction to Family Research What does each source tell me? 1900 Census The 1900 includes al of the 1880 plus a few extra columns the nativity of the enumerated persons parent and date of immigration. It is indexed by Soundex and is also done by databases and volunteers.

31. Introduction to Family Research What does each source tell me? 1910 Census The 1910 includes much more information that does any previous census. It includes information on the nature of employment and the ownership of property. Again, it is indexed by the Soundex. In Louisiana, Caddo and Orleans Parishes use MIRACODE.

32. Introduction to Family Research What does each source tell me? 1920 Census The 1920 Census gives roughly the same information as the 191, but has fewer columns. Again, Soundex would be used to get the County, Enumeration District and page number for the individual.

33. Introduction to Family Research What does each source tell me? 1930 Census The 1930 Census, like the 1920 and 1910, has essentially the same information and is indexed by Soundex.

34. Introduction to Family Research What does each source tell me? Mortality Schedules For the Census enumerations after 1850, there are a few special schedules that cover individuals who have died since the previous taking.

35. Introduction to Family Research What does each source tell me? Military Records In American History, there has always been a need to document the services perform end by our troops. From the Colonial period to the present days veterans were paid for their tenure personnel records contain information on muster dates, awards and the type of service rendered. Some examples of the records would include Booth’s Louisiana Soldier’s in confederate commands and World War One Civilian Draft Registration Cards. More recent examples would be the 201 files of veterans serving since World War Two. These records are held by the National Archives, the National Personnel Records Center and state governments for the National Guard.

36. Introduction to Family Research What does each source tell me? Land grants Land Grants were made to individuals based on claims made before Congress or a similar claim made for military service. Also, lands were granted to settlers in the latter half of the 1800’s. For information on land grant, see the American State Papers, or Grassroots of America

37. Introduction to Family Research What does each source tell me? Tax Records Tax rolls exist for every level of government, from city to the federal government. Typical tax records at the local level might be the Chimney Tax of 1798 from New Orleans to property taxes levied on farms and houses. Federal Income Taxes, while a burden, may prove to be a great resource for genealogists at some point…

38. Introduction to Family Research What does each source tell me? Passenger Ship and naturalization Records There are a number of sources to help find immigrants coming into the country. Some include Glazier and Filby’s Germans to America and the actual manifests and indices available from the National Archives. Typically, in the manifests, information on an immigrant will include their point of embarkation, gender and age.

39. Introduction to Family Research What does each source tell me? Bible/Sacramental Records The sacramental records and bible records of individual families are the vital records of their time. Prior to the early 1900’s, the federal government did not require the collection of vital statistics. This job was done by churches or by individuals with their own bibles. An excellent example of sacramental records are Fr. Donald Hebert’s South Louisiana Records and the Sacramental Records of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Typically, each major event in the life of a parishoner, from Confirmation to Mass of Christian Burial are covered.

40. Introduction to Family Research What does each source tell me? • Other Types of Public Records • Voter Registration Rolls • Will/Probate Documents • Lawsuits and Court Minutes • Sales Contracts or other Notarized and Recorded Documents

41. Introduction to Family Research Considerations Always consider the “AUTHORITY” of a source Remember that a lot of what is on the internet does not have the “clout” of a government or church source Other Considerations: Some sources (even federal) have wrong information – people may be mistaken or may not have given correct information Always try to use sources that you can verify by at least one other source – such as a Census backed up by a city directory.

42. Introduction to Family Research What happens if I don’t find anything? This is the painful part – look again and keep looking!!! If you can’t find it one way, try another Example: if you can’t find someone in the census, try a city directory. If you can’t find an obituary, try a cemetery list, etc.

43. Introduction to Family Research Who do I talk to about research? There are always groups that will help – You can always email, call or write a letter to a fellow genealogist, librarian or member of a genealogy society to help you

44. Introduction to Family Research Local Sources to Consider Library in the County/Parish Clerk of Court College Library Church or Church Library Local Genealogy Society Various Print Sources in a Library (County Court House Handbook, Vital Records Handbook, etc.) Most organizations respond quickly to email, a mail-in request might take time. Also, remember to include a SASE when requesting information.

45. Introduction to Family Research In Summation… Start with yourself and work backwards Fill-in where necessary with outside sources Use the internet and print sources to find what you need Always seek outside validation or help when needed Always ask….

46. Introduction to Family Research Upcoming Events/Topics Saturday, October 9th, Electronic Genealogy Saturday, October 16th, Ethnic Genealogy Saturday, October 23rd, Military Heritage Research