How do I start researching my family?
There is so much family history information available today that it can be difficult to know where to begin. Many people jump right to searching names on large databases like ancestry.com or pulling details from online family trees created by others. However, this approach does not always yield the most accurate information.
To build a strong foundation for your research, set a specific goal to keep you focused and productive. Then ask your family members what they know, and fill out a simple family tree that starts with yourself and works backward in time. from there, you'll identify gaps in your tree that you can create a plan to explore.
What is the best way to build a family tree?
Much depends on your intention on why you're creating the tree.
- If you're creating a family tree for research purposes, your main options are to use either genealogy desktop software or the online trees at genealogy websites. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages.
- You could use both software and online trees: example, building a "master" family tree on software that syncs with major websites as necessary.
- If creating a decorative family tree, there are a variety of online free templates. Many of the major genealogy websites allow you to print attractive family trees directly from your account.
- You could hire an individual professional or a company that specializes in creating and printing family trees.
Where does my last name come from? What does it mean?
Determining name origins is not an exact science. Depending on your ancestors' cultural naming conventions, your surname (last name) might come from a place ("Hill," "Rivers"), occupation ("Smith," "Cooper"), or physical characteristic ("Strong").
Other cultures made extensive use of patronymics, in which surnames changed generation to generation based on the name of a child's father. For example, Ivan Jensen is the son of Jens, and Ivan's daughter Agnes would be Agnes Ivandotter.
How do I find my family's crest and coat of arms?
First, a point of clarification: a "coat of arms" is a collection of symbols associated with a prominent individual. A "crest" is just one element of a coat of arms, usually adorned at the top of a helmet.
Unfortunately, family coats of arms are myths for most people. coat of arms were granted to individuals - not families - and aren't tied to surnames. Most people are not entitled to use them, and the tchotchkes you can buy with "your" family crest are not based in fact.
Coats of arms can, though, be inherited. To use them rightfully, you would need to find the coat of arms in the issuing country's heraldic register and prove a line of unbroken male-line descent. Keep in mind that the laws of heraldry differ with each country.
Why did they change my ancestor's name at Ellis Island?
This is a bit of a myth. No names were changed when immigrants arrived at Ellis Island. Instead, officials there merely checked arrivals' names against lists that were created at the port of departures. Many immigrants opted to Americanize their names later, on their own.
If it's in someone else's family tree, is it true?
Not necessarily. Research collected and published by others should be considered a secondary source, at best. Validate any information you see in other users' online trees.
When did Iowa start requiring Birth Records?
In 1880 legislation was passed creating the Iowa Department of Health and requiring all births, deaths, and marriages to be recorded at both the county and state levels. However, with that being said, there are a few who did not start right away.
Isn't researching my ancestors expensive?
When you start genealogy research, it can seem like subscription websites are the only way to find what you need. While it's true that you will most likely need to pay for access to records at some point, there are tons of records available for free online.
- You can start by browsing a list of helpful, free websites at Family Tree Magazine.
- Be sure to check out FamilySearch.org, which is 100% free and has billions of records and a tree building tool too.
- Keep in mind that many subscription websites offer certain record collections for free, including ancestry.com and MyHeritage.
What are the WPA records?
This was a project placed in motion by the Federal Government to get the economy moving in a positive direction. The main genealogical WPA (Work Progress Administration) projects were
- Burial listing in cemeteries
- Federal and state census indexes
- Indexes to naturalization records
- Indexes to newspapers
- Inventories of records found in county courthouses
- Descriptions of manuscripts found in various libraries, private collections, and agencies
- Place-name guides
- Inventories of church records including the range of years and content covered by a church’s christening records, and the names of those buried in church cemeteries
- Historical narratives of slaves
What is special about the 1925 Iowa Census?
Iowa had many state census to help supplement federal census records. All these records help give you that little extra information between federal census. And in case of the 1885 and 1895 census, this helps fill in for the lost 1890 federal census. However, the 1925 census is unique to all census records. It is 3 sets of side by side pages (6 pages) for each person, so make sure you turn to view all pages. The most interesting is the second set. We are all familiar with the children listed under the parent. But this set will tell the actual names of parents. It will also give the place of birth, ages of the parents and place of marriage. Set 3 will be interring for those to check for military service.
