| If you're just getting
started researching your family history you should definitely
begin by reading books. Genealogical "how to"
books, local histories and other types of reference books
are widely available, and should be held by most public
libraries as well as available from any good bookstore.
- Begin with what you know. Work from
the known to the unknown one small step at a time. Work
backwards from the present gathering facts as you go.
Remember that names, dates and places are the building
blocks of compiling a family history.
- What do you know about your parents and grandparents?
Interview your relatives. Write or talk to your family
members. Ask them about family names, where they lived,
when they immigrated, what town they came from. What were
their dates and places of birth and marriage? Ask older
family members specific questions about your ancestors.
"What was your grandmother's maiden name?" "Where
did she live as a child?" "What were her parents'
names?" "When did they come to Ontario?"
Any clue, no matter how small, may help your search.
- Some records may already be in the homes of your family:
Family records/birth information; Bible with names and
births recorded; Family Letters; Stories & Traditions;
Employment information; School yearbooks; Fraternal Societies;
Wills and Deeds; Certificates, Awards, Discharges, Etc.;
Photographs; Books of Remembrance, Scrapbooks, and Diaries;
and Church records such as Birth, Marriage & Death
Records, Baptism Records, Confirmation or Communion Records.
- Learn the history and geography of the area where your
ancestors lived. Remember that old County boundaries change
so be sure to consult a good atlas and local histories.
Document the information in a system that is comfortable
for you - notebook, genealogy charts, or computer programs.
While you work, remember some basic rules of genealogy:
- Start with yourself and work backwards through each
previous generation. Work from the known to the unknown.
- Write down what you find and where you found it. What
institution? Which collection of records? What volume
and page number? Which microfilm reel?
- Always record the sources you've searched, even if the
results are negative.
- Search every possible surname spelling, including phonetic
and typographic errors. You may be rechecking some of
your already located information, but note that clerical
errors creep into documents & dates may have been
entered incorrectly.
- Record all archival citations in full.
"RG" stands for Record
Group, meaning a Government of Ontario record.
"F" stands for fond,
meaning the private papers of an individual or corporation.
"MS" indicates a group
of microfilm.
Genealogy is like a puzzle - one gathers bits of information
piece by piece. Be prepared to work patiently in stages
and return to records upon the discovery of another clue
form other records such as City Directories;
Naturalization Records; Passenger
Lists; Land deeds, etc.
Now you're ready to start digging into old records by searching
relevant genealogical sources.
Good family records are maintained by the Family
History Centers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day
Saints. They operate numerous centers and there
may be one close to you.
There are three primary collections of genealogical interest
at the Archives of Ontario: Vital
Statistics, Court Records and
Land Registrations. The information found
in these groups will dictate what records should be investigated
next. For a brief introduction to the collections please
see: Sources
of Family History, Research Guide 299. |
