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Megan Sheils is
a federal reference librarian. She received her Masters Degree
in Library Science from the University of Maryland, College
Park, and was selected as an American Library Association Emerging
Leader for 2008. She lives in Washington, DC, where she is helping
to organize Girls
Rock! DC, a rock and roll camp for girls.
 When
we really analyze what we have of value in this world, and
what legacy we will leave behind, most of us come up with
a list of intangibles: love, family, health, happiness, memories.
What if you could document this love and these memories for
future generations? Here are some tips to help you collect
the rich narratives of your relatives and to chronicle your
own American experience. Your community—and your family—will
thank you.
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Listen. Start by talking to your
relatives, especially the elders in your family or community.
You'll be amazed at what gems they have tucked away in
their memories. Be sure to let them know that you will
be recording their responses, and ask their permission.
Prepare a list of questions ahead of time, but let the
interview wander to get the real story. You can record
the interview on paper or audio. |
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Head to the Library. Your local public library
may have historical documents, stored in an electronic
database, on microfiche or in good old-fashioned paper
files. Quite a few libraries keep extensive local history
collections. Many purchase access to genealogical databases
as well as databases that contain historical archives
of major newspapers. You may even be able to get at-home
access through the library's website using your library
card.
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Local Resources. Most communities have a local
historical society that holds area-specific information
that may not be available anywhere else. Contact your
town or city hall to find out about the process for
searching vital records.
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Genealogical sites. If you've started your search
on the Internet, chances are that you have discovered
many dead-ends. Many genealogy websites entice with
a small bit of information, but require a substantial
fee for full access. You'll also find hundreds of "home-made"
family-tree websites, which are often incomplete and
difficult to decode. Leading commercial genealogy sites
like ancestry.com, however, usually allow you to sign-up
for a free trial, during which you can access a limited,
but often very helpful, set of their resources. But
be careful-if they required a credit card for sign-up
you will need to be vigilant about cancelling the trial
on time, or they may automatically begin to charge you
for use.
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Go to the Graveyard. Visiting a family plot
is not just informative; it can also add a very physical,
contemplative component to your research. Don't forget
paper and pencil if you plan to make gravestone rubbings
to add to your archive. Check online as well-history
buffs frequently record information from historical
cemeteries online. If you have ancestors who were politicians
or otherwise notable, check out politicalgraveyard.com,
a large database of historic cemeteries that contains
significant supplemental information.
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Thank the Mormons. The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) is well-known
for its large-scale efforts to preserve genealogical information.
The LDS has created several large databases that include
extensive records of both members and non-members back
to the 1500's. These indexes are available for free on
the LDS website, FamilySearch,
which also includes census indices, the US Social Security
Death Index and research guides. |
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Founding Families. The Daughters
of the American Revolution maintains hundreds of thousands
of American genealogical and historical manuscripts and
publications in their Library in Washington, DC. Well
worth a visit for the genealogically-obsessed, there are
some services available via their website. The library's
main purpose is to aid patrons in discovering whether
their ancestors fought in the Revolutionary War, though
their resources are universally valuable. |
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Networking isn't just for the office.
Sometimes the most efficient way to add more branches
to your family tree is to pool resources. Don't be afraid
to contact your grandfather's brother's daughter-you may
hold the missing pieces to each other's family records. |
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Go no further than your bookshelves.
Journals, yearbooks, family bibles and the backs of photographs
can yield valuable information. |
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Get inspired. The PBS series, African
American Lives, hosted by renowned scholar Henry Louis
Gates, Jr., used detailed research to reveal the family
histories of notable African Americans. The results were
eye-opening and emotional. Check out the website for clips
and even more resources. |
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Follow the clues! Each new find will
reveal new facts and new paths. Follow the trail and see
what you find! |
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Share. Donate a copy of your findings to a local
historical organization or library to preserve your
story for the entire community-and perhaps help someone
else in their quest to create a family tree.
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For more info, visit About
Genealogy.
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