We want you to be successful in your search
Here are some tips to help you find what you’re looking for or what you want us to look for.
- Beware of spelling changes in both first and last names.
- Learn the common abbreviations and language used in genealogy
- Birth/Born → b.
- Death/Died → d.
- Married → m.
- Baptism → bpt. or ba.
- Birthplace → bpl.
- Buried → bu. or bur.
- Clerk→ clk.
- Discharged → dis.
- Mother → m.
- Father → f.
- Honorably Discharged → hon. dis.
- Obituary → ob. or obit.
- Know that boundary lines between counties and states have changed as well as some place names.
- Do not rely solely on genealogy websites as typically anyone can input information whether it is true or false.
- Know the difference between family lore and fact.
- Do not store all of your information in one place, have a backup to a backup!
- Always use birth names rather than nicknames. If you did not know a persons birth name, try to speak to someone who will remember, if possible.
- Learn how to read and utilize the information on a census.
- Know that address numbers change.
- Be aware that it is unlikely that the witnesses of a wedding are the parents or even family members.
- Attempt to locate a Family Bible, the information written on the inside could be incredibly helpful.
- Do not take newspapers as completely factual, journalists and reporters are human!
- Even though it is literally etched in stone, tombstones are not always accurate.
- Last but not least, START NOW! The sooner you begin, the more information you will have. As each family member passes away, stories go with them.