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In genealogy, as in life, there are things you'll only learn if you do it for living. We asked the professionals at TELESEARCH for any tips they had that might save an unsuspecting "newbie" grief when researching their genealogy. Here is a list of items they recommended every researcher be aware of. Census records are the number one source used to locate a family in the U.S. prior to 1920. There are about 200 different kinds of records that can prove familial relationships. If you figure census records are one of those 200 their value becomes apparent. Before you can find a birth, marriage or death record you need to know where the family was living. Even by themselves census records often prove date of birth, place of birth, age, citizenship, immigration and familial relationships. 75% of the documentation you find will come about because of the census records. This makes the U.S. Federal census records a gold mine. Computerized statewide census indexes are missing thousands of records that should have been listed. Accelerated Indexing Systems produced the majority of the census record indexes. Unfortunately, due to the technology they were using in the early 70s and 80s, many of the indexes are missing data. This isn't just a situation where a few people were missed but whole townships and in a some cases, counties are gone due to storage of the data on bad media. Most researchers are not aware of this. Another reason some of the indexes aren't very good is the fact that many were indexed from poor quality diazo film copies. While diazo film can make an excellent copy, if the master was also diazo (which was often the case) the copy can lose as much as 5 to 10 percent of its resolution. It's the same effect you see when making a photocopy, of a photocopy. You eventually lose enough detail you can't read it any more. With microfilm it's even more pronounced. Want to try an experiment? Rent or buy a rental library's copy of a census microfilm and then buy a National Archives copy of the same film. Depending on the specific film the difference in clarity can be startling. Details which could never be read on the rental library copy suddenly become clear. A word to the wise, when utilizing any census index it's a good idea to always check the original microfilm copy of the census if you're certain your ancestor was there. Check variant spellings when using a census index. It's easy to think that your family surname has always been spelled a certain way. It's one of the most common mistakes beginners often make. Ignore the variant spellings, "Why our family has never spelled their surname that way!" They forget that it doesn't matter how they spell their surname all that matters is how the person writing it, wrote it. Examples:
When conducting a Soundex Search most people know that the card list is sorted by the given name of the head-of-household but few realize that thereafter, common given names are sorted alphabetically by state and then age. It is self-evident that when you have a name like, John SMITH you are going to have hundreds of listings. Check what genealogical resources are available before writing and asking for them. Too many beginning researchers write for things that don't exist. Whether it's a marriage record, birth, death, probate, etc. If a counties vital records don't begin until 1886, it should be apparent you shouldn't be asking for a copy of a an 1880 death certificate, etc. Only a few states have vital records prior to 1900. There are some exceptions, Massachusetts and New York for example, but generally if you want a vital record (also known as birth, marriage or death record) you need to go to the county court house. The county clerks can tell you when the vital records for the county start. A very good list containing the addresses and phone numbers of the courthouses is available in Everton's, Handybook For Genealogists. The year of immigration is listed on the 1900 through 1920 census records for each individual recorded, along with whether or not they are naturalized citizen. Knowing this information can lead to many other documents, i.e., passenger ship lists, and naturalization records. Many people do not even realize these questions are asked on the census records. Don't assume a researcher is a "professional" even if they have the title C.G. (certified genealogist) or A.G. (accredited genealogist) after their name. Accreditation titles, are just that titles. It doesn't mean you have reached a competent researcher. All it means is they have passed the tests that earn them the right to put that title after their name. When spending money on a research professional always ask for references. We also recommend you have them perform some smaller task before committing to a large project. This will allow you time to assess their skills and professionalism in handling your account. When ordering work through a professional researcher stick to specifics. When contracting for work it's important to tell the researcher exactly what records and/or services you're looking for. Don't expect them to be mind readers. If you don't know where to start give some serious thought to your research before you call. Too many beginners speak in terms of family legends and rumours. If you're specific about what you know and what you want find out, your chances of success will be higher.
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