In doing genealogy, it is only a matter of time before researchers run into a brick wall. That is, they trace a family line as far as possible until discovering an individual or couple who seem to be without documentation.

Interestingly, land records have provided genealogists with a solution to climbing over the brick wall. Land records are plentiful, accessible, easy to use, informative, and interesting.

While on a walk in beautiful Madison, Wisconsin, we found ourselves in front of a cabin and a small historical marker that denoted the building as the Peck cabin—built by Ebenezer Peck and his wife Rosaline—Madison’s first residence, business, and post office. We wondered what genealogical data could be discovered about the Pecks by using only land records as sources of information. After all, any experience we might have in gathering information would be similar to that of a novice doing a comparable search on a family member.

We decided to take on the challenge. Because the Pecks were entirely new to us, we felt like beginners, and we were forced to approach the task the way a beginner would. The steps we used in our land records research will help any beginner overcome that formidable brick wall.

Step One
Most important, researchers must identify the individual. As in using other records, the more information you know about the person, the greater the likelihood of success. Remember to gather as much information as possible. Full names, approximate ages, names of family members, or any other relevant data can prove useful. Write down all available clues and have them ready. From the historical marker, we knew the couple’s names.

Step Two
Determine where the individual may have owned land (in town, in the county, even in the state). If you are uncertain where your ancestor lived, use census records to determine the information. (See "Step 8: Census Records" in the March/April 2000 issue of Ancestry Magazine to get started.) As with family names, the more information you can gather on the place, the better. In our example, we knew the family name was Peck, and we knew they were early settlers of Madison, Wisconsin.

Step Three
Determine what types of land records exist for that locality and where you might find them. We went to the Wisconsin State Historical Society Library armed with our notes and the Peck pedigree chart. Our goal was to find a good general reference book that would give us information on how land records were organized for Wisconsin. The librarian directed us to the land records section of Ancestry’s Red Book: American State, County & Town Sources, edited by Alice Eichholz, Ph.D., C.G., (Salt Lake City: Ancestry, revised edition, 1992.) This resource is available for purchase online at Ancestry.com, at any major bookstore, or in a good research library.

From Ancestry’s Red Book, we learned that most land records in the United States are kept at the county level, with four exceptions. Louisiana’s land records are kept at the parish or county level of government, and Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Vermont have land records at the town level.

We also learned that land transactions (after initial ownership) were recorded at the county’s register of deeds. Since Wisconsin is a public land state, the land was originally claimed by the federal government. Therefore, if the Pecks were the initial purchasers of the property, the first transaction would be between the federal government and the Pecks. We needed to do further research to determine if this was the case.

Again, the librarian came to our assistance. We learned from her that Madison was in Dane County. She then gave us a fact sheet entitled "Wisconsin Land Records," which informed us of the Wisconsin Land Records Index Project. The project has attempted to index the names of owners of land from the late 1830s to 1910—the time period we were seeking. The first source used in this project was the United States General Land Office local tract books, which recorded the sale of land by the federal government to its original owner. As luck would have it, the Index Project was on microfilm at the library.

Step Four
Use the records. We cranked the microfilm reader through the alphabetical entries until we reached the Ps, then we turned slowly until we reached Peck. We found no entry. More than likely, the Pecks had not purchased their land from the federal government.

The assistant at the desk told us that land records after the initial sale were located at the Office of the Register of Deeds (something we had also learned from the Red Book). Before we could ask for directions, however, he told us to check first in the archives, located in another part of the library. Basically, we were repeating step three—locating the appropriate records.

In the archives we learned that Wisconsin land records from 1839 to 1916 were fully indexed and available on microfilm. Further, the microfilm was available in the archives—saving us a trip to the Office of the Register of Deeds.

The genealogist in the archives also explained that there were two indexes: one alphabetical by the last name of the grantor (seller), and one alphabetical by the last name of the grantee (buyer). She also told us that these indexes were similar to those of most states in the United States. Each county in every state (with the exception of the four states mentioned earlier) has a grantor or grantee index. The four exceptions have these indexes as well, but they are located in the office appropriate to the locality. Virtually any person who owned land in the United States could be located in one of these indexes.

We took the roll of microfilm labeled Grantee Index, Dane County Register of Deeds, 1839–1916, Vol. 3 to the microfilm reader. In no time we located the last name Peck, first name Ebenezer, and learned of a transaction between the Pecks and a James Doty in 1839—just what we were looking for. The index referred us to another roll of film on which we would find the actual entry for the transaction. Once again we loaded film, and this time we found the entry detailing the sale.

Step Five
Evaluate the data. As you read the land record entry, remember that it is not the original record, but a copy of the original. The original deed would have been in the possession of the purchasers of the property. Also, remember that handwriting can present some problems. If you have difficulty reading the entry, scan some of the other entries that appear before and after it to see if you can better read the writing. In this example, the land record reinforced what we already knew, and we learned where Ebenezer and Rosaline Peck were from prior to purchasing land in Madison. The trail was no longer cold. We now had a new lead that would prove invaluable for future research on the Pecks.

With luck, you will be able to locate the following facts about the people at your brick wall from a typical land record:

1. An accurate date and place. A deed is a legal document that puts your ancestors in one place at a clearly defined point in time. As you reconstruct their lives, this adds to your knowledge about them.

2. The name of the individual or individuals purchasing the land. In those cases where your research has led you to the man’s name but not his wife’s, the land record may be the only way you will learn her name. Unfortunately, you will probably not learn her maiden name.

3. Where the couple or individual was living when the purchase occurred. On more recent land transactions, you may learn the actual street address.

At the beginning of this article, we indicated that land records were plentiful, accessible, easy to use, informative, and interesting. Let us review these features.

Plentiful. In 1850, 90 percent of free males in the United States owned land, making land records one of the most plentiful sources of genealogical information. Even today, land ownership represents about half of the U.S. population. See E. Wade Hone’s book, Land and Property Research in the United States (Ancestry, 1997) for more details on land records in the United States.

Accessible. Every county, parish, or town responsible for keeping land records makes the records available for research. In addition, the Internet is becoming an excellent source of land records. Web sites such as Cyndi’s List, RootsWeb, and the Bureau of Land Management provide links to land records. The real beauty of online land records is that they are searchable by name. In some cases, as with the BLM Web site, you can download a copy of the actual document. In the future, land records will only become more accessible.

Easy to Use. In virtually every case, land records are indexed (grantor index or grantee index). This feature sets land records apart from many other sources of information.

Informative. The data researchers gather from land records can be the breakthrough in the brick wall barrier. It is important to now go beyond the brick wall. Examine who may have owned property adjacent to your ancestors, since adjacent property owners were often somehow related. The names of these people can serve as valuable clues in solving your own relationship puzzles.

Interesting. Few experiences in genealogy can compare with learning exactly where your ancestors lived. If you ever have the chance to visit one of your ancestral homes, be prepared, and enjoy the opportunity of visiting the home and learning the many interesting things that will undoubtedly be discovered.

Remember that genealogy is about who, what, where, and when. Any of this information can lead to another generation, and land records are often the only source of where somebody was living.

At first glance, finding a single piece of information may not seem very exciting; however, that information may prove to be the link that will lead you to the next critical piece of the puzzle. Land records are a key source in finding that single piece of valuable data.

   Terry and Jim Willard hosted the ten-part PBS series "Ancestors." They have researched their genealogy fifteen generations back on both sides.

Please go on Step 13: Will and Probate Records or click here

As you may have discovered by now, genealogy is not a quick hobby. At this point, every trip to the library is no longer rewarded with three more generations of new material, and letters from distant cousins anxious to exchange information rarely come in the mail. In short, family history research is work. And like any work, it becomes easier if the correct tools to do the job are at hand. In this series, it has been our goal to provide tools that can be of help. In this step, we want to introduce another valuable tool: wills and probate records.

Probate records are useful in the quest for family data for several reasons. First, they relate to information already gathered. If you have gathered death records, you already have two pieces of important information–date and place of death–which make using wills and probate records easier.

Next, because wills and probate records are legal documents, information gathered from them is reliable, as long as it is interpreted properly. Wills are also easy to locate. Of all the documents ancestors have left behind, wills are among the most common. Very often, there is an index, alphabetical by the name of the testator, for the county in which an ancestor’s will was filed for probate. The index will lead to the original document.

Wills also furnish the researcher with relationships between people that were previously a mystery. In many wills, relationships are clearly stated.

Finally, wills are among the most interesting documents family historians uncover. They provide glimpses into the lives of ancestors, detailing family secrets, the importance of certain household utensils, and even feelings about family members.

To simplify the process of using wills and probate records, follow these basic steps.

1. Identify the Individual
In any type of research venture, it is important to clearly define the objective. Using wills and probate records is no exception: the objective is the deceased. Remember to use the decedent’s full name, since there may be others in the area who have similar names. Further, the researcher should try to find as much biographical information as possible, including birth, marriage, and family information, in addition to the date of death.

2. Identify the Place of Death
Most wills are filed for probate in the county where the individual was residing at the time he or she passed away. The correct place names for either the city or town and the county are critical for success in locating the will.

Jim’s great-grandfather, William Allen Jones, lived in Turner, Androscoggin County, Maine, and was buried there. However, when we checked the vital records of the town, there was no death record for a William Allen Jones. Some detective work was in order. We knew William had been married twice, but we hadn’t investigated the family from his second marriage. It turned out that he lived to be quite old, but as a result of illness, he moved in with his youngest son from his second marriage. This son lived in Manchester, Kennebec County, Maine, a town some twenty-five miles from Turner. It was in this town that William Allen died.

3. Learn Where the Records Are Kept
Wills are usually filed at the county level and can be found in the county court building in the office of probate. However, there are examples of wills filed in unexpected locations. We encountered one community where the wills from the nineteenth century had been moved to the local historical society because the probate office had insufficient space. To find the exact addresses of these offices, turn to a good reference book: the Genealogist’s Handbook for New England Research, 3rd Edition (NEHGS, 1993) or Ancestry’s Red Book, Revised Edition (Ancestry, 1992), which has information on all of the United States. From such a source, you will learn the contact person and the office address.

Some wills and probate records have been microfilmed and are available through the Family History Library and its Centers. It is worth a trip to your local Center to see if there is an index of probate records or any related material for the community you are researching. Once you know where to look, you can turn your attention to what to look for.

Remember that your research might take you to several states as you move from individual to individual. Probate laws and the associated records will differ from state to state. Try to become as proficient as possible in every location in using the records that exist in each place.

4. Learn What Records Are Available
So far, we have focused on the use of wills, and we have used the generic expression "probate records" to cover any other types of records that relate to these wills. When you’re looking for probate records, you might also encounter documents such as inventories, distributions of estates, letters of administration, sales of estates, and inquest documents.

Be sure to request all the records that might pertain to the person you are researching, including testate and intestate proceedings. These additional records can contain a significant amount of information and may even prove more valuable than the will itself.

5. Access the Records
As you research the types of probate records that may exist for a particular county, be sure to learn the correct procedure for securing a copy of the information. The ideal, of course, is to personally visit the office to gather any probate records. If this is possible, call the office in advance to verify the hours and address.

In most situations, you will probably request the information by mail. If so, determine the title of the person you will be writing to, the correct mailing address for the person’s office, and the cost for the service. As with any written correspondence, be sure to include an SASE for the materials. Also, keep a correspondence log noting the date(s) of your request(s), the amount of money sent, and the date you received any response(s).

Finally, it may be possible to get some of the information you need from the Internet. Use your favorite search engine to discover if a county has made any information available online. If you’re Internet savvy, don’t overlook the potential it has to offer.

6. Analyze and Record the Information
Once you have a copy of a will and other related documents, the fun begins. Be certain to read the documents carefully, and take notes regarding the information. Note the names that appear on the documents and identify them. Leave no line unread, especially the part of the will that names the witnesses. Remember to indicate the source of the information.

As with any type of genealogical research, there are certain pitfalls and shortcomings to avoid. Listed below are some of the potential pitfalls in using wills and probate records:

1. Extracts are secondary sources and should not be relied upon.

2. Don’t make assumptions based on information in wills, as it can be misleading.

3. Be careful of terms that imply relationships, e.g., sister, cousin, senior, infant. Sister, for example, may refer to a female of the same religious faith or to a sister-in-law, and not to an actual sibling.

4. Wills are not always filed immediately after the individual’s death. Search the years following the person’s death as well.

5. Witnesses cannot be beneficiaries, but they are often relatives and should be investigated.

6. If a wife is named in a will, do not assume that she is the mother of the named children in the will.

7. Remember that boundaries have changed over time. The researcher must know the correct location to determine the jurisdiction over probate records.

If used in a conscientious manner, the information found in probate records can provide significant family data, but it can also lead a researcher down the wrong path if her or she isn’t careful. However, the wealth of information that can be discovered from a last will and testament is always amazing. Social position, treasured possessions, family dynamics, and relative wealth seem to come clearly into focus as you study a will or a related document

   Terry and Jim Willard hosted the ten-part PBS series "Ancestors." They have researched their genealogy fifteen generations back on both sides.

Please go on Step 14: Court Records and click here

Thus far in this series, we’ve introduced you to the basics of beginning a research project. Now we want to take you even further along your ancestral paper trail.

There are several reasons why you might choose to pursue additional sources of information. You may have hit the proverbial "brick wall" and need additional direction. You may want to continue learning about the people who came before you. Perhaps you’ve gathered key pieces of genealogical data and could stop if you chose, but you want one more piece of data to prove conclusively that your research is accurate.

Any of these reasons could be your rationale for turning to another potential source of information–court records. In some ways, you’ve already learned about court records in earlier articles in this series. Naturalization and probate records, for example, are court records. However, these are major types of court records that should be considered individually. In this article we want to turn our attention to a collection of other court records that are sometimes overlooked as potential sources of family history data.

Existing Court Records
While the word miscellaneous is sometimes used to describe various court records, we want to list them individually. Each of these record types represents some sort of legal action; and some type of genealogical information, however small, can be gleaned from each category of records.

Adoption
Perhaps the most frustrating brick wall in genealogical research is discovering an adopted ancestor. In most cases, adoption records are sealed. This means that the information is only available to the adoptee when he or she has reached legal age and has secured a court order to access the records. Some courts allow sealed records to be viewed by others when good cause can be proven (such as the need to learn about a genetic medical condition), but this is rare and very difficult to accomplish.

Remember that prior to the twentieth century, it was common for adoptions to be handled quietly, within the family, and outside of the legal system. Thus you may not find a record of the adoption at all. In our research, we encountered such a situation, but we were fortunate to find that the local parish priest had made a handwritten notation in the birth register, naming the biological parents of the individual who had been adopted by her aunt.

Bankruptcy
Several periods of economic hardship have marked America’s history, and it was during such times that bankruptcies were common. Bankruptcies are filed in federal court and are intended to protect the individual from creditors while his or her debt is restructured.

Civil Proceedings
While property disputes can be considered civil proceedings, other cases may have been brought before a court that were not property-related. Court records are filled with cases involving small claims, slander, false accusations, etc. These records provide a peek into the daily lives of our ancestors. Even if the case does not involve one of your own ancestors, it will show the mood of the community in which your ancestor resided.

Criminal Proceedings
It is possible that an ancestor may have been involved in a criminal proceeding. These records are referred to as case files and can yield interesting information. We uncovered a case in our research regarding the murder of a great-grandfather. While the details were far from glamorous, the information made for interesting stories in conversations with our relatives.

Divorce
While less common before 1900, divorce is a legal action that has occurred for many years. Divorce papers were filed at the local court level. In some cases, the divorce proceedings were initiated, but never completed. But even in such a case, documents can be found that may contain some useful genealogical information.

Guardianships
While guardianship records may seem unusual, they are more common than you might expect. In many cases, a widow could not always care for her children. If she could not remarry, she may have had to make her children wards of the state. They would most likely be placed in an orphanage, but it is also possible that the court appointed a guardian. Also, guardianship might have been arranged in a man’s will (so that his children would be taken care of after his death). In any case, the court would have documentation of the guardianship. Related documents may come from what some regions refer to as Orphan’s Court, so be sure to determine what such a court might be called in the area you are researching.

Mortgage
In many communities in the United States, a mortgage is a legal document filed in a local court, particularly when the lender is an individual or a government agency.

Property Disputes
Throughout much of our nation’s history, many communities have been without a police force, so the courts assumed the role of keeping the peace. If there was a property dispute, it was resolved in the local court.

Court Locations
Essentially, courts in the United States are divided into three levels. The lowest level is the local court or the county court. Researchers will most likely discover valuable information at this level. Study the area before you check the court records. Determine what court(s) exist, where courts are located (remember that town, county, and even state boundaries have changed over time), and what information is available. Also determine research hours, and copying fees (in addition to the photocopying charge).

The next level is the state court, or the state supreme court. While it is unlikely that you will find much genealogical information at this level, it should not be overlooked.

Finally, there are federal courts. Depending on the time period and geographic area you are researching, federal courts may be an excellent resource. Bankruptcy information, for example, could be found at this level. Currently, there are eighty-nine federal district courts, plus the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court. Any or all of these may provide information.

Using Court Records
Fortunately, most court records are indexed. In many areas, there are two separate indexes: one for the plaintiffs and one for the defendants. Once you have determined that a particular court might have useful information, learn how that information is organized and accessed. If a visit to the court is not practical, you might be able to access some of the records another way. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for example, has microfilmed hundreds of rolls of court records which are accessible by visiting one of the more than 1,500 Family History Centers located throughout the world. Check your local phone book for the Center nearest you. Also, some counties are making their court records available online through local or county Web sites. Check referral Web sites such as RootsWeb to determine what might be available in your geographic area of interest.

Pitfalls and Limitations
Remember that there are limitations to any of these court records. First, the indexes–if there are indexes–are not the complete record. They are secondary sources, transcribed by a clerk to serve only one purpose: to lead you to the actual record itself. Also, not all court records have been fully indexed. Should you encounter such a set of records, roll up your sleeves and be prepared for some old-fashioned detective work.

Second, the original source might be difficult to locate but Ancestry’s Red Book (Ancestry, 1992) should prove helpful. Towns and counties have changed significantly over the decades in terms of the records they keep. How the records are stored in that community is no exception.

Third, the personnel in some of the court offices may be of limited help. We have been in several facilities where fellow researchers have actually been more knowledgeable than the staff because they have spent more time combing the records. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

By now you realize that genealogical research can be a very time-consuming activity. Keep in mind the following tips as you utilize court records in your research:

1. Have a specific objective in mind.
2. Schedule enough research time.
3. Learn what records are available and how to use them.
4. Learn as much as possible about the people you are researching before you turn to court records.

   Terry and Jim Willard hosted the ten-part PBS series "Ancestors." They have researched their genealogy fifteen generations back on both sides.

Please go on Step 15: Unusual Record Sources and click here

In this series, we have focused on the most obvious family history clues to follow, which require the use of vital records. But we have also covered other clues that should be pursued in the quest for information, such as census, military, immigration, naturalization, and probate records.

Now, we are focusing on less obvious sources of information. Our point in utilizing these sources is to fully examine the ancestral paper trail, which will assist the researcher in tracking down information that could solve a dead end. Examining the paper trail closely will also assist in building a thorough life history of one or several ancestors.

As you delve deeper into the lives of your ancestors, it is important to focus on one individual at a time. We refer to this person as the key individual. We recommend that you write his or her name in bold letters at the top of a blank sheet of paper. Then list the vital information you already know about that individual. This, of course, represents your research into birth, marriage, and death records. Next, list in chronological order any of the additional information you may have uncovered through other records research, including census data, military service, land ownership, ship’s passenger lists, etc. Finally, turn to the other, less obvious sources of information. Check Laura Pfeiffer’s Hidden Sources (Ancestry, 2000) for information on many unusual record sources. Then ask the following questions about your key person to narrow your search:

1. Where did he or she attend school?
2. Where did this person live? What were his or her addresses?
3. Where did this person worship? What religious affiliation did he or she belong to?
4. Where did he or she work? What was his or her profession or trade? Did this person belong to any work-related organizations?
5. Where did this person socialize? Did he or she belong to any civic or fraternal organizations?

Answers to these questions will enhance the information you gather about your key individual. Once you’re ready to gather the answers to these questions, you will truly be involved in a family history project, since this information goes well beyond average genealogy.

Educational Records
While it may seem insignificant, learning the educational background of an individual will lend depth to your research. As a general rule, the higher the level of education, the greater the likelihood you will locate relevant records. Among Jim’s prized genealogical possessions are transcripts of his parents’ high school course work. Jim also has a transcript of the two years his paternal grandfather spent in high school at the turn of the last century. These transcripts, in fact, led to the solution of a small genealogical mystery.

Jim’s grandfather was not listed with his family in the 1900 census when he would have been seventeen years old. When we requested Jim’s father’s school transcript, we also chanced upon his grandfather’s location. We sent a letter to the school, asking if we could get a list of students with the last name Willard, along with their dates of attendance at the school. The school complied, and on the resulting list we found a James Blaine Willard who had attended the school in 1900 and 1901. A further check of the 1900 census showed this James Blaine, Jim’s grandfather, living as a boarder some twenty miles from his parents’ home, paying tuition and attending the same school Jim’s father attended thirty-five years later. Only the school records gave us evidence about where this grandfather was located. The transcripts also revealed the actual street addresses of Jim’s parents and grandfather when they were students at the school–information we had not yet gathered.

All schools and colleges have procedures to follow for gathering this type of information. To learn these procedures, or to request a copy of a transcript, write to the school you believe your ancestor or relative attended. Be sure to include a letter that explains your relationship to the individual(s). If that person is still living, you will need to get his or her written permission before contacting the school. Also, there is usually a fee associated with this type of request, so you may want to contact the school for more information. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope to expedite the process. Addresses for most schools and colleges can be located on the Internet.

Places of Residence
While school records are one source of an ancestor’s address, telephone books and city directories also provide this data. In most telephone books, the listing gives the street address as well as the phone number. It seems that the smaller the community, the greater the chance of finding old phone books. Check local libraries for old telephone books.

Similarly, many communities published directories that list the family name, street address, and even the occupation of the head of household. In our research, we’ve found city directories that date back to the nineteenth century, and we’ve discovered interesting details on several ancestors and relatives through them. And once you know your ancestors’ place of residence, you may want to take a picture of the property or home, if it is still standing.

Town Reports and Tax Lists
Other helpful tools in gathering family history data are town reports and tax lists. In New England, these reports were often published annually. An alphabetical listing of property owners, their addresses, the values of their property (and other valuables), and the taxes they owed or paid are often included in town reports. In other communities, annual tax lists were published.

When we were on the trail of Jim’s great-great-great-grandfather Josiah, we lost track of him somewhere between Keene, New Hampshire, where he was born, and Skowhegan, Maine, where he died. Our census research placed him in Keene until 1840 and in Skowhegan after 1850, but we had no idea where he was during the decade in between. Using tax lists from towns surrounding Skowhegan, we found Josiah in Farmington and later in Wilton, Maine during the 1840s. We learned he was a cooper and half-owner of a barrel shop during this time. Unfortunately, we still don’t know why he left Keene.

Places of Worship
While it may seem like a long shot, it is possible to learn details about an ancestor if you know the religious denomination or the specific church where he or she worshiped. In our research, we found many eighteenth-century Protestant marriage records that had been recorded by a minister and preserved by the church. (This was unusual because ministers usually took their record books with them when they moved to another church). It was a lucky find. Some of these marriages had not been recorded with the local authority because the town had not yet been incorporated.

With several of our Catholic ancestors, we were able to examine the parish registers where births, marriages, and deaths were recorded. While these registers paralleled civil records in most cases, the church records proved beneficial in two situations. In one case, fire or flood had destroyed the civil records, and the church records served as a backup. In another case, the priest made a notation in the margin of the parish record book that provided information not found elsewhere. We learned about a particular child born out of wedlock–quite a plus for any diligent researcher.

Some church members have also published histories of their churches, which often provide lists of members throughout the history of the church, detailed information on the early founders of the church, and services and gifts provided to the church by grateful members. This information is likely to add depth to what you already know about your ancestor(s).

Places of Employment
Employment records are among the most difficult to research. In many cases, the company is no longer in business, and the records have long been destroyed. In other cases, the records are confidential and difficult to access, or there are no records at all. However, there are instances when a company will confirm whether an individual was employed and if so, the dates of employment. This information will place your ancestor in a specific place and time and can lead you to other discoveries. It is possible, for example, that union membership was part of your ancestor’s employment, which will produce more records.

In any event, learning about an ancestor and discovering his or her trade or skill is a key piece of data. Even today, a person’s job has a major impact on his or her life.

Social Organizations
For many immigrant ancestors, membership in a social organization or club was an important aspect of life. Virtually every American community with an ethnic or immigrant population had organizations of this type. Many such organizations were instrumental in getting foreign-language newspapers published in the communities–a boon to research, if you can read the language. Also, these organizations provided services for their members; they often acted as banks and insurance companies.

In some cases, these societies still exist. In other cases, the records of earlier groups have been cataloged by a local historical or cultural organization. If your ancestry is of a particular ethnic type, investigate the community where your immigrant ancestor settled to see if an existing organization can offer additional information. If nothing more, you will learn a great deal about the social conditions of that community.

Genealogical research can be extremely rewarding for several reasons, but for us the best part is that it puts us in touch with our past. Genealogical research helps us understand who we are and where we came from. And delving into areas of everyday life, using the records we have discussed, can help researchers see their ancestors’ daily existence. But doing so requires detective work. You must examine every clue carefully and always be on the lookout for leads that can further your search.

   Terry and Jim Willard hosted the ten-part PBS series "Ancestors." They have researched their genealogy fifteen generations back on both sides.

Please go on Step 16: Computers and Family History and click here

In one of the first classes we taught on computers and family history back in 1983, a student unfamiliar with computers asked, "Does this mean all I have to do is type in my name, push a button, and watch my entire genealogy appear on the screen?" We had to stifle a chuckle.

It is important to remember that computers are not the be all and end all of family history. They are simply another tool researchers should be comfortable with as they delve into this wonderful hobby. However, the fact is, nothing has revolutionized family history like the PC; it is hard to imagine family history without it.

With that in mind, genealogists should become acquainted with what a computer can and cannot do, and then decide what is appropriate for their research needs. It is worth the expense in both time and money to learn about computers and how they can benefit research.

When we present family history workshops, we ask how many people in the audience own a computer and use it in their research. We are pleased that the number has risen from about one in ten back in the early- to mid-1980s to approximately nine in ten today. So most family historians are now using a computer in their pursuit of ancestors. But are they getting the most out it?

The answer to this question is appropriate for two different groups of genealogists: those who are looking to purchase a system for the first time, and those deciding that it is time to upgrade their current system.

Hardware for Genealogists
It is important to note that any state-of-the-art computer system will serve family historians for at least three to five years. Also, note that the recommendations in this article are aimed at the upper-end of technology and are therefore more expensive. As a general rule, $2,000 to $2,500 will pay for a solid, state-of-the-art computer system. In terms of specifics, here are our recommendations for an ideal computer system for family historians.

Processor. While the brand name of the processor may be important to some researchers, the speed of the processor is the more important consideration. Whether you have a Pentium III or IV, a Celeron, or an Athalon, faster is better. A good processing speed is at least 750 MHz. If you can afford it, get a processor with one GHz or more.

RAM. RAM is probably the most important consideration when buying or upgrading a computer system. We recommend at least 128 megabytes (MB), but you should get more RAM if you can afford it. RAM is generally the first part of the system that needs to be upgraded, so it’s really a pay-now or pay-later decision.

Hard Drive. The hard drive is the primary storage device on a computer, so it’s a good idea to have as much storage space as you can afford. Ten gigabytes (GB) is a good amount, but if you have the option for more and you can afford it, again, more is better.

Floppy-disk Drive. The 3.5-inch floppy drive remains a necessity, as it allows researchers to back up important data. The floppy also allows us to share our data with others. In most computer systems, the floppy-disk drive is included with the base system.

RW/CD-ROM Drive. The readable/writable CD-ROM drive has emerged as a truly useful option for genealogists. A CD can store large computer files (such as scanned images) and is portable. For most computer systems, this drive is optional, but it is worth the additional cost.

MODEM. The modem is the means of connecting to the Internet. The four Internet connection options are telephone lines, DSL (Digital Subscriber Line), cable, and wireless. Investigate the fastest connection available in your area. If you feel you can afford the monthly fee (the faster connections are generally more expensive), buy the appropriate modem when you purchase your computer. It will save you money over time.

Monitor. Buy the largest display surface you can afford. Our decision to buy a 19-inch monitor for our desktop computer was one of the best decisions we made. And when it is time to upgrade our computer, there will likely be no need to purchase another monitor.

Printer. When deciding what printer model is best for you, determine what you want to accomplish. If images are a big part of your work, a printer that can produce high-quality reproductions of your images is a must. Is color printing important to you? What about speed? Also, if you don’t have extensive space for a printer, a copier, a fax machine, and a scanner, a combination model might be the appropriate choice.

Scanner. Scanners have become a must-have for genealogists. Any research project can benefit with the addition of pictures, original documents, newspaper clippings, etc. The scanner not only allows a researcher to add these items to his or her computer digitally, but it also allows researchers to share the items with family members and fellow researchers by attaching them to e-mail messages.

Digital Camera. Virtually any image can be transferred from a digital camera to a computer, and then inserted directly into a favorite genealogy software program. Cost, quality, and usability vary with each camera model. Consult your local genealogy society, computer users group, or a publication such as Genealogical Computing for advice on the digital camera that will fit your needs and budget.

Finding the Right Software
When you’re searching for a good genealogy software program, determine first what your specific needs are. In other words, what do you want from your genealogy software program? In using the software to store, organize, and print data, the following are key elements you should find in whichever software program you choose:

   Terry and Jim Willard hosted the ten-part PBS series "Ancestors." They have researched their genealogy fifteen generations back on both sides.

Please go on Step 17:  Online Research and click here

It has been said before and will be repeated many times in the future that nothing has revolutionized genealogy like the Internet. However, just as the potential of the Internet is exciting, its pitfalls are potentially dangerous. As wonderful as the Internet is as a source of genealogical information, this information often lacks the proof needed to make sound genealogical conclusions. The Internet is not a shortcut for sound research. The same guidelines that apply to pencil and paper research apply equally to electronic research. In this article we will present six steps for using the Internet wisely in your quest for ancestors.

Step 1: Develop an Objective
As with offline research, it is essential that you clearly define your research objective. Having done pencil and paper research in a library, you know how easy it is to be led away from the person you are researching. To avoid this pitfall, write down your objective and keep it in front of you while you are online. Your objective should include 1) the name of the individual you are researching, including all spelling variations you are aware of, and 2) the information you currently know about the individual, including date range estimates for unknown vital information.

For this article, we will focus on the ancestor who caused us so much difficulty when we began our family history research more than thirty years ago: Charles Morse Willard, Jim’s paternal great-great-grandfather. This time, however, we have the Internet.

To stay focused on our online research goals, we will write down the name, name variations, and vital information about the person we are seeking. Name: Willard, Charles Morse. Variations: Williard, Charles M.; Willard, Chas; Willard, C.M. Vital Information: date of birth: ca. 1810; place of birth: Keene, New Hampshire; date of marriage: ca. 1835; place of marriage: unknown; date of death: 22 October 1871; place of death: Turner, Androscoggin, Maine.

Step 2: Develop a Search Strategy
The problem with locating genealogical data on the Internet is deciding where to begin. In a sense, there are two "Internets" we can use to start our quest. The first Internet, which we consider the "civilized" Internet, consists of sites that have placed genealogical data online for users to search for specific names. These sites are referred to as premium sites because they charge fees for some of the services they provide. These sites often provide a free period so the user can explore the information and decide if he or she wants to pay the fee to use the data and services. Also, there is often excellent material available on these sites that is free of charge.

The other Internet, which we consider the "wilderness," consists of data that has been placed on the Internet primarily by individuals who have made their research available on a personal Web page.

We recommend that your search strategy start with the civilized Internet and then move to the wilderness. In our example of Charles Morse Willard, we will visit three civilized sites and then turn our attention to three search engines to help us prowl through the wilderness. Our goal is to test each of these sources for information on Charles Morse Willard.

Before we discuss the results of our search, it is important to make a few observations about name searching on Web sites.

1. When searching the civilized Web sites, use the full name including the middle name, if known. Some sites allow a field for the middle name. If no separate field is provided, make a space after the first name and type in the middle name even if there doesn’t appear to be enough space.

2. If you are given the opportunity to request a Soundex search, take advantage of it. (Soundex searches for the exact spelling of the name and spelling variations.) This is especially true of those family names that have spelling variations.

3. If space is provided, enter as much information as possible. Some of these dedicated Web sites allow you to specify a state, a date range, and even the parents of your key person. The more specific the search criteria, the greater the chance for success.

4. Remember to return to these sites frequently as more data is constantly added.

5. Keep a research log noting the date of your search, the exact name spellings you researched, and any results you find.

Civilized Research
Armed with these suggestions, we will now turn our attention to three civilized sites–Ancestry.com, Genealogy.com, and FamilySearch.org.

Ancestry.com. At <www.ancestry. com>, we decided to enter only Charles and Willard even though we could have entered the middle name. We were curious to see how the results would differ from our next search using the middle name. The search results for Charles Willard yielded 1,954 hits, which were spread among categories, such as Featured Databases, Census Records, Vital & Church Records, Compiled Genealogy, etc. Since these hits could take considerable time to investigate, we decided to restart our search using the middle name. The search for Charles Morse Willard yielded two hits, both in the category "Biography and History."

We checked these sources and found them to be references to two separate entries from the Daughters of the American Revolution Lineage Books. A click of the mouse brought the text from the first reference on the screen and we found the information that had taken us months to locate back in 1967. We learned the names of Charles Morse’ parents and the dates they lived, along with other clues. The DAR Lineage Books are secondary sources, so we still needed independent proof such as birth or marriage certificates. We located these valuable leads in a matter of minutes.

Genealogy.com. At <www.genealogy.com>, we entered Charles Morse Willard since there was a separate field for the middle name. Unfortunately, the search seemed to ignore the middle name, but the results were impressive. We found 941 references for Charles Willard. As with Ancestry.com, these results were spread among various categories such as Genealogy Library, Family Archives, Family Home Pages, etc.

Familysearch.org. At <www.familysearch.org>, we entered Charles Willard. We had the option of entering parent’s names but since we didn’t know this information in 1967, we left that field empty. We also could have entered place information. The results showed 137 matches, which are taken from the online version of the International Genealogical Index (IGI), the Ancestral File, Pedigree Resource File, and other sources of family data. Further investigation of these hits showed that none of the matches were for the Charles Willard we were seeking.

Wilderness Research
We then turned our attention to the "wilderness" Internet. There is no shortage of search engines, so we encourage you to utilize your favorite search engine. We used three search engines here that work well for us. Before testing these three, however, we have some general recommendations on name searching to make.

1. Conduct different searches for each possible name variation. For example, a search for Chas Willard will return different results from a search for Charles Willard. Even the initials C.M. Willard would merit a search.

2. Enclose the name you are searching in quotation marks. If you enter only Charles Willard, for example, some search engines will look for occurrences of the word Charles and the word Willard on the same Web page–not necessarily together. Putting the key words in quotes instructs the search engine to locate the words together on a particular Web page. Thus, "Charles Willard" should yield more accurate results than Charles Willard.

3. Conduct a search with the key words in reverse order. For example, try "Willard, Charles" as well as "Charles Willard." In some genealogical references, names are written in reverse order.

4. Try the same search string on more than one search engine. While there is some overlap of the pages and sites searched, there is enough of a difference to justify using different search engines.

Listed below are the overall results of our search through the "wilderness" Internet. On the left are the three search engines we chose to use and on the right are the number of hits or potential name matches each search engine found.

As you can see, the results when not using quotes are unmanageable. Using quotation marks helps reduce the number of hits.

Step 3: Investigate Every Lead
Needless to say, investigating your leads is the time-consuming part of Internet research. However, all it takes is one success and the time spent is worthwhile.

One of the real potential benefits of genealogical research on the Internet is that your search might lead to someone who has done considerable research on your particular family. It is entirely possible that this individual has made his or her research available in the form of a GEDCOM file, which you could download to your computer and merge into your database. Remember to check the new file carefully before merging. First, you do not need all the information the other person entered. Second, check for sources. Do not blindly accept an undocumented GEDCOM file. Incorrect or unsupported research can cause you a great deal of frustration and easily lead to erroneous conclusions.

Step 4: Record Your Information
Keep your pedigree charts and family group sheets handy. As you discover potential information, enter it in pencil into the appropriate place. Do not write information in pen until you have verified the data. If you are using a software program to store your research, copy and paste the data from a Web site into a genealogy software program. This can be useful if you discover text on the Internet that relates to your ancestor.

Step 5: Document Your Sources
Research on the Internet requires the same source documentation as any other research. Keep an accurate research log and record the source data meticulously. Remember, someday someone is certain to ask you where found your information.

Step 6: Verify Your Information
Take the time to independently verify any information you discover on the Internet. One of the real concerns is that researchers accept data they find on the Internet and make it part of their own project without verifying it. This is the type of error that seems to compound itself as it gets passed on from one person to another. Finding supporting proof and recording that proof goes a long way toward solving this problem.

Yes, the Internet has changed the face of genealogy forever. But we must remember that it is just one more tool we have at our disposal. As with the other tools we use, we must learn to use it wisely and responsibly.

   Terry and Jim Willard hosted the ten-part PBS series "Ancestors." They have researched their genealogy fifteen generations back on both sides.

Please go on Step 18:  Adding Life to Your Family History or click here

One of the most pleasant family history events we have attended was a fair held on a beautiful fall day in October 1976. That year followed the release of Roots and the resulting phenomena that stimulated a surge of interest in family history research. It was also the year of the United States bicentennial celebration. It seemed that every community was hosting or celebrating some type of historically related event.

This particular fair was held in a small Maine town. The participants had been encouraged to display projects that tied their family’s history to the town’s history. It was not a genealogical conference. There were no speakers discussing research strategies or touting the virtues of a particular library. It was simply an opportunity for members of the community to present a bit of handiwork that they had labored on during the previous months.

As relative newcomers to the hobby of genealogy at the time, we were amazed at the array of projects on display. Our eyes were opened to the creative projects that could make a family history come alive. Never again would we view our hobby as simply an intellectual exercise, the results of which would only appeal to a few academicians.

We strolled through the church grounds viewing family history projects that add life to the hobby. Most of all, we recall the spirit of sharing that permeated the air.

It is only natural that family historians should want to share their hobby with others. It is this sharing that sets family history research apart from so many other hobbies. In fact, family history research not shared with others is almost an exercise in futility. What would be its purpose?

In this concluding article of the Family History Made Easy series, we want to present some methods for research sharing. Most of these suggestions come from the family history fair we attended so many years ago. These are projects that can excite the senses, stir the curiosity of individuals not yet interested in family history, and really put "family" into a family history.

Family Quilts
Of all the projects on display at the fair, none were more compelling than a collection of quilts displayed by a ninety-year-old town resident. She had sewn a quilt for each of her seven children, and central panels on each quilt had information about the child’s date and place of birth. Other panels named the mother, father, and grandparents. Her work was a very original way to display family history information. Since that day, we have seen other quilts that contain family data.

Family Photos and Art
The most common displays at the fair were those involving pictures. Organizing pictures will always be a noteworthy family history project. Even if the project is no more than identifying the people and places in the photos, that alone is sufficient.

Among other identification projects we have seen in the past few years, the most interesting has been a collection of pen and ink sketches done by Raphael Guber, a family historian we interviewed for the original Ancestors series on PBS. He stated in the interview that he "wanted to give life to the people and places that had given life to him." He had taken old photographs of people or places and turned them into works of art. His montages are a beautiful way to display pictures that have so much meaning to his family, and to others.

Similarly, one individual at the fair was a gifted artist. She had taken memories from her childhood that revolved around family activities and painted them. Her style was similar to that of Grandma Moses, and the paintings brought back comparable memories for the viewers.

Family Area
Another unique idea is to create a place in your home dedicated to family memorabilia. One relatively new home on the main street in which the fair took place was open to the public. The couple who had built the home had taken an old jewelry store display case and turned it into a family memento case. They were fortunate to have several items that belonged to their ancestors, such as hairbrushes, pocket watches, diaries, and china, and each piece was identified and described on a 3 x 5 card. While the display could easily have resembled something from a museum, it fit perfectly below the old family photos hanging on the wall.

Family Cookbooks
Another interesting project we have encountered is the family cookbook. Most of these projects have been ethnic in nature, as well as family oriented, but they all have one thing in common: they feature recipes from family members. We have seen family cookbooks prepared exclusively as holiday gifts for family members. Regardless of their purpose, cookbooks are a lasting tribute to relatives or ancestors, and will always provide an interesting glimpse into the lives (and tastes) of the people in the family.

Family Traditions
Two of the easiest projects a family historian can initiate are to pass on family traditions or to create new ones that will be enjoyed by future generations. Some of our most memorable times stem from occasions when the entire family is participating in a family tradition. Whether it is eating a particular food on a holiday or going to a family picnic, traditions should be created and passed on. It is also a good idea to write down a paragraph or two about the tradition’s origin.

Cemeteries
Another project on display at the family history fair was a cemetery map. The individual had highlighted each cemetery on a town map, which served as the cover. Then each cemetery was depicted on its own page with the grave sites he had located. The individual had located the grave sites of all of his ancestors and relatives who had been buried in the community cemeteries. He had numbered every known grave site and had highlighted those of his family. It was a well-done project that provided a great deal of useful information.

Interviews
Other common projects on display at the fair were taped interviews. It was amazing how many people had interviewed their oldest living relatives. These were done on audiotape, as it was the best technology available at the time. Even so, a taped interview makes an excellent future reference. Imagine someone in 2142 being able to listen to a recording of one of his or her ancestors eight generations previous. Today, our technology is vastly improved. Videotapes and/or multi-media presentations will only make the content that much more interesting for future generations.

Family Trip
Among our most memorable genealogical experiences are the various trips we have taken to sites that relate to our family history. Our research has taken us to two continents, five countries, and nine states. It has certainly been a lesson in geography and history quite unlike any we could ever receive in the classroom. Few experiences in family history can match the thrill of walking the soil of your ancestral homeland.

Family Reunion
One of the most obvious family history projects is to organize a family reunion. As a researcher, you have spent countless hours learning about your relatives, so getting those people together so that they can get to know each other would be worthwhile. It might even become a family tradition to meet on a regular basis and renew family ties. An excellent resource for planning a family reunion is the recent book Your Family Reunion: How to Plan It, Organize It, and Enjoy It by George G. Morgan (Ancestry, 2001).

Family Association
A relatively easy project would be to join a family association. Most public libraries have a book in their reference section listing known family associations. Ask your librarian for help in locating such a resource. If there is no association, there might be enough interest at a family reunion to form one. There are many useful publications available to assist in such an undertaking.

Family Web Site
Today, few venues offer the same potential to the family historian as the Internet. It has truly opened the doors to easily share and gather data. Whether it is a single-page Web site used for posting family announcements, a shared commercial Web site where pictures can be displayed, or a personal Web site where you can put your entire research project online, consider creating a Web site to display your family history.

Family History Book
And then, of course, there is the family genealogy in the traditional published form. There will always be a place for published genealogical work. For researchers using commercial genealogy software to organize their research, one of the program’s features is probably the ability to print out some format suitable for publishing. Whatever the choice, it makes for a worthwhile project.

While the suggestions listed above might provide some ideas, they are by no means the only projects you could choose to get involved with. The important thing is to create something from all the research you have accumulated.

Family history research is not like other hobbies. It has the power to bring people together from across continents, across state lines, across the street, even across generations. The key to this "reunion" is to create some type of project and then get it out there for others to see. You never know what will happen.

                  Terry and Jim Willard hosted the ten-part PBS series "Ancestors." They have researched their genealogy fifteen generations back on both sides.