More Books
Tracing Ancestors among the Five Civilized Tribes by Call Number: 929.1 LEN N.CISBN: 9780806316888Publication Date: 2005-01-01
A Genealogist's Guide to Discovering Your African-American Ancestors by Call Number: 929.1 SMIISBN: 9780806317885Publication Date: 2008-09-01
The Latino Guide to Creating Family Histories by Call Number: 929.1 NAVISBN: 9781889379494Publication Date: 2012-02-01
The Family Tree Historical Maps Book by Call Number: 912.73 DOLISBN: 9781440336782Publication Date: 2014-07-14
Do People Grow on Family Trees? by Call Number: j929.1 WOLISBN: 0894803484Publication Date: 1991-01-06
Genealogy and Family History: Check It Out!
Getting Started with Genealogy
What you will need:
- a pencil with an eraser
- a notebook -- looseleaf, so you can rearrange pages
- tape for copies of old photos
- Family Tree chart (below) -- punch holes and keep in notebook
- Family Tree (Ancestral) Chart [pdf]
This printable 4-generation chart is useful for starting your family tree. [ancestry.com]
On the family tree chart, fill in all the information you already know. (Use pencil!)
Next, talk to your parents, your grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins:
- Write in full names, dates and places of birth and death for every ancestor they know on the family tree chart.
- In your notebook, write down the stories they tell you about your ancestors. Give each ancestor their own page.
- Ask to see old photos, and ask if you can make copies to put on your ancestors' pages.
- You may need to print out more family tree charts to record great-grandparents' ancestors
Some other sources:
- Family Bibles -- Many of these show when children were born, married, and died.
- Scrapbooks -- all kinds of family stories may be kept in one.
- Newspapers -- Looking for a story or photo? Microfilm of old Gaston Gazettes are available at Main Library.
- U.S. Census -- online from 1790 through 1950. (HeritageQuest or FamilySearch -- see Websites below)
Reference Books
For Last Names research, the library has some resources in the Reference section:
Dictionary of American Family Names by Call Number: R929.4 DIC (3 volumes)ISBN: 0195081374Publication Date: 2003-05-08Ready Reference; ask at the Reference Desk; non-circulating.
Websites
- HeritageQuest (NC Live)
Requires a library card number to access from home.
Search the U.S. Censuses from 1790 to 1940, Maps, City Directories, and more. Email your findings to yourself!
Start at http://gastonlibrary.org/ → Online databases → NC Live → Browse All → H → HeritageQuest - Family Search
There is also a Family History Center located at 2710 Redbud Drive, Gastonia. - Ancestry.com -- Library Edition
Available free to use in the Library only. Ask at the Reference Desk to get started. - MapsA research guide for all kinds of maps that can help you place your ancestors in their time!
More Research Guides
- African American Genealogical ResearchWhen researching an African American family, start by using the same sources as any other search. This guide focuses on additional resources of special interest for African American families.
Primary Sources
As your family's historian, you will spend most of your time tracking down the records produced by and about your ancestors during their lives. Called "primary sources", these documents include birth & death certificates, family bibles, military records, and more. The following resources can help you locate these records:
- 629.3 KEM NCC. International Vital Records Handbook (6th Ed.).
- FamilySearch Research Wiki offers information on how to find, use, and analyze records of genealogical value.
Go to: https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Main_Page - See our other genealogy research guides for more details on specific types of records.
Go to: http://gastonlibrary.org/index.cfm/research/genealogy-local-history/
Where to Write for Vital Records
- Visit the CDC's Where to Write for Vital Records page to find out how to obtain vital records for a state.
Go to: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w.htm
Citation
Author: Gaston County Public Library
Title: A Young Person's Guide to Genealogy
URL: https://gastonlibrary.libguides.com/homework-topics/young-persons-guide-to-genealogy
Revised: 5 April 2022