| Are you interested in your roots?
Would you like to know more about your family history?
Here are a few ideas to help you get started. |
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| 1. |
Start with what you know.
Write it down. If
you are using a computer you can download a simple to use, very
efficient genealogy program, Personal Ancestral File, from
familysearch.org and it is free.
This program will help you organize all your info.
It has been used by many people for years with great
success. There are
many programs available for sale, but you may want to ask lots
of questions before you spend money to buy any. |
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| 2. |
What is my mother's name and when and where was
she born? What is
my father's name and when and where was he born?
When were they married and where?
It is amazing how many of us find even the simplest
questions hard to answer. |
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| 3. |
Next you will need info on your grandparents.
The same types of questions need to be answered.
Remember to check family records and Bibles and ask your
relatives lots of questions.
Family photos are always great and hopefully someone has
written on the back of the photos.
These are priceless heirlooms.
Be sure to treasure them!
Now your family tree will begin to grow. |
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|
| 4. |
There are lots of sources to help you with all
your answers. The
South Shore Genealogy Society has many church records that are
good sources of births, marriages and deaths.
There are census records for 1871, 1881, 1891, 1901 and
1911 for Lunenburg County and some other counties.
Census records state who was living in the house and what
their birth dates were. Of course, there may be discrepancies from one record to
another – even ministers and census takers were human. The Bridgewater Bulletin and Lunenburg Progress are available
on microfilm for your interest.
Obituaries and community news are often a great source of
information. |
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|
| 5. |
NSARM (Nova
Scotia Archives and Records Management) in Halifax is the main
source for records in Nova Scotia.
There you can also find the Halifax Chronicle Herald on
microfilm. |
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|
| 6. |
Often extra information can be found in wills and
deeds. Where did my
ancestors live and what property did they own?
Lunenburg County wills and deeds are housed at The
Registry of Deeds, 270 Logan Road, Bridgewater, Nova Scotia.
There is a small fee but it may be worthwhile if you are
looking for something in particular. |
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| 7. |
There are many ways of finding info from online
sources. |
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| 8. |
One word of warning – although the internet has
become an invaluable source for genealogists, you must make sure
that the info presented is reliable.
Always be sure to check for the accuracy of information
from other people. Be
sure that you check with primary sources such as church records
and birth, marriage and death certificates. |
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| 9. |
Don't be upset with variations in records.
Just record which record gives which bit of info.
Be sure to record the source of your record.
Don't rely on your memory to record the source.
If you are using a computer to store your records, be
sure to BACK UP YOUR FILE.
This is VERY IMPORTANT |
| . |
|
| Genealogy has become a great hobby for lots of
people. The more
you know, the more you want to know.
It is always a work in progress. |
| . |
|
| Happy rooting |
| Lana Veinotte |
| (Learning Centre Co-ordinator) |
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Return to
Learning Centre |
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