6. There are lots of sources that can be used to trace a family. When you are just starting out, you probably have a lot sitting around the house in old boxes. Copies of wills, obituaries or funeral cards, those old pictures (hopefully written on the back), newspaper clippings, or letters your parents received from their family years ago. And those are just what you find around the house. We'll discuss more sources in a future post. Now it’s time to get serious….
7. Time for a history lesson from the "old pro" here before your first trip to the library or pay site. Every ten years, starting in 1790, the United States has taken a census and tried to count every person living in the country. These census’ are broken down into states and the counties in each state and then cities, etc. The only time period not available is 1890, which was destroyed (long story) and any after 1930 (census records are kept private for 72 years, 1940 will be available in 2012). But this is a great tool to help you go back in your family’s history in 10-year-increments. Most libraries have at least some, if not all, of the census’ available in their local history/genealogy department and will be glad to show you how to find it. It’s really exciting to find your family for the first time!
Side note here: When I first started out as a Family Tree Hunter, I didn't know what the census was and didn't want to seem ignorant so I just didn't use it. Well, I felt more stupid when I realized what I had been missing! Of course, back then it was (and still probably is) all on microfilm at the library and now can be accessed online if you want to pay for it. But before going to that expense, write and ask me how to find free census records or watch for future postings about "Genealogy on a Dime".
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