BEGINNING GENEALOGY Tips for finding your family roots online and through other sources
By Monique Harrison Henderson Contributing Writer
When initially searching for relatives , researchers typically find themselves doing a lot of puzzling , exploring a variety of pathways and possibilities .
Sometimes , researchers examine one family branch , only to realize they have been operating from flawed information . A maiden name could be wrong , or a family was rumored to have relocated to one area , when they really moved somewhere entirely different . Divorces and adoptions and severed family relationships can all add to the confusion .
But despite potential confusion and false leads , one thing is certain : today ’ s ancestry researchers have a variety of powerful tools at their disposal – including long-established resources like obituaries and census records , and newer tools that use DNA technology to connect users to both close and distant relatives .
Here are some suggestions :
POWERFUL ONLINE TOOLS
The work of ancestry researchers also has been simplified dramatically by the creation and increased popularity of DNA-focused web sites like Ancestry . com and 23AndMe . The 23AndMe site is especially popular for people who want to know more about potential medical risks associated with their DNA .
Ancestry . com is the larger site , making it more likely to be helpful for people who are primarily searching for their relatives . The site currently has about 15 million users around the world – and the high number of users makes it likely that almost anyone who submits DNA will find at least distant relatives .
For both sites , users can choose to spit into a plastic vial and then ship off their sample . DNA is then extracted , examined , and posted on the web site . When users get their results , they can learn their ethnicity estimates . Others who have chosen to make their DNA public can show up as possible relatives . Almost everyone who joins one of the sites is at least connected with distant cousins , including some who may make their profile photos , family trees and other information available . Some people join and quickly find that another family member has already done extensive research , creating a detailed family tree they can add to .
Dawn Wright , who teaches an ancestry class for the community through Meridian Community College , said the internet , particularly popular DNA sites , have been a “ game changer ” for people interested in finding relatives and piecing together their family trees .
“ Information that used to take years and years to track down can now be available by accessing a web site just one time ,” she said . “ It ’ s really amazing – especially for people who have been adopted or have family that they don ’ t know anything about .”
Wright said most of her students come to genealogy looking for information on their own identity .
“ People come to the class and they have an almost nostalgic look in their eye ,” Wright said . “ And they tell me , ‘ I want to know more about my family – about where I come from .’ That ’ s very exciting and important to me . I believe that people absolutely benefit from knowing and understanding where they come from – where they and their people have been .”
Wright has been involved in genealogy for more than 20 years and describes herself as “ almost addicted ” to the research – both when tracking down information on her family and when trying to help others .
“ It ’ s a very intriguing puzzle , and you just have to keep working on it and documenting what you learn ,” she said , adding that when she retires she expects genealogy to become an almost-full-time pursuit for her .
LIBRARY RESOURCES
While online tools are certainly valuable , many local people also jumpstart their ancestry research by visiting the Meridian-Lauderdale County Public Library . Lawson Smith , who mans the reference desk at the library , said many patrons are drawn to the library specifically for the genealogy resources .
Smith said that U . S . Census records can be especially valuable . The federal records can help provide information including age , who lived in the household and their names , occupation , and even where their children or parents were born . Some records also show the education level of people .
“ You can go from not knowing much at all to finding out that your great-grandparents were farmers with several children ,” Smith said . “ You can begin to put together a clearer idea of your family , their work , where they lived and who they lived with .”
Smith said another valuable tool is old obituaries . Someone can find a single obituary and , through the list of survivors , quickly identify other family members , where they live , and how they are all connected .
“ An obituary can be a very exciting find ,” Smith explained .
Old newspapers and obituaries also can provide photos of family members .
Smith himself has found photos going back several generations , which he has excitedly shared with other family members .
“ For me , part of my joy has been sharing what I ’ ve learned with others ,” he said . “ Relatives , including some of our older relatives , are happy to hear about new information .” T www . meridianstar . com
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