Home Sources

By Karen Coombs

Home is where the heart is—especially in successful genealogical pursuits. What is a home source? Diaries, yearbooks, passports, photographs, letters, family Bible and more are still among the best first places to explore for genealogical information and unique sources of data.

You’ve probably read the advice dozens of times, start with the “home sources”. But what does that really mean? It’s simple: After writing down what you know about your family history from your own personal knowledge, the next step is to look for things around your home that may fill in some blanks on your charts. Remember: the rule of genealogical research is to start with yourself (the known) and work backward in time to your parents, grandparents and so on (the unknown).

Genealogists should look upon the home setting much like a crime scene investigation—carefully and methodically. Look for the following:

· birth certificates and baby books

· baptism and confirmation certificates

· marriage certificates and wedding albums

· death records, prayer or funeral cards

· school report cards and yearbooks

· scrapbooks

· house deeds and photographs

· military discharge documents and medals of honor

· family Bible

· letters, postcards and telegrams

· diaries and journals

· wills and estate papers

· medical records

· newspaper clippings

· recipe books

· photographs

Hunt for artifacts and heirlooms that may give you genealogical clues or tell you about a person’s life. Some of these are needlework, quilts, china, weapons, clothing, books, etc. Thoroughly examine everything you find for genealogical information or clues.

Although you know your own birth date, can you prove it? Sure you were there but you have to depend on others for the details. Look for your own birth certificate, and then study it. Many people have been surprised to find that they were recorded with no name other than “baby” or accidentally listed as the wrong gender. Do the date and place match what you’ve recorded on your chart? Does the certificate give your mother’s maiden name or your father’s occupation? Cite your birth record as your source of information for your birth date and place, and the name of your parents. If you see discrepancies, note this in your notes.

A good genealogist should interview every family member they can identify. Anyone older than you are is ideal but remember cousins, nephews and nieces can have valuable information. The information you glean from family members may not be totally accurate. There will always be clues to lead you in your search. Interviewing family members requires proper preparation to net beneficial results. To ask, “Tell me everything you know about Grandpa” will only get mediocre results.

Ask open ended questions that can not be answered with a “yes or no”. Ask specific questions about each segment of an ancestor’s life. Good questions can be found at:

http://www.rootsweb.com/~flgso/intvwqus.htm

Take photos, letters and other memorabilia to the interview. These items may bring back memories. Collections of old letters can provide names and locations for further investigation. Old photos with or without names can also provide clues. A photo that only identifies a time and a place can still provide clues.

A box of old newspaper clippings is a treasure trove of information. Even if the individuals in the clipping aren’t known, note the geographical areas, organizations or special groups.

How is your memory? Take this mental test (1) mentally place your children and grandchildren on a family group sheet. Mentally add dates and places. (2) Mentally place your brothers and sisters on a family group sheet. Mentally add as many dates and places as possible. (3) Now do the same with your aunts and uncles.

Evaluate where your memory started to fail you. The results will be pretty standard for all of us. All information gleaned from memory—oral history or diary—should be evaluated with the following questions.

1. Was the remembrance about something recent, or was the record made while the memory was fresh?

2. Was the informant present at the event, or did he or she know of it firsthand?

3. If the information came to the informant from someone else, was it about the informant or an immediate relative, such as a parent, sibling, or child?

4. Was the information remembered from the informant’s childhood?

After the possibility of bias is removed we can see two general principles at work:

1. The more promptly a memory is recalled and recorded, and the more closely it affects the informant or an immediate family member, the more likely that it is reliable.

2. Information about us and close relatives remembered from childhood may not be recent memories, but it is less likely to be lost.

All information coming from memory should be checked against original records. Memories provide valuable clues you may not get any place else.

Don’t put the interviews of older member of the family off until it is too late. Challenge yourself to accomplish one after attending this lesson.