BEGIN YOUR FAMILY SEARCH

New to genealogy?
Secrets of Tracing Your Ancestors is a great book to start off with. It helps you learn the basic mechanics, skills, and tactics required to be a successful genealogist. Quillen guides you through pretty much every scenario you'll encounter as a beginner, with lots of personal anecdotes and tried-and-true resources to help you along your quest.

Been doing genealogy awhile and you're hitting brick walls?
Pick up The Troubleshooter's Guide to Do-It-Yourself Genealogy. Quillen provides helpful hints in breaking through those brick walls. At the same time, he provides guidance for those who have been doing research for awhile and are looking to go to the next level of research.

Want tips for getting the most out of online genealogy?
Then you'll want to pick up the first in our Quillen's Essentials of Genealogy series: Mastering Online Genealogy. In this book, Quillen helps you navigate the ins and outs of computer software and the many excellent websites on the Internet that will help you trace your ancestors.

How about more in-depth research?
Essentinals of Genealogy is Dan Quillen's series of books (see "Our Genealogy Books" page beginning with Mastering Online Genealogy) for those of you delving into census and military records; immigration and naturalization records; tracing your European roots; tracing your Irish & British roots; and how to utilize family, library and church records. You'll learn necessary information for accessing these records, where to find them, what to search for, how to avoid pitfalls, and much more!



Still need help getting started?

Then submit your name in the box below and ask us to send you our free e-pamphlet so you can get started on the exciting search for your family tree!





Getting Started Checklist - for Essential Genealogy's initial checklist to begin your family search.

GETTING STARTED CHECKLIST 

___ What do you already know? Write it down!

 ___ Gather all the materials you already have – birth, marriage and death certificates, miscellaneous memorabilia, etc.

 ___ Identify relatives that might know genealogical information about the family. 

___ Arrange to interview family members who may be able to share information about the family. ___ Be prepared during interviews: audio or video recorder, paper, pencil, etc. 

___ Keep good notes of all research you do, including date, source, place of research, etc.

 ___ Get copies of government documents, photos, etc.

Getting Organized Checklist - for Essential Genealogy's getting started checklist to begin your family search.

GETTING ORGANIZED CHECKLIST

 ___ Gather together all the information you have found – certificates, photos, etc .

 ___ Decide on an organizational methodology (file cabinet, binders, etc.) 

___ Procure materials that will support your method of organization. 

___ As you gather information, write it down and then file it!

 ___ Familiarize yourself with forms that may assist you in organizing the genealogical information you collect.

 ___ Select the appropriate forms you need to match the information you have.



What's in a Name Checklist - for Essential Genealogy's tips on names checklist to begin your family search.

WHAT’S IN A NAME? CHECKLIST

 ___ Write down all the possible spellings you can think of for the surname you are researching. 

___ Don’t ignore surnames that are similar to but spelled differently than the one you are researching. ___ Look for clues in your name that might indicate where an ancestor was born, or might indicate a possible occupational clue. 

___ Watch for patronymics and learn how to use them to help you in your ancestral search. 

___ If you come across a name that is spelled differently than how you think it should be spelled, write it down exactly as it appears in the research record. 

___ Because a name sounds strange or odd to your 21st-century ears, that doesn’t mean it wasn’t very common in the era or area where you are researching. 

___ Watch for middle names that might give a clue to a mother’s maiden name.