Tracing Your Family Tree in 2009

New Haven (WTNH) - Dan Lynch, genealogist and author of the book "Google Your Family Tree," joined us this morning with some tips on how you can use resources like Google to research your family history.

The following information was written by Dan Lynch:

With the upcoming Easter and Passover holidays approaching, now is the perfect time to begin – or to continue working on your family tree.  It doesn’t matter which branch your leaf hangs on, we all comprise just one small part of an overall picture for our extended family tree.  By starting the process of recording what you know, then exchanging this information with others in your family, you will preserve the traditions of your heritage for generations to follow.

For those living in Connecticut or others outside the region with ties to the Nutmeg State, you’ll be pleased to know that Connecticut has some of the best genealogical resources available anywhere in the United States.  Our unique history of diversity greatly increases your chances of connecting with others who share common ties.  Let’s get started!

Getting Started
Getting started is easy, just be sure you have a few sheets of paper or a notebook, as well as a pencil or pen (pencil with eraser may be more useful).  A few folders may also come in handy, but we’ll get to that later.  Start with a clean sheet of paper and write your name on top, but be sure to write your full name as it was given to you at birth.  If you have nick names and other names, you can also list those beneath your birth name.  You can also use a special form called a pedigree chart that can help you organize this information visually.

In general, you will always be trying to answer three questions for each person – Who, When, and Where?  This shouldn’t be too difficult for yourself, but it will get more challenging as you step back through time.  After you have recorded your name, list your date and place of birth.  When recording a place name, be as precise as possible.  Don’t simply write “St. Mary’s Hospital” – but instead write “St. Mary’s Hospital, Waterbury (New Haven County) Connecticut.”  If you are uncertain about a fact you are recording, place a question mark along side (?) so you will know to check back and verify this at some future point.

When recording dates, be as precise as possible – if you know an exact date, list it as 20 Jan 1930, for example.  If you are unsure of an exact date, simply note “About 1930” or “After 1930” or “Before 1930,” for example.  This will come in handy later as you begin your research in available sources, both online and offline.

Once you have recorded basic information about your own birth and, if applicable, marriage, you will step back one generation and complete this same task for you parents.  If possible, also record the names and birth order for any brothers and sisters of your parents – your uncles and aunts.  You may find yourself reaching for the telephone to record some of these details – there’s certainly nothing wrong with that.  After you have recorded all you can for your parents, step back one more generation and try to document these same facts for your grandparents.  This is where many people begin to experience their first “brick wall.”  It is quite common for a grandmother’s maiden name to be a challenge for those just starting out.  Even more so for maiden names of great grandparents.  If you are using a pedigree chart to record your information, it will hold basic information for four generations and fifteen people.  It is rare that someone just starting out will be able to complete a four-generation chart – including information on all eight great grandparents – without some assistance from others or a little research.  Genealogy isn’t just about collecting names and dates, but rather is learning a little about your family and yourself during the process.  Enjoy where the journey takes you.

Using Google and the Internet
The Internet has helped family historians in more ways that can possibly be shared in this article.  By providing round-the-clock access to archives throughout the world, the Internet has delivered on the promise of “information at your fingertips.”

In just ten years, Google has grown to dominate the Internet landscape by providing dozens of innovative and powerful tools to connect us with information online.  And most of these services are available free of charge!

Google now processes more than 60% of all online queries in the United States and has services available in more than 160 countries throughout the world.  It even offers foreign language translation features so you can read pages in English that may have originally been published in Italian, French, Hebrew, Russian or dozens of other languages.  This is especially useful for those of us conducting family history research.

To explore a range of tips and techniques about using Google for family history research, you can visit www.GoogleYourFamilyTree.com – the Web site for a book published in October 2008 by FamilyLink.com, Inc. and written by Connecticut native Dan Lynch.  Google Your Family Tree details more than one hundred tips, techniques, and commands for using Google as a tool for genealogy research.  The book also includes a 20-page appendix with step-by-step details for those just beginning to trace their family tree.

Additional Resources
With your newfound skills at using Google, you should have no problem using the Internet to location information for any of the hundreds of great genealogy and local history resources throughout the state.  Following are just a few highlights you may find especially useful:

Connecticut State Library – The Connecticut State Library is located in downtown Hartford and has an excellent History and Genealogy Unit.  The building at 231 Capitol Avenue is also home to the Museum of Connecticut History.  If you have never been to this library, it is well worth a day-trip, but call ahead just to verify hours (860-757-6580) and the latest tips on parking.

Connecticut Society of Genealogists – Founded in 1968, this nonprofit organization based in East Hartford is the largest genealogy society in the state with nearly 4,000 members.  They host a variety of seminars and workshops throughout the year and maintain a genealogy library open to the public.  For more information, visit www.ctfamilyhistory.com.

iConn.org – A service of the Connecticut State Library in partnership with the Department of Higher Education, this Web site puts many useful sources at your fingertips, any time day or night!  If you don’t have a current library card, you now have a reason to visit your local library and get one!   After signing in, be sure to visit the link to HeritageQuest, a collection of resources for genealogists including U.S. Federal Census images and indexes from 1790 to 1930, published family and local histories, and other useful content.  Visit www.iconn.org.

New England Regional Genealogical Conference – In 2007, this conference drew more than one thousand attendees to the new Convention Center in Hartford.  Held every other year in different locations throughout New England, this year’s event is scheduled for April 22 – 26 in Manchester, New Hampshire.  Presentation topics will cover Internet research techniques, preservation of family photos, advances in DNA research, and dozens of other topics.  Dan Lynch will be on hand to present a “Getting Started with Family History” workshop, as well as a presentation about “Google Your Family Tree,” and he will also be on hand for several book signings.  For more information on the conference later this month, visit their website at www.nergc.org.

Enjoy Your Journey
As you embark on your journey of discovery, remember the trip itself is just as important as the destination.  While there are guidelines and recommendations for how to approach your research, it’s fine to learn as you go.  The important thing is that you get started.