Genealogy Research
Where to Begin
Organize:
1. Start with Yourself:
Start with yourself, the known, and work toward the unknown. Find out all the vital information you can about your parents and write it down. Then find out about your grandparents, great-grandparents, etc.
2. Names, Dates, Places, Relationships:
Gather all the names, event dates and places that you can. Use a lineage chart and family group sheets (use 1 sheet for each marriage) to help organize the information. People can be identified in records by their names, the dates of events in their lives (birth, marriage, death), the places they lived, and by relationships to others either stated or inferred in the records.
3. Home Sources:
The place to begin is at home. Here you can find much information in family Bibles, newspaper clippings, military certificates, birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, diaries, letters, scrapbooks, backs of pictures, baby books, etc.
4. Relatives as Sources:
Visit, call, or write those in your family who may have information, particularly older relatives. Often others before you have gathered data about the families in which you are interested. Take along pictures or something else to share with them to jog their memory. Visit more than once. Memories will prompt other recollections. You may also give a lonesome person pleasure by your interest.
1. Start with Yourself:
Start with yourself, the known, and work toward the unknown. Find out all the vital information you can about your parents and write it down. Then find out about your grandparents, great-grandparents, etc.
2. Names, Dates, Places, Relationships:
Gather all the names, event dates and places that you can. Use a lineage chart and family group sheets (use 1 sheet for each marriage) to help organize the information. People can be identified in records by their names, the dates of events in their lives (birth, marriage, death), the places they lived, and by relationships to others either stated or inferred in the records.
3. Home Sources:
The place to begin is at home. Here you can find much information in family Bibles, newspaper clippings, military certificates, birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, diaries, letters, scrapbooks, backs of pictures, baby books, etc.
4. Relatives as Sources:
Visit, call, or write those in your family who may have information, particularly older relatives. Often others before you have gathered data about the families in which you are interested. Take along pictures or something else to share with them to jog their memory. Visit more than once. Memories will prompt other recollections. You may also give a lonesome person pleasure by your interest.
Resources:
A free database of information on 11 million immigrants from 1820 - 1892, the year Ellis Island opened.
U.S newspaper database and select digitization of historic pages.
A free genealogy research site meant to be a starting point.
Free access to 25 million immigrant arrival records in the Ellis Island Archives, 1892 - 1954.
The largest genealogy organization in the world for free.
Find the graves of your ancestors.
A free website that provides Internet websites for genealogical research in every county in the United States, including Hardin County.
The Library includes an extensive collection of books, microfilms, and periodicals in addition to Iowa materials. Available to the public for a fee. Also, includes links to many different websites for genealogical help.
Free resources for genealogy and family history.
Access to census, military, immigration, naturalization, and land records. Also provides online research tools and additional resources to start your
genealogy research.
Access newspaperarchive.com for free through the State Historical Society of Iowa.
The society preserves and provides access to Iowa’s historical resources through a variety of statewide programs, exhibitions and projects while serving as an advocate for Iowa’s past and connector to the future. Access their digital resources here!
Free genealogy websites for research in every state.
Request help, records, or search immigration records dating back to the 1800's.
A free database of information on 11 million immigrants from 1820 - 1892, the year Ellis Island opened.
U.S newspaper database and select digitization of historic pages.
A free genealogy research site meant to be a starting point.
Free access to 25 million immigrant arrival records in the Ellis Island Archives, 1892 - 1954.
The largest genealogy organization in the world for free.
Find the graves of your ancestors.
- Hardin County Newspaper Archives (Only available in Hardin County Libraries)
A free website that provides Internet websites for genealogical research in every county in the United States, including Hardin County.
The Library includes an extensive collection of books, microfilms, and periodicals in addition to Iowa materials. Available to the public for a fee. Also, includes links to many different websites for genealogical help.
Free resources for genealogy and family history.
Access to census, military, immigration, naturalization, and land records. Also provides online research tools and additional resources to start your
genealogy research.
Access newspaperarchive.com for free through the State Historical Society of Iowa.
The society preserves and provides access to Iowa’s historical resources through a variety of statewide programs, exhibitions and projects while serving as an advocate for Iowa’s past and connector to the future. Access their digital resources here!
Free genealogy websites for research in every state.
Request help, records, or search immigration records dating back to the 1800's.
Family History Forms:
Additional assistance with local genealogy is available at the Barlow Memorial Library.
Contact Nancy Hoffman at nancyh@iowafalls.lib.ia.us or call 641-648-2872.
Contact Nancy Hoffman at nancyh@iowafalls.lib.ia.us or call 641-648-2872.
Information taken and adapted from the Iowa Genealogical Society