Civil War 150th Anniversary

The upcoming 150th anniversary of the American Civil War is being commemorated this month and Americans everywhere will have the opportunity to reflect on this period in our nation's history.

If you are interested in the Civil War, there are many "roundtables"  where you can find a world of information and volunteers who will attempt to answer questions you may have, including where you can find a regimental or company history, battle histories, articles, books, and active links to other websites of Civil War interest.

There is a Civil War conference at the North Carolina Museum of History in Raleigh, North Carolina on May 20, 2011. The title of this conference is Contested Past: Memories and Legacies of the Civil War. A Conference to Commemorate the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War in North Carolina.   I have ancestors who lived in  Old Buncombe County, North Carolina, and  since, I will  be in Raleigh researching at the  North Carolina Archives,  I decided to attend this conference.  For more information regarding this conference go to http://www.nccivilwar150.com/

Each state has Civil War websites where you can browse Civil War history, and locate information on your Civil War ancestors.You might be surprised at what information you can  find on-line  regarding your civil war soldier.

Good luck on hunting your Civil War ancestor!


 Until next time..................gendara

Getting Started On Your Family Research

Starting your family history research may seem a  bit daunting  at first; however, it is not as hard as you may think. Here are some simple beginner research techniques.

1. Begin with yourself as #1 on an Ancestor Chart. Look at your birth certificate and start there.   If you are married, then look at your marriage record and record the facts of both records. Make sure that you cite your source on the back of your Ancestor Chart, or Family group Sheet. Then you will progress backwards to your parents, to their parents, and so on.   Make sure you cite your sources as you work backwards. 
2. Fill out a Pedigree/5 Geneartion Chart(this will be your direct family line or lineage).
3. Fill out a Family Group Sheet for each couple and their children. Hint: Go to http://www.familytree.magazine.com/FREEFORMS. They have forms in two formats: text or portable document format(PDF). You can print these out for your use.  If you don't like these forms, then do a google search for Free Genealogical Forms.  You will find thousands!
4. There are some key facts that you  want to know, to make sure you have the right person. You will want the individual name, date of event, place event occurred, relationship (blood) between the individuals. Direct (you-parent-grandparent-great grandparent....) Lateral (your siblings, and those of your parents and etc....) (Collateral (not by blood line, but they do share a common ancestor). Sex of the individual, and occupation.

Organize your genealogy forms in a three-ring binder. I personally use colored notebooks for each family-with the same color file folders to correspond to each family.  This saves me lots of time and  it's easy to locate a certain family when  researching at home.

Genealogy is a life-long process (for me) and as you find pieces to your genealogical puzzle, make sure you evaluate each new piece of information. This helps you decide, where or what you want to research next.

I hope that this information will help those who are just beginning.  Let me know about your research methods, and what works good for you.  The more we know, the better genealogist we will  all be. Don't forget to Cite Your Sources!

Until next time..........gendara

After finding all of  the old photos, personal papers, and letters, regarding my ancestors, I couldn't wait to get home to discuss this discovery with my mom.   However, she didn't  know too much about her mother or father. My maternal GM, having died when my mom was 7 years old, resulted  in my mom and her siblings being sent to the "Methodist Home Orphanage" in Waco, McLennan Co TX.   What happened to her Dad? I set out to find a place, where I could  find out information about my ancestors.  Good luck kid!    However, upon my return to school,  I found an English teacher, whose hobby was genealogy!  Genealogy! What is that?  Where do I begin?

Finally, I was directed to the Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research, in Houston, Harris Co TX,  where I started my genealogical education.   A little tidbit:  If you are afraid of skeletons, stay out of closets.  Maybe, I should have stayed out of Aunt Mary's closet on that summer night, so long ago. Although, look how much fun I am having.  Have a great Easter and by all means get together with your family. Genealogy:  It's a family affair!

Until next time.........gendara

Hello to everyone who is hard at work trying to find out just who you are.  I consider myself an experienced genealogist; however, on days like today, I feel like a novice.. Do you ever have those days?
As a young teenage girl, on a summer visit with my maternal Aunt Mary , I happened upon an old box full of photos, personal papers, letters, and etc in the closet of the bedroom where I slept. I inquired of her, as to who, "are those old people?" Aunt Mary informed me that,  "those old people" are your ancestors." Like my cat, Katie, my  curiosity was fired....  the fire still burns. It hasn't killed this cat yet!!!  Katie spends many a hour sitting on my desk,  watching  me,  as I research late into the night for my elusive ancestors.

Happy hunting until next time.............gendara