Summertime is almost here, and perhaps you are planning for visits with relatives. If you’ve been thinking about starting your family tree, this is the time to begin!
Where to start? You might have a few family notes scrawled on assorted pieces of paper, but pulling it all together is the challenge.
Your first step is to begin with what you know: list parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents, and all relatives as far back as you are able. Bring out that box of old family photos and see if you can label who is in each photo. Do you have any birth, marriage or death certificates?
Assemble all the information you have and keep it in one place.
If you are expecting relatives to visit this summer, make time to sit down and talk genealogy. Be sure to write down or record their memories of people and events. Be prepared to check certain facts: people can make errors about dates and locations. Also write down their stories about family gatherings. Assembling family tree research is more than just dates of births, marriages and deaths. Family stories make your ancestors come alive, and make them much more interesting!
Go over family photos as a group and try to identify everyone in the photos.
You may want to do as much research as possible on-line. There are many great genealogy sites: one of the first to visit is Library and Archives Canada at www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/genealogy. On the “Genealogy and Family History” page, click on “How To Begin”. You’ll find out how you can access census, military, immigration and land records, plus much more. Browse through the other topics on this site and you’ll feel more comfortable about how your research should proceed.
Close to home, the Saskatchewan Genealogical Society can also offer much useful information. Visit them at www.saskgenealogy.com and explore a variety of programs and services, including the Saskatchewan cemetery index which lists the RM and location of many cemeteries. (click on “cemetery guides” on the toolbar.)
If you are planning to be in Regina on Saturday, June 9, you might be interested in attending the SGS session of “Beginner Genealogy: Where To Next”. This is part two, but could still be very beneficial in your research. The two to three hour session will cover sources and citations, using software or not, pros and cons, and there will be discussion time. If you are interested please call (306) 780-9207. Cost is $25 and the session will be held at the SGS Library and Research Room, Room 110, 1514 11th Avenue in Regina. Advance registration is required.
It is never too early to begin family research, but sadly, it can sometimes be too late. Your oldest living relatives are your prime sources of family information. Talk to them at the earliest opportunity and write down any nugget of information they have to share.
There is an African proverb that says “when an old man dies, a library burns to the ground” meaning all the information and experience this person had is gone forever. So too with family history.
The Yorkton branch of the Saskatchewan genealogical Society meets on the second Tuesday of each month (except June, July and August) in the history room at the Yorkton Public Library. New members are always welcome, no matter what stage you may be in your research.
