Click here to see an example of what this process can produce
what's the problem ? Spelling doesn't count !
First three quotes which answer the question of why your 18th century ancestor didn't spell his name consistently
"I hope I never meet a man so narrow minded as to spell a word in only one way" - Thomas Jefferson
"It's a damn poor mind that can only think of
one way to spell a word." -
Andrew Jackson
"I respect a man who knows how to spell a word more than one way." -- Mark Twain
What is a surname and how do you spell it ?
click here for more on Spelling Variations
Start by talking to living people
The first step is to start with yourself and your known relatives. A good guide is found at Family Tree Maker's site Genealogy "How-To" Guide be sure to understand The golden rules of genealogy . and Ancestry.com Learning Center is another valuable resource as is RootsWeb's guide to tracing family trees The LDS offer an online course Religion 261 - Introduction to Family History and Free Tutorials
Get Organized! it's necessary for survival!
Start to get organized right away. A research log is very important! Organizing Your Research or "Now That You've Found Them, How Do You Keep Track of Them?" by Diana Smith will give you many suggestions on organization.
Did someone do it for you ?
A survey what has been done before in your area of research and on your ancestors surnames. I recommend the Family History Library catalog ™ as an important beginning point. Family History Descriptions of the Family History Library's extensive international collection of records, including microfilmed government and church records, family histories, and books. Where do you find genealogies on the web? check all online collections
Is someone working on your line now?
check surname discussion boards
TO DOs as you begin
Find out where they lived !
Cyndi's "How To" section will lead you to many valuable resources.
Immigration records can help.
subscribe to Eastman's Free Email Newsletter or other magazines Genealogical magazines
My top ten from 3 Nov 2001 seminar
Find out where they lived !
ANCESTOR NEWS: LEARN GENEALOGY—FOR FREE!
- • Introduction to Genealogy genealogy.about.com/library/lessons/blintro.htm
- • Beginning Genealogy www.rootsweb.com/~genclass/110/gen110.htm
You'll find more sites to learn genealogy for free at www.familytreemagazine.com/ancestornews/current.html
Local libraries and online library catalogs