Family History for Beginners

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Getting started in family history research
Numerous articles are available on FamilySearch Wiki to help you get started in family history. This page provides links to articles about basic principles of family history research.


 * 1) Identify What You Know
 * 2) Decide What You Want to Learn
 * 3) Select Records to Search
 * 4) Obtain and Search the Records
 * 5) Use the Information

Deciding Where to Start Looking
Wondering where to start with a challenging name or date in your family history research? One of the following articles can help you decide where to look first for a puzzling:


 * Name Variation
 * Date
 * Place
 * Easiest to Research Person and Event
 * Record Type to Use

Research Analysis
There are several articles in FamilySearch Wiki that explain how to correlate, corroborate, interpret, and evaluate research, records, and information to determine their relevance, authenticity, reliability, and accuracy, and how to deal with contradictory evidence:


 * Family group record: roadmap for researchers
 * Evaluate the Evidence
 * Research a Family in Community Context
 * Genealogical Proof Standard
 * Analyzing Census Data *
 * See the category page Research Analysis for a complete list of articles that are related to analyzing your research.

In addition to the articles listed above, the following articles may provide additional ideas for participating in family history activities:
 * A Guide to Research
 * Burned Counties Research
 * Civil Government Birth, Marriage, and Death Certificates
 * Family group record: roadmap for researchers
 * Family History Library Internet Favorites
 * Genealogical Proof Standard
 * How to Begin a Search for Your Ancestor
 * How to Find Descendants in the United States
 * How to Get the Best Research Advice
 * How To Start Your Family History
 * Introduction to Family History
 * Locating Genealogical Websites
 * Major Databases for Beginning United States Research
 * Research a Family in Community Context
 * Rookie Mistakes
 * Sharing: a good way to FIND ancestors
 * Solving Tough Research Problems—Overcoming Brick Walls
 * Spelling of Surnames and Given Names
 * Spelling Substitution Tables for the United States and Canada
 * Start Family History by Writing What is Known
 * Surname Research
 * Traditional Nicknames in Old Documents - A Wiki List

Did you know?
Organizing and documenting the research that you do is a key concept for both beginners and seasoned family history researchers. The following articles will help you understand this important process:


 * Organizing Your Files
 * Document AS YOU GO!
 * Cite Your Sources (Source Footnotes)
 * Copying Sources
 * Research Logs
 * Keeping a Research Log
 * Research Compass Description
 * Research Analysis
 * Analyzing Census Data

Glossaries that help
Three glossaries to help with your research and understanding of the Wiki:


 * Genealogical Terms
 * Genealogical Dictionary of Legal Terms
 * Wiki words


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