October 9, 2023
Introduction: In this article – to help celebrate October being Family History Month – Gena Philibert-Ortega gives tips for genealogy goals this month. Gena is a genealogist and author of the book “From the Family Kitchen.”
October is Family History Month, and it’s a good time to think about what you want to get done with your research before the end of the year. If you’ve set some 2023 goals, you have three months to achieve them. (Can you believe it?)
Maybe you didn’t set any goals for 2023 but still would like to feel like you accomplished something this year. The following are some “old school” ideas, that don’t necessarily require technology, that you may want to consider as you spend some time this month on your family history.
Newspapers
Bookmark the GenealogyBank YouTube channel and watch videos on how to conduct better newspaper research.
Find your ancestor’s hometown newspaper on GenealogyBank by clicking on “Browse” at the top toolbar on the GenealogyBank homepage, and then search by newspaper title or state. Now take some time to browse a few issues so that you can understand how the newspaper is laid out and what genealogically relevant information can be found.
Education
Search your local library’s card catalog to find books that will help you learn more about genealogical research. Commit to reading one or more books before the end of the year.
If you don’t have a library card for your local library, apply for one. Ask the librarian what databases they subscribe to. Some of those databases can help you with your research.
Attend a local genealogy society meeting or view an online presentation to learn more about genealogical research. Find a list of webinars, seminars, and conferences by consulting the ConferenceKeeper website.
Census
The census is often our first go-to record. Take some time to take a second look. Using a transcription form, you can transcribe all the information found on the census record, ensuring you haven’t missed a fact previously. Start with a more recent generation and then work backward. The 1790-1940 U.S. Census can be found on GenealogyBank. Blank census forms can be found on the Midwest Genealogy Center website.
Use the more recent censuses to find your ancestor’s street address, then search GenealogyBank’s Historical Newspaper Archives by that address rather than your ancestor’s name. To do this, type the street address in the “Include these keywords” box on the search page.
Correspondence
Look through your genealogy files at the most current 6-8 generations. What vital record documents are you missing? Are these records available online or do you need to write the corresponding county or state and order the document? Take some time to identify the vital records you’re missing, where they are located, and if need be, order them. Remember to verify the cost for the record and any instructions for obtaining the record. To find information about ordering vital records, see the Center for Disease Control’s Where to Write for Vital Records for U.S. states and territories.
What family member do you need to write to? Consider calling, conducting a video chat, or writing a letter to a family member. Keep in mind that although interviewing older generations is important, they aren’t the only family members with information or heirlooms. When you connect with your family member, keep it short – don’t be too overwhelming, but instead ask only a few questions. Explain your interest in family history. Striking up an ongoing correspondence might help you with your questions about your shared family history. Don’t forget that it’s great to ask questions and make that connection but you also need to give. Share copies of photos, charts, or other genealogy information.
Organization
What paper files do you have? Take some time to go through these files. Keep all those items that you paid to get copies, original records, or heirloom papers. Consider digitizing photocopies of records or books. Throw away duplicates (you probably don’t need 10 copies of grandma in the 1920 census).
Go through your printed photos. Identify people in photos by writing on the back with a photo-safe pen. Remember to use the person’s name and not “Grandma Smith.” Consider giving away photographs to family members who should have them (especially if it’s their family and not yours). Consider the future as you go through the photos and decide which ones should be kept. Most likely, no one wants to inherit your 50 photos of your trip to the zoo. So, now’s the time to decide what to do with them.
What Will You Do This Month?
Did you find a few ideas for your genealogy this month? What are some of your “old school” genealogy ideas? Please share them with us in the comments below.
Explore over 330 years of newspapers and historical records in GenealogyBank. Discover your family story! Start a 7-Day Free Trial
