An introduction to

2. Where Do I Start? How to Grow a Family Tree

7. Genealogy Software

9. Gather & Copy Family Records, Photographs & Heirlooms

10. Wedding Invitation

11. Decorative Wall Hanging Commemorating a Marriage

12. Decorative Baptismal Certificate

13. Funeral Prayer Card

14. Gravestones

15. Church History From a Plate

16. Postcard of Church in Oliva, West Prussia

17. Postcard sent from Oliva, West Prussia to Chicago, Illinois

18. Telegram announcing the birth of a child

20. Analyzing Family Papers Critical Thinking with Direct and Indirect Evidence

22. Newspaper Clipping Indirect Evidence: Mrs. Kellman’s maiden name was probably Levander. Mr. and Mrs. Kellman were married around mid April of 1910. Mr and Mrs. Kellman and Miss Levander died after April 19, 1935 Direct Evidence: Mrs. Kellman’s sister is Miss Levander of Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Kellman celebrated a 25 th wedding anniversary.

23. Obituary from Fraternal Organization Newsletter Indirect Evidence: He must have immigrated sometime between May 8, 1884 and Oct. 24, 1906. Direct Evidence: He was born on May 8, 1884 in Jonkopings, Sweden. He became a member of Yngve Lodge in 1906.

24. Citizenship Papers Indirect Evidence: Immigrated sometime before Feb 24 1894 Direct Evidence: Charley Levander declared his intent to become a citizen on 24 Feb 1896.

25. Direct Evidence: William Bandel died on 20 Apr 1908 He lived for 72yrs, 11mo, and 10 days Indirect Evidence: William Bandel was born on 10 May 1835

26. Birth Date Calculator http://www.searchforancestors.com/utility/

27. Beyond Family Papers Census Records & Vital Records

31. 1840 Census Record Age ranges and sex are given for household members, but not names. Only heads of household are listed by name.

32. 1930 Census Record

34. Using Census Records A Case Study

36. 1930 Search Result for Lorraine Black Click on the link to view the Original Image.

37. 1930 Census Record Lorraine D. Black is living with her father, Ralph Black, his wife (presumably her mother) and her grandmother, Sienna E. Black.

38. Create a Timeline

39. Create a Pedigree Chart Lorraine Black b. abt. 1925 in Illinois Ralph A. Black b. abt. 1901 in Rhode Island m. abt. 1923 Dorothy C. b. abt. 1903 in Illinois ? d. prob. bef. 1930 m. prob. bef. 1901 Sienna E. b. abt. 1861 in Holland

40. Search 1920 census for Ralph Black who was born in Rhode Island.

41. 1920 Search Result for Ralph Black

42. 1920 Census Record Ralph A. Black is living with his widowed mother, Mrs. S.E. Black, and his brother, Raymond J. Black. Mrs. S.E. Black was born in Holland. Raymond J. was transcribed Ray Morris J. by the indexer.

43. What Have We Learned? Lorraine Black b. abt. 1925 in Illinois Ralph A. Black b. abt. 1901 in Rhode Island m. abt. 1923 Dorothy C. b. abt. 1903 in Illinois ? d. prob. bef. 1920 m. prob. bef. 1897 Sienna E. b. abt. 1861 in Holland

44. 1910 Census

45. 1910 Census Record Direct Evidence: Married for 28 Years in 1910. Indirect Evidence: Married about 1882 Ralph A. Black is living with his father, Edward J. Black and his mother Sybretekia(?) E. Family sources confirm this was her “ethnic” name. Two additional siblings are revealed.

46. Keep adding new information to your family timeline

47. What Have We Learned? Lorraine Black b. abt. 1925 in Illinois Ralph A. Black b. abt. 1901 in Rhode Island m. abt. 1923 Dorothy C. b. abt. 1903 in Illinois Edward Black b. abt. 1860 in Rhode Island d. aft. 1910 m. abt. 1882 Sienna E. /Sybret??ia b. abt. 1861 in Holland ? b. bef. 1844 in Ireland ? b . bef. 1844 in Ireland

48. 1900 Census Search Transcription errors can make searching difficult!

49. 1900 Census Record Same household – next page Edward Black household

50. Compare information from previous censuses. Does the information match?

51. What Have We Learned? Lorraine Black b. abt. 1925 in Illinois Ralph A. Black b. abt. 1901 in Rhode Island m. abt. 1923 Dorothy C. b. abt. 1903 in Illinois Edward Black b. March 1860 d. aft. 1910 m. abt. 1882 Sienna E./Sybret??ia Dekker b. April 1861 ? Black b. prob. bef. 1844 in Ireland ? b . prob. bef. 1844 in Ireland Ary Dekker b. Jan 1852 in Holland ? b. prob. bef. 1846 d. bef. June 1, 1900

52. 1880 Census

53. 1880 Census Record More geographic detail is given for Catharine’s birthplace. Terschelling is an island in Friesland, a province in the Netherlands. Sienna E. is enumerated under her middle name. Or is it really her first name? One of the children was born in Massachusetts. Might this indicate they immigrated through Boston?

54. What Have We Learned? Lorraine Black b. abt. 1925 in Illinois Ralph A. Black b. abt. 1901 in Rhode Island m. abt. 1923 Dorothy C. b. abt. 1903 in Illinois Edward Black b. March 1860 in Rhode Island d. aft. 1910 m. abt. 1882 Sienna E./Sybret??ia Dekker b. April 1861 in Holland ? Black b. prob. bef. 1844 in Ireland ? b . prob. bef. 1844 in Ireland Ary Dekker b. Jan 1852 in Holland Catherine b. abt. 1833 in Terschelling, Friesland, Netherlands d. bef. June 1, 1900

55. 1880 Census

56. 1880 Census Note the different birthplaces for John Black’s children. Incorporate this evidence into your timeline. Edward J. Black is living with his Irish father, John Black, and his presumed mother Jane. Five siblings are also identified.

57. What Have We Learned? Lorraine Black b. abt. 1925 in Illinois Ralph A. Black b. abt. 1901 in Rhode Island m. abt. 1923 Dorothy C. b. abt. 1903 in Illinois Edward Black b. March 1860 in Rhode Island d. aft. 1910 m. abt. 1882 Sienna E./Sybret??ia Dekker b. April 1861 in Holland ? John Black b. abt. 1813 in Ireland m. prob. bef. 1847 ? Jane b . abt. 1821 in Ireland Ary Dekker b. Jan 1852 in Holland Catherine b. abt. 1833 in Terschelling d. bef. June 1, 1900

58. Census Search Challenges

59. Use of Initials

60. Middle Names & Nicknames 1930 Census 1920 Census

61. Indexing/Transcription Errors Correct in census. Wrong in index.

64. Citing Your Census Record

65. Vital Records Birth, Death & Marriage Records

69. 1972 Death Certificate Indiana

70. 1888 Chicago Death Certificate

73. 1910 New Jersey Marriage Certificate

74. 1910 Chicago Marriage Record

77. 1917 Chicago Birth Certificate

78. 1886 New York Birth Certificate

82. Where Do I Start? How to Grow a Family Tree

83. 1860 Slave Schedule