An overview of the steps of beginning research along with an overview of the latest online resources for genealogy that will help you past a brick wall.
1. African American Monument, The State House, Columbia, SC Documenting African-American Ancestors Leaving No Stone Unturned
2. Robin Foster Heritage Makers Independent Consultant Columbia Ethnic Community Examiner Columbia Social Media Examiner My blogs: Saving Stories Sharing the Legacy Strong Branches Follow me on Twitter: @savingstories Twitter page: twitter.com/savingstories
11. For more information: Visit Saving Stories Beginning Steps.... 1. Gather all you have on your ancestor and put in a box. Organize what you have. 2. Complete a Pedigree Chart 3. Prepare a Family Group Record 4. Start a Research Log to track your findings. 5. Interview your closest living relatives. Transcribe the interview. 6. Create a biographical outline of events in the life of your ancestor. 7. Start a family history database and keep it up to date. Otis E. Tucker Vance (1905-1996)
13. What do you know already? Complete the following forms using information you already know about your ancestor. 1. Pedigree Chart Dates: Day, Month, Year 6 April 1870 Places: City, County, State, Country Columbia, Richland, South Carolina, USA 2. Two Family Group Records (one with your ancestor as a child and one as a parent) 3. Biographical Outline
14. Use a family history database to record information about your family familysearch.org Download PAF 5.2 free
15. Use a family history database to record information about your family familysearch.org Download PAF 5.2 free
16. Use a family history database to record information about your family familysearch.org Download PAF 5.2 free
17. Use a family history database to record information about your family familysearch.org Download PAF 5.2 free
18. Use a family history database to record information about your family familysearch.org Download PAF 5.2 free
19. Use a family history database to record information about your family familysearch.org Download PAF 5.2 free
21. Identify what you want to learn about your ancestor and which record types document that specific information. Develop your research declaration: “Beverly Vance was born about 1832, according to the 1870 US Census. He was living in Abbeville District, SC in Cokesbury. I want to know who his parents were.” 1. Your personal knowledge. 2. Your personal papers. 3. Your photographs. 4. Parents, Grandparents, and other relatives. 5. Family bible 6. Funeral programs, obituaries 7. Family papers 8. Family photographs 9. Birth records 10. Marriage records 11. Death records
22. Locate different resources to document your ancestor 12. Census records 13. Church records 14. School records 15. Newspapers 16. Journals 17. Local Histories 18. Genealogical societies 19. Voter’s records 20. Military records 21. Probate records 22. Land and property records 23. Biographies 24. Family Histories 25. Immigration/emigration 26. Tax records 27. Directories
23. Locate different resources to document your ancestor 28. Naturalization/citizenship 29. Funeral homes 30. Hospitals 31. Employers 32. Fraternities/sororities 33. Slave narratives 34. Freedman’s Bureau Records 35. Periodicals 36. Cohabitation Records 37. Manumissions 38. Bill of sale
48. Ask For Free Research Assistance Also forums.familysearch.org
49. Ask For Free Research Assistance Also forums.familysearch.org
50. Ask For Free Research Assistance Register Here Check your email immediately after you register. Also forums.familysearch.org
51. Ask For Free Research Assistance From now on log in here Register Here Check your email immediately after you register. Also forums.familysearch.org
52. Ask For Free Research Assistance Logged in: Choose the locality
53. Ask For Free Research Assistance Choose the locality
54. Ask For Free Research Assistance Scroll down Choose the locality
55. Ask For Free Research Assistance Click New Thread
56. Ask For Free Research Assistance 1. Select State 2. Enter Title 3. Enter question 4. Tag name and locality 5. Preview 6. Click Submit New Thread
57. Ask For Free Research Assistance Question is posted. Check back periodically for an answer. Also, look for email. Click New Thread
58. Ask For Free Research Assistance Question is posted. Check back periodically for an answer. Also, look for email. Email response Click New Thread
59. Ask For Free Research Assistance Question is posted. Check back periodically for an answer. Also, look for email. Forums response Click New Thread
60. Join the African-American Social Group at http://forums.familysearch.org/en/group.php?groupid=45 Social Groups
61. Join the African-American Social Group at http://forums.familysearch.org/en/group.php?groupid=45 1. Enter African American 2. Click Go Social Groups
62. Join the African-American Social Group at http://forums.familysearch.org/en/group.php?groupid=45 Select African-American Resources
63. Join the African-American Social Group at http://forums.familysearch.org/en/group.php?groupid=45 Look for Join This Group
77. Family History Centers in South Carolina, United States Beaufort South Carolina 703 Parris Island GatewayBeaufort, Beaufort, South Carolina, United StatesPhone: 843-525-1823Hours: By appointment only.Charleston South Carolina 1519 Sam Rittenburg BlvdCharleston, Charleston, South Carolina, United StatesPhone: 843-766-6017Hours: T-Th 10am-9pm; F-Sat 10am-2pmClosed: Jan 1, 2, 30, Apr 3, Jul 1,2,3, Oct 2,23, Nov 23-27, Dec 21-31Georgetown South Carolina Pringle Ferry RdGeorgetown, Georgetown, South CarolinaPhone: 834-527-2921Attention: Does not have film circulation.Heritage Library Foundation 32 Office Park Rd, Suite 300Hilton Head Island, Beaufort, South CarolinaPhone: 843-686-6560Hours: Mon, Thur, Fri, Sat 10am-3pmClosed: On Saturday in July and August Need additional help? Visit your local Family History Center support@familysearch.org (866) 406-1830
78. Moncks Corner South Carolina 319 West Main StMoncks Corner, Berkeley, South Carolina, United StatesPhone: 843-761-8671Hours: W-Th 6pm-9pm; Sat 10am-2pmOrangeburg South Carolina 2740 Broughton StOrangeburg, Orangeburg, South Carolina, United StatesPhone: 803-531-5531Hours: By appointment only.Closed: Call listed telephone number for an appointment. Ridgeland South Carolina Grays HWY (278 West)Ridgeland, Jasper, South Carolina, United StatesPhone: 843-726-8241Hours: Monday - Saturday by appt. Wed. evening 6-8PMSumter South Carolina 1770 Highway 15 SSumter, Sumter, South Carolina, United StatesPhone: 803-481-8300Hours: Hours vary. Call ahead.
79. Gather Gather what you have on hand. Discover more about an ancestor you choose. Share what you discover with your family. Preserve Photographs, history and stories for future generations. Discover Preserve Share