GENEALOGY AND HISTORY

Questions concerning the DVD Ancestors: The Research Process

TABLE 1:

[Segments into which this DVD is divided.]

1.1  Research Process Overview: Introduces the five steps of the family history research process
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2.1  Step One Overview : Write Down What You Know about your ancestor(s)
2.2  Family History Forms (Available free at the following URL:  http://www.byub.org/ancestors/charts/ )
              pedigree chart , family group record , source notes form, research questions, research log
2.3  Gathering Family History Information from records, objects, and people
2.4  Family History Interviews: how to conduct a family history interview
2.5  Organize and Preserve the information you find
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3.1  Step Two Overview: Decide What You Want To Learn about an ancestor
3.2  Identify Missing and Unverified information on your family history forms
3.3  Complete Research Questions Form
3.4  Begin a Research Log: a form designed to help you focus your research
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4.1  Step Three Overview : Choose a Source of Information
4.2  Information Sources Defined: how to choose from among people, objects and records
4.3  Choose a Record Type such as vital, biographical or background records using the Ancestors record selection chart
4.4  Choose and Contact a Place Where Records Are Stored: examples of repositories
4.5  Select a Record From the Catalogue: tips for using indexes and catalogues
4.6  Fill in Information Source Description on Research Log
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5.1  Step Four Overview : Learn From the Source
5.2  Read and Copy information from objects and records, such as grave stones, documents, and microfilm, using a microfilm reader
5.3  Interviewing Your Information Source: review techniques for conducting family history interviews, how to plan the interview and prepare the interview questions
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6.1  Step Five Overview : Use What You Learn by evaluating and sharing the information
6.2  E valuate the Information Source’s Relevance
6.3  Determine Information Source’s Credibility
6.4  Decide If You Need Another Source: two or more independently created pieces of information can help establish a fact
6.5  Make a Conclusion and Organize Your Findings by recording information on your research log and organizing and preserving the information you find
6.6  Share Your Information: tips for activities families can use to pass on information
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7.1  Epilogue:  illustrates the cyclical nature of the family history research process
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BONUS: USING COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY IN FAMILY HISTORY RESEARCH
 

Introduction and Section 1

1.  What are the five principal steps in the genealogical research process laid out by the video?

2.  What is the rule concerning the order of genealogical research?  In other words, where do you start?

3.  Is there any exception to this rule?

Section 2

4.  What are the principal tools for organizing information recommended by the Ancestors DVD? 

[Note: Ancestors has created and made available a variety of genealogical forms in PDF.  To obtain them, go to the Ancestors website (http://www.byub.org/ancestors/).  Look for the section on the left designated Tools, then click on Free Charts.  This will supply a list that you can then access and print down.  If you do not already have Adobe Reader on your computer, it can be easily obtained for free on the web.]

5.  How does a genealogical program like Family Tree Maker help with the organizing process?

6.  What other aspects of the genealogical process does the DVD repeatedly stress in addition to research?

7.  What is the principal rule for the conservation of genealogical documents (and, for that matter, artwork)?

8.  What are some of the conservation tips in the video?

9.  What are some of the things to remember when conducting a genealogical interview?

See also:  rules for conducting an interview and questions to be asked at an interview on this website:  http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/9507/c-Genealogy-CourseDocuments.html

Section 3

10.  How do you start each time you confront a new aspect of your genealogical search?

11.  What is a "research objective"?

12.  What constitutes unverified information?

13.  What are some general guidelines in choosing the question?

Section 4

14.  What are the three main information sources?

15.  What is the Record Selection Guide and how can it be used?

16.  What are various information repositories in the United States useful for genealogical study?

17.  What documents held at the National Archives are of particular interest to genealogists?

18.  Where are the regional branches of the National Archives and what is their significance?

19.  What is the most important "church source" of genealogical information in the country and what facilities does it make available to genealogical researchers?

Note the genealogical courses available online from BYU:  http://ce.byu.edu/is/site/courses/freecourses.cfm

Note also that many of the experts involved in the Ancestor Series work at the Family History Libary (See:  http://www.byub.org/ancestors/experts/)

20.  What are the major genealogical societies and what differs them from regular historical societies?

21.  What should you do before visiting any repository?

22.  What are critical internet resources for doing genealogy?

23.  What strategies should the researcher use when working in a repository?

24.  When you have found information, what are the important things to record about the source(s) of that information?

Section 5

25.  What rule governs the handling of original sources?

26.  What should you do if you encounter information not directly relevant to your research objective, but relevant to your family?

Section 6

27.  What two criteria ultimately determine if a source is "the right one" for your research objective?

28.  What are six factors that enter into a decision on whether or not a source is credible?

29.  What are some factors that help you decide if you need another source to support a fact?

30.  Why is it important to find multiple sources that are independently created?

31.  From the perspective of genealogical research, what are the most effective ways of sharing your information?