Genealogy – Something for Everyone

    Presented by Kathy Rippel,

    Central Kansas Library System, www.ckls.org

    28 November 2006

  1. What's the difference between genealogy and family history?

    1. Genealogy is generally considered the enumerating of one's ancestors and/or descendants.

    2. Family history can encompass much more and is more related to biography and local history.

    3. The terms, for all practical purposes, are usually used interchangably.

  2. How do I start?

    1. Begin with yourself and work backwards.

    2. Check home sources.

      1. Birth, marriage, death certificates

      2. Deeds, wills, insurance papers

      3. Letters, diaries, photographs

      4. Military and pension information (VA papers?)

    3. Talk to family, especially the older members of the family.



    1. Record what you find

      1. Family group sheets

      2. Pedigree charts

      3. Little stories you might be reminded of

    2. Computerization?

      1. Genealogical software, like Personal Ancestral File (PAF) <http://tinyurl.com/p2x93>

      2. Email and mailing lists

      3. Word processing, spreadsheets, and databases

    3. Web research – can I find it all on the internet?

Some of the “best of the best” websites to begin:

  1. Names

    1. But our name is ALWAYS spelled this way!

    2. Americanization of names

    3. Census takers and information givers

    4. Nicknames

  2. How can I learn more?

    1. Read and listen (see bibliography)

    2. Attend workshops

  3. What if I don't want to spend this much time?

    1. Family health histories (U.S. Surgeon General's Family History Initiative <www.hhs.gov/familyhistory/>

    2. A little something for the grandkids

      1. Writing autobiographical/biographical sketches

      2. Oral history – record your memories orally or visually

      3. Gather together those old photographs

      4. Prepare a “time capsule” or scrapbook:

©Kathy Rippel, 2006