The Family History Project

Creating The Family Database

• Supplies
  • Stamps(from home)
  • #10 Envelopes(from home)
  • Three-ring binder or folder
  • Notebook to keep notes
  • Forms

• Suggestions for Beginners from the National Genealogical Society text format

• Interview as many family members as you can, especially the oldest ones. These questions will give you plenty to talk about. Be sure to take good notes of the answers.

  For relatives that live out-of-town a letter explaining that you are looking for family information will result in a reply. Enclose a copy of the "Family Record Sheet" to make it easy and a SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope) or simply ask for the following:

  Name(Maiden name if known) Birth Date Birth Place	Marriage Date Death Date Place of Death
  Name of Spouse and Children

  Don't forget to write thank you notes when the answers come back! And keep your letters as part of your "Source Information" so that you will remember where the information came from.

• Record all the information on a Family Record Sheet using one sheet per family. You could create your own record sheet or even use a computer program to store the information. I keep both records and usually enter information into the computer from the family record sheet. This site has both Mac and Windows based programs to download. Parents(windows directory) for Windows is one I have used, about Mac(mac directory) programs I don't know.

  Here is a family record sheet, pedigree chart and resource catalog sheet that could be printed out and photocopied as a way for students to write down the results of their family interviews. The family record sheet is best downloaded to a graphics program and enlarged to 8 1/2 x 11 first. Another site for downloading forms is Ancestors page. This site also has a "Children's Pedigree Chart" that can be printed and used with younger students. These may print better from your printer. These sheets are also available at historical societies, the LDS Family History Centers, genealogical societies and libraries in your town.

  To learn how to fill in a pedigree chart a sample chart can be seen created by Elaine Johnson. Elaine has also offered HTML code on this page for those interested in creating web pages of Family Record Sheets and Pedigree Charts. Just download the code and go for it.

• Write down family stories or legends that you hear. Listen especially for:
  • Who? - Oldest known name
  • When? - Dates or time period
  • What? - Immigrated, war, business, earliest settler etc.
  • Where? - Country from - to, states lived, county, township, town
  • Why? - Persecution, new lands available, marriage, war, catastrophy

• Write a story about your immediate family

• Are there any old letters or pictures in the family?