When you’re researching your family tree, one of the many wonderful resources is your local library or genealogy research center. Larger libraries usually have an area dedicated to this type of research; But even the smallest can be useful when used effectively.
This article will explain what you are likely to find at these hubs and how to get the most out of them. If, like me, you tend to use these resources when traveling or are short on time, this will come in handy.
What are Family Tree Research Centers?
Before delving into the various ways to optimize your study time, let’s take a brief look at the centers themselves. What they are and what to expect when you get there.
Libraries – Within many libraries there is a collection of records that are ideal for researching your family tree. Although the largest libraries usually have an area dedicated to this type of study; even the smallest libraries often contain relevant records and information.
Libraries can contain some or all of the following:
- birth, death and marriage records
- newspaper copies
- phone and occupancy directories
- street atlas
- maps
- historical photographs
As these records are generally stored on media such as microfiche and CD, the corresponding equipment is provided to read / print them. Newer versions of these machines also allow the logs to be emailed to a relevant person or saved to a USB drive.
Dedicated research centers :
Although they are usually similar to the genealogical sections of the main libraries, there are some subtle differences. These are:
- They tend to focus on the local area and contain everything from city hall rate books to newspaper collections and historical photographs.
- they often have volunteers who can help you with your research
I generally use both types of facilities. Libraries help with basic information and dedicated research centers add color to the lives of my ancestors. Where they worked, how they lived, etc.
Planning your research trip
As with any investigation period, a little planning goes a long way toward making the most of it. Before heading to your local library or research center, consider the following:
- Print all the material you currently have and take it with you. This includes the birth / marriage / death dates of the family members you are tracking, brief biographies, and a copy of the known family tree.
- Compile a list of specific questions. When you first get to the center, it’s great to be able to pull up a chair and dive right in. Having a list of questions will ensure that you stay focused and can work methodically in the area you are tracking.
- Focus on a fairly small number of people. Obviously this number will vary with the amount of time you have available, but for my own research I try to keep the list to a maximum of 20 or so.
When you arrive, you should keep a couple of things in mind:
- Use things that are not readily available elsewhere. If you have traveled to a small town research center, look for information specific to the area. Copies of local newspapers, old photographs of the area, and elements of social history (local events such as floods, crimes, and accidents). It is also worth talking to the people who run the center, as they have lived (in many cases) in the area for some time.
- Find out the exact locations of local sites. After a few hours at the research center, you will probably want to visit local churches, cemeteries / crematoriums, houses, and workplaces. Find out where they are and how to get there. In the case of cemeteries / crematoriums, more information on parcels; the best.
Final Thoughts on How to Get the Most Out of Family Tree Libraries and Research Centers
As you can see, the simplest way to make your research time effective is to plan your trip. A little preparation can really pay off, and when you pay by the hour or by the day, this makes a huge difference.
