Lingua Genealogic...... Forma Genealogic

The world of genealogy –

Every “doing” has its own world – activities & vocabulary.  For most Americans, sports is an obvious one.  For most men, cars, and for most women, cooking &/or fashion.

Genealogy is a world that few learn from their parents.  Possibly good, in that all the forms and procedures are a learned language, and so all more easily done with the same ‘accent’.  Possibly bad, in that it is something slightly scary, and one more time grab for busy schedules.

Anyway, back to basic forms and procedures.  I have been lecturing on various topics for the past 6 years, (researching over 25) and include some form of the following in every lecture. 

General comments about research:

• Move from the known to the unknown
• Test every hypothesis
• Look at all information available
• The further back, the fewer records
• Decide early (like today) how you are going to keep your information
• Citing your sources is VERY VERY VERY important

General comments about the info:

• Record dates – 5 Sept 1897
• Record names – Margaret SIMPSON
• Record places – Chicago, Cook, Illinois
• Living people have the right to their privacy – name/dates/locations

For the next few weeks, each comment gets its own blog!  Stay tuned.