Iron County Michigan Genealogical Society

Genealogy Tutorial

Genealogy is a study of your family’s history. It’s a great opportunity to learn about your family, your ancestors, and maybe even uncover some long lost mysteries. You’ll find once you start you can’t stop. You got bitten by the BUG!!!

Suggestions for the Beginner

Start with yourself.

Document what/where you’ve found your information.

Check if others are researching that line of the family.

Talk to your ‘older’ family members.

Record findings on standard forms or computer programs

Suggested Computer Programs

Family Tree Maker

Personal Ancestral File (PAF)

Reunion (Apple/Mac)

Master Genealogist

Roots Magic

Gramps

Sources to Check for Answers

Marriage Records

Death Records

Family Bibles

Local cemetery records/lists

Obituaries

Civil War veterans

Census Records (Federal,

State, & Foreign) 1790 - 1930

Early settlers’ history and photographs

Queries & Biographies

Museums

News and events

And Much, Much More

Suggested Websites

http://Ancestry.com Subscription based

http://www.familysearch.org/eng/default.asp LDS site

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/ Subscription based

http://www.kindredkonnections.com/ Subscription based

http://www.cyndislist.com/ List with links to 1000s of sites

http://www.findagrave.com/

http://www.raogk.org/ Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness

http://www.iron.migenweb.net/ Can access neighboring counties also.

http://www.ironcountymuseum.com/ Iron County Museum

http://www.harbourhousemuseum.org/ Crystal Falls Museum

http://genforum.genealogy.com/

http://boards.ancestry.com/ Message Boards

http://www.usa-people-search.com Big List of Genealogy Links

Check out the ICMGS brochure.