5 Steps to Research
Step 3 - Gather Family Records & Remembrances

With the tools and goals specific to your project you are now ready to start looking for the answers.

Gathering information from family members, objects such as gravestones, engraved rings or watches, and records such as birth certificates, marriage or death records are the best places to start. The questions you formed in Step 2 will direct you to the best place to start.

Family Members
Perform an oral interview with family members. Make a digital or tape recording and take good notes. Oral History Kits are available from the Everton Publishers with all the tools you'll need.

Family Objects
Keep a record of the source of the object, it's location, take a photo or make a video of the object.

Records
Beginners should keep to family records at this point. Look for record with vital information such as names, gender, places and dates of birth, marriage and death. Possible types of records are: family bibles, cemetery records, church records, divorce records, family histories, military service notices, newspaper clippings, obituaries, probate records, birth certificates, marriage licenses and death certificates.

Experienced researchers can move onto records that will give you geographic information about the ancestor. Look at census, tax and land records.

Non-vital records also carry great information such as affiliations (i.e. cultural background, occupations, club/organization memberships) and non-vital events (i.e. military service, schooling, residences).

Advanced researchers will find detailed information in biographical, cultural and geographical records. Look for records that will give information about the area, culture and time period the ancestor lived in. Look at almanacs, centennial celebrations, records of colonization, directories, handwriting samples, train records, occupation organizations, records of customs, etc.

Write the results of your search in your Research Log. Even if you do not find the information you were looking for, write it down. No information is very important information.

Items from Everton Publishers to help you gather family records & remembrances: