Collect what you already have. Pull out photo albums, family bibles, legal papers (i.e. – deeds, last will and testaments, etc.). Write down what you know and make a list of unanswered questions as you go through your items. It may be helpful to start with a Pedigree Chart. To complete the chart, begin with yourself, then your parents, grandparents, and so forth until you have recorded all of the generations you know. Record places and dates for: birth, marriages, and death. After you complete your Pedigree Chart, prepare Family Group Sheets for your ancestors. Make notes for each person with other information found in your collection of materials, such as a list of children, residences, religious affiliations, and burial location. Downloadable PDFs of these forms can be found on the JGS Documents and Forms webpage.

Talk to your relatives about family records they may have and what they know. Working on a family genealogy project is the perfect time to document family stories and lore. Oral histories are a great resource for your family as well as future historians. Document as many family stories as possible, no matter how trivial it may seem at the time—as one generation may think they are unimportant and the next generation might not. The McKinney Center has an ongoing Oral History Project that the Jonesborough Genealogical Society has partnered with over the years. They offer a Story Collecting class that teaches best practices and techniques.

Once you identify the places your family members lived, research how to access records in that area. Every state has specific policies about vital and legal record retention, storage, and public access. It is important to do a little research to determine what records may be available in the various locations that your family lived. Knowing what records should be available is key to finding information. For help tracking movements of Revolutionary War veteran ancestors, try Patriot Paths. Once you have a list of places, check JGS's Historic Records Resource list of record availability by county with information on how to access those records.

Find genealogical societies in the areas your family lived. This may be a regional or state group, but many counties also have genealogical and/or historical societies (visit our Links webpage to see a list of societies and groups in northeast Tennessee). These societies have collected knowledge and resources for the expressed purpose of making them available to researchers like you. Experienced society members can pass along research tips, share experiences, and even connect you with family. Genealogical societies have a wealth of information and helpful members to assist you. Check the JGS Calendar for meetings, workshops, and other community events that can further your research efforts.

Visit heritage sites. Stroll through the cemetery where your ancestors are buried. You may find informative inscriptions, family plots, and more relatives buried there than you realized. Visit the old homeplaces, the businesses your ancestors built, and the town your family called home. Understanding local history and events that impacted your family opens avenues to further resources. JGS's Links list includes local historic sites that may be of interest. The Historic Records Resources page includes information on various locations for in-person genealogy records and history research.

There are numerous genealogical research websites available these days. Some sites are family tree oriented while others are documentation oriented, and some combine building trees with attached documentation. Many of these sites require a subscription or paid access, but there are free resources available if you know where to look. Check with the local genealogical society or library, many provide free access to paid websites (i.e. - the History & Genealogy Collection at the Washington County Public Library - Jonesborough Branch). Be sure to explore the local newspaper archives. Many newspapers are online or microfilm that can be accessed at local libraries. Newspapers tell the story of the community.

There will be times during your research journey that you feel overwhelmed with the volume of information you find, you will experience dry spells where nothing flows in, and you will encounter the dreaded brick walls. Everyone has these experiences. Whether digital or paper, research should always be properly cited and documented. Keep a running list of questions. The answers are out there.

Being a member of the Jonesborough Genealogical Society has numerous benefits. JGS is an all-volunteer society and we love to share information and help others on their journey to fill in the blanks and connect you with long lost family.

Additional Research Tips:

JGS blog posts - Genealogy Research Tips