Traveling Through History

Happy Family History Month! October is a perfect time to learn more about your family’s history! Families often have very rich histories that can help inform your own sense of self and give you a deeper claim to your identity. Maybe you are just getting started, or maybe you have been researching your genealogy for years. Either way, there is always something else to learn or explore.

Speaking of exploring, maybe it is time for you to travel digitally or physically to an area where your ancestors once lived. Of course, maps can be a great way to get your bearings, but that is not the only way to orient yourself. Each area, region, country, etc. will have different types of records and places to look. Before you begin your travels, it is a good idea to do a little preparation. That way, you will not take a wrong turn or go too far down the road and miss your destination (or an interesting stop)!

To aid you in your preparation, we have a couple of great series that introduce research in a region. First, there is the “Genealogy at a Glance” series (available in print and online). This series from Genealogical Publishing Company is made up of four-page documents that include the basics to get you started researching. They have ones for individual states as well as other countries and specific ancestral ethnicities. These can be a great way to get oriented without becoming overwhelmed. They give you a bird’s-eye view of the geography, and then, you can decide where and how to focus your research. Second, there is the “Research in the States” series from the National Genealogical Society. These guides are available in print at the library. They are a bit more robust than the pamphlets in the first series, so they would be a good way to continue your travel preparation. As NGS says, “When you are building your family tree, knowing what records exist and what repositories hold records for the geographic area you are researching is the key to locating records for your ancestors.” Let these guides orient you to the possibilities within unfamiliar states. Then, build your own locality guide (TIP: Scroll up from the bottom to read the posts in order.) with all that you have learned.

In addition to these two series, you may want to check out the FamilySearch Research Wiki which allows you to search specific regions in depth as well. To learn more about this great resource, check out this brief video introduction. And if you are looking for other ways to celebrate Family History Month, check out this list of 31 suggestions from FamilySearch.

If this is the first time you have heard of Family History Month, you are likely not alone. Since 2001, this month has been celebrated in October as a time to recognize the hobby that “gives individuals a sense of their heritage and a sense of responsibility in carrying out a legacy that their ancestors began.” If you are interested, read the full text of the U.S. Senate resolution that designated October for family history.

As the Congressional resolution proclaims, there is no time like the present to “embark on a genealogical journey [to discover] who [your] ancestors were and how various forces shaped their past.” Bon voyage!