Genealogy Tips - Part 1

Genealogy research is a lot like a treasure hunt. It can be very fun and rewarding to unearth family information, but it can also be potentially frustrating if you don't have as many facts as possible on hand to get you started on the right track. Because of this, we here at MLC thought it would be a great idea to share a few helpful links, book titles, and tips we've learned along the way while assisting our patrons with genealogy research. So here goes!

Tip #1- Organization is key! You may find a little bit, or a lot, but having a well-organized accordion file folder, or a three ring binder (or whatever works best for you) will save you in lost time and headaches. Everything you need will be right on hand.

Tip #2- Gather as much information as possible! Interview relatives, obtain copies of vital records (birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, etc.) and plot out a general family tree (or ancestral chart) using what you already know (or gathered through interviews with relatives). There will be exceptions to this rule. Sometimes the impetus for starting genealogy research is because there's not much family information available to begin with. That's okay! Gather as much information as you can and try to fill in the gaps as you go along. Please feel free to contact us if you need assistance.

Tip #3- Take your time and enjoy the process! It's perfectly fine to take a step back if you hit a bump in the road, or if life happens and you can't devote as much time as you'd like to the whole process.

Helpful Links:
Getting Started - National Genealogical Society
Organization for Genealogists - About.com

Titles at MLC:
AARP Genealogy Online: Tech to Connect by Matthew L. Helm and April L. Helm. 2013
Genealogy Online for Dummies by Matthew L. Helm and April L. Helm. 2009
The Official Guide to Ancestry.com by George G. Morgan. 2008
Plugging Into Your Past: How to Find Family History Records Online by Rick Crume. 2004
...and many more!

Did you know that we have Ancestry Library Edition and Heritage Quest available for use on our premises? If you have a library card with us, you can access Heritage Quest at home. Contact us for more information!

Don't Eat The Books

Have you ever noticed how many children's books are about food? I suppose that would be because food is one of the things little kids, older kids, and people who wish they were still kids can all identify with. Makes me hungry:

• Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
  written by Judi Barrett
  illustrated by Ron Barrett
• Stone Soup
  written by Marcia Brown
  illustrated by Marcia Brown
• One Green Apple
  written by Eve Bunting
  illustrated by Ted Lewin
• The Very Hungry Caterpillar
  written by Eric Carle
  illustrated by Eric Carle
• Magda's Tortillas/Las Tortillas de Magda
  written by Becky Chavarria-Chairez
  illustrated by Anne Vega
  translated by Julia Mercedes Castilla
• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
  written by Roald Dahl
  illustrated by Quentin Blake
• James and the Giant Peach
  written by Roald Dahl
  illustrated by Quentin Blake
• Everything on a Waffle
  by Polly Horvath
• Strawberry Girl
  written by Lois Lenski
  illustrated by Lois Lenski
• Blueberries for Sal
  written by Robert McCloskey
  illustrated by Robert McCloskey
• If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
  written by Laura Joffe Numeroff
  illustrated by Felicia Bond
• Creepy Carrots
  written by Aaron Reynolds
  illustrated by Peter Brown
• How to Eat Fried Worms
  by Thomas Rockwell
  illustrated by Emily Arnold McCully
• Tales for Picky Eaters
  written by Josh Schneider
  illustrated by Josh Schneider
• The Stinky Cheese Man
  written by Jon Scieszka
  illustrated by Lane Smith
• In the Night Kitchen
  written by Maurice Sendak
  illustrated by Maurice Sendak
• Green Eggs and Ham
  written by Dr. Seuss
  illustrated by Dr. Seuss
• Too Many Tamales
  written by Gary Soto
  illustrated by Ed Martinez
• The Talking Eggs
  written by Robert San Souci
  illustrated by Jerry Pinkney
• My Darling, My Hamburger
  written by Paul Zindel

I think it's time for a small snack and a short read.