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Archiver > ROOTS > 2008-09 > 1220596684


From: "Kirsten Bowman" <>
Subject: Re: [ROOTS-L] Beginner Research - Birthdates
Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2008 23:38:04 -0700
In-Reply-To: <76C73B46ED1449FD86BCFA26B82D9A32@Main>


Megan:

You need to be a little more specific with the details here. We all begin
with a fair amount of data that isn't backed up by solid documentation. You
enter what you know or what you've been told and go from there. The
critical thing is to record your source for each bit, whether it came from a
birth record or from your great-aunt Sally. Then over time you collect the
records to substantiate what you've entered and record the new sources as
well.

A good genealogy program installed on your computer will be a great help in
tracking your research. If it's an on-again/off-again thing, a to-do list
included with the software will help keep track of where you are so you can
pick up again after weeks or months away. A hint: If you keep a to-do
list, don't delete items that are complete; those will become a handy record
of your completed research if you use them properly. Some software programs
will let you search for sourced vs unsourced data, and some will tell you
with a glance at the screen which items have a source attached.

As far as free birth records are concerned, a great deal depends on where
you're researching (I assume the US, but what state and county?) and also on
the time period. You would need to include that information in a post in
order for listers to help, but trying to collect birth records for many
people in a tree can get very expensive. There are other ways.

Do post again with more specifics. I'm sure there are many on the list who
would be glad to help.

Kirsten



-----Original Message-----
From: [mailto:]On
Behalf Of Megan S Wreath
Sent: Thursday, September 04, 2008 8:23 AM
To: Roots Mailing List
Subject: [ROOTS-L] Beginner Research - Birthdates


I have been researching my ancestry for quite some time, but not very well.
I have been a little sloppy and entered info into my tree on Ancestry that
may not be correct. I am wondering if someone could give me advice to begin
improving my research. I would like to start my verifying and obtaining all
birthdates that I have in my tree first, so that I at least know that
information is correct and then more on from there. Because I do this only
every so often due to my hectic schedule I prefer to not subscribe to a
membership as I feel it would be a waste of money at this time. I know that
there are many free services, but I am unsure where to find the better ones.
Thinking in terms of birthdates at this time, where can I obtain this
information with the trust that it is accurate at no cost.

I will begin to use the list more and I will eventually sign up for the
services, but for now this is my best option. Thanks for your help.

Megan Wreath






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