Introduction to Family History
This was obviously not my first Unit as it wasn't sceduled when I commenced the Diploma and I was too impatient to get started on the Diploma to wait for it to come around.
This Unit taught methods of planning and recording information. Location and use of major family history repositories and records, evaluate accuracy and learn how to present your findings clearly.
I did my Research report on my Great Great Great Grandfather Henry Tipping
General questions to ask yourself as you begin include:
What do I already know, or believe that I know?
Are there any family myths/legends that i want to find more about?
What am I hoping to discover?
Accurate research techniques include:
Looking at all possible sources
Ensure your facts are supported by reference material to show how you came to your conclusions.
Are your sources reliable?
Resolve any discrepancies in source material
Four categories of historical sources
Primary sources - letters, birth, marriage and death certificates, census records, photographs, newspaper articles
Secondary sources - uses the information found in the Primary sources. A step removed from the firsthand account found in primary sources. Usually some time has passed between the source material and the creation of the secondary source.
Original sources - created at the time of the event. Written documents, newspaper reports, diary entries, sound/video recordings.
Often a source is both a primary source and an original source.
Derivative sources - derived from original or primary source material involving similar information. Transcription of an interview, birth, death or marriage certificate. Newspaper report written at the time of the even but based on first hand accounts not on the experience of the author. Derivative sources can be either primary or secondary sources.
Links to get started
GRO (UK Birth and Death certificates)
Trove (Australian content)
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