T’is the season for tree climbing – that is — family tree climbing. There is no better time of year to travel to the towns in your ancestors’ past. The options for opening family doors can be almost anywhere in the old hometown: libraries, churches, schools, historical societies, town halls, the list of possibilities is endless, the possible gold mines you may uncover exciting to contemplate. Relatives, neighbors, school chums mentioned in old letters, where to begin?
Begin by laying the groundwork at home. If you know a visit is in your future, look at the gaps in your knowledge and think about the questions you may want to ask. You may want to make copies of some of your information, both for your own quick reference, and also to stir memories of anyone you may talk to. (No, not the entire binder just some of the more important dates, names and places.)
If you are going to be visiting someone you have a reference to in your relative’s papers, consider whether they may appreciate a copy of something unique you may have. For example, when I see a distant cousin soon, I plan to bring a copy of some old family photos of her late father. She may already have them, but I don’t think so, and it is a kind gesture either way. Remember a picture is worth a thousand words, and having a photo of the old school building you want to talk about may eliminate discussion of the wrong school. Use www.earth.google.com or www.historypin.com to see what the area looked like then and now. Search for websites for the local historical society for more photos.
In your preparations, do not neglect a search of free family tree websites. On just the 10 listed here, there are over a billion (that’s right B-illion) names listed, any of which might be the brick-wall ladder you have been looking for. Searching now may put you in contact with someone in time to prepare for your local history tour. These free websites are: www.appletree.com; www.familypursuit.com; www.findmypast.co.uk (many British Isles trees); www.gencircles.com; www.geneanet.org (based in France); wwwwgenebase.com; www.genesreunited.com (many British family trees); www.geni.com; www.werelate.org; tribalpages.com; and wikitree.com.
Once you get there, don’t forget the treasure in the library, in particular search out early town and county histories, wherein you may find great old photos found no where else, as well as a good description for what life was like for early ancestors. If you are very lucky; you may find a copy of a family genealogy relating to you, or cemetery records which could save you hours of trekking.
No matter what you learn or where you get your family tree information, remember to take it with a grain of salt, that is, verify “facts” for yourself. While you are in the hometown area, it is the best time to try to find local sources, such as official records (wills, deeds, vital records) or other sources which can take your new information from hearsay to fact. Don’t forget your camera, and don’t forget to have FUN!
Editor’s note: Columnist Nina Brawn of Dover-Foxcroft, who has been doing genealogy for over 30 years, is a freelance genealogy researcher, speaker and teacher. Reader e-mails are welcome at ninabrawn@gmail.com. The Aroostook County Genealogical Society meets the fourth Monday of the month except in July and December at the Cary Medical Center’s Chan Education Center, 163 Van Buren Road, Caribou, at 6:30 p.m. Guests and prospective members are always welcome. FMI contact Edwin “J” Bullard at 492-5501.
