Starting SMARC Research

Before you dive into researching your family tree, there are some things that are helpful to learn and understand.  You want to start off on the right foot, don't you? SMARC suggests these things for all 'newbies':

• Study the Genealogical Standards and Guidelines at The National Genealogical Society.

• Learn How to Create an Effective Message Board Post and email communications with other researchers.

• Understand that not everyone hosting a project genealogy web site [such as USGenWeb] is available to help you with your personal research.  They may only be a volunteer  administrating that project's county site,  live outside of that county, and have no resources about that county.

• Be open to taking either an on-line genealogy course or one at your local genealogical society or library. At the very least,  get a hold of a good book for beginners.

• Always cite your sources !!!!

• Always be polite !!!

Genealogy is the study of deceased ancestors, not the living.  Researchers must know or gather enough information about their parents or grandparents' families back to a starting point of 1930.  We will not be able to see the 1940 census until the year 2012.  Thus today, we must start researching backwards from the 1930 census.    Remember that even though your family may have roots in the tri-state area going back many generations, in 1930 a lot of folks had to leave the area to find work during The Great Depression.  Don't be surprised to find them living in OH, IL, or MI working  in factories, or other parts of TN, WV and KY working the coal and copper mines or around Pickens Co., GA working in the marble quarries.  They also went to major southern cities to work in cotton mills and factories.  In other words, you may find them living in an unexpected place for the 1930 census. 

This is the most popular software being used by on-line researchers and the one that we use.  Click on the graphic to order yours today !!
 

If you are lost as to how to begin, we suggest this book:  "The Complete Beginners Guide to Genealogy, the Internet and Your Genealogy Computer Program" by Karen Clifford.

If you are already a member of ancestry.com's census images collections, use the top banner to start searching 1930 census images.  It is an every-name index.  If you are not yet a member of ancestry.com or genealogy.com, use the bottom 2 banners to start your 14-day "free" trial. 

After you have located your family on the 1930 census, you can then research backwards using our ......Happy Hunting !!

Design, Graphics, Photos & Content © Copyright 2004 Carol Ann "C.A.T." Tindell, Blue Ridge, GA