Find My Origins

04/23/2015

Who says Genealogy has to be boring?

An effective way to make family search more engaging to younger people, especially children, is to look at it as a game. The Familysearch.org writers has come up with some ideas of what you can play with your younger families or friends. Not only are these games entertaining, but they are also educational and is a great way for them to know more about their ancestors!

https://familysearch.org/blog/en/fish-engaging-younger-family-members-family-games/

One of the new and inviting ways that families are successfully engaging younger family members is with family history games. Some parents prepare the games and host a family game night at home. Th...

04/17/2015

Check out our mentoring service program on our Find My Origins website!

New at genealogy, need fresh ideas, or just don't know where to go or what to do next? Our experienced genealogists at Find My Origins are prepared to help you learn new skills and to answer whatever questions you may have to make your tasks easier for you. Our mentoring services are personalized and the lessons are tailored according to your needs. To learn more, please visit our website!

http://www.findmyorigins.com/mentoring-services/

The Find My Origins mentoring services are available to you and to the members of your society, association, or organization. Genealogy can be complicated and mysterious; especially for those who are just beginning their search, those who have hit a brick wall, or those who need to find new and crea…

12/11/2014

Need a gift for the family historian? Whether they are just starting and need a little guidance or they simply do not have the time to add to the family's genealogy, we can help! Find My Origins is offering a SPECIAL holiday tree building package. For $150 we provide 3.5 hours of professional assistance to advance your genealogical work. We will analyze your work, add to your tree, provide a report including charts and make suggestions to help you keep researching. Let us make your holiday shopping easier! We also offer gift certificates for many other packages. To contact us, visit our website at www.findmyorigins.com

12/11/2014

We love these! Genealogy turned into art. Frame it, hang it on the wall and the family can easily see your work. Plus it inspires conversation about your ancestors, gives you a chance to share stories with all who see it and you can pick your favorite color!

11/27/2014

Happy Thanksgiving to all. Hope you are surrounded by friends, family and laughter.

Today is a wonderful day to add some Thanksgiving memories and traditions to your tree. Genealogy is more than names and dates. It is uncovering the stories that shaped your ancestors and your family as well preserving that history for the generations to come. Our work is more complete when we include personal stories, family recipes, interesting events, achievements and tragedies. Those events helped shaped our ancestors and might provide insight into their motivations and movement.

In fact, if you have hit a brick wall, take a look at the details of your family. What were their occupations? Might they have followed job opportunities. Where did their neighbors go? Did their church do missionary work or expand into other areas? Did their neighborhood suffer devastation such as floods or fire that forced people out of the area? Our ancestors, like us, do not exist only on paper. Their lives are enmeshed with friends, family and community.

11/19/2014

Can't find that death date? Consider unique sources like the records of fraternal organizations such as the Masonic Lodge. Some of those records are available at the Family History Library like those from Grand Lodge of Arkansas, 1941-1990. Find My Origins can be your eyes at the library in your search for interesting ways to pinpoint vital dates!
https://familysearch.org/search/catalog/955606?availability=Family%20History%20Library

Discover your family history. Explore the world’s largest collection of free family trees, genealogy records and resources.

11/18/2014

If you have Catholic ancestors who lived in Saint Louis, don't miss the burial index from the Archdiocese of Saint Louis!
http://archstl.org/app/cemeteries/burial_search

Search burial records of cemeteries within the Archdiocese of St. Louis, MO

11/18/2014

FindAGrave.com (FAG) is an invaluable tool for genealogists. However, it is important to remember that FAG relies on user contributed information. Why is this important? Because the information is only as accurate as the people who made the contribution. If there is no photo of the gravestone, it is possible that the well-intentioned contributor either misread the date or simply typed it in wrong. Familial relationships are often implied or suggested. They are based on like names and dates of those buried in similar locations. Does this mean the information you find on FAG is has no value? Of course not! It simply means that the information gathered from FAG should be the starting point and not the answer. Read more at: http://www.findmyorigins.com/find-a-grave-trust-but-verify/

11/17/2014

Green-Wood Cemetery in NYC is more than a burial place. It is filled with history, nature and beauty. Green-Wood is well worth a visit even if you do not have ancestors buried there! http://www.newsday.com/news/new-york/history-landscaping-architecture-tales-told-in-nyc-s-cemeteries-1.9623792

When New York City was hit with the 1918 influenza pandemic, the deaths were so

11/16/2014

As you join the family for Sunday dinner, consider adding a little information to your family tree by asking some simple questions. Where did you go to school? Where did you attend church as a child? What was your favorite Thanksgiving tradition? As a bonus, your children will learn a little more about their family and the conversation just might be more interesting!

11/15/2014

Ancestors married in ? Find them in the index and we can pull the record! http://ow.ly/E8mNv

Name index to marriage records from the state of Arkansas. Microfilm copies of these records are available at the Family History Library and Family History Centers. Due to privacy laws, recent records may not be displayed. The year range represents most of the records. A few records may be earlier o…

11/14/2014

If you are truly stuck in your research, consider asking for help. Sometimes a new set of eyes or a different perspective is all it takes. Or perhaps someone else is aware of a source you might have missed. Help comes in a multitude of forms. Consider a relative, fellow genealogist, a professional, local historical society or an online forum. This weekend, the National Archives is offering “Help! I'm Stuck” Genealogy Consultations. If need professional help, please give us a call or send us a message. We would love to help! You can find more information on the NARA event here: http://www.archives.gov/dc-metro/events/

DC Area Events, genealogy workshops, booksignings, lectures and scheduled events.

11/13/2014

We recently read an article that provided tips on ways to tell if your family research was accurate. Number 2 suggested that if others found the same information, it was an indication you are correct. STOP! That is a terrible way to vet your research. Just because hundreds or even thousands of internet trees have the same information, does not make it true. In fact, it is entirely possible that your very different information is correct and those trees copied from each other are wrong. Good research does not depend on numbers but rather careful investigation and the use of multiple sources. Find the facts in primary records and verify with additional documents whenever possible.

11/12/2014

If you have colonial ancestors, don't miss the amazing resources at the DAR Library in Washington DC. From documents to family histories as well as DAR records, there are many unique resources. Read more at: http://www.findmyorigins.com/repository-focus-dar-library-and-archives/

Repository Focus: DAR Library and Archives November 11, 2014 For genealogists with colonial ancestors, perhaps no other archive or library is more useful than the DAR library, located in Washington DC. It was founded in 1896 and contains a specialized collection of genealogical and historical recor…

11/11/2014

Reading an index is not enough! During a recent project, we were searching for a death certificate in the hopes of finding a lead on the subject's parents. Using directory entries and census reports, we narrowed the window for the death date to include several years. However, a NYC death index showed only one possibility but the death was for a small child. After reviewing the data, we remained convinced the subject died in NYC in that time frame. We acquired the actual death certificate and it was for the target ancestor. The certificate was both incomplete and had information in the wrong boxes but it was clearly for the correct person. After all, how many two year olds have lived in NYC for 18 years and been a tailor! Always check the original document not only the index both because there are errors and because there is additional information. We are happy to help with document retrieval.

09/23/2014

Documents are the cornerstone of all research. Look what this man was able to accomplish!

Let us help you do the same!

A Virginia man thinks you can learn about your ancestors. And he has the resources to help you.

09/23/2014

Old death certificates often present puzzling causes of death. While not understanding why an ancestor died will not put a stop to your research, knowing more about your ancestors will create a more detailed picture of their lives. And who knows what clues that cause of death might give you! Rudy's list of old medical terms can help you decipher those unknowns - http://www.archaicmedicalterms.com/

A Glossary of Archaic Medical Terms, Diseases and Causes of Death. The Genealogist's Resource for Interpreting Causes of Death.

09/22/2014

The LDS Church is promoting a campaign to record our grandmother's stories. As part of the social media initiative, they have suggested 20 great questions to ask your grandmother -- or your grandfather! Or any member of your family. Ask as many questions as you can while you can! In addition to asking the questions, if possible gather pictures and family recipes! Even if it doesn't progress your genealogy, you just might strengthen the family ties.
https://familysearch.org/blog/en/20-questions-capture-grandmas-story/

What do you know about your grandmothers? Do you know what they were like when they were your age? They may now live far away or with your family. But each has had experiences that could be recorde...