Step 1. Make a plan! In order to succeed in your genealogy research, you must have a clear plan of action. Start with small goals and work your way up. Spend more time gathering information and citing each document. Identifying your sources as you go saves a lot of time and headaches later.
Step 2. Treasure hunt at your home or your relative's homes. You could find birth certificates, death certificates, marriage records, personal correspondence, and old photos. They could easily unlock more generations of your research.
Step 3. Research at an archives or genealogy library. Call ahead with questions you may have to ensure the records you are seeking are readily available. The #LaurelJonesCountyLibrary Genealogy Department is home to over 4,500 family files and books.
Step 4. Start an online family tree. There are a number of websites that allow you to create and work with your family tree for free. The two most popular are www.familysearch.org, and www.ancestry.com. Ancestry is a paid site. You can build a tree there for free.
Step 5. Get a DNA test. This could lead you to people and places you would never have known about. Genetic testing is a powerful tool, but do not think it will take the place of your paperwork. It is just an added tool.
One last tip, do not forget social media outlets! There are a number of surname organizations on today's social media. You can also locate family historians, genealogists, and other researchers on social media.
Contact me at geneal@laurel.lib.ms.us if you have questions about your research.