Genealogical Research Methods - Spring 2007 Syllabus (in left frame)
Instructor: Tom Doherty (tdoherty@udel.edu)
- Wednesdays, 2-3:15pm, Room TBD (Spring 2007)
Class Web site: http://copland.udel.edu/~tdoherty
(actual course will evolve here during semester)
Extracurricular Activity: Genealogy Computer Workshop follows class: - Wed 3:20-4:20pm
Genealogy Computer Workshop (limit 22/session in Room 214): sign up at registration or in ALL office:
For Spring 2007 Class & Workshop Schedule,
see class website at: http://copland.udel.edu/~tdoherty (left frame)
However, you are strongly encouraged to register for the Genealogy Computer Workshop (p.40 of catalog) on Wednesdays at 3:20-4:20pm, immediately following class. A part of each class lecture will be devoted to information useful for the workshop.
Bring to first class/workshop (if possible): so you can more easily find what may be on the Web about your family:
1. Information about exactly where your ancestors lived: town-county-state and/or town-country and the government jurisdiction(s) in between. Also bring the names of those ancestors, about when they lived in that place and ways their name could have been misspelled.
2. Your UDelNet ID# and password (see Genealogy Computer Workshop)
3. Your Delaware public library card # and PIN# so you can access the HeritageQuest databases from your Delaware public library's website (or bring a non-Delaware public library's card# and PIN as well as the website URL). Non-residents can get a Delaware public library card for $15/yr.
4. Your wireless laptop at Arsht accepted for access to web at Arsht (see procedure at http://copland.udel.edu/~tdoherty/WirelessUD.pdf) for right to access UD databases including Ancestry, Library Edition.
Recommended Texts (purchase
optional):
Loretto Szucs and Sandra Luebking, The Source, A Guidebook of American Genealogy (1996)
W. Dollarhide, A. Eichholz, Ancestry's Red Book: American State, County and Town Sources (1992)
Kip Sperry, Reading
Early American Handwriting (1998)
Thomas P. Doherty, Delaware
Genealogical Research Guide (2002) DGS Guide Review
For Spring 2007 Class & Workshop Schedule,
see class website at: http://copland.udel.edu/~tdoherty (left frame)
Thomas P. Doherty, December 28, 2006 - comments to: tdoherty@udel.edu
Advanced course below NOT offered this semester:
First we will review the first semester highlighting what kinds of records are available and how to decide what information is accurate.
Class# - Topic
While the actual 13-week course will be tailored to class interests, a sample course might include the following subjects:
1. (Feb 8) Review (2 class sessions)
Information About Ancestors - Where to look
Other possible topics during the semester (will add requested topics from class)
More detail on topics covered in first semester - especially those requested by class
How to Find What You Want on the Web - new sites
Reading Old Handwriting (2 sessions)
Preservation of books, documents and photos
Court Records (Common Pleas, Sessions, Superior Court) - defendants and plaintifs
Demonstration of Genealogical Software (2 class sessions)
Building a Personal Web Page (1 class session)
Examples of successful use of DNA data
More Stories Through Original Documents to track ancestor's lives
Class exercises to Solve Classmates Research Problems
Genealogical Research Methods, Part 1 topics were similar to those below (for Fall 2006 actual topics, see Fall06 Topics)
Interviewing Relatives (oral histories, family memoirs). Forms: Pedigree charts, group sheets. Developing a Research Plan. Web Sources: Has someone else already researched your family (databases, e.g. PERSI database of journal articles; google, newsgroups); published genealogies. Genealogical Software: Family Tree Maker, Personal Ancestry File, The Master Genealogist (How good are they?).;
Rules of evidence (original record vs. other sources).
2. () Introduction to Types of Records and the Census: What you'll find in the U.S., Canada and British census; Ancestry vs. ProQuest; How to get free on-line access. On-line searching techniques.
3. () Introduction to Local Resources (Government/private): vitals, newspapers, "mug books" web databases Death and Taxes: Wealth of information from annual tax lists (cont Oct 19)
4. () Genealogy
on the Web: Finding information about other places on the web.
Includes Web surfing: social security, queries, newsgroups, Cyndi's
List, LDS, US and World GenWeb : finding rare books, abbreviations, occupations, diseases,
Accessable Archives, Historical Newspapers, calendars
5. () Local Government Records (start): Deeds and court (probate, orphan, chancery, common pleas, superior) records; Timelines
6. () Local Government Records (continued): This lecture will include the first of several journeys through the records to solve genealogical problems, a technique that demonstrates, by example, an actual research process that resulted in success. Highlights use of a Research Guide and the importance of knowing the geographical characteristics and history of that region.
7.() Other Local Records - Tracking Ancestors (family relationships, age, marriage, death, migration, etc): census, city directories, vital records, church and cemetery records, taxes. Where Do I Put All My Stuff?
8. () From
Whence They Came - Migration Within the U.S. and Colonies
How to figure out where your ancestors came from and where in that place they lived. Includes getting started researching in a specific area using Delaware purely as an example (most states have similar records). A Civil War Surgeon Who Couldn't Keep Still (A multi-state journey through the records) Military records: Service and pension records, bounty land, land patents, etc.;
9. () Just Where in That Old Country Did They Come From?: From Whence They Came - Foreign. How to use various U.S. resources to locate the European town of origin for 19th century immigrants and how to search those foreign records from Wilmington. How to find out what foreign records are available and which ones to search next.
10. () Immigration and Naturalization Records after 1850 (guest lecturer: Jack Worton)
11. () Reading Old Handwriting: practice makes perfect! – class exercises (Colonial US and foreign – deciphering the gist of it). Hand in research problem by Nov 23 (discussed in class Dec 7)
12. () The Future of the Past - DNA Studies
13. () Black and White, but Colorful (Stories from the Newspapers).
14. () Selected
Genealogical Topics – Semester Summary
Specific Help to Solve Your Own Research Problems
Bringing Your Ancestor to Life - beneath the skin, nobody's perfect
Thomas P. Doherty, December 21, 2006 - comments to: tdoherty@udel.edu