ACTIVITY
Follow simple steps for doing genealogical research
In this episode, as Tom Madrid told his story, he mentioned that he had visited several different libraries, archives and other places where records were kept. Also, our hosts Jim and Terry Willard met experts and users of the library who described the following important steps in doing genealogical research.
- Collect as much information as you can about the family.
- Define a clear, specific research objective about one person at a time.
- Identify a place where records are kept and select a specific record to search.
To the right is a pedigree chart showing John Fitzgerald KENNEDY (35th President of the United States) on line number one, with his spouse Jacqueline Lee Bouvier. In this activity you will follow the simple steps for doing genealogical research. Your research objective will be to find information in the library to create a family group record for either:
-- John F. Kennedy, as a husband with his wife and family.
or
-- John F. Kennedy, as a child in his father Joseph Patrick Kennedy’s family.
Use the information on the pedigree chart to begin to create a family group record.
Fill out the top part of the Research Log with the name of the person and the research objective for that person.
Go to the library to locate sources of information about your research objective. Write a description of your sources and the results of your search on their Research Log.
Discuss what you were able to find with your teacher and class.
EPISODE FIVE: ACTIVITY SHEET
A larger, readable version of this pedigree chart is available here
