Are you interested in researching the history of your family? In February, Genealogist Megan Heyl will present two virtual programs at Herrick. The first, on February 16 from 6:30 - 8:30 pm is Jumpstart Your Genealogy With Researching Resources and Building Your Genealogy Toolbox. The second on February 23 also from 6:30 - 8:30 pm will cover Genealogy Road Trip Tips. We will spend some time going over the genealogy information on the Herrick website. We will also answer questions after both programs. These programs will be helpful for both beginners and those who have already done some genealogy research.
If you are just getting started, Herrick has resources to help you. We have Pedigree Charts and Family Group Sheets where you can fill in information on your family. It’s best to check with your family first to get all of the information you can from them.
If your ancestors are from the Holland area, it might be a good idea to check at Herrick to see if someone has already done research on your family. We have quite a few genealogies in our collection. There are also places online to see if research has been done, such as FamilySearch, opens a new window or Public Member Trees on the Ancestry Library Edition, opens a new window website. FamilySearch is available from home for free, but you will need to create an account. While Ancestry Library Edition was available from home for many months due to Covid, it is now available only at the library.
If you are starting at the very beginning, here are some ways to get started:
- Look for your family's vital records (birth, marriage, and death certificates).
- Ask relatives (parents, aunts and uncles, and grandparents) what they remember about their parents and grandparents' families.
- Check with friends of the family.
- Try some of the many genealogy websites. FamilySearch, opens a new window is a great place to start.
- Contact your local Genealogy Society.
- Look for information in local newspapers. Check with your local library to see what they have on microfilm.
- Look for the cemeteries where your ancestors may be buried.
- If your ancestors were members of a church, look for church records. Many church records go farther back than government records.
- Comb Federal Census, opens a new window records. The Herrick District Library has many census records and indexes available.
- For more ideas, read some Genealogy Magazines. Family Tree Magazine, Internet Genealogy, and Your Genealogy Today are all available at Herrick.
If you have more questions stop in at the library. We will be happy to help you get started.
