Step 14 – ‘Check Websites That Offer Historical or Genealogical Societies in The Area You Are Researching’

Welcome back to this installment of the 22 Steps in Researching Your Family Tree!

“Why did the genealogist take a DNA test?”

To see if his roots matched his branches.

When it comes to family history research, historical and genealogical societies can be an invaluable resource. These organizations often have access to local records and information that may not be available elsewhere, making them a valuable tool in your research. Here are some tips for finding and utilizing historical and genealogical societies in the area you are researching:

1. Search online: The first step in finding historical or genealogical societies in your research area is to search online. Many of these organizations have websites that provide information on their services, resources, and membership options.
2. Check local libraries: Local libraries often maintain collections of historical and genealogical records and may have information on local societies. They may also have partnerships or affiliations with these organizations, which can provide additional access to resources.
3. Attend events: Many historical and genealogical societies host events, such as lectures or workshops, that can provide valuable information on local history and genealogy research. Attending these events can also provide opportunities to meet other researchers and share information.
4. Join the society: Consider becoming a member of a historical or genealogical society in the area you are researching. Membership can provide access to exclusive resources, such as databases, publications, and research assistance from experienced members.
5. Volunteer: Historical and genealogical societies often rely on volunteers to maintain their collections and organize events. Volunteering can provide opportunities to gain experience in genealogy research and access to resources not available to the general public.
6. Don’t forget about smaller organizations: In addition to larger historical and genealogical societies, smaller local organizations may also have valuable information and resources. Be sure to search for organizations specific to the town or county you are researching.

By utilizing the resources available through historical and genealogical societies, you can gain a better understanding of the lives of your ancestors and the communities they lived in. Take advantage of these organizations and the wealth of information they provide to further your research and discover more about your family’s history.

Don’s Story

Don had always been curious about his family’s history, but he didn’t know where to start. He had heard about historical and genealogical societies, but he didn’t know how to find them. That’s when he stumbled upon Step 14 of a family history research guide that recommended checking websites that offer historical or genealogical societies in the area you are researching.

Don quickly got to work and searched online for societies in the town where his grandparents had lived. He was surprised to find several societies that had information about the history of the town and the families that had lived there. He also found genealogy websites that had directories of societies and more information about their services.

Don decided to attend an event hosted by one of the societies, where he met other researchers who shared their experiences and knowledge. He also learned about the resources that the society had available, including databases and publications, that could help him in his research.

After attending the event, Don became interested in joining the society. He was excited about the exclusive resources and research assistance that membership provided. He also saw this as an opportunity to give back and volunteered to help with organizing events and maintaining collections.

By utilizing the resources available through historical and genealogical societies, Don was able to learn more about his family’s history and the town where his grandparents had lived. He felt a deeper connection to his family’s past and was grateful for the information that he had found. Don knew that he still had more to discover, but he felt confident that he was on the right track thanks to Step 14 of the family history research guide.

7 Tips for Step 14

When conducting family history research, historical and genealogical societies can be a valuable resource. They often provide access to local records and information that may not be available elsewhere. Here are some tips for finding and utilizing historical and genealogical societies in the area you are researching:

1. Search online: The first step in finding historical or genealogical societies in your research area is to search online. Use search engines like Google to find societies in your target location. Make sure to include the name of the town, city, or county in your search terms.
2. Check genealogy websites: There are many genealogy websites that have directories of historical and genealogical societies. Some popular websites include Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.org, and MyHeritage.com.
3. Check with local libraries: Local libraries often maintain collections of historical and genealogical records and may have information on local societies. They may also have partnerships or affiliations with these organizations, which can provide additional access to resources.
4. Attend events: Many historical and genealogical societies host events, such as lectures or workshops, that can provide valuable information on local history and genealogy research. Attending these events can also provide opportunities to meet other researchers and share information.
5. Join the society: Consider becoming a member of a historical or genealogical society in the area you are researching. Membership can provide access to exclusive resources, such as databases, publications, and research assistance from experienced members.
6. Volunteer: Historical and genealogical societies often rely on volunteers to maintain their collections and organize events. Volunteering can provide opportunities to gain experience in genealogy research and access to resources not available to the general public.
7. Look for smaller organizations: In addition to larger historical and genealogical societies, smaller local organizations may also have valuable information and resources. Be sure to search for organizations specific to the town or county you are researching.

By utilizing the resources available through historical and genealogical societies, you can gain a better understanding of the lives of your ancestors and the communities they lived in. Take advantage of these organizations and the wealth of information they provide to further your research and discover more about your family’s history.

In conclusion, historical and genealogical societies can be a valuable resource for genealogy researchers. These organizations offer access to unique resources, such as local histories, photographs, and other records that may not be available elsewhere. Additionally, societies provide opportunities to connect with other researchers and to learn about the communities where our ancestors lived.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that not all historical and genealogical societies are the same. Researchers should do their research and choose societies that are reputable and that have resources that are relevant to their research interests.

Moving forward, Step 15 encourages researchers to subscribe to free genealogy newsletters and blogs. These resources can provide valuable information about new research methods, tools, and resources, as well as insights into specific individuals or events. By staying up-to-date with the latest developments in the field, researchers can expand their knowledge and make new discoveries. So, be sure to check out Step 15 to continue your journey into your family’s history!

NOTE:

In closing this blog post, I hope that the blog series has been beneficial to you about learning more about genealogy and how to trace your family history. If you have any questions, comments, or feedback on the series or would like to suggest any improvements, please don’t hesitate to send me a message or email. I value your input and appreciate your support in helping me to create more helpful and informative content for aspiring genealogists. Thank you for following along on this journey, and I wish you the best of luck in your own genealogical research.

Sign Up Today to get new content delivered directly to your inbox.