Family Tree - Starting Your Family History - A Beginner's Guide

Family history is easy to get started, especially if you've still got older generation relatives to pester with questions. The first person you start with, however, is yourself. Write down all the pertinent facts about you: birthdate & place, who you married and when, the birthdates & names of your children if you have them. Add any sisters or brothers to your list and then start on your parents. You'll need their full names, when they married, when & where they were born, their brothers and sisters, and their parents. Here's where it starts to get tricky. As your list grows longer it becomes harder to keep track of all the info. A simple way of doing this is to keep records of statistics for each individual on a separate page while also keeping a record of your direct line of ancestry. You can either invest in family history software, which you can get quite cheap or you can do it all on paper. A simple search of family history groups should provide you with resources to either download pages for printing or contact info for your local group. If you can't find a group through an internet search engine, look the old-fashioned way and head to your local library. Family history groups are intimately connected with libraries through their research needs. Most groups have copies of the correct recording pages to give out or sell to researchers. Once you have the pages in hand you will see that they are quite easy to follow. There are spaces for names, partners, dates, children, occupation, parents and usually space for brief info on the children such as who they marry and any children they might have. Keep your pages together in family groups. You'll also come across a page that looks more like a family tree starting with one person and ending with slots for up to six people. Fill these out as well. If you haven't quite figured it out yet, family history research uses lots of paper so you'll need somewhere to store it. Look around for a sturdy suspension file box or cabinet. You will eventually hit a few snags in your information trail. What you can't get from your parents, grandparents and other relatives, you should be able to get from the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. These registries issue, for a fee, copies of birth, death and marriage certificates registered with them. Registration of such events hasn't always been compulsory though so once you get back 100 years plus certificates are harder to find. Record all the info on to your pages and store the certificate somewhere safe. Each certificate should provide you with parent names and occupations, and siblings or issue. As you reach further back in time you may find that some of the names are a little different to what you expected. This may be in spelling only or it may be a completely different name. The information recorded on the certificate depends on the knowledge of the original person providing it. Another common experience is that people have the habit of changing the name they are known by over their life time. For example, my grandmother's name was "Dorothy" but everyone called her "Billie". My great-grandfather's name was "William", yet his officially recorded name is "Willie". If you are struggling with obtaining all the information on long-dead relatives then take a look at what you do have. Occupations, membership in groups, schools and knowing where they lived or were born, can all unearth more history. Try contacting local history groups and family history groups in the area where your ancestors lived. Research the groups they participated in. One of my greatx2-grandfathers was a member of the Oddfellows Society. The group did, and still does, provide health fund membership. Through research into that group in the local area I found details not only of my direct ancestor but also a number of his brothers, brothers-in-law and father, including when and how some of them died, who they were married to and when they had children. Hopefully by this stage you have joined your local family history group where you will find plenty of people to help you, resources, and access to further lines of query. Your group may also run courses for beginners and will advertise other courses and workshops you can attend. To research your family history, you need time, patience and a curious mind. Talk to your family and record their stories, but don't take what they say as the whole truth. Investigate everything you can and back up the stories with facts. Truth, like names, changes over time. ~~~~~~~ Trish is a freelance writer for hire. Read more of her articles and pick up a copy of her new e-book, Plan to Write Plan to Succeed, for free at http://beginningsmiddlesends.blogspot.com/ Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Trish_Anderson

Family Tree - Finding Family Burials in Edinburgh and Leith

The position is this you have worked out your Family Tree; you know where people came from and have an idea when people died. The next problem is how do you find the place of interment? At first glance this may seem simple and straight forward. However in a lot of cases it isn't for the simple reason people are not always buried where you would expect. Contrary to what many people think people from the earliest of times people could travel quite far and of course increasing numbers of people from the 16th/17th century to the present travelled even further afield. So a person born in the UK could have lived most of his life in the UK but then travelled and died abroad which was very common in the records of the 19th century because Great Britain had colonised 25% of the surface of the Earth. Even in a small country like Scotland people travelled and in the 18th and 19th century the fastest way to travel was by ship and so down the east coast of Britain developed a coastal trade with ships traveling from port to port down the coast from the Orkney's in the north to London in the South. That is the reason why in Edinburgh and Leith cemeteries there are gravestones dedicated to people who came from Orkney or from places outwith of the area Not only this but many people in the past could simply not afford to buy a headstone and so it is found that there many times more unmarked graves then marked. The next problem is you have found the proper cemetery and so it should be the case of going and finding the grave. Unfortunately not, for example if your ancestor was buried at South Leith parish Church there are over 300 headstones and over 11,000 unmarked graves dating from the 16th century. At Greyfrairs in Edinburgh there is over a quarter of a million unmarked graves. So by just going to what you think is your ancestor's last resting place could prove to be a complete waste of time. Also apart from this gravestones can be moved, damaged, eroded, vandalised or removed completely. This problem however can be solved quite simply. The first thing to do is to produce as far as possible as accurate a family history as possible. If for example they came from Leith then their last known address in Leith will be given on the death certificate. This restricts the number of possible cemeteries that they could be buried in. The next thing to do is to approach the Edinburgh Council Bereavement Services at- anne.grannum@edinburgh.gov.uk giving them all the available information that you have on your ancestor. They will be able to check the burial records free of charge and give you the position of the interment. It should be noted that unmarked graves are recorded so many feet north, south, east and west of a particular headstone. Also remember they only hold the records for Council cemeteries, private cemeteries hold there own. However the council can advice on who to contact. However before visiting a cemetery ensure you have all the relevant information first. Always go properly prepared and in that way you won't have a wasted journey. John Arthur is married with two sons and is a Genealogist and local historian in Leith,Edinburgh. Having websites at http://www.lineages.co.uk,http://www.leithhistory.co.uk and http://persevere.lineages.co.uk. Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Arthur

Family Tree - Entrepreneurship Story; Over Regulation in Franchising Final Chapter

Sally and Jim have launched their automotive franchise business and are now selling franchises; problems arise as lawyers and over regulation threaten to ruin their life's work, see how it ends; tragedy or success. A realistic story of modern day franchising. . . Sally says "well we do not need to do site selection because we were going to go to that shop it is a great location, besides since Joe is a long time employee we are giving him a discount." The S2D2 is so smiling now seeing as they have been on the phone nearly 45 minutes at his billing price of $150 per hour and he loves to round up, over billing may not be his middle name, but definitely in his family tree are the family names of White and Waters, he continues smiling. The S2D2 says "you cannot give him a discount if his parent partners are from IL and you have to offer the same exact deal to everyone in IL and it will severely jeopardize your future franchising in IL." Sally enraged starts to say something, "This is b-," but doesn't she just is thinking how much she wants to kill the adulter'ing, over charging, scum and S2D2 (Sally thought this not the author of this truly purely fiction story) for not explaining all this ahead of time, they promised Joe. Jim and I honor our word and besides we are about to open the new shop and Joe has waited for this and we are over loaded with business as it is, even if we opened the shop ourselves either way, it must be opened to meet customer demand, we just cannot wait, no way. The S2D2 feeling the tension, which usually brings him his best money clientele, says quickly. "Okay, I think I can work through this, we will figure it out, why not come in tomorrow to talk about it?" Jim says "We can't, we are stacked with cars at all three shops, down two mechanics and Joe will be gone to MI to talk to his soon to be partner. They are going fishing, Joe needs some time off." The S2D2 says "well tell you what let's get your bill paid current and we can meet, I have time next Wednesday, (six days away) meanwhile tell Joe to hold tight on the meeting, wait on the disclosures, see if Joe can get out of the lease deposit or transfer the deal to your name. Tell Joe to alert his parents that he will not be cashing the check until I can call the states of Illinois and Michigan and get those documents in there." The attorney knows some folks in Michigan from college to drop names so he figures he can easily get the exemption for making an offer but not selling yet, as he remembers reading something in the regs on that a few years ago. Illinois will be a different issue, he has to think on this and be careful not to get himself in trouble. Jim says "we have to wait another week?" Jim thinks to himself, do I have to call you when I need to use the restroom too, you would probably like that to hold me and help me aim, he decides he will just be quiet and listen? The S2D2 says "Yes, Jim, I am afraid to say yes. And meanwhile contact an Accounting firm and make sure they do audits." Sally says "but, you said we did not need audits for two-years?" The S2D2 says, "Well yes that is true but you are franchising in IL now, they require audits. Unless Joe has another way to do this business on his own?" Sally says "I'll ask him, but I think he has no credit, especially after his divorce two-years ago, his wife ran off with an attorney." The S2D2 sensing some hostility being aimed his way says "I am sorry to here that, but maybe you can figure something out, maybe there is another way, meanwhile. It is 5:30 pm and I have to take my daughter to Harp Lessons and then to the Batmitzvah rehearsal, we are so proud of her. Besides we have been in high time billing for 30 minutes. Tell you what I will work on this first thing tomorrow, get your bill caught up, check on the CPA firm, I have a friend who does a little of that if you want a name?" Sally says, "NO, we will find one." Jim says, "thanks for your time, we will do what we need to do." The S2D2 says "Don't thank me, you are paying for it." Then he turns to his secretary and says, my wife can take the kid to piano lessons or whatever it is she is doing, would you like to have drink Liz and they roar off in a BMW paid for with a little tricky accounting and double billing to clients and a few thousand copies at $.50 a page. The next day Sally calls to find an accountant to do the audit, she calls the entire yellow pages and even uses the new South Bell owned online yellow pages, no one wants to do it. Most tell her it will be tough with the new Sarbaines Oxley law all the accountants are busy and most no longer do audits, too high errors and omissions insurance costs, due to too much litigation, too much liability and getting peer reviews is now triple the time to complete, along with their costs. Sally is very upset. Joe was upset because he cancelled his fishing trip wonders if his investor friend will be angry. He is also upset since Sally asked him if he could do the business without his parents, now wants to reverse the lease and thinks that Sally and Jim are going to try to open that new shop without him. Joe can't wait, wants to start. His partner wants to move from MI before winter sets in, the delay will mean he will come and want to get a paycheck before the business is ready to pay for two owners salaries. Joe needs both his parents and partner to make his dream, of owning his own shop a reality. So far the attorney is the only one who is making any money. Sally is on everyone's bad list and Jim is having ulcers again. So stressed out he actually yelled at a customer again today, he never use to do that, that was way out of character, Jim loves his customers. Sally is determined to work this thru, she will call more accountants on Monday, but from the word she has gotten it will be another $35,000 to do the audit and take minimum of three months, that is if someone will agree to do it and if the costs do not go up again, as most accountants are really not interested in this type of work for anything but Fortune 500s. Sally knows three months is unworkable for Jim, Joe or even her, they need the new shop now. Joe is pissed at Sally, even though he knows it is not her fault. Jim is mad that Joe will not be patient and Jim is mad at Sally too and now he hates attorneys even more, he thinks they should all be killed, but also knows, it really isn't even the attorney's fault, it is the regulations he thinks, all these stupid rules. Joe thinks of all the rules he has to deal with already, all the agencies all believing they are so important and all the possible ways he can get sued, he runs a quick list in his head as he thinks knowing he cannot possibly remember them all and knowing that anyone of them can shut down his business. The constant stress, let's see in my auto shops, I have to deal with OSHA, EPA, DOT, IRS and things like SARA, RCRA, HazCom, VOC, MSDS. There are more than 100 different agencies that the owner of an auto shop has to deal with. Just some of the necessary permits needed; Burglar Alarm Permit, Building and construction Permit, Occupation Permit, Conditional Use Permit, fire Protection Permit, Hazardous Materials Permit, Generator treatment permit, Underground storage tank permit, Accidental release prevention permit, Above ground tank permits, Land-use permit, Storage Tank Permit, Underground tank monitoring plan, SB198 Safety Plan, Zoning Approval, Landscape Authorization permit, noise Permit, Industrial water discharge permit, Business Personal Property County license, Fictitious name Filing, Public Health Permit, Weights and Measures permit if gas is sold, Cradle to grave form on all chemicals that are classifiable, Waste management Plan, Certificate of Disclosure of hazardous Substances and Plan, as well as other things like a Corporations number, Tax ID Number, OSHA plan, I'll stop here, but they don't. Oh crap the phone is ringing, damn lawyers, damn regulators, we ought to bury them upside down for those new bicycle racks the city put in next to the bus stop in front of my shop while imminent domain'ing my much needed parking area. Damn government. Urrrrrrr! Note: Jim is a fictional character he thought this, the author of this story on the other hand loves wonderful government agencies, adores lawyers, and likes to participate in government rule making, because it is a worthy use of time and is extremely pleasurable? Jim settles down he thinks the S2D2 is just doing what all attorneys do, that is their job description, it merely justifies all the jokes he and his crew tell in the shop, but everyone already knows this anyway he decides. Who thought of all these stupid laws anyway? It just makes no sense, it is just like being stuck in his four-wheel drive as a kid in the MUD. Meanwhile the attorney is at a franchise convention (wink, wink). The franchise attorney has no clue what to do and gets on the ABA forum online system and describes the situation and asks what to do, hoping someone else on the board has worked thru such a mess before, knowing every deal is gray and nothing is black and white and if no answer comes back by his return over the email, he will figure something out, after all that is why they pay him the big bucks? Liz rolls down the window cruising down the strip in Paradise City, the wind blown hair and a glance towards the S2D2 and he knows this is going to be one hell of a night. The S2D2 thanks his lucky stars and thinks a little thanks goes to Jim and Sally and that Joe character, whoever he is. Oh and thanks to the over regulation and miss-coordination of the Federal Trade Commission and states like IL. He thinks also may be one day he might just actually go to one of those Franchise Rule making meetings, maybe he will rifle off a letter, or have his paralegal write it while he takes dictation? (no pun intended). He wonders who ever goes to these meetings, after all Jim and Sally are too busy and the Federal Trade Commission has them in the stupidest places anyway. Just then Liz turns again and says lets go here, lets get a room with a Jacuzzi over looking NY, I love green. The S2P2 thinks, well I love green to, even if this one is only a building. He pulls in all smiles knowing there is a lot more money for more trips like this where that came from. Jim and Sally are becoming quite good customer, a couple more like them and he can go into semi-retirement, maybe become a wine collector on the side. He flips the valet the keys, a ten spot and off to the suite they go. He follows Liz in, what a body he thinks, he has totally forgotten he is married. Too be continued. . . "Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lance_Winslow

Family Tree - Family reunion vacation

A family reunion is an important event for the entire extended family, as this is the time when all get together, free from the hassles of their busy lives. So it becomes all the more important to choose a location which is convenient and interesting for all the members, from young to old. While deciding a family reunion vacation, a place where everyone can enjoy, have fun, celebrate and feel comfortable is an ideal place. Keep in mind the size of the family, the budget, and the interests of all before deciding a place for the vacation. Compare the prices of all the travel agents and the various discounts offered by them, and then make a decision. For a family vacation you can choose either a hotel or a resort, where you can enjoy the various comforts for a few short days; but a house boat is good for a more adventurous vacation. You can also visit a place that is related to your family history, to know more about your roots and your origins, making it more than just a time of togetherness. It also makes you realize that what all do you have in common. Beaches can also serve as wonderful place for your vacation, where you can affirm your connections with your siblings and cousins you have not seen for a long time. You can also go on hikes, or visit an amusement park during the vacation, to thrill yourself and your children, making it more exciting and fun. Family Reunions provides detailed information on Family Reunions, Family Reunion Gift, Family Reunion Ideas, Family Reunion T Shirts and more. Family Reunions is affiliated with Family Tree Makers. Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kristy_Annely