By Nancy P. Goodman, Genealogy Instructor for Senior Citizens
Where ever you go, be sure to
ASK QUESTIONS!
If you are researching your family history and decide to travel to other
areas to complete your search: Remember this:
Many people won't realize that you don't know about everything that is available,
so they won't tell you about what may be very obvious to them.
My number one tip to my genealogy students: At every library, always
ask if INDEXES are available, and if any type of VERTICAL or FAMILY files
are available where people may have submitted copies of their family files.
(For example: There is a 29-page index listing the family and local history
files in the Genealogy Section at the Montgomery County Publlic Library in
Clarksville, TN, that you might not know about, if you don't know to
ask.)
You should ask in each county if an ARCHIVES is available, too, as many of
our counties now have an Archives with their old records. HOWEVER - sometimes
- the Libraries and the Archives DO NOT always communicate with each other!!!
So they won't necessarily tell you about the other group - UNLESS YOU KNOW
TO ASK!!
My genealogy friends (and students) went to one of the area's genealogy
libraries, and reported back to my class about their findings. Then I asked:
"Did you also go to the County Archives, which is located on the lower level
in the same building?"
"No", they said, "no one told us about it!"
Be sure you ask EVERYWHERE you go: "Is there a special genealogy collection
in the area that I can get access to?" I always tell my genealogy students
the story a friend relayed to me: she went to a nearby University library
and researched for several hours. As she was about to leave when the library
was closing, someone asked her, "But did you find anything in the Genealogy
Room?" She didn't know it existed!
Your community college library may have a collection of history and genealogy
books on the area. Check with them about the hours they are open and policies
for non-student use of the facilities.
Also ask at libraries and courthouses "Who is the best person to talk
to about the old records or people in this area, etc.?" Many places will
have a certain person that EVERYBODY goes to with their genealogy questions
about that area.
You might also check out the newspapers in the area, and if you have time
before you go, write a note as a 'letter to the editor' to be published in
the paper; telling of your search, and that you will be in the area on certain
dates, and ask people to contact you if they can help.
Another option is to check with the local Chamber of Commerce to get advice
and help. They may have a listing of information they can provide which will
help you; certainly, they should have maps and flyers available on many historic
houses or sites in the area.
The historical and genealogical societies in the area may be able to offer
some assistance; for instance, the Roane County TN Historical Society will
offer a guide to help you in your search. And many historical and genealogical
societies gather family history information and display it at a local library
or elsewhere.
For example: The Mount Juliet/West Wilson County (TN) Historical Society(http://www.rootsweb.com/~tngenny1/mtjuliet.html)has a Genealogy Section in the Mount Juliet Public Library where
their extensive collection of historical and genealogical materials and
books is housed.
(also see A List of Some Genealogical and Historical Socities in Tennessee
at:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~tngenny1/tenngen.html)
But don't be afraid to ASK QUESTIONS!! Sometimes you must know the right
question to ask to get the information you seek, so BE INVENTIVE and USE
YOUR IMAGINATION to complete your research on YOUR family
history. Return to my Home Page
{Home Page]All rights reserved by Nancy P. Goodman; PO Box 863; Hendersonville,
TN 37077.
Last updated May 03, 1997, with some editing done on 02 Jan 1999.