Researching your family tree
TIPS YOU SHOULD KNOW
Start with yourself and work backwards.
Look at your mother and father, and then go back a generation, and repeat the process. Do not worry if you can’t figure out a family member on your tree. If you get stuck, work on what you know, then go back later. You can always ask family members for help.
Use genealogy resources.
The Hudson Library & Historical Society maintains a vast collection of genealogy materials including a large genealogical print collection, subscription databases for state-of-the-art family history research and more. Some databases may require a library card or are in-library use only.
Take notes.
Write down where you found the information, such as from a website (which website, and when did you visit it?) a family member, or certain type of resource (e.g. census record). It is a good idea to also keep track of the date when you learned a piece of information so you can easily keep track of what information didn’t pan out compared with those that provided a lead. Along with taking good notes, it may be helpful to have a worksheet to trace family trees.
Consult Vital Records
Birth, marriage and death records are helpful resources for family history research, but may not always be available as vital records were not always legally required. In the State of Ohio, birth and death records were required in 1908, and marriage certificates in 1949.
For more information on the availability of vital records in each state please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/index.htm
Interview Family Members.
Family members can help fill in the gaps and provide additional information. The Hudson Library offers resources for suggested interview questions to get you started.
Online searching tips.
Old census records are filled with spelling errors. Instead pay attention to the surrounding information rather than name (i.e. birth and death dates, location, family members). Search results will vary based on the amount of information entered. If a particular ancestor is difficult to locate, try entering only the basics such as name and or birth. Trying different information combinations will yield different, and potentially helpful results.
Genealogy Resources
The Hudson Library & Historical Society maintains a vast collection of genealogy materials with an emphasis on sources for the Eastern United States and especially Ohio. Some of our resources include:
Books
Census & Vital Records
Genealogy Databases
Newspapers
Obituary Index
Family History Center
Genealogy Assistance
Hudson Genealogical Study Group
Additional Resources
Genealogy resources available online with your library card:
Genealogy forms
Use these forms to help organize and record your research: