Research tips- Information on how to research family names

Sources of Information The information presented on this Web site comes from many different sources. The intent of this page is to list as many of these sources as possible. We invasion this page becoming a one stop source of research information. The reader should be aware that many sources in books and on the Internet give conflicting information concerning dates and names.

Book Sources Listed below are several book sources that contain information about the foote family. While most of these books are no longer in print, most libraries have a search and loan capability that will allow you temporary access. Check with your local library.

Foote Family Books

The book "Foote Family History & Genealogy, Vol I," by Abram W. Foote, published 1907
The book "Foote Family, Genealogy and History of Nathaniel Foote, (Vol II)" by Abram W. Foote, published 1932
The book Foote Family Genealogy" by Nathaniel Goodwin, published 1849
The book "The Ancestors and Descendants of Theodore Monroe Foote", by Roberta E. Foote, Topeka, Kansas, published August, 1969.

Other Genealogical Books

"Taintor's Records of Colchester", published 1864
"Historical Collections", by John Barber, published 1838
"Guide to the History and Historic Places in Connecticut," by Mary Crofut, published 1937
Records of the General Assembly of the Colony of Connecticut.
"NEHGR", Vol. IX, 1855, p.272, "Pedigree of Foote", compiled from Goodwin's Genealogy of the Foote Family.
"New England Families", Vol. I, pp.279-281, William Richard Cutter, Woburn, MA., 1913.
World Family Tree, Vol. 2, chart 861.

How do I get Started
I am sure it is the same for most of us, when I was a kid I had very little interest in whom our family was and who our ancestors were. It wasn't until I got much older that I became interested in Genealogy and our family history.

By then I had forgotten who my Great Grandparents were (they died when I was a baby) and had not seen most of my aunts and uncles for many years. I got into the habit of checking phone directories for the name Foote in each town or city I traveled to; If I found our name listed I would call that person to see if they knew anything about our family name.

It was during one such conversation with a person in Baltimore Maryland that I heard about Mr. Abram Foote's two books. It seems he had a copy of the second book published in 1932 and was willing to loan it to me. Once I received the book in the mail I found my dad's name listed.

I then contacted my aunts and uncles to see if they had more information. I received a tremendous amount of information from my aunt Lucile. As it seems she had been keeping information such as names, birth dates, children, and Etc for many years. I discovered a lot of interesting information by just talking to my aunt. Information such as, my Great-Great Grandmother was an Indian Princes from Up-state New York. She gave me information about relatives for three generation back

The information she provided helped me to start tracing my linage back through Mr. Abrams book. With the help of Mr. Abram Foote's grandson's family I was able to trace all the way back to Nathaniel the Settler.

This point of this story is, if you want to find out information about your ancestors, start with your immediate family. Chances are they will have a great deal of information that you were never aware of.

My aunt provided me with names, dates of birth, children, ect for three generation back. This helped me make the link through Mr. Abram Foote's book.

So What do I ask my Family?
There are a number of questions you may want to ask. When you go to ask these questions it would be a good idea to have a notebook or tape recorder along with you to help record interesting stories. Above all write down or record everything you can.

What was your ancestor's full name?
Find out the full name if possible. Include nick names if any. Make sure you get the spelling of the name right. One of the biggest problems people have when looking for information is they spell the name wrong. Try to get the full names of ancestors on both sides of the family. Sometimes you can pickup bits of information from relatives by marriage.
What was their relation to you?
It is important to know if this person is directly related or was married into the family.
What was their wife's family name?
This is important. Sometimes her family may have kept records that may be useful to you in your search. Even though you are searching for your ancestors, it is a good idea to find information on both sides of the family. As a general rule, I personally try to map out names of family members for three generations on each side for each ancestor.
Where were they born? Try to find out where they were born and where the birth records might be kept by the local government.
Where did they grow up? - Try to find out where your ancestor spent most of his/her childhood. Ask if your family member knows of any interesting stories. Here is where you should have a small tape recorder with you.
When were they married? Marriage records are usually fond in the county courthouse of the town or city they lived in. It is possible to obtain copies of these records for your files.
What were their parent's names? This information can help you trace back another generation. With the aid of Mr. Abram Foote's books you may be able to establish a link back to our number one ancestor.
When did their parents marry and where? Again, marriage records are usually fond in the county courthouse of the town or city they lived in so it is important to try and find out where this blessed event occurred.
Where were their parents buried? See if you can find out where the death records are kept.
Where did they pass away (name of state, cemetery, etc.)? This type information can help a genealogist to find information about your ancestor.
Were there any other Family Members buried there? Find out if other family members are buried in the same place. Especially on the wife's side of the family. This can help you piece together information about your ancestor. Ask how old your ancestor was when he died. This can help sort records of people with the same name. As an example if their are two John Foote's buried in the same city, Knowing your ancestors age and exact date of death can help you make the right selection.

Additional Questions

Who were their ants and uncles?
Do they know were their ants and uncles were born, married, lived and were buried?
Ask them who is their oldest living relative is?

What Next?
Next you should key all the information you gather into a good Family Tree software program. This will help you organize the information you accumulated. There are a number of good low cost software programs out there you can use. Once your data is organized you can start your search. Some key sources that should be checked are:

US Census Records - This can help to determine where your family actually lived including the actual dates.

1930 Federal Population Census On April 1, 2002, National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) research rooms across the country were filled with people eager to look at the 1930 population census.

Once you have established exactly where your ancestor lived, there are a number of other genealogy documents you can search. Each of these documents can usually be obtained by writing to the local authorities. However there may be fees required to obtain copies.

Local Obituary Notices - Most library's have microfilm records of old local newspapers that can be searched for obituaries and death notices. Another source would be County Court Houses.
Tax Notices - Local tax authorities may have records of taxes accessed to your ancestor. You can find out who the local tax authority is by calling or writing to the local Chamber of Commerse.
Land Records - These records can usually be found in the local County Court House.
Wills - Wills if they exist and were probated can be found with the County Register of Wills office in the locality where your ancestor lived.

Other sources of information can be Church Records, Birth Records, Etc. Each of the above records will help you piece together information about your ancestor.

Internet Research Links When all else fails you can search the Internet . Listed below are several Internet sources that contain information about the Foote family and provide more information about how to search for your ancestors. The reader should be aware that many sources in books and on the Internet give conflicting information concerning dates and names.

Additional help with research Help from http://www.genealogytoday.com/genealogy/newbie.html on the Gen Genealogy Today web site.

The Genealogy Link Page - A Foote Family Association Web page containing several additional web links.

Finding Your Ancestors on the Internet A Guide to Internet Search Techniques for the Surnames in Your Family Tree.

Why You Can't Find Your Ancestors By Roots Web.com

US Department of Commerse A link to the Department of Commerse for each state in the US.

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