Starting My Family History

by Miriam Caldwell | More from this Blogger

07 Aug 2006 07:28 PM

Family history is one important aspect in the LDS culture. You may be a lot like me. I know that most of my family history has been completed generations back. I was born into a family where three of my grandparents had parents who came across with the pioneers. My mother's father however joined the church after World War II. He was the only member in his family. He completed his four generations of family history and the temple work and shortly after this he passed away.

I know that this family line needs to be completed. I, along with my sisters, have felt prompted that it is something that we need to work on. I am completely stumped as to how to go about it. Allow me to elaborate. My grandfather's mother and father were first generation immigrants from Poland. They came separately, and then later met and married. So I have a language barrier from where I need to start. Then Poland has a rocky history. In the early nineteenth century Poland was a part of Prussia. So I need to look through their records. Part of my problem is that I do not know where to begin, even regionally to order records to look at.

The basics steps to start on your family history are to gather the information you have and then visit familysearch.org or your local family history library. (As an aside if you are interested in family history work or genealogy, but are not LDS you are still welcome to visit and use the LDS family history library in your area. It is a pressure free environment where workers can help you search for your ancestors.) The family history workers will be able to help you get started.

After visiting my library I've realized that I need to visit the main Family History Library in Salt Lake City. I know that after a few hours I will have learned enough to get started. I am going to look more into what I can do at home, and keep you updated on my search. I may talk one of my sisters into doing the legwork for me, since they live in Utah and I don't.

Learn more about Miriam Caldwell

Miriam is a SAHM mom of three children. She has a daughter who is seven, and two sons, four and two. She loves being a parent and spending time with her children.

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Lisa P (24013) 11 Aug 2006 07:01 PM

Wow! I'd love to hear what you find out about Poland. I've got my family traced back to 892. Speaking and reading French was a necessity. My husband's family is from an area near Poland that has been part of Poland at one point and its own nation at others. (You know how flexible those European borders were.) I definitely have a language barrier when doing research there and would love any tips you could provide!

Miriam Caldwell (8030) 11 Aug 2006 07:28 PM

When I get there I will let you know. I know that you can order a sheet of Polish words from the Family History Center which will help you read the records. My biggest problem is that I can't figure out where to order the records from. I don't have enough history to figure out which region belonged where when. So I'll let you know what I find out. It is great that you went back to 892. That is awesome, and I know the French was very helpful.

blossy (1161) 11 Aug 2006 09:46 PM

I wish you luck with finding out as much about your family as you can. I think it's wonderful that you know where to start looking.

No one in my family is interested in family history and no one knows where my Dad's grandparents came from. I'm at a loss on his side but at least with my Mum's we've manage to go back to the 1700's. It gets a little hazy from there!