Rockdale County GaArchives Photo Document.....Newsletter-Rockdale County Genealogical Society January 24, 2008 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Larry C. Knowles knonga2temp@gmail.net April 15, 2008, 9:39 am Source: Larry C. Knowles, Conyers Georgia Photo can be seen at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/rockdale/photos/documents/newslett17506ph.gif Image file size: 164.8 Kb Newsletter-Rockdale County Genealogical Society [page 2 of 2] After finding an ancestor, be sure to look at nearby census entries. In earlier censuses, especially in rural locations, siblings or even parents may be found in the same area. Make copies of all same-surnamed families, even if you don't know how they may be related. If you know a wife's maiden name look for those families, as well. Now that you have filled in a few family groups, you should start to organize things. You can begin with a simple pedigree chart, but the best way to organize is with a computer genealogy program. Family Tree Maker is the most popular, but most of them will do the job. Look for one that is GEDCOM compatible, as that format allows data exchange among the various programs. [FTM-2008 has changed completely after nearly 18 years of upgrades, and is said to be more internet efficient. However, some users say text files, which include sources, are not translating fully to the new edition; they are still recommending Version 16 instead]. There may be free programs online-or those you can try before you buy. The LDS church site < www.familysearch.org > once offered its PAF-Personal Ancestry File-for free download, or on an inexpensive CD. Whatever you select, don't settle for entering only the names & dates in your program-link all facts with their sources as soon as you fill in the "blanks". After finding locations for some of your ancestors, it is time to get down to the meat & potatoes of family research-county records. If you live nearby, go to the courthouse! If not, go online and Google-genealogy then your county & state, and see what comes up. Look for sites specific to the county, as there will be many commercial links. Online content varies widely by county; those sites with long-standing Genealogical Societies are usually among the best. There maybe several different sites for each county-so check them all. The USGenWeb's "Archives Project" sites are my favorites. I hope they become the "industry standard". Most counties will have two court systems. In Georgia, these are the Superior and Probate courts. Superior Court's name has remained constant, though Probate was once known as Inferior and Court of Ordinary. In Alabama, Circuit Court corresponds with Superior, so there may be differences in your state. Criminal and civil cases in Georgia are filed in Superior Court-and deeds are recorded. Probate Court is a goldmine for genealogists here. Marriage licenses. Guardianships. All estate records, be it wills(testate) or without a will(intestate). Contested wills, however, would be carried to Superior Court & might not be indexed in early probate records. All types of estate-related bonds and guardianship bonds are filed here. Inventories and Sales from intestate estates often offer views into your ancestors' lifestyle-and are much more interesting than simple wills! Tax records[digests]are also found here. Taxed acreage is listed by Militia Districts-along water courses, with adjoining landowners noted. In Land Lottery counties the exact landlot maybe given. So, if you can't find a deed recorded, you may find where your ancestor lived through his tax records! Research in Georgia was greatly enhanced with the recent completion of new facilities for the National and Georgia State Archives in Morrow[the buildings are side by side]near the main entrance to Clayton State College(University)on Jonesboro Rd.[GA Hwy 54]. The State Archives has a wonderful old card catalog file for its extensive self-serve microfilm collection-which includes most of the county records above(prior to 1900). It also has the tax digests, Civil War records, extensive publications, and much more. Currently they are in the process of listing their holdings online. The National Archives-Southeast Region has Federal census for the area, Federal-level court records, Revolutionary War pensions, WPA records and much more. There is just too much in both facilities to itemize here. So, if your heritage is in this part of the country, plan on visiting both. Your ancestors are waiting to be found! OPEN HOUSE- The local LDS Church, 1275 Flat Shoals Rd. S.E. has announced a mini-seminar on Family History on Saturday January 26, 2008 from 10 a.m to 2:30 p.m. Light refreshments during the lunch hour. Sixteen classes will be offered-including "Getting Started". For more information & pre-registration call: 770-785-9888 It is FREE, from genealogy's best friend-our Mormon neighbors! Jeans & Genes is published by Rockdale County Genealogical Society % Nancy Guinn Library, 864 Green St. SW-Conyers GA 30012 Officers for 2008 listed in regular edition. Newsletter Editor: Larry Knowles- knonga@bellsouth.net Archive Editor: Marion Farmer- < http://mtf.home.mindspring.com/newsltr.htm > [Slightly revised: January 24, 2008] File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/rockdale/photos/documents/newslett17506ph.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/gafiles/ File size: 0.8 Kb