Ten Tips to Jump Start your Family History Journey

• Ten Tips to Start Your Family History Journey

The quality of our lives is affected by knowledge of
our ancestors. Such knowledge gives us a sense of
identity and personal responsibility that cannot
come in any other way. As we come to know them
and the strength and courage of their lives, we
begin to emulate them. As we emulate them, we
are bound to them. If this is true, is it not also true
that our posterity will be so influenced by our
lives? If we do not create records that document
our lives, or that of our family, knowledge of who
we are is lost within a generation or two. Without
that knowledge our posterity becomes
disconnected from their roots and the nourishment
those roots provide.
Elder Dennis Neuenschwander, It’s More Than About Names,
Conference on Family History and Genealogy Brigham Young University,
July 27, 2010

• Prayerfully choose a family or an individual
ancestor to learn more about. Give special
attention to individuals who need to have
temple ordinances performed for them.
• Remember, this same process can be repeated and
followed for gathering information about any of
your ancestors.

https://www.lds.org/bc/conten
t/shared/content/english/pdf/l
anguage-
materials/36795_eng.pdf?lang
=eng
Or Google search – look for
pdf link

Ten Tips to Start Your Family History Journey
• 1. Start your family tree
• Your memory is the most readily available source of
information about your family. Record the names you can
remember and the dates and locations of births, marriages,
deaths, and other important events in the lives of your
ancestors. You can write this information on family group
records and pedigree charts or in a research notebook, or
you can record it in the FamilySearch internet site. Be sure
to verify your information by comparing it with
information you find in other sources. Memories fade and
are not always accurate.

• Your immediate family often holds the key to
starting your family history research. Record
the memories of your parents, grandparents,
aunts, uncles, siblings, and cousins as you
start exploring your family tree online. Ask
each relative about specific individuals and
gather details surrounding their lives including
nicknames, places they lived, vital information
(including birth, marriage, and death dates),
occupations, and other important clues.

• 2. Search your home for scrapbooks
• Family scrapbooks often yield important clues
for family history research. Examine your
home for vital records (birth certificates, etc.),
school records, family bibles, diaries and
letters, old photographs, and memorabilia
boxes that tell stories about your family.

A storage box from Brother B’s Archives

Gather Information from Home Sources
Your home is an important source of family history information. Spend
some time looking for records that exist in your home. You may find:
• Family group records, pedigree charts, books of remembrance, or
ancestral tablets.
• Family Bibles.
• Journals, diaries, and letters.
• Personal histories and life sketches.
• Family histories.
• Old photographs.
• Obituaries and newspaper clippings.
• Birth, marriage, and death certificates.
• Household registers and tribal registration papers.

• 3. Start with the family history basics
• Use your initial research for your first searches
and then analyze your results to achieve a
personal success strategy. Following the family
history golden rules will help you become a
more efficient researcher and hopefully lead
to greater rewards in your family search.

• 4. Start your online family tree
• Build your online family tree to organize your results.
Keeping your research and records organized is
important as you continue to find new details related
to your family. Enter important information, including
names, dates, and places to build a solid foundation as
you continue exploring your family history.
• Build your family tree with an online family tree
explorer program

• 5. Start with a family story
• When building your family tree, identify a
potential story about family that you are
interested to begin exploring. Aim to uncover
both newspaper archives and records relating
to your family’s stories in your research.

• Stories can include immigration stories,
religious conversion stories, military service
(such as exploring World War I military service
records), occupational stories (memories of a
first paycheck or time spent as a Merchant
Marine), educational memories (attending
high school or college) or a family legend
(being a descendant from a prominent
individual in American history or confirm
stories of a renegade ancestor with detailed
criminal records).
• The following eleven pages are examples from Brother B’s archives.

Hi Mike,
Sorry, I didn't communicate earlier about what I know of my great grandfather's (William Riley Barrett) Civil
War rifle.
My father said he was told that his father, John Taylor Barrett, gave the rifle to the Daughter's of the Utah
Pioneers (DUP) Museum. I made a visit there a couple of years ago to see if they had any record of the
donation but they told me they did not. However, Anne tells me that the DUP Museum has been understaffed
for years and does not have a great reputation for keeping complete and accurate records so it is possible the
rifle was donated to them but not documented. They have several weapons there from the Civil War.
I have seen one account that claims the rifle was give to the "Civil War Veteran's":
He joined the confederate army at the beginning of the Civil War and fought in the Battle of Chauncerville
where Stonewall Jackson was killed. The old musket he used was kept for years by his son John T. Barrett who
finally turned it over to the Civil War Veterans.
I have no idea if this account is accurate - there is no Civil War Veterans organization in our vicinity that I know
of and I find it unlikely my grandfather would have shipped the rifle back east. The historical excerpt above also
reports that William Riley Barrett fought at the Battle of "Chauncerville" (Chancellorsville) which is incorrect.
William Riley Barrett enlisted in the Army of the Tennessee, 45th Infantry Division, Company G in December of
1861 along with his uncle, Jeremiah Barrett. He saw action at Shilo, Murfreesborough, Lookout Mountain,
Atlanta, etc. but not Chancellorsville. Based on my research, the 45th Tennessee Infantry division was not
involved in that battle.
Several years ago, I was told by an aunt, who has since passed away, that she remembers the rifle being around
their home when she was a child and she remembers picking it up at one point and being overwhelmed with
how heavy it was. She didn't seem to know when the rifle was given away or to whom.
Unfortunately, I'm not aware of any photos that were taken of the rifle.
Bob

A river barge from the time of Brother B’s
ancestors and a current photo of the
countryside.

• North Carolina was the third most populous state in the Union in 1790, but by 1860 it had
dropped to twelfth in population. Hundreds of thousands of White North Carolinians fled the
state during those years, seeking cheap, fertile land in Tennessee, western Georgia,
Indiana, Alabama, Missouri, Mississippi, and other trans-Allegheny states and territories.
Thirty percent of North Carolina’s native-born population, amounting to more than four
hundred thousand persons, was living outside of the state in 1860.
• The migration west actually began before the Revolutionary War (1775–1783), as
adventurous North Carolinians followed Daniel Boone in search of new frontiers beyond the
mountains. After the war, veterans of the Revolution were rewarded with free land in
what became Tennessee.

• 6. Join the family history conversation
• Join a network of family historians both experienced and
new on social networking resources (like findmypast's
Facebook and Twitter) to make new connections and gain
insight on how to expanding your family history resources.
• Staying tuned to the findmypast.com blog for latest record
updates and podcasts (FamilySearch) to help expand your
family history search. Read genealogy articles and watch
youtube videos related to family history to start building
your knowledge base of records and methods for tracing
your family tree.

Use the FamilySearch Internet Site
The FamilySearch internet site, found at
new.familysearch.org, may already contain some
information about your ancestors. Review this information
at the beginning of your search to avoid duplicating work
that may already have been done.

Hi Adele,
It was nice to talk to you again for a few minutes yesterday.
I had an opportunity to look again at the records for the two Robert Lee Barretts listed as sons for both Joab
Lawrence Barrett and William Riley Barrett with two different PID numbers. Both Roberts show a son George Robert
Barrett who, on closer inspection, appears to be the same individual. The spouses, however, for the respective
Roberts are different - son of William Riley Barrett is shown as being married to Mary Ruth Smith while the son of
Joab Lawrence Barrett is married to Margaret Daley. The birth dates are different for the two Roberts but the death
dates and locations are the same - (Salt Lake City, UT). It appears the records have definitely been mixed up with
some correct information being attached to the wrong individuals.
I noticed in the 1870 Federal Census that Joab and Amanda had a son Lee listed as 8 years old and, as I believe you
indicated, a son Wm listed as 10 years old. I assume, as you do, that the 10-yr old is George Washington Barrett -
"Buddy."
I'm not sure what happened to the 8-year old son Lee - I am not able to identify him as Robert Lee in any records
I've come across. A marriage record for "Margret Daley" indicates she married a Lee Barrett in Franklin, TN on 17
August 1882. I wonder if this is Lee, the son of Joab (1870 census) or another Lee. At any rate the 1882 marriage
date is the same date attached to Robert Lee Barrett and Margaret Daley in Family Tree though the location is listed
as Wilson, Tennessee instead of Franklin, Tennessee.
There is definitely some work to do to clean up the records for these two Roberts (if they were both, in fact,
Roberts).
Let me know if you would like to communicate via email and I will address some of the other questions we
discussed in subsequent messages. I am also happy to communicate via regular mail if that works better for you.
Best,

• 7. Search the U.S. census
• The U.S. Federal census is the largest resource for family history and
is a solid starting place for examining your family tree. Starting with
the newly released 1940 US census, trace parents and grandparents
through the census, recording their names, ages, birthplaces,
immigration details, occupations, and residences as your build out
your family tree.
• US Census - Search the US Census starting in 1790.
• Brother B shared censuses from his family tree and how they shed
light on the family and aided further research.

• 8. Search one family story at a time
• Focus on one or two families at a time to help organize your
research and increase your productivity. Select one or two
families that interest you, rather than trying to tackle your
entire family tree at once. Spend time gathering
information and documenting your family in small pieces as
you work towards the larger goal of filling out your family
tree.
• Learn how to then "connect the dots" by following family
members on their journey to America through the U.S.
census, passenger lists and naturalization papers.

“My earliest recollection was of my father’s plantation of cleared fields,
of waving corn, and, best of all, the wild woodlands of beautiful
hardwood trees and magnificent cedars of immense size.” John J Barrett

“When I was about eight years old I fell into an open well
and drowned. I remember being met by a messenger and
told I needed to return to earth as it was not my time and
there was still much to be done. I awoke to find myself all
wet and lying on a board. My mother was weeping over
me.”
John T Barrett Life Sketch on 67th Birthday, Feb. 17, 1946

• 9. Gather materials from relatives
• Your relatives will likely have important resources
in their homes that can assist your search. Family
bibles, letters, certifications, and other important
materials might be only a phone call away. Some
family members might have old genealogical
information from other relatives who have also
worked on the family history that can help
jumpstart your search or add information to what
you may already have.

Louise Matilda Caroline Dahl, John
Taylor Barrett (near drowning victim),
Charlotte and Ellen (twins)

I thought you might find the following of some interest. During our visit, with
Richard he showed me a book he had, History's Apprentice; The Diaries of B H
Roberts - 1880-1898.
On p 48 the following is recorded:
(September 4, 1881) We had benches fixed up under Bro. Gwyn's mill-shed
and a good congregation came to hear. Bro. Ford spoke first and I followed -
had a good liberty.
In the afternoon I baptized W(illia)m Barrett, Benj(amin) Bright, Mrs. S. C.
Vaughan, Henietter Bottoms, and S. Daniels. Elder Jos. Ford and myself
confirmed them members of the Church.
In the footnotes is the following:
William R. Barrett was a thirty-eight-year-old sawyer living in Wilson
County with his twenty-nine-year-old wife, C. V. and their seven children.
* C. V. = Charlotte Varshti
I have also visited with a cousin, Adele, who provided this additional
background:

Hi Bob,
What an interesting journal entry! Bro Gwyn would be Rhoda's brother-in-
law George Washington Gwyn, who operated a saw mill. He joined the
Church also, in fact he and his wife actually came to Utah to receive their
endowments. He returned to Tennessee, however, and only part of his family
was in the Church. It was he that I mentioned, along with Joseph Lewis
Gwynn, who also provided safe haven for the missionaries.
If you look at the 1880 Census for Andrew Jackson Barrett, you will find him
working at the saw mill and in the household of GW Gwyn, George
Washington. Next up the page is Jane Gwyn, his mother, who was also
baptized by BH Roberts and came to Utah where she died in Salt Lake City. It
is my understanding that the Elder Jos. Ford in the journal entry was from
Centerville (as was BH). Fun connections. Thanks for sharing. (I wonder if BH
mentioned baptizing Jane.)
It was good to visit with you and your daughter. You have amassed such a
large quantity of interesting documents and photos. I really think the
information about John A. incarcerated is our John. How did the proceedings
wind up clear up in Virginia though--am I remembering right?
Adele

Sawmill operated by the Oliver family – in-laws of the Barretts

B H Roberts disguised as a vagabond, going
to claim the bodies of Elders Gibbs and
Berry. (1884)

Journal of John Taylor Barrett
Death of Charlotte Varshti Herron, April 25, 1901
Thursday: 4/25 At Home. Mamma very bad – I quite restless and
uneasy. Papa went with Dr. and got some medicine. When he
returned I was with Mamma. At 15 of 11 AM Mama, dear darling one,
passed from this existence to a glorious beyond. I was at her side and
saw her go, the only one there. Papa was having something to eat.
Oh! how our hearts do ache – no power can tell the anguish and pain
but we alone can feel it, not express it. I and Jake and another man
brought Mamma down to the front room downstairs and the
undertaker came. Jos. W. Taylor attended to her with the other man.
Also Mrs. Lloyd and Clements were very handy and kind. Sudie and
Tuzz came at 11 AM. Papa went to Lee’s and to the Tithing Yard and
told Sam. I and Tom went and saw about a grave and lot in the City
Cemetery. I and Tom also went to E. M. Creek and notified Bro.
Fisher’s folk and Bro. King’s folk also. All astonished and overwhelmed
with sorrow. A sorrowful day. I was at Nora’s overnight.
Friday: 4/ 26 At home. Preparing all day for the funeral which was
held in the house 815 Spruce at 4 PM. Bishop Atwood was present.
Bro. James McGhie and Bros. N. V. Jones, J. T. Pry, and Wm. R. Knight
spoke. The house was filled to overflowing and yard was full also. The
grave was dedicated by Bro. Jno. Hafen. At Nora’s. Papa at Lee's.

Original photo of
Bothilda Yorgason

Cleaned up and
enhanced copy
of Bothilda
Yorgason photo

Botilda (Matilda) Yorgason (Sorensdotter) 1840-1858
Lars Nilsson 1826-1892

Hi All,
Here is a picture of Grandma's older sister Matilda/Botilda Yorgason.
Richard and Elise LaJeunesse had the photo framed and on their living room wall. They thought it was
our grandmother Louise - not sure why - but the hairstyle and dress seem to be the wrong generation.
Maybe Aunt Ellen wrote on the back that it was Louise - (she often guessed at who photos were). Elise
and Richard said they rescued the photo from a trash heap after Aunt Ellen died.
Botilda was one of the twin sisters to Ellen Yorgason (there are several various spellings of the surname)
and married Lars Nilson (Larson) in Keokuk, Iowa in 1856 shortly after her family arrived there. Lars was
the missionary that brought the gospel to the Yorgason family in Sweden. Unfortunately, Botilda died
shortly after arriving in Salt Lake while giving birth to their first child, Niels Larson. The infant son also
died shortly after being relocated to Spanish Fork and Nilson married a cousin of the Yorgason's, Pernilla
Yorgason.
There is a longer history listed for him on FamilySearch Family Tree as well as a variation of the attached
photo I posted there of his wife Botilda.
FYI - I have quite a lengthy history of the Dorius missionaries (brothers from Denmark) who brought the
gospel to the Dahls in Norway if you are interested at some point. Their father was on the same ship
coming to America as Grandpa Dahl and his brother Christian who died of cholera and was buried at
Mormon Grove.

The light fixture
from their
grandparents’
home.

• 10. Find a Family History Society
• Connect with other genealogists and family historians
through a local genealogical society or family history event
in your area. You can also post questions to findmypast's
facebook online for others to answer when you need help
with your research. Attending local classes about family
tree research, family history records, and how to avoid
brick walls is an important step to finding answers for
beginners and advanced genealogists alike.
• Visit the Federation of Genealogical Societies (FGS) Society
Hall to find a family history society in your area.
• Become active on FamilySearch.org

Using the FamilySearch Internet Site
Family history information may be handwritten or
recorded by computer, but before temple ordinances can
be done for your ancestors, their information must be
entered into the FamilySearch internet site at
new.familysearch.org. When your family history
information is entered into this site, the system will:
• Show what information has already been gathered
about your family.
• Show which temple ordinances have been completed
and which ordinances need to be done.
• Provide a way for you to print Family Ordinance
Request forms that can be taken to the temple.
• Allow other researchers to use your family history
information to help them in their research.
• Help you find and communicate with extended family
members who are also searching for your ancestors.

Ten Tips to Jump Start your Family History Journey

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Ten Tips to Jump Start your Family History Journey