Compiled Genealogies:
Avoid Re-inventing the Wheel
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Original (Primary) Sources vs. Compiled (Secondary) Sources
Original or primary sources are things like birth or marriage records. They are things that were recorded near the time they happened in a person’s life. Secondary or compiled sources are people’s interpretations of original records. Often this involves interpreting several original records to compile a genealogy or family tree. Compiled sources need to be verified with original sources.
Compiled Sources at FamilySearch.org
• Ancestral File. Genealogies or family trees submitted by LDS church members and then merged together. Names of submitters given, but no original sources are listed.
• Pedigree Resource File. A newer version of the Ancestral File, but each submitted genealogy (family tree) is separate. It includes the name of the submitter and his or her contact information. Also includes sources and notes about each family.
• International Genealogical Index. Information about ancestors that was included when temple work was done. If the temple work was done before 1991 you can look up the temple submission and find out who submitted it and possibly find the original sources they got the information from.
Other compiled sources
• Ancestry.com. This site includes OneWorldTree, which is like the Ancestral File but has information submitted by non-LDS persons as well as LDS persons. You have to buy a subscription, but you can access it for free at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City and at several Family History Centers.
• Google.com. This site is extremely useful for finding family trees that people have put on the internet. Put your ancestor’s name in quotes, such as "John Doe" and if the name is common include his year or place of birth. Try several different combinations of words. If you get too many results, put in more information, like a year or place of birth. If you get too few results, put in less information, like just the person's name. Or, perhaps your chosen person lived too recently to be in many compiled genealogies.
Compiled sources at the Utah Family History Library
Use the Family History Library Catalog which is found at FamilySearch.org.
• Surname search. Books of compiled family histories on the first floor.
• Place search. After bringing up information for the city or county in which your ancestor lived, click on "Biography" or "Genealogy." These are usually on the third floor.
After finding a compiled genealogy (a family tree already researched by others), you must begin the process of verifying what you found with primary sources!
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Click here to learn about hiring our team of genealogists to research your family tree. For more free genealogy tips, click here.
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Legacy Tree is headquartered near the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah, the largest genealogical library in the world. We also order records through agents all over the globe.
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