Friday, March 15, 2013

Family Trees

Branches to the family tree can certainly get confusing.  How to picture and put together all the branches can be an interesting task.  The following figures give one example of how this can be accomplished using a variety of methods all grouped together.

First is graph paper.  Any old kind will do.  I personally like reinforced filler paper, two sided, which seems to hold up a little better to my doodles and drawings.  Double sided gives a chance to use back and front of a single notebook page which opens the view to the imagination. [ 4/sq/inch on front and 5 sq/inch on back ]

Second is "square and circles".  [The square = males, the circle = female.]  This gives a way to draw a number of generations on the same page and connect the dots.  See my blog GE-NE-AL-O-GY 101 for a discussion of this method.

Third is a chronology.  By know you must recognize that a detailed chronology is paramount in the tree climbing adventure.  The figures show my chronology (in years) placed along the sides of the pages.  This can be done in all sorts of intervals.   This gives a "time line" to the family tree.

Forth is a coding mechanism.   This allows one to give each individual a distinct place in the tree, and hopefully allow one not to get confused along the branches.  My coding method is simple and flexible, using the alphabet and numbers. [The coding methods have been discussed in several of my blogs.]

Finally, I like colors.  A color code will give a visual picture that can be followed page after page of the family tree. Each major branch is given its own color code, so that as the generations increase, they can be followed page by page.   This especially helpful when those folks married 1st cousins!

The drawings shown are done with the graph paper turned side ways.  This will also give more room to place the family branch.

Family trees...the leaves will grow and the branches get broader.




The pink side of the family had to be placed on a page all to itself.

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Where To Look

Resources that aid genealogical research are everywhere.   Readings, references, and resources are to be part of the hunt, and can provide the tools for those brick walls.   For the surname JONES, the following is a wonderful resource for getting help in times of need.

Started by Mrs. Darla M. Jones, [Pialto, CA], in 1973, it consists of 19 volumes of reprints from this magazine.  Published quarterly, until 1992, it provides all sorts of information for the JONES surname.  Information from all states are contained.  Genealogist from all around provided their contributions to this newsletter.  The volumes are indexed. (Which helps a lot.)  There is no cumulative index, which means you have to examine each volume one by one.

Volume 19 ends 1991-1992.  The genealogical information for the JONES surname is contained within.  Where to look, a place it is.

[Note: All genealogical information needs confirmation and I have found some errors.  A complete set is located at the Joseph Wheeler Jones Memorial Library, Danville, KY.]