Learn How to use the FS Wiki.
It's One of the Best Research Tools
available and it's FREE !
Learn: How to get around in the FS Wiki, How to get started, What one can find, How to be successful in research, and how to get help when needed.
Give yourself a few minutes to try out this outstanding, free research source.
Use the links below.
Use the links below.
Click on the link below each of the four pictures to see what you would actually see if you clicked them on the live Wiki. Scroll down on each article. See all that is available there. When you do the map, be sure to try a couple of locations and then click on "All Countries." It is amazing how many countries are available. Click on a few of them to see what is available. Use the black arrow at the top left of the page to come back to try another link.
Remember that you can always access each of these any time you open the Wiki to the home page -
Here the Links are Blue/Purple when you run over them!
Here the Links are Blue/Purple when you run over them!
 |  New to Genealogy The Ressearch Process Click the link above. When it opens scroll down. |  New to the Wiki? How to Use the Wiki Help Click on the link . When it opens scroll down to see it all Be sure to use The Research Wiki > on the next section! |  Click Here to get to the map. Then click on any of the tags on the Map. Also be sure to click on All Countries to see how many countries are shown, Click on several of them. ^ If you do this one first, you will find all four of these active to your click. |
Every first page of new topic will have a "Contents"box near the top of the page. The box will contain a listing the topics that will be covered in its particular listing. Be sure to read it first because:
1. Each of topics to be covered are listed in their order of viewing.
2. Each topic is presented in order and in a live link to save time.
3 Most articles can be printed.
4. Each of the links can possibly open to a considerable amount of information.
Be sure to scroll down to see all that is offered. The "Contents" box above was used in the following article. Seeing how this one works in the article will help to know how the "Contents" box makes it easy to see what will be covered in this location as well as making it fast to access any of the topics by clicking on your choice in the box. However, you can.
Following is an article taken out of the FamilySearch Wiki. It is a good example. When n the Wiki. the numbered topics are linked. If they were live here, each of the topics listed would be a live link that would open to an article concerning the topic.
We encourage you to click on some or all of the links (blue) throughout this article. Remember that you can click on the black arrow at the top left of your screen to get back to this page or if you are in the actual Wiki, the black arrow would take you back to the previous page. Basically it is hoped that seeing how information is reached will make it easier to try out the wiki to discover what is interesting to you.
Give it a Try!
Family History for Beginners
The links on this box are not live. But if you could click on the 5 topics in the following box, you would get the labeled information as seen below covering each of the 5 topics listed. Each of the topics below the white box do have hot Links.
Click on some or all of them to learn and see how information is offered.
Click on some or all of them to learn and see how information is offered.
1. Getting started in family history research
Numerous articles are available on FamilySearch Wiki to help you get started in family history. This page provides links to articles about basic principles of family history research.
- New to Genealogy? (critical steps!)
- Identify What You Know
- Decide What You Want to Learn
- Select Records to Search
- Obtain and Search the Records
- Use the Information
- Websites for Family History Beginners
2. Deciding Where to Start Looking
Wondering where to start with a challenging name or date in your family history research? One of the following articles can help you decide where to look first for a puzzling:
3. Research Analysis
There are several articles in FamilySearch Wiki that explain how to correlate, corroborate, interpret, and evaluate research, records, and information to determine their relevance, authenticity, reliability, and accuracy, and how to deal with contradictory evidence:
- Family group record: roadmap for researchers
- Evaluate the Evidence
- Research a Family in Community Context
- Genealogical Proof Standard
- Analyzing Census Data *
- See the category page Research Analysis for a complete list of articles that are related to analyzing your research.
In addition to the articles listed above, the following articles may provide additional ideas for participating in family history activities:
- A Guide to Research
- Burned Counties Research
- Civil Government Birth, Marriage, and Death Certificates
- Family group record: roadmap for researchers
- Family History Library Internet Favorites
- Genealogical Proof Standard
- How to Begin a Search for Your Ancestor
- How to Find Descendants in the United States
- How to Get the Best Research Advice
- How To Start Your Family History
- Introduction to Family History
- Locating Genealogical Websites
- Major Databases for Beginning United States Research
- Research a Family in Community Context
- Rookie Mistakes
- Sharing: a good way to FIND ancestors
- Solving Tough Research Problems—Overcoming Brick Walls
- Spelling of Surnames and Given Names
- Spelling Substitution Tables for the United States and Canada
- Start Family History by Writing What is Known
- Surname Research
- Traditional Nicknames in Old Documents - A Wiki List
4. Did you know?
Organizing and documenting the research that you do is a key concept for both beginners and seasoned family history researchers. The following articles will help you understand this important process:
- Organizing Your Files
- Document AS YOU GO!
- Cite Your Sources (Source Footnotes)
- Copying Sources
- Research Logs
- Keeping a Research Log
- Research Compass Description
- Research Analysis
- Analyzing Census Data
5. was not covered here
Watch for Part 3 soon.