1. A mother's sources of information.

a.

Her heart memories and treasures. b. Baby books.

C.

Scrap books, notes, snap shots, items tucked away. Things set down too precious to trust

to memory.

d. Her mother love and sense of duty to her children inspires a mother to assemble this data and compile her children's record.

e.

Enlarge on the joy this extra service for her children will bring to her.

2. Equipment and tools necessary.

a.

Well-bound note book, capable of retaining ink as well as pencil writing.

Mother Begins Her Child History Book

1. Ancestral page, including genealogy of parents and grand-parents.

2. Pasting on front page, certificate of blessing, baptism and confirmation, also first tithing receipt.

3. Events and tendencies.

4.

a. Ancestry, parentage, birth, circumstances surrounding birth: date, weight, description of child: color of hair, eyes, etc.

b. Description of place of birth; blessing, full particulars; baby day sayings and actions.

C.

School traits of character, tendencies, reports, etc.

d. Baptism and confirmation, in detail; member of organizations (if boy, priesthood); patriarchal, mission or other blessing in full. Temple excursion dates.

e.

Positions held in organizations or school activities; honors gained. Places visited. (The recorded things we do as children assist in both. mental and spiritual development in after life.) Mother's blessing, together with her hopes and ambition for her child.

a. Dedication of the book to the recipient, etc., etc.

CHAPTER 22

RESEARCH BY CORRESPONDENCE

The importance of correspondence as a means of gathering genealogical data cannot be stressed too highly.

Thousands of names and many fine pedigrees have been obtained wholly by letter writing; but this class of letter writing is an art, and needs to be conducted with judgment. As a rule, it is a task for people to answer letters, especially if the answer requires the putting forth of some effort in the obtaining of names and dates. It is therefore wise to make the answer as easy as possible, and to do this a printed answer form is serviceable.

This form, which is supplied by the Genealogical Society of Utah at ten cents per dozen enables you to ask for genealogical information in an intelligent way, and each person who conducts research by correspondence should understand its value and make use of it to the fullest extent. Printed forms for this purpose are also available in the German language. For those interested in correspondence with other nations, special forms may be printed as circumstances warrant.

In the chapter on family records, explanation is given for cross-reference, and correspondence (that is letters written to and received from those to whom we write) should be just as carefully tabulated and cross referenced. Every scrap of historical data, newspaper clippings containing history of important genealogical events, original documents and all other papers having a genealogical value should be properly filed according to the instructions in the latter part of this chpater.

Caution: Do not destroy any history. It is a simple matter to tabulate important data and if it is impossible to file it immediately it should be put in a receptacle until opportunity for tabulation is given.

Before writing a letter it is important to be acquaint

ed with the primary rules governing this art, and for the benefit of those who desire to become proficient in letter writing a few simple rules are given:

Instructions Concerning Correspondence.

There are certain simple rules governing letter writnig that are very important. To make it easy for those interested in genealogy to carry on a correspondence with those who are likely to be able to furnish valuable data, the Genealogical Society has prepared a tablet containing sheets that are ruled and the lines numbered, the same as the pages in the Individual Family Record. These are of two kinds, first, sheets for the first page of a letter, and second, sheets for the second and following pages.

The first page of every letter should contain the full address of the writer, written in the upper right-hand corner. Under these should be given the date on which the letter was written. Just below, and to the left of the sheet (leaving a suitable margin) should be written the full name and address of the person to whom the letter is written. Precede the name with Mr., Mrs., Miss, or the title of the person addressed, as the case may be. Follow with the proper salutation, such as Dear Sir, Dear Madam, Gentlemen, Honorable Sir, etc., as the case may be. Those writing to foreign countries should be careful to use proper titles, as the people in the Old World are very jealous of these things. Do not say Dear Sir in writing to a relative, but rather, Dear Uncle Henry, or Dear Cousin Mary, or Dear Grandfather, etc. It is well to keep in mind that it is important to be gracious. Kindness is always richly rewarded. Do not fail to express in advance, appreciation for the granting of a request or favor, and make it an important practice to offer payment for any favor asked that may by any chance put your correspondent to any expense, either for the purchase of materials or for the employment of labor.

A safe rule is to write as you would talk, expressing yourself fully and freely. Do not use such expressions

as "Your favor is received, and such old worn-out phrases as "I beg to acknowledge your letter," etc.

When the letter is completed, end it with a proper adieu. Do not break it off abruptly, as you would in writing a formal business letter. This rule does not apply to formal requests made of librarians, State officials, etc., which letters should be strictly formal; but in writing to relatives and friends close your letter with that kindly manner that would characterize your departure in person, and your own greeting, such as: Lovingly your nephew,

etc.

Never fail to keep a carbon copy of the letters you write, (those who do not have access to carbon may make a handwritten copy of the original, but a typewriter is the most efficient means now employed in preserving copy of correspondence).

Correspondence

If letters are written by hand care should be exercised in the forms of letters. This is true in recording data in the records as well, for one of the most important aids to record keeping is: clear, plain penmanship. If the handwriting be poor, the recorder or student should print all proper names and places. It is confusing to temple recorders, indeed to any one, to attempt to decipher illegible handwriting; e and i, 1 and t, r and. s, m and n and u, a and o, are easily mistaken one for the other, where poor penmanship blurs the shape of the letters. A recorder should study and practice penmanship diligently where he has need of such aid to accurate work.

Some simple rules for accurate penmanship: Dot the i and cross the t; close up the o but not the v; make a u have a downward stroke but a w should be a double u with v mark leading from it to the next letter. An 1 should be higher than an e and an s should be closed at the bottom and pointed at the top. Practice in accuracy will make necessary speed possible.

In beginning a research by correspondence it is necessary to have at hand a means of following up your

work. This is best accomplished by making notes of the information that is lacking and then continuing the letter writing until the information is secured, tieing each bit of information received to the person it represents by proper page and line reference.

Your first concern will be to secure missing information concerning your own history and the history of the members of your immediate famly. To do this it is advisable to write to relatives, bishops, ward clerks, and in some cases it may be possible to secure information from the Historian's Office. These sources will supply much information concerning Church activities, but in writing to Church officials give a summary of what information you have and then make a specific request for what you want. This will save them a great deal of time and make it easier for them to comply with your request. Those desiring transcripts of work done in the Temples may secure them at a small cost from the Temple in which the work was performed. The records of the Endowment House and the Nauvoo Temple are in the record department of the Salt Lake Temple where requests for transcripts from these records should be sent. Whenever information is requested be sure to enclose a stamped addressed envelope and state the exact time, if possible, or the approximate time when the work was done, and whether it was done personally or for the dead.

Securing Data From Other Sources

As you proceed with your search you will discover that your line runs into many localities where loved ones in the ancestral line have resided and where their vital statistics are kept. Information concerning them may be had by writing to various officials. In such cases a formal request should be made, accompanied by an assurance that expenses incurred will be met by you.

The following is a good example of a letter addressed to an official. After giving your own full address and the date of your letter, proceed as follows: