CHAPTER 5

RESEARCH IN THE UTAH GENEALOGICAL LIBRARY

There are two parts to genealogical study, the recording of data already in hand, and the securing of more information or research, as it is called. When the student has prepared his living family records, has learned how to arrange the genealogical information of his dead, and knows how to apply such information for use in his temple labor, he is ready to discuss where and how he can obtain more information concerning his ancestry. There are a number of long established agencies through which he may obtain the desired data.

1.

His personal memory, and the memory of relatives or friends furnish much data. This is what may be termed tradition.

2. Correspondence with relatives, friends, parish and civil authorities or officials.

3. Old papers, letters, Bibles, or memorial cards, old family records. All of the preceding sources have been treated in another chapter yet they also may have a bearing on the searcher's further labors, at home and abroad. 4. Parish cemeteries furnish good clues.

5. Church records are also full of data.

6. Local, state and government records, both European and American, are fruitful of results. War lists and records. Early census reports.

7. Printed family histories and pedigrees.

8. The Utah Genealogical Library and Society. This is the first and best of all sources of information.

9. All libraries, both genealogical and public, in Europe and America.

10. Information on indexing and duplication is essential.

11. Surnames deal with name sources.

12. Heraldry adds historic genealogical clues.

Family and Surname organizations crown all this

inquiry and scrutiny with the highest point of possible

success.

Qualifications Required.

A certain type of mentality is necessary to constitute the ideal genealogist, for genealogy is an exact science as well as an exacting occupation. Persons who possess what is termed the "clerical type of mind” are qualified by nature for this service. If, in addition to natural gifts, the person has a good education, with a bent toward history and research, then indeed, in such a person is found united the three requisites for perfect genealogical work. Mothers who have reared their families, widows and aged and incapacitated men, these all, imbued with the love of the Gospel and the righteous impulse "to search out their dead;" are the ones most commonly found in the rooms of our library, in the ward classes and at work generally throughout the Church. None of these need despair of ultimate service, provided they are willing to study, to practice, and to follow strictly the rules laid down in this book, in the library, and in the Temple Recorder's offices.

Carelessness-A Genealogical Crime.

Slip-shod methods, thoughtless disregard of rules, illegible penmanship, forgotten dates, misspelled names, and general carelessness, are more than serious in the preparation of genealogical data; they are criminal. If a person is too old, too ill, too little qualified by natural endowment and training to do such work properly, he or she should use the time and effort in other branches or divisions of church or temple labor. For the records must be true and correct if they are to be acceptable here and hereafter.

Penmanship.

This has been emphasized in a former lesson, but is worthy of another word here. Where possible, typewriting, especially on temple sheets and slips, is desirable.

Accuracy.

Exceeding care must be exercised in copying names and dates from books, papers and records. How much more exacting then should the student be when dates and places are to be estimated. No guess work can be tolerated, except when guess work is labelled properly as "approximation." Most library books, with the rare exceptions of printed family histories of pedigreed work, contain data in scattered form. It is rarely safe to assume family relationships because of similarity of names. Nor may the student tie himself to a family of the same surname without good and sufficient proof. In fact, care, accuracy and scrupulous attention to details must be observed by the student.

Perseverance.

Notwithstanding the need for care and accuracy_the student should not give up easily in his research work. Persistent labor, patient following of clues, faithful pursuit of the object sought, will, sooner or later, bring the desired information. Meanwhile students in our library, who can not connect pedigrees are permitted to take names from their own ancestral locality and are also allowed to approximate information as described in other chapters. As far as possible the endeavor should be made to obtain all available information and complete the family pedigree and have it properly recorded in the permanent. temple record before attempting to do the ordinance work for the dead.

Classes of Students

There are three classes of students to be reached and helped by these lessons:

First, those at home, working on a privately owned published record, or seeking information through correspondence.

Second, members of the Genealogical Society who have access to the Library because they live in or near Salt Lake City.

Third, converts out in the world.

These last may live in or near large cities where genealogical or public libraries can be consulted; if not that, at least they live near their own sources of original information, such as parish churches where they and their parents were christened or married, while government records are available in every town and county from whence our people have come. Converts should study these lessons as carefully, or even more diligently, than those living in Zion, for they may thus learn how to secure all possible information concerning themselves and their dead kindred before they leave their homes to gather with the Saints.

Notify Office of Genealogical Society of Utah Concerning All Work Done.

The first immediate duty of the research worker laboring at home or abroad is to come in direct communication with this Society, preferably through stake and ward representatives where possible. Whether he or she be a member of the Society or not, this duty is imperative, if help for himself or others is to be obtained and given. and expensive duplication of time, effort and money is to be avoided. A card will then be placed in the card index files of this office, and those of your own family or your surname line who wish to take up the same work and line can write to you; and your card will prevent him from duplicating your information and your temple work. The Society recommends, however, that any and all family histories or other genealogical books shall be purchased and preserved by the Society rather than by individuals or families, for the future; thus preventing any possible duplication, and saving the people the expense of such purchase. Then all surname branches may unite in the prosecution of the desired work under the supervision of the Library experts with the minimum of expense and the practical elimination of duplication.

This office will answer all inquiries, giving the names and addresses of such other individuals or families as may be engaged in the same surname work.

The Student in the Library. Consulting Card Index on Work Already Done.

A student, on entering the Library, reports first at the desk, where a card is made out by the attendant, on which is recorded his address, the line he desires to work upon and the books he wishes to consult. This serves as a future check upon all others of the same surname who may wish to join him in his work, or refrain from doubling up on the search in certain localities.

Next, he is shown by the attendant any cards there may be in the index files indicating others at work on the same surname. This file index card has the names and addresses of persons engaged in research or temple work, with the family name, the heir, the name and addresses of research worker and the date of commencement of work. (See sample). A blue card indicates the work is done. outside the library, a yellow card shows the work was done in the library.

Family On the following lines give the Town or Parish, State or County where the family came from; not the present residence

Work has been done at.

Work commenced

At instance of (Heir)

Temple

Name and address of the one now having charge of the work:

This card dated

Beginning of Work in the Library Books.

The nationality of the student, more or less, determines and restricts his work. If he be the agent of a family or surname organization he will divide and arrange his work accordingly. If he is alone in his work he will find himself still more restricted as to locality and surname.

American students are sometimes fortunate in finding published histories of their family or surname. If the