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United States


Goal A4: Timelines and Histories

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Goal A4: Build timelines and explore histories in your research.


Choices


A Use timelines and histories effectively.

Vault
Summary

  1. Overviews: Here are overviews of using genealogy research timelines.

    TH—Genealogy Research Timelines - 2020
    AR—Timelines as Genealogical Research Tools - 2013

  2. Tips: Read these articles for tips on using timelines.

    GC—Using Timelines in Your Research
    TFHG—Creating Ancestor Timelines - 2018

  3. Learn about coordinating time and location to find ancestor records.

    LT—Time + Place = Records and Family!
    AC—Wiki: Family History in Time and Place

  4. Watch these videos to learn more about working with ancestor timelines.

    AAC—Timelines: Put Your Ancestors into Historical Perspective—Video Series
    FS—Timelines and Lifelines—7:54 - 2010

  5. Tools and Tips: Explore the Knightlab site for tools and templates to help you build ancestor timelines.
  6. Follow these steps to create a basic timeline of your own.

    How to Make a Timeline

  7. Learn some practical tips for using timelines in this video.

    It's All about Timelines—16:43 - 2023



  8. Learn how to use the Subway Map concept to build effective timelines for research.

    Subway Maps: A New Timeline Tool for Genealogy Research—4:42 - 2022




B Explore local histories in your research.

Vault

(10:18)  PART TWO: (6:19)  PART THREE: (14:13)

  1. Learn the importance of understanding historical context in your research.

    RT—Doing the History Eliminates the Mystery - 2019

  2. Learn how to put your ancestors into historical context.

    RT: Somewhere in Time - Placing Ancestors in Historical Context —22:26 - 2022   


    CH—Using History Books in Your Genealogy Research

  3. County and Local Histories: Learn how to find and use county history books in your research.

    FS Wiki—United States, Histories of Towns, Counties, and States
    AF—What Are County History Books and How Can They Help With Your Genealogy? - 2016

  4. Explore town and county histories listed by state.
  5. Get additional tips for working with county histories.

    County Histories: Strategies and Tips - 2023
    County Histories: A Valuable Resource - 2022

  6. Learn how to use county histories and biographies to fill in your family story.

    Filling in your Family History Story—15:06 - 2022




  7. Learn about the value of using local histories in research.

    FMP—How Learning Local History Will Help Your Genealogy Research - 2016
    AAC—Local Histories: A Case Study—3:02

  8. Learn more about your ancestors' neighborhoods, to better capture their life stories.

    AR—Resources for Examining Your Ancestor's Neighborhood - 2014

Exercises

QUIKLinks