The first rule of genealogy: Begin with yourself and work backwards.

STEP l

Talk to parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts and uncles, anyone in the family who is older than you. 

Ask the following questions:

• What is your full name?
• When and where were you born? Where did you grow up?
• When and where were you married?
• Whom did you marry? What is (his/her) full name? When and where was (he/she) born?
• How many children did you have? What are their names?
• What were your parents' full names? When and where were they born? Where did they grow up? When and where were they married?
• What do you know about your grandparents?
• Do you have any family Bibles, papers or family photographs?

SUGGESTION: Record the people you talk to as well as writing down their answers, and keep the recording. Always ask permission first to record the conversation.

STEP 2

Begin to fill in a genealogy chart with the information you have received. Fill in as many dates for births, marriages and deaths as you can. If you do not have exact dates, pencil in the approximate dates (ex., died 1870-1880, or born about 1908).

Try one of these helpful family tree charts:

STEP 3

Begin collecting copies of death and birth certificates and marriage licenses. This step will involve money because all states charge for their copies. You will need to know the approximate date and the proper state and county. These records will give you information about the person and often about his or her parents. The Local History and Genealogy Department of the Library does have some records for Lucas County and can give you addresses for each state. Most state health departments have websites.

STEP 4

Begin reading a book about doing genealogy. These "how to" books will tell you about many sources of information for genealogical research. Most branch libraries, as well as Main Library, have circulating copies of these books. You will not be able to do actual research at the branches, but the "how-to" books will prepare you for the next step (see list of resources at the end).

STEP 5

Visit the Local History and Genealogy Department at Main Library. Bring your charts and plan to spend some time here. Our books do not circulate and must be used in the department.

We are open:

Note: During Main Library's renovations (Sept. 2018-2019), Local History will be open by appointment only. Call 419.259.5233 for more information.

STEP 6

Join one or more genealogical organizations. See the list of local organizations below.

MEETINGS

When:
2nd Saturday of each month at 1:00 p.m.

Where:
Toledo Lucas County Public Library
Main Library, Huntington Meeting Room
325 Michigan Street
Toledo, OH 43604

PUBLICATIONS

Genealogy by Computer Society Quarterly Newsletter

DUES

$10 - Individual
$15 - Family

CONTACT

Don Hengen
Phone: (419) 878-2365
Email: dhengen@buckeye-express.com

MEETINGS

When:
2nd Saturday of each month from 1-3:00 p.m. (September - June)

Where:
1326 Collingwood Blvd.
Toledo, OH 43610

DUES

$30 per person

CONTACT

African-American Legacy Project
1326 Collingwood Blvd.
Toledo, OH 43610

Phone: (419) 720-4369

Email: info@africanamericanlegacy.org

MEETINGS

When:
3rd Saturday of each month at 2:00 p.m. (except December and January)

Where:
Toledo Lucas County Public Library
Main Library, Huntington Meeting Room
325 Michigan Street
Toledo, OH 43604

PUBLICATIONS

Fort Industry Reflections (quarterly newsletter) and various books.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

First Families of Lucas County
First Families of Ohio
Ohio Genealogical Society Convention

DUES

$15 - Individual
$20 - Family

CONTACT

c/o Local History & Genealogy Department
325 Michigan Street
Toledo, OH 43604

MEETINGS

When:
2nd Monday of every month at 7:00 p.m. (September - June)

Where:
First United Church of Christ
7420 Erie St.
Sylvania, OH  43560

PUBLICATIONS

TAGS newsletter

DUES

$12 - Individual
$17 - Dual (two people/one address)

CONTACT

Toledo Area Genealogical Society
P.O. Box 352258
Toledo OH 43635-2258

Meetings

When:
3rd Saturday of Each Month from 10 a.m. - noon (September - June)

Where:
St. Michael's School
420 Sandusky
Toledo, OH 43611

DUES

$20 - Individual
$25 - Couples, Families or Organizations

CONTACT

Paulette Kwiatkowski
TPGS Secretary
7164 Venetian Bay Ct.
Maumee, OH 43537

MEETINGS

When:
1st Saturday of the month at 1 p.m. (September - June)

Where:
Monroe County Community College
1555 S. Raisinville Rd.
Monroe, MI  48161

PUBLICATIONS

G.S.M.C. Record, quarterly newsletter

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Annual Spring Seminar

DUES

$15 - Individual or Family

CONTACT

Genealogical Society of Monroe County, MI
P.O. Box 1428
Monroe, MI 48161-6428

Email: gsmcmi@gsmcmi.org