Getting Started in Genealogy 

• Set Goals
  • Ask yourself why you are doing this? Curiosity? You like to solve problems? You want to join a society like the DAR or SAR? You want to meet distant cousins? Your children and/or grandchildren are asking you questions you can't answer? Whatever the motivation, some planning is necessary. You have to determine how much time and money you are willing to invest. Will you use a computer? Do you live in or near a city that has a genealogical society, public library, family history center, etc.?
• Organize
  • Set up a system that you can use and that others can understand such as a good computer program. Record what you know. Note all your sources. A space set aside for research can be as simple as a desk or small file cabinet, or as complete as a room with computer, legal-size file cabinets, book shelves, desk, copy machine, etc.
• Start With Yourself
  • Prove that you exist (Birth Certificate, Bible record, Census record, etc.).Try to find family Bibles, old photographs, letters, yearbooks, etc. Then prove your parents, grandparents, etc. If possible, talk to your closest older relatives. Don't forget your distant cousins. Ask questions that will jog others' memories. Utilize old photographs and family heirlooms. Ask older relatives what they remember about their parents and grandparents. Write letters to others who share your surname if it's uncommon (resource: white pages on the Internet or software of the same).
• You Are Not Alone
  • Work with others. Enroll in a genealogy class. Join a genealogical society. Network with other researchers via the computer, telephone or mail. Visit cemeteries, libraries and archives. Have fun!
• Utilize Available Resources
  • Access to computers and the internet is as close as the public library is you don't have your own system at home.  Find a website that you are comfortable with.  Cyndi's List is a good place to start.  Visit your public library and see if it has the materials you need.  Even a library that claims not to have a genealoty section will have many reference works such as city directories, local regional history books, biographies, etc. that will help you in your research.

Resources:  Jacksonville, Duval County

TIP:  When researching in new libraries and locations, be sure to ask if they have files on local history and families.  Also check for local genealogical historical societies.

• SGES Library, 6215 Sauterne Drive, Jacksonville, FL
• Jacksonville Main Public Library, Genealogy Department, 4th floor, 303 N. Laura Street
• LDS Family History Centers, 7665 Ft. Caroline Rd. and 461 Blanding Blvd.
• Museum of Southern History, 4304 Herschel Street, 904-388-3574
• Jacksonville Historical Society, 317 A Philip Randolph Blvd, 904-665-0064

One Day's Drive

• Orlando Public Library, Orlando FL
• Florida Archives, Tallahassee FL
• Huxford Genealogical Society Library, Homerville GA
• Ellen Payne Odom Library, Moultrie GA
• Ladson Library, Vidalia GA
• Washington Public Library, Macon GA
• Georgia Historical Society, Savannah GA
• US Archives SE, East Point GA
• Georgia Archives, Atlanta GA
• Bryan-Lane Library, Woodbine GA

South-East States - Libraries with good genealogical collections

• Birmingham, Chattanooga, South Carolina (Columbia SC), Knoxville, Louisville Public Library; The Filson Club in Louisville; The SAR Library in Louisville; Lexington Public Library.
• Several university libraries contain excellent historical collections including Duke and the University of North Carolina.  The North Carolina Archives in Raleigh is one of the finest in the nation.

Washington DC Area

• The National Archives
• The Library of Congress
• The Daughters of the American Revolution
• Virginia State Library, Richmond VA
• Enoch Pratt Public Library, Baltimore MD
• Peabody Library
• Maryland Historical Society
• Maryland Hall of Records, Annapolis

Other Noteworthy Libraries & Archives

• LDS Family History Center, Salt Lake City UT
• Allen County Public Library, Ft. Wayne IN
• New England Historical Genealogical Society, Boston MA
• New York Public Library, 5th Avenue, New York City
• Cincinnati Public Library
• Pennsylvania Archives, Harrisburg PA (one of the best)
• Ohio Genealogical Society
• Newberry Library, Chicago IL