The definition of genealogy, as given by Val Greenwood, noted author and genealogist, is "that branch of history which involves the determination of family relationships. This is not done by copying, but rather by research."

Some call it family history, others call it genealogy, but most agree it is an enjoyable way to spend our spare time.

Genealogy is a hobby we can share with others and one we can enjoy alone, in front of our computer, in a large library or in a courthouse.

Where do we begin to learn more about our families? We begin our study by starting with ourselves and working backward through each generation.?

We would be generation one, our parents would be generation two and so on.?

Our ancestors will double with each generation, thereby opening a larger field of research with each generation. We should collect documentation to prove each generation and the vital statistics pertaining to each individual in our family.?

Birth and death certificates will sometimes give us the name of parents, places of birth and occupation.

Some are considered primary documentation and others will be secondary documentation. The importance of each document can be decided at a later date, but the importance should be placed on the compilation of the data.

Take the time to interview older family members to learn more about the history of your family. The vital statistics are important, but so are family traditions, personal stories, journals, diaries, photographs, Bible records and other documents that can be used to support your findings.?

Many genealogists also are interested in the medical history of one's family. As a researcher I take time to obtain death certificates for the purpose of documenting the medical history of our family.

This information can be used by future generations to show certain diseases occur in each generation and are hereditary.?

Death certificates are not the only source of causes of death, but newspaper accounts also can list the cause of death. My paternal grandmother died of tuberculosis in 1916 at the age of 20 and that was listed in her obituary, as well as on her death certificate.?

Probate records are another source of causes of death. Thomas Smith, my great-great-great-great-grandfather, broke his thigh which resulted in his death in July 1840.

The beginning genealogist has so much work to accomplish when they first start their family history. It seems we are never going to get to a point where we must search for something to research, but that time will come.?

The time spent on research is shortened if we only research our direct ancestors. However, as a genealogist, I would recommend the researcher spend time on all collateral lines of his or her family. This research method will add much more information to your family history.

I do not think I have ever seen a book that listed only direct ancestors. A family history must include all members of the family.

The research will require more time because most families were larger in the early years and we must research every member and their subsequent generations if we are to have a completed history.

The collection process the beginner must accomplish in the first stages of his or her research will keep him or her very busy. Collecting birth certificates, marriage records and a death certificate for each person in an applicable generation is our first objective.?

Interviews with older family members, canvassing cemeteries, taking pictures of family tombstones and compiling stories pertaining to the family also must be included. At the same time the researcher should collect photographs because they are at times the most difficult to locate.

All applicable census records should be obtained for each member of the family and added to source documentation. As each new decade of census records are opened we must begin our census research until all individuals in our family are added. This is really a time-consuming process, but worth the effort.?

The beginning genealogist should start early with a good filing system. This may not seem important in the beginning when there are just a few names in your database. There will come a time when there are so many names in one phase of your family that you could not keep track of them without a good filing system.?

The software database for Andrew Baker Shown, my husband's great-grandfather, now includes 2,279 individuals. It is no longer possible for me to remember everything about each individual in that family without a good software program or filing system.?

By setting up your filing system in the beginning you will be able to keep all the data in the proper order and will enjoy the research more because you will not be spending your time looking for the documentation you already have in your files.

When sending in queries or sharing information, write to: Relatively Speaking, P.O. Drawer 1058, Norman, OK 73070 or e-mail Darlene Shawn at Djshawn636@aol.com.