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Library resources aid search

Monday, Nov. 2, 2009

Once genealogists have collected information about ancestors from family Bibles, keepsakes and interviews, they typically take their research to the next level by looking for resources outside of the home. Their first stop is usually the South Carolina Room of the local public library. Th... Read MoreRead More

Verbal interviews give life

Monday, Oct. 26, 2009

Do you know your family's ancestral town? What prompted your ancestors to move from there? What attracted them to the place the family now calls home? Read MoreRead More

Find family details generation by generation

Monday, Oct. 19, 2009

When new genealogists begin to trace their family histories, many start by recording what they've heard about grandparents and great-grandparents. Those budding family historians often record their recollections as gospel and move on to research ancestors in the U.S. Census. Read MoreRead More

Research reveals family history

Monday, Oct. 12, 2009

It's a particularly good time of year to begin researching your genealogy. The holidays will soon arrive and with them more family members with information about the family's history. Read MoreRead More

100 columns on finding family

Monday, Oct. 5, 2009

You never know how long something new will last. The first Kinship column appeared March 13, 2007, urging readers to begin their genealogical searches by rummaging through trunks at home for items that help to reveal their family's history. But I had no idea how many more columns would follow. Read MoreRead More

Celebrate family history in Oct.

Monday, Sept. 28, 2009

October is National Family History Month, and many genealogists across the country will observe it by doing things to honor family histories. Read MoreRead More

Mich. order would move archives

Monday, Sept. 21, 2009

One of the most unsettling things a genealogist can be threatened with is the removal of records from the place where they should be kept. Read MoreRead More

Sessions generate excitement

Monday, Sept. 14, 2009

Nothing quite matches the excitement generated by associating with people who are as passionate about genealogical research as you are. Read MoreRead More

Studying neighbors opens doors

Monday, Sept. 7, 2009

Most family historians have an Aunt Zanna or two floating around their family tree. Read MoreRead More

Microfilm becoming thing of past

Monday, Aug. 31, 2009

The mere sight of a National Archives and Records Administration envelope in my mailbox caused euphoria to set in. Read MoreRead More

Genealogical guides help novices, experts

Monday, Aug. 24, 2009

Family historians who don't use genealogical guides are making a big mistake. Guides are not just for novices but for all genealogists who want to become better researchers. General guides and ones designed to deal with ethnic, gender or regional differences are all important. Read MoreRead More

Mormons launch pilot site for digital records

Monday, Aug. 17, 2009

Family historians who haven't hunted ancestors on http://pilot.familysearch.org probably should give the developing Web site a try. Read MoreRead More

Jumping hurdles to Native American research

Monday, Aug. 10, 2009

It's the rare genealogist who is not aware of at least one family historian with an elusive Native American ancestor. Many don't know the name of that ancestor or the tribe that he came from. It's a really big research problem, but not an insurmountable one. Read MoreRead More

Reading probate packets well worth the effort

Monday, July 27, 2009

Consider this: Genie Genealogist is rummaging through an old chest and sees papers indicating when and where her ancestor's will went through probate, the court process to establish that a will is valid. She also sees notes by another ancestor indicating the will was transcribed into a book at the courthouse. Other notes say it was abstracted and published in a book found in a public library. Read MoreRead More

Bookstore little-used resource

Monday, July 20, 2009

It's odd that the bookstore at the S.C. Department of Archives and History would have to hold a really big book sale. After all, many of the low-cost publications the store sells can help patrons get big payoffs when consulting the historic public records the department holds. Read MoreRead More

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Wevonneda Minis

Wevonneda Minis writes genealogy columns and lifestyle features. She has researched family history since 1993 in the United States, Republic of Guinea, England, Scotland and the Bahamas. Ms. Minis has completed the "Advanced Methodology and Evidence Analysis" course, Samford Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research, Birmingham, Ala., and the "American Genealogy" course, National Genealogical Society, Arlington, Va. She has lectured at the South Carolina Genealogical Society's Annual Workshop, is director of "Roots and Branches: An African American Genealogy Project" and teaches at the Family History Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In addition, Ms. Minis is a member of the National Genealogical Society, Federation of Genealogical Societies and South Carolina Genealogical Society. She is a graduate of Regis College, Weston, Mass. and formerly reported on federal environmental policy in Washington, D.C.


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