GETTING STARTED
Welcome to my new TIPS section of the Blount County Genealogical and Historical Society
website. I hope you will be as interested in reading these TIPS as I am excited to have the
opportunity to write these TIPS. These will be genealogical and historical TIPS that I have
picked up over the years of conducting genealogy and historical research.
There have been many clients who have asked for my help and written reports over the past 40
years. I’ve also helped many searchers and researchers on a pro-bono basis at the Blount County
Public Library and the Cobb County Public Library in Marietta, Georgia. The Georgia Archives
in Atlanta was a great place to improve my research skills. Some of the best genealogists in the
country (maybe the world) held lectures and seminars in Georgia and more recently in
Knoxville.
Elizabeth Shown Mills lectured in a little church in Acworth, Georgia, covering a
range of genealogy topics. Ms. Mills’ book on Evidence is now a required reference source for
Certification through the Board of Certification of Genealogists. Helen Leary (author of North
Carolina Genealogy), Lloyd D. Bockstruck (writer of many books on military and land grants),
and Christine Rose (writer of courthouse research and their records) are the top in their field.
(Watch for my coming TIPS on the best genealogy books you can find in our Maryville, Blount
County Public Library very soon.)
I have given you some of my background to let you know that I have learned from the best
genealogy teachers and read the most well-written genealogy how-to books that have been
accepted by researchers at all levels. My hope and desire is that you will be able to use some of
the knowledge I have gathered and work hard to be the best genealogist, researcher, author or
historian that you can be.
My first TIP will be for beginning genealogists/researchers and for any people wanting to get a
quick review of genealogy principles, record keeping, organization and filing, and basic
standards to keep in mind. My second tip will probably be a list and description of the best
genealogy books available at our Maryville public library.
I look forward to reading your feedback.
​
April J. Wegner
PROFESSIONAL GENEALOGIST
BCGHS VICE PRESIDENT
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Using HOW-TO Books
This listing of books is available at the Blount Public Library with genealogy instructions
to guide you from the beginning to more advanced levels of research. Selected books will be
recommended for their attention to important research concepts and for their presentation style
making it as easy as possible to understand.
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Free Ancestry.com for Educators
Free Ancestry.com for Educators and Discounts for Students
FYI--- Ancestry.com has some new discount plans for students and free for Educators as of the writing of this article. Proof of eligibility applies. see Ancestry.com for more information. Since this is the best plan available, I assume it includes the videos.
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World Explorer Student Plan – only $4.99 per month (regularly $39.99 per month
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Apply for FREE access to all the original and primary documents of Ancestry’s World Explorer Collection, Fold3 and Newspapers.com if you are an Educator or School Administrator. Sign up at www.ancestryclassroom.com/k12/k12home. Good for a limited time. Some restrictions apply.
GENEALOGY TIPS
More TIPS ...
March 2024
FAMILY SEARCH
**NEW Experimental Search option for Land and US Probate records.
Newly released search option at the Family Search Roots Tech Convention in March 2024.
To find this exciting new search option
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Go to FAMILYSEARCH.ORG
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Scroll down to "Family Search Labs" NEW
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Click on "view experiments"
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Find "Expand your search with full text" and click on "go to experiment"
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Start your search and enter a keyword
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It is possible to enter keywords and names within quotes​
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You can then filter the results of your search ​by year, record type, record place, or collection.
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This new option could break down many "brick walls" researchers have faced. Good luck!
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coming soon
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coming soon
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