SUE'S COOK BOOK, Recipe #2, part 1 TRACING YOUR FAMILY HISTORY -- STEP ONE HOME SOURCES In beginning genealogical research, you always begin with yourself and work back one generation at a time. Therefore, the first step will be to do a thorough job of searching your "home sources." These are the things that can be found right in your home or the homes of your parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. If you do a good job on this step, the next steps will be much easier! The idea here is to contact every single living relative you can find to see what they already know and what documents they already have. (Sample letters will follow.) A CHECKLIST OF HOME SOURCES PERSONAL RECORDS Journals/diaries Letters Photo albums Personal experiences Baby books Wedding books Scrap books Funeral books Guest books School records LEGAL PAPERS Wills Probate records Other court records Deeds Other land records Contracts Bonds CITIZENSHIP RECORDS Naturalization papers Passports Visas NEWSPAPER CLIPPINGS Announcements Obituaries Special Events Vital statistics Professional/trade CERTIFICATES Birth Marriage Death Divorce Adoption Baptism Confirmation Graduation Achievement MILITARY RECORDS Service Pension Discharge Selective Service National Guard Citations Ribbons FAMILY RECORDS Bible Genealogies Family Traditions EMPLOYMENT RECORDS Apprenticeship Social Security Pension Union Awards ANNOUNCEMENTS Wedding Birth Funeral Graduation Anniversary Birthday Engagement MISCELLANEOUS Memberships Financial records Health records Licenses Coats of Arms To be cont...