The real detective work begins once you have collected and organized all the information you have obtained from your personal records and from interviews with family members. As a first step, I recommend you try to determine if other researchers have already done work on your family. You may not have to re-invent the wheel, so to speak!

Access to the world-wide internet can be very helpful with this phase of your research. By simply entering your surname as the keyword, most internet search engines will probably find numerous references for you to examine. Genweb, for example, is a popular website that allows you to post a request for information about your specific family. It also lets you respond to others who have posted queries for the same surname. If you are fortunate, you may establish contact with previously unknown cousins who are researching different lines of your family. Most researchers will be willing to share family information with you and might even assist you with a little detective work.

Your chances of success with receiving family information from others will depend on how specific your questions are. Simply requesting all the information one has on the Smith family would not be a good idea. You must be more specific. For example, you might instead request the names of the children of Adam Smith and his wife, Mary (Anderson) Smith. After you establish a friendly rapport with the other Smith researcher, you can always follow-up with additional specific questions. Always consider and respect the time and effort you may be requesting others to expend on your behalf.

Spelling variations for the same surname can be an additional challenge when searching for your ancestors. It is a good idea to consider all possible spelling combinations for the surname you are interested in. For example, Lance might also be found spelled as Lantz, Lants, Lentz, Lents, or Lence. Even a relatively simple name such as Reed might also be found spelled as Read, Reade, or Reid. Some branches of the same family might adopt an alternate surname spelling and then carry it forward through their descendants. Your challenge with identifying your kin having a different surname spelling will include documenting who, where, and when the name change occurred.

Identifying female ancestors presents another special challenge. Their surnames naturally would have changed upon marriage. It will be necessary to identify the new family surname by searching marriage records, census enumerations, wills, etc. to find that important link with your surname. After great aunt Nellie’s first husband passed away, she might have re-married using her married name as her surname. A little extra detective work will be necessary to avoid losing track of aunt Nellie as her surname changes.

If you do not have access to the internet, you still have several options for finding published family information.

* One of our favorite options is to visit a local Family History Center of the Latter Day Saints (LDS). Family History Center volunteers will assist you with searching the vast LDS holdings for records of interest. You will be able to order microfilm rolls and microfiche for a nominal fee. Most Family History Centers generously provide access to microfilm and microfiche viewing equipment onsite.

* Many public libraries have sections dedicated to history and genealogical books, magazines, and newsletters. Your local library may also have published family information available on computer CD’s. Library staff can usually offer guidance and advice to make your visit more productive and rewarding.

* Historical or Genealogy Societies can also be a great help with your research project. Their membership usually includes other persons sharing your interest in family heritage. Many of them will have completed or will be working on their own family research projects. If your area of interest is located in another part of the country, you can still communicate and benefit from the Society at that locality through their newsletters or other publications. Membership in most Historical Societies will allow you to post free queries in their newsletters.

* Many book and magazine publishers will be happy to send you a catalog or listing of their titles for free or for a nominal fee. Family histories have been researched, written, and published for hundreds of different families. There is a possibility that your family line might be mentioned or described in connection with a previously published family.