It is difficult to search for genealogical information, especially if there are no carriers of this information already. The search is complicated by migration processes that have always existed in Russia, as well as by many tragic events that took place during the era of the USSR. The presence of photographs, some documents, archives and modern communication methods, in particular, the Internet, helps in the search.
Necessary
- - reference books on the administrative-territorial division of the Russian Empire and the USSR;
- - memos to persons engaged in genealogical research.
Instructions
Step 1
Explore the family archive. This is the first preparatory step in the search for genealogical information. Review any documents you have (such as work books and military IDs) and even notebooks. The latter can contain passport numbers, addresses or dates of birth. Make photocopies or scanned copies of documents. Disassemble the photos, examine the available captions and comments. If possible, ask close relatives about the grandparents and the facts of their life. Record and analyze their memories.
Step 2
Organize all your documents, copies and photos. Place them in folders or envelopes. Be sure to pay attention to places related to the life of your ancestors - birth, marriage, service. This information is important when choosing an archive where you will look for further information about ancestors.
Step 3
Move upward looking for information, i.e. from parents to grandparents, and from the latter to great-grandmothers and great-grandfathers. If it is difficult to recover some data, contact the state or municipal archives to get acquainted with the personal, bonus or retirement files of grandparents.
Step 4
Refer to the reading rooms of the archives of the area with which the life of the sought persons could be connected. At the beginning of work, it is better to familiarize yourself with reference books, memos for working in archives and compiling genealogies. In cases of renaming settlements, changing the territorial boundaries of provinces, counties, refer to the reference books.
Step 5
Carry out a parallel search for information on the Internet. This is not the most reliable source, but it is worth trying, as there are search resources, social networks, address and telephone directories.
Step 6
Contact the namesakes of the area where the ancestors lived. For this purpose, one of the users of the site "All-Russian Genealogical Tree" compiled an "ideal letter" addressed to possible relatives. Also on the Internet there are specialized sites on which, along with paid help, volunteer assistance is also provided in finding information about ancestors.
