Welcome to GenealogySearch.info - Information on Free genealogy forms and charts

Alex Haley should have warned us: Expect to hear the "ch-ch-ching" of the cash register when you search for your roots. America's favorite hobby is a nonfatal attraction that seizes the unwary--and it can be expensive unless you plan ahead and apply common sense to your strategy. How much you spend during your research depends primarily on how deeply you desire to dig and how carefully you watch expenses, which have a tendency to march in step with your enthusiasm. But with a little planning and will-power, you can uncover your family's past without jeopardizing its future.

Genealogical forms and charts can be obtained at your local archives or library for a minimal fee, and--unless copyright restrictions apply--can be duplicated.

Outside of family connections, most of the information you will need to trace your ancestry is held in public institutions, such as libraries and the National Archives in Washington, D.C., and its regional branches. Although there are no admission fees and you may utilize their resources free of charge, many books cannot be checked out and original documents must remain in the institution. In other words, if you find something of importance, you must photocopy it. The cost of photocopies ranges from 15 cents to $1.25 per page, depending on the institution and the size of the page. In the case of oversize census sheets, each copy may run as high as $5. Ideally, you should create a weekly or monthly budget for copies and stick to it. Remember also to observe applicable copyright laws.

Once you decide to trace your family's history, you will send letters and genealogical charts to every family branch. This, of course, means postage and sometimes lots of it, especially if your research inspires you to publish a family newsletter or plan a family reunion.

Long-distance telephoning may be the next best thing to being there, but genealogical seekers should beware. Most researchers will tell you that this is the area where costs have slipped away from them. Use common sense. Call during the evenings or weekends, when the rates are substantially lower. Before you call, make sure that you have your interview organized and ask only questions that will lead to the information desired. After a month or two, sit-down and determine how much you are spending.

Birth, marriage and death certificates are critical in genealogical research and are available throughout the country. Copies of the documents can be ordered by mail, at a cost that ranges from $3 to $10 per copy. o obtain addresses of the offices that hold these records, consult your local library or archives. It is best to send money orders, since checks incur the delay of clearing the bank. Allow two to six weeks delivery.

Throughout your research, as you are obtaining information about your family's history, you will see wonderful photographs, copies of which you will want. Photographic copies can be made simply and inexpensively. Find a reputable photo shop that makes copies in house so that you do not have to risk your priceless photographs' being sent out. The cost for negatives ranges from $5 to $10. With these negatives, unlimited copies of prints can be made and shared with members of the family.

One of the rich rewards of genealogical research is visiting relatives, old home sites, cemeteries, and, perhaps, Africa. With careful planning, these trips can be productive but not ruinously expensive. Family vacations can be planned to include visits to relatives to obtain information for your genealogical project. Shop ahead at local department stores for bargains on such necessities as film, fresh batteries, videocassettes and audiocassettes, which can be very expensive on the road and in rural areas.

Finally, there are numerous support groups that assist genealogical researchers. Annual membership dues, which may range from $12 to $25, yield benefits, including newsletters, meetings and workshops. Consult the December/January 1994 issue of American Visions for the genealogical group nearest you.

Herman "Skip" Mason Jr., the founder and owner of Digging It Up, an African-American research and consulting firm in Atlanta, teaches at Morehouse College.