Manual
Completion Requirements
Turn in a completed record sheet to your leader or the Extension Office by the required date.
Exhibit Requirements
So the notebook exhibit can be displayed to the public and to minimize the potential of identity theft, original legal documents are NOT to be included in the exhibit notebook. Instead, a photocopy of any legal document is to be included in the notebook and all identifiable information (like social security numbers) except for names is to be completely marked out. Original legal documents are to be kept in a secure location by the 4-H member and his/her family.
Forms for this project are found on the Indiana 4-H Web site www.extension.purdue.edu/4h click on "projects" and then on Genealogy to reach downloadable forms. This project is organized into divisions and not grades for a youth cannot start in Division 3 without first completing Division 1 and Division 2. This is a project that builds on the previous division information in order to be successful in building your family tree. If you are using a genealogical commercial software program, you may need to type in or hand write in information required by the Indiana 4-H genealogy project. See 4-H forms on the 4-H website linked above.
The exhibit will consist of no more than four (4) notebooks for Division 1-4 and first year Advanced Division. (If a notebook requires additional space, label it as notebook x, continued.) Those notebooks are:
- Book #1 – 3” D-ring binder, contains introduction sheet, pedigree charts and family group sheets
- Book #2 – 2” D-ring binder, contains additional information worksheets and diary of work
- Book #3 – 3” D-ring binder, contains supporting documents, pictures, etc.
- Book #4 – 3” D-ring binder, contains Advanced Division options only (Begin using this notebook in first year of the advanced division or the fifth year of project enrollment.)
- Another notebook should be maintained and kept in a secure place at home to keep original personal and legal documents as well as previously exhibited work.
Notebooks should be tabbed and in the following order:
- Book #1 - Introductory Page; Pedigree Charts; Family Group Sheets
- Book #2 - Additional Information Worksheets; Diary of Your Work
- Book #3 - Any Other Documents (label with ancestor numbers on tab)
- Book #4 – Advanced Division Options (label each tab separately with the specific option); Diary of Your Work (this will be a second diary describing work done for each advanced division option)
Pedigree Charts, Family Group Sheets, Additional Information Worksheets, and Diary Sheets are to be placed in the notebook back-to-back in sheet protectors to save space, reduce the information being damaged, and reduce the number of sheet protectors required.
So the notebook exhibit can be displayed to the public and to minimize the potential of identity theft, original legal documents are NOT to be included in the exhibit notebook. Instead, a photocopy of any legal document is to be included in the notebook and all identifiable information (like social security numbers) except for names is to be completely marked out. Original legal documents are to be kept in a secure location by the 4-H member and his/her family.
All posters, notebooks, and display boards must include a reference list indicating where information was obtained, giving credit to the original author, to complete the 4-H members exhibit. This reference list should/might include web site links, people and professionals interviewed, books, magazines, etc. Reference notations are to be made in the “source” column of the Family Group Sheet and on each document.
If information on a family member is unknown, an additional information worksheet for each required ancestor is still required. Write “unknown” or “NIA” (no information available) in PENCIL for each sheet of unknown ancestors or list several ancestors on a page and insert page in proper numerical order.
After exhibiting the 1st year of the ADVANCED Division, only the Advanced Division notebook (Book #4) with ALL OPTIONS (no pedigree charts, no family group sheets, no additional information sheets, no documents from Divisions 1-5) needs to be exhibited each year the genealogy project continues.
Suggested Genealogy Supply List:
- Four 3” D-ring notebooks (Book #1, #3, #4 will be exhibited and the fourth 3” D-ring notebook to maintain documents at home and NOT exhibited.)
- One 2” D-ring notebook (Book #2)
- Computer or legible printing/handwriting (be consistent with method used)
- #2 lead pencil with soft eraser
- Black ink pen
- Yellow highlighter
- Notebook tabs AND acid free dividers (several tabs will be needed, be consistent with style used, should not appear past edge of notebook)
- Fine point permanent Black marker
- Acid free and non-glare sheet protectors
- Acid free paper
- Acid free glue stick
- Acid free satin Scotch tape
- Scissors
- Correction tape
- Lots of creativity to make the exhibit your own while still following the exhibit guidelines.
Division 1
Exhibit
- Exhibit notebook that includes the following:
Book #1
- An Introduction page with a recent photograph of yourself.
- Completed three-generation pedigree chart. This includes you, your parents, and your grandparents, ancestors #1 through #7. Put all surnames in capital letters and all dates in military form (12 July 1974). Give each person a number, as described in the "Recording the Information" section of the Indiana 4-H Genealogy Resource Guide 4-H 748. You must use the pedigree charts listed at the www.extension.purdue.edu/4h, 4-H 748Pc-W or 4-H 748Pbw-W or the commercial software forms, but not the old "packet" pedigree charts.
- A Family Group Sheet for your parents and each pair of grandparents. Sources of information MUST be filled in on family group sheets (see section "Recording the Information").
Book #2 (Ancestors 1-7 information)
- Four (4) "Additional Information Worksheets":
- one(1) for you, the 4-H member
- one (1) for your parents
- one (1) for each set of grandparents (total = two worksheets)
- A diary of your work
Book #3 (Ancestors 1-7 information)
- Any documents or pictures pertaining to these three generations. Documents must be labeled with ancestor name and ancestor number. Pictures need to be labeled with ancestor name, plus names of all known people, place and date picture was taken, as well as ancestor numbers.
- Turn in a completed record sheet.
Division 2
Exhibit
- Exhibit notebook that includes the following:
Book #1
- Four-generation pedigree chart. This would include you, your parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents, ancestors #1 through #15. You must use the pedigree charts listed at www.extension.purdue.edu/4h, 4-H 748Pc-W or 4-H 748Pbw-W or the commercial software forms, but not the old "packet" pedigree charts
- A Family Group Sheet for each pair of great-grandparents. Sources of information filled in on family group sheets (see section "Recording the Information" in the Indiana 4-H Genealogy Resource Guide 4-H 748).
Book #2 (Ancestors 8-15 information)
- An additional information worksheet for each set of great grandparents.
- A diary of your work
Book #3 (Ancestors 8-15 information)
- Any photographs taken of tombstones of your ancestors and their children. Please document location of tombstone(s) and label with ancestor name, ancestor number, and date photo was taken. Rubbings are acceptable in lieu of photographs.
- Any other documents or pictures pertaining to these generations, correctly labeled.
- Turn in a completed record sheet.
- Exhibit Book #1, Book #2, and Book #3. Books 2 and 3 should only include Division 2 ancestors 8-15 and related information.
Division 3
Exhibit
- Exhibit notebook that includes the following:
Book #1
- Five-generation pedigree chart, ancestors #1 through #31. Computer programs do not generally print chart numbers, so if you are using a computer program, make sure you have the correct number of ancestors. If an ancestor is UNKNOWN, please indicate as UNKNOWN. You must use the pedigree charts listed at www.extension.purdue.edu/4h, 4-H 748Pc-W or 4-H 748Pbw-W, or the commercial software forms, but not the old "packet" pedigree charts
- Additional Family Group Sheets for generation five (5). Sources of information must be filled in on family group sheets (see section "Recording the Information" in Indiana 4-H Genealogy Resource Guide 4-H 748.).
Book #2 (Ancestors 16-31 information)
- Additional information worksheets
- A diary of your work
Book #3 (Ancestors 16-31 information)
- Write an autobiography, the story of your life. Include pictures, relevant dates, and important events. OR, write an essay about what your hopes and dreams are for the future, or about life goals you hope to attain.
- Any documents or pictures pertaining to these generations, correctly labeled.
- Turn in a completed record sheet.
- Exhibit Book #1, Book #2, and Book #3. Books 2 and 3 should only include Division 3 ancestors 16- 31 and related information.
Division 4
Exhibit
- Exhibit a notebook(s) that includes the following:
Book #1
- Six-generation pedigree charts, ancestors #1 through #63.Computer programs do not generally print chart numbers, so if you are using a computer program, make sure you have the correct number of ancestors. You must use the pedigree charts listed at www.extension.purdue.edu/4h, 4-H 748Pc-W or 4-H 748Pbw-W, or the commercial software forms, but not the old "packet" pedigree charts
- Additional Family Group Sheets for generation six (6). Sources of information must be filled in on family group sheets (see section "Recording the Information").
Book #2 (Ancestors 32-63 information)
- Additional information worksheets
- A diary of your work
Book #3 (Ancestors 32-63 information)
- A copy of a photograph or a story of a sixth-generation ancestor. Include information about the date when the photograph was taken, how or where you found it and what's happening in it or why it was taken. If this is unavailable, write a story about the historical period during which your sixth generation ancestor was living.
- Any documents or pictures pertaining to these generations, correctly labeled.
- Turn in a completed record sheet
- Exhibit Book #1, Book #2, and Book #3. Books 2 and 3 should only include Division 4 ancestors 32- 63 and related information.
Advanced Division
Exhibit
- Exhibit notebook that includes the following:
Book #1
- Seventh and eighth-generation pedigree charts, ancestors #64 through #255. If ancestry is unknown, please indicate as Unknown. Computer programs do not generally print chart numbers, so if you are using a computer program, make sure you have the correct number of ancestors.
- Your family group sheet for generations seven and eight.
- Sources of information filled in on family group sheets (see section "Recording the Information" in the Indiana 4-H Genealogy Resource Guide, 4-H 748).
Book #2 (Ancestors 64-255 information)
- Additional Information worksheets
- Diary of your work
Book #3 (Ancestors 64-255 information)
- Any documents or pictures pertaining to these generations; correctly labeled.
Book #4
- One new advanced level option (see below). Advanced division exhibitors must include ALL options submitted in prior years, with each option labeled with the year completed.
- Turn in a completed record sheet.
Pedigree charts are available on the Indiana 4-H Web site for your additional genealogy research. EACH YEAR FOLLOWING, continue to add ancestors to your pedigree charts. In addition, choose one of the following options that has not been completed previously. Please identify, by letter, the option that you are completing (for example: Advanced Division, Year 1, Option A; Advanced Division, Year 2, Option C; etc.)
Advanced Division Year 2 and beyond – Exhibit Book #4 that contains advanced division options and a second diary of work. If additional ancestry information was found in the seventh and eighth generation, exhibit Book 1 noting ancestors completed this year along with Books 2 and 3 demonstrating this year’s work.
EXPLAIN the information received as to how it relates to you and your ancestors. Copies of documents obtained in previous divisions are acceptable and should be utilized in the option chosen if needed.
- A migration map of your eight-generation ancestors. You should have at least one map per family line with charts or explanations of the migrations.
- A timeline historical report of a family line. Show how this family fits into history. Document your report as well as possible with dates, records, places or maps, pictures, etc. Be sure to include proper labels and sources.
- A census history of a family line. Census abstract forms can be found on several websites. Download forms to abstract the census. Your notebook should contain copies of the census and the completed abstract form for each census.
- A history of your family's religious background for any family line or lines. Include a brief history of the denomination. Include baptism, confirmation or profession of faith and membership records. Also include information or history of the congregations involved. Be sure to include proper labels and sources.
- A history of your family's military service for a family line. Include supporting documents when possible. These documents could include military records, (muster rolls, discharge papers, etc.), pension records, and bounty land records, as well as maps and pictures. Be sure to include proper labels and sources.
- A research paper on a famous ancestor. Prove your relationship to this person with documentation. Try to include pictures and anecdotes to enhance your paper.
- Complete a family line or lines back as many generations as possible beyond eight generations (ancestors 256 and beyond). Include pictures, maps and documents. Be sure to include proper labels and sources.
- A timeline historical report of another family line not previously completed. Document as well as possible as in Option B. You need to state at the beginning that this is a second family historical report on such ancestor.
- A history of your family's military service for a family line not previously completed. Include supporting documents as in Option E. You need to state at the beginning that this is a second family military history report on such ancestor.
- Family DNA history. (This can be a very expensive option) Please include charts and explanations. i.e. use pie charts, ethnicity estimates, approximate percentage regionally, number of countries searched, genetic percentage, family tree, graphs, etc.
Forms
To download and edit one of the excel spreadsheets, click on the option below. When the new page opens click on "File" in the top, left-hand corner, and then select "Download a Snapshot."
Indiana Historical Society Suggested Genealogy Research Resources
- Cyndi’s List is also a great website to explore when starting out in Genealogy, whether specific to Indiana or not. It’s a pretty extensive website. Just jump on and explore.
- Ancestry.com
- Home page: https://www.ancestry.com/ - This is to sign up for a subscription.
- Accessing the Library Edition of Ancestry.com has to be at a location that pays for that type of subscription. Check out if your local public library has access, many do. You can look them up online or call to ask if they offer that service or any other genealogy database access. You also have to sign on to their computers to use that service. You can travel with your devices, like laptop or tablet, just know your searching has to be done on their computers. It might be a good idea to travel with a flash drive to save those records you find so you can easily add them to your device and digital records.
- Indiana State Archives
- Home page: http://www.in.gov/iara/
- Records and indices are kept in different locations on the website. Spend some time on the website looking at what is available. If you’re have trouble finding it you can call the office and they can guide you through.
- Indiana Historical Society
- Atlas of Historical County Boundaries from The Newberry Library:
