Avoid duplication of effort by performing a Preliminary Survey.

This involves searching major biographical databases or pedigree-linked databases such as the Ancestral File, the International Genealogical Index, and the Surname area of the Family History Library Catalog all available at .www.FamilySearch.org. Then there is the Library of Congress database www.loc.gov, .www.Genealogy.com, .www.ancestry.com, etc. All of these sources will be taught in subsequent lessons.

Often, the information obtained from these sources is secondary, but it can help you find locations for primary sources. The Great Ancestral Hunt CD guides you through the Preliminary Survey phase.

See lesson one.