Are you looking for a unique and educational way to spend your summer? How about delving into your family history by visiting graveyards, libraries, and archives in pursuit of your roots? Discovering your ancestors and collecting information about your lineage can be a fulfilling and enriching experience.
While genealogy sites have made it easier to research your ancestral history with digitized archives and family-tree-building software, not everything is available online. Here are some tips to make your research trips more efficient and fruitful.
Decipher Text
Not every historical document you come across may be in a language you understand. Google Lens and Apple’s Live Text feature can be invaluable tools for translating text on the go. Simply scan the text with your smartphone and use the translation options to uncover the meanings behind the words.
If you encounter handwritten records or difficult-to-read text, consider using translation apps like Google Translate or Apple’s Translate app. These tools can help you decipher and understand the content, even if the text is challenging.
Remember that software-generated translations may not always be perfect, but they can provide you with a general idea of the text. And for languages with unique alphabets or fonts, there are resources available online to assist with translation.
Scan Documents
When you come across physical documents that haven’t been digitized, use your smartphone to scan them for digital copies. Apps like Google Drive and Apple’s Notes app offer scanning tools that can help you capture and store important information.
Digitizing old photos and images is another essential aspect of your genealogy research. Utilize your phone’s camera to capture images from yearbooks, photo collections, and other sources. With photo-editing tools, you can enhance and clean up the images for better clarity and preservation.
Digitize Photos
Consider using apps like Google’s PhotoScan to correct imperfections in old prints and digitize them with enhanced clarity. These apps can help you preserve and share important family photos for future generations.
Find Graves
Visiting the final resting place of your ancestors can provide you with valuable information and a sense of connection. Online resources like Find a Grave and BillionGraves can help you locate burial sites and access photos of headstones, adding depth to your family history research.
