Self-Help Genealogy Tools — A Clear Starting Point When You’re Not Sure What to Do

Beginning your genealogy research can feel confusing, overwhelming, or even intimidating — especially when you don’t know which records matter or where to start. That is exactly why the Self-Help Genealogy Tools page exists: to walk you through the process step by step and make the beginning of your journey clear and achievable.

The Self-Help Genealogy Tools page is structured to give you practical guidance at every stage. It starts with the basics — like gathering what you already know from your immediate family — and shows you how to organize that information into something useful. The goal is not to create a perfect tree on your first day, but to help you build a foundation that supports the verification process.

Following that, the page explains the verification goal — what you need to collect and present in order to prove Freedmen status through documented records. This keeps your research focused on the types of documents that matter most in the verification process instead of spending hours chasing irrelevant data.

You will also find guidance on which documents help, from census records to Freedmen’s Bureau files and estate records, along with advice on how to organize those records effectively.

No matter where you are in your research, the tools section offers clear best practices, including how to track sources, how to structure your data, and how to avoid guesswork. It even walks you through the technical steps of uploading your documents for review.

What’s more, the page acknowledges that research can feel difficult at times, and it offers encouragement and practical tips for what to do if you get stuck. This ensures you never feel lost — just guided and supported.

Ultimately, the Self-Help Genealogy Tools page is more than just instructions. It’s a roadmap designed to empower you to begin, organize, and complete your genealogy work with confidence — so your Freedmen status can be verified with clarity, accuracy, and peace of mind.

Go to the Self-Help Genealogy Tools Page!