The 4-H Name and Emblem are protected by 18-USC-707

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Quick checklist to use before you enter your
genealogy notebook for the fair:

1. Be sure to read your manual, especially the project requirements and the shaded areas on pages 4 & 5.
2. Proof-read entire exhibit notebook for grammar and spelling errors.
3. Check your exhibit to make sure all the required forms and sheets are in your fair exhibit notebook and in the correct order (see shaded areas on pages 4 & 5).
4. Include your photo on the title page and your *SIGNED* record sheet (by your 4-H leader) with all eight (8) questions answered.
5. Photocopy all documents and photographs with labels to identify what it is and who it is.



Send questions to John G. West by e-mail ~ mylines@evansville.net.

This 4-H Genealogy Project Scoresheet is a revised copy that will be used during the 2007 4-H County Fair in Dubois, Gibson, Vanderburgh and Warrick Counties. [Click on the underlined words to see and print a copy of the scoresheet.]

START AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE GETTING INFORMATION!

During the second or third year of the "new" state genealogy
project, the manual was revised slightly adding a new
form: "The 4-H Member's Additional Information Worksheet"
that was better designed for the 4-H'er. When they made
that additional form, the people making the revisions
overlooked the fact that "Additional Information
Worksheets" would now be Four (4) instead of Three (3).
"Three (3) 'Additional Information Worksheets':
- for you, the 4-H member
- one (1) for your parents
- one (1) for each set of grandparents"
[THIS LAST ONE IS ACTUALLY TWO - ONE FOR EACH SET OF GRANDPARENTS]
Be sure to use the special sheet for you as the 4-H Member
(The 4-H Member's Additional Information Worksheet).

A question from a parent (amended) ~

After looking at the project exhibits at the fair, does 4-H require complete birth/death certificates, etc., on all family members?

I ask because a family member left his family many years ago and what documents we had on his family were lost in a tragedy several years ago. I suspect it's impossible - and, perhaps, undesirable - for us to get any documentation on his family. Would the 4-H'ers be penalized if they don't have documentation (birth/death certificates and more) for this part of their family tree? Strange question, but it's one I would rather know now before enrolling the kids in the project.

My Answer ~

Your question is not at all strange and is often asked by those interested in working on this project. It is necessary to document the lineage of all families to "prove" that it is correct. I wished that the state project did not require document photocopies of all direct ancestors required for each division. However, citing the source (documentation) of all names, dates and places is necessary, as I have said to establish a true family line. The state requirement of photocopies of documentation does not include all family members, only the direct ancestors - parents, grandparents, great grandparents, etc.

This may sound like a little lecture, but it is not impossible to find the recorded documents for that ancestor. It is very tragic to lose important papers and other possessions in a fire, flood, tornado or other catastrophe. However, all of the lost records should be available at the courthouses or offices of vital statistics in each county where the events of birth, marriage and death occurred. *Here comes the part that might sound like a lecture* This person is still one of your ancestors and no matter what they may have done - that person, parents and grandparents are still your ancestors and the ancestors to your children.

A big part of this project is to learn about your family - all lines! Even if someone has done the research in the family, parts of the family history will still require some research in libraries, courthouses and other places, such as, cemeteries. The best part of this project is learning your family history - the good and the bad. All of which plays a role in who you are today. Your kids should know about all of their family; and, usually, the bad parts do not need to be included with the exhibit or told to your children until they are ready to know.

The project manual is a very good, brief and easy to understand, genealogy primer on how to do family history. If you do not know where to begin on studying your family, email me and I will help you and your 4-H member to get off to a good start.

Good luck and I hope your kids sign up for the project.

John G. West, mylines@evansville.net
Former Vanderburgh County 4-H Genealogy Project Superintendent

HINT # 1:

This is a Judge's Hint concerning "Extent and Evidence of Supplemental Information" which is basically the documentation or proof to back up what you have on your Pedigree, Family Group Sheets & Additional Information Worksheets. Make every effort to include the preferred document in each of the categories listed for each person listed on your Pedigree Chart as may apply to that person.
The list starts with the preferred type of document in italics & underlined (these come from the county offices in the courthouse of where the event occurred).
BIRTH: Birth Certificate, Hospital Birth Record, Baptismal or Christening document (you can use marriage record, death certificate, obituary or tombstone for date of birth, but these records come later and usually are not reported by a witness to the birth).
MARRIAGE: Marriage Application, License & Certificate, Minister/Priest Marriage Certificate, Newspaper account/report of the marriage ceremony.
DEATH: Death Certificate, obituary, funeral card or tombstone.
EDUCATION, MILITARY, PHOTOS.

Cyndi's List of Genealogy Sites on the Internet

Web Sites for Southwestern Indiana County Extension Offices:

| Dubois | Gibson | Pike | Posey | Spencer | Vanderburgh | Warrick |