How to Get Started With Geneaology

Tracing the history and lineage of your family can help unravel the unique origin and traditions of your family and can teach you a lot about yourself. In fact, certain quirks and mannerisms and medical history often can be traced back to an ancestor. Genealogical research is based to a large extent on recorded information pertaining to the birth, marriage and death of the members of a family. However, every family has its own stories, which can offer unique insight and information about its history.

• 1

  Bring together any and all records and documents and heirlooms of your immediate family. These include photographs and postcards, public records, land deeds, immigration records, baptismal certificates, school records and graduation certificates, medical records, family bible, wills, diaries and journals, and obituaries.

• 2

  Ask your relatives for similar records and ask them if you can make copies of them. Carry out an online search for any additional records of extended family members and relatives. You can do this at websites such as familytreesearcher.com, usgenweb.org or familysearch.org.

• 3

  Interview your family and relatives. Start by asking your parents and close relatives about names and dates and stories. Expand your search by moving on to other relatives.

• 4

  Go back to the place where your family resided earlier. Track down old friends, neighbors, fellow employees and the local priest or rabbi and ask them about your family.

• 5

  Join your local genealogy society or look online to gain access to old census reports. You can also enlist the help of seasoned genealogy professionals and enthusiasts to assist you further.

• 6

  Have DNA tests done to help direct you to forgotten ancestors and other family members both living and dead.

• 7

  Organize and write down all the information you have collected so far. You can do this with pencil and paper or with computer tools such as Microsoft Access, Excel or Word or their Apple or OpenOffice equivalents.

• 8

  Add new information to your records as soon as you gain access to it.