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Getting Started On Your Family Tree
Updated: 22 September 2007
By: Rick Roberts,   Biography & Archived Articles


Beginning a family history project is much simpler than you think. Always begin with what you know and work back in time. Begin with yourself, then your parents, then grandparents, and so on. Records of birth, marriage and death are the first bits of biographical information that you need to gather to positively identify people and confirm genetic and social relationships.

Steps-by Step process for beginning a family tree project:

Step 1. Record what you know about your family.
    Begin by recording your memories and information from documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, funeral cards, newspaper clippings, scap books, old family correspondence, photos, heirlooms and other material that has been stored away in trunks, drawers, attics or basements. You will be surprised by how many vital clues you will assemble.

    Record what you have learned about yourself and your ancestors on a paper Pedigree Chart or in a family tree software. A Pedigree Chart helps you to visualize the relationships between you and your ancestors. Family Group Research Forms are helpful for recording family groups. They provide a place to record names and vital events for a set of parents, their marriage, and their children. A new Family Group Research Form is needed for every family unit. If a person was married twice, a different Family Group Research Form is needed for each family unit.

    If you decide to use family tree software rather than paper forms, the software will generate completed Pedigree Charts and Research Forms, populated with the information that you have entered into the software. Genealogy software programs can generate dozens of different charts and reports and are very easy to use.

    A new online option for recording and sharing your family history is growing in popularity. There are websites that provide free web-based tools where you can record your family tree findings. They are very easy to use. You can even invite your family and friends to check out your results online. Click here to begin building your free online family tree.

    If you are an experienced genealogist click here for more advanced options for using the free online family tree site.
Step 2. Add additional information from family members.
    Talk to or correspond with as many family members as possible. They can provide first-hand accounts, memories and stories, especially those relatives who are older. They can often provide you with details of names, dates, and key family events. You will be surprised with a stash of original documents and pictures. Always be objective during these interviews. Assume the role of an interested observer who is recording facts. Most people are more likely to be open and candid with a non-judgemental person. You will encounter family myths and stories that vary from person to person. Keep a record of everything you learn, even information that conflicts with what you think is true. The truth is buried somewhere in those stories.

    It is a good idea to audio or video record your family interviews because you will be able to replay them and pick up new bits of information each time you listen. Remember to get permission before recording your interviews.

    Beyond the oral information that your relatives can provide ask to copy any documents, sources of information or photographs that they may share, such as:

      1. Journals/diaries
      2. Letters
      3. Scrapbooks
      4. Newspaper clippings
      5. Announcements
      6. School records
      7. Family Bibles
      8. Baby books
      9. Medical records
      10. Photo albums
      11. Certificates
      12. Church records
      13. Memorial cards
      14. Family traditions
      15. Autograph books
      16. Other family books

    Digital Cameras and document scanners can be a big help insofar as copies can be made without having to borrow the document or photograph. If your relative is willing to lend you a document, make sure that you return it promptly and in an unaltered condition.

Step 3. Finding more information in archives and institutions.
    Staying focused and organized is the key to achieving good results from institutional research. Focus on one person or family unit at a time. If you attempt to research all of your ancestors at the same time you will become overwhelmed and confused.

    Institutions such as governments, libraries, religious organizations, employers, service clubs and others, house a wealth of information to help the family historian. The key is learning which records are available, where those records reside, how to access to them, and how to interpret and use them once you have them in hand. There are how-to books to help you locate records for most countries in the world. Oftentimes there are also how-to books for finding records for specific immigration groups -- examples include The United Empire Loyalists or Home Children. Many institutions and governments are beginning to digitize their documents and create electronic indexes to help you find the document you desire. Research guides are now including references for both traditional (physical) and online resources for family history research.

    Digitized records are available from a number of online sources. The largest is Ancestry.com. They began by concentrating on USA, Canadian and UK records, though they are now spreading around the world. You can access the records of Ancestry.com on a free trial. If Ancestry.com has the records that you are interested in, you may decide to firm-up your subscription -- much cheaper than traveling to where the same physical records are stored. Another commercial provider is The Origins Network which focuses on United Kingdom and Irish records

    Some important categories of institutional and government records include:
    • Census Records
    • Vital Records
    • Newspapers
    • City Directories
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Step 4: >>>>>>>>>>>>>
Step 5: >>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Step 6: Ask for help
    There is a lot of help available for those with an interest in researching their roots. Genealogical societies, reference librarians, Family History Centers (LDS), historical societies, lineage societies, heritage groups and more. To find a historical or genealogical society for the area that you are interested in, search Google for the type of organization, adding the name of the area that you are interested in (eg "Ontario genealogical society"). Nine time out of ten you will locate their website quickly.

    Subscribing to family tree magazines and periodicals provides a rich source of ideas and research strategies. Don't forget to subscribe to this online magazine. It's complimentary!
You will quickly discover that finding information is easier than you imagined. The key to success is organization. Start with the preceeding steps, use your charts, forms and/or a family tree software program, and you will be well on your way to a successful family tree project.


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