How to Begin a Family Tree

Today, more people are interested in finding out about their own family's history and Genealogy has become a fast-growing hobby.

While some are searching for details about their ancestors and how they came to be, some are happy to find the origins of their surname, or their family coat of arms.

Though searching for family roots can be a bit of a challenge, the internet is a great platform for starting your research. With online programs and subscriptions for ancestry registries, you can be sure to find a good portion of your family's history and chances are high you may meet up with others that are searching within the same family tree.

By sharing information, you are adding to the historical data from your perspective and in turn gaining information from people you may never have known existed.

A Sense of Family

Taking on a family tree project is exciting and can bring together a sense of fun in the exploration of your origins. It can be a way for family members to connect in a deeper way and bring a richer meanings of family to all who participate.

By tracing your family's roots, you will gain a better understanding of where you actually came from and the lives of your descendants. It can provide you with a personal snapshot of historical events paralleling natural calamities and an understanding of the hardships endured. Families relocating in tough economic times and those displaced by wars, all invaluable pieces of information.

How to Search

Where you begin depends on what information you already have available.

Your family records are the best place to start your search along with the family bible. There are often notations that can be verified through courthouse records.
Obituary notices provide a great deal of additional information which may include relatives you were not aware of.
The city or town libraries can also provide relevant historical data if you have a general idea of a time line.
Census records provide information on living and deceased relatives where you can trace the family tree back through existing records.
Online message boards forums and are filled with tidbits of information and mailing lists based on your name. Most are free but require you to sign up before you can access information.

Talk to Your Elders

Of course the best way to find out about family is to talk with your relatives while you have the chance. Note everything they can remember and verify as you go. Building layers of information gleaned from those around you by visiting with them and asking questions.

Write letters to those who do not live close and invite them to add what they can to the project. Most will be happy to regal you with tales of their family as they remember when.

Each step in the family research can lead you to new discoveries but be cautious. Cross verification is vital as not all information is correct. Human errors in transcription are bound to appear.

There are many pieces to the puzzle when it comes to genealogy and it is a fascinating hobby that can be immensely rewarding.

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