Ever wonder who your ancestors were? Where and how they lived, or what their occupations were? Are you from a long line of hard laborers or do you have royalty in your veins? These are just a couple of examples of reasons why people are generally eager to find and create an extensive family tree. In this post, we’ll equip you with five handy tips on how to get started!
1. Gather All Your Family Albums
Ask family members for any and all family information they have. Photos and birth/death certificates are usually what helps the most. Other items such as letters or memorabilia will help you fill the gaps when uncovering the secrets and stories of your family.
2. Draw Your Family Tree
Probably the best starting point – simply draw your family tree! Begin with all the family members you know, and work your way up. When you’ve hit a wall, interview family members and make notes of all the missing information that they might have.
3. Write Your Family’s Story
As you do your research, you may find a particular family member with an interesting story you would want to follow-up on. This can be anything from involvement in World War II to maybe a dark story about a convict. It can also be something simple, such as achievements of your gran when she was in high school. Write down all the facts first, then build on your story.
4. Ask Relatives’ Assistance
The chances are great for you to find any material that could build on your research from cousins, siblings, aunts, uncles and family friends. Ask them if they have any documentation or keepsakes – they might just point you in the right direction!
5. Join a Genealogy Group or Society
Always remember, you are never alone in the search of your family’s history. There are loads of societies and support groups out there who might just have information on your family. You can also join and attend classes to get you started and connect with other family historians or genealogists.
If these five tips don’t point you in the right direction, we don’t know what will! All the best on your searches for your family’s story. Keep us updated on your progress in the comment section below.
