HOW TO GET STARTED ON YOUR FAMILY TREE

GENEALOGY SEARCH

Genealogy is the study of a family's origins, ancestors and discovery in part of who and where we are today. It appeals to each of us, because it is about us. You know what they say, "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

As you go back and gather facts and information about your progenitors you will find that photographs, portraits and stories start to come "alive." You will begin to understand family traits and take pride in the exploits of your forefathers.

The study of your ancestry, genealogy, is one of the hottest subjects searched on the internet, in all nations across the world. You may not only find it rewarding for you, but even a bit addicting.

NINE STEPS TO STARTING YOUR FAMILY TREE SEARCH

1.) Gather up the basics. A binder, notebook, pen, pencils, large sheets of white paper, a tape recorder and some way to copy or make your own forms for recording information.

2.) Identify and list all your known relatives that you can talk or send a letter to. This list can include old friends of the family too.

3.) Get started with yourself. Write down information about you. When were you born? Where were you born? To whom were you born? Document with a birth certificate or baptismal record where possible.

4.) Start with one side of the family at a time. Later you can do the same for the other side.

5.) Start talking, writing or sending e-mail to the oldest members of the family and those you listed in #2 above. Use a tape recorder so you don't miss anything. Ask questions like the suggested questionnaire that will follow later in this report. If the person you are talking to is very elderly, you may choose to talk with them a few time instead of all at once.

6.) Look for or ask for any Family Documents. These could be letters, a family Bible, diaries, memorial cards, certificates such as birth, death, marriage, professional, etc., as well as obituaries, medals, photos and awards.

7.) Next seek out Government or Religious records. Counties and States retain records relating to births, deaths, marriages, divorces, census information and death records. Religious organizations may also be available for a Bar Mitzvah, Baptism, Marriage, etc.. While you may be able to obtain information from these sources, there is usually a fee involved. You can also go on line to genealogy sites that will have valuable information you can search, for a fee as well.

8.) Make contact with a genealogical club or genealogical society in the area where you are doing your primary research. It's amazing how willing these people are to help. And how much information may be collectively available among their members. One other source over looked is local Family Resource Libraries located at or near many chapels of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. They are open to the public during the week and their volunteers are very helpful to a beginner.

9.) You will be surprised to learn that many local, state and county libraries have records that can help you in your search.

You don't have to be Sherlock Holmes, but with all the information available today, most of you will be able to fill in their family tree up to four generations.

If you would like more information on how and where to locate information you need, we recommend the Genealogy Starter Pack available through this site. It includes a five generation family tree, informational and research forms for gathering and keeping you findings organized, a questionnaire, useful sources over the internet (some of which are also located on this site under links) names and addresses of where to write in different countries in Europe, names and addresses of Historical Societies in the United States, where to write and the web sites for each state with vital information and the fee they charge, and state Historical archives and depositories.

We recommend you order your starter pack today. It will be shipped to you with in the week for fast delivery.