How to Research Family Trees

Researching your family tree can be both rewarding and challenging. Here’s how to approach it systematically:

Start with what you know Begin by documenting information about yourself and work backwards through generations. Write down names, birth dates, death dates, marriage dates, and locations for parents, grandparents, and any other relatives you know about. Don’t forget to include maiden names for women.

Talk to family members Interview older relatives who may have stories, documents, or memories to share. Ask about family traditions, immigration stories, occupations, and places the family lived. Record these conversations if possible, and ask to see any family documents, photos, or heirlooms they might have.

Gather documents Look for birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, divorce records, military records, immigration documents, census records, and obituaries. Family Bibles often contain handwritten family information. School records, employment records, and church records can also provide valuable details.

Use online resources Websites like Ancestry.com, FamilySearch (free), MyHeritage, and Findmypast offer access to digitized records and family trees created by other researchers. Many libraries provide free access to some of these databases. Government websites often have searchable databases for vital records.

Visit archives and libraries Local historical societies, libraries, and government offices maintain records that may not be available online. County courthouses often have the oldest local records. Some areas have genealogical societies that can provide guidance and resources.

Verify information carefully Cross-reference information from multiple sources before accepting it as fact. Be cautious about information from other people’s family trees online, as errors can spread quickly. Always try to find primary sources like official documents rather than relying solely on secondary sources.

Stay organized Keep detailed notes about where you found each piece of information. Use genealogy software or create spreadsheets to track your research. File documents systematically so you can find them later.

The key is patience and persistence – family history research often involves dead ends and requires creative problem-solving to break through brick walls in your research.