Genealogy - A Grand Legacy

Genealogy is a never-ending gift to pass down through the generations. As your family grows so does your family history. Creating a family scrap book containing a family tree, important dates, photos, family member data, and documents is a wonderful way to bond with your grandchild. Genealogy is one hobby that continues to connect the generations. First you must decide what information will be included. It is fairly easy to get started, just gather up the information you already know or have. The essential basics are legal names, birth dates, photos, birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, military and church records. From these you can start creating a family tree which can also be used as an index for your family's scrap book.

For help in creating your family's tree visit your local library or buy a family tree maker CD ROM. If you are comfortable working online try Family Tree Maker. Start by entering your grandchild's name and follow the guidelines for entering the family data for your main branch of the tree. Fill in as much data as you have. Leave blank or a question mark where ever you are not 100% sure. You can always go back and fill in more data as it is found or verified.

When you have finished recording the information you have, the detective work begins. Look through old photos. Ask to see old photo albums when visiting relatives. It's a great way to start conversations and enlist your family's help in your quest for any information they might have. Keep a notebook with information and questions you have. Share what you know and offer to make copies of photos, and documentation for other relatives who are interested. Make a list of relatives and family acquaintances and plan to interview them. Prepare an interview outline and take notes or tape record the interviews. Review your notes or tape as soon as you return to home base, making sure the dates and information collected are clear for you to read or understand. If there are any questions, call the person you interviewed, thanking them for their assistance and review whatever is unclear. Another way to gather data and family history is to send out a family newsletter and ask for contributions of names, places and dates. Follow up with phone calls, digging just a little deeper. Find out who is the family record keeper, who has the important documents and ask for copies. Send periodic updates to the family members supplying any leads. This will continue to keep the information flowing.

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