Genealogy 101

Lesson 1: Where Do I Begin?

Beginning genealogy can be daunting. Many a beginner has started researching their family only to stop once they see how much information they have to weed through.

This lesson will guide you in the beginning of your search for your ancestors, and start you on the first step in building your family tree.

Beginning Your Family Search

Genealogy can be traced back through the ages to the beginning of time. It started out as oral history, and as time and technology progressed, became written history.

As with history, your family search might be best started with oral history. Perhaps you have a grandparent still living who would be glad to share your family history with you. Not only would this be a great way to learn your family history, but you could forge a great relationship with someone you love but know very little about.

If you are uncomfortable talking with your family about their history, maybe there is a family Bible handed down from generation to generation that is loaded with information. Look in old trunks; are there any old diaries or letters that could provide a clue? Baby record books, baptism certificates, college diplomas, wedding invitations, yearbooks, high school autograph albums, death certificates, citizenship certificates, old home movies, newspaper clippings, all these items could provide a wealth of knowledge in your search.

All those papers! How do you sort out what is what? How do I know what is important and what is just fluff? I'm going to be buried in this junk!

That is quite a mound of stuff if you can locate it. Most of us won't have that much paperwork to sort through. Some of us will see that heap and throw our hands up in desperation. But if you take the time to gather those documents you will learn more about the history of your family than you might think.

Start with your family. Your parents, your siblings, your grandparents, and their siblings should be your starting point. You will find out this is quite a beginning! Write everything you learn down in pencil, just in case you need to correct something. I recommend using recipe cards. The line on the recipe card work wonderfully for dates and names and keeps everything nice and neat (for easier reading). (See example below)

You should use the maiden names of your female relatives if you know them. This makes it easier to track later if you happen to have family members with the same name. Most people do. Use everyone’s full name for the same reason. Add birth dates, date of death, place of birth and death, and the country of the surname (the last name) if known.

A good book to have handy can be found at Barnes & Noble.com and is titled “The Unpuzzling Your Past Workbook,” which includes forms that will help you keep organized.

I hope I haven’t scared you off your quest. Finding your past is an exciting journey, full of new discoveries and gives you a sense of who you are.

Name:
DOB:
DOD:
Place of Birth:
Place of Death:
Country of Surname:
Meaning of Surname:
Date Of Marriage:

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