Getting Started

Begin your family history with these basic steps:

Write down what you know. Use an empty family group sheet or five generation chart to begin recording information regarding your family. Interview relatives and consult home sources (such as family records, letters, birth and marriage certificates, etc.) to gather as much information as you can on your family.

Look for missing information. Examine the information you have compiled—what is missing? What individuals or families intrigue you the most? From this list choose a few goals or objectives to research.

Locate and identify sources. Once you have your research goals in hand, learn what sources are available to aid in your research. Read articles and books or listen to online seminars to gain additional knowledge on your research topic. You can also find sources online at AmericanAncestors.org and other websites.

Research. After locating the list of sources that might answer your question, begin looking for the answers to your questions. Keep track of what you look at, including the title, author, call number, and location of the materials using a research log.

Analyze and record new information.Add the information you have found to your own records, including the source of the information you identified. Several software programs and other resources exist to assist you in tracking and organizing your genealogical information.

Once you have completed these steps, you are certain to identify further questions and other missing pieces of information. Start the research process again by locating and identifying sources that might help you answer your next set of questions.

Tips for Success

When working on your genealogy, here are some tips and best practices to keep in mind:

• Start with the known: Begin with yourself, getting your birth certificate and other records. Then get the records of your parents, and so on, backwards.
• Write everything down: You can start with a simple spiral notebook, but you'll want to have one place where you keep all of your information.
• Write dates in a standardized format: Write dates as 23 Feb 1890. This will leave no question as to year, month, and day of any event.
• Always use a pencil: When writing in your notebook, or filling out a pedigree chart or family group sheet, use a pencil. This will allow you to make changes and corrections as you find new information.
• Keep a research log: You can use a pre-formatted form, a computer, or another spiral notebook, but it's important to list every resource you have checked and the information you did and did not find.

Forms

Family Group Sheet
Five Generation Chart
Research Log
List of Home Sources
Key Genealogical Sources
Genealogy Software Programs