How To Research Your Genealogy and Family Tree

  • June 1, 2009
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Researching genealogy takes a little enterprise and the skills of a master sleuth.

You Will Need

  • A notebook
  • A tape recorder
  • Internet access
How To Research Your Genealogy and Family Tree: Interview

Step 1: Interview

Record interviews with family members. Use photo albums, diaries, scrapbooks, news clippings, and old letters to jog memories.

How To Research Your Genealogy and Family Tree: List family history

Step 2: List family history

Make a family tree. List dates and locations of births, marriages, and deaths.

How To Research Your Genealogy and Family Tree: Access original records

Step 3: Access original records

Access directories and census records at your local library. State records can confirm birth, death, and marriage information.

How To Research Your Genealogy and Family Tree: Make a system

Step 4: Make a system

Devise a system to organize your information, using cards, databases, or numbering. Sort out any missing information, contradictions, or redundancies.

Investigate records compiled by others, such as biographies and family histories.

How To Research Your Genealogy and Family Tree: Discuss with family

Step 5: Discuss with family

Discuss your findings with family members and go over memories that might trigger additional searches. Record interviews so you can reference them later.

Ask extended family for stories, pictures, or information they may have gleaned from intermarriages and family crises.

How To Research Your Genealogy and Family Tree: Announce searches

Step 6: Announce searches

Visit online genealogy message boards to announce your searches. Browse location-specific sites for new information.

The phrase “six degrees of separation” was popularized by a 1990 play and refers to experiments on the interconnectedness of society.

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Comments (1)

dogtide

the little kid is cuuuuuute!

over 2 years ago by dogtide

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