The common notion is that when tracing roots, a person has to travel and be at the place where his ancestors were born or personally get documents at courthouses and parishes where his ancestors were registered. While somewhere along the way your research will lead you to some foreign places, most of the (initial) work actually happens at home or within your town. Here are the ways to trace your roots right from your own home:
Quiz the relatives Asking your relatives for information about your family is the best first way to trace your roots. What if some of your relatives are now living abroad? Do you have to visit them? No. All you need to do is to call them through the internet or if you are willing enough, through your telephone. Either way, you have no excuse for not getting stories about your roots from your relatives even if they are thousands of miles away.
Gather available records Wills, marriage contracts, birth and death certificates, census records, land deeds and immigration records can be accessed either by requesting a copy from your civil registry or through government websites for certain locations and certain time periods without leaving your home.
Hook up with others Posting your own queries, browsing genealogy mailing lists archive and searching surname lists are things you can do to find other persons who are searching your line. You might also find individuals who are willing to go to libraries, cemeteries and courthouses to look up the names of your ancestors.
Search online Tracing your roots is like connecting the right dots from millions of dots on the table. It is a tough assignment, to say the least. That is why you need to use all your search engine skills to narrow down the results that will lead you to what you are looking for. And don’t forget to keep track of your progress and the sites you have visited.
Send letters This may sound a bit old school but writing letters to request copies of documents for your research from libraries, archives and courthouses is a great way to get a response. You can send an email too but some organizations are short of people to respond on emails. To increase your chances of getting a reply, include any relevant photocopy fees and a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE).
Fish on history Search online to find historical and newspaper articles that relate to the time and place where your ancestors lived. Do not be too picky. Just read everything and look for insights for just about any topic. Vital clues that may prove to be useful are often hidden within these stories.
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