It’s important to know about your family background; it gives you a sense of who you are and where you’ve come from. It can also be important because knowing how your ancestors died could have an effect on your own medical history. If you’re not sure what you need to get started in genealogy, these tips will help you along your way.
You’ll need to have some basic office supplies available when you get started. File folders can be used to keep any blank charts you’ll need; they can also be used to keep your ancestors organized. Start a file folder for each surname you find during your search. When it is too full, you can always separate the information further.
If you’d rather not keep everything you gather in paper form, you can invest in good genealogy software such as Roots Magic 3, Legacy Family Tree 7.0 Deluxe, or Family Tree Maker. These range in price between $30 and $100. You can also find free software, such as Personal Ancestral File 5.2 or Family Tree Builder 4.0.
The important thing to remember is to keep things organised, no matter which method you choose to keep notes on your family members. Be prepared, however, as you may find delving into your family background so interesting that it takes over a good amount of space in your home.
Go to Ancestry.com or another website to find free printable pedigree charts or other forms which will help you keep your information organized. Adobe Acrobat is generally used for most forms so you can print off as many as you need.
Consider finding or purchasing a small tape recorder. Spend some time with older family members and ask them to tell you as much as they can about your family. Ask them about when they were growing up. What did their father or mother do to make a living? What stories can they remember that their parents or grandparents told them? They may be able to find old family Bibles, photographs, or other paperwork which will make your search easier.
If your family members have birth certificates, deeds, baptism certificates, or marriage certificates, ask them if you can borrow them to make copies. You can return the originals and still have something to verify information you’ve received.
Access to the internet can also be important when you need to get started in genealogy. The internet is a wealth of information. There are many websites which offer search capabilities to help you find elusive family members. They also have articles and helpful information to make finding your family something you can do and enjoy.
If you’re starting down the genealogy road, it can be a little discouraging when you get stuck. Start with what you know – your own information and that of your parents, grandparents, etc. – and then work further into the past to find other information. Once you know what you need to get started in genealogy, it’s a matter of pulling what you know together and then finding out what you don’t know.
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