Researching Your Family Tree



Posted: Sunday, May 17, 2009

by
Voodoo Genealogy

Imagine that you're standing on the top of a hill. Look behind you. From here you can see your parents, perhaps your grandparents. And if your eyesight is really good, even get a glimpse of your great-grandparents.

Now, look ahead of you. Depending on your age, you can see your children, perhaps your grandchildren. You may even be able to see great-grandchildren.

So who says you can't achieve some success as a genealogist merely by starting with the family members around you? As this illustration shows, from your vantage point you may be able to see at least one (your own) generation, and as many as five generations . . . some of you may be able to see even more.

What better place to start documenting your family than with those living relatives gathered all around you? Think about it. Your grandparent or great uncle isn't getting any younger. Now, is the perfect time to start documenting his life.

Don't dismiss the stories these older relatives have to tell, by the way, for they'll become the sources you'll use later to search for those relatives long dead. (As I told you, the living will help you contact the dead!)

Step #1

You: The very best place to start

The very first step to documenting your family history is to start with the person you know best: yourself.

This may sound obvious or you may think this even frivolous but this is the best way to make a summary of what you know about yourself and your family.

Simply start by writing down everything you know about yourself. Start as if the individuals who will be reading this document know absolutely nothing about you.

Bill Turnbull is a genealogy expert. For more great information on Genealogy visit research family tree

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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)
» left by Arlene Wright-Correll
 2 years 237 days ago.
28 fans.
We recently found a bunch of distant relatives and are learning a lot about our ancestors which is lots of fun and it is bringing a lot of the family into the mix.
 
Good information..
 
"Tread the Earth Lightly"" and let your days be filled with... Peace, light and love,
 
Arlene Wright-Correll
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