Genealogy: Where to Start

Throughout the years many people have found joy in researching their family history. In searching through an old dusty attic we may stumble across dusty photos, journal entries and other wonderful items connecting us to our past. What once may have been considered a hobby for only those who are older and retired has now become more mainstream, thanks in part to the widespread availability of the Internet. Websites devoted to searching for ones ancestors can be found with ease.

Many websites can be found that have been created to aid people in their search for their genealogy. Some of these websites are free, while others require a paid subscription. One of the best websites that I have found is Family Search (www.familysearch.org). The website is run by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and is free for anyone to use.

Family Search has a very simple design and allows easy searching. The search feature allows a person to search all resources at once, or search one particular database, such as the US social security death index. A list of results comes up and the person can then click on different names. Some results, especially those involving a census, may come with a link to an image of the actual census page, partnered with the website Ancestry (www.ancestry.com).

Other helpful features of the Family Search website also include a research help guide, and a family history website browser. The site also contains a link to the Family History Library Catalog. The Family History library, located in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah, is the largest library of its kind in the world. The library offers many records to aid in the search for ones ancestors.

Another helpful website to try is Ancestry (www.ancestry.com). Though this website requires a paid subscription, it contains a huge amount of information and resources including census records, vital records, immigration records and military records. These are only a few of the available resources.

These are just two of the many websites available, but for a beginner, these are good places to start your search. To begin, you may want to start off with close family information involving relatives such as your grandparents and great-grandparents. Generally you will need a name and an event date such as a birth date or a death date. In my own searches I have been able to start with these closer generations and work my way back. In one of my family lines I have been able to trace back to the 1600's!

Another helpful tip for those just beginning is to talk to other family members. You may be surprised what has already been researched and found. If you make your search a joint effort, you will find you can save a lot of time.

Keeping track of your information is also very important. Make sure you write down the information you find. This will save you from doing repeat searches. One extremely helpful tool that I use is a free software program called Personal Ancestral File, or PAF for short. This is available for download through the Family Search website. This program allows you to input names, event dates, photos, occupations, and many other bits of information. You can then create pedigree charts and other visual representations of your family history.

Finding out about one's family history can be very rewarding. It connects us to the past and brings our ancestors to life. You do not have to be a genealogy expert to get involved in this awesome research. It is easy to start off small and still gain some great insight into your family's history.