5 easy steps to begin your family history journey
Exploring your family history is one of the most enjoyable things you’ll ever do, and it’s simple to get started.
Family history research is a wonderful trip into the past in which you may discover where you originated from, learn about your ancestors’ lives, and strengthen your ties to your family in the present.
If you’ve been thinking about doing family history research but haven’t yet taken the plunge, there are a few simple steps you can take to get started without becoming overwhelmed.
1. Determine your objectives.
Before you begin any genealogical study, ask yourself, “What do I want to learn?” You must have a specific aim in mind before beginning your investigation to avoid falling into a genealogical rabbit hole. For example, your first aim may be to “locate great-grandpa in the 1910 census.” Set a goal and stick to it. It will make your family research more enjoyable because you will be fixing problems as you go.
2. Maintain your organization
It’s easy to overlook organization when you’re initially starting to make discoveries and unearth information in your family history research since you may not need to rely on it right away. Being organized may be a lifesaver when you’re deep in your genealogical quest and trying to break through those stubborn brick walls (aka solving challenging genealogy conundrums and identifying elusive relatives).
Because your genealogical research will almost certainly contain both online and offline resources, keeping all of your data and research organized can benefit you in both your current and future study. For example, keeping a spreadsheet of each surname you research, indicating which records you have searched and what you have or haven’t discovered on each individual, will save you from having to re-research many data sets. It will also be useful in the long run when it comes time to re-evaluate any of your early searches once you’ve learned more about the research process and discovered more about your family.
Everyone is different and organizes their results differently, so pick a strategy that works best for you. Keep in mind that you will most likely need to alter your organizing plan as your research goes, but it’s a good idea to think about it from the beginning.
3. Create a family tree
Building a family tree is a sure-fire strategy to keep organized during your family history quest. Making a family tree can help you visualize your study and discover how your relatives are related. Furthermore, using Findmypast, each person will have a unique profile where you may record information discovered throughout your investigation, among other things. When you construct a family tree with Findmypast, you’ll be able to use our incredible suggestions to help you learn even more.
4. Examine your nearest relatives
In family history research, the rule of thumb is to start with what you know and go backwards from there. You should always utilize the facts you know to be true to direct your search to the next known fact. Begin your genealogical research with your parents, then continue on to your grandparents, then your great-grandparents, and so on. There is no one method to investigate, but one approach to stay organized and avoid moving back generations based on faulty assumptions is to get to know those 8 grandparents well first. Before going on, make a note of anything you find on those eight. You’ll want to keep track of their vocations, localities, birth and death dates, and so on, and then you’ll want to focus on their siblings. You should strive to work both horizontally and vertically in your family tree to gather as much information as possible early on so that you may make well-informed discoveries in the records and verify that those discoveries are correct. Begin by asking your parents about any essential facts you’re searching for, and if your grandparents are still living, ask them a series of questions as well to help you create your tree from the ground up.
5. Look through census records
Census records are the finest spot to start your genealogical study and the best records to return to after you’re a more experienced researcher. The census contains important facts and is highly useful for tracing your family’s history because it is done on a regular basis, every ten years, and is an obligatory, government-regulated record. According to experts, 90 percent of Americans are represented in US census data, so it’s doubtful that you won’t be able to uncover any information about your relatives to begin with. Census records are also very important since they indicate family links, making it easy to create your family tree, trace relatives, and examine how family relationships change. If you haven’t already looked through our census records, here are 9 pointers to get you started.
Beginning family history research is a rewarding and crucial step toward learning more about your own and your family’s unique history. Why not share your experience with other family historians and receive help if you get stuck on the Findmypast Forum on Facebook?
