How to Begin Researching Your Family Tree
In my last blog, Beginner’s Guide to Genealogy: How to Start Your Family History Journey, I introduced the fundamental steps to tracing your ancestry. Today, we’ll take a closer look at the first and most important step: starting with what you know and documenting your lineage back two to four generations. Remember to pace yourself.
Step 1: Document Your Own Information
Begin your genealogy research by recording your own personal details, including your full name, birthdate, birthplace, children’s names (if applicable), and your parents’ names. From there, work backward, adding information about your grandparents, great-grandparents, and beyond.
Formatting Guidelines:
- Names: Always list surnames first, followed by the middle and first names. If you’re a married female, use your maiden name.
- Dates: Record dates in the format dd/mm/yyyy for consistency.
- Locations: Document place names from smallest to largest (e.g., City, County, State, Country). If relevant, note specific locations, such as hospitals or churches, in the database’s notes section.
- Recording Living People: When documenting information about living relatives, be mindful of privacy concerns. Avoid sharing full birthdates and personal details publicly, and ensure you have permission before recording or sharing their stories.
Step 2: Use a Family Group Sheet
A Family Group Sheet is an essential tool for organizing details about each family unit. It includes:
- Parents’ full names
- Children’s names
- Birth, marriage, and death dates
- Locations of these events
- Sources of information (e.g., birth certificates, census records, family Bible)
Recording sources ensures the accuracy of your research and helps validate your findings.
Step 3: Interview Family Members
Speaking with older relatives can uncover valuable stories, names, and dates that may not be recorded elsewhere. When interviewing family members:
- Ask open-ended questions to encourage storytelling.
- Take detailed notes or record the conversation (with permission).
- Cite interviews properly, e.g., Wescott, D. W. (2025, February 5). How did you meet Grandma? Personal Interview.
Step 4: Collect Family Documents
Search your home for old documents that may contain vital details, such as:
- Birth, marriage, and death certificates
- Family Bibles (citing it as e.g., The Dempsey Owens Family Bible, The Holy Bible (American Bible Society, New York 1853); originally owned in 2001 by William L. Owens)
- Photos, letters, and newspaper clippings
Step 5: Create a Pedigree Chart
Once you’ve gathered family group sheets, transfer the information into a Pedigree Chart to visually map out your ancestry. This step helps identify gaps in your research and highlights where further investigation is needed.
Step 6: Organize and Track Your Research
- Maintain detailed notes for each ancestor, including birth, marriage, and death details.
- Use a Research Log to track sources, interviews, and locations you’ve searched to avoid duplication.
Step 7: Research Online Genealogy Databases
Leverage online genealogy resources, such as:
For guidance on extracting insights from historical documents, refer to Essential Tips for Ancestry Document Insights.
Step 8: Utilize Local Resources
Libraries, historical societies, and archives often hold unique records unavailable online. Check:
- Local newspapers
- Probate and land records
- Church registers
Step 9: Cite Everything
Proper citation is crucial for credibility and verification. While there is no single mandatory citation style for personal research, referencing your sources ensures accuracy. FamilySearch offers excellent citation examples to follow.
Additional Considerations:
- Start with what you know: Avoid jumping too far back before thoroughly documenting current generations.
- Verify information: Cross-check facts and sources to maintain accuracy.
- Consider DNA testing: Genetic genealogy can provide clues about relatives and help fill gaps in your family tree.
Final Thoughts
Researching your family tree is a rewarding journey that requires patience, organization, and thorough documentation. By starting with what you know, interviewing relatives, and leveraging online and local resources, you’ll build a solid foundation for uncovering your ancestry. Stay curious, cite your sources, and most importantly—enjoy the process!
For more tips, check out Avoid These Rookie Mistakes in Genealogy: Enhance Your Search and Enjoy the Journey.
If you’re overwhelmed or unsure how to proceed, I can help! For just $25 per hour, I offer guidance to streamline your research, provide expert tips, and help you build a family tree that future generations will cherish.