Family tree- How to begin 3 / family tree - Articles

16. Go to your local library, historical society or LDS center. This is where I began my research on my own family line and found many of my ancestors in local history books, resource files and collections of family related material.

17. Some other sources to look for might be these records: Adoptions, divorce, emigration, medical, ownership of land, naturalization, school, biographies in history books, wills, etc.

18. Go to Court Houses and check records for your ancestors. Check deeds, probate (wills, estate, intestate), voters records, indenture, marriage, court proceedings, any kind of legal papers that would have been filed in a courthouse.

19. Post your surnames (maximum of 10 surnames) to our Researchers Pages by filling out our Post my Surnames Request Form. Over 500 fellow researcher's visit our pages every day. It only takes one person to make a connection with someone in your family line. That one person may hold the key to opening up a wealth of information on your family.

20. Visit Over 40,000 Genealogy Linkswhere you will find links to some of the top genealogy sites on the internet. These links are great for beginners. Featured are major links and surname sites, genealogy tools and services, coats of arms and family crests, new and used books, CDs, software, web rings, search engines, message boards, chat, genealogy shopping and much more.

21. Post your information including the family or families you are searching on our Family Tree Message Board. Family Researcher's will gather not only on our board but on other genealogy boards across the Internet to exchange information and try to connect family lines. You might get lucky and find a cousin or missing family link! So post on as many Message Boards on the Internet as possible. Although, be very careful what you post. Take some friendly advise and do not post your home address or home phone online. Always use common sense when posting personal information online. Our fellow genealogists are wonderful individuals but you never know who else is looking at these boards.

22. Use the search engines (MSN, AOL, Google, Yahoo, Excite, Lycos, AltaVista, AskJeeves, etc.) on the Internet to put in the names you are looking for. I have found many connections using this method. You will find Web sites and also individuals listed. Also use the Internet White Pages to look for current generations that have the same last name as you. Remember, missing cousins!

23. Remember, in order to receive family information you have to share your family genealogy with others. That includes telling others where you obtained your information. If you received your data from a specific person, please give them credit for providing you with their research findings. It might not only have cost them a lot of their valuable time and patience in deciphering records, microfilm, etc. but additional expenses such as gas, copying & research fees and travel expenses. When I first began researching my family lines and I visited my local library I remember an elderly lady helping me find tons of information in books. I asked her why she was assisting a total stranger and she told me, "That is what genealogy is all about, helping others to find their roots".

24. Below are a variety of forms that you can use for Finding Your Family Roots. All of the Form are downloadable

Research Calendar
The research calendar gives an account of every record source you have searched and serves as a reminder of what you have already done and where you have found pertinent information.

Research Extract
Use the research extract sheets to summarize information which cannot be photocopied, for which there is no document in your possession, or for things such as deeds which may be time-consuming or difficult to reread quickly when you need information from the copy you have.

Family Group Sheet
Each piece of information concerning a pedigree ancestor and his/her family is placed on a worksheet. Since the end result of your research efforts will be to compile complete, correct and connected families, the use of family group sheets from the beginning will make the compilation much easier.

Correspondence Record
It is important to keep track of those with whom you have corresponded, the reasons for writing, and whether or not you have already received an answer.

Census Extraction Forms
Census extraction forms are doubly valuable: not only do they allow researchers to see the format and column headings for various census years (especially if the schedules themselves are hard to read), they also provide a clean and convenient method for extracting and filing important information you find

25. Most important, look into buying a good "Genealogy Software Program"so you can keep track of all your findings. Check out some of the genealogy programs available by going to our Genealogy Software Program Shop. You will find programs such as: Legacy 4.0 Family Tree, Master Genealogist, Family Tree Maker, Generations Family Tree, Family Trees Quick & Easy 5.0, Family Reunion for Windows and more. Or download a FREE Family Tree Software Program by clicking here

26. And finally, after researching your family roots, gathering your research materials and documents, entering your data into your "new" genealogy program, sharing your finds with family, friends and fellow family researchers, well then.... how about thinking about a Genealogy Site on the Web!

Family tree- How to begin 3

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