| You need good information before you can build | | | | boards, enquire in forums and list yourself on |
| your family tree online - or offline. Finding sources | | | | Facebook. People will find you if you leave tracks |
| of free information can help enormously when | | | | on the web. |
| you are doing your research. Genealogy isn't a | | | | 3. Look for free websites that offer surname |
| particularly expensive hobby but it can get | | | | searches. They often also have links to other |
| expensive if you want to use customised | | | | websites where you can drill down for even more |
| software and if you have a very extensive, far | | | | information. |
| flung family which would mean paying for access | | | | 4. Find free online databases by doing a Google |
| to many databases. So, some free information | | | | search. Be patient and know that if you spend |
| can be very welcome. | | | | your time looking for good sources now you will |
| It is also very important to be organised in your | | | | save a lot of time later. |
| research or you will find you spend a lot of time | | | | These activities will get you started and involved |
| looking in interesting little nooks and crannies but | | | | in the whole amazing process of compiling your |
| not necessarily ones that are getting you the best | | | | family tree and from these small but safe |
| information. A simple way to organise your | | | | beginnings you will gradually find out ways to |
| research is the following: | | | | make your researches more sophisticated and |
| 1. Collect useful information from your relatives | | | | complex. It will all depend on you and what suits |
| first. They will have memories that can be tapped | | | | you best - this can be as complex or as simple as |
| and boxes of original documents in their attics or | | | | you want to make it. Don't let strong advertising |
| cellars that will be invaluable. Go there first! | | | | for new and expensive products distract you. |
| 2. Search for family members on the internet | | | | Work out what you want to focus on and find |
| using the newer social networking sites as your | | | | out what tools suit you stick with that. |
| first port of call. You can post on message | | | | |