| Genealogy is a popular pastime. It is natural to be | | | | Now it is time to take the information you have |
| curious about one's roots and family history, and | | | | compiled and use it to move backward through |
| genealogy allows all of the information to be | | | | your family line. Your first step should to be to |
| compiled and passed along to future generations. | | | | check with the major research societies and |
| The internet has proved to be a powerful tool for | | | | online forums to see if anyone else is researching |
| genealogists, allowing easier searches of records | | | | the same surnames as you are. |
| as well as the sharing of information between | | | | It is possible that a completed or in-process |
| genealogists who share a common line. This article | | | | genealogy will link to yours, so be sure to |
| will discuss some of the common questions | | | | research any current genealogies that seem |
| surrounding genealogy and family history that | | | | plausible. |
| may help you find your ancestors. | | | | What are some of the problems I might run into |
| What is genealogy? | | | | when performing genealogical research? |
| Genealogy can be defined as the study and | | | | The biggest problem that most of us will face is |
| recording of one's family history. The information | | | | loss or destruction of records. Virtually every |
| is recorded in a document known as a family tree. | | | | bloodline has in its history an era of persecution, |
| Information that may be documented in the | | | | flood, fire or other disaster. |
| written record includes birth, death and marriage | | | | At a time when all records were on paper, even |
| dates, names of spouse(s) and children, and | | | | a small local fire could be enough to destroy all of |
| perhaps pertinent historical or medical data. | | | | the town's records. Those who fled persecution |
| Why is genealogy important? | | | | often changed their names on the spot and went |
| We are ultimately the product of those who have | | | | into hiding in a new location. |
| gone before us. In order to understand ourselves | | | | There will be gaps in your records and you might |
| better, it is important to understand where we | | | | hit a wall beyond which it is impossible to trace a |
| came from. Additionally, genealogy may be used | | | | certain branch of your family. |
| to find lost relatives or trace a line of | | | | When you run into these problems, think outside |
| descendants from a well-known ancestor. | | | | the box. Try to connect an ancestor whose trail |
| Genealogy is also a way to acknowledge the | | | | has gone cold to someone else in your family |
| importance and life history of our deceased loved | | | | whose records you have. |
| ones. Genealogy can be used to put together the | | | | Odds are good that a connection is there, |
| life story of an individual family. | | | | although it may take some detective work to |
| I have done all the research I can within my | | | | figure out the link. Patience and perseverance are |
| immediate family. Now what? | | | | the keys. |