| | | | | Also very useful are research logs. |
| | | | | They are used to keep track of your information |
| It is a good idea to use templates and charts | | | | that you have searched. They also make sure |
| when starting your research. It is important to | | | | you keep the location where you have found out |
| keep all your information organized just like a | | | | about ancestors. |
| professional genealogist. | | | | It saves you from repeating searches you |
| | | | | already have done. You may have forgotten |
| Whatever term you use, family tree, family | | | | where you found a death record and instead of |
| history or genealogy research, they all have one | | | | going back your research log will have noted you |
| thing in common. That is the enormous amount of | | | | have already done that. |
| paper and notes and post its even napkins that | | | | The internet is a great tool in family history |
| we will write bits and pieces of information. | | | | searches. |
| Starting research into your family history, most | | | | When searching a surname sometimes literally |
| genealogists would recommend that you first get | | | | millions of names will come up. Using the tools |
| the necessary templates, forms and charts that | | | | provided on the internet you could narrow your |
| will make you project run much smoother. Here is | | | | search down to just hundreds. |
| a list of forms and charts that are used in | | | | Remember there can be numerous spellings for |
| genealogy research. | | | | any given name. You have to be patient but with |
| Ancestry charts also known as pedigree charts. | | | | the internet databases available, you should have |
| This type of chart is how you start collecting the | | | | no trouble finding the one you want. |
| most basic information. They give you spaces for | | | | To find the different forms that will help you in |
| names; such as parents, grand parents and of | | | | your genealogy search is quite simple. |
| course your name. | | | | Most your forms are easy accessible on the web. |
| You should start with your name, place and date | | | | Many are even free from sources such as |
| of birth. Then the same information for your | | | | libraries, and many PBS TV stations carry blank |
| parents, grand parents and great grand parents. | | | | forms for ancestry research. |
| Family Tree Templates | | | | Genealogy websites will offer forms and charts to |
| Where these differ from the pedigree charts, is | | | | begin your search. For a small amount of money, |
| instead of just direct relatives, the templates give | | | | you will be able to download templates and charts. |
| you room to expand your search. Now you will be | | | | For a beginner in family tree searches these |
| able to document couples statistics from | | | | various forms are necessary to keep your focus, |
| marriage, their children from that marriage and | | | | and know what you need to continue your |
| even additional marriages. | | | | search. With just the basics, you will be able to |
| After each couple's name, there are lines for each | | | | accumulate your family history. |
| child and their birth date place of birth, plus | | | | Once you organize it and put in on a template, |
| additional spouses and death dates. | | | | you will have something you can pass down to |
| Many people years ago had multiple marriages. | | | | the next generation. |
| Because of diseases that took, people at young | | | | Doing genealogy research is a great hobby and |
| ages and many women died in childbirth. | | | | never boring. Frustrating yes, maddening yes but |
| Therefore, you may need multiple family | | | | always exciting. Because you never know what |
| templates for the marriage and children of each | | | | family secret, you will uncover next. |
| relative. | | | | |