| Anyone who is just starting out on his family | | | | final proof. |
| history research will be amazed by looking up | | | | One useful tool in starting out on your research is |
| sites on the computer and quickly finding answers | | | | to dig out the old family photographs. The photos |
| to questions that one never thought possible. | | | | can prove to be an absolute goldmine to |
| However, it is simple to get bewildered by the | | | | researchers. A few family photographs will have |
| downright immensity of material on the Internet. | | | | been properly identified and contain a wealth of |
| And there are new sites being produced on a | | | | material, but the bulk, sadly, were tossed into a |
| steady basis | | | | box or drawer with hardly any written information |
| The huge interest in family history research in | | | | to accompany them. |
| recent years is due in the main to the growing | | | | If you can establish a name and the place where |
| range of databases now available from the | | | | a family member lived it is a fairly straightforward |
| comfort of your home. It is a fascinating topic | | | | job to track them down through the Census |
| and once addicted you can by no means let it | | | | records. |
| rest! | | | | There are many further records that will be |
| If you are starting to compile your family history | | | | invaluable. Birth certificates reveal the place of |
| from the start, the best tip anybody can propose | | | | birth, the mother's maiden name, father's name |
| is to not accept as true anything you see or hear | | | | and occupation and date of registration. Marriage |
| unless you can check it against the original source. | | | | certificates give the parties' names, occupations |
| Do not take anything you discover at face value - | | | | ages and residence at the time of the marriage. |
| particularly family trees | | | | They also give the fathers' names and their |
| There is little point in drafting a family tree which | | | | occupations along with the names of witnesses to |
| has no source material (for example, no parish | | | | the union. |
| register entries, no birth/marriage/death | | | | Some people are uncomfortable about death |
| certificates, etc). It is our nature to believe | | | | certificates so they are often overlooked as a |
| anything that is in print must be true. However, | | | | resource. However, death certificates can give |
| do not accept as true anything that does not | | | | interesting details about the cause and place of |
| bear a confirmed reference. | | | | death, along with the name and residence of the |
| Begin your search by making some inquiries of | | | | deceased. |
| parents, grandparents or other relatives. You will | | | | Of course the further back you go the less |
| find some really helpful data from them, but | | | | material there is, but that is what makes your |
| remember that Uncle Bill's memory may be failing. | | | | research so appealing - you never really know |
| (He told you he was in the "Big One", WWII, | | | | what may be awaiting you around the next |
| right?) You will need to establish the facts as a | | | | corner! |