| A family tree consists of all the ancestors and | | | | tools to organize it all. |
| family connections represented in a visually | | | | 3. Don't Be Afraid To Go Off-Line-- It Can't Be |
| appealing and easy to understand format. | | | | Avoided! |
| Although it can seem daunting at first, the | | | | Unfortunately, the internet archives as of today |
| process of researching and building your family | | | | are nowhere near all-inclusive. Therefore you |
| tree, uncovering your ancestors and learning | | | | must take care to research your family tree |
| about the lives they led, may well turn out to be | | | | through other informational sources like libraries, |
| one of the most enriching experiences of your | | | | court houses, churches, funeral homes etc. |
| life. Here are five tips to help you get your | | | | Make sure you avoid some common mistakes |
| "research family tree" project off to a great | | | | that beginners make while researching family tree. |
| start. | | | | For example, it is good to remember that not |
| 1. Always Start Off By Interviewing Your Family | | | | everyone with your last name is a relative! Cross |
| The most common first step is to access the | | | | check by verifying additional information such as |
| knowledge and information present in your family. | | | | dates and places of birth or other relatives. |
| It is also the best first step, if you want to give | | | | Do your best to investigate and include |
| meaning and life to your family tree. Get a list of | | | | relationships such as those of step parents and |
| questions ready, pick up a notebook and get | | | | step siblings, half siblings, adopted children etc. You |
| ready for an amazing journey! | | | | should take them all into account in your family |
| You'll be surprised what a wealth of knowledge | | | | tree to get a comprehensive view. |
| about the past exists just within your elderly | | | | 4. Seek Professional Help (Maybe) |
| relatives' memory (yes, even the ones who for | | | | It is always possible to hire a professional |
| the past ten years haven't been able to | | | | genealogist to help you research your family tree. |
| remember where they put their reading glasses). | | | | They are professionals who have a repertoire of |
| Interacting with them can give you a wealth of | | | | research methods and sources to gather |
| information about your immediate ancestors. | | | | information regarding a variety of individuals and |
| Getting first hand information about the people | | | | family tree branches. |
| who are imprinted into your DNA, but whom you'll | | | | Hiring a professional will take away some of the |
| never meet, is invaluable. Take the time and | | | | fun and joy of the discovery process, but it will |
| effort to listen to (and record!) stories and | | | | certainly speed things up and ensure accuracy. |
| memories of your relatives and you will have | | | | However, you should remember that genealogists |
| taken a huge first step toward bringing the past | | | | will not be able to do all the work by themselves |
| back to life. | | | | and it is still imperative that you be as actively |
| A word of caution though: it is also important to | | | | involved in the research of your family tree as |
| filter out fact from fiction. Not all family legends | | | | possible. |
| are true. You can find a lot of stories from | | | | 5. Be A Compulsive Record Keeper and Organizer! |
| relatives that may sound great, but are simply | | | | While making your family tree, it is important to |
| not true. Often times, it is best to research and | | | | cite your sources. Record dates, places and |
| confirm things yourself by going to credible | | | | names accurately and meticulously. Keep track of |
| outside sources. So verify, then feel free to | | | | any mementoes and photographs. These small |
| include those embroidered stories-- accurately | | | | things will go a long way to help you get |
| labeled!-- in your family tree scrapbook. | | | | organized and be able to research a family tree |
| 2. Internet Is A Genealogist's Best Friend! | | | | with ease, while maintaining accuracy. |
| After this initial interview process is done, the | | | | The work we invest when we research a family |
| most powerful tool you can use is the internet. | | | | tree is not just about the names and dates but |
| You can find a lot of resources that are available | | | | about the whole personalities of your ancestors. |
| online and maintained by the government or | | | | So make sure you get the information right so |
| private sites. The variety of resources available | | | | that you are able to recreate the past. The tools |
| will of course depend on the country in which you | | | | and techniques at your disposal today make this |
| are conducting your research. Not only will you be | | | | process easier and more rewarding than it's ever |
| able to find information that you may not | | | | been. |
| otherwise have access to, you'll also find great | | | | |