| With hundreds of genealogy charts, websites, | | | | 3. Begin the search! |
| computer programs, databases and subscription | | | | You can find information online through a variety |
| services, it can be intimidating to know where and | | | | of websites. There are family history websites |
| how to begin a genealogy search. There are sites | | | | and genealogical websites dedicated to family |
| online that provide birth, marriage and death | | | | history, many of which are subscription-based |
| records and you can fill in the gaps with census | | | | services. Expect to spend thirty or forty dollars |
| records, military records, county records and | | | | on these services. You may also want to look at |
| cemeteries. But where does one begin? | | | | websites that offer public record information |
| Follow these tips to get a head start on your | | | | online for a nominal fee. |
| family's history search. | | | | Records that may be available online: |
| 1. Collect what you have | | | | - Census records |
| Before you leap into the mass of information | | | | - Military records |
| available, collect and organize the information you | | | | - Hospital records |
| have. This includes birth and marriage certificates, | | | | - Wills and deeds |
| wills, maiden names, burial records and baptismal | | | | - Emigration and immigration records |
| certificates. | | | | - Tip: Many databases online require a payment |
| 2. Contact your current relatives | | | | for their services. Before you pay to use any |
| Once you have some information, contact your | | | | service, do a quick online research to make sure |
| relatives and ask for any documents or helpful | | | | the company is reputable and safe. |
| information that they may be able to provide. Do | | | | University and state libraries are also great |
| they have copies of birth certificates? Do they | | | | resources, as are family history libraries. You may |
| have contact information or knowledge of any | | | | be able to find relevant newspaper articles, |
| family legends? | | | | history books that trace migrations, microfilms or |
| To obtain birth certificates, marriage records and | | | | records at these locations. |
| death certificates, you need to know the | | | | When conducting a family history search online or |
| mother's Maiden name and the county in which | | | | in the library, it is useful to know the full name of |
| the event took place. If you do not have this | | | | any deceased relatives, as well as the county and |
| information, ask your relatives. Below are some | | | | state where they are buried. Of course, this |
| documents that may be useful to your research: | | | | information may not be available at your |
| Documents that your relatives may have: | | | | fingertips. Remember, don't get discouraged! |
| - Birth, death or marriage records | | | | Conducting a family history search can be |
| - Journals or diaries | | | | time-consuming, but overall it can be a very |
| - Family photo albums or bibles | | | | valuable and rewarding experience. Don't be afraid |
| Remember to contact both your close relatives | | | | to ask for help from your local librarian or your |
| as well as your distant relatives. Another relative | | | | relatives. They will likely be more than willing and |
| may have already started a genealogy search | | | | happy to help. If you stumble on an aspect of |
| and then given up--you might find a relative who | | | | your search, you can also turn to the |
| is eager to help you with your family history | | | | internet--there are many discussion groups online |
| search. | | | | that focus on genealogy. |