| If you're thinking of embarking on the journey of | | | | getting them back in the same condition, or not |
| your family history search, your not alone. The | | | | getting them back at all. |
| UK branch of a leading genealogy website has | | | | Your home scanner is a simple remedy for this |
| done a study that suggests that genealogical | | | | dilemma. Simply explain what you plan to do to |
| research is the new hobby of choice worldwide. | | | | the pictures and give a time frame that you plan |
| "People Spend 20% More Time on Family History | | | | to have them back by. If you have a laptop, you |
| Websites Than Shopping Online...," they found. | | | | can simply hook your scanner up on site. |
| Here are some simple tips that may make your | | | | You may also come across old film reels and VHS |
| job both easy and fun in the early stages. | | | | home movies. Most of the "big box" stores now |
| Start a Simple Family Tree | | | | offer conversion services and will usually have |
| Creating a family tree is educational and fun, and | | | | your video and film converted to DVD within a |
| a pastime that will allow you to delve into your | | | | month. |
| family's history and connect with the large | | | | Oh, and if you're not sure what a VHS or film reel |
| collection of relatives known as your extended | | | | is, I'll cover "ancient and primitive" methods of |
| family. Both, easy to read, and easy to create, | | | | keeping records in another article. |
| these charts are a "hands on" way to begin the | | | | Using Google |
| study of your own family. | | | | Most people beginning their family history search |
| Also, by creating a family tree, you can impart | | | | are unaware of what a wonderful genealogy tool |
| your own unique addition to your familys' historical | | | | Google can be. And to put icing on the cake... It's |
| record. This is because the easiest place to start | | | | completely free! |
| is with the one person you know the best... | | | | Although, depending on how common your |
| yourself. | | | | surname is, it can be both a little overwhelming, |
| Talk to Living Relatives | | | | and unorganized. |
| I know how excited you are to have a couple of | | | | To begin, simply type into the search bar your |
| hours alone with Uncle Pete and weird Aunt | | | | last name and key phrases like "genealogy", |
| Martha, but you may be surprised at how much | | | | "family history", and/or "family tree". This will |
| your relatives actually know about your ancestors. | | | | produce countless results of everyone with your |
| They even have pictures! | | | | same last name who's compiled information that |
| When you meet with your relatives it will be a | | | | just might tie your bloodlines together. You'll come |
| good idea to bring an audio or video recorder, this | | | | across blogs and websites all over the world. |
| way you can always go back later and transcribe, | | | | You always knew that you had a sixth cousin |
| or post the gathered media to the internet. | | | | twice removed living in Prague, didn't you? |
| Recording the history sessions also creates a | | | | Convert to Mormonism (For a Day or Two) |
| lasting record of the loved one whom you are | | | | Well, not really (no offense to LDS'ers). |
| recording and has its own sense of value in the | | | | But, the point her is that you probably didn't know |
| capturing of all the animations, emotions, and | | | | that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day |
| voice and facial inflections you might otherwise | | | | Saints (LDS) is the larges keeper of public |
| may not be able to adequately communicate to | | | | genealogical records in the world, with thousands |
| others. | | | | of genealogical centers across the globe all linking |
| The interviewee also has the opportunity to add | | | | via computer back to the main repository in Utah. |
| their part to a legacy and heritage that might | | | | The centers are open to the public and |
| have otherwise have passed with them. | | | | completely free. And, no they wont try to |
| Collecting Docs and Pics | | | | convert you while you're there, the have a |
| During one of your many visits to your relatives | | | | compassionate policy about respecting the beliefs |
| for your investigative work, you will inevitably | | | | of others. |
| come across numerous antique photographs, | | | | Well, hopefully this has helped point you in the |
| newspaper clippings, birth certificates and the like. | | | | right direction in your family history search, or |
| And if your relatives are like mine, they wont be | | | | further confuse and frustrate you (truly sorry |
| easily convinced to part with them for fear of not | | | | 'bout that mate). |