How to Search Genealogy Outside the U.S.

The first few steps in the search through a family's genealogy can be easier with the use of the Internet by ways of instant communication. Very commonly, however, the search can come to a standstill when the story leads across oceans and over borders into different countries. For most families in the United States, this does come at some point and is essential to completing the genealogy search.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Gather as much information as possible. Speak to living relatives. Find out what they know, and piece together all of the information.

2. Research the family name. A wealth of information can be discovered with knowledge of the meaning of a surname. The origin of the name can lead to the country or geographic era that needs to be searched.

3. Begin the search on the Internet. It is the World Wide Web, and much information from every part of the world can be found there. Through the Internet, it is possible to meet other extensions of the same family in other parts of the world, and once again, you will be able to piece together the information.

4. Become familiar with the history of the country. Put the other information attained into the context of the country's history, and it may reveal the reason the family is no longer there. Some events to pay close attention to are times of great poverty, revolutions and times of religious persecution.

5. Begin correspondence through mail. It may take awhile, but write to the corresponding offices or organizations that represent records and preservation of genealogy or history in that region. This may be easier to do in some countries than others.

6. Travel to the country. No amount of searching online and corresponding through mail can accomplish what a trip to the country would. While there, visit the offices and libraries nearest to the geographical area the family originates from. It is safe to say that a large amount of time, effort and hard-work has probably been put into the project before coming to this point. However, unless someone has done most of the work previously, this step will be necessary in completing the most precise and accurate account of the family's history.