How to Trace a Family's Geneology

Aside from a few old photographs in an album, many of us know little about the people in old family photos. Genealogy research is one way to learn more about the history of a family. The challenge is knowing where to begin the search for our origins. There is a lot of information other than from memory waiting to be discovered. In addition to a wide variety of print and documented resources, the Internet makes tracing one's ancestors easier and faster.

Things You'll Need

• Transportation Computer and Internet access

Instructions

1. Look up official birth records, property deeds and wills at the county courthouse in the county where family members lived. This is always a good place to start, and many local governments now have some of these records available online.

2. Search the files of area churches and parishes for recorded dates of baptisms, marriages and burials. Information may vary depending on the clerk keeping the records at the time. For example, some old baptismal records simply give the date of the baptism, while others also recorded the child's date of birth along with the mother's maiden name.

3. Look through newspaper archives for obituaries, engagements, marriages, births, special wedding anniversary announcements, divorces and information about high school and college graduates or reunions.

4. Visit local libraries and genealogical societies to explore regional histories and school yearbooks. Many accept contributions of books, diaries, photographs, scrapbooks and other printed records.

5. Examine government records such as census reports, tax assessments and voter rolls for clues into your family's past. The census is a public record that has been taken every 10 years since 1801. Access is free, and census information taken after 1841 gives a person's name, address, sex, age, occupation, marital status and county of birth.

6. Go online to find old military records. There are all kinds of government records and databases available, many of them allowing you to search free of charge. Not only can you access general service records, you can search draft records, military unit rosters and pension records to name only a few. In most cases, all you will need is a name, branch of military if known and the approximate time period a person served.

Tips & Warnings

• Genealogical Societies usually provides members free access to resources and research materials. Nonmembers are often allowed to utilize the resource library for a nominal fee. Don't forget to question older relatives. They can be an excellent resource in discovering more about your family's history. At the very least, they may be able to help you identify unknown persons in family photos.

Resources

• Locating Published Genealogies