How to Trace a Family Tree

Researching the family tree can be valuable in many ways. You may learn things that can help your children earn scholarships and you will definitely learn things that you never knew were part of the history of you! It can be a long and arduous task but the payoff is worth it! To trace your family tree....

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer with internet access
• Library card

1. Print a free family tree worksheet off of the internet. Type "family tree" into google or google images and many possible forms will show up. Pick the one that will be easiest for you.

2. 
    
   Start with the first four generations

   Interview all living relatives. Try to do it separately so that you can confirm each persons memory. You should at least be able to get the parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents of your parents or grandparents. Remember to ask about cities and states where they lived and the family lived before them. Also write down anything they remember as family lore or legend. You should now have the base of the family tree.

3. 
    
   Search Engines are very helpful

   Start searching. Use google. Go to the library. The library may contain local marriage, death, property, and other records. It will be harder to find something on google. Use specific search terms and read everything. Look for small tips and hints to help trace your family tree from this point on.

4. 
    
   Ask for help at the library!!

   Use library, state and other web sites. Some libraries give FREE online access to the US Census records. This is very valuable information. Start scouring these records and you may be able to search back to the early 1800's. County and State records may also be maintained and searched online.

5. 
    
   Pay for info.

   After all other steps have been exhausted, you can join a genealogy online website for a fee. They will give you the information that you can generally find on your own for free. It may help if you suspect you missed something or you do not have the time to do the searching on your own. There may be nothing new for you though.

Tips & Warnings

• City libraries often have free family tree workshops, check with yours and register for a class.
• There are professionals that can help you fill in the blanks or do the whole thing for you. Be ready to pay a lot of money.
• Do not give your financial information to any person or website without first ensuring they are legitimately able to do the business you need them to do.

Resources

• Pay for info Genealogy site
• Trace Family Tree software
• Professional to trace family tree
• Public Library

[tocuriousgeorge]

on 1/2/2009 Great research information! You sure can earn scholarships by tracing your family tree. My daughter's grandmother has earned business scholarships and educational scholarships by tracing her tree and proving that she was a direct decedent from a Native American tribe. My daughter will now benefit from the family tree research! Thanks for the article!

[Rockney]

on 12/30/2008 Great tips on tracing a family tree!