How to Locate a Family Tree
A family tree details relationships within a family using a tree format on a chart; each different part of a family (mother, father, children) creates a "branch" on the tree. While most people can easily construct a family tree of their immediate family that consists of the individual, their siblings, their parents and grandparents, it can take extensive genealogical research to create a more detailed family tree. By interviewing family members and gathering family heirlooms, photographs, and records and using free family tree software and online research sites, you can find and create a family tree of your own.
Instructions
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Look through attics, basements and storage boxes and gather all of the documents, pictures and other information that you or other family members possess on your ancestors. Inquire as to whether your family owns any type of family genealogy record or family book (such as a bible) that holds a great deal of this type of information.
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Decide how far back you want to go when researching your ancestors and creating a family tree. While some family trees go back several generations, others simply go a generation or two into the past. The genealogic research needed will vary according to the information you already possess and how far back you wish to research your family history.
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Talk to family members to gather data about your ancestors, such as their full names and dates of birth. Information about marriages and children can also help create your family tree. Make a special point of talking to elderly relatives who may remember a great deal of often unrecorded information on family histories.
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Use a free online template, such as those found at sites such as MyHeritage.com or FamilyTreeTemplates.net to create your tree. Identify any gaps in the tree and write down pertinent details, such as family surnames, close relatives of the missing family members and possible dates of birth.
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Begin to fill in any missing data by starting your research at online genealogy websites such as FamilySearch.org or Ancestry.com. These resources will help guide you through the steps necessary to locate the missing genealogical information on your family members. They will also provide tips and assistance to help you search through a variety of online public records such as Census databases, marriage and birth records, obituaries and other resources.
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Tips & Warnings
Look on the backs of photographs for names and dates that might help you in your research.
Bring along family photos or books to help elderly relatives remember and identify different parts of your family history.
Since genealogical research can be overwhelming if you need to find information on a variety of different family lines, it might be easier to gather data on one surname or family branch at a time.
