How to Find My Ancestors by Entering My Last Name

There are several websites to help you find your ancestors.

Trying to put together your family tree can be exciting and fun. It can also be difficult, though, especially if you don't know much about your family history and ancestors. Without the help of older generations in your family to provide basic information, you may need to do your own genealogical and ancestral search. Luckily, several easy-to-use websites will help you narrow down, name and possibly even locate your family members.

Instructions

1. Visit a website that performs family searches. These websites include Ancestry.com, SearchForAncestors.com and KindredKonnections.com.

2. Enter your first and last name. This will start your family tree. Some websites, such as Ancestry.com, will prompt you to enter your parents' information and your grandparents' information, if you know it. If you're able to gather all of this information, you'll want their first and last names, birth date and place, and date of death, if applicable.

3. Type the name of the ancestor you're looking for. Even if you're not positive of the name's exact spelling, you can still venture a guess. These websites are designed to search for names that are similar to what you enter. Some sites, such as Kindred Konnections, will let you not only search for the name but will also let you choose which type of document you're searching for with that name. For example, you can choose to search for your great-grandmother's name via their birth certificate.

4. Sign up for notification service. Some sites offer this service, which will provide you with a notice if they end up finding your ancestor. Searching for family members isn't always easy and quick; sometimes it can take a while for extended family members to be tracked down. Kindred Konnections, for example, will notify you if they end up finding the ancestor you're searching for, even if they can't find them immediately.

5. Find out where your ancestors originated. If you don't have contact with your family and don't know much of your family history and background, you may not even know exactly where your last name comes from. In order to find your ancestors, you'll want to know from which part of the world your extended family comes. A basic search on the Internet can tell you the origins of your name, which may help you to narrow down your ancestors.

References

• Ancestry
• Ancestor Search
• Kindred Konnections