How to Follow Your Family Tree

Some online resources will help you follow your family tree.

Genealogy, also known as discovering your family tree, is a way for you to learn about your family history and where you came from. You may also learn what kind of role your family played in historical events and discover what impact these events had on your family. Whether pursuing your family tree is a hobby or your curiosity has gotten the best of you, there are several ways to follow your family tree.

Instructions

1. Search your home. Gather as much information as you can. The first step to finding information is by searching your home. Look for heirlooms, gifts, and papers. These items can help you find clues about your ancestors and their history.

2. Take notes when talking to relatives. Interviewing family and relatives will help answer your questions regarding your family tree and the relationships of your ancestors. With good notes, you will be better organized and you can refer back to the new information at a later time. In addition, Genealogy.com suggests that family stories can add depth to your family's history. You may be able to learn more than just names, dates, and places.

3. Contact others who are are already working on your family tree. If a distant relative has already started one, you can save a lot of time and energy if she is willing to share her findings with you. Your distant relative may be following a different part of the tree, or may be following a distant common ancestor.

4. Start a family tree with a free online family tree builder. Some online resources are specifically devoted to family tree research. Such resources will help you find new information about your ancestors and allow you to build your tree.

References

• Genealogy.com
• Family Search: Ancestral File
• Health Guidance

Resources

• Ancestry.com
• My Heritage