How to Trace One's Lineage

Elaborate family trees often require extensive research.

According to "Family Tree Magazine," 78 percent of Americans say they are interested in learning about their family history. Tracing your lineage is an exciting journey that can unearth your family's legacy. A wealth of genealogical information exists in repositories across the United States. These records will assist you as you trace your lineage. Tracing family history often requires an organized, systematic approach. It can require travel, problem-solving skills and sometimes years of research.

Instructions

1. Interview family members and friends of the family who may be familiar with your family history. Often there are family members who know the history but may not have recorded it. Ask these family members or friends if they have any old records or photos pertaining to your family. Records might consist of a birth or death certificate, a diary or Bible record. Photos are sometimes lost after a person has passed on. These heirlooms capture precious memories and can provide you with a glimpse and further detail of your family history. All of the information you have collected will help shape your search. Set up a file system to organize the information you collect.

2. Look for family members in the census records. Some census records are available on the Internet at FamilySearch.com. Census records have been taken every decade since 1790. When searching, start with the most recent census documents publicly available, which are the 1930 records. According to the National Archives, the 1940 census will be publicly available April 2, 2012. As you search, work your way back decade by decade, looking for family members. Make a note of who they lived with. Other family members such as siblings, cousins and grandparents may be revealed in these records as well. You may even discover that a family member was adopted.

3. Research and collect birth, death and marriage records as well as deed records to expand your family tree. These records exist in state archives and county courthouses. This information will sometimes help you identify other relatives. For example, early Virginia death certificates list the name and location of the parents of the deceased. New Jersey marriage certificates list the name and origin of the bride's and groom's parents. Deed records tell you where your ancestors lived and how they transferred their property.

4. Look for published family and county histories at archive and county libraries. You may find a published family history on one of the surnames you are researching. A published county history might reveal a snippet of information or old photo of one of your ancestors. Add members to your family tree as you continue to collect information.

References

• "Family Tree Magazine": Family Tree Magazine 2009 Media Planner
• The National Archives: 1940 Census Records