What's the best way to start a genealogy search when starting at the very beginning?

Question

There are a ton of websites, books, references, etc, and it's somewhat overwhelming. I'm literally just getting started here, and I'm curious: when just starting off with a genealogy search, what's the best way to begin?

Answer 1

1) Begin with yourself, and write down what you know about your ancestors and relatives. Then ask your living relatives what they know. Try not to procrastinate with this, especially with the older relatives. Get maiden names for the women, and all dates and places that you can get. The clues can be very important. The LDS Church's genealogy website has some forms that would help, the family group form and the pedigree sheet. Check them out at http://www.familysearch.org/

2) Come up with a system that you can maintain that will help you stay organized. Whether it's a genealogy software package for your computer, an online family tree, or a notebook with tabs, find what works for YOU!

3) Join a genealogical society. If your ancestors came from another county/state, join it and sign up for the bulletin/newsletter. Join the local genealogical society too, so you can meet others who are interested in genealogy too.

4) Take advantage of the internet, but keep in mind the people will publish a lot of assumptions.

5) Keep track of your sources of information. Detail counts here! You'll be glad you did, especially when you come up with conflicting information (and you will). As you go along, you will learn the value of reliable sources (and what your reliable sources are).

Answer 2

I would suggest a kind of guerilla method - starting different places the same time.

Try to get as far back as possible by asking your relatives - perhaps someone has done the work already. At least you should be able go the all information three or four or even five generations back.

Figure out, where the requested Surname/s originally come/s from. Try to get to know others with the same origin, at least if it's a rather rare surname.

Combining all information collected, you may find some information available on the web, for free. Ask others about their experiences with service companies.

And, last but not least - why don't you post some information here - perhaps someone knows something by accident or finds your request by a Google search...

Answer 3

Get a No Cost Background Check Scan at https://bitly.im/aMwX8

Its a sensible way to start. The site allows you to do a no cost scan simply to find out if any sort of data is in existence. A smaller analysis is done without cost. To get a detailed report its a modest payment.

You may not realize how many good reasons there are to try and find out more about the people around you. After all, whether you're talking about new friends, employees, doctors, caretakers for elderly family members, or even significant others, you, as a citizen, have a right to know whether the people you surround yourself with are who they say they are. This goes double in any situation that involves your children, which not only includes teachers and babysitters, but also scout masters, little league coaches and others. Bottom line, if you want to find out more about someone, you should perform a background check.

Answer 4

First and foremost start by writing down what you know. then approach living relatives and beat the crap out of them till they produce information. many are very prone to knowing nothing. Dates, locations and Maiden names are important,as they are the hardest to find. Be cautious of anything from the lds site, use it as leads, but not fact, many errors. Heritage quest is usually free via the local libraries, and you canr search the census records for your family. Local libraries and genealogical societies are a must for research. Your quest will be difficult, but be sure to look at all family members and all documentation. Hit rootsweb and sign up for the surname mailing lists. most mailing lists are most helpful and very friendly. Be sure to explain that you are new at this. impress that you are looking for assistance, not the easy answers, as many have paid good money for their info. Most important if you do not have a physical document to prove something, consider it skeptical.

Answer 5

I found most of my slave ancestors online. A good resource would be ancestry.com where you can view census images on a trial basis. They have everything, census images dating back to 1780, military records, church records, marriage records, family trees, and even a message board where you can communicate with like minded folks who could possibly be kin to you.

Are you part Indian? Try the Dawes' Rolls. Ancestry has that too.

Good luck in your search.

Answer 6

To be honest. Purchase the program, it comes with a data base and everything. Read up on the product. its worth the purchase. then start filling in what you know and be on your way. its a fun puzzle to connect, but its very hard to connect without the tools necissary. I suggest buying the genoligy program.

Please excuse the spelling :)

Answer 7

Well, start with a good website, one you can trust to get your info from. Then, start with immediate family and move down, then upwards. That's what I did. Start from what you know and research what you do not know. Good Luck!

Answer 8

with yoru parents and grand parents! they know alot! then go to the local library, they all have genealogy sections for your area then work backwards from there!

Answer 9

Do what dukefan86 says!!! also shy away from most online websites alot of non documented garbage out there.

Answer 10

Start with your parents and work backwards from there.