Have you always wanted to work on your family history but were unsure how? Many people have the desire to start their family tree but may think it’s too difficult or overwhelming. Fortunately, there are several steps and exercises that will get you on your way to becoming a pro at family history.
1. Gather family history records.
Search high and low for family history treasures, including photos, birth certificates, etc. These clues will help you start your journey of discovering information about your ancestors.
2. Store documents for the future.
Once you find photos and records, it’s time to digitize, label, restore, and copy the documents. We recommend storing these documents in multiple places in case of a disaster.
3. Reach out to distant relatives.
Start reaching out to distant relatives and discuss your interest in family history. Not only will reaching out build a small network of collaborators, but it can help build meaningful relationships.
4. Take advantage of the Internet.
There are dozens of websites that allow you to search millions of records. These are a great starting point for your family history journey. Fortunately, most of these website are free of charge.
5. Join online forums.
There are many different genealogy chat rooms and online groups out there to choose from. Online forums are a great source of helpful tips, inspiration, and encouragement.
Professional Genealogy Consultations
Meeting with a professional genealogist skilled in your particular area of interest will greatly increase your chances of success. We understand that many people want to do as much of their own genealogy research as possible, but occasionally the assistance of a professional genealogist can make all the difference. If you are planning to visit the Family History Library, let us schedule you for one or more hours with a research specialist who can guide you to key sources and suggest new strategies for your particular ancestral problem.
