Genealogy - Research Your Family Tree

[Jane Tilly]

In the movie Titanic an important document, a hand-drawn sketch, plays
a vital role in connecting people to a story in that took place 84
years in the past. The discovery of this document is the beginning of
a story told near the end of a woman's life. As she recounts the story
of that fateful trip, her family is gathered around her to listen.
Just like the Titanic's character, Rose, you may find that there are
people like Rose in your own family! Researching your family tree may
uncover documents, heirlooms and other items which are the keys to
unlocking the history of your family and ancestors. So, the question
is: how do you go about finding these clues to the past and unraveling
the mystery that is your family tree?
First, you must learn to think of yourself as a detective or an
investigative reporter. If you already do these things for a living
then it will come easy to you! For the rest of us, we must learn how
to think a new way: we're looking for clues and facts! Oh sure, you
still want to hear the stories of the past (that's the fun part of
doing this research!), but you also need to keep your eyes and ears
open for the clues and facts which may lead you further into your
family's past. If all you hear are stories, then you're not listening
like a detective! Listen for the facts! Then go digging for more
clues.
Next, you should familiarize yourself with a few of the basics of
doing investigative research. After all, you're a family history
detective now! Here are a few of the most obvious methods and places
of research: word of mouth interviews, documents and photographs,
libraries, databases and of course the Internet.
There are many types of searches you should do to uncover more of your
family history. The first obvious type of search is the "surname
search", in which you simply lookup your family's surname (last name)
on the Internet or in the library or in the local courthouse
documents. Another type of search is the "one place study", where you
go to a single place such as a small town or village and search for as
many facts and clues as you can. Another popular type of search is the
"specific person" search, where you are interested in finding
information about one specific person in your family history (usually
to find out how you or someone else is directly related to that
person). Each of these types of searches yields different but
insightful results.
Next, you should draft a plan of action that leads you step-by-step
through the journey of researching your family history. Your plan
should include word of mouth interviews, documents and photographs, as
well as libraries, databases and the Internet.
The first, easiest place for you to begin your family history research
is with yourself and your immediate family. The most obvious research
method is the "word of mouth" method (which simply means "do
interviews"). Perhaps you could have a family reunion, and at the
event you could go around interviewing various key people in your
family. While you're interviewing, don't forget to ask for the facts
and clues which will lead you further on your quest!
Ask family members to dig up old documents and photographs, and ask
them where else you should go to find more information. They may send
you to the courthouse or library or to Great-Uncle Joe's house. These
are some of the types of documents you are looking for: church
records, marriage and divorce documents, birth and death certificates,
military discharge papers, newspaper clippings, etc.
Other places to search for clues are libraries, databases and on the
Internet. You can search the archives of the local public library, the
Mormon library, or even the Library of Congress in Washington D.C.!
You can also search through databases and indexes (both online and in
print or microfiche). Some of the most important databases are: the
LDS database, the IGI and the AF. And of course the Internet is one of
the most obvious and powerful tools you can use for research with such
sites as familysearch.org.
What are you waiting for? You now have the basic understanding that
will lead you successfully down the journey to discovery. Get started
researching your family tree today!

Unlimited Public Records Searches - http://www.recordapro.tk/