Confused on How to Get Your Family History Started?

Here are some steps and pointers in how to start your own family history research.

Step 1 - How much do you know your family?
How strong is your family bond? How many relatives do you know by heart? Write down all exact info you can possibly think of and confirm them. You may not want to make a faulty family tree and include some people who are actually not from your generation. Some pointers to make your family research faster and with good results.

- Use big letters when writing family names. This lets the eye scan genealogical records easier.
- List the dates in this fashion: 11 Nov 1985 instead of 11/11/1985. This can avoid numbers from getting mixed up.
- Write the place in this manner: City/Town, State, Country. Example: Iloilo City, North Fundidor Molo, Philippines.

Also note that your name may appear more than once when your are filling up your Pedigree Chart. If you are now a parent, you will have to add your name on the Family Group Records twice. Once when you are still unmarried and another during your married years. If you have more than one marriage, fill out another sheet and add them to the records. These two forms are the most important part of the research. When doing family history, family research, family tree, family genealogy or family generations research, these two charts are the vitals tools in unfolding your family's generations mystery.

Step 2 - State the things you want to know about your family history:
Pedigree Charts ask primarily about dates and places. You have to make extensive research about important dates and places about your ancestors. Death dates/place, birth dates/places and marriage dates/places are valuable information in family research.

Step 3 - Choose the records to search:
There are two main types of genealogical records. The compiled records and the original records.

Compiled records - these are records that have already been research filed by historian or genealogist in the past. The records maybe in the form of microfilm, microfiche, in books or on family research websites.

Original records - records that were created at or near the time of an event such as birth, marriage, death or census records.

Look for compiled records first then verify these records using the original. This way you can save time and effort since you don't have to start from scratch. But doing this might not assure accurate data however the good thing is, you might just find some very essential records from it.

Step 4 - Double Check the information you have:
Many local libraries have very good genealogical materials. Especially for the surrounding areas of the library's location. Again, centers that have family history references are an excellent place to obtain records.

Whatever the source, search family tree records. Look at broad time periods, check the spelling variations and write down your results even if you come up empty-handed.

Step 5. Use the information:
Evaluate what you have found. Did you find the information that you were looking for? Is that information complete? Does it conflict with other information?

- copy the information you gathered from family research references and organize them to pedigree charts and family genealogy group sheets. These two forms are the staples of family history.
- organize the information and use a filling system that suits you.
- share the information with interested family members.

What Next?
Select a new objective and start the process over again based on what you now know about your family. Before you know it, you’re family history will unfold and you will be encouraged and excited!