Starting Your Genealogy Journey: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners

Are you interested in exploring your family history but aren't sure where to start? Whether you are a UK or US citizen, this guide will equip you with the necessary steps to kick off your genealogical research. This article provides a detailed roadmap to help you begin your journey.

Introduction

Embarking on a genealogical research journey can be both exciting and overwhelming. Here are essential steps to help you create your family tree, starting with collecting information you already have and moving on to utilizing online resources.

Assemble the Information You Already Have

Before diving into online research, it's crucial to gather the information you or your family members already possess. This can include:

Old Certificates: Birth, marriage, and death certificates are invaluable records. Keep these documents in a secure and organized manner. Letters, Postcards, Memorabilia: These personal items often hold important details and can provide context to your family's history.

Using a filing cabinet, box files, or any suitable storage method, ensure these items are well-organized and easily accessible.

Dig Out Old Photographs

Photographs are a treasure trove of information. Take the time to label each photo:

Identify the Occasions: Label significant life events, such as weddings. Identify Individuals: Record the names, dates, and locations of when and where the photos were taken.

Labeling these photos will help you and future generations understand their importance in your family's history.

Ask Your Relatives

Your relatives can be invaluable sources of information. Speak to anyone who may know details that can help you build your family tree. Ask about:

Your Blood Relations: Names, nicknames, diminutives, and maiden names. In-Laws and Ancestors: Include information about the spouses and their families too.

Keep a notebook dedicated to this purpose to record all the details. Additionally, evaluate the reliability of the information you receive to ensure accuracy.

Make a First Draft

Begin by creating a rough draft of your family tree:

Sketch It Out: Start by drawing your family tree on paper with whatever information you have, even if it's approximate. Make notes of any conjectures that may need revision.

This initial draft will serve as a foundation for your research and can be refined as you gather more information.

Pressing On

While it's beneficial to start with free resources, it's also important to take advantage of the ever-expanding online resources available. Some recommended websites for beginners include:

GENUKIs - A resource for UK genealogical research. FindMyPast - Offers 10 tips to start your family history journey. Society of Genealogists - Provides hints and tips for genealogical research.

One site, Lost Cousins, is particularly unique. This site allows you to input census records and see if others have input similar records. If a match is found, you've discovered a potential cousin who could help expand your family tree.

The site's proprietor, Peter Calver, provides valuable advice and a regular newsletter that is well worth following.

Next Steps

Once you've gathered some initial information and have a rough draft of your family tree, consider diving deeper into your research. You can send an email to me for further guidance on tools and resources to make your genealogical journey smoother.

Stay tuned for my upcoming lessons covering family tree programs, additional resources, and tips to avoid common mistakes.

If you are already researching your family tree, share your experiences or brick walls with me. We can support each other while working from home.

Best regards,

Philip Talmage