How to Start Searching for Your Family
- Start with yourself and work your way back.
- Write down everything you know already - names, dates, places, etc
- Ask family members for information.
- Look for any papers or other sources you may already have: marriage/birth certificates, obituaries, family bible, etc.
- Once you know where your family came from, you have a starting place to look for more information.
- Contact libraries, courthouse, genealogical societies, etc to search for family information.
- Search the Internet for more information, contact fellow researchers, learn more about the areas your family came from.
- Forms are available that will allow you to keep track of your findings. These forms can be found in books, online or in the local history room at the library.
- You may wish to hire a professional genealogist. A list of certified genealogical researchers can be obtained from: The Board for Certification of Genealogists, PO Box 14291 , Washington , D.C. 20044
This is just the start of your search. Many books are available at the library that can help you get started on your family history. A few titles are:
Family History 101 by Marcia Melnyk
Genealogy for the First Time by Laura Best
Unpuzzling Your Past by Emily Croom