Did you know that most people’s family trees date back only two or three generations? If they were able to go back further, they would find an incredible amount of diversity. People would find people from all over the world, and not just those that look like them.
Documenting your Ancestors’ Lives as a Genealogical Detective
Keep in mind that people are an integral part of any genealogical research. They are the ones who provide the clues to you, the family genealogical detective.
It is worth remembering that family stories can be a great source of information for your research. You do not need to be an expert in conducting interviews, but taking notes and recording their stories can provide insight into their lives and backgrounds. Remembering this will allow you to learn more about the individual and their history.
One way to get started with your research is by talking with other members of your family and asking them about their pasts. You can start this process by checking family archives and journals, then asking your relatives about their memories.
Some Steps to Take in Researching Your Families’ History
The first step is to take inventory of all the information you have gathered. This can be done by creating a family tree, arranging your notes in chronological order, or simply making a list of everything you know about each family member.
Next, it is important to start asking questions about what you have found out. Most people think that the research process should end with documentation but once you are done documenting your findings it’s time to start asking “why?”
Some other steps to take after the research is done:
– Collect and store all of the information on a spreadsheet, digital file, or in family tree filing system. Keeping track of all the necessary data for everyone in your family can be an overwhelming task. There are many resources to help you collect, organize, and store all of this information so you can easily access it whenever you need it.
– Plan your family reunion to get more stories and information. Imagine a family gathering where everyone brings a dish or some other item to share and a story about their mom, dad, sister, brother, grandpa or grandma. The stories will be different and everyone will get a chance to tell them.
“Look what I found in grandpa’s desk! I remember when he used to play the violin on a Saturday Night and smoke his old pipe.”
– Consider researching your genealogy and family tree in the future to expand on your sources and documents. It’s no secret that genealogy has gotten easier in the digital age. Websites like Ancestry.com, MyHeritage.com and familysearch.org allow for people to explore their family tree with relative ease. But what if you wanted to do more than just explore? What if you wanted to create a tree of your own? Creating a family tree is crucial for many reasons, but one of the most important reasons for creating a family tree is to help you know which relatives that may have a genetic illness that can be passed down in the tree.
Be The Detective And Uncover Your Ancestors’ Lives
Genealogists can use ancestry.com to find their relatives, but what if there are no records?
What if it is because the ancestor was an orphan or one of the first settlers in a territory?
A genealogical detective can be hired to uncover their past.
Are you ready to tackle your family’s story? Take the plunge and unravel the mysteries of your past.
Discovering Your Past 