How to Research Your Genealogy & Family Tree

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Researching genealogy takes a little enterprise and the skills of a master sleuth.

Step 1: Interview
Record interviews with family members. Use photo albums, diaries, scrapbooks, news clippings, and old letters to jog memories.

Step 2: List family history
Make a family tree. List dates and locations of births, marriages, and deaths.

Step 3: Access original records
Access directories and census records at your local library. State records can confirm birth, death, and marriage information.

Step 4: Make a system
Devise a system to organize your information, using cards, databases, or numbering. Sort out any missing information, contradictions, or redundancies.

Tip
Investigate records compiled by others, such as biographies and family histories.

Step 5: Discuss with family
Discuss your findings with family members and go over memories that might trigger additional searches. Record interviews so you can reference them later.

Tip
Ask extended family for stories, pictures, or information they may have gleaned from intermarriages and family crises.

Step 6: Announce searches
Visit online genealogy message boards to announce your searches. Browse location-specific sites for new information.

Did You Know?
The phrase "six degrees of separation" was popularized by a 1990 play and refers to experiments on the interconnectedness of society.