Some folks are asking about family tree research and if we could offer some ideas/ assistance with how to actually find your ancestors.

We’ll spread the ideas out over several posts so you can digest things in small chunks (at least my mind works that way).

That said, I’m going to assume …

• You have a family tree template and understand how to fill out a family tree.

• I’m going to assume you’ve got the passion to create a family tree that will make you and your family proud.

• I’m going to assume you’re having a little trouble researching your family history.

• Your biggest challenge…?  I’m going to assume you simply don’t know where to start.

The first step is to organize your paperwork.  Some people like to get a special notebook or pen for notes.  Something to make it special.

With this in place, you need to write down everything you know about your family.  But focus just on you, your parents, and their parents.  This “family brainstorming” will be critical to help guide your initial research.  (More on this later.)

The initial research starts with your living parents and grand-parents.  Getting information from them and, more importantly, getting permission to rummage around their attics.  These will be your first (and best) research resource.

Here is what you’re looking for… the full name, birth date, marriage date, and date of their death.

Check future posts on where to go from here.

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