How to Begin a Genealogy Search

Here are steps to help you get started on your adventures in genealogical research:

Identify what you know:

• Start with information about yourself – your birth, marriage, and other information.

• Create a simple family tree with your immediate family.

• Write down your parents’ and grandparents’ information.

• Include where they lived and/or grew up as well as birth, marriage, and death dates.

• Find out more information about your close relatives and those on farther branches of the family tree.

• Talk with older relatives. Tape-record the interviews, if they are comfortable with that.

• Verify names and dates – was Aunt Betty’s birth name Betsy, Elizabeth, or Bettie-Lou? Was she born in 1944 or 1934?

• Look for family photos, Bibles, letters, and other documents that contain family history.

These are records you should ask all family members about:

• Family Bibles

• Birth, marriage, and death certificates

• Divorce records

• Deeds to property

• Wills

• Old letters

• Photographs

• Plaques, awards, honors, and other memorabilia

• School certificates

• Insurance papers

• Funeral programs

• Obituaries

• Membership cards

• Anniversary programs for organizations and churches

• School and college yearbooks

• Military discharge papers

• Any other sources with names and dates