All About Family Tree Genealogy Services

There can be many reasons to want to trace your family tree. Some scholarships offered by historical organizations require applicants to prove they are the direct descendants of a military group. Families can sometimes identify hereditary diseases by studying the causes of death for ancestors. For many, a genealogy search is just a fascinating hobby that can be enjoyed alone or shared with the entire family.

The web has made it faster to perform genealogical research. There are numerous databases that have been compiled and hosted through various sites. Some of these sites charge for access, but many are free. These sites allow you to access databases such as transcribed lists of passengers on immigrant ships, census records, or the Social Security death index.

Many amateur genealogists post their family trees online. It is not uncommon to find pertinent links to your own ancestry on someone else’s tree. You will want to confirm that the information entered is actually for your ancestor, but they often provide a valuable tool to expand your knowledge.

Ask older relatives if they have any documents that could assist you. You may find a family member with an old Bible containing the vital statistics on several generations. They may possess old deeds or baptismal certificates that will prove beneficial. Even if they have nothing in writing, interview them and write down whatever they may recall. Names and the dates and places of births and deaths are examples of some of the data you might learn, but pay attention to other facts as well. For instance, knowing where an ancestor enlisted in the military can help you find his unit. The knowledge that a grandmother who lived most of her life in Iowa was actually born in Georgia can eliminate hours of fruitless research.

Major newspapers usually keep files of all of their editions, and many times these are microfilmed. Call the paper and see if you can search through the back editions for obituaries or birth and wedding announcements. Census records must be more than seventy years old before they can be made public, so newspapers are often your best source for more current information.

Many public libraries feature a section of genealogical documents you can review. Sometimes, they will have much of the data on microfilm and already indexed, which expedites your search. Many times, however, you will be confronted with a collection of letters, journals, and family histories that may need a significant investment of time. If all else fails, however, and you are sure that one of your ancestors resided in the area, these records may be invaluable.

Local historical groups may also be able to help. These societies often have a lot of information on early citizens. Actual records may be limited, depending on the resources of the group, but many times they can direct you to additional sources.

Records are easier to find after the Revolutionary War than before. You may have to glean information from more obscure sources for pre-Revolutionary records. For example, gravestones can sometimes provide the names of children or spouses. Churches may have records of burials, baptisms, and marriages that can be helpful. Some of these have been entered into databases after they were transcribed and have a searchable index, even if they are not offered online.

Want to learn more about how to begin your own genealogy search, then visit Sarah Brookhaven’s genealogy site at www.Find-My-Family-Tree.com for a free genealogy mini-course. Also, check out her latest genealogy ebook, The Ultimate Genealogy Guide, for indepth information about researching your own family tree.

Tags: Family Tree | Genealogy | genealogy search | geneology

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