A good starting point is to first decide what you hope to achieve from your research. Your goal may be as simple as trying to identify the name of your great grandfather. Or, if you have the time, energy, and interest, you may decide to identify and link together several past generations into pedigrees with the goal of learning something about their lives and times. Your objective may be as focused as just learning more about your ancestors and their lives during the U.S. Civil War. Whatever you decide as your goal, you will probably be greatly rewarded with new knowledge and insight about your family roots.

Begin researching your family history by writing down what you already know. Record your full name on a [pedigree chart] and then add the names of your parents and grandparents. This basic chart will be the foundation of your family tree with which to build upon.

If possible, record complete names (first, middle, last) on your pedigree chart. Use the surnames (maiden names) for your mother and grandmothers. Be aware that sometimes the given name (first name) you are familiar with may be a shortened version of the true given name or simply a nickname (i.e. Frank for Franklin, Polly or Molly for Mary, etc.). Also, many persons were commonly known by their middle name instead of their given name. It will be very helpful for you to know the complete and correct name for each individual. When the time comes to search for them on public records (census, marriage, cemetery, probate, etc.), your task will be easier and more successful if you are aware of possible given name variations. For example, suppose your grandfather’s name was William Albert Smith. However, he was commonly known as Grandpa Albert. You might easily overlook him when searching for his marriage record if you were looking for Albert Smith if, in fact, he had used his true given name of William when he married.

After you have completed your pedigree chart, the next step will be to write down what you know about each individual family. On a [family group record], list your brothers and sisters on the lower portion of the form with your parents entered at the top. Then, fill out another family group record with your grandparents at the top and your aunts, uncles, and parents in the lower section. Include birth, marriage, and death dates, as well as where each event took place. Continue until everyone you know has been included on the forms.

Most of us would probably need a little help from others with collecting basic name, date, and place information. Other family members, especially the elders, will be your best source for obtaining assistance with this important basic family data. Even if memories have faded a bit, your elderly relatives may have vital documents (a family bible, passports, marriage certificates, etc.) or other clues easily accessible in their homes. Approaching them to ask for assistance with your family history project should be done carefully and delicately. Not everyone will share your interest and enthusiasm in family heritage. Some might even consider your questions an invasion of privacy. Of course, you hope for assistance and cooperation, but respecting privacy is more important. You cannot expect full cooperation from every family member. However, many elderly relatives will feel honored that you have considered including them and their knowledge as part of your research project. Graciously thank them for their assistance and share your results with them. You just may gain an ally and a valuable research partner as a bonus!

Being organized is an important factor to making your family history project successful and less time consuming. As you progress, you will probably accumulate an overwhelming amount of notes, references, and assorted bits of information. Having a good filing system will help you quickly put your hands on that important fact or detail when you need it. If your notes and documents are not organized and easily accessible, the time you might waste desperately searching for an important wayward letter, address, etc., could instead be used more constructively.

There are several good [computer genealogy programs] available that will allow you to enter data, notes, photos, and references directly into an easy-to-use family database. These programs will keep your information organized and allow you to print various types of reports, charts, and lists. Also, most of these genealogy programs will enable you to send family information to others via e-mail.

It is important to carefully write down the sources of all your family information. The more documented sources you have, the more credible your work will be in the eyes of others. If you ever have to follow-up, prove, or re-check a specific detail, your task will be much easier and faster if the origin of your initial entry can be identified through documented references.