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 • Purchase genealogy software. When shopping around for genealogy
supplies, you’ll find a variety of software designed specifically
for family history research. Programs such as Family Tree Maker are
indispensable tools for easily compiling and organizing data.
• Look for records in your home. Before traipsing off to a library,
you’ll want to scour your own attic for family bibles, photographs,
diaries, journals, letters, scrapbooks, legal records, baby books
and, most importantly, birth, marriage and death certificates.
• Interview relatives. You can begin to fill in the blanks on your
pedigree chart by asking relatives for information. Often, extended
family members will be able to provide much of your missing
information. Remember to record or videotape the interview for
posterity.
• Search compiled sources. While it’s exciting to find original
records for each of your ancestors, it’s best to begin with compiled
sources. Previously researched genealogies, biographies, family
trees and name indexes will save you a lot of time in the long run.
Online databases, such as those on
Ancestry.co.uk or Genealogy.com,
can be a huge help.
•
Pay attention to spelling. Variations in spelling (especially
surname spellings) can affect the amount of information that you
find. Be sure to try alternative spellings every time you search for a
name. Or, when using
Ancestry.co.uk, try the Soundex search feature.
• Cite your sources. As with any major research project, you’ll want
to ensure accuracy by keeping track of your sources. For every
record that you use, record the title, a microfilm or volume number
and a page number.
• Read up on history. Learning more about the historical background
and migration patterns of your ancestors will help your track down
important sources of information – such as local histories, regional
maps, town directories and gazetteers (geographical dictionaries).
 • Share your discoveries. Once you’ve compiled at least a portion of
your genealogy, you can begin to share it with friends, family
members and fellow researchers. Using message boards on
Ancestry.co.uk, upload your tree where others can see your work and
even contact you to share information they may have found on the
same family lines.
More than just a hobby, genealogy is a legacy – a labour of love to
be passed to future generations. You never know what exciting
information is waiting for you!
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