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Start Researching Your Family Genealogy

The main purpose of genealogy when it first surfaced was to tell whether a person was a true descendant of aristocracy or not. Being a true descendant would entitle them to the authority and privilege that came with it. Coat of arms, are symbols of a family emblazoned on a shield that were made and implied ancestry and eminence.

Genealogy has been in practice for thousands of years. Word-of-mouth was how our family history was passed along years ago, until people as a society eventually learned how to write. The ancient Greeks and Romans declared to be of divine ancestry, at the same time other people often said their lineage was of animal origin.

Genealogy prospered from A.D. 476 to 1453 due to the evolution of the social system that emerged in Europe during the 8th century, which made social standing and inheritance subject to lineage. This practice is still evident today in countries such as England. In some cases, genealogy is also used to trace the lineage of individuals seeking to gain membership into certain organizations and religious fellowships.

Start with your immediate family
You, your parents, siblings and grandparents or great-grandparents, if they are still alive, will be the starting point for gathering your family genealogy information to build the foundation for your family tree. Many genealogy web sites offer free family genealogy tree/relationship charts that you can download and print. Get one here at: www.genealogysearch.org/free/forms.html

You can also make one yourself very easily. It doesn't have to be fancy or elaborate. A simple chart will be sufficient. Try and locate vital records such as birth, death, marriage, divorce and baptism certificates, or any other legal records that could supply you with conclusive information about your family genealogy. Most states have vital record archives where you can obtain this information.

Names, dates and places
These are very important elements that will need to be recorded during your research. Bible records are often the only source of this type of information so be sure to check those as well. If your grandparents/great-grandparents are still living they will most likely have some lovely old photographs, correspondences and other sentimental items for you to look at. Always keep a record of your sources of family genealogy information including that received from family members and friends of the family.

Older relatives
Often like to tell stories of past experiences so why not spend an afternoon with them visiting and reminiscing. You may be surprised at how much first hand family genealogy information they can contribute. Ask about their childhood. Were they born here or in another country? Also ask about their siblings, parents, grandparents and the like. Ask to look at old photo albums and other sentimental items as this may stir up some fond memories.

Listen carefully as your relatives describe their lives, but make sure you record your observations of what is said for future reference either by jotting it down on paper or using a voice recorder. Because we all recall information in a different manner, your grandmother's account of an event may vary from your grandfather's even though both of them were there! As the saying goes, "there are two sides to every story".

Once you have gathered your family genealogy information you need Document it accurately on pedigree and family group chart forms or jot it down in a notebook to add to a formal chart later on. Again, these forms can be downloaded free of charge from various genealogy web sites. Record where you received each bit of your genealogy information. Create individual categories for each surname to keep your family genealogy information organized. This way you avoid having to wade through a confusion of paperwork when searching for a particular document, photograph, correspondences etc.

If there are any relatives in your family that you know little or nothing about, begin by researching them before anyone else. Again, vital records offer much information if you can locate any of them. When you begin your genealogical search always use the information that you have already obtained before you start looking for any information that you don't yet have. Federal population census records can provide additional information and can be found at the National Archives and records administration at http://www.archives.gov, as well as other sources such as public libraries.

You can stop by or call or write - to the courthouse in the city or town where your ascendant resided once you have obtained this information. Other possible records to research include property deeds and legal wills. Libraries can also be wells of information. They often house various types of archives, which contain records of family histories and the surrounding area, Bible Records, and family name files as well as other sources of historical information.

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