The best way to begin genealogical research is by completing a pedigree chart, starting with you! It looks a bit like a sideways family tree, but has space for important vital record dates and locations (when and where you were born, for example). Fill out as much information as you can for yourself, your parents, grandparents, and great grandparents.
Sourced from the National Genealogical Society
As you fill out each generation, you will quickly realize that there are gaps in your knowledge: you probably know when your parents were married, but does anyone know their paternal great-grandmother's maiden name?
Once you reach this point, you have to start searching for this information. One easy way to do this is by interviewing your other, older relatives. These interviews can be in person, on the phone, through the mail, or even on Zoom.
To go any further back in your family tree, you have find what records your ancestors may have left; this is what you will be spending the bulk of your time doing as you continue researching your family tree.
Be sure to check out the Templates and Interview Questions for Starting Your Family Tree box for more information on pedigree charts, how to conduct family member interviews, and more.
One pedigree chart and a few family group sheets might be easy to keep track of, but the more you research, the more paper and digital files you accumulate. Websites like Ancestry, MyHeritage, or FamilySearch, along with genealogy software like Roots Magic and Family Tree Maker can help with this. Check out the following links to learn more about what these websites and programs can do for your research.
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