Starting your family history journey can feel overwhelming, but remember—every expert genealogist started exactly where you are now. Take your time, be patient with yourself, and celebrate each discovery, no matter how small.
What You'll Need
A notebook or folder for organizing information
Access to a computer or tablet with internet
Any family documents you already have (birth certificates, obituaries, family Bibles, etc.)
Patience and curiosity
When you're ready to do some research, review the What to Bring to the Lab guide
Step 1: Gather What You Already Know
Start by creating a simple family chart with yourself at the center. Work backwards, adding:
Your parents' full names (including mother's maiden name)
Birth and death dates (approximate is fine)
Places they lived
Your grandparents' names if known
Tip: Don't worry about being perfect. Mark anything you're unsure about with a question mark. Even uncertain information can provide valuable clues for your research.
Talk to Living Relatives
Before diving into online research, reach out to family members. They may have much to share:
Family stories and traditions - but these can become distorted over generations
Family members were often known by middle names or nicknames - ask for clarification
Old photographs with names and dates
Documents tucked away in attics or basements
Research already done by other family members
Caution: memories can be unreliable, especially for dates - but they are a starting point
Step 2: Choose Your Starting Point Wisely
Rather than trying to research everything at once, pick one specific goal:
"I want to find out where my grandfather was born"
"I'd like to learn about my mother's family"
"I want to find my great-grandmother's maiden name"
Having a focused objective makes research much more manageable and rewarding.
Step 3: Master these Free Resources First
FindAGrave.com - Cemetery Records Made Simple
Search this website for cemetery information by using a variety of options. Even with partial information you may be able to find an ancestor's record - and often that record includes links to their family members; parents, spouse, and children. Other users will often have added photos, obituaries, and other biographical information as well.
Verify before you trust: Information on memorial pages is user-submitted; cross-check with original records whenever possible.
See a simple guide for searching on this site: Searching in findagrave.com
FamilySearch.org - Your Best Free Friend
This website has a wide range of records available, but that means it’s easy to be overwhelmed with results that may or may not be for your ancestor. A good place to start is to search federal census records.
Tip: Starting in 1850, censuses list all family members by name. The 1900 census includes birth month & year and immigration year. Start with a year where the target is likely an adult, then look at the previous census to see the household when the person was a child.
See a simple guide for searching on this site: Searching in familysearch.com
Step 4: Save, Print, and Verify Everything You Find
Always look for multiple sources to confirm information. For example, a parent's name on a death certificate may be inaccurate if the informant didn't know the details But the individual would have provided their own parents names on a military registration card or marriage license.
When you find an original record, save it immediately and log the source.
Some websites license records temporarily so documents may not always remain available.
Step 5: Organize Your Findings
Paper Organization (Recommended for Beginners)
Create file folders or binders for each family line.
Within each folder, include the Family Group sheet, documents, photos, and a list of next steps.
Invest in Genealogy Software
While websites are great for research, don't store your family tree online. Free collaborative trees (such as on FamilySearch) allow anyone to make changes to "your" family. On paid sites like Ancestry you woulld have to pay for your own subscription and if you ever stop you no longer have access to add to your tree.
What to Look For:
Easy-to-read screen layouts
Good customer support
Ability to export your data (called GEDCOM files)
Some Software Options:
Family Tree Maker 2024: great for adding media and reporting options
Legacy Family Tree: offers a free version with most features
RootsMagic 10: user-friendly with excellent help resources
Ancestral Quest: simple interface, good for beginners
Tip: Install the trial version, add a few records, and see which software feels most comfortable before buying. Also, ask other members which software they use and what they like about it. On a recent survey of our members 35% use Family Tree Maker, 20% use Legacy, 5% use RootsMagic, 20% use other software, and 20% have not yet purchased software.
Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
Accepting online family trees without verification - they can often be useful for identifying possible connections but often contain errors that spread from tree to tree.
Assuming all entries for a person with the same surname are related
Working too far back too quickly - master one generation before moving to the next
Not keeping source citations - alwlays note where you found information
Getting discouraged by brick walls - every genealogist hits dead ends; part of the journey
Set Realistic Expectations
Genealogy is a marathon, not a sprint
You may never find everything you're looking for - and that's okay
Each small discovery is a victory worth celebrating
Don't wait to communicate what you've found - share your discoveries & stories
The journey of discovery is often more rewarding than the destination
Resources to Help You Begin Your Journey
Find out about our mentoring program - get personal guidance as you get started.
Look at the Family History Guide - Beginners Version website - It is an excellent resource to use if you like computer learning options.
Check out a beginner guide book from our club library - Good choice if you prefer to have a book you can hold in your hands,
Sign up for our Beginners Class which starts in mid-January.
Click to view or print Sources for Initial Clues handout - summarizes value of key types of records
To print this Getting Started Guide, click on your computer's Print option and select some or all of the pages.
Final Thoughts
Your family history is a unique treasure that only you can uncover. Every family has fascinating stories waiting to be discovered - ordinary people who lived extraordinary lives, overcame challenges, and paved the way for you to be here today.
Start small, be patient with yourself, and remember that every expert genealogist started with the same basic question you're asking now: "Who came before me?" The answers are out there, waiting for you to find them.
Remember: Genealogy is a marathon, not a sprint. Take time to enjoy the journey of discovery, and don't be discouraged by dead ends - they're simply opportunities to try a different approach. Every family has mysteries, and solving them is part of the joy of genealogical research.
Happy hunting!