Genealogy Tips

One of the most common things you hear is " I wouldn't know where to start" Hopefully this page should give you a few pointers.

  1. Firstly, start with what you already know,start with YOU
  2. Gather information and dates from your Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Grandparents, mothers and fathers. Don't be surprised if people don't want to share, or you find out later down the line that some of what you have been told isn't quite what happened. There is very likely to be skeletons in the closet that they are hoping stay firmly in there. If you do find this is the case, best not to challenge the information, everything you learn needs to be checked anyway. You can also do a family record sheet and post it to relatives that aren't local, but remember to include an S.A.E
  3. Search the internet with the surnames you now have, there is possibly someone out there already researching that particular branch. There may be information on the links page.
  4. Your local library may hold records to help with your research such as census returns, they usually will also have information about your local family history society.
  5. Visit cemeteries in your local area that relatives may be buried in.
  6. Send for certificates, you can get loads of information, occupations and fathers names.
  7. If you have a records office within easy reach, pay a visit. You will usually find helpful friendly people with the same passion as you who will walk you through how everything works.
  8. Try and organise your information in an orderley manner, there is some great software out there now, but remember to back everything up. Something that may not be useful right now may prove to be just the sort of thing you wanted further down the line. For example I have found future couples living next door on census returns.
  9. The internet is a fantastic tool for genealogists, but do not take information given from third party sources as the whole picture, it is possible there has been a mistake, double check everything. I, along with many others have been off on a wild goose chase only to find that the original information wasn't correct.