Getting Started in Family History

Millions of people around the world are currently researching their ancestors, which makes family history one of the world’s most popular hobbies. At some point in their lives, everyone seems to wonder where they came from. And what begins as a simple curiosity quickly turns into an obsession.

The Difference between Genealogy and Family History

Genealogy in its most literal form is the study of family origins. Genealogies are the recorded histories of a person’s or family’s descent from their ancestors. In contrast, Family History goes even deeper by including the biographical study of their lives by gathering information about each person as an individual to learn more about the lives they lived.

The primary goal of genealogical research is to discover ancestors and their family relationships. At the most basic level, you will identify and record the following information for each individual in your family tree:

This information forms the backbone of your family history research. From here, as your research broadens and you learn more about your ancestors’ lives and times, you will be able to flesh out these genealogical facts into family history.

Getting Started

Start with any information you have and what you already know, and work your way backward.

The first step is to write down all you know about your family, beginning with yourself and your parents, working your way back to your grandparents, great grandparents, and so on.
Gather together any birth, marriage, and death certificates for family members, or make copies of them.
Check with close relatives who may have other important information such as photographs, correspondence, or contact information. Inquire with your older relatives about what they know about their family histories.
Family legends or stories should not be dismissed, but they should also not be taken literally. Use them as a starting point to investigate the past.
Start with a simple filing system and organise a file for storing letters, photocopies, certificates, and other documents. Make a folder or directory on your computer where you can save emails, notes, and internet information.
Record everything. Every family tree has skeletons, but they are all part of the story.
Keep in mind that not all of the information you gather will be correct. It is your role to separate fact and fiction.
Develop a plan and decide where to focus your research. Do not try to research every line at once as the sheer amount of information may confuse and overload you.
Avoid assumptions. Do not assume you’re related to someone just because you have the same uncommon surname or that you aren’t related to someone because the surname is spelt slightly differently. It was often the case that many of our ancestors could not read or write and names were recorded phonetically which resulted in changes between generations.

As a complete beginner, family history can feel overwhelming but ultimately, you will discover that finding out more about the past through one’s own family can become totally absorbing.