Finding Family History

Write Down What You Already Know About Your Family

Start with yourself. Use a worksheet to write the information you already know about yourself and your family. If you do not know exact dates and places, estimate them.

Review What Is Missing

Circle any missing or incomplete information on your worksheet. Decide what information you want to find first.

Find Out What Information Already Exists

Gather your records. Start with the records you have in your possession, and gather them into one place. Organize them, and see what family history information you already have.

Talk to your family. Talk to relatives or family friends. Record any useful information or stories they provide. Ask about copies of birth, marriage, and death certificates, journals, letters, photos, and other records that might be available.

Search other sources. If you have a computer, it is often helpful to visit family history web sites on the Internet. For example the FamilySearch web site at www.familysearch.org provides access to millions of names, dates, and other worthwhile information. FamilySearch can also connect you to other useful family history web sites and resources. These web sites often provide additional valuable family history information.

Visit a family history center near you to receive help on how to use FamilySearch, evaluate the information you find on the Internet, and get free research assistance. Staff members will gladly help you with your research questions. For the location of a center near you, go to www.familysearch.org or call 1-800-346-6044 and ask for family history center support.

Share What You Have and Decide What You Want to Do Next

After you have organized your information, make copies of family charts, photographs, and stories, and share them with your family members. This will ensure that your family information is preserved and may help to interest other family members in their family history. Using what you have gathered, decide what you would like to do next. Decide which ancestors you would like to know more about and where you might find additional information about them. You could also leave a written history of yourself for family members and posterity.

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