Genealogy Research
10 Jan 2011 Leave a Comment
in Genealogy Research Tags: ancestors, ancestral chart, census records, family tree, family trees, marriage, pedigree chart, research genealogy
Genealogy is the study of family and the identification of ancestors and their information. This information includes vital records, census records, military records, property records and other such legal documents. Why should one study their ancestors? Studying the past helps us better understand who we are, why our family is the way it is, and grounds us by showing us where our roots lie. Conducting research is a little like being a detective and following a trail.
Getting started
Beginning genealogy research can be confusing. Where should you start? The answer is, start with what you know. Download a family tree, otherwise known as a pedigree chart or ancestral chart. Family trees should be numbered so the generations may continue on additional sheets. Begin numbering the pedigree chart by making the person to the far left on the page number one. To the right of this person are his parents. At the top right of person number one, make that person number two. This is the father. At the bottom right of person number one, make that person number three. This is the mother. Continue numbering at the top of the page working down with each set of parents. Fathers are always first and above the mother.
Complete the pedigree chart filling in all the genealogy information you know. This includes the full name of each individual and as much of their vital data (birth, marriage and death) information as you know or can quickly locate. To add pages to the family tree for a line you can trace back further, print a new page, number that page two and make person number one the individual on the first page of the tree you ended with.
Research has begun
Congratulations! You have just taken the first step in genealogy research. Stop by tomorrow for the second phase of research.
