Starting Your Genealogy Research
If you’re curious about where your family came from, but every time you go on Google, you’re bombarded with tons of names and records that don’t make sense to you, it can feel intimidating to trace your family history. You might wonder, ‘Do I need a DNA test?’ or “Should I hire a genealogist?’
(Spoiler: You don’t!)
It’s totally natural to dive right in with things you’ve seen on the internet, like getting DNA test kits. But take a step back and think about the wealth of information you might have, from your relatives to old documents in your grandma’s house!
More than that, starting your genealogy research can help you:
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Strengthen family relationships
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Give you insights on your health
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Discover funny family stories
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Learn family recipes
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Know unique ancestors that you might share a quirk with!
So, put away your credit cards because the best way to start your genealogy research and build your family tree for free is at home.
Step-by-Step Guide to Tracing Your Family History for Free:
Now that you’re ready to unlock your skills in beginner genealogy and start digging into your family roots, keep reading this guide.
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Set a Goal for Your Research
What is it you’re looking for? And for what?
You may be starting to trace your family history for a school project. Maybe you’re curious about how your ancestors lived in a very different time from yours. Or maybe you’re on a personal journey to help get a bigger picture of your life.
Whatever your reason is, it’s important to know what you want from your research. This helps you get the results you care about faster.
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Start With What You Already Know
The journey into genealogy starts with you.
Draft a tree and add your details. You can use free templates from websites like FamilySearch and Canva (or you can draft your own on a piece of paper).
Include your full name, birthdate, birthplace, religion, university, and anything else you think is valuable for your research. Next, fill it with your siblings’, parents’, and grandparents’ (if you know it). Feel free to expand this tree based on information you already know.
See the gaps? Those gaps are your basis for your research. The missing pieces to your family puzzle, if you will. This will help you gain clarity on what you want to know, which leads us to the next step.
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Start Your Research
This is the fun part. The actual discovery of facts and stories about your family. There are many ways to go about your genealogy research; you just have to pick one as a starting point.
A) Gather and organize your papers that are available at home
You can find helpful documents for your family tree, like:
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Birth and death certificates
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Diplomas
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Marriage and military records
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Obituaries
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Yearbooks
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Letters
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Awards
Pro tip: Start with one family line at a time. For example, you can start with your paternal grandfather, his parents, and so on.
B) Talk to your relatives
Whether it’s visiting your aunts and uncles (a bonus fun road trip!) or reaching out through social media apps, talking to your relatives can be very helpful in giving context to the documents and photos you already have.
You can ask them questions such as:
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What places did they use to live in?
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Did they move around growing up?
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Where are their other relatives?
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Did they have interesting family stories growing up?
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Which family member do they remember the most, and why?
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Is the family, in some way, related to Elvis Presley? (can’t hurt to ask)
Relying solely on oral history can be misleading and incomplete, so you might have to keep digging if you’re not satisfied with your research just yet.
Don’t forget to document as you go!
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Gather documents from relatives
Ask your relatives if they’ve kept old documents like letters, certificates, old photographs, and even a family crest. Chances are, you’re going to find an ocean of information that you can add to your own pile at home! You scan and print copies of it so you can review and record them more effectively.
Rummaging through old papers, photos, and letters in the basement may sound dull and dusty. But exploring your family history can be a rewarding journey you can take if you’re on a path of self-discovery.
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Visit local libraries
Many libraries offer free access to newspaper archives, obituaries, city directories, business listings, and even marriage notices that you can use for your genealogy research. These resources are often what powers the information on paid platforms like Ancestry and MyHeritage, so why not just skip straight to the source?
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Explore US Census Records
These records are gold mines for beginner genealogy research, as they show names, addresses, occupations, family members, and even immigration dates. These are especially useful because geography plays an important part in tracing your family tree. Subscription-based genealogy platforms also pull data from these records.
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Use the National Archives (NARA)
The National Archives offer free access to historical documents that are at least 20 years old, available offline and online.
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Browse on Cyndi’s List
Cyndi’s List is a comprehensive online library filled with a cross-referenced index of genealogical resources and links that can help your research.
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Contact the Courthouse
If you’re curious about the land records and wills of your ancestors, you can call the courthouse to see documents like deeds of sale, transfer records, tax records, estate records, and even vital records (birth, marriage, and death). For example, if you’re looking into which county your ancestor lived in, courthouses can reveal that sort of information through immigration and travel records.
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Use online databases
Findmypast, and MyHeritage offer free and beginner-friendly plans that can give you access to historical records that can help you look up family links.
4. Put the Pieces Together
Now that you have the necessary information gathered, it’s time to bring out your family tree and fill in the gaps. You can browse through free family tree formats in Canva, Creately, and FamilySearch to make things easier.
Here are a few examples of family tree templates from Canva:
Don’t forget to attach scanned copies of photos and letters you’ve scoured for a more informative and fun layout!
Why this all matters
As you can see, you don’t need to be a history buff or spend a dollar to trace your family history. If you’re ready to begin your genealogy research, you already have the resources to start!
By tracing your family history, you can have a real connection with those who came before you and help you find your place in a much bigger story. Digging into your roots could give you better insights about why you’re the way you are! You might even discover shared quirks, mannerisms, hobbies, or interests with a relative.
It’s like that song from The Lion King; your ancestor “lives in you.” They are more than just names on your family tree, and when you learn about them, you keep their stories alive.
Need help with part of the journey? Our team can help with some of the work by finding a family crest.