Family Tree Research Paper

Interested in reasearching your family tree you but don't want to shell out lots of money on a genealogist or expensive on-line services? Overwhelmed with where to even begin? Well, then read on! This article will tell you how to get started researching your family tree without blowing a great deal of money. The decision to investigate your family tree can be vastly rewarding. Undoubtedly, you will unearth some amazing stories about your heritage as well as connect with long-lost relatives. You will surely find that your roots yield an interesting array of colorful people; from war heroes to two-fisted drunkards, suffragists to barmaids. The thrill of the hunt can be exhilarating, if only a bit frustrating at times. Luckily, you already have access to many resources that
Visit your elderly relations and encourage them to simply talk about their family. Rather than probing questions of dates and names, simply jogging their memory with an open-ended question like, "What were your grandparents like?" can result in a wealth of information. It is wise to take notes or even record the conversation. Make note of mention of names and places. After a dialog has been established and memories have clarified, you now might find some success in asking more direct questions. Names, including alternate spellings; marriages and previous marriages; dates; and locations are all important aspects on which to focus. Consider attending and/or hosting a family reunion. Encourage those attending to bring family artifacts (pictures, memorabilia, etc). The more connections you make with living family members, even distant cousins, will widen your available resources. If you live in the area where your ancestors settled, pay a visit to the local historical society , library, or county courthouse. Often, you may look through their records at no cost to you. Likely you will find that the staff is more than willing to help get you started and show you what family records are available to