Getting Started With Genealogy by Andrea Holycross Burke

The word genealogy brings to mind a Bible page, mementos or an obituary, especially when a close relative passes away. A dictionary definition reads: A record of the ancestry and descent of a person.

Today, it’s family history, instead of just genealogy. Family history is about people who lived, worshipped, and toiled to make our world better than theirs.

These things are what make up a “Family History”, a complete accounting of their lives, their times and their ways; things which make each of us unique, and individual. Taken together, they create the ‘glue’ which holds us together in family ties.

So they are no longer “just” the donors of our unique DNA, or the building blocks of our biology, they are part of us in a way that no other small group of people could be- even adopted children become a real part of our family by taking on family characteristics.

Begin now to write your own unique history, including you, your parents and grandparents. Ask questions, find names in Bibles, legal papers or journals; keep dated news clips and certificates too.

A local Family History Library can help you get started with a free computer program; this will help you by grouping fathers, mothers and children together. It will have a place for notes, sources, and other important information, like maiden names.

Generally the next step is to search census records as they list every member in each household. Keeping notes and filing is important, especially when you get large amounts of information.

A good way is to use a small tape recorder and record conversations with grandparents and older family members; it can be transcribed later and printed. Military records are online and are great sources of information, and it’s all free at your local Family History Library (just look in the telephone book).

Next, write your history. It’s a good idea to present the family information in story form, following the generations as they move from place to place. Your computer will store information and pictures of family members along with the written history and charts. The genealogy programs available today have places for pictures of each individual. Or you can print, copy or have them professionally published.

However you decide to do it, your history will be cherished by your children and grandchildren; they’ll know who they are, they’ll develop pride and self-confidence as they read about the accomplishments of their own predecessors.

About The Author

Written by Andrea Holycross Burke, genealogist/consultant with The Family History Library of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah; affilliate with the website, Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness at: http://www.raogk.org.