Finding Your Family History

Finding Your Family History

If you're thinking about doing some research on your ancestors and doing a family tree there is no time like the present. This would be a great activity to share with your children.

You'll want to talk to the elders of your family, any grandparents and older aunts and uncles. Have them go through any old family photos that you have lying around and ask them to identify each person and the year the picture was taken for you. Write any information on the back of each picture.

Look through any letters that may have been saved by family members over the years. Every family has a box up in the attic full of unknown papers. This box may contain birth announcements and obituaries. You may also find a wealth of old birthday and holiday cards.

You may want to check the local historical society in the area where your family lived. They may have copies of old newspapers on microfilm. If you had a family member who was involved in local politics you may be able to get information on them in the town history. Check the local church to see what information they may have on your ancestors

Another place to find information on your family ancestors is the cemetery. You often find that many family members are buried in the same cemetery. You may find information on an ancestor that you didn't have, such as date of birth and you may even find out about new ancestors in the cemetery.

If a majority of your family came from Europe you may be in for a more difficult search, especially for female ancestors. Some older churches have burned down, or closed and their information is no longer available. In some European countries women who died had their deaths recorded in their maiden names only. That makes looking for female ancestors more difficult A single women who was a Smith, who then married and became a Jones returns to the name of Smith when she dies.