How Do I Begin Researching My Family History?

The best way to start researching your Family History is to begin with yourself and members of your immediate family.

Collect all the information you can gather on births, marriages deaths and other events in your family. You may find that other family members have certificates, photographs, letters, diaries and other documents which will help you in your research.

Ask questions and keep notes of all details no matter how insignificant they may seem. Oral history is a valuable resource. Everything is worth noting down; however bear in mind that some family history is inaccurate, if not occasionally 'fictional'! As research progresses it becomes easier to distinguish between fact and fiction.

Share your findings with other family members who might have their own information to add to yours.

Get organised and open a file - if possible create a section for each individual and family group.
Explore the internet; there are many very good resources available any many are free.

A good start for English and Welsh genealogy is at Free BMD which provides access to millions of births, marriage and deaths from the beginning of Civil Registration in September 1837.
The Church of the Latter Day Saints at www.familysearch.org is another invaluable free site.

Keep a record of any sources you discover. There are many good Family History software programmes available which enable you to organise all your information, some allow you to share it with others on the internet if you so wish as well.

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