Laying the Foundation for a Fulfilling Journey into Family History Research
Introduction: Everyone Has a Story
Every person is a link in a long, unbroken chain of ancestors stretching back through centuries. Discovering the lives, struggles, and triumphs of those who came before us can be incredibly rewarding—but where do you start?
This article is a comprehensive beginner’s guide to genealogy. Whether you’ve just taken a DNA test or stumbled upon an old family photo album, we’ll walk you through the process of starting your family tree, using reliable records, avoiding common mistakes, and gradually growing your research into something meaningful and lasting.
1. Understanding What Genealogy Really Is
Genealogy is more than names and dates—it’s the study of people in context. It’s about:
Reconstructing family relationships
Understanding migration, occupation, religion, and culture
Using historical records to verify facts
Building a timeline of family history across generations
The goal is not just to collect ancestors, but to document their stories truthfully.
2. Begin with What You Know
Start at home. The best way to begin is to write down:
Your full name, birth date, and birthplace
The same for your parents and grandparents (as much as you know)
Include marriages, deaths, locations, and any stories or notes
Use paper forms, genealogy software, or a site like FamilySearch or Ancestry.
a. Talk to Relatives
Interview parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles
Ask about old photos, letters, bibles, diplomas, or immigration papers
Record the conversations (with permission) or take notes
b. Gather Documents
Look for:
Birth, marriage, and death certificates
Obituaries
Immigration and naturalization papers
Military records
Yearbooks, church records, or deeds
3. Choose a System to Organize Your Research
A disorganized project quickly becomes overwhelming. Consider:
Paper systems: Pedigree charts, family group sheets, binders
Software programs: RootsMagic, Family Tree Maker, Legacy Family Tree
Online platforms: FamilySearch.org (free), Ancestry.com, MyHeritage, Findmypast
Each has pros and cons. Many beginners start with FamilySearch, which is free and beginner-friendly.
4. Learn to Work Backwards, One Generation at a Time
The number one mistake beginners make is jumping to a great-great-grandparent too quickly. Instead:
Work backwards—start with yourself, verify your parents, then your grandparents, and so on.
Each generation should be verified with at least two reliable sources. Don’t rely solely on family lore or internet trees.
5. Use Reliable Record Types
These are the core records used in genealogy:
a. Census Records
Great for placing families in time and space
U.S. censuses taken every 10 years (1790–1950 publicly available)
Include names, ages, occupations, immigration status, and more
b. Vital Records
Birth, marriage, and death certificates
Often include parents’ names, birthplaces, and causes of death
c. Immigration and Naturalization
Passenger lists, border crossings, citizenship applications
Key for immigrant ancestors and tracking movement
d. Church Records
Baptisms, marriages, funerals, communions
Especially valuable in countries where civil registration is limited
e. Military Records
Draft registrations, service records, pension files
May provide birthplaces, next of kin, and personal descriptions
6. Build a Basic Family Tree
Start with four generations:
You
Parents
Grandparents
Great-grandparents
Use a pedigree chart or online tree builder. For each person, record:
Full name (with maiden names)
Birth and death dates and places
Marriage info
Children
Sources for each fact
Avoid “copy-paste” genealogy. Never copy another person’s tree without verifying each connection.
7. Citing Your Sources (Yes, Even Early On)
Genealogy isn’t just storytelling—it’s evidence-based. Learn to:
Keep track of where you got each piece of information
Use footnotes, source templates, or software tools
A good habit from the beginning saves massive headaches later. The standard guide is “Evidence Explained” by Elizabeth Shown Mills.
8. Dealing With Conflicting Information
You may find two different birth years or parents’ names. What now?
Compare source quality: Is it an original record or second-hand?
Weigh the context: A birth certificate trumps a tombstone
Write notes explaining why you chose one over another
Genealogy is full of ambiguity—learning to reason through it is part of the process.
9. Be Aware of Brick Walls and False Trails
a. Name Variations
Spelling wasn’t standardized before the 20th century
“Johnson” may also appear as “Johansen,” “Jonsson,” or “Jenson”
b. Record Loss
Fires, floods, or wars may have destroyed records
You may need alternate records like tax rolls or land deeds
c. Misattributions
Avoid jumping to conclusions because of similar names or places
Double-check connections carefully
10. Explore DNA Testing (Optional but Powerful)
DNA testing services (like AncestryDNA, 23andMe, or MyHeritage) can:
Confirm biological relationships
Break through dead ends
Connect you to living relatives
However, DNA testing comes with privacy concerns and interpretation challenges. Use it as a supplement to traditional research—not a replacement.
11. Use Research Logs and Checklists
A research log helps you avoid repeating searches and missing opportunities. Track:
What record you searched
What search terms you used
Whether you found anything
Next steps to try
Use tools like:
Excel spreadsheets
Genealogy software logs
Printable research checklists
12. Join the Genealogy Community
Don’t go it alone! Join:
Facebook groups (e.g., “Genealogy Addicts” or “Beginner Genealogy Help”)
Reddit’s r/Genealogy
Local genealogy societies
Online forums like GenealogyWise or RootsChat
Asking questions and sharing successes will keep you engaged and motivated.
13. Keep Learning
Genealogy evolves. New records come online, new techniques are developed. Continue growing:
Read blogs (e.g., Amy Johnson Crow, Dick Eastman)
Take free webinars (Legacy Family Tree Webinars, NGS)
Attend conferences if possible
14. Preserve Your Work
Once you’ve started a tree, think about preservation:
Backup digital files (cloud and physical storage)
Print reports or binders
Share with family members
Consider donating a copy to a local historical society
Your work could benefit future generations of your family or even other researchers.
Conclusion: You’ve Already Begun
If you’ve read this far, you’re already on the path to becoming a family historian. Every photo, date, and record you uncover brings you closer to your ancestors and adds depth to your personal identity.
Take it step by step. Stay curious. Be thorough. And most of all—enjoy the journey.