Starting your family tree

Starting your family tree research.

I had so many ideas for this blog, but haven't managed to write anything lately. But today decided to get to work

Over the next few months, I will look at tips to researching your family tree, as well as looking at historical places and various historical books.

I have extensively researched both mine and my husbands family trees. It had always interested me but never had the time. But 5 years ago I had a very long bout of vertigo/dizziness. With no choice but to sit in bed trying not to move my head, I started tapping away at our lap top to relieve the boredom. Thought I would just look up my grandmother's unusual name "Feege" and one thing led to another and now have researched back to the mid 1700 for some of my family!    

 

This blog is about getting started. You have thought about finding about your heritage but don't know where to begin? I'd suggest writing your tree down as much as you can remember. Buy a large note book and keep all your research. Talk to members of your family and keep notes.
In all families there are often "family knowledge" passed from father to daughter/son. Sometimes the truth is something near to the rumour, sometimes not as expected. Be prepared to find a few skeletons that have been hidden for decades.

My mother had always been told by her aunt Kit, not to tell anyone at Lilleshall Hall, where we were - as they would want us to pay for the upkeep!
Now I have found that my maternal grandfather's family were in Lilleshall, Shropshire in the 1800, but as for the upkeep nothing solid yet.

Look at old photographs and take copies. Get any relatives to identify who are on the photographs if possible. Look at any birth certificates, death certificates, any old diaries, address books, any documents or written material that is around and owned by your family. it may mean nothing to you yet, but may in the future. Keep records and photocopies as you go along.
Any medals or papers relating to World War Two and One, look at in detail. Make notes of names, regiments, numbers and what the medals are.

Sit an write down your full name and date of birth, where born. Then do the same for your parents. If you don't know leave blank. Continue for each generation as far as you can. By now you should have an outline of your family from yourself. maybe back to grandparents and great grandparents, some dates and places. Then include any brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, etc. It builds up a far better profile of your family and can help if you become stuck.

Check that your information is correct, obtain birth, death and marriage certificates as you progress back along your tree. Use free online resources to start with. Also if you sign up to an account on the GRO website. You can search their database and if necessary send for certificates. Use the large ancestry or Find My Past websites. they often do free trials and free days. Just keep a look out for these. If you are on Facebook, then join some of the help groups. There are many in all areas. I have Birmingham ancestors down to more local areas and Shropshire in my news feeds.

Once you have started to research be warned it can be very addictive....