Getting Started
Ask your parents what they know about their family history. Ask them to tell you stories about their childhood, parents and grandparents. Do they have written genealogy charts showing your ancestors? Do they have any written memoirs, letters, diaries, photographs or other memorabilia that can be sources for your research?
Decide which branch of your family to focus on: your paternal or maternal family history. Write down stories and begin to assemble memorabilia.
Thanksgiving and Christmas vacations are often good times to speak with relatives you may not see much during the rest of the year. If your family gets together for a large family dinner, this might be a good chance to ask questions. You might use the sound recorder on your smart phone to record a conversation with a grandparent. Ask them about their childhood, about their families and the events that happened as they grew up.
Decide which branch of your family to focus on: your paternal or maternal family history. Write down stories and begin to assemble memorabilia.
Thanksgiving and Christmas vacations are often good times to speak with relatives you may not see much during the rest of the year. If your family gets together for a large family dinner, this might be a good chance to ask questions. You might use the sound recorder on your smart phone to record a conversation with a grandparent. Ask them about their childhood, about their families and the events that happened as they grew up.