#12 Genealogy 101 Tip: How to begin your basic, 4 generational research


One of the most often comments I receive from individuals wishing to learn more about their ancestors is something like this:

“I don’t know much or anything about my relatives on my mother’s (or father’s) side.”

“Genealogy research is too time consuming.”

I understand.

Step One

Build your tree by placing your full name (ladies: Please include your maiden name and place the married surname in parantheses) on the single line. That information is placed on the left side of this form:

Next, if you know your parents’ full names, follow the same instructions as above. Be sure to list the full names and that includes all previous marriages (if applicable) on the line

If you do not fully know either or both of your parents, and/or if you are adopted, record the information that your know.

Next, do the same for your grandparents and great-grandparents.

In all, write what you know. It will lead to questions that may or may not be answered by living relatives, friends, neighbors, clergy and other sources.

Whatever you build, do not discard it as it will serve as your foundational beginnng to a long and wonderful detective hunt for your family.

Published by Learning family histories

Our genealogy traces our family from western and central Africa and western Europe. Our ancestors entered the United States at the Virginia and Georgia Ports. First cousins Mark Owen and Ann Lineve Wead (it is protocol to use the maiden names of females in genealogy searches) are responsible for writing this blog. Although Ann has been involved in genealogy research while searching for certain ancestors since the age of 10, the cousins began deeper research of their families during the COVID-19 Pandemic Year of 2020. Devoting as much as 6 hours some evenings to the methodical training and research of genealogy, the cousins completed the year 2020 by earning genealogy certificates. Join us. @goodgenesgenealogy on wordpress and fb, twitter Sign up for our blog and enjoy the journey.

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