sunshine02 asked:


Genealogy has been a popular hobby among people who are eager to learn their family history. Building a family tree requires time, patience and research, but the knowledge gained from searching old family records is well worth the effort.

Genealogy isn’t an easy process, and often takes hours of research analyzing census records, marriage and death certificates, and even tax records. Certificates of birth, marriage, divorce and death are considered “vital records” and searching vital records is an important part of composing a genealogy. All these records can help give a well-rounded picture of your family tree. Most records are kept by the state in which the event took place, so knowing where grandma and grandpa got hitched is important if you’re looking for their marriage record.

The Internet has taken researching genealogy records to a whole new level. The amount of information available online as well as in traditional offline sources is staggering. Determine what information you want to find out. Family tree research can be addictive once you start, so it is important to set goals such as knowing where in the old country your ancestors came from or to take your history back to a particular period in history.

Keep track of all the records you’ve requested and note whether or not you received them. If you can’t find a record, note the reason. This will prevent you from repeating your request for an unavailable record.

Family records are only as reliable as the person who filled them out. Death certificates are notorious for being wrong about certain things because the information is often gleaned from surviving family members who may be unsure of the facts.

If there are discrepancies in dates on family records, you may have to search for public or church documents to find the accurate date.

If you can, visit with older family members personally–you may be in for a fabulous ride down memory lane. Take a notebook and pen with you to write down all those nuggets of family history.



Ruth

sunshine02 asked:


Genealogy studies family ancestries and histories. These are activities that are enjoyable and often amusing; most of the fun in genealogy is in the research and finding as well as the folks you meet along the way

The different thing about genealogy is that it requires a person who is inquisitive, intelligent, enjoys learning, knows how to solve a puzzle, and does not give up when there is a brick wall.

Discovering your ancestry gives you a personal connection with history and helps to establish a firm identity and pride in your background. Knowledge of who you are and where your family comes from helps you connect with multiple generations and age groups. Studying and writing about family history is a creative outlet for anyone who enjoys research and writing. What’s more, the end result is a priceless gift left for future generations. A personalized knowledge of the past helps most people come to terms with their own life changes. Knowing about your own family history perhaps makes you a little less judgmental about other people.

In doing your genealogy in life you have to enjoy it since tracing it can take many years in do it. It is one of the best hobbies you can have so please enjoy it. Everyday when you work on your genealogy you will find something new in your past.

Genealogy is a wonderful hobby for all age groups, including children. It can provide an opportunity to develop a strong sense of family and to bridge the gap between generations. When you research your family roots, it seems that the history come alive and it improves your ability to organize, plan and communicate. Children can have so much fun playing detective, which they won’t even realize that they are learning along the way. Ask your grandchildren to help you unravel the mystery of your family history, and you will be starting them on the journey of a lifetime.

The quickest way to make progress in genealogical research is to connect with someone who is further along or is more experienced than you are. A large part of the fun of genealogy is the relationships you develop with people along the way.



Joanne