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Are you about to begin creating your family tree, using either specialist
software, a paper tree
or are you putting together a family history album to pass down
to the grandchildren! Whatever your choice, we hope you will enjoy
your visits to this web site in the knowledge that help will be
at hand every step of the way, for the continued extension of your
family tree.
If you have already started researching your family tree we hope
that you too will also find this web site of interest and helpful
through the member boards, make new contacts, move on to the next
branch and share your interests and know how with others. Add useful
hints and tips for others just starting their tree.
What is the difference? Genealogy is the study of our ancestors,
usually through lineage, commonly the male line. Family history
is about our recent past, the olden days, how our ancestors lived,
worked and played. Genealogy on its own, for some, can become monotonous,
but combined with family history it will give us an insight into
how our ancestors lived. Using old family photographs can also provide
useful clues. The quest for your past can be fascinating and rewarding.
As a hobby, researching genealogy and family history can be fun,
rewarding and compelling.
- Decide what your aim is. Do you want to trace the male or female
line only in your family, or do you want to build your tree with
ancestors as far back as you can go, or perhaps you might just
want to study the recent past of your family history
- Start with the present, write down your immediate family names,
i.e. mum, dad, brother(s), sister(s), grandparents. Then add as
much as you can about them, i.e. date of births, marriages and
deaths. Interview relatives and make sure you write down
all the information gathered, this is the most important thing
to do. You will get laden with lots of notes, documentation and
paper work, but make sure you keep yourself organised.
- Talk to older family members to find out names, dates and any
information, events and happenings that they can remember has
taken place, making sure that you write down all the facts. Ask
them about their schooling, what they played with and what they
did for fun, where they lived, where they worked and what historical
events have happened or affected them, this will help to build
up a picture of their lifestyle.
- Get all your old photos, documents, birth/marriage/death certificates,
letters etc together to see what they can tell you about your
family’s history. Information on Certificates
- Please let living relatives know that you are researching and
building a family tree and ask their permission if you intend
using any of their photos or documentation on the internet.
- Join the Library, History Groups and use the Internet. Use
and search sites such as this one to glean as much information
as possible from each source and other like minded members.
- Visit Record Offices, check out addresses in the Library.
If you live too far away, or you want to save on the leg work,
post a message for a “look up” in the Forum.
Other members visiting a Records Office might undertake an extra
search whilst they are there, on your behalf. Or alternatively
if you are visiting a Record Office, offer your services to do
look ups for others.
- It is very important that you always write down, make notes
or keep a log on your pc of the information that you have found
in your research, dates, names, places etc, it would be burdensome
to have to go back and research the same person again, because
you had forgotten what you had read!
- When you are satisfied that you have all the information you
need, to add an entry in your tree, you can then transfer it to
the software you have installed to create your family tree, or
perhaps you are using a spreadsheet package to
add your entries into.
- Do not try to research too many surnames at once. Start with
one and work through. When you come to a broken branch, then try
starting a new branch in your tree.
- Don’t forget to take photocopies of original documentation
and give back the originals to members of the family who may have
lent them to you.
Start with Search for a Surname, have you
entered your surname(s) in your page? If you want to add or remove
names or your details, then go to My
Ancestors where you can make the changes. For registration detail
changes go back to the Log In section.
When you find a surname that you are interested in, then you can
contact the member that added it*.
You can check if there are any similarities in your tree. Are you
searching the same family names, are you related? Even if there
is not a connection, you may be able to give each other tips regarding
searches and origins of surnames.
Enter the Forum where you can request specific
information, and help others with their requests listed in various
categories. If what you are looking for is not in the forum, ask
your question on the Members board, other members
can join in and you can chat freely with each other about what you
are looking for. View and add, photos of the past in the Gallery.
If you are looking for live friends or relatives that you have lost
touch with, you can leave a message on the Looking For board, as
well as posting a photograph in the Gallery. Someone might recognise
the person you are looking for, or advise on ways of looking for
them. You should also be able to undertake your own enquiries by
using the links found within this web site. Is someone looking for
you?
Are you ready to begin researching your family tree? We hope that
you will enjoy your hobby and visit us regularly for help and to
share your own hints and tips with others. Continue to browse through
the web site to see what resources are available to help with your
research, starting with the Forum.
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