Tracing Genealogy
Start with the absolutely free ancestry search sites. Then move on to the best genealogy software programs
Tracing genealogy can be begun with some absolutely free ancestry search websites.You wil eventually want the best genealogy software programs for your family ancestry search.
Tracing genealogy today is a fairly simple process compared to the methods people had to rely on before the emergence of the internet and the convenience of accessing digitally recorded information.
In pre-internet days, conducting a family ancestry search meant spending hours at a courthouse or a library reading documents on microfilm or microfiche. In addition, mailing requests for documents located in other parts of the country took time, with many requests resulting in the researcher receiving incorrect information.
The main problem with tracing genealogy back several hundred years or more is that if you are an American, your ancestors came from Europe, Asia or Africa. Either that is where vital information will be if you actually want to complete your family tree, or there won’t be any real records. Many of the best genealogy software programs will allow you to
start your family tree for free.
However, it is possible to find out about the history of one of your immigrant ancestors by:
- knowing the original name of your immigrant ancestor, not the Anglicized one
- knowing the date of your ancestor's birth or marriage in his or her native country
- knowing where the ancestor's family originated (this has to be done at a local level, as there are very few nation-wide indexes overseas
- stories regarding family heirlooms
- knowing religion and ethnicity of ancestor
Finding some of this information will probably require accessing multiple resources located overseas and in America as well. You may be able to get the basic information you need with some of the absolutely free ancestry search websites.
Sources Used in Tracing Genealogy
A list of resources potentially useful in creating a comprehensive family tree includes:
- census records
- land records
- social security information
- military records
- newspaper obituaries
- ship passenger lists
- passport records
- biographical resources
- cemetery records
- church records
- probate court documents
Vital Records
Vital records are probably the most informative type of records you can use in your search for long-lost ancestors. These documents accurately record births, deaths, marriages and divorces that facilitate any search because finding one of these records generally provides leads to other records. Sometimes you will find these records online free, while at other times you will need to request this information through the mail.
Lack of Centralized Records
The only issue you might encounter when tracing genealogy using vital records is that even though the government mandated that vital records should be kept towards the end of the 1880's, some states did not comply so vital records during this time may be a little spotty. States like Alabama and Texas did not pursue centralizing their vital records until around 1910, and marriage licenses were not officially recorded until 1936.
Fraudulent Records
Also occurring around this time was the fact that some birth records were not accurately documented because of the stigma of illegitimacy. You may very well encounter fraudulent birth certificates before illegitimacy was accepted (before 1960), However, discovering accurate death and marriage documents does not pose any problem, as long as the state in which the death or marriage occurred kept centralized records.
Divorce Records
Being able to use divorce records are of considerable help to a genealogist because divorces were rare before 1965, so needing to access one, which occurred before this time should not be difficult. However, some states restrict access to divorce records only to those who are involved, such as New York. Requesting information and explaining why you need this information may be necessary to obtain the divorce record.
Ordering Records
A good resource to use when searching for vital records is the VitalChek Network, Inc., at 1-800- 255-2414. Representative working for this agency can give the telephone numbers to 100 local and state governmental offices. This can facilitate your search because you can directly order the records you need. You will need to pay for the service but it is worth the minimal charge if you have reached an impasse in your search.
While the variety and number of resources available makes tracing genealogy of your family history possible, discovering your family's ancestry can be a satisfying and enlightening experience. Not only will it give you a more profound sense of identity as to where you came from, but it may help you understand how you came to be who you are today.
One free resource is the U.S. Census Bureau Genealogy Records
Related Pages:
Family Ancestry Search
Origin of Family Names
Best Genealogy Software
Genealogy Software Programs
Back to Family Ancestry Search
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