People have always been fascinated with their ancestors and family history. Knowing about our past can help us understand more about ourselves and give us a sense of purpose and belonging.
However, the idea of researching our family history can be overwhelming! Where do you begin? What resources can you use? Where can you find help? Don't worry, it isn't has hard as it seems. There are so many ways to learn about your ancestors, you just need to know where to look.
You may have resources available to your through your own family. Many families kept family records that were handed down from generation to generation. Perhaps a relative has a family bible or other book where those records are kept. Ask older family members if they recall any record books and who may have kept them.
Finding family records is a good place to start researching. These records are usually the most accurate and up to date. Some of those resources include:
Birth Certificates: Most parents keep birth certificates safe guarded in a special place. In the past, these birth records stayed with all the other important documents and were passed down through the generations. There is a good possibility that someone in your family has these records. If not, you can search for birth records at city or county offices, churches or genealogical libraries. Many older birth records did not list the name of the child, but they do list the parent's names. Make sure you have an approximate birth date and parents names to make your search easier.
Family Bible: The family bible used to be an important part of family life. Not only was it a spiritual guidance to the family, major family events were recorded in the bible. Births, deaths, marriages, etc. were recorded for posterity. The family bible usually was displayed in a prominent position in the home and was a treasure to all. The person who inherited the family bible was a lucky individual. They have a wealth of family history at their fingertips!
Death Certificates: Like birth certificates, these vital records are important to your family history research. Death certificates can give you insight into where a person last lived and perhaps even their profession. Death records created after 1910 contained all of this information. Records before that time didn't always contain all of this information but they still give you enough information for a good starting point.
Marriage certificates: Another vital record that you may find helpful are marriage certificates. Not only will you find the names of the bride and groom, but you will also find the names of the bride and grooms parents. In addition you might also find the names of the marriage witnesses who usually are related to the couple. If you cannot find the actual certificate in family records, you can usually find the marriage license at the local court house or church where they were married.
As you can see, there are many resources available to help your research your family history. Soon you will find yourself immersed in the process of searching out your ancestors and their stories. You may run into road blocks along the way, but the information that you discover will make the journey worth it.
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There is a lot of interest in family history . Learn about searching for your family and other articles about living good .
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