Family History and Genealogy: Learn About Your Roots
There’s more to your family history than the stories that your mom and dad can tell you. Learn about your family tree by pursuing the path of genealogy!
Whether we’ve heard our grandparents’ stories or about our parents’ childhood, the past is part of our lives today. But there’s a lot more to the history of a family than one or two generations. For those who are curious, genealogy can be a way to learn more about their family – and themselves! If you have experience with genealogy and family history, share your stories on your favorite family app.
Why Trace Your Family History?
Many of us may have heard stories from our parents or grandparents about their history. However, tracing your family tree is about more than spending time with your grandparents for an afternoon. If you’ve ever wanted to know where you came from, now’s the time! While you may have the opportunity to learn about a famous relative, it’s also an opportunity to determine your roots.
To get to know where you came from and who your ancestors were can teach you more about yourself. For those dealing with illness, a genealogy chart can be helpful to determine where certain ailments came from. It can even be a way to bring families closer together and learn something that impacts all of them. At one time, only the nobility could trace their lineage, but it’s something we can all do nowadays!
How Can I Trace My Lineage?
Answering family history questions takes more than a day, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. Be prepared to dive into genealogy and share your own discoveries on FamilyApp!
1. Talk to Your Family
The first part of learning about your family history is doing a little research. You’ll want to talk to your parents, grandparents, and aunts and uncles to get information about their past. Knowledge about where they lived, who they knew, and any significant dates will be important.
2. Search the Scrapbooks
Every family will have a collection of documents or records that includes birth certificates, wedding invitations, pictures, and report cards. Use these items as a beginning resource to learn more about genealogy history.
3. Go Online!
There are plenty of genealogy databases that will be able to help you further your search. With the information you’ve discovered, start building your family tree. It’s important to input your research and records as they’re discovered so that nothing is missed.
4. Meet Other Researchers
One of the best ways to get insight into your family history is by connecting with other like-minded individuals! You can do this through social media sites or websites like Find My Past. This can be a great way to get advice on how to find your family! Share your own experience on your favorite family app.
5. Check the Census
When it comes to learning about family history in the United States, the U.S. Federal Census is a great resource. This census has been going since 1790 and can help to trace the lives of your ancestors. You can get everything from birthplaces and immigration information to their occupation and residence.
6. Find a Society
As you get deeper into your search, finding a society that will help you discover new pathways is necessary. Try visiting the Federation of Genealogical Societies to connect with genealogists who can help you. You may even want to take some genealogy courses or attend events for further learning!
Many of us have heard the stories of our parents and grandparents’ younger years. But, knowing more about our personal history can be a meaningful way to fill out the family tree. By talking to your family and doing a little research, you can learn more about yourself now! Have you discovered anything unique through genealogy? Share your experience with other seekers! Knowing more about our family history is a great way to connect with our loved ones today.
