UK Census Online >> History Tips

Family History Tips for Beginners

Compiling your family’s history is a task worthy of careful preparation. More than just a hobby, genealogy is a legacy – a labour of love to be passed to future generations. But it’s also an intimidating task, especially if you’re unsure of where to begin. Below are some tips and fun activities to help you get started.

Start With What You Have

Sketch your family tree based entirely on memory. Even if it’s full of question marks, a rough draft will tell you what you’ll need to research in the coming months.

Gather the records you have on hand and compare them with your outline. Birth certificates, marriage licenses, and death records can provide much of the information you are missing.

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Get Your Family Involved

When starting your research, remember that living relatives are your very best sources. Interview as many relatives as you can and ask them for stories about the past. Record these interviews by hand or electronically.

Make a videotape featuring your pieces of your interviews and old home movies. When your tapes are all compiled, organise a family movie night. This is a great way to acquaint young children with older generations.

Ask permission from relatives to sort through their belongings. You’re likely to find valuable information in old baby books, family Bibles, letters, scrapbooks and journals.

Organise a special lunch and scrap booking party. Invite nearby relatives to bring old photos and keepsakes, then share and swap information. Turning family history into a family event will encourage everyone to get involved in the project.

Branch Out and Explore

At some point, you’ll need to do some research on your own. Find out what’s available outside of your family’s immediate sphere. Libraries and genealogical societies collect published family histories, old newspapers and other research materials.

Share and Preserve

After you’ve completed a good portion of your research, sort through the memorabilia you’ve collected. Take the prettier pieces (like moth-eaten letters and greeting cards) and organise them into a home display. Several frame shops specialise in shadowbox displays and other ways to preserve precious documentation.

Consider organising displays by theme – a collection of World War II clippings for example. Choose frames and matte colours that complement the era you’re trying to evoke.

Take the rough draft of your actual family tree and rework it into something beautiful. Local artists are often willing to transform computerised documents into works of art – often painted or embroidered.

One way or another, be sure to show off your handiwork. Remember that you’ll want a tangible heirloom to pass on to children and grandchildren. Whether it’s a scrapbook, shadowbox or elaborate family tree, a material collection of your efforts will be appreciated for decades to come.

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