Did you miss Day 1 of Starting Out or Staring Over 2023?
Day 1 - Plan It
What is Genealogy?
Understanding Your Family's History and Ancestry.
Genealogy and family history are often used interchangeably, but there is a subtle difference between them. Genealogy involves tracing a person's or family's lineage and descent, often through records such as birth certificates, marriage licenses, and census records. It aims to create a family tree or pedigree chart that showcases the relationships between family members over many generations. On the other hand, family history is a broader term encompassing not only genealogy but also the social, cultural, and historical context in which one's ancestors lived.
Why do people trace their ancestors?
There are many reasons why someone might be interested in their family history. For some, it's a way to make connections in their lineage and learn more about their family. For others, it's a way to understand the social, cultural, and historical context in which their ancestors lived. Additionally, researching your family tree can help identify potential risk factors for surviving family members and uncover valuable medical information. It's also a way to preserve family traditions, stories, and artifacts.
What makes a good genealogist?
Genealogy involves a lot of record-keeping and documentation, so a good genealogist needs to be detail-oriented and organized. They should also be naturally curious and motivated to learn about their family's history and ancestry. Patience and persistence are important traits, as genealogy can be time-consuming. Critical thinking and analytical skills are necessary for piecing together information from various sources. Communication skills are also important, as good genealogists need to be able to present their findings clearly and concisely. Lastly, a good genealogist adheres to ethical standards and practices and has deep knowledge and experience in genealogy research methods and tools.
What do you need to decide before beginning to Build Your Family Tree?
Before starting to build your family tree, you need to decide whether to use an online platform or a software program. If you choose an online platform, you should consider accessibility, safety, and the potential for data-mining. Ancestry and MyHeritage are two popular online platforms with different features. Ancestry offers access to billions of genealogical records and hints to help find matches, while MyHeritage has privacy settings, multimedia support, and source management. Smart Matches and record matching features can be useful for both platforms in discovering new relatives and extending your family history.
Geni and Findmypast are two popular online family tree websites that offer a range of features and benefits. Geni is known for its collaborative family trees, family groups, and research tools. It is ideal for those interested in collaborating with others and using record matching and research tools to expand their family history. Findmypast's online family trees are designed to be user-friendly and integrate with its other genealogy research tools, including record collections and reporting tools. Theyd offer privacy settings, multimedia support, and a source management system to keep track of research sources. Overall, both websites are helpful options for building and sharing family tree data, and each has its unique strengths.
Some family history software options include:
- Gramps
- Family Tree Maker
- RootsMagic
- Legacy Family Tree
- MacFamilyTree
- Heredis
- Reunion
This weekend spend time investigating the different family history software options.
Be sure to sign-up for my newsletter to receive a discount code save 50% off Legacy Family Tree Deluxe 9.0.
Gather Information
To gather family history information, start by writing down what you know about yourself. Next, talk to your parents and family members, asking about names, dates, and places related to your family history. Record the information, even if you think it's incorrect, and consider interviewing grandparents to gather more details.
In conclusion, genealogy is a powerful tool for discovering and understanding your family's history and ancestry. It can provide valuable insights into the lives of your ancestors and give you a greater understanding and appreciation for your family's history and cultural heritage. Whether you're interested in tracing your family tree for personal reasons or medical purposes, there's no doubt that genealogy is a meaningful and enriching experience.
