Researching Your Family History
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Where to begin?
Researching your family history can be fascinating and rewarding - and a little daunting. How does one start?
- Start with yourself and your immediate family and work backwards, making a note of all the names, dates and facts you are certain of, including birth, death and marriage.
- Talk to the members of your family and ask for their recollections. Keep a separate record of what each person tells you so you can compare notes.
- Try and find as many family documents, correspondence, photos etc. as you can - search cupboards and attics and ask other family members to do the same.
- Show your findings to older family members as it may jog their memories.
- Always record where you find your information so you can locate it again. You think you'll remember but you never do!
- Using the information found, start to make up a family tree with pen and paper. This will help identify gaps.
- Make a list of questions arising from your research so far. This will be the starting point for the next stage of your research.
Also:
- Read books about how to research family history, many are available at your local library. Click on the link to go to the libraries online catalogue to find books.
- Courses are available at adult learning centres and at the Record Office that will guide you through using resources and records.
- The BBC Family History website provides lots of information that can help you get started.
Check out the links below for information on resources that can help with your search.
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What's in the Library? |
What is the Census? |
What is the IGI? |
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What Online Resources are there? |
Other Sources |