- 1). Interview family members. Question grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles on family stories, vital record information, occupations and religious beliefs. Gather information on how many children each set of parents had and who those children married. Record all clues provided no matter how insignificant they may appear.
- 2). Download and print a family tree. Your family tree begins with you. Write your name in the space provided on the left-hand side of the page. Add your vital information below. Next, add your parents' names and vital information. Your father's name is placed above yours and your mother's maiden name below yours and to the right. Record their vital information below their names. Continue adding parents of each person listed and always use maiden names for the women. If a maiden name is unknown, just write "unknown."
- 3). Download and print a family group sheet. A family group sheet differs from a family tree because it focuses on one family. Write the names of your parents on the top of one sheet and include their vital information. Write the names of all children born to those parents. Write down their vital information. Complete a new family group sheet for each family or set of parents on your tree.
- 4). Review the information collected. Question family members again if conflicting information was uncovered during the initial interviews and data recording.
- 5). Create a research plan to learn more. The plan should include the facts you know, the information you want to know and where you think you can find the information. This includes a list of repositories where the information may be held.
- 6). Locate records for your research plan. Record sources include vital records, immigration, naturalization, census, military, land and church records. Visit a repository to view records. Repositories that hold genealogical materials include state and national archives, public and research libraries, historical societies, museums, church archives and courthouses.
- 7). Evaluate the information gathered and revise your research plan.
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