The Nosey Genealogist

So its back to work after the August Bank Holiday and a weekend doing a little family history in between all the other stuff. One of my colleagues at work, who knows that I have been ‘doing’ my family tree, announced today that hearing about my successes she was thinking of setting out on the trail of her own ancestors.

“Where do you start?” she asked.

“With you, of course and then work backwards.” I replied.

If you are new to this and were to ask any good genealogist what to do, my bet is that they are likely to tell you the same “start with yourself first and work backwards” Excuse me repeating it again, but I really would not want anyone to miss this as it is such an important message from the genealogist’s point of view.

Next you should talk to family members to see what they have ferreted away in cupboards, sheds, trunks (what my grandparents called their suitcases!) and not forgetting, in the back of their minds! This is also the time to renew the old-fashioned mode of communication, the one of writing letters to distant relatives; including, where appropriate, a self addressed stamped envelope. If the relatives are distant in miles and live on the other side of the world, well then you may like to try an email. This only works if the relative is on line, more is the shame!

So what advice can I give to my work mate and anyone just starting out?

Here is a five point plan for Family Research.

1. Begin with known facts and work back, each time you obtain a new piece of information, checking it against an original record.

2. Make sure you document your source at each stage and this includes a person or a record!

3. When you turn down a blind alley, keep a record of this research. This should stop you making the same mistake again later on in your search.

4. Don’t assume that anything you have been told or information supplied by another person is correct. Do your own research and check the authenticity of information given to you by others.

5. When you hit the inevitable brick wall then seek help of family history societies or forums on the Internet.