Easy Steps to Discover Your Family's Heritage

Your heritage is rich in family, culture and tradition. With many layers, family roots grow deep. Now is the time to discover that heritage by learning about your family tree.

Taking on the task of learning family genealogy is something many are interested in, but it can be intimidating. If you know where to start and what tools to use, researching your family heritage can be an enjoyable and rewarding task.

Step 1: Start With What You Know

The easiest way to begin recording your family history is to start with what you already know. Begin with yourself and move backward through each generation. Try recording birth and death dates and locations, military service and individual occupations.

Step 2: Treasure Hunt

Scavenge your attic to find things you have in your own home. Look for old letters, photos and birth or marriage certificates. Contact family members to fill in the blanks. Try writing down questions and conducting an interview.

Step 3: The Family Tree

Create a family tree chart showing five generations of a family line. Start with yourself and move to your parents and grandparents. Any missing information can be filled in later.

For information about family units (husband, wife and children) use a family group sheet. Start with the married couple and then record each child born in order of birth. Start with yourself and then move to other couples on your tree.

Step 4: Organize

Some prefer to use pen and paper, but many choose to use a computer program to record and organize their family tree. Benefits to using a computer program are vast. For example, Family Tree Maker software is an easy to use program that guides you through this complicated process.

Additionally, Family Tree Maker saves time because information recorded will automatically be put into your family tree chart and family group sheets. The software also comes with a tool called GenSmarts, which takes your file and makes suggestions about what records and resources might be most useful for your continued research.

Step 5: Search for Records

After organizing the information you know with your family tree program, it's time to take the next step. By using the library, local historical center or online resources, many records will give you information on your ancestors. The following types of records provide the most success: U.S. Census records, birth, marriage and death certificates, the Social Security Death Index, passenger lists and WWI Draft Registration Cards.

The Internet can be the most powerful family history tool because many records are available online. There are many Web sites dedicated to this type of research. Family Tree Maker software can integrate with Ancestory.com on the Internet, a popular genealogy Web site. By integrating with the Internet, you can search millions of records instantly.

Step 6: Personalize and Share

After you collect additional information, make the project your own by personalizing it. Add colors and designs to your tree. Perhaps you have a family crest you can add. Even things like pictures, maps and charts can add a personalized touch.

Family Tree Maker software lets users choose from an array of professionally designed templates to illustrate pages. You can add other information such as narratives, pictures and videos to your family history file and make decorative family CDs or books to share.

Now share with your family and friends! Bring your tree to your next family gathering. Family Tree Maker also allows users to publish their family trees on the web, allowing relatives from all over the world to access their family history online.

Discovering your heritage connects you with your past. With these simple steps, you are well on your way to learning more about your history and yourself. To learn more about Family Tree Maker visit www.FamilyTreeMaker.com.

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