5 Tips to Start Researching Your Family History and for Those Who Want to Help

During this genealogy journey, I have read a lot of books on the subject.  As a matter of fact, I have read and reread some books.  Because of that, I have learned more about the subject than I ever thought was possible.  But I have also learned a few things that weren’t in the books that have been very important in this journey as well.  I have been able to help people that aren’t as interested in genealogy, help the family historians in their family.  So with that said, I would like to share 5 tips for the family historian and 5 tips for those who want to assist the family historian.

Tips for the Family Historian

1. Decide what your end goal is. Do you want to write a book? Are you researching for a family reunion? Do you want to teach your kids about their family?
2. Decide how you are going to organize your findings before you start researching.
3. Write out your goals.  Review and update your goals often.
4. Network when you are at libraries or archives. Talk to the staff. They have a wealth of knowledge that can assist you.
5. READ! READ! READ! Read about genealogy and the communities your ancestors are from. Read blogs and articles to find out what’s new in the genealogy world. Read as much as you can about genealogy.

Tips for Those that Want to Help a Family Historian

1. If you have good penmanship, volunteer to write out family group sheets, family trees, letters to family members or thank you notes.
2. If you live in a city the family historian has been researching, volunteer to take photos of headstones at the cemetery, churches or schools. Help by visiting libraries and government offices when necessary.
3. If you are good with technology, volunteer to help scan documents/photos and organize them on their computer.
4. Volunteer to be a fresh set of eyes for reading older documents with hard to read handwriting.
5. Inquire about their research.  You don’t have to be involved to want to know how it’s going.